United Airlines Requests Unpaid Leave for Pilots Amid Boeing Delivery Delays
United Airlines is asking pilots to take unpaid leave due to reduced flight capacity caused by delayed shipments of Boeing aircraft. The airline expects to receive 102 fewer planes this year from Boeing, leading to a reduction in forecasted block hours for 2024. The Air Line Pilots Association stated that pilots are being asked to take unpaid leaves of absence in May and possibly through the summer, with the option to fly "Empty Line" and be paid for any flights taken. Boeing's recent safety incidents and manufacturing practices have led to increased FAA oversight, potentially impacting consumer prices ahead of the summer travel season.