Brady Collins
American Airlines has not made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for pilots and other employees, although it has encouraged frontline workers to get vaccinated. The airline has indicated that it will not fire unvaccinated staff, and some sources estimate that around 3,700 of its pilots are unvaccinated. This is partly due to economic interests, as requiring passengers to be vaccinated would drive away more business than it would attract. However, American Airlines has stated that some countries they fly to may require a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| American Airlines' stance on vaccinating pilots | American Airlines does not plan to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for pilots and other employees unless it is required for entry into certain destinations. |
| Number of unvaccinated American Airlines pilots | 3,700 |
| American Airlines' stance on vaccinating passengers | American Airlines does not require passengers to be vaccinated. |
| Rationale for not requiring passenger vaccinations | It is not in the airline's economic interest to do so as it would drive away more business than it attracts. |
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What You'll Learn
American Airlines' stance on pilot vaccinations
American Airlines has not made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for pilots and other employees. The company's stance is that it does not plan to make vaccinations compulsory unless it is mandatory for entry into certain destinations. This decision is in line with other U.S.-based airlines, such as United Airlines, which also does not require its pilots to be vaccinated.
In January 2021, American Airlines President Robert Isom stated that the "vast majority" of workers are vaccinated and only a "minimal number" are expected to apply for exemptions. However, with the approach of the holiday travel season in October 2021, it was reported that around 3,700 American Airlines pilots remained unvaccinated. Despite President Joe Biden's executive order mandating vaccines for federal contractors, including airlines, American Airlines indicated that they would not fire unvaccinated staff.
American Airlines' decision not to mandate vaccines for its pilots and other employees may be influenced by several factors. One consideration is the potential for staff shortages, as the airline industry cannot afford to lose a significant number of pilots or flight attendants. Additionally, there is a risk of legal and cultural backlash if private companies require employees to be vaccinated.
While American Airlines does not mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for its pilots, it recognizes the benefits of a vaccinated workforce, including reduced quarantine requirements and lower infection rates among employees. The company has also stated that some countries they fly to or plan to resume flying to may require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry.
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Biden's federal contractor mandate
American Airlines initially planned to make vaccines mandatory for their pilots, but they have since backtracked on this decision. This is despite President Joe Biden's executive order mandating vaccines for federal contractors, including airlines. American Airlines has indicated that they will not fire unvaccinated staff, and the CEO, Doug Parker, has stated that they will continue to work with unvaccinated employees.
The Allied Pilots Association, the labor union representing 14,000 American Airlines pilots, estimates that 3,700 pilots are unvaccinated. These pilots will likely seek religious or medical exemptions, and American Airlines has stated that they do not want to see anyone leave the company due to their vaccination status.
American Airlines' decision to backtrack on vaccine mandates is in line with other major airlines such as Southwest Airlines, which also announced a vaccine mandate for workers in early October only to reverse their decision a few weeks later. Regional carriers have also not announced vaccine mandates, even those engaged in federal contracts or partnered with airlines that have vaccine mandates in place.
As a result, travelers should not expect that every airline worker they encounter during the holiday season will be fully vaccinated. This includes pilots, flight attendants, and airport workers. American Airlines has stated that unvaccinated employees will remain past Biden's December 8 deadline, regardless of whether they have an exemption or not.
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Exemptions and unvaccinated pilots
American Airlines has not made COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for its pilots. However, the airline has stated that some countries they fly to or plan to resume flying to may require vaccination as a condition of entry. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker has stated that the company will work with unvaccinated pilots, almost all of whom will be on some sort of medical or religious exemption.
In October 2021, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines announced vaccine mandates for workers, but soon backtracked. The CEOs of both airlines indicated that they would not fire unvaccinated staff. Around 3,700 American Airlines pilots were unvaccinated as of October 2021, and top airline executives have said they will work with these pilots.
