American Airlines has made a recent decision to halt the implementation of a new medical leave policy that was introduced earlier this year. The revised policy, which has already been put into effect for some employees, has received backlash for placing additional financial burdens on flight attendants who require medical leave. This includes requiring them to pay co-pays for doctor visits and filing fees, which essentially penalizes them for using sick time.

The policy, which was introduced in February of 2025, aimed to revamp the administration of medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). However, it first targeted flight attendants based in New York City, causing controversy and raising concerns about the impact on their well-being. Many flight attendants rely on intermittent leave to stay healthy while still being able to fulfill their flight schedules. In response, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) filed a Notice of Dispute, demanding that the policy be reversed immediately.

One of the main issues with this new policy is the financial burden it places on flight attendants. In the past, medical leave documentation was handled on a case-by-case basis. With the new policy, American Airlines has shifted some of the cost burden onto the employee for each occurrence, doubling the cost for each medical leave. While this may seem small when spread across the entire work group, it has serious consequences for the paychecks of certain flight attendants.

In addition to the financial impact, doctors are now required to provide additional documentation at an increased cost. Flight attendants have expressed concerns that some medical practitioners may not comply with American’s new guidelines, potentially preventing them from taking necessary medical leave. The union’s objection to the policy is not only based on financial concerns, but also on the potential for hindering access to flexible healthcare for crew members.

The APFA has taken a strong stance against these changes and has filed a formal Notice of Dispute. This signals their intent to challenge the policy on legal, contractual, and public fronts. While the base is officially named New York-LaGuardia, cabin crews based there also operate out of LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark. The union’s message focuses on the rights of workers to have their medical needs aligned with their job protections.

There are also operational concerns that this new policy may lead to staffing shortages. Flight attendants may choose to delay reporting their illness or may even come to work while sick, which goes against the safety protocol of self-reporting in the airline industry. The increased complexity and costs associated with the policy may deter flight attendants from taking care of their health.

American Airlines has cabin crew bases in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington D. C.

The motivation behind such a policy is often to reduce the number of call-outs by making it less appealing for employees to take sick leave.