100 American Airlines flight attendants test positive for coronavirus, reports say
The novel coronavirus is sickening airline workers.
About 100 American Airlines flight attendants have tested positive for COVID-19, and Southwest Airlines employees are also battling the virus, their respective unions said in statements provided to WFAA ABC and NBC DFW.
American Airlines did not confirm the number of infected flight attendants, but said they have started providing their frontline workers with face masks should they choose to wear them.
“The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority. We are in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials and are coordinating with them on any required health and safety related measures,” the airline said in a statement shared by spokesperson, Ross Feinstein. “We continue to look at all ways we can care for – and protect – our team during this stressful time.”
Southwest said in a statement provided by spokesperson, Brian Parris,that currently, less than 1 percent of the airline’s 60,000 employees have contracted the virus and they will continue to make sure their aircraft and work environments are clean according to CDC guidelines.
On Monday, the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents more than 65,000 aviation workers who work for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines among others, sent a letter to the FAA and OSHA regarding the health and safety of airline workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter requested aircraft be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in between flights and asked that flight attendants be provided with personal protective equipment.
This comes shortly after Paul Frishkorn, a Philadelphia-based American Airlines flight attendant and union representative, died March 23 from coronavirus.
“Earlier this week, we lost a respected, longtime member of the American Airlines family, who tested positive for COVID-19,” a statement from American Airlines released Thursday read. “Our hearts go out to Paul’s loved ones, many of whom work for American.”
Lori Bassani, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents 27,000 flight attendants at American Airlines, said in a statement, “It is with deep sadness we report that one of our own … has passed away from Covid-19.”
“Paul is the first of our colleagues to lose his life as a result of this deadly virus. We are deeply saddened and are reminded that no precaution is too much to take during this horrible time,” the statement from Bassani said.
Speaking by phone to USA TODAY, Bassani said that Frishkorn’s death has increased the already deep concern for flight attendants working amid the highly contagious virus.
“When this hits one of your own, it sheds a whole new light on the coronavirus,” said Bassani. “This does spread more fear among our ranks. This is a killer virus, unlike any we have experienced.”
Contributing: Bryan Alexander
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