Flying to Disney World is about to get a lot more difficult, depending on which airline you typically choose.
Budget airlines are becoming increasingly popular as folks are looking to still go on vacation without totally breaking the bank. But, one budget airline is going through a bit of a rough patch — and its pilots have just voted to authorize a strike.
Allegiant Air pilots have voted to authorize a strike action if the airline cannot reach a fair agreement, the Teamsters union told Reuters. The union represents 1,300 pilots of the budget air carrier and said that 97.4% of the Allegiant Air pilots voted to authorize the strike.
“Allegiant pilots are some of the most overworked and underpaid in the airline industry,” the union shared in a statement. The pilots are seeking industry-standard compensation and improvements to scheduling.
The union and Allegiant are in mediation sessions being conducted by the federal National Mediation Board (NMB).
“Allegiant remains committed to negotiating in good faith,” the carrier said in a statement emailed to Reuters and added that it offered pilots an average increase in hourly wages of 50%, with an average 70% increase over five years.
“Additionally, we have offered a significant increase in retirement benefits, long-term disability, and extensive scheduling and quality of life improvements,” Allegiant added.
As of now, the strike has only been authorized and isn’t in place just yet — but Allegiant does fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO) near Disney World, so it’s possible that future flights could be impacted.
It’s unclear how much of an impact a pilot strike would have on Allegiant’s air service to Disney World and elsewhere, but it stands to reason that some services would be impacted.
If a strike does end up happening, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on what that might mean for your trip to Disney World, if you fly Allegiant Air often.
In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest travel and Disney news!
NEWS: This Airline Change Could Raise Flight Prices for Everyone
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Tom Welsh says
If you fly a “budget airline” (AKA, a Trailways bus with wings) you get what you pay for. Our Disney vacation starts with our flights, which are First Class, on American Airlines, from PHL to MCO. Chris, our driver with Mears, transports us to Bay Lake Tower.
We wouldn’t do it any other way.