Give Us More Crew or Cut Service": Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Escalate 787 Staffing Dispute

Alaska Airlines flight attendants working the carrier’s new long-haul Boeing 787-9 routes from Seattle say management has breached a prior agreement on onboard service. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) reports the union approved a “train service” workflow during testing, but that extra Main Cabin offerings were added afterward without retesting, including premium-class-style elements, expanded beverage options, alcohol for purchase, and items such as ice cream and warm cookies. Crew feedback during a 30-day observation period was not met with changes, according to the union. The period ended May 28, and the union’s ultimatum is either more staffing or a simplified service standard aligned with what crews are actually assigned. The dispute comes as Alaska plans flights to 12 long-haul destinations from Seattle in the coming years.