Deadheading Crews Now Bypass Top-Tier Customers for First Class

A change to American Airlines’ upgrade policy for deadheading pilots has drawn quick controversy, with frequent flyers and airline employees split on whether the move is safety-enhancing or tone-deaf. Deadheading pilots now receive automatic priority over even the airline’s highest-status customers when first-class seats are available.

The policy stems from American’s new four-year pilot contract, approved in August 2023, which included more than $9 billion in compensation and quality-of-life provisions for 15,000 pilots. Under the agreement, pilots traveling as passengers to operate other flights (aka deadheading) are booked with priority codes such as A1DP or A3DP and tagged with a new UPG0 upgrade designation, putting them ahead of Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey members.

The shift surfaced through an internal Airport Excellence Advisory and was amplified after passengers noticed pilots leapfrogging the elite upgrade list at check-in. Online debates sparked quickly after, with the general consensus from frequent flyers being that pilots traveling off duty shouldn’t outrank paying passengers, especially those who earned their status through years of travel.

Flight attendants and pilots pushed back just as strongly, arguing that the policy is grounded in safety rather than luxury. They emphasized that deadheading often precedes a full duty day, and the extra rest is needed. Since customers are never guaranteed a complimentary upgrade, they say, prioritizing crew members better aligns with the responsibility of keeping aircraft operations staffed and safe.

Other passengers seemed to sympathize with this take, opting for a well-rested flight crew over an upgrade opportunity. Regardless, American has kept out of the ring thus far, letting the drama work itself out as the policy remains in effect.

FMI: www.aa.com