American Airlines will pay additional compensation to more than 9,500 flight attendants who worked London Heathrow services during the carrier’s prolonged catering disruption. A settlement with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants provides up to $169 per qualifying flight sequence, recognising the extra workload created by disrupted catering operations between 28 February and 27 October 2026.
The highest payment applies to sequences operated from 28 February through 29 April, when American loaded supplies for both outbound and return flights in the United States. Flight attendants had to manage additional waste, rearrange catering carts and address equipment and galley issues normally handled by catering staff. The rate falls to $84.50 for sequences from 30 April through 4 September, and to $42.25 for those operated from 5 September through 27 October as outside support gradually took over some tasks.
APFA raised the matter formally in April. The settlement avoids a potentially lengthy grievance process but does not establish a general contractual entitlement to additional pay during catering disruptions.
American ended its catering arrangement with dnata at Heathrow in late February and signed a new contract with Do&Co in May. The transition was slowed by a shortage of specialised catering trucks. American expected to have 17 dedicated trucks by the end of October, enabling local catering for all Heathrow return flights except alcoholic beverages, which are routinely supplied from the United States.