American Airlines will start upgrading deadheading pilots ahead of revenue passengers within 24 hours of travel, a contractual policy change that will reduce battlefield upgrades for AAdvantage elites.
American Airlines Pilots Will Be Ahead Of Customers On Upgrade List When Deadheading
View From The Wing notes that deadheading pilots will now jump the upgrade queue under the terms of the new contract which pilots have just ratified after months of negotiation.
While pilots are already assigned business or first class on longer flights, including to Hawaii and Alaska, on other domestic flights and regional flights to Canada, the Caribbean, and Central America they are assigned economy class seating at the time of booking (exit row guaranteed, subject to availability).
The old contract allowed for premium cabin upgrades on these routes, but only after revenue passenger upgrades cleared. Under the new contract:
- Mainline American Airlines pilots will be at the top of the upgrade priority list at time of check-in
Practically, that means pilots will be ahead of top-tier Concierge Key and Executive Platinum members for upgrades within 24 hours of departure.
We’ve Seen This Already At United Airlines
This policy is not unique to American Airlines. We’ve already already seen it in effect for three years at United Airlines.
In fact, the American Airlines contract is not as generous as that of United Airlines, which allows deadheading pilots to book directly into first class on domestic flights and waitlist for seats when not available (which always carries a higher position on the list than even top-tier elites who are upgrading).
When flying United, it not uncommon to see uniformed pilots in first class, especially on flights to or from Denver.
This new upgrade policy also now applies at Delta Air Lines.
Good Or Bad Policy?
I have mixed feeling on the new policy, though ultimately it will not change the way I fly in an environment in which upgrades even for top-tier elites are becoming more scarce.
We do want well-rested pilots and it is not unreasonable to have premium cabin travel as benefit, just like key employees in other industries. No one can blame pilots for negotiating this fringe benefit during a pilot shortage.
On the other hand, as I’ve said before concerning United pilots, the optics are undeniably bad. Seeing employees get upgrades when top-tier elites on pricey tickets remain in economy class will breed resentment (reasonable or not). And this does further reduce the value of elite status, which has already been eroded by American’s aggressive sale of paid upgrades.
Let me also note for those AA elites who may be very worried:
- American Airlines has no incentive to deadhead pilots because they are on the clock during these flights – proper route planning should reduce the need for deadhead segments
- Elite upgrades will still theoretically clear at the window: the pilots will rise to the top of the waitlist only at check-in
As for me, my policy is very simple: if I want first class, I buy first class. Period.
When I travel for work, I am increasingly unwilling to chance it because not only are upgrades harder, but I waste a lot of time suffering from upgrade phobia.
CONCLUSION
American Airlines pilots will now rise to the top of the upgrade queue after checking in for their deadhead segment on domestic and regional flights in the Americas. This will make upgrades harder than ever before on American Airlines, but recognizes the position of strength pilots enjoy during a pilot shortage.
This is not a Jesse Helms ad: American Airlines pilots are not coming to steal “your” upgrades. The only first class seat you are entitled to is the one that you buy. I do think the optics of unformed employees in premium cabins is not ideal, but this policy changes nothing for me: if I want first class, I am going to buy it.
image: American Airlines
Also Delta just recently implemented this policy for their deadheading pilots as well. About 3 weeks ago.They will be on the top of the upgrade list ahead of all other passengers within 24 hours prior to departure.
I’m at like a 70% upgrade rate, but i don’t understand this “need” for upgrades. I mainly prefer Biz/first if sleeping, otherwise I really don’t care. It’s not worth the 2-400 bucks a week to ensure I get a front seat. MCE isn’t awful.
