American Airlines, pilots union ratify new contract [Video]

DALLAS — American Airlines pilots have approved a new contract that will raise their pay about 41% over four years, their union said Monday.

The Allied Pilots Association said that 73% of pilots who took part voted in favor of the four-year contract, which it valued at $9.6 billion.

“This contract is a big first step toward restoring the wages, benefits, and work rules that were lost during the past two decades while our profession was under continuous assault,” said union President Ed Sicher. He said pilots deserved to be compensated in line with the “tremendous amount of responsibility” they take with every flight.

American has about 15,000 pilots.

Airline unions are enjoying leverage to get big pay raises because a boom in travel is lifting airline revenue. Texas-based American earned $1.3 billion in …