American Airlines will raise flight crew pay by 40%.
Delta just announced a 34% pay hike.
Other industry unions plan to seek similar pay hikes.
The era of cheap air travel is officially over with, and very likely gone forever. Within a few years, airlines will begin adding “carbon offset” fees; indeed, some countries are already doing this. Additionally, there are many climate activists groups that want to shut down global air travel (this is not sustainable and would lead to worse overall outcomes for everyone – ironically, most of the people promoting this are themselves elite global travelers.)
Pandemic restrictions are (correctly) blamed for crew shortages, although the collapsing youth cohorts due to low fertility rates is also a major factor.
Additionally, restrictions led to a shortage of product and service input components – and when that happens (such as in automobiles), fewer products can be made. When fewer products can be made, your business model pivots to more expensive “premium” products.
Airlines did this by turning economy tickets into “torture” class – smaller seat spacing, unrefundable tickets, fares that ear no “bonus miles”, baggage fees, often no allowance for carry ons either – forcing anyone who can, to purchase higher priced “main cabin” or “comfort class” tickets, which cost much more, as much as 100% more.
It was not many years ago that airlines still treated their customers with a modicum of respect. That is apparently no longer necessary as air travel becomes ever less satisfactory except for the well healed who can purchase high priced luxury cabin experiences.
All that some of us can do is either not travel, or, if we have the flexibility, make extended duration trips. Instead of a 2 week trip, now take a 4-6 week trip to amortize the high air fares across more days of travel.