Alerts Sign-up
American Airlines has paused the implementation of a new medical leave policy for flight attendants that was introduced earlier in 2025. The policy, which began with employees based in New York City, required flight attendants to pay twice-daily co-pays for doctor visits and filing fees when taking medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This change shifted some financial responsibility from the company to employees, affecting those who rely on intermittent leave due to the demands of their work schedules.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) responded by filing a Notice of Dispute. The union argued that the additional costs and documentation requirements could discourage crew members from seeking necessary medical care. "Because FMLA leave is about job-protected medical time, transferring costs to workers possibly skirts the law’s intent: enabling employees to seek care without fear of losing income or employment," APFA stated.
Some flight attendants expressed concern that increased paperwork and expenses might prevent doctors from cooperating with American Airlines' new guidelines, making it harder for them to take needed leave. There were also operational concerns that these changes could lead to staffing shortages if sick crew members delayed reporting illness or worked while unwell.
