Republic Airways and Mesa Flight Attendants to Be Represented by the Teamsters as Workforces Merge

November 3, 2026 — The National Mediation Board (NMB) has confirmed that the Teamsters will be the sole union for flight attendants at Republic Airways (YX) and Mesa Air (YV) as the two groups combine into one workforce. That means the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) will no longer represent Mesa’s cabin crew.

Airline: Republic Airways (YX), merging with Mesa Air (YV) · Country: United States

What happened

Mesa agreed in April 2025 to merge with Republic, with Republic as the larger partner. Mesa continues to fly only as United Express under a 10-year agreement. The merged flight attendant group will eventually work under a single contract; that joint agreement still has to be negotiated, and no date has been given (TBA).

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The news came on Monday, November 2, according to Paddle Your Own Kanoo. In a joint statement, AFA president Sara Nelson and Dustin Roach, president of Teamsters Local 135, said the unions had worked together through the process. AFA said it was “extremely sad to no longer directly represent Mesa Flight Attendants.”

AFA says Mesa flight attendants flying United Express earn on average 45% less than United’s own flight attendants. In August 2025, AFA reached a tentative agreement with Mesa to bring pay up to Republic levels while the joint contract is negotiated. AFA continues to represent flight attendants at United, Alaska, Air Wisconsin, Endeavor, Piedmont and GoJet, among others.

What it means for non-revs

• No change to pass travel announced. The report does not mention any change to travel benefits for Republic or Mesa employees.
• For Mesa and Republic flight attendants: Your union for the combined group is now the Teamsters. Seniority integration and the joint contract are still to be worked out, so watch for union updates on timelines (TBA).
• No disruption expected. This is a representation decision, not a strike or dispute, so there is no effect on United Express or other operations.

Sources

• Paddle Your Own Kanoo — The Largest Flight Attendant Union in the United States is Just About to Become a Little Bit Smaller