American Airlines Crews Must Sign New CDC Ebola Attestation From Tonight; Philadelphia Flagship Lounge Expansion Reported

November 3, 2026 — A new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rule takes effect at 11:59 pm Eastern tonight, November 3, requiring every passenger and crew member on an international flight to the United States to attest that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the previous 21 days. American Airlines (AA) flight attendants have been told what happens if they do not comply.

Airline: American Airlines (AA) · Country: United States

What happened

The Ebola attestation

The attestation applies to everyone on an international service to the US, whatever the flight’s origin: foreign nationals, US citizens and permanent residents, and aircrew. Anyone who will not complete it is refused boarding. Statements can be given on paper or digitally, and the CDC wants airlines to keep the forms for at least six weeks after arrival, according to Simple Flying.

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Airlines for America (A4A) had asked the CDC to exempt aircrew, who already report signs of communicable disease on the flight’s General Declaration, and to delay the start date. A4A said changes to check-in systems, digital signatures, station procedures and training could not be finished in time. IATA also criticised the rule. As of Paddle Your Own Kanoo’s November 2 report, the CDC had not granted an exemption or a delay, and it had not responded to a request for comment.

At American, flight attendants will attest verbally to the Captain, who signs on behalf of the whole crew. In an internal memo reported by Paddle Your Own Kanoo, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) warned that crew who do not complete the attestation will not be allowed to return to the US on their scheduled flight and could be stuck abroad at their own expense.

The rule builds on emergency entry restrictions the CDC began in May, which first covered foreign travellers who had been in the DRC and were later widened to include US citizens and permanent residents. Atlanta has been added to the CDC’s Ebola screening programme alongside Washington Dulles and Houston, Simple Flying reported.

Philadelphia Flagship Lounge

Separately, View from the Wing reports that lounge staff in Philadelphia (PHL) are telling customers the Flagship Lounge will take over the neighbouring A West Admirals Club around March 2027. That would roughly double the business class lounge, which today has 12,500 sq ft and 200 seats, ahead of next summer’s transatlantic peak. The Admirals Club has 11,000 sq ft and 181 seats. If the plan goes ahead, the closest Admirals Club would be in the B/C concourse. American has not confirmed it; a spokesperson said “Nothing set in stone right now.” Exact timing is TBA.

Spending to win customers back

Aviation A2Z also looked at American’s push to reverse past cabin cuts. American posted record third-quarter revenue of $16.3 billion but a net loss of $269 million, with fuel expense up $1.9 billion. It plans to raise premium seats from about 25% to about 40% of narrowbody seats, add Starlink Wi-Fi to its whole mainline fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft from early 2027, and fit 4K seatback screens on every seat of new narrowbody deliveries from 2028. The Flagship Dining room at Los Angeles (LAX) is reopening this week, joining Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami.

What it means for non-revs

• This applies to you too. Pass riders are passengers. If you are flying standby on any airline into the US from abroad after 11:59 pm EST tonight, expect to complete the DRC attestation at check-in or the gate. Refusing means you will not board.
• Allow extra time. A4A warned airline systems and station procedures may not be fully ready. Get to the airport early for US-bound international flights in the first days, and keep your paperwork handy.
• Crew members: Make sure your attestation is done before departure. APFA says AA crew who miss it will not be allowed to return to the US on their scheduled flight and may be left abroad at their own cost.
• PHL lounge access: If the Admirals Club in A West closes, members connecting from A-concourse international flights would need to walk to B/C. Nothing is final yet, and the change would be around March 2027 at the earliest.
• More premium seats over time: American’s plan to grow first class on narrowbodies means more upgrade-eligible seats in the long run, though that also means fewer coach seats on some reconfigured aircraft. No dates were given for specific fleets beyond the 2027 and 2028 targets.

Sources

• Paddle Your Own Kanoo — American Airlines Flight Attendants Told: Sign Ebola Attestation Or Get Stuck in a Foreign Country At Your Own Expense
• Simple Flying — Why US Airlines Aren’t Happy About New 21 Day Ebola Rules For Passengers
• View from the Wing — American Airlines Philadelphia Flagship Lounge Expected To Double In Size, Taking Over The Admirals Club Next Door
• Aviation A2Z — American Airlines Is Spending Big to Win Back Passengers From United and Delta