FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines will require all United States-based and some international employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the carrier announced in a staff-wide memo Friday afternoon.
In the memo, signed by Chairman and CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom, the company said the country’s vaccination requirements for government contractors applied to American due to several of its partnerships.
“While we are still working through the details of the federal requirements, it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines,” the memo said.
The company will not offer a regular testing alternative, in line with federal guidance, but said employees can request religious or disability accommodations through its online portal.
American Airlines is classified as a government contractor through its participation in the City Pair Program, the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program and its cargo contracts with the Department of Defense.
“We have consistently advocated that all American Airlines team members — and all eligible individuals around the world — should get vaccinated, and we appreciate the tens of thousands of team members who did so during our incentive program,” the memo said. “For those colleagues who did not, we realize this federal mandate may be difficult, but it is what is required of our company, and we will comply.”
