Delta and Northwest Pilots have seniority agreement

Pilots affected by the Delta and Northwest airlines merger will integrate based on more than just seniority,

As Delta and Northwest become the largest airline in the world, their pilots had to rely on an arbitration panel to figure out how to rank their seniority.

The panel ruled that aircraft category will play a role in determining a pilots standing. Seniority is important to the 12 thousand pilots, because it determines best routes, pay and vacations.

Northwest pilots had argued to use only hiring date to determine seniority, as it’s pilots are older. Atlanta based Delta argued for the inclusion of an aircraft category.

The new merged airline can’t fly under one name until the Federal Aviation Administration issues that permit. A move expected late next year.

In the meantime labor issues with ground crews and flight attendants still have to be resolved to complete the merger.