American Airlines to end pandemic leave for unvaccinated staff

[September 04, 2021]  (Reuters) - American Airlines said on Friday it would not provide special leave from next month to unvaccinated employees who have to quarantine due to COVID-19.

Unvaccinated workers will have to use their sick time or medical leave if they miss work due to the disease, it said.

"Given there is an FDA-approved vaccine, pandemic leave will only be offered to team members who are fully vaccinated and who provide their vaccination card to us," the carrier said in a memo to staff seen by Reuters.

The move comes after United Airlines Inc last month became the first U.S. carrier to require vaccinations for all domestic employees.

American Airlines agent helps a customer to check in for her flight at O'Hare International Airport ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. November 25, 2020. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski

Separately, Alaska Air said on Friday that it had stopped special pay for unvaccinated employee absences due to COVID-19 infection or exposure to a suspect.

The airline has mandated vaccination for all new hires and will pay $200 to employees who provide proof of vaccination.

(Reporting by Shreyasee Raj in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni)

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