I’m a fairly pro-union man, however I’ve a tough time supporting the union on this one, no less than based mostly on my understanding of the scenario (because of PYOK for flagging this).
American crews demand extra pay for Heathrow catering mess
For a number of weeks now, American has had a little bit of a catering drawback for flights departing London Heathrow (LHR). For years, American had partnered with dnata on catering out of the airport, however American abruptly minimize ties with the catering firm, which is owned by the Emirates Group.
It will seem that there may need been some well being security or cleanliness issues with the caterer, so clearly that’s an issue. What makes issues worse is how lengthy this has dragged on, as American has struggled to totally transition caterers:
- Initially, American needed to double cater all flights to London Heathrow, which means the meals for the return flight was already loaded within the US; given restricted galley area, this meant meal service needed to be scaled again significantly
- American then managed to get DO&CO to cater its premium cabins, provided that that is what British Airways makes use of, and American and British Airways have a three way partnership
- For no matter cause, American nonetheless doesn’t have a catering contract for economic system, so economic system meals proceed to be double catered from the US
Clearly this can be a new service circulate for the crew, and is lower than superb. I think about American can be coping with a whole lot of sad economic system passengers, given the even worse than ordinary meals high quality (in the meantime in premium cabins, meals is basically higher than earlier than).
The Affiliation of Skilled Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents American’s flight attendants, is now getting concerned on this challenge. The union is demanding materially extra pay for flight attendants working London flights, arguing that the catering challenge has elevated their workload.
On Monday, April 13, 2026, the New York chapter of the APFA instructed members it was preventing for extra pay for crews working London flights:
The present situations have materially modified how service is executed, and the added burden, notably from double provisioning and modified service flows, has created a considerably elevated and sometimes unpredictable workload.
There isn’t a query that Flight Attendants working these flights are doing extra work beneath harder situations, with none corresponding adjustment to staffing or compensation, and that isn’t acceptable.
Then on Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Dallas Fort Value chapter of the union knowledgeable members it had formally filed a Discover of Dispute (NOD) with administration, and if that didn’t resolve something, the airline would file a Presidential Grievance:
Following sustained advocacy and continued efforts to carry senior administration accountable, the DFW Base has formally filed a Discover of Dispute (NOD). This motion immediately displays the issues raised by our members and represents a essential step in implementing our contractual protections.
Regardless of repeated engagement, the problems impacting our crews—notably inside the LHR operation—stay unresolved. In consequence, we’re actively advancing this dispute by the suitable contractual channels whereas persevering with to pursue escalation, together with the submitting of a Presidential Grievance if warranted.
Our place is obvious:
- The continuing catering failures within the LHR market have materially altered working situations and considerably elevated workload for our Flight Attendants.
- These operational deficiencies have required crews to carry out duties nicely past the scope of ordinary service expectations.
- The Firm has an obligation to acknowledge and compensate for these impacts.
We’re actively advocating for:
- Significant and applicable compensation for all affected Flight Attendants
- Software of understaffing pay, the place contractual thresholds have been met or exceeded
- Enforcement of Purple Flag pay protections, the place relevant beneath Part 10.H
- Accountability for the operational failures which have led to those situations
This isn’t merely an operational inconvenience—it’s a contractual and quality-of-work-life challenge that calls for decision. Our members have continued to carry out at a excessive degree beneath more and more difficult circumstances, and that effort should be acknowledged.
I’ve a tough time siding with flight attendants on this subject
I’ve a whole lot of respect for the career of flight attendants, and for essentially the most half I believe they work exhausting, and I wouldn’t final very lengthy within the job, as a result of coping with the touring public can’t be simple.
That being mentioned, based mostly on my understanding of this case, I’ve a tough time not rolling my eyes at this request, and it’s a type of issues the place I’ve to acknowledge “yeah, this is the reason so many individuals don’t like unions.”
Is there a slightly elevated workload with this momentary catering scenario? I don’t doubt it. However they’re actually on the clock getting paid, and there’s no indication that the workload is so nice that they’re not in a position to get their normal crew relaxation, or something.
American flight attendants are very competitively paid, regardless of American’s uncompetitive financials. Now they wish to be paid as if a flight is understaffed? And they want Purple Flag pay protections, which gives 150% pay, and is often reserved for when scheduling desperately wants flight attendants to select up journeys?
No disrespect to American flight attendants, however on lengthy haul flights, they appear to have a whole lot of time to take a seat within the galley (as they need to, since nobody expects them to work nonstop).
Additionally, I get that is an oversimplification and that unions are there to advocate for his or her members always, however this simply appears somewhat tone deaf within the present setting. American is barely worthwhile within the first place, and the present jet gas scenario means the airline could very nicely lose billions. However the flight attendants need extra pay, for a difficulty that’s seemingly outdoors of American’s management.
To be clear, I say none of this in protection of administration both, as the corporate wants new management. However yeah, that doesn’t imply I aspect with the union right here. Remember that for flight attendants, lengthy haul flights are among the many “best,” by way of effectively racking up flight hours.
In the event that they discover the workload of a two-day London journey to be an excessive amount of, I’d encourage them to as a substitute bid on a home sequence lasting a number of days that has 12 segments, with the identical variety of flight hours, and so they can report again on how the workload compares.
Backside line
American has been having points with catering at Heathrow in current weeks, because it minimize ties with its current provider. The transition away from that hasn’t precisely been seamless, with flights nonetheless being double catered from the US.
The union representing flight attendants is claiming that this has “considerably elevated workload” for flight attendants, and has required crews to “carry out duties nicely past the scope of ordinary service expectations.” In order that they’re demanding pay as if the flight is understaffed, and/or as if it’s a premium journey they’re selecting up.
Whereas I perceive this case isn’t superb, this looks like a step too far to me. However hey, that’s simply my take.
What do you make of the APFA’s request for extra pay over catering points?
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