American Sends Mixed Signals With Unpaid Leave and New Wide-Body Order

American Airlines has sent mixed signals this month about its priorities and future plans.

The airline is offering 1,205 flight attendants a voluntary unpaid leave program for September, after fuel costs forced six domestic route suspensions and an earlier-than-planned fall schedule. However, the carrier also recently put out a request for proposals to both Boeing and Airbus for its first new wide-body order since 2018.

The move aims to close a long-haul gap with Delta and United that's been years in the making. The airline has been trimming domestic staff to prepare for international growth, but this decision seems contradictory on its face.