Horizon Air Pilots Picket in Boise After Nearly Four Years Without a First Contract

October 15, 2026 — Pilots at Horizon Air, Alaska Air Group’s regional carrier, held an informational picket at Boise Airport on Wednesday, October 14. They have been trying to reach their first contract for nearly four years.

What happened

Who: About 650 Horizon Air pilots represented by Teamsters Local 1224. Other Local 1224 members and Horizon flight attendants represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) joined them.
Where and when: Boise Airport (BOI) lower roadway, 10:30 a.m. MT, October 14.
Issues: The union says Horizon pilots are paid below the industry standard even though they fly nearly as much as pilots at sister carrier Alaska Airlines. It also cites staffing and training shortages and operational problems.
Union position: The Teamsters are calling on Horizon to “end its delay tactics and agree to a fair contract.” They also accuse management of mismanagement that has affected bargaining.
Company response: None was included in the union release. Contract status: no tentative agreement has been reported. Next bargaining dates: TBA.

An informational picket is not a strike. It takes place off duty, and flights operate normally. Under the U.S. Railway Labor Act, pilots cannot legally strike unless federal mediators release them from talks, and nothing in the reporting suggests that has happened.

What it means for travelers

No disruption risk right now. Horizon flights operate normally during informational pickets, and there is no strike date.
Watch staffing problems. The union’s complaints about staffing and training shortages can show up as cancellations on Horizon’s Pacific Northwest and Mountain West flights. If you are using Horizon-operated Alaska flights to Boise or other smaller cities, have a backup flight in mind.
Talks are dragging on at Alaska Air Group’s regional carrier. Horizon flight attendants (AFA) are also involved in bargaining activity.