100 American Airlines Flight Attendants Have Coronavirus, Union Claims

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The statement goes on: “We continue to look at all ways we can care for — and protect — our team during this stressful time.”

Last month, the airline confirmed that a flight attendant had died after testing positive for the respiratory virus. Paul Frishkorn, 65, died on March 23, according to the airline, and had preexisting health issues that made him susceptible to complications from the virus.

“Earlier this week, we lost a respected, longtime member of the American Airlines family, who tested positive for COVID-19,” the airline said in a statement at the time. “Our hearts go out to Paul’s loved ones, many of whom work for American.”

Frishkorn was also an active member of APFA. In an in memoriam post on its website, APFA said Frishkorn was “the first American team member to lose his life after contracting the illness.”

“Our industry, our airline and all of us have been affected by COVID-19 in different ways. But until now, we hadn’t lost one of our own,” read the tribute. “This loss hits home in a very different, personal way from the headlines.”

According to data compiled by The New York Times, there have been more than 397,754 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 12,000 deaths in the U.S., as of April 8.

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