Some pilots have been granted exemptions from vaccination requirements on religious grounds. A federal judge issued an injunction in July 2022 that prevents the Air Force from punishing or separating anyone who filed a request for a religious exemption. However, pilots who have sought religious exemptions are still grounded, while other unvaccinated pilots have resumed flying.
In one case, an unvaccinated pilot in New Zealand was terminated for refusing to comply with COVID-19 vaccination requirements. The pilot challenged the dismissal, arguing that his employer had not explored reasonable alternatives to dismissal. The court ruled in the pilot's favor, finding that the employer had adopted an "inflexible" policy that did not consider individual circumstances.
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Vaccinated pilots and extra pay
While American Airlines has not made it compulsory for pilots to be vaccinated, the airline has stated that some countries they fly to may require vaccination as a condition of entry. Initially, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines announced vaccine mandates for workers in October 2021 but soon retracted their statements. American Airlines' CEO, Doug Parker, has expressed that they do not want employees to leave due to vaccine mandates. As a result, the airline is working with unvaccinated pilots, who are expected to be on religious or medical exemptions.
Southwest Airlines has taken a different approach by offering extra pay for employees who choose to get vaccinated. Employees who uploaded their vaccination cards by November 15, 2021, received 16 hours of pay or pay for 13 trip segments for pilots and flight attendants. Southwest's decision to incentivize vaccination is unrelated to President Joe Biden's announcement to increase COVID-19 vaccinations. Instead, the airline is prepared to comply with the forthcoming rules mandating COVID inoculations for companies with more than 100 employees.
Similarly, United Airlines has implemented an incentive program for its employees. A memo from CEO Scott Kirby and President Brett Hart stated that employees who were already vaccinated or chose to be vaccinated by September 20, 2021, would receive an extra day of pay. United Airlines estimates that up to 90% of its pilots and close to 80% of its flight attendants are already vaccinated. Despite some pilots disagreeing with the policy, the Air Line Pilots Association believes it is legal.
Delta Air Lines has also offered incentives like extra pay to encourage staff to get vaccinated. Additionally, Delta plans to charge unvaccinated employees a $200 monthly fee for company health insurance starting in November. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have also ended pay protections for unvaccinated workers.
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International destinations and vaccine requirements
International destinations have varying vaccine requirements, and it is important to be aware of the specific entry requirements for each country. For example, as of November 8, foreign nationals flying to the United States must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination before boarding. Additionally, all inbound passengers, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure. These regulations can change, so it is important to stay updated with the U.S. Department of State's website for the latest COVID-19 regulations for both the destination country and any layover countries.
Some countries may have specific vaccine requirements for other diseases as well. For instance, the CDC recommends that all travelers be fully vaccinated against measles before traveling to any international destination, as it remains a problem in many countries, including India and Romania, with cases reported throughout Europe. The CDC provides a country-by-country list of recommendations. It is important to plan ahead when it comes to vaccinations, especially for children, as the ideal scenario is to have received two doses of the measles vaccine before travel, and the process can take at least six weeks.
When traveling internationally, it is crucial to have easy access to all your COVID-19 information, including a digital copy of your vaccine card and, if necessary, a negative COVID-19 test result. This is especially important if you are traveling to multiple countries or have layovers, as you may encounter different requirements for each location. For example, a traveler flying from the US to Lebanon via Turkey shared that they needed to present a negative COVID-19 test result in addition to their vaccine documentation due to Turkey's testing requirement.
To ensure a smooth travel experience, it is recommended to arrive at the airport early, as there may be delays due to retraining staff and heightened tensions among passengers and staff alike. Being prepared and allowing extra time can help reduce stress and make your international travel experience more enjoyable.
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Frequently asked questions
No, American Airlines does not require pilots to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the airline has stated that some countries they fly to may require vaccination as a condition of entry.
No, American Airlines does not require passengers to be vaccinated.
In May 2021, United Airlines considered making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for pilots, but the airline and its pilots' union ultimately agreed to prohibit this. Delta Air Lines has also said that all new hires in the U.S. must be vaccinated. However, American Airlines has not made vaccinations mandatory for pilots.
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