What is in the 2026 FedEx pilot contract?

Federal Express pilots, represented by ALPA, ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in a vote concluded on 9 June 2026. It includes work rule changes, pay rate increases and pension plan modifications, including an initial pay rate increase of 40%, plus a one-time payment of $625 million expected to be paid in the September 2026 quarter. The agreement took effect on 29 June 2026 and is scheduled to become amendable in December 2030. According to ALPA, 83% of FedEx pilots voted in favour, with 98.5% of eligible pilots taking part; the agreement covers compensation, retirement, scheduling, work rules and job protections.15

How much do FedEx pilots gain under the 2026 contract?

FreightWaves reported in June 2026 that pilots receive a 40% increase in their hourly pay and other benefits, followed by 3% annual raises starting in 2028, citing a copy of the agreement posted on a union website. The trade publication TrasportoEuropa put the hourly pay increase at 39.76%, with annual increases of 3% from 2028 to 2030. Both outlets report back pay to make up for raises delayed during negotiations: up to $150,000 for captains and up to $102,500 for first officers. Neither report sets out the hourly rates by rank or year of service, and we found no published pay table. TrasportoEuropa adds that the deal also improves guaranteed flight minimums, daily allowances, holidays, duty scheduling and pension contributions, including a new plan called Market Based Cash Balance.67

How long did the negotiations take?

The previous agreement took effect in November 2015 and became amendable in November 2021, with bargaining beginning in May 2021 and active mediation by the National Mediation Board from November 2022. In July 2023, FedEx pilots failed to ratify a tentative agreement, and in April 2024 the board rejected ALPA's request for a proffer of arbitration. The tentative agreement rejected in July 2023 would have increased pay by up to 30% over a five-year period, according to FreightWaves.28

What kind of flying do FedEx pilots do?

FedEx describes itself as the world's largest cargo airline, with more than 5,800 pilots and a fleet of more than 400 jets on its careers site. With 13 hubs and around-the-clock flying, it says it is no longer a night-flying operation, though pilots must be able to work day or night, weekends and holidays. FreightWaves, however, reported in April 2026 that FedEx had slightly less than 5,000 pilots, down from 5,800 two years earlier, with about 20 pilots a month retiring.38

What does FedEx require from pilot applicants?

FedEx requires an ATP certificate, a first class medical, a radiotelephone operator's permit, a valid US passport and 1500 hours total fixed-wing time, including at least 500 hours as pilot in command in jets or qualifying turboprops. FedEx does not sponsor work visas: non-US citizens must hold a Permanent Resident Card. Selection includes remote computer-based testing and a one-day in-person panel and situational interviews. The Purple Runway programme lets pilots start out at an airline in the FedEx feeder network, flying ATRs and Sky Couriers, with a path to wide-body aircraft; the feeder fleet numbers nearly 300 aircraft serving over 250 locations.3

How does this compare with US pilots generally?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers had a median annual wage of $232,140 in May 2025. For airline pilots working in couriers and express delivery services, the median annual wage in May 2025 was $334,930.4