### American Airlines Halts Plan to Operate Boeing 787-9P with Reduced Crew

American Airlines has temporarily withdrawn its plan to operate its new Boeing 787-9P aircraft with a reduced crew configuration. This decision was influenced largely by strong opposition from the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA). Originally, the airline sought to have the ultra-premium 787-9 certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require only seven flight attendants onboard instead of the current minimum of eight.

Currently, each American Airlines Boeing 787 is required to have one crew member for each of its eight emergency exits. However, the airline had planned to operate its new aircraft with at least nine crew members, allowing room for a reduction to eight if a flight attendant becomes unavailable during an international layover.

The APFA expressed significant concerns regarding this reduction, emphasizing the risk it posed to passenger safety. According to the union, having just seven flight attendants would place excessive responsibility on the remaining crew, particularly in emergencies. The union remains vehemently opposed to any reduction in the minimum crew requirement, citing potential safety hazards.

American Airlines has yet to receive FAA certification for the reduced crew, necessitating compliance with the existing requirement of a minimum of eight crew members for its Boeing 787-9P flights. This aligns with existing certifications for other airlines like United and Delta, whereas European regulations permit even fewer crew members under specific conditions.

In addition to the controversy over crew numbers, American Airlines faces another regulatory hurdle. The new 787-9P's Flagship business class seats feature sliding doors, which have not yet been certified for use by the FAA. As a result, these doors must remain locked open throughout the flight.

Despite these challenges, the Boeing 787-9P has already commenced commercial service, with its first flight operating domestically between Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft will begin its inaugural international service with a flight from Chicago to London Heathrow.

Highlighting significant improvements, the 787-9P boasts 51 enclosed Flagship business class seats with sliding doors, and four Flagship Preferred Suites designed for enhanced comfort and extra amenities. While these upgrades have earned praise from industry experts and frequent flyers, the flight attendant union remains critical of reduced working space in the revamped galleys.

In light of the ongoing disputes and regulatory issues, American Airlines continues to navigate the complexities of rolling out its new ultra-premium aircraft, striving to balance operational ambitions with safety concerns raised by its flight attendants.