3.08.26 – APFA PHL Base Brief – April 2026 Staffing and Allocations

April 2026 PHL Staffing and Allocations

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Hello PHL,

We held our monthly allocations call on Tuesday, March 3. April serves as the bridge into the summer schedule, and we’ll begin ramping up flying in preparation for what is expected to be our most ambitious summer yet.

Reserve numbers are down from last year, currently at 395 (however, please see the New Hires section below for additional context). Block hours are higher this month compared to the same period last year.

Please also note the schedule change beginning April 7. The company anticipates reducing flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in order to use that time to perform scheduled maintenance… we’ll see how that plays out.

ALLOCATIONS

Block hours are climbing. Last month, we were allocated 170,466 block hours and this month we jumped to 180,809 hours. This is over 20,000 more block hours than last year.

NEW HIRES

This month we welcome FIVE classes! PHL will absorb 90 fresh new flight attendants. Be sure to say hi and show them that brotherly love. 52 will be included in PBS bid and 38 will be assigned a schedule after bids close.

RESERVES

Despite the rise in block hours, the number of projected Reserve Flight Attendants drops this month to 395 or 14%, compared to March at 15.7%. The system average is 16.6%. As mentioned, the LRD number will be 395 minus the 90 new hires. So, 305.

STAFFING

In April, the opening projected line average is 79.7 hours, making us the second highest base. Last year’s was 78 hours and the system-wide line average this year is 77.8. Please note that these figures are subject to change based on bidding behaviors.

VOLUNTARY LEAVES OF ABSENCE (VLOAs)

They’re back! PHL is being offered 77 VLOAs for April 2026.

SEQUENCE STATISTICS

This month flips a bit. We are showing more 1-days but a decrease in 3- and 2-days. There are slightly higher duty days but this is due to more 1-days. They are reporting slightly longer layover times (around the 14-15 hour mark). Unfortunately, we will also be seeing a slight increase in Sit Times.

ODANs

Whoa! ODANs have more than doubled this month—great news if you enjoy that type of flying. Available ODAN pairings include BOS, PVD, BDL, SYR, BNA, JAX, PWM, CLE, RDU, and PIT.

IPD

• DOH will be staffed with 10 FAs. Cancellations are still happening. There is a slight chance it may be removed from the April bid package based on the conflict and how it progresses. Look for an additional PHL Hotline in the next week with more information.
• Not much change this month to IPDs. We expect to see big changes next month.
• AMS will upsize to a 787-9 beginning on 06APR. There will be position #9 that will DH to AMS on 06APR.
• LIS will switch from the 9P to the 787-9 on 06APR.

NIPD

There are slight changes in NIPD layovers. RON’s are in UIO, SJO, SJU, PUJ, STT, CUN, KIN, YYZ, MDE, SDQ, CUR, BGI, GYE, BJX, GUA and AUA.

PIT Satellite will have NIPD layovers in BZE, CUR, AUA and STX.

DOMESTIC WIDEBODY FLYINGThere is limited domestic widebody flying in April.

There is a MIA 2-day trip operating daily 02APR- 05APR and a 1-day operating on 19 & 20. On the 1-day, positions 1-4 will work in both directions with mixed equipment, and positions 5-8 will have a deadhead return.

PIT SATELLITE

Hours are still hovering around the same number in PIT. Hours dropped to 4,656 from 4,737 in March.

*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

Quarterly WBTs are due BEFORE 4/11/2026. Please do not be late completing this web-based training!

GENERAL REMINDERS

• 10.J.1.b – In the event a Lineholder loses three (3) or more full sequences (not pay protected by Section 10) because of a schedule change, including natural disaster and/or extraordinary circumstances, the following shall apply: A Lineholder shall be required to make a “reasonable effort” in order to receive pay protection under this Paragraph.  A Lineholder may choose to waive pay protection for all or some of the sequences and be released from any obligation to remain available to the Company.  This provision is to address the major issues specified above and is not intended to apply to normal scheduling changes affecting individual Flight Attendants.
• Easter is 05APR. There will be a slight drop in flying.
• Kentucky Derby is 29APR-01MAY
• You may contact us directly in PHL any time by text or phone call to 215-360-3115. There are 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.
• Visit APFA.org for the most updated hotline about the Caribbean cancellations. (CBA 10.J.1.b).
• COMMUTERS, by train, plane, or automobile- PLAN ACCORDINGLY!
• 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

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]