Leaked Memo Reveals American Airlines Cuts Flight Attendant Safety Gloves

Key Takeaways

• As of June 28, 2025, American Airlines restricts flight attendant glove use to trash pickup and medical emergencies only.
• Each flight now has only one box of 12 nitrile glove pairs, down from 100–150 pairs previously.
• Flight attendants must get gloves from the coffee drawer in the galley and report safety concerns via APFA’s Cabin ASAP.

American Airlines Cuts Flight Attendant Glove Use: What It Means for Safety, Hygiene, and Workers

American Airlines has made a major change to its inflight safety rules for flight attendants. As of June 28, 2025, flight attendants are now allowed to wear nitrile gloves only during trash pickup and medical emergencies. This is a big shift from the previous policy, where gloves were used for many tasks, including meal service, galley setup, and checking the lavatories. The change is part of a larger effort by the airline to cut costs and comes as American Airlines switches to a new glove supplier.

This new policy has raised concerns among flight attendants, who worry about their safety and hygiene on the job. At the same time, some industry experts say that limiting glove use could actually improve hygiene if it leads to more frequent handwashing. The move also highlights the ongoing tension between cost-saving measures and worker safety in the airline industry.

Below, we break down what’s changed, why it matters, and what it means for flight attendants, passengers, and the airline itself.

What Has Changed?

• Glove Use Restricted: Flight attendants can now wear nitrile gloves only for trash pickup and medical emergencies.
• Fewer Gloves Onboard: Each flight now gets just one box of gloves, containing 12 pairs. Before, a single-aisle plane would have 100–150 pairs.
• Glove Storage Moved: Gloves are now kept in the coffee drawer in the galley, not in the general supply drawers.
• Policy Effective Immediately: The new rules started on June 28, 2025.

Why Did American Airlines Make This Change?

The main reason is cost-cutting. CEO Robert Isom has told employees many times to “never spend a dollar they don’t have to.” This approach comes from his background at Northwest Airlines and has shaped many of the company’s recent decisions. By limiting glove use and reducing the number of gloves on each flight, American Airlines hopes to save money on supplies.

The airline is also switching to a new glove supplier. During this transition, some flights have even reported missing gloves entirely, which has caused confusion and concern among crews.

How Does the New Policy Work?

Here’s what flight attendants are now expected to do:

1. Wear gloves only for trash pickup or medical emergencies.
2. Do not use gloves for meal service, galley setup, or lavatory checks.
3. Get gloves from the coffee drawer in the galley.
4. Report any safety concerns, including missing gloves, through the APFA’s Cabin ASAP program.

What Are Nitrile Gloves and Why Are They Important?

Nitrile gloves are a type of disposable glove made from synthetic rubber. They are used to protect hands from germs, chemicals, and other hazards. In the airline industry, flight attendants use nitrile gloves to keep themselves and passengers safe when handling trash, cleaning, serving food, or dealing with medical issues.

Before this policy change, flight attendants could use gloves for almost any task that might expose them to dirt, germs, or dangerous materials. Now, their use is limited to just two situations: trash pickup and medical emergencies.

How Does This Affect Flight Attendants?

Many flight attendants are worried about the new rules. Here’s why:

• Increased Exposure: Without gloves, flight attendants must handle things like dry ice, hot meals, and dirty lavatories with their bare hands. This raises the risk of burns, cuts, and contact with germs.
• Not Enough Gloves: With only 12 pairs of gloves per flight, there’s a risk that gloves will run out, especially if there’s a medical emergency or a lot of trash to pick up.
• Pressure to Reuse Gloves: Some flight attendants may feel forced to reuse gloves to make them last, but this is unsafe and can spread germs.
• More Handwashing Needed: The policy encourages more frequent handwashing, which can dry out skin and may not always be possible during busy flights.

What Do Industry Experts Say?

Opinions are mixed. Some experts, like Ben Schlappig from One Mile at a Time, believe that wearing gloves all the time is not always more hygienic. If gloves are not changed often, they can actually spread germs from one surface to another. In this view, regular handwashing is better than wearing the same pair of gloves for many tasks.

However, infection control experts also warn that gloves should be used for single tasks and changed often. Limiting glove use may reduce bad glove habits, but it also means flight attendants have less protection when handling things that could make them sick or hurt them.

What About the Union?

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) has not released an official statement about the new glove policy. However, the union encourages flight attendants to report any safety concerns through its Cabin ASAP program. This program lets workers share problems they see on the job, including missing gloves or unsafe working conditions. The APFA may take further action if enough members report problems with the new policy.

How Does This Affect Passengers?

While there have been no direct statements from passengers, some may worry about food safety and cleanliness. If flight attendants are not allowed to wear gloves when serving food or cleaning, passengers might wonder if their meals and surroundings are as clean as they should be. This could affect how safe people feel flying with American Airlines.

Background: How Did We Get Here?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines around the world, including American Airlines, gave flight attendants more personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks. These steps were meant to protect both workers and passengers from the virus. As the pandemic has eased, many airlines have slowly removed these extra protections.

