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American Airlines to Limit GLP-1 Coverage to Diabetics in 2026 as Flight Attendants Object

Union leaders call the move unilateral, urging member outreach to management.

Overview

  • Beginning January 1, 2026, American Airlines’ health plan will cover GLP-1 drugs only for employees with type 2 diabetes, excluding prescriptions for weight management.
  • The Association of Professional Flight Attendants says it was not consulted and is mobilizing members to contact company representatives to seek a reversal.
  • APFA proposed alternatives to control costs, including copay caps, prior authorization, and step therapy, but reports the company chose a full exclusion for non-diabetic use.
  • For flight attendants using Ozempic or similar GLP-1 medications for weight loss, out-of-pocket costs could reach roughly $1,000 per month if coverage is denied.
  • Live and Let’s Fly reports the plan is administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, and the articles include no company statement responding to the union’s claims.