FORT WORTH- There have been a lot of developments lately at American Airlines (AA) this week, from Flight Attendants’ talks breakdown without changes to the contract, they are near strike, pilot hiring stopped, and the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 delivery.
First thing first, today’s big news comes with American Airlines Flight Attendants, which is represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) failing to reach an agreement with the airline.
American Flight Attendants Nears Strike
Due to this Julie Hedrick, National President of the APFA, stated on June 20, 2024, that after years of bargaining and a year of mediated talks, AA has not provided an offer that adequately compensates the carrier’s 28,000 flight attendants.
Following this, they warned the airline that get ready to face an impact as they will move forward to get economic improvements.
However, the option to go on strike will require 30 more days as there is a cooling period issued by the National Mediation Board.
Earlier this month, the AFPA opened a strike command center in Euless, Texas, near the AA’s base at Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW).
So yes, there is a possibility of disruption as members have already voted in favor of the strike with 99.7% approving it. After a 30-day cooling-off period and failure to reach an agreement will likely affect the American’s operations. But talks will continue this week and next week.
AA stops Hiring Pilots
JonNYC, an aviation expert today revealed an interesting story on the American Airlines pilot hiring process.
Despite 424 pilots’ mandatory retirement in 2024 as they reached 65 age and 843 next year, the AA has not only stopped hiring for this year but told shortlisted pilots that they will not provide any new training in 2024.
This is undoubtedly a major disappointment for those pilots who had been conditionally hired but had not yet begun their training.
It’s really strange, why American stopped hiring pilots despite they have 1,300 mandatory retirements in the next 18 months. To understand this let’s see what are problems at airlines and why they decided to do this:
Problems and Reasons
First of all, American Airlines has lots of unfulfilled orders for Boeing 737 MAX 8, Airbus A321XLRs (delayed launch), and 787 Dreamliners and they are delayed significantly.
Recently, the Chief Commercial Officer, Vasu Raju left the airline and AA is not doing well financially when compared with Delta Air Lines (DL) and United Airlines (UA).
So what can be the reasons for stopping hiring? OMAAT shared some reasons highlighted by JonNYC and they are as follows:
- First of all, due to delays in the delivery of narrow and widebody jets, the airline can reduce the winter schedule and operate fewer flights.
- Following the much-needed upgrade and retrofitting to Boeing 777s, the airline will ground them which will free up pilots to fly other aircraft.
- AA might also do line flying, meaning it will use some of its instructor pilots to operate scheduled commercial flights as they halted the training of new pilots for this year.
Second 737 MAX 8 Delivery
Finally, let’s move on to some good news. American Airlines took delivery of the 61st Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet. But it’s just a second for this year.
AA 737 MAX 8 registered as N344TS made its delivery flight from Boeing Field Airport (BFI) to DFW. It is just a 3-month-old aircraft. The routes on which this aircraft will fly are yet to be revealed.
JonNYC also shared details for AAdvantage members, he stated, ‘AAdvantage partner awards will now be ticketed instantly. While this is confirmed for partner awards, it is likely true for AA awards as well. This change should reduce the uncertainty of losing award space while waiting for itineraries to be queued and ticketed.’
Feature Image by Caden Henderson (@cado.photo)
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