The salaries of airline pilots are not just straightforward figures; they come with a variety of opportunities for pilots to earn extra income. Pilots can increase their earnings by flying more hours than guaranteed, working during holidays, and taking on premium pay trips, among other options. It all boils down to the specific terms and conditions outlined in their airline contracts.
Let’s take a closer look at an example to understand this better. Consider a 12-year captain at Spirit Airlines who flew 80 hours in December, even on Christmas Day. For that month, before any deductions for taxes and per diem, this captain would earn approximately $25,000. Part of this amount includes a contractual $75 bonus for working on a holiday. On top of this, Spirit Airlines’ contract guarantees an additional $2.30 per hour for per diem expenses. For comparison, hourly per diem rates at Allegiant and Frontier are $2 and $2.20, respectively.
If this same Spirit captain maintains an 80-hour monthly schedule throughout the year, their annual earnings before taxes and any premium pay specified in the contract would total around $300,000. In contrast, at Allegiant and Frontier, this annual income would be approximately $223,000 and $260,000, respectively. Notably, Allegiant pilots who fly more than 81 hours in a month receive a pay increase of 130% based on their contract terms.
Despite being part of one of the highest-paid workforces in the U.S., pilots at budget airlines are advocating for better compensation. The contracts at Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit are all due for renewal as of February. This means that these airlines are currently operating under the previous contract rates, while labor unions are actively negotiating for improved pay packages. Frontier has been in negotiations for over a year, Allegiant since 2021, and Spirit’s talks are at a standstill due to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy situation and operational challenges.
The current pay rates at these budget carriers are considerably lower than those offered by major airlines like Delta, American, and United. The pandemic-induced pilot shortage led to substantial pay raises at these legacy carriers. For instance, a 12-year Airbus A320 captain at United earns around $373 per hour, significantly more than the rates at Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant. United’s pay rate is comparable to American and Delta. When factoring in bonuses, holiday pay, per diem, and other supplementary pay opportunities, senior mainline pilots can potentially earn up to half a million dollars annually.
Frontier Airlines stated that they are actively engaging in contract negotiations with their pilots to ensure a fair and sustainable agreement that supports both parties while maintaining the company’s success. On the other hand, Allegiant Airlines reported proposing a competitive pay package in their discussions with the pilot union. This package includes raising the first-year first-officer pay to approximately
