Alaska Airlines is providing flight attendants double pay to select up additional journeys this spring in hopes of avoiding staffing shortfalls forward of a good larger soar in journey demand within the coming months.

Airways rolled out incentives such as bonuses and up to triple pay to pilots and flight attendants late final 12 months to stem staffing shortfalls throughout the busy year-end holidays, however a wave of omicron nonetheless sidelined crew members, contributing to 1000’s of flight cancellations.

Alaska’s provide exhibits the service is prepared to pay crews extra to keep away from flight disruptions from staffing shortfalls, an issue that may rapidly unfold by way of an airline’s community.

“Like many different airways, we face common staffing challenges,” Alaska stated in an announcement. “In response, we’re providing flight attendants pay incentives to fill gaps in staffing for a brief time frame this Spring.”

The airline has not too long ago employed and educated 165 new flight attendants and plans to convey 700 extra on board this June. It had greater than 5,500 flight attendants as of the tip of 2021.

The Seattle-based service approached the flight attendants’ union in regards to the incentive pay, in accordance with a be aware to cabin crews despatched Friday.

American Airways, which goals to rent some 18,000 folks this 12 months, stated it is not providing incentives much like Alaska’s. Different airways did not instantly remark.

Airline executives final week stated journey demand has bounced again quicker than they anticipated. In February, bookings and gross sales surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the primary time, in accordance with Adobe knowledge and airport safety screenings this week hit the best since Thanksgiving.

They stated they anticipate that pattern to assist offset a pointy rise in gas costs this 12 months, although some carriers, together with Alaska, have trimmed their schedule in response to the upper prices. The airline, nevertheless, stated it expects to be again to pre-Covid capability by the summer season.

Alaska executives will define its plans for the approaching 12 months in an investor day on Thursday.