11.28.25 – Airbus Fleet Software Update: Contractual Protections and Support

Airbus Fleet Software Update:
Contractual Protections

Friday, November 28, 2025

We were just notified that a required software update for the Airbus 319/320/321 fleet will begin today. The update is expected to take about two hours for most aircraft; however, some aircraft may need to be removed from service to complete the fix. As a result, system-wide delays and cancellations are anticipated beginning today.

We’ve included links in this hotline to several key contractual protections that apply during irregular operations. These include the improved Voluntary Extension (VE) language, the new sit-rig provision, compensation for hotel delays, resources helping you calculate when you go illegal, and more.

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Holiday APFA Live Messaging

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Last Sequence/ Last Series of Sequences : CBA Section 10.L

If your last sequence (or series of sequences) of the month cancels in its entirety, you are pay protected for the entire sequence.

If the origination of your last sequence of the month has canceled, the company may request that you split onto the sequence. You will be pay protected for the entire sequence, including the canceled portion. However, on your last sequence of the month, you may only be rescheduled to different flying after origination.

For more information on Last Sequence/Last Series, please click here.

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Voluntary Extension (VE): CBA Section 11.O and 14.D.1.b 

Domestic Flying

When a Flight Attendant agrees to VE (voluntarily extend) on a domestic duty period, they will now receive 200% pay for the duty period for the first three hours of extension. Should the Flight Attendant remain on duty more than three hours and up to four hours, they will receive 300% pay for the duty period.

In our previous contract, there was no limit on how long you could be required to remain on duty after accepting a voluntary extension (VE). In the CBA, the maximum you may be required to remain on duty is four (4) hours additional hours after accepting a VE.

NIPD Flying

Changes to section 14.D.1.b of the CBA bring the same four hour maximum to Voluntary Extension on Non-Long Range international duty periods as well as 300% when exceeding three hours of extension. This means a Non-Long Range duty period may now only be extended from 16 hours to 20 hours when a Flight Attendant VEs. In our previous contract, there was no limit on how long you could be required to remain on duty after accepting a voluntary extension (VE).

Mid-Range Duty Periods

For mid-range duty periods, max scheduled is 15 hours with a max actual on-duty limitation of 17 hours. If you are required to remain on duty for more than 16 hours in actual operations, the duty period will be paid at 200% pay, including premiums and credited at 100%.

Reminder: You may now use the Electronic Communication System (ECS) to express interest in Voluntary Extension and accept or reject Voluntary Extension offers from Crew Tracking.

Click here to read more about Voluntary Extension (VE), including examples and how to use ECS.

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Sit Rig: CBA Section 11.D.6

Sit Rig provides one (1) minute of flight pay for every two (2) minutes of sit time beyond the first two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes of sit time. This pay is based on the actual sit time in a sequence and does not apply to ODANs.

Click here to learn how Sit Rig is calculated and when it applies.

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Compensation for Hotel Delays: CBA Section 6.B.5

In the event of a schedule modification (reschedule, cancellation or other schedule change) which necessitates a hotel room, the Company will provide a hotel assignment.

• If the Company fails to notify the Flight Attendant of a hotel assignment within one (1) hour from the later of block-in at actual layover city or schedule modification*, the Flight Attendant shall be paid at the rate of one hundred and fifty percent (150%) and credited at one hundred percent (100%) for the duty period preceding the layover.
• If the Company fails to notify the Flight Attendant of a hotel assignment within three (3) hours from the later of block-in at actual layover city or schedule modification*, the Flight Attendant shall be paid at the rate of one hundred and fifty percent (150%) and credited at one hundred percent (100%) for the entire sequence instead of the duty period.

*Note:

• After report, the company has three (3) hours from the disruption or four (4) hours from report, whichever is later, to modify your sequence (10.J.3).
• Mid-sequence, the company must reschedule you within three (3) hours after the disruption (10.J.4).

Eligible Flight Attendants will need to submit a claim via Direct Connect in Crew Portal.

Click here for examples and more information on the new compensation for hotel delays.

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When do I go illegal?

Need help calculating your legalities during a delay? Step-by-step instructions may be found on the APFA website here.

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Are you canceled or being rescheduled? 

Our rescheduling language is broken down into different scenarios, including:

• Prior to Report: Full sequence cancellation
• Prior to Report: The first leg(s) of your trip has cancelled, and your sequence has a deadhead or live segments remaining.
• Prior to Report: First segment(s) cancelled, no notification from crew scheduling.
• After Report but Prior to Origination: Sequence changes (prior to first flight).
• After Origination: Sequence changes.
• Last Sequence/ Last Series of Sequences for the month.

Click here to review the latest Rescheduling Reminders Hotline, which outlines the language that applies to your specific scenario and clarifies your responsibilities under the CBA.

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Hotel/ Transportation Issues

Should you have issues with hotel accommodations or transportation, we now have the ability to contact hotel/limo using the Electronic Communication System (ECS) as opposed to calling. Flight Attendants may use ECS to request a hotel room, transportation, or to report a more complicated issue and request a call-back for help. Please refer to the July 24, 2025 APFA Hotline for more information.

In Solidarity,

Jeff Petersen
APFA National Contract Chair
[email protected]

Marti McMillan
APFA National Scheduling Chair
[email protected]