Who cares? Upgrades are now so rare that I don’t even count on them. I have been a Diamond medallion with Delta for over 10 years in a row and have seen that benefit basically disappear. I usually see dozens of people ahead of me on the upgrade list. What exactly is the criteria? I am currently on the list for an upgrade this afternoon. There are 49 passengers on the list. 49!!! I was first yesterday when I checked in and now I am down to 6. That upgrade will never happen. Again, I have been Diamond for over 10 years, spend over $50k per year on Delta, have their top and most expensive credit card. What else do I need? It is probably better to just cut that benefit and if you want the seat you pay for it.
sounds fair to me. Not sure you want pilots deadheading 5 hours in coach then operating 5 hours back. This is to reduce fatigue calls.
This is one of the concessions that APA gave back to the company. The pilots should have gotten priority upgrades while commuting as well to ensure that they are properly rested before operating flights. But once again, management has shown that they prioritise selling a seat ahead of safety!
Commuting is on the pilots. They choose to do that. It’s the pilots prioritizing where they live. There are other risks with commuting and the pilots are well aware and have to figure those into their calculations of whether they will be fit to fly.
It is a shared responsibility between the pilot and operator to ensure the pilot is given adequate rest prior to the flight. When the pilot is on the operator’s aircraft, the operator needs to take every reasonable measure to optimise the pilot’s wellbeing for the sake of safety. That means creating the most relaxing environment for their travel.
Is it really so important to upgrade a customer at the risk of eroding this safety margin? Can you put a price on safety? Would passengers be willing to take chances with their children’s lives just so some corporate fat cat can ride in First Class?
All deadheading and commuting pilots (and cabin crew) should be prioritised for upgrades ahead of regular passengers as a matter of safety. This is the kind of thing the FAA should be regulating rather than ridiculous 1500 hour mandates.
Agree on deadheading, disagree on commuting. Pilots need to take responsibility of getting to the job fit. They know the possible variables. Deadheaders are working and should be treated differently.
I think your characterization of passengers in domestic F in the US as “corporate fat cats” is no longer accurate.
That aside, I appreciate what you’re saying about safety, but do you truly believe a pilot deadheading CLT-MIA, PHL-JFK, or DFW-PHX wouldn’t be able to safely operate the aircraft after riding in extra legroom economy? These are the flights we’re talking about here. Mid-haul and greater won’t show up on the UG list.
If one isn’t able to focus after flying in economy for a few hours (or less), I’m inclined to think there’s something wrong with the product or the pilot.
This looks a lot like a perk for pilots that we’re trying to cover up with the idea that it’s for safety.
For a pilot commuting to the beginning of a shift, shouldn’t it be the pilots responsibility to show up at the beginning of the shift well rested, even if that means flying far enough in advance to rest prior to the beginning of the shift? This is what the rest of the working world does– school bus drivers, surgeons, air traffic controllers, military pilots flying on a commercial flight, etc… It’s not the width of the seat on the flight, it’s the rest time, right?
Let’s just call it a perk and move on honestly.
Agreed! Good for them, but it ain’t for safety!
I always laugh at the picture you post of those 3 American airlines captains. The short “man” on the left always makes me laugh, I bet he’s an a-hole to everyone around him as most short “men” tend to me add in the fact that he’s a Pilot for AA and it’s probably multiplied by a factor 10. I would hate to be his wife.
AS policy for a while – sucks to be #1 on the WL and be pushed out by dead headers, but that’s a contract thing and I’m okay with it
I think this policy should also be extended to FAs non-revving. The annoying customers don’t belong up front anyway. All they do is eat our snacks and ask for sodas
Not a good look to be sure that high level elites on expensive paid tickets get bypassed so pilots can be more comfortable. Then again that shows AA’s priorities when it comes to passengers and pilots.
If I am correct, United States carriers upgrade all elite members to first class on domestic routes. Though I agree perks are good, I certainly agree that not ALL seats should be filled up with free upgrades. Take out miles or charge a fee for the upgrade to first class.
If airlines charged fees for all upgrades, the airlines would make a lot of money. Try asking to move to first class
on a domestic or regional flight on Lufthansa, Japan Airlines or Cathay Pacific..never happen.