Alaska Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association, International announced today they have reached tentative agreement on a new five-year contract for the carrier’s 1,480 pilots.

“I want to thank and congratulate the negotiators for Alaska and ALPA for reaching tentative agreement on a long-term contract, which is unusual in our industry,” said Gary Beck, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of flight operations. “By working together, the negotiators were able to develop an agreement that addresses the four cornerstones that are important to our pilots while also meeting the needs of the company.”

The proposed contract includes pay raises, and quality of life and productivity improvements. ALPA’s leadership is unanimously recommending that Alaska pilots ratify the tentative agreement, and a vote is expected to be completed in mid-July. The current contract was ratified in May 2009 and became amendable on April 1. Negotiators for ALPA and Alaska Airlines have been working on a new contract since last summer.

“It is common for airline negotiations to last for years beyond the contract amendable date,” said Captain Chris Notaro, chairman of ALPA’s Master Executive Council at Alaska Airlines. “The fact that we were able to reach an agreement so close to our amendable date is indicative of the commitment of both parties to reaching an agreement that recognizes the role the pilots play in the success of Alaska Airlines, and that allows Alaska Airlines to continue to prosper.”