12.08.25 – APFA PHL Base Brief – January 2026 Staffing and Allocations

January 2026 PHL Staffing and Allocations

Monday, December 8, 2025

Hello PHL,

We had our monthly allocations call on Wednesday, December 3rd. This month is always our tricky end to the holiday season. The reserve numbers are generally high due to the first week or so still reflecting critical time and holiday flying. There are some significant changes that will happen on the 6^th of January. We can expect major cuts to trips beginning on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. There are also less ODANs system-wide.

Inflight Quarterly Training 4Q2025

• Operational Reliability – 4Q25
• Preventing Sexual Harassment
• Basic Data Cybersecurity Awareness
• Security Management System (SeMS)
• oneworld alliance

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

ALLOCATIONS

Flying hours are, of course, slightly down this month with the end of seasonal flying. Last month we were allocated 161,393 flying hours and this month we have slightly decreased to 157,668 hours. That being said, this month last year was 140,529.

NEW HIRES

There will be no New Hire Flight Attendants for January.

RESERVES

The number of projected Reserve Flight Attendants is relatively the same this month at 432 or 16.0%, compared to December at 16.1%. The system average is 19.7%. These numbers will affect the second half of the month.

STAFFING

In January, the opening projected line average is 76.7 hours. That stays pretty consistent across all bases and is on point with the system-wide average of 76.8. Please note that these figures are subject to change based on bidding behaviors.

VOLUNTARY LEAVES OF ABSENCE (VLOAs)

We were awarded 34 VLOAs for January! This VLOA went relatively senior. The most senior FA awarded was seniority #135 and most junior was seniority #4028.

SEQUENCE STATISTICS 

ODANs

ODAN’s took another big hit for January pretty much across the board. CLE and BOS are available to bid.

IPD

There is a bit of shuffling this month:

• DOH remains with 10 F/A’s
• AMS operates throughout the month.  It will operate as a 4-day trip on the following dates – 7,14,19,21,26 & 28.
• BCN operates throughout the month. It will operate as a 4-day trip on the following dates – 11,18 & 25.
• CDG-operates throughout the month. It will operate as a 4-day trip on the following dates- 11,18 & 25. 05JAN will offer one position #9 working to CDG with a DH return.
• LIS will offer a 4-day trip working to LIS on 27JAN with a DH to MAD on 29JAN and DH to PHL on 30JAN.
• FCO 05JAN will offer at 4-day trip working to FCO  on 07JAN there will be a DH to LHR and on 08JAN and DH to PHL. After the 05JAN departure service to FCO will be paused.
• ZRH-05JAN will offer a 4-day trip, day three will be a DH to LHR and day four a DH to PHL. Following this trip service to ZRH will pause. 27JAN will offer a 4-day trip originating with a DH to LHR, day three DH to ZRH followed by a working return ZRH-PHL on 30JAN.

NIPD

There is also a slight decrease here. There are a good amount of turns but most of the layovers are in MIA.  We do have a good number of layovers that show up a couple times this month. SJU, SDQ, MEX, CUN, PUJ, CLO, POS, CUR, STX, MGA, GUA, SJO, STI, KIN, BGI, BDA, and STT. There are also one or two HNLs sprinkled in.

DOMESTIC WIDEBODY FLYING 777 – one trip. The entire crew will be covered by PHL F/A’s however positions 1-4 will work all legs. Positions 5-8 will DH on leg one. This created two separate sequences.

787 – will offer DFW 2 day trip.  07JAN will offer a turn covered by PHL F/A’s but crew will be split into two sequences. Positions 1-4 will work both directions. Positions 5-8 will have a DH return.

PIT SATELLITE

Hours are starting to rise again in PIT after a few months of decreasing. PIT rose to 4,831 from 4,800 in December. A gain of 31 hours.

*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

The company has recently pushed another EFB update. Please ensure you always check for necessary updates before each trip.

• IFM 19

HOLIDAY PAY (CBA 3.K.1)

PHL BAG ROOMS

If you are not aware, PHL Crew Rooms are getting a facelift that is long overdue! Part of that plan is to audit the bag racks in B16 and the bag room in A17. PLEASE make sure you have your bags tagged with your name, employee number, and phone number. If you find a red X on your existing tag, see a Manager immediately. Only suitcases and totes with a zipper close are permitted. This is an ongoing action. If your bag is found to be non-compliant, it will be removed. Any questions should be directed to the Inflight Managers.

GENERAL REMINDERS

• You may contact us directly in PHL any time by text or phone call to 215-360-3115. There are 4-5 BCR’s monitoring that line and we are quick to respond if not in a meeting. Using the base contact form on APFA.org does take a bit longer to get to us. If you are scheduling a meeting with management, then please notify us ASAP. Same day requests are difficult to accommodate due to the high volume of meetings we have scheduled.
• The FAA is out in full force. Every Flight Attendant is required to have a flashlight that is not your EFB or personal phone along with all other required items.
• New year’s day, 01JAN26.
• MLK Day, 19JAN26
• COMMUTERS, by train, plane, or automobile- PLAN ACCORDINGLY! Flight/Train cancellations are in abundance.
• Every month the PBS COVER SHEET Is included in the bid packets. Packets are found via CrewPortal. The cover sheet contains answers to many frequently asked questions such as:
  • Phone Numbers
  • Duty Charts and Layover requirements
  • Bidding Timelines
  • Links to PBS Guides and other pertinent information

CREW PORTAL > DEPARTMENTS > CREW PLANNING > PBS ADMINISTRATION > CURRENT BID SHEETS > PBS COVER SHEET

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Wednesday, December 17^th at 1600 is a VIRTUAL BASE MEETING. More information to follow. If you would like to attend, bid accordingly please.

Questions may be submitted in advance to [email protected].

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]