American Airlines Requires Vaccination Following White House Mandate

American Airlines announced on Friday that their US-based employees will have to take the COVID19 vaccine to stay employed. The airline cited the White House mandate for federal contractors as its reason for their latest announcement.

In American’s memo, “we realize this federal mandate may be difficult, but it is what is required of our company”. American has agreements with the US government and the company announced that it plans to abide by the vaccine mandate.

White House Mandate

In a letter from CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom, “all of American’s US-based team members and certain international crew members must be vaccinated”. American Airlines also denied the possibility of getting regular testing instead of getting the vaccine.

It also added that “team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines”.

The letter came a few hours after White House COVID19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients spoke with airline officials. A spokesperson from Southwest Airlines confirmed the call with the White House officials.

Initially, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines resisted having a vaccine mandate on their company. Instead, these carriers incentivized employees who completed their vaccination.

Alaska Airlines and JetBlue announced on Friday that they are going to require their employees to get the vaccine. They also cited their status as federal contractors for following the White House mandate.

In Alaska Airlines’ memo, “employees may no longer opt-in for regular testing and masking in lieu of getting the vaccine”.

United’s Vaccine Mandate

United Airlines, on the other hand, decided to require its employees ahead of other airlines. United announced earlier this week that their unvaccinated employees will face termination. According to United, 99% of its employees either submitted proof of vaccination or applied for exemption. However, employees exempted from vaccination will take forced unpaid leave of absence.

American Airlines took a similar approach for employees who want exemption from the vaccine mandate. American employees can apply for an exemption due to a “disability or sincerely held religious beliefs”.