Flight attendants at American Airlines and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) union plan to continue with its planned picketing event at eleven bases around the United States. Contractual agreements have been a hot topic of discussion, and the APFA want their concerns and expectations heard.The Union and its members are unhappy with the time they believe it has taken to receive new contracts and highlight three other issues:

  • Demand inflight
    • Since the onset of the pandemic, the airline has reduced attendant numbers onboard, increasing the tasks required for the current team.

  • Staffing shortages
    • In the face of increased travel demand, dwindling flight attendant numbers have incurred brutal schedules for the crew.

  • No pay rise
    • Contracts were up for negotiation before the pandemic, and no agreement has been made.

The union encouraged its 28,000 members to be present for the event, with the closure of American's base in San Francisco (SF) heightening tensions, displacing up to 400 crew.

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Several American Airlines aircraft parked at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Photo: Daniel J. Macy | Shutterstock

Where and when?

Picketing is planned between 11:00 and 13:00 on Tuesday, January 24.

  • BOS: Boston/ Logan International Airport, Terminal B West Arrivals, Doors B103-B104.
  • CLT: Charlotte/ Douglas International Airport, NW corner of Wilkinson Blvd/Josh Birmingham Pkwy intersection. DCA: Washington National Airport, Terminal 2, ticketing level, North Terrace.
  • DFW: Dallas/ Ft. Worth International Airport, Terminal D, departures, door D40.
  • JFK: New York- John F. Kennedy Airport, T8, departure level outer walkway.
  • LAX: Los Angeles International Airport, between T4 & Tom Bradley terminal, departures level.
  • MIA: Miami International Airport, Terminal D, upper level, Door 1.
  • ORD: Chicago/ O'Hare International Airport, Departures, between T2 and T3 sidewalk.
  • PHL: Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A West.
  • PHX: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 4, SE end-level 2.
  • SFO: San Francisco International Airport, Harvey Milk Terminal 1, upper roadway, departures, doors 1-5.

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American Airlines at Phoenix-1
Photo: Markus Mainka I Shutterstock

Chilli anyone?

American Airlines plans to offer free cups of chilli as a thank-you to the crew for their work over the festive season. Conveniently, this is scheduled for the same morning as the picketing event.

All in the face of a busy summer schedule

The airline is looking to reap the rewards of a busy year, with multiple recent Simple Flying articles highlighting the airline's ambitions. The US carrier will operate a whopping 26 daily flights to London Heathrow (LHR) this summer from 11 ports in the United States. This beats its past record of 23 daily visits to London.

Acknowledging Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as a vital clog in the American wheel has seen the airline boost 108% in the growth of connections through the airport. American (AA) development at DCA was partly inherited by its absorption of US Airways.