Airports and Reservations (CWA-IBT)

CWA-IBT–represented team members are eligible for optional short-term disability and voluntary long-term disability coverage, provided through MetLife. American’s disability payments will be reduced by benefits from other sources (e.g., Social Security, workers’ compensation, etc.).

Optional short-term disability (OSTD)

While you are disabled, your STD benefit will pay 50% of your weekly base salary for up to 26 weeks.

Payments will start on your eighth day of disability or when your sick time is exhausted, whichever is later.

You may elect OSTD during Annual Enrollment or when you experience a qualifying life event. If you enroll, your selection remains in effect for two calendar years.

In some cases, your OSTD benefits may be limited:

• If you’re based in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Puerto Rico, you may be eligible for state disability benefits. Team members based in California, Hawaii and Rhode Island must apply directly to the state for benefits.
• If you have a significant amount of unused sick time, you would not be able to collect OSTD benefits until you have used all your sick time.

Voluntary long-term disability (LTD)

After four months of disability (and any OSTD benefits have ended), your LTD will provide 60% of your monthly base salary until your disablity ends or you reach age 65. If you are over age 60 on your first day of disability, your LTD may cover up to five years from your first day of disability.

Severe condition

If you are diagnosed with a qualifying severe condition, your LTD will provide you with a one-time payment of $5,000 in addition to the normal coverage.

How you’ll pay for coverage

You pay the cost of OSTD and LTD coverage through payroll deductions with after-tax contributions. This makes your benefits, if payable, nontaxable when you receive them.

Learn more

You can find all the plan details for your OSTD and LTD options on the Plan Guides page.

Flight attendants (APFA)

Flight attendants are eligible for optional short-term disability and voluntary long-term disability coverage, provided through MetLife. American’s disability payments will be reduced by benefits from other sources (e.g., Social Security, workers’ compensation, etc.).

Optional short-term disability (OSTD)

While you are disabled, your OSTD benefit will pay 50% of your weekly base salary, for up to 26 weeks.

Payments will start on your eighth day of disability or when your sick time is exhausted, whichever is later.

You may elect OSTD during Annual Enrollment or when you experience a qualifying life event. If you enroll, your selection remains in effect for two calendar years.

In some cases, your OSTD benefits may be limited:

• If you’re based in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Puerto Rico, you may be eligible for state disability benefits. Team members based in California, Hawaii and Rhode Island must apply directly to the state for benefits.
• If you have a significant amount of unused sick time, you would not be able to collect OSTD benefits until you have used all your sick time.

Voluntary long-term disability (LTD)

After four months of disability (and any OTSD benefits have ended), your LTD will provide 50% of your monthly base salary until your disability ends or age 65. If you are over age 60 on your first day of disability, your LTD may cover up to five years from your first day of disability.

Severe condition

If you are diagnosed with a qualifying severe condition, your LTD will provide you with a one-time payment of $5,000 in addition to the normal coverage.

How you’ll pay for coverage

You pay the cost of OSTD and LTD coverage through payroll deductions with after-tax contributions. This makes your benefits, if payable, nontaxable when you receive them.

Learn more

You can find all the plan details for your OSTD and LTD options on the Plan Guides page.

Management and Support Staff

Management and Support Staff team members receive company-paid disability benefits, provided through MetLife. American’s disability payments will be reduced by benefits from other sources (e.g., Social Security, workers’ compensation).

Short-term disability (STD)

Your STD benefit will pay 66.67% of your gross weekly salary for up to 180 days while you are disabled.

Payments will start on your eighth day of disability, or when your sick time is exhausted, whichever is later.

When you enroll, you will have the option to include the amount the company contributes toward your STD in your taxable income (called imputed income). By paying imputed income taxes while actively working, any STD payments you receive if you become disabled will not be subject to federal taxes, increasing the amount you receive while you’re out and unable to work.

Long-term disability (LTD)

If you are disabled for more than 180 days (and any STD benefits have ended), your LTD plan will then pay 66.67% of your monthly base salary until your disablity ends or you reach your Social Security normal retirement age. If you are over age 60 when your disability begins, the benefit period may be longer.

Severe condition

If you are diagnosed with a qualifying severe condition, your LTD will provide you with a one-time payment of $5,000 in addition to the normal coverage.

Learn more

You can find all the plan details for your STD and LTD options on the Plan Guides page.

Pilots (APA)

Pilots receive company-paid disability benefits.

Short-term disability (STD) 

Your STD benefit will pay $50 per week for up to 26 weeks while you are disabled.

Payments will start on your eighth day of disability or when your sick time is exhausted, whichever is later.

Your STD benefit applies to non-work-related disabilities only.

