American Airlines Pilots Bid for Early Outs Under Virus Deal

About 600 American Airlines pilots could be selected for early retirement effective April 1, under a deal between the airline and its pilots’ union in response to the novel coronavirus.

Pilots who will be age 62 or older by May 1 were eligible to apply this week for “voluntary permanent leaves of absence,” according to the Allied Pilots Association. American will decide who is selected, and priority generally will go to pilots who are age 64 and then to those who are age 63. The types of aircraft the pilots fly will also be a factor, the union said in ...