"Boeing Delivery Delay Forces United Airlines to Seek Pilots for Voluntary Unpaid Leave"
United Airlines is asking its pilots to take voluntary unpaid leave in May due to delays in Boeing deliveries, reducing forecasted block hours for 2024. The offer may extend into summer and fall, with the company still paying some benefits while the pilot is out. This comes as the industry faces a pilot shortage and United halts new pilot hiring due to continued Boeing delays. The airline is considering buying more jets from Boeing competitor Airbus, and recent incidents with Boeing planes have raised concerns.