Flight attendants for major airlines flying to, from, and within Hawaii—such as Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest, American, and United—are at different stages of addressing compensation issues. Here’s a look at each airline’s current status and what’s ahead as Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines prepare to unite their flight attendant workforces under a single operating certificate.

Hawaiian Airlines.

Before joining forces with Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines has yet to introduce boarding pay for its flight attendants, which covers time spent assisting passengers before takeoff. Despite being a key carrier to, from, and within Hawaii, HA hasn’t taken public steps to implement boarding pay, and their union has not indicated any immediate moves toward achieving this compensation. As industry trends shift, pressure may mount on Hawaiian to reconsider its stance, especially as the integration with Alaska progresses.

Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines (pre-Hawaiian acquisition) flight attendants rejected a contract proposal in August that didn’t include boarding pay. Represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), they continue to push for this benefit, aligning with the growing trend for fair compensation.

The rejected three-year deal would have increased pay by 32%, offered retroactive pay, and included highly desired boarding pay. As negotiations continue, Alaska’s flight attendants remain focused on securing improved compensation, especially in light of the impending integration with Hawaiian Airlines.

Southwest Airlines.

Southwest’s flight attendants ratified a new contract earlier this year that included a 22% pay raise but did not feature boarding pay. Despite discussions around this issue during negotiations, Southwest’s focus on shorter domestic routes may have made boarding pay less of a priority. This decision aligns Southwest with other major carriers that don’t compensate flight attendants for boarding time.

American Airlines.

American Airlines recently became the first major unionized airline to secure boarding pay, marking a significant win for its 28,0000 flight attendants. Following a prolonged campaign and a strike authorization, American’s flight attendants will now receive half their regular rate during boarding. This groundbreaking achievement set a new industry standard and re-energized flight attendants across other airlines in pursuing similar compensation.

Delta Air Lines.

Delta made headlines in 2022 by introducing half-pay for boarding, becoming the first U.S. airline to offer this benefit despite not having a unionized flight attendant workforce. This move was seen as an effort to stay competitive and help curb unionization efforts.

Delta’s decision created momentum across the industry, influencing negotiations at American Airlines and encouraging flight attendants at other carriers to pursue similar compensation packages. It’s estimated that, on average, a Delta flight attendant might earn an additional $20 per flight for boarding time.

United Airlines.

United Airlines flight attendants actively demand boarding pay in their ongoing contract negotiations. They have planned a significant “day of action” on October 17 at United’s corporate headquarters in Chicago to protest the stalled talks, reflecting a growing dissatisfaction with the current pay structure. The recently inked deal at American Airlines might add momentum to United flight attendants’ efforts, potentially influencing their ability to secure boarding pay as well.

What’s Next for Hawaii Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian?

Here’s what their flight attendant union said about the joint labor force as a single carrier:

When they unite as a single carrier, the union representing Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants aims to “combine the best from each Flight Attendant Contract in addition to other improvements.”

The tentative joint contract will require approval from all flight attendants in the merged group. This includes negotiating boarding pay, an issue gaining momentum across the industry. With Delta and American Airlines leading the way, pressure is mounting for Hawaii-serving airlines to compensate flight attendants fairly, potentially reshaping industry pay standards.

Do you think Hawaii flight attendants should receive boarding pay?

Sega revealed two videos on Thursday and Friday for Ryu ga Gotoku Studio’s Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (Ryū ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden: Pirates in Hawaii) game. The first video highlights traversal of the three different main areas of the game, and the second video highlights combat.

Sega will release the game worldwide on February 28, 2025. The game will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Steam.

The game will feature Goro Majima as the protagonist, and will take place half a year after Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The story centers on Goro after he arrives at a beach after losing his memory, and how he comes to lead a band of pirates.

The game will have three main locations: Hawaii, Rich Island, and Madlantis. Players will be able to command a ship and sail to various islands.

Those who pre-order the standard, deluxe, or collector’s edition of the game will get the Ichiban Kasuga Pirate Crew & Special Outfit, which will add Ichiban and his pet crawfish Nancy to the player’s pirate crew, as well as two of Ichiban’s outfits.

The deluxe edition includes a “Legendary Pirate Crew Pack,” a ship customization pack, an outfit pack, and an extra karaoke and CD pack. The collector’s edition includes the same extras as the Deluxe Edition but also adds an acrylic standee, an eye patch, a treasure coin pin, and a pirate flag.

The Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Ryū ga Gotoku 8) adventure role-playing game launched on January 26 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Windows and Steam. The game is a direct sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Sega announced the game in September 2022 as the eighth and newest mainline entry in the Yakuza/Like A Dragon franchise.

Source: Sega‘s YouTube channel

As an island community, Hawai‘i’s well-being depends on sustainable systems, where people and nature exist in balance. Learn about efforts to increase food production in an ancient fishpond on O‘ahu, reuse treated wastewater on Maui and clean up the reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Photo: Getty Images

Letter from President and CEO Alicia Moy

COMMEMORATING ITS 120TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, HAWAI‘I GAS HAS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING ONE OF THE OLDEST COMPANIES STILL OPERATING IN THE ISLANDS TODAY. We’ve always been defined by innovation: as a critical infrastructure utility in the middle of the Pacific, our predecessors pioneered the use of new technologies to deliver clean, reliable energy to homes and businesses in Hawai‘i. Decades later, climate change is upon us—the challenge of our lifetimes. At Hawai‘i Gas, our employees are ready to meet that challenge head-on, joining many others charting a course focused on sustainability and resiliency for our island communities.

Hawaii Gas has led the nation in its use of hydrogen blended into the utility fuel mix on O‘ahu since 1974—decades before it became a favored clean energy solution. In 2016, Hawai‘i Gas diversified into utility-scale solar with the launch of Waihonu Solar Farm, and in 2018, the company partnered with the City & County of Honolulu to operate the state’s first Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment plant. Our journey toward increasing production of locally produced, renewable energy continues. This year, we announced two more renewable energy projects on the horizon: a renewable green hydrogen project and an RNG project using non-invasive bana grass, both of which mark significant forward movement on our path to decarbonization.

As climate change raises the stakes immeasurably for all of us, we stand with those in our community taking bold action, driving innovative solutions, and advancing the state’s climate goals. Our future depends on it.

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Alicia Moy
President and CEO

To learn more about Hawaii Gas, visit hawaiigas.com.

 

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Photos courtesy: Andrew Sullivan-Haskins

Removing Ghost Nets from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project has collected 786,287 pounds of derelict fishing nets and other debris from the vast Hawaiian archipelago.

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Photos: Jeff Sanner

Restoration of He‘eia Fishpond Nears a Major Milestone

Paepae o He‘eia has spent decades removing mangroves and rebuilding the fishpond wall. The nonprofit is now gearing up to start sustainable fish production.

 

Photo: Getty Images

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From Wastewater to Green Belt: An Ingenious Idea Takes Shape on Maui

A pilot project will use treated wastewater to create a green belt, protecting fire-prone Mā‘alaea and restoring coastal waters.