If you are based in California, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, or Puerto Rico, STD pay does not apply. Team members based in these states receive similar benefits that are provided in compliance with applicable state law.

Long-term disability (LTD)

Please refer to your LTD document for more information.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, you have the option to choose imputed income for LTD during your Annual Enrollment or New Hire Enrollment period. This means the amount the company contributes toward your LTD will be included in your taxable income. By paying imputed income taxes while actively working, any LTD payments you receive will not be subject to federal taxes, increasing the amount you receive while you’re out and unable to work. The imputed income will be based off a base tax rate, your age and your salary.

Your LTD benefit applies to both work-related and non-work-related disabilities.

Learn more

You can find all the plan details for your STD and LTD options on the Plan Guides page.

Fleet Service and Maintenance & Related (TWU-IAM Association)

Association-represented team members are eligible for optional short-term disability and voluntary long-term disability coverage. American’s disability payments will be reduced by benefits from other sources (e.g., Social Security, workers’ compensation, etc.).

Short-term disability (STD)

Your STD is available through the Association. Contact your local union office for information on this plan.

Voluntary long-term disability (LTD)

Your LTD is provided through MetLife. After four months of disability (and any STD benefits have ended), your LTD will provide 60% of your monthly base salary until your disability ends or you reach age 65. If you are over age 60 on your first day of disability, your LTD may cover up to five years from your first day of disability.

How you’ll pay for coverage

You pay the cost of STD and LTD coverage through payroll deductions with after-tax contributions. This makes your benefits, if payable, nontaxable when you receive them.

Learn more

You can find all the plan details for your LTD options on the Plan Guides page.

TWU-represented team members

TWU-represented team members are eligible for optional short-term disability and voluntary long-term disability coverage, provided through MetLife. American’s disability payments will be reduced by benefits from other sources (e.g., Social Security, workers’ compensation, etc.).

Optional short-term disability (OSTD)

While you are disabled, your OSTD benefit will pay 50% of your weekly base salary for up to 26 weeks.

Payments will start on your eighth day of disability or when your sick time is exhausted, whichever is later.

You may elect OSTD during Annual Enrollment or when you experience a qualifying life event. If you enroll, your selection remains in effect for two calendar years.

In some cases, your OSTD benefits may be limited:

• If you’re based in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Puerto Rico, you may be eligible for state disability benefits. Team members based in California, Hawaii and Rhode Island must apply directly to the state for benefits.
• If you have a significant amount of unused sick time, you would not be able to collect OSTD benefits until you have used all your sick time.

Voluntary long-term disability (LTD)

After four months of disability (and any OSTD benefits have ended), your LTD will provide 60% of your monthly base salary until your disability ends or you reach age 65. If you are over age 60 on your first day of disability, your LTD may cover up to five years from your first day of disability.

How you’ll pay for coverage

You pay the cost of OSTD and LTD coverage through payroll deductions with after-tax contributions. This makes your benefits, if payable, nontaxable when you receive them.

Learn more

You can find all the plan details for your OSTD and LTD options on the Plan Guides page.

Dispatchers (PAFCA)

PAFCA-represented team members are eligible for optional short-term disability and voluntary long-term disability, provided through Metlife. American’s disability payments will be reduced by benefits from other sources (e.g., Social Security, workers’ compensation, etc.).

Optional short-term disability (OSTD)

Your OSTD benefit will pay 50% of your weekly base salary for up to 26 weeks while you are disabled.

Payments will start on your eighth day of disability, or when your sick time is exhausted, whichever is later.

You may elect OSTD during Annual Enrollment or when you experience a qualifying life event. If you enroll, your selection remains in effect for two calendar years.

In some cases, your OSTD benefits may be limited:

• If you’re based in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Puerto Rico, you may be eligible for state disability benefits. Team members based in California, Hawaii and Rhode Island must apply directly to the state for benefits.
• If you have a significant amount of unused sick time, you would not be able to collect OSTD benefits until you have used all your sick time.

Voluntary long-term disability (LTD) 

After four months of disability (and any OSTD benefits have ended), your LTD will provide 60% of your monthly base salary until your disability ends or you reach age 65. If you are over age 60 on your first day of disability, your LTD may cover up to five years from your first day of disability.

Severe condition

If you are diagnosed with a qualifying severe condition, your LTD will provide you with a one-time payment of $5,000 in addition to the normal coverage.

How you’ll pay for coverage

You pay the cost of OSTD and LTD coverage through payroll deductions with after-tax contributions. This makes your benefits, if payable, nontaxable when you receive them.

Learn more

You can find all the plan details for your OSTD and LTD options on the Plan Guides page.