Starting with the October 2025 Bid Month, Family Medical Leave (FML) absences for a Flight Attendant’s own medical condition will “roll,” regardless of whether it is paid or unpaid. This change is the result of the Union and the Company’s mutual resolution of MEC Grievance 18-24. The intent is that the call on/call off procedure for FML for self is the same, regardless of whether a Flight Attendant uses sick pay in conjunction with their FML.
This change is applicable to Flight Attendants with approved intermittent FML for self. Prior to this change, a Flight Attendant could not call off unpaid, because unpaid FML did not “roll” from trip to trip or reserve day to reserve day. This created confusion for Flight Attendants with how to manage their FML. Going forward, Flight Attendants should be using the same call on/call off procedure for paid and unpaid FML and paid sick.
Please note that there is no change to unpaid sick leave (not using FML) for self and unpaid FML for a Flight Attendant’s family member. These absences do NOT roll from trip to trip or reserve day to reserve day, nor will they do so in the future.
If you have questions regarding whether your absence will roll from trip to trip or reserve day to reserve day or not, please verify with the Flight Attendant Support Team (“FAST”) at the time you call out. You may also contact the Union’s Benefits Committee at insurance@unitedafa.org. Please note that the Union will be publishing a more-detailed communication in the coming weeks related to sick leave and FML usage, given all of the recent changes.
