Flight attendants at Southwest easily approved contract changes that would clear the way for the airline to buy bigger planes.
The changes include a 1-year extension of the attendants' union contract with Southwest through May 2013, and provide raises of at least 2 percent based on the airline's 2010 profit.
Because of its larger size, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft would require an additional flight attendant on Southwest flights. For Southwest, which carries more U.S. passengers than any airline, the new plane would mean more revenue from additional seats.
Southwest Airlines Co. has more than 9,700 flight attendants who are represented by the Transport Workers Union. Nearly 85 percent of those voting favored the contract changes.
Southwest pilots are voting on a similar contract extension and plane approval. Southwest's fleet consists entirely of smaller models of the Boeing 737.
Thom McDaniel, president of the flight attendants' TWU local, said workers recognized the benefit of the larger plane for themselves and the company.
"It's a vote of confidence in ongoing progress at Southwest, which is one of the most successful -- and most highly unionized -- companies in the airline industry," McDaniel said in a statement.
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