American Airlines Faces FAA Fine Over Drug-Testing Lapses in New Test for 2026 Turnaround
The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday said it has proposed a $255,000 civil penalty for American Airlines, alleging the carrier put 12 flight attendants who’d tested positive for drugs or alcohol back on safety-sensitive jobs before they’d finished all mandated follow-up testing. The roles in question were directly linked to flight safety. For a big airline, the sum isn’t huge. But the calendar matters. After months pitching 2026 as the comeback year to both Wall Street and its own staff, American’s CEO Robert Isom put it bluntly back in February: “2026 can't just feel different. It has to be different.” Then, on March 17, the carrier bumped up its first-quarter revenue forecast, citing demand that ran hotter than expected.
