American Airlines to provide Global Entry membership for crew members

FORT WORTH, TX – American Airlines, in close coordination with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), today announced it is the first carrier to offer its nearly 40,000 pilots and flight attendants complimentary membership in CBP’s Global Entry program. Membership in Global Entry allows expedited CBP clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

“American is proud to be the first airline to offer Global Entry membership free of charge to all of our eligible pilots and flight attendants,” said Tim Campbell, American Airlines senior vice president of Air Operations. “Global Entry is another tool that will make travel easier for our crew members, who work and travel throughout American’s extensive international network. We applaud DHS Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and CBP Deputy Commissioner Kevin McAleenan for their partnership in this effort.”

“This is a great benefit for our members, and once again demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Association of Professional Flight Attendants National President Laura Glading. “As an international flight attendant, I know that crews returning from long-haul overnight flights are especially going to appreciate the faster processing at customs, but it’s really a benefit for all of our members who travel internationally as flight attendants or as leisure travelers.”

“We applaud and welcome this company initiative to provide complimentary Global Entry to our pilots,” said Capt. Keith Wilson, President of the Allied Pilots Association. “This program can be utilized for both work and personal travel and also allows entry into the TSAPreCheck™ program. Hundreds of our pilots return to the United States from lengthy international flights every day. Global Entry dramatically cuts down on the time spent in customs waiting to get out of the airport.”

Started as a pilot program in 2008, Global Entry is now operational at 42 U.S. airports and 11 pre-clearance locations. As an added benefit, Global Entry members are also eligible to participate in the TSAPreCheck™ expedited screening program. As part of the process, all participants must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program and undergo a rigorous background check and interview before enrollment. Eligible American flight crew members may begin enrolling in the program this month.

Envoy Air Inc., an American Airlines Group wholly owned regional carrier, will also offer complimentary Global Entry membership to its more than 2,700 crew members starting today.