American Airlines relocates flight crews to airport hotels in DC

An airline employee walks past empty American Airlines check-in terminals at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on May 12, 2020.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | Getty Images

Airlines are moving flight crews to hotels outside of downtown Washington, DC, to avoid the protests at the Capitol, airlines and a major union said.

American Airlines began booking crews overnight at airport hotels in Washington on Tuesday and plans to do the same on Wednesday at least, said Curtis Blessing, an American Airlines spokesman.

United Airlines flight attendants will also stay in airport hotels this week, while Alaska Airlines was told to avoid downtown Washington DC, said Taylor Garland, spokeswoman for the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, who represents cabin crew at those airlines and more . than a dozen others. The decisions were made before pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon.

United crews staying overnight in Atlanta will also be staying at airport hotels this week.

Airlines had relocated crews from downtown Washington DC on Election Day in November over concerns about demonstrations and potential logistical issues.

.Source