4.06.26 – APFA PHL Base Brief – May 2026 Staffing and Allocations

May 2026 PHL Staffing and Allocations

Monday, April 6, 2026

Hello PHL,

Our monthly Allocations Call was held on Friday, April 3. May marks the unofficial start of the summer flying season, and the company has indicated this will be its busiest and most ambitious summer to date.

With the suspension of DOH flying, we will see an increase in narrowbody operations this month as widebody aircraft are redeployed to other markets.

Reserve numbers have decreased compared to last year, dropping from 455 to 377. However, please refer to the New Hire section below, as additional staffing considerations apply. Notably, block hours have increased significantly year-over-year.

There are two planned schedule changes: May 7 and May 21. The May 7 adjustment is minor, while the May 21 change—typically implemented in June—has been moved earlier this year to align with Memorial Day demand.

ALLOCATIONS

PHL will gain an additional 10,000 hours of additional flying. Last month, PHL was allocated 180,809 flying hours and this month, PHL is projected to 190,920 hours.

NEW HIRES

We look forward to welcoming twenty new Flight Attendants to our PHL base. Fifteen of our new hires will be included in the May PBS bid with the remaining five new hires projected to join us after the May bid award. The total number of new hires will be deducted from the reserve number in the LRD.

RESERVES

Despite the rise in block hours, the number of projected Reserve Flight Attendants drops this month to 377 or 13%, compared to April at 15.7%. The system average is 18.6%. As mentioned, the LRD number will be 377 but then subtract the 20 new hires after PBS. So, 357 of “currently based FAs in PHL” reserves.

STAFFING

In May, the opening projected line average is 80.1. The system-wide line average this year is 80.1. Please note, these figures are subject to change based on bidding behaviors.

VOLUNTARY LEAVES OF ABSENCE (VLOAs)

There are no VLOA’s offered for May. The Company has no plans to offer VLOA’s for the remainder of the year.

SEQUENCE STATISTICS

We will see more aircraft swaps as the May schedule has more 1 duty period; 2-days. Meaning the sequence releases after midnight. Additionally, there is an increase in sit times longer than 2.5 hours.

(Please review the Sit Rig Information, CBA Section 11.D.6)

Contract Implementation Update #19 – Sit Rig (CBA 11.D.6)

ODANs

ODANs have decreased by 4%. ODANs for the May bid month are: CHS, PVD, BDL, SYR, PWM, CLE, RDU, and PIT.

IPD

Route & Flying Updates

• DOH
  • Discontinued for the foreseeable future

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New Routes Beginning 21MAY (787-8 | 4-Day Sequences)

• BUD (Budapest)
  • Begins 21MAY
  • 4-day sequence
  • Second DH crew operates return on 23MAY
• PRG (Prague)
  • Begins 21MAY
  • 4-day sequence
  • Second DH crew operates return on 23MAY
• CPH (Copenhagen)
  • Begins 21MAY
  • 4-day sequence
  • Second DH crew operates return on 23MAY

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New Routes Beginning 07MAY (787-8 | 4-Day Sequences)

• MXP (Milan)
  • Begins 07MAY
  • First sequence departs 05MAY
  • 4-day sequence with MIA overnight
  • Double DH
• NAP (Naples)
  • Begins 07MAY
  • 4-day sequence
  • Second DH crew operates return on 09MAY
• NCE (Nice)
  • Begins 07MAY
  • 4-day sequence
  • Second DH crew operates return on 09MAY

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Aircraft / Sequence Changes

• AMS (Amsterdam)
  • Returns to 787-8 starting 07MAY
  • 06MAY (Position 9): DH return on 08MAY
• CDG (Paris)
  • Switches to 787-9 on 20MAY
  • 19MAY (Position 9): DH PHL–CDG
  • Works return on 21MAY
• EDI (Edinburgh)
  • Position 9: DH return on 08MAY

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VCE (Venice) Aircraft & Sequence Changes

• Upgraded to 787-9 from 02MAY–18MAY
• 19MAY:
  • Operates PHL–VCE on 787-9
  • Returns VCE–PHL on 787-8 (21MAY)
  • Position 9: DH return on 21MAY

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Bid Period Adjustment (April 2026)

• Changes will be reflected in the April 2026 bid period to support VCE transition
• 30APR & 01MAY (Carry-Over Trips):
  • DH PHL–VCE
  • Working return on Day 3

NIPD

There will be an increase in NIPD turns and layovers. RON’s are in POS, SJU, GYE, AUA, PUJ, BGI, CUR, CUN, KIN, MGA, NAS, SJO, YVR, GUA, STI, MEX, MDE, SAL.

PIT will have NIPD layovers in CUN, CUR, AUA , PUJ, MBJ and STX.

DOMESTIC WIDEBODY FLYING

There is limited domestic widebody flying in May. There is a MIA turn.

PIT SATELLITE

Hours slightly dropped for PIT from 4,612 in April to 4,461 for May.

*Note: Please remember that when you are awarded a satellite trip, it is your responsibility to get to PIT to start the trip and get home when the trip ends. The Company does NOT provide deadheads to and from PIT.

EFB COMPLIANCE

Please remember to check for updates at the beginning of every trip. System updates, Comply updates, and synced.

QUARTERLY WEB-BASED TRAINING

This quarterly training must be completed by Friday, April 10 at 23:59 (CT) to avoid a Missed Assignment (MA).

GENERAL REMINDERS

COMMUTERS: Plan Accordingly

The following events may impact flights to and from PHL, as well as hotel availability:

• Memorial Day: May 25
• Kentucky Derby: April 29 – May 1
• Formula 1 & Indy 500: May 21 – May 26
  • Both events are expected to significantly affect PHL flights and accommodations

📌 Reminder: Please reference CBA Section 37.I (Commuter Policy) for applicable protections and guidelines.

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PHL Base Contact Information

• Contact us directly via call or text: 215-360-3115
• BCRs actively monitor this line and respond promptly when available
• Submitting through the APFA.org base contact form may result in delayed responses

<strong”>Important Notes:

• If you are scheduling a meeting with management, notify us as soon as possible
• Same-day meeting requests are difficult to accommodate due to high meeting volume

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PBS Cover Sheet Information

Each month, the PBS Cover Sheet is included in bid packets and contains key reference material, including:

• Important phone numbers
• Duty charts and layover requirements
• Bidding timelines
• Links to PBS guides and other relevant resources

📍 Access Path:
Crew Portal → Departments → Crew Planning → PBS Administration → Current Bid Sheets → PBS Cover Sheet

PHL STRONG! PHL PROUD!

In Solidarity,

Tracey Montanari
APFA PHL Base President
[email protected]

Mitch Hake
APFA PHL Base Vice President
[email protected]

Ryan Allen
APFA PHL Base Council Representative
[email protected]