As a result of the new IAM-Continental Flight Attendant contract, Flight Attendants now benefit from contractually-protected reciprocal cabin seat agreements. These agreements are becoming active in waves.

The first wave, implemented in April, included Air Wisconsin, Delta, US Airways and Southwest Airlines. An additional four airline agreements have just taken effect: Horizon, Spirit, jetBlue, and AirTran. Additional agreements will become effective in the coming months.

Despite Continental management’s refusal to pursue reciprocal cabin seat agreements, Continental Flight Attendants made it clear that achieving these agreements was an essential component of any new contract with the company.

“The membership always plays an integral role in IAM negotiations,” said Houston-based Flight Attendant and negotiating committee member Sheila Hammond. “The membership directive was to negotiate agreements directly into the contract so management could not modify them, and that is exactly what we did.”

United Airlines Flight Attendants do not have reciprocal cabin seat agreements as part of their contract and their agreements could be altered or eliminated by the company at any time. The IAM intends to keep reciprocal cabin seat guarantees in a combined contract.

A PDF flier of this post is available here.