The furloughs amount to 10 percent of United's cabin workers. United is seeking to cut 7,000 jobs companywide by the end of 2009, said spokesman Jeff Kovick. United previously announced plans to cut as many as 1,600 managers and 5,500 front-line workers, and to furlough 950 pilots.

United said it would seek voluntary flight attendant furloughs first, but will need to get to 1,550 by Oct. 31. Furloughed flight attendants keep their health insurance and flight privileges.
Also on Wednesday, testimony began in U.S. District Court in Chicago on United's request for a temporary injunction to stop alleged sick-outs by pilots. The Air Line Pilots Association has said it did its best to discourage any organized sick-out. Testimony is scheduled to continue today.