American Airlines is preparing its employees for passenger complaints after West Palm Beach’s airport was renamed for President Donald Trump, even providing agents with a script explaining why the carrier is using the new name.
American Airlines Gives Employees A Script To Explain Trump Airport Renaming
As flagged by View From The Wing, who also shared the image above, American Airlines has issued internal guidance to employees explaining how to respond when customers question the renaming of Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport.
The airport officially adopted the new name on July 9, 2026. American says it will begin using the airport’s new three-letter code, DJT, on August 18, replacing the PBI code across its website, mobile app, airport systems, and global distribution channels. It is already using the new name, President Donald J. Trump International Airport.
But American apparently anticipates that some passengers will be unhappy about the change.
The carrier has therefore supplied frontline employees with talking points that attributes the decision to the State of Florida and the International Air Transport Association (IATA):
“American follows all airport names and guidance as determined by international bodies as well as federal, state and local governments.”
In other words: Do not blame us! We are merely following the rules.
Here’s the full memo:
Overview
In accordance with recently passed legislation, Palm Beach International Airport is being renamed and the IATA code is changing.
Detail
American will begin referring to Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport when it is officially renamed on 09JUL26.
Effective 18AUG26, the airport’s IATA code will change from PBI to DJT on all customer-facing channels, as well as Sabre, other Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and AACoRN.
On 18AUG26, you should begin servicing PNRs and VCRs using the DJT airport code.
Customers will also begin seeing that code used across our app, on AA.com and at our airports.
Talking Point
Why is American referring to this airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport?
Earlier this year, the State of Florida passed legislation renaming this airport from Palm Beach International Airport to President Donald J. Trump International Airport. As a result, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is also changing the three-letter code for this airport from PBI to DJT. American follows all airport names and guidance as determined by international bodies as well as federal, state and local governments.
It is not difficult to understand why American considered the issue politically sensitive enough to prepare a specific response for employees. Naming an airport for a sitting and deeply polarizing president was always going to generate strong reactions.
American clearly does not want its employees dragged into political debates with passengers, so it has given them a short explanation and a convenient place to direct the blame. It is true: an airport agent has no control over the Florida Legislature, IATA, or the name printed on an airport sign.
A Sign Of The Times
There is something slightly absurd about an airline needing to issue a script explaining why it is using the official name of an airport, but there is also something sensible about it.
Frontline airline employees already absorb abuse over weather, delays, baggage fees, seating assignments, and decisions made several layers above them. They should not also have to improvise responses when passengers object to an airport being named after Donald Trump.
American’s message is carefully neutral. Florida renamed the airport. IATA changed the code. American is following the resulting standards. That does not amount to an endorsement of the decision. It is simply an acknowledgment that airlines operate within government and industry systems they do not control.
May I remind my readers who may object to this name change not to take it out on an AA or other airline employee?
CONCLUSION
American Airlines will begin using DJT instead of PBI for West Palm Beach on August 18 and has supplied employees with a script for passengers who question the change.
The response is essentially this: Florida made the decision, IATA changed the code, and American is complying.
That is probably the wisest answer. Gate agents have enough to deal with without being asked to defend or condemn the naming of an airport for Donald Trump.
I see that AA don’t fly to TPE, but does their award booking system really frame Taiwan as a sovereign state (whether referring to the name of the island or using its constitutional name), or are they happy to ignore ‘federal, state, and local governments’ when there’s money to be made?
Remaining sober, sticking to the script will help with some passengers. .And others will never be satisfied.
Time to book an itinerary from Palm Beach, FL, to Dickinson, ND, via Sioux City, IA… DJT-SUX-DIK.