United’s new Voluntary Separation Leave (VSL) Program is open to employees aged over 45 and with more than 15 years service with the airline. Although the program is not being described as an early out, employees who take up the offer will no longer work for United.
The program will be open to employees across the United States, as well as Guam and workers based at London Heathrow Airport. United has already shut down other international bases in Frankfurt, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Two options are available to staff with either a maximum $20,000 payout but with generous tax-free funds made available for healthcare coverage, or a much larger lump sum but with limited healthcare benefits. Both plans will offer ex-employees active travel privileges through to the end of 2026.
Flight attendants should not be included to get paid.