American Airlines’ new glove policy is seen as the “quiet axing” of one of the last COVID-era safety measures. In the past, there have also been times when flights did not have enough gloves, leading to similar worries about safety.

What Are the Risks of the New Policy?

• Health Risks: Flight attendants are more likely to touch dirty or dangerous items without gloves, which could lead to sickness or injury.
• Operational Problems: If gloves run out or are missing, flight attendants may not be able to safely handle trash or medical emergencies.
• Rule Violations: If flight attendants reuse gloves or break other safety rules to cope with the shortage, it could lead to more problems.
• Public Perception: Passengers may lose trust in the airline’s commitment to safety and cleanliness.

What Are the Possible Benefits?

• Cost Savings: The airline saves money by buying fewer gloves.
• Better Hygiene (in theory): If flight attendants wash their hands more often instead of wearing gloves for everything, it could reduce the spread of germs—if handwashing is done properly and often enough.

What Should Flight Attendants Do If They Have Concerns?

Flight attendants who feel unsafe or notice problems with glove supplies should report these issues through the APFA’s Cabin ASAP program. This is the main way for workers to let the union and airline know about safety problems. The APFA may use these reports to push for changes if the new policy leads to more risks or incidents.

How Does This Compare to Other Airlines?

Many airlines increased PPE for flight attendants during the pandemic, but most have since reduced these measures. American Airlines’ new policy is one of the strictest, limiting glove use to just two tasks. Other airlines may still allow gloves for more duties, especially when handling food or cleaning.

What Happens Next?

• Transition Period: As American Airlines switches to a new glove supplier, there may be more flights without enough gloves. This could cause more safety concerns and complaints.
• Policy Review: If there are accidents, illnesses, or strong pushback from the union or public, the airline may have to review or change the policy.
• Union Action: The APFA could issue new guidance or take stronger action if many members report problems.

What Can Passengers and Workers Do?

• Passengers: If you’re worried about cleanliness, you can ask flight attendants about their safety procedures or contact American Airlines directly.
• Flight Attendants: Always report missing gloves or unsafe conditions through the proper channels, like the APFA’s Cabin ASAP program.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• For the latest official policies and updates, visit the American Airlines Newsroom.
• To report safety concerns, flight attendants can use the APFA Safety & Security page.
• For government rules and guidance on airline safety, see the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website.

Multiple Perspectives on the Policy

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that this policy change is part of a broader trend in the airline industry to roll back pandemic-era protections as companies look for ways to cut costs. However, the move could backfire if it leads to more safety incidents or if workers and passengers lose trust in the airline’s commitment to health and safety.

Practical Guidance for Flight Attendants

• Follow the new rules: Only use gloves for trash pickup and medical emergencies.
• Wash hands often: Since gloves are not allowed for most tasks, handwashing is more important than ever.
• Don’t reuse gloves: Even with fewer gloves, never reuse them. This can spread germs and break safety rules.
• Report problems: Use the APFA’s Cabin ASAP program to report missing gloves or unsafe situations.
• Stay informed: Check the American Airlines Newsroom and APFA website for updates.

What Should Passengers Know?

If you’re flying with American Airlines, you may notice flight attendants not wearing gloves during meal service or other tasks. This is now the official policy. If you have concerns, you can ask the crew or contact the airline after your flight.

Looking Ahead: Will the Policy Change Again?

The new glove policy is still very new, and the airline is in the middle of switching suppliers. If there are many reports of safety problems, or if the union or public push back strongly, American Airlines may have to rethink the policy. For now, flight attendants and passengers will have to adjust to the new rules and stay alert for any changes.

Conclusion

American Airlines’ decision to limit flight attendant glove use to trash pickup and medical emergencies marks a big change in how the airline approaches worker safety and hygiene. While the move may save money, it also raises real concerns about health risks for flight attendants and the cleanliness of the cabin for passengers. The next few weeks will be important as the airline, its workers, and passengers adjust to the new policy and watch for any problems that may arise.

For more information about airline safety rules and how to report concerns, visit the FAA’s official website. If you are a flight attendant, remember to use the APFA’s Cabin ASAP program to share any safety issues you encounter.

By staying informed and speaking up about safety, both workers and passengers can help make sure that cost-cutting measures do not come at the expense of health and well-being.

Learn Today

Nitrile gloves → Disposable synthetic rubber gloves used to protect hands from germs and hazards in airline tasks.
APFA → Association of Professional Flight Attendants, a union representing flight attendants and advocating safety concerns.
Cabin ASAP → A safety program by APFA allowing flight attendants to confidentially report workplace hazards or missing equipment.
Galley → The kitchen area on an aircraft where food is prepared and supplies like gloves are stored.
Personal Protective Equipment → Gear such as gloves and masks used to protect workers from health risks and contamination.

This Article in a Nutshell

American Airlines limits flight attendant glove use starting June 28, 2025, to trash and medical emergencies, aiming to cut costs. Flight attendants face safety concerns over fewer gloves onboard, while experts debate hygiene effects. The union urges reporting safety issues through APFA’s Cabin ASAP program for possible policy review.
— By VisaVerge.com