5.07.26 – APFA DCA Base Brief – June 2026 Staffing and Allocations

June 2026 DCA Staffing and Allocations

Thursday, May 7, 2026

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55,367 total flying hours (DCA, IAD, BWI) (-540 hours month -over-month) (+1208 hour year-over-year)

Year-over-year block hours has increased by 2.1% and headcount has increased by 31 Flight Attendants.

• June is not a flex month
• Contractual targeted range 70-90 hours
• Opening line average 80.2 hours
• DCA’s most senior reserve for June has a system seniority number of 26,110 (January 22, 2025)
• No VLOA’s
• 23 New Hires

Important Dates

• June Bid Month: June 2 – July 1
• Flag Day: June 14
• Juneteenth: Friday, June 19
• Father’s Day: Sunday, June 21

• Total sequences 902 (DCA, IAD, BWI):
  • 4 FA sequences: 468 total
  • 3 FA sequences: 434 total
• DCA Sequences: 837
• ODANS:
  • BDL operates 4 days
  • CHS operates 22 days
  • RDU operates 26 days
• DCA
  • No Charter/honor flights
  • LAX high time turns operates 30 days (no change of aircraft and one hour on ground)
  • PHX high time one days operates 30 days (no change of aircraft and one hour on ground)
  • PHX ‘pink eye’ 30 days
  • PHX turn one day only
  • NAS turns operate 25 days
  • Canada Layovers YYC, YYZ
  • NIPD Layovers – BDA, CUR, KIN, MBJ, POS, PUJ, SAP, STX
  • 2 Spanish speaker sequences
• BWI
  • 52 sequences
  • 3442 flying hours
  • 26 DFW one days (1400 report)
  • No Canada or NIPD layovers
• IAD
  • 13 sequences
  • LAX ‘pink eye’ operates 25 days
  • NIPD – 1 sequence (layover MBJ)
  • 2 High time 2-day trips

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Sequences with Sit Times of 2.31 Hours or More

• DCA: 250
• BWI: 23
• IAD: 3

Scheduled Duty Days:

• <8 hours: 46.4%
• 8-10 hours: 27.4%
• 10-12 hours: 21.9%
• >12 hours: 4.3%

Scheduled Legs in Duty Day:

• 1-leg: 34.8%
• 2-legs: 51.1%
• 3-legs: 13.0%
• 4-legs: 1.1%

Scheduled Layover Rest:

• < 11 hours: 0.1%
• 11-12 hours: 3.8%
• 12-14 hours: 28.5%
• 14-16 hours: 20.6%
• 18-20 hours: 9.5%
• 20-24 hours: 7.7%
• >24 hours: 12.5%

Scheduled Sit Times:

• 2-2.5 hours: 14.6%
• 2.5-3 hours: 10.0%
• >3 hours: 2.6%

We would once again like to encourage all Flight Attendants to continue sending feedback regarding the June bid month — both the positives and the areas needing improvement. Your feedback remains critical as we continue discussions with the Company regarding future trip construction.

Trip Construction Updates

• We advocated for the return of the high-time Las Vegas turn and the high-time Phoenix turn; however, neither pairing was awarded for the June bid month.
• If these turns remain unable to be built for July, we have requested additional high-time one-day sequences paying 8+ hours.
• While these sequences may include three- or four-leg days, they would provide an alternative for Flight Attendants who prefer to maximize time while remaining away from home for only one day.

Sequence Mix Concerns

We also raised concerns regarding the current distribution of trips:

• The percentage of 3-day sequences remains too high.
• We would like to see:
  • More 2-day trips
  • Fewer 3-day trips
  • A balanced mix of 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day sequences to accommodate all bidding preferences.

Pairing Notes

• BWI continues to maintain the DFW turn; however, in June, the sequence departs in the mid-afternoon, with no morning departures currently scheduled.
• The IAD–LAX “Pink Eye” appears to be functioning well from both a contractual and legality standpoint, and we hope to see this pairing continue in future bid months.

June 2026 Staffing & Line Average

For June 2026:

• The line average is down 0.5% compared to last year.
• The Reserve percentage is up 0.3% compared to last year.
• Despite this increase, both metrics remain significantly lower than the June 2026 system averages.

PBS Bidding Reminder

When bidding PBS, please bid strategically and remain mindful of:

• Your relative seniority
• The amount of time you may realistically be required to hold

For example:

• In May 2026, the first minimum constraint was 70 hours at:
  • System seniority: 5,357
  • Base seniority: 99
• The second constraint was 78 hours beginning at:
  • System seniority: 19,003
  • Base seniority: 372

Historically, we have seen double constraints during the summer months, and strategic bidding may help avoid being forced into 89–90 hour lines.

