5.14.25 – APFA LGA Base Brief – A New Kind of Solidarity

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Dear Flight Attendants in New York,

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American Airlines recently communicated onboard service updates to enhance the customer experience. While the message claims to incorporate our feedback, it underscores a culture of mismanagement within the airline. This was particularly evident during the recent staffing arbitration hearing, where I observed management relying on dishonesty and a scripted performance from a select group of individuals who lacked a genuine understanding of the responsibilities of a Flight Attendant, especially in the first hour of duty, let alone what it takes to provide customers with a premium experience.

Following the hearing, it became clear that our primary concern, staffing, is just a symptom of a larger issue-a management team that is steering the airline with a haphazard and inconsistent business plan. In the face of these ill-advised decisions, we must act swiftly, mobilize the public, and utilize all available means to advocate for the airline we have built and continue to support every day.

As we say in New York, “What will you do about it?”

We need “a new kind of SOLIDARITY” among us. One that advocates for our rights as workers, but with a twist that targets explicitly key issues that ultimately deprive us of wages and a fair work environment.

Here’s what each of you should do now:

Despite the challenges we face from management, I am confident in our ability to maintain exceptional customer service on board the jets. I urge everyone to follow company policies and procedures. While some may be unfair, they help us address issues of equity and inclusion at American Airlines. It’s also crucial to proactively report any safety, service, and operational concerns using all available channels.

What we will be doing immediately:

• In the coming weeks, Megan and I will alternate and begin speaking to all of you.
• At every airport, there are banks of flights that will allow us to connect.
• At JFK, specifically, we will use the APFA office as our meeting point and the operations areas.
• We will be scheduling private virtual town halls for small groups of 20 members or less via Zoom by invitation only. We understand that flexibility must be part of any initiative, and I hope you will take advantage of one of these avenues to join us in our efforts.

Unfortunately, American Airlines has disregarded the value of Flight Attendants, demonstrating a troubling pattern of incompetence in managing a people-focused business. It is now very clear that the problem at American Airlines is not economic, industry, or any of the excuses in their coloring books; it is a management team with zero integrity or respect for its employees. One only needs to focus on this upcoming re-order of the Inflight department, which served their managers with a dose of the lack of equity and inclusivity.

This management fails daily around the airline.

Bottom Line: The inconsistent implementation of management initiatives exacerbates the poor treatment Flight Attendants receive.

Fly safely, support one another, and take care of our customers. American Airlines is our airline, and every customer we serve is worth the effort — even when management makes that harder than it should be.

In Unity,

Christian M. Santana
LGA Base President
[email protected]