United Airlines workers have ratified a set of new contracts that will increase their pay and benefits over the next 5 years. Airline and union representatives said Saturday that the vote was "overwhelming" in favour of the contracts, which govern about 30,000 employees including airport workers, security officers and other staffers. The new pacts will increase pay by about 30% over 5 years, raise pension benefits and halt outsourcing of some union jobs. United said the agreements follow 4 months of negotiations and were reached before the old contracts were set to be amended. United Continental recently negotiated separate deals with its pilots and dispatchers. It's also in talks with flight attendants and technicians. <br/>
star
Air NZ's failed attempt to oust Virgin Australia CE John Borghetti could have the ironic result of the airline boss receiving a payout of around A$8m if SIA makes a successful takeover bid. Air NZ last month said it would look to sell all or part of its 25.9% stake in Virgin after the decision by the Kiwi carrier's boss, Christopher Luxon, to resign from the board. Luxon did so after failing to receive support to replace Borghetti from other directors, including chairman Elizabeth Bryan and representatives of SIA, Etihad Airways and Virgin Group. SIA is viewed by aviation industry experts as the most likely party to make a full takeover offer for Virgin given its long-standing strategic interest in the Australian market, its strong balance sheet and desire to ensure a Chinese rival doesn't join the Virgin register. <br/>
SAS Scandinavian Airlines is seeking to improve yields by allowing economy-class passengers to bid for available premium seats. The new system, SAS Upgrade, will be introduced from April 25. Similar arrangements exist on other airlines. Rather than having premium cabin seats go empty, carriers allow travellers to enter a bid for an upgrade. Even if the carrier does not receive a full business or premium economy fare, it at least receives more money than if the passenger had travelled in the main cabin. In the case of SAS, passengers will be able to seek an upgrade from the time of booking their seat until 48 hours before departure. They decide how much they are willing to pay for a premium seat and enter a bid, either with funds or points from SAS’s Eurobonus loyalty program. <br/>