1.03.26 – Caribbean Cancellations Update

Caribbean Cancellations Update

Saturday, January 3, 2026

As was communicated earlier today, APFA is fully engaged with the company on the developing situation in the Caribbean as a result of airspace restrictions related to Venezuela.

We want to provide the below reminders about contractual provisions related to the commuter policy, hotel/transportation issues, and pay protections.

Commuter Policy (37.I)

• In addition to a Cancellation, Equipment Downgrade, or Delay, the 2024 CBA expanded the First Flight qualifiers to include Sufficient Seats (load factor less than 90%) within 24 hours prior to departure.
  • Flight Attendant must submit documentation of sufficient seats and their presence at the gate for standby processing (e.g., Jetnet screen shot, monitor snapshot, boarding pass).
  • Other airlines (OAL) are now a qualifying commuting option as American Airlines and wholly owned carriers are today.
    • Until Further Notice:  In lieu of OAL load factor consideration, an OAL commuter will just need to provide a picture/screenshot that you listed 24 hours in advance (e.g. UAL). For same-day/at-gate listing (e.g. DL, SWA), you would provide your documentation of listing.

Note:
A Flight Attendant who is removed or denied the jumpseat due to a weight restriction or an inoperative jumpseat (37.G.9) who consequently misses their sequence, shall have such sequence qualify under the Commuter Policy.

Hotel/Transportation Issues

Should you have issues with hotel accommodations or transportation; we want to remind Flight Attendants of the newly implemented ability to contact hotel/limo using 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.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 compensation for hotel delays.

Pay Protections

There are many factors that determine whether a cancellation is pay protected. Contractual provisions related to pay protections are in CBA 10.J, K & L.

Pay protections are unique to each cancellation/rescheduling scenario. General information on pay protections is available on the APFA website: On the Job > Rescheduling and Pay Protections.

The DECS Add/Removal Code tool on the website is useful in determining whether a cancellation is pay protected.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

In Solidarity,

Jeff Petersen
APFA National Contract Chair
[email protected]

Marti McMillan
APFA National Scheduling Chair
[email protected]