6.09.26 – APFA DFW Base Brief – July 2026 Staffing and Allocations

July 2026 Staffing and Allocations

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Hello DFW Flight Attendants,

Summer flying is in full swing, and American Airlines is poised to carry more passengers to more destinations than any other airline. None of that is possible without the dedication, professionalism, and hard work of our Members.

As the employees who spend the most time with our customers, you play a critical role in ensuring every flight is safe while delivering the premium experience our passengers expect. Your DFW Base Leadership would like to thank you for everything you do. Your professionalism and commitment to our operation remain second to none in the industry.

Our goal is to help make your work life as stress-free as possible by providing information, reminders, and resources to support you throughout the busy summer season.

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FIFA World Cup Continues Through July

As mentioned in our June Base Brief, the FIFA World Cup extends well into July, with the championship match scheduled for July 19 at New York/New Jersey Stadium.

As the Official Airline of the FIFA World Cup, American Airlines continues to operate:

• Special charter flights
• Unique city pairings
• Increased flying to domestic and international destinations supporting fans, teams, and tournament operations

For Commuters

Please continue to plan ahead:

• Hotel availability remains limited in many markets.
• Hotel rates are significantly higher than normal in some cities.
• Reserve accommodations as early as possible.
• Build additional flexibility into your commute plans.

A little preparation now can help avoid unnecessary stress later.

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Unaccompanied Minors (UMs)

Summer travel brings an increase in Unaccompanied Minor (UM) passengers throughout our system.

Flight Attendants play a vital role in ensuring these young travelers remain safe and cared for during their journey.

Important Reminders

• Verify all required paperwork is complete.
• Address missing or incomplete documentation with ground personnel immediately.
• Utilize Teams and available support resources if you encounter situations that appear out of compliance.
• Remember that procedures vary depending on whether the UM is:
  • Originating
  • Connecting
  • Arriving at destination
  • Traveling domestically
  • Traveling internationally

We encourage everyone to review UM procedures in the EFB to remain familiar with current requirements and avoid unnecessary follow-up calls or emails.

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Technology Tips: Protect Yourself

Technology is helpful—until it isn’t.

Many Flight Attendants have experienced issues with CCI sign-in, including location verification errors while physically present in the terminal.

Recommended Best Practice

After signing in through CCI:

• Verify your status on the crew list (NS).
• Confirm the dash (-) before your name changes to an asterisk (*).
• Take a screenshot showing:
  • Your name with the asterisk (*)
  • The timestamp displayed on your EFB

This simple step can provide valuable documentation if a technology issue occurs later.

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July Operations at a Glance

July remains our busiest month of the year.

Key Metrics

• July 19 is projected to be our busiest day with approximately 6,995 flights system-wide.
• More than 1,200 new Flight Attendants have joined the operation this year.
• American Airlines continues to operate more flying than it did during the summer of 2025.

These factors directly impact staffing, scheduling, reserve requirements, and overall operational performance.

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Reserve Staffing Update

July traditionally requires the highest reserve staffing levels due to the size and complexity of the operation.

Recent Data

• In May, 100% of reserves were utilized system-wide.
• DFW currently has 7,511 Flight Attendants on the roster.
• DFW covers approximately 25% of all system flying.

While reserve numbers for July were higher than anticipated, APFA voiced concerns regarding the increase.

Positive Trends

Since implementation of the 13-bank structure on April 7, DFW has produced several encouraging operational metrics.

Both APFA and Planning will continue monitoring:

• Reserve utilization
• Operational reliability
• Staffing efficiency
• Summer performance trends

Management has indicated that if current trends continue through June and July, reserve numbers should begin trending downward as staffing models are adjusted.

Every successful operation strengthens APFA’s position when challenging reserve assumptions and advocating for lower reserve percentages in future months.

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Pairing Construction & Trip Design

Pairing construction is driven by an optimizer that builds the Master Bid Sheet for the entire system.

Because of this process:

• Individual bases cannot request specific layover cities.
• Aircraft routing changes can affect pairings throughout multiple bases.
• Mainline and regional schedule adjustments often impact layover locations.
• Removing a city pairing can affect flying allocations across the network.

What APFA Advocates For

While specific layovers cannot be guaranteed, APFA continues to advocate for:

• Variety in trip construction
• Balanced flying opportunities
• Improved quality of life considerations

Good News

The productivity of multi-day trips continues to improve, creating additional flexibility for Flight Attendants bidding within the typical 70–90 hour PBS range.

The pairing tables included below provide additional details and insight into July’s flying.

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Airport Standby Reminders

Please remember:

• Sign-in remains required.
• You must report to your assigned terminal at the start of standby.
• Scheduling can page you or contact you through operations if cell phone issues arise.

DFW Standby Terminal Assignments

Your standby report time determines your initial terminal assignment:

• Ending in 1 → Terminal A (Example: 06:01)
• Ending in 2 → Terminal B (Example: 08:52)
• Ending in 3 → Terminal C (Example: 09:13)
• Ending in 4 → Terminal D (Example: 13:24)

Additional Notes

Scheduling may still assign you to:

• Board flights in another terminal
• Work flights departing from another terminal

Assignments are based on operational needs, timing, legalities, and available staffing.

If you wish to:

• Move to another terminal
• Leave the operations area for food or other necessities

Please maintain communication with Crew Scheduling to avoid missed contacts, missed trips, or unnecessary complications.

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SkyLink Reminder

DFW continues to experience periodic SkyLink interruptions and maintenance issues.

Please Plan Accordingly

• Allow additional transit time when parking.
• Give yourself extra time to travel between terminals.
• Expect occasional delays and service interruptions.

While these disruptions can be frustrating, arriving early can help prevent:

• Late-to-gate situations
• FA4 delays
• Additional paperwork and follow-up conversations

A few extra minutes can save a significant amount of time and stress later.

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Respectfully,

Robin & Luis

Robin Reitz
APFA DFW Base President

Luis Vasquez
APFA DFW Base Vice President

Fierce Advocates for Over 7,500 DFW Flight Attendants