Here’s what the Boeing strike might mean for flyers

Boeing employees went on strike Friday, the most recent disturbance in what has proven a devastating yr for the American aircraft manufacturer.

Nevertheless it isn’t clear whether the labor stoppage may have an impact for the flying public, although there are concerns a few potential effect on air travel next summer.

U.S. carriers that rely heavily on Boeing planes include Southwest, United and Alaska Airlines.

In an announcement, Southwest said its operations were unlikely to be affected within the short-term by any production delays Boeing may find yourself suffering.

“Earlier this yr, Southwest Airlines took steps to deal with potential delivery disruptions,” the carrier said. “In consequence, we currently have the fleet needed to meet our upcoming schedules. We remain in close communication with Boeing.”

Southwest exclusively uses Boeing 737s — planes made made in Renton, Washington, one in every of the sites now on strike by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Employees. Southwest had sharply brought down its delivery goal for Boeing aircraft earlier this yr.

A United spokesperson said the carrier was working with Boeing to know what the impact to the airline’s delivery schedule is perhaps.

A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

Airlines are accountable for maintaining aircraft once they arrive into possession of them, and crews won’t log out on allowing a plane to fly whether it is deemed not airworthy, said Henry Harteveldt, founder and president of Atmosphere Research Group, an airline industry consultancy.

“There’ll probably be little or no direct impact on consumers because of this of the Boeing strike,” Harteveldt told NBC News.

Estimates of how long the strike could last vary widely. The previous Boeing machinists strike, in 2008, lasted nearly two months; nonetheless, in a note to clients, Bank of America analyst Ronald Epstein said the most recent one could prove as short as every week.

That is partly because Boeing is in an especially weak position, he noted: Its standing has been seriously hurt within the wake of the mid-air door-panel blowout in January that prompted a nationwide grounding, federal investigations, and ultimately the ouster of Boeing’s leadership. The FAA continues to have federal monitors of Boeing’s production in place. The corporate’s stock, which is a component of the blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, is down about 40% this yr.

Newly installed CEO Kelly Ortberg already took a conciliatory tone with Boeing employees within the run-up to the strike, Epstein said.

“We see it likely Boeing would should make further concessions and move closer to the IAM’s initial proposal,” Epstein wrote.

In an announcement, Boeing acknowledged that members of the International Association of Machinists had deemed its offer “not acceptable.”

“We remain committed to resetting our relationship with our employees and the union, and we’re able to get back to the table to succeed in a recent agreement.”

Company executives have warned that the strike could “jeopardize” its recovery from recent scandals and quality problems.

A White House official said the Biden Administration is in contact with Boeing and the machinists.

“We encourage them to barter in good faith — toward an agreement that offers employees the advantages they deserve and makes the corporate stronger,” the official said.

The strike was largely expected, despite a push by union leaders to broker a last-minute deal. Rank-and-file members of the 33,000-strong workforce that constitute the striking group have said recent layoffs, a call to shift some production to Boeing’s non-union facility in South Carolina, and a push for even stronger compensation and protections had all pushed employees toward striking. Boeing had promised to construct its next industrial airplane within the Seattle area under the tentative agreement.

Boeing appeared to have already made contingency plans within the run-up to the strike vote: Reuters reported on Tuesday that the corporate told suppliers it was delaying a key production milestone for its 737 MAX by six months.

Should the strike drag on, major carriers may not give you the option to satisfy capability demands for next yr’s summer travel season, Harteveldt said.

“If this strike drags out, depending on what number of aircraft can [Boeing} can deliver, airlines may find themselves with far fewer recent planes by next summer’s season, which is peak season — and that might definitely impact the variety of flights and destinations available,” he said.