New Strike Sends Boeing Back Into Labor Turbulence

In today’s email:

• Boeing Defense Workers Walk Out as Labor Tensions Rise Again

• Around the Skies: Pilot retirement age debate takes off, Navy investigates latest F-35 crash, New Air Force One could fly in 2026, X-59 begins ground testing in California, Spirit Airlines faces pilot furloughs, Win a backcountry-ready Cessna 182

• PilotTube: Flying Beyond Limits with Red Bull Pilot Aaron Fitzgerald

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Boeing’s Defense Strike Adds Fuel to a Year of Setbacks

Boeing’s labor challenges flared up again this week as thousands of defense workers went on strike, escalating tensions at a company already battling to stabilize operations. The walkout affects Boeing’s key defense facilities in St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri and Mascoutah, Illinois—plants responsible for assembling the F-15, F/A-18 and advanced missile systems. Organized by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the strike comes after members rejected a revised four-year contract that included a 20% wage increase and a $5,000 signing bonus.

Union leaders say the sticking point wasn’t just pay—it was respect. Workers are pushing for a contract that better reflects their skills and their role in supporting national defense. Boeing executives, however, expressed disappointment, noting the rejected offer would have delivered 40% average wage growth and addressed concerns over alternative work schedules. The company says it’s activating contingency plans to minimize disruption and continue fulfilling defense contracts.

Meanwhile, this strike adds pressure to a company still working to regain its footing after a series of public and regulatory setbacks. The 2024 strike by 33,000 commercial aircraft workers dealt a $100 million-per-day blow to Boeing and contributed to delivery delays across its jetliner programs. More recently, FAA-imposed limits on 737 Max production—following a door plug failure mid-flight—have kept the spotlight on Boeing’s manufacturing practices and quality control.

Despite the turbulence, Boeing’s financials show signs of recovery with narrowed losses and rising second-quarter revenue. But with a fresh strike now affecting its defense arm—a division that brings in more than a third of Boeing’s total revenue—the company is once again in damage-control mode. As the aerospace giant tries to soar past its recent troubles, it faces a critical test: balancing labor relations, regulatory confidence and customer commitments while keeping its long-term flight path steady.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is urging the Trump administration to support raising the global pilot retirement age from 65 to 67. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, they argue the change would preserve veteran expertise, boost safety and keep the U.S. leading aviation policy on the world stage. Without action they warn, China could gain influence at ICAO—a move that could reshape the rules of international flight.

🛩️ A U.S. Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in California on Wednesday with the pilot ejecting safely and sustaining no major injuries. The cause of the accident is still under investigation but it marks the second F-35 crash this year and at least the 12th since 2018. With a $100 million price tag and a mission-readiness rate stuck at just 51%, the latest incident adds fuel to ongoing debates about the jet’s safety, reliability and return on investment for one of the Pentagon’s most expensive aircraft programs.

🛩️ A new Air Force One could take to the skies as early as February 2026, according to President Donald Trump. The U.S. has accepted a donated Boeing 747-8i from the Qatari royal family to replace the aging 35-year-old VC-25 fleet. While the retrofit will cost hundreds of millions to meet presidential security and communication standards, Trump says the move saves taxpayer money and delivers a new aircraft years ahead of Boeing’s delayed replacement program. The modified jet will undergo extensive upgrades before officially joining the presidential fleet.

🛩️ NASA’s X-59 “quiet supersonic” aircraft has begun taxi testing at Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, marking its first move under its own engine power. The low-speed runs are a key step toward eventual supersonic flight as engineers gather data on steering, braking and handling. Part of NASA’s Quesst initiative, the X-59 aims to prove that supersonic travel can be quiet enough to allow flights over land—potentially reshaping the future of commercial aviation.

🛩️ Spirit Airlines is bracing for turbulence this fall, planning to furlough 270 pilots in November and downgrade up to 140 others starting in October. The airline says the tough moves are necessary to stabilize finances while treating affected crew members with compassion. It’s another turbulent moment for the budget carrier that built its name on “no-frills” flying and big comebacks.

🛩️ The Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation is raffling off a fully restored 1958 Cessna 182 built for true off-grid flying. Outfitted with a STOL kit, oversized tires, extended fuel tanks and rugged upgrades, this classic Skywagon is ready to tackle the most remote airstrips in America. Proceeds will fund efforts to open and preserve backcountry landing sites, giving pilots more places to explore. The winner will be drawn on June 6, 2026, and the foundation will even cover the federal tax bill for this adventure-ready prize.

PilotTube

Red Bull aerobatic pilot Aaron Fitzgerald knows a thing or two about flying on the edge—literally. From thrilling upside-down passes to high-G maneuvers, he shares what it’s like to wow crowds at air shows across the country. Fitzgerald also dives into how he broke into the world of aerobatics and the intense training it takes to stay sharp in the sky. It’s a high-adrenaline career that’s part performance, part precision and all passion.

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