American Airlines pilots and flight attendants unions say they can’t find hotel rooms

The problems are the latest signs of growing difficulties in the travel industry, as the sudden surge in demand this summer has at times overwhelmed airports, hotels and tourism hot spots.

Pilots and flight attendants said they would sometimes arrive at airports only to find that they did not have a hotel for the night and often had to wait a long time while arrangements were made. This has made it more difficult for the crew to get the rest they are required to have between flights, union leaders said in statements announcing the claims against American.

Airlines have taken over leisure destinations this summer, including some in remote areas near nature parks – one reason hotels are sometimes harder to find, union and airline officials say . The hotels have also become more complete. In the week ending July 17, US hotels were 71% full, with the highest weekly occupancy rate reaching its highest level since October 2019, according to hotel data tracker STR.

“Flight attendants shouldn’t have to wait hours to speak with the hotel / limo office,” Julie Hedrick, president of the union that represents flight attendants at American, said in a statement. Flight attendants had to sleep at airports because hotels were not found in time, adding: “The rest of the crew is affected.”

Eric Ferguson, president of the Allied Pilots Association, said the lack of hotels and ground transportation during stopovers put pilots in dangerous situations.

A spokesperson for American said the airline was looking into concerns raised by unions. “Taking care of our crew members when they are away from home is a priority for American,” said the spokesperson.

This summer has been difficult for airlines. Demand has grown rapidly – a welcome change from last year, when fears of a pandemic held travelers home. But the outbreak also strained airline operations as they rushed to retrain pilots and hire call center workers and ground staff. Frequent episodes of severe weather have exacerbated the problems, forcing airlines to scramble to find new flight crews and ensure they have a place to stay when they need to spend the night away from home.

Crew members say their lives have also become more difficult. Pilots at American and other airlines have said their schedules are constantly changing amid last-minute reassignments as airlines try to recover from disruptions.

Flight attendants of other airlines, including United Airlines Holdings Inc.,

also had problems getting help finding hotels during the disruption, union officials said. United did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Write to Alison Sider at [email protected]