American Airlines Flight Attendants Seek Approval for Holiday Strike

American Airlines flight attendants have taken a significant step by formally requesting federal permission to go on strike. The threat looms between Christmas and New Year’s as contracts have remained deadlocked, and flight attendants haven’t seen a pay raise since 2019. The request made to the National Mediation Board faces low odds of being granted, especially during the holiday season. Simultaneously, Southwest Airlines pilots are also considering a strike around the same time, raising concerns about the potential impact of two major carriers going on strike during the holidays.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association are navigating the complexities of federal law, which makes aviation strikes challenging on both ends. Approval for strikes during the holidays is unlikely, given the potential economic fallout. Despite American Airlines asserting that it has presented an “industry-leading economic proposal” to flight attendants, discontent persists, especially as the pilots recently secured a new contract.