Gary Hershorn Corbis News | Getty Images JetBlue Airways is offering flight attendants a $ 1,000 bonus if they do not retire from work by Friday through the end of May, as the carrier tries to secure staffing levels as travel demand increases, according to a company statement. The flight attendants will also receive a $ 100 bonus for receiving open travel, said the message, which was communicated to staff on Friday and aired on CNBC. Staff shortages have plagued airlines over the past year, especially during Covid’s heyday, such as the widespread Omicron cases that sidelined crews during the year-end holidays. The extra pay shows that airlines are willing to pay more to try to entice employees to take shifts, in order to avoid sometimes more costly flight interruptions. “The spring rewards come at a time when every flight makes a difference as hours are limited and staff levels are not where they should be,” said Ed Baklor, JetBlue’s head of customer service and programs. JetBlue did not immediately comment. The incentive program begins a few days after JetBlue made a $ 3.6 billion, all-cash offer to buy discount airline Spirit Airlines.
