FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate its new premium-heavy Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with reduced crew, sparking outrage among crew members and union leaders.
The decision affects international routes such as Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to London Heathrow (LHR), where these newly configured Boeing 787-9P aircraft are now flying with the reduced minimum crew, a shift from the previous standard of eight.
Representative Photo: American AirlinesAmerican Airlines Reduced Crew
Flight attendants at American Airlines have strongly criticized the FAA’s decision to lower minimum crew staffing on the 787-9P.
According to the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the move significantly increases risk during emergencies by assigning a single flight attendant to manage two widebody exit doors.
In particular, the rear doors 4L and 4R will now be overseen by only one crew member.
Until now, the industry standard has been one crew member per emergency exit on Boeing 787 aircraft.
The union notes this change is unprecedented for American Airlines and could compromise both passenger and crew safety, especially in evacuation scenarios where rapid coordination is critical.
Back in December 2024, American Airlines formally sought FAA approval to lower the crew requirement.
The request centered around their 787-9P, a premium-heavy variant featuring 51 Flagship Business seats, four of which are new Flagship Preferred Suites.
Despite enhancements in customer experience, crew members are dismayed by the reduction in workspace and safety staffing.
Photo: Clément AlloingOther Airlines Similar Staffing Models
The FAA’s decision aligns with similar approvals granted to other US carriers. United Airlines (UA) already operates its Boeing 787-10 fleet under the same seven-member staffing model.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines (DL) received clearance for just six flight attendants on its Airbus A330 aircraft.
Reported by PYOK, APFA criticized American for following competitors instead of setting higher safety standards.
“An airline that prioritizes safety would not make this decision,” the union stated, adding that cost-cutting seems to have been prioritized over operational integrity.
The FAA notes that while the reduced crewing level is now permissible, it doesn’t mean every flight will operate at that minimum.
However, should a flight attendant be unavailable due to illness in a remote location, the aircraft can legally proceed with only seven onboard.
Representative Photo: American AirlinesUnion Plans Legislative Action
In response to the FAA’s decision, APFA is preparing to escalate the matter to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The union is calling for regulatory reforms that ensure widebody aircraft maintain at least one crew member per emergency exit under all conditions.
The controversy comes at a time when American Airlines is restoring certain in-flight services that were cut during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These changes include reinstating a second beverage service on domestic flights over 1,500 miles and reintroducing a pre-meal beverage service on long-haul international routes, such as those to Paris (CDG) and London (LHR).
While these service enhancements may improve passenger experience, the union argues that restoring services without addressing reduced staffing levels places additional burden on flight attendants, further endangering safety and efficiency.
Photo: By Alan Wilson from Peterborough, Cambs, UK – Boeing 787-9 ‘N832AA’ American Airlines, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81067053Timeline of Staffing and Service Changes
- February 2020: COVID-19 wipes out global travel demand.
- March 2020: Inflight service reductions begin.
- October 2020: Crew levels are lowered on some aircraft types.
- January 2022: Main Cabin pre-meal bar service is eliminated.
- January 2025: Union loses legal battle to restore pre-pandemic staffing.
- May 2025: American reinstates select inflight services but not staffing.
Despite these changes, AA has no plans to restore full pre-pandemic flight attendant numbers on widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 777-300, which previously had two more crew members on international premium routes.
International regulations highlight further concerns: In parts of Europe, the 787 can be operated with just six crew members during emergencies, potentially leaving two pairs of emergency exits crewed by one person each.
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American Airlines to Deploy its 787 with New Flagship Suites to this City
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