In a new tentative agreement (TA), Alaska Airlines' regional airline Horizon Air pilots' pay could almost double - and more.

The Alaska Airlines regional subsidiary Horizon Air and the pilots’ union representatives, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have agreed to substantial pay increases in a tentative agreement obtained by Simple Flying. The tentative agreement that the pilots must vote to approve states,

“It is the Parties’ mutual goal to retain and attract Pilots to fly our anticipated fleet, including planned future deliveries of E175 aircraft, and support future growth by making certain improvements to the CBA.”

Horizon Air regional captains in their first year currently make $81.42 an hour. If the contract is ratified, that will be $149.18 and, as per the table below, will rise eventually to $153.68 on December 14, 2024.

For comparison, according to American Airlines’ regional subsidiary Envoy Air’s website, captains at Envoy Air will earn from $146.25 to $153.75 in their first year. Endeavour Air, Delta Air Lines' primary regional feeder airline, offers $101.39 plus significant bonuses like a $40,000 upgrade bonus if applicable and a $40,000 retention bonus after one year plus a $30,000 bonus after year two of service.

A first-year first officer pilot at Horizon Air will see their pay go from $48.40 an hour to $90.00 an hour and eventually $92.72 an hour. This is versus Envoy Air’s current offer of $90 to $96. Endeavour Air offers $53.77 plus a $10,000 signing bonus.

One should also note that the contract makes clear with SkyWest flying some of Alaska Airlines’ routes that;

If any wage rate at SkyWest Airlines applicable to aircraft with a seating capacity between fifty (50) and seventy-six (76) exceeds a wage rate at Horizon Air in the same Seat (Captain or First Officer) and Longevity year, the wage rate at Horizon Air shall be adjusted upward to ensure that it is one dollar ($1.00) higher than the wage rate in the corresponding Seat and Longevity year at SkyWest.

Overall, it appears that Horizon Air intends to leap ahead its pilot pay packets in a competitive environment for regional aircrew just as Horizon Air is starting to honorably release from duty its De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Dash 8-400 (formerly the Bombardier Q400) airframes. Already Horizon Air has Embraer ERJ-175/E175 regional jets in the fleet and is ordering more.

Also, unlike with other US airlines, there is a public commitment from Horizon Air’s owners in Alaska Airlines that, as Shane Tackett – Alaska Airlines' Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer – clearly stated in the second quarter of 2022 earnings call,

“We're committed to those communities - we have not exited a community yet. We don't want to.”

Other sources inside Alaska Airlines affirm this pledge to Simple Flying.

With that, below is the pay scale direct from the contract, noting that DOR = Date of Ratification:

Considering recent and ample Simple Flying coverage of the growth of pilot fatigue, it is arguably essential to pull out for reference how Horizon Air in the future will address the issue between contractually guaranteed rest periods and also a balanced fatigue review panel.

The proposed contract also adds a clear fatigue policy for Horizon Air captains and first officers. Once a pilot calls in fatigued, they “immediately” get “at least ten (10) hours of rest”. Multiple options are available to a scheduler to address the aftermath. Reserve captains and first officers will also receive the same general protection.

Plus, Horizon Air will establish a Fatigue Review Panel or FRP. The FRP will consist of a Chief Pilot's Office representative, a company safety representative, and two union safety committee representatives. The FRP will review all fatigue reports, adjust the claimant pilot’s pay, and share fatigue risk information with flight operations and flight safety.

Please don’t feel bad for any Horizon Air pilots flying on the holidays. Horizon Air pilots will receive a 150% pay premium for flying on a holiday if this contract is ratified.

Fair contract? Let us know with civility in the comments.

Sources: Endeavour Air calculator, Envoy Air

Journalist - When not reading and writing about aviation, Joe is photographing it. Joe Loves educating the public about aviation, and generating enthusiasm around flying while supporting all those who work in aviation. Based in Skagit County, United States