Need Help with PBS?

If you are having difficulty placing bids or understanding PBS — especially if you are newer to line bidding — please reach out to your Base Representatives or contact your Senior Crew Manager at Base Ops for assistance. PBS Guide

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June 2026 Bidding Timelines

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June 2026 System Reserve Seniority

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Congratulations New Hires!

We are proud to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to our newest Flight Attendant classes — 26-06, 26-07, 26-08, 26-09, and 26-10. Congratulations on reaching this exciting milestone and beginning your journey in one of the most rewarding and dynamic careers in the industry.

As you prepare to take to the skies, know that you are joining a profession built on dedication, resilience, professionalism, and teamwork. Every trip, every passenger interaction, and every challenge you encounter will help shape your experience and growth as a Flight Attendant.

This career will bring early mornings, long days, unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and opportunities to see places many only dream about. Through it all, remember that you are now part of a larger Flight Attendant community that stands together, supports one another, and takes pride in the work we do every single day.

We wish each of you success throughout training and beyond as you begin your flying careers. Stay confident, stay adaptable, continue learning, and never underestimate the important role you play in ensuring the safety and comfort of our passengers.

Welcome aboard, and best wishes for a long, successful, and rewarding career in the skies!

Some of the above images have been AI-enhanced for clarity due to the poor quality of the original photographs.

We are scheduled to receive classes through June 2026!

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Union Presence During Indoctrination

Many of you have asked how indoctrination has been going this year, especially given the Company’s recent decision to significantly limit the Union’s time with new hires. In addition, after years of past practice, the Company has now required that a member of management be present during the Union’s discussions with incoming Flight Attendants.

While interactions have remained professional and cordial, we believe this requirement is excessive and unnecessary. The Union is not invited to attend when management speaks privately with new hires, yet management now insists on monitoring the Union’s time with them.

What continues to be overlooked is that both the Company and the Union are organizations Flight Attendants will work with throughout their careers. The Union plays a critical role in:

• Answering contractual and policy questions
• Educating Flight Attendants on their rights and protections
• Assisting with workplace concerns and operational issues
• Supporting a safe, efficient, and successful operation
• Helping ensure the airline remains reliable, profitable, and on time

The relationship between the Company and the Union should be built on mutual respect and professionalism. Requiring a management “chaperone” during Union discussions sends the wrong message to new hires and undermines the independent role the Union serves in representing Flight Attendants.

We will continue to engage professionally, advocate strongly, and ensure new Flight Attendants understand the important role their Union plays throughout their careers.

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Inflight Quarterly Training 2Q2026

1. 2Q2026 Safety, Regulatory & Systems Highlights
2. 2Q2026 Service Insights
3. Basic Data Cybersecurity Awareness
4. Preventing Sexual Harassment

This quarterly training must be completed by Wednesday, July 1 at 23:59 (CT) to avoid a Missed Assignment (MA).

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Professional Standards

We are pleased to welcome DCA Flight Attendant Ona Mathews to our APFA Professional Standards Team. We are confident in her ability to support our members and assist Flight Attendants with Professional Standards matters in a professional, respectful, and solution-oriented manner.

Last month, Ona completed extensive training with our specialized APFA Professional Standards team and also worked alongside Allied Pilots Association pilots and their Professional Standards representatives, further strengthening her experience and perspective in peer-to-peer support and conflict resolution.

Remember — Professional Standards Is Here for You

Professional Standards provides confidential peer support to help resolve workplace concerns professionally and constructively.

📞 Professional Standards Hotline: 833-214-2002

There is always a trained peer ready to assist you.

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Update on the Me@Work Application

We want to let you know that we have heard your concerns regarding the implementation of the Me@Work application by American Airlines. Many of you have reached out with significant feedback regarding both the rollout of the application and its overall purpose.

We have also heard your concerns regarding the development and implementation of the program without APFA input. As a result, a Base Notice of Dispute (NOD) has been filed on behalf of DCA Flight Attendants, with a requested remedy for the Company to “Cease and Desist.”

We will continue to keep you informed as these grievances move through the DRC review process.

Thank you for your patience and for continuing to share your feedback.

In Solidarity,

John Pennel
APFA DCA Base President
[email protected]

Dianne Britton
APFA DCA Base Vice President
[email protected]

Lisa Barnes
APFA DCA Base Council Representative – Allocations
[email protected]