American Flight Attendants Want Service Reductions

The flight attendant union at American Airlines wants to reduce inflight service.

APFA wants omicron service reductions.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), representing American Airlines flight attendants, has proposed a temporary reduction of onboard service levels and customer touch points. This is intended to maintain the highest level of flight attendant and passenger safety.

The changes are supposed to reduce the amount of time passengers are not wearing a mask and limit flight attendant exposure. The union is requesting something immediately.

In premium cabins, you can serve the salad, soup, or appetizer.
Main cabin beverage services on premium flights will be reduced.

Premium meal service needs to be simplified.

My take on American Airlines service reductions.

There are a few thoughts on the request to reduce service. I am not coming at this with the idea that flight attendants are lazy and shame on them. I think it is important to acknowledge that the request from a union does not represent the opinions of all members. With that out of the way...

Is the union behind the curve with this request? It seems like this request should have been made weeks ago, when omicron cases were on the rise.

How much further can you reduce main cabin beverage service? American does not serve alcohol in economy on domestic flights. Is the union asking that passengers just be given a bottle of water on the plane?

Here is my biggest question. I took my first flight of the year this week, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many passengers wore N95 and KN95 masks, which give a greater level of protection. I wore a surgical mask when cases were lower, but now wear an N95 or KN95 mask.

I was shocked to see how few American flight attendants wore masks that gave them greater levels of protection. On both of my flights, there were no flight attendants wearing N95s or KN95s, and I saw very few American flight attendants wearing those masks.

Has the APFA sent a memo to flight attendants telling them to improve the quality of their masks? Why aren't flight attendants listening? If they are going to be in close contact with people, wearing a superior mask is the best thing they can do to protect themselves from serious illness.

It seems odd to cut service in the name of safety, while most flight attendants aren't even taking basic precautions that reduce coronaviruses risk.

How about American flight attendants?

The bottom line.

The flight attendant union is requesting a reduction of inflight service due to the number of omicron coronaviruses. Premium cabin meals should be served on one tray, and beverage service should be reduced in the economy.

I don't get how much more economy service can be cut, because I can appreciate the concept of taking precautions based on current case numbers. Why aren't flight attendants wearing masks that offer better protection?

What do you think about the reduced service request from the APFA?