1.12.25 – 2025-26 Annual Vacation Buyback Closes Tomorrow

2025-26 Annual Vacation Buyback Closes Tomorrow

Sunday, January 12, 2025

The 2025-26 Annual Vacation Buyback process closes tomorrow, January 13, at 12:00 PM (CT). The awards will be posted no later than Friday January 17 at 12:00 PM (CT).

In accordance with 2024 CBA Section 8.F., Flight Attendants have the option to buyback a portion or all vacation days accrued during 2024 (carryover days are excluded). A minimum of 5.5% of the total annual base accrual will be offered for buyback. You do not need to be in an active status to participate in the annual vacation buyback.

Pay for annual vacation buyback will be as follows:

• Buyback will be paid out at 4:00 hours per day.
• Vacation buyback days are not eligible for premium pay.
• Pay is based on your CBA hourly rate applicable for the June 2025 mid-month paycheck.

Awarded vacation buyback days will not be included in the annual vacation day matrix for the 2025-26 bid, and you will not be able to bid for those days in the primary or secondary round of annual vacation bidding.

Note: The Annual Vacation Buyback Award and Primary and Secondary Vacation Awards/Assignments will be based on your crew base of record as of January 1, 2025.

You may access the Annual Vacation Bid and Award (AVBA) via Crew Portal > Monthly Bids > Vacation > Annual > Summary > Annual Buyback.

Vacation Buyback Quick Reference Guide

Annual Accrual

Your annual accrual will show on the AVBA summary page via Crew Portal > Monthly Bids > Vacation > Annual > Summary.

You may view your 2024 accrued sick hours and vacation days in Crew Portal by selecting “Last Year SK/VC Accrual – (HISK/L)” under the FOS Screens.

Check the “AAC VC” Column in the HISK to verify if you have accrued vacation for the month.

Note: You may not buyback unscheduled vacation days you are carrying over from the previous vacation cycle to the 2025-26 vacation cycle.

If you have any questions regarding your accrual or the buyback and bidding process, you may email [email protected] or open a ticket on the Support Tab on Crew Portal.

For more vacation bidding information, visit Vacation Bidding at APFA.org.

In Solidarity,

Jeff Petersen
APFA National Contract Chair
[email protected]

Marti McMillan
APFA National Scheduling Chair
[email protected]