American Airlines: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

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American Airlines: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

American Airlines is one of the world's largest commercial air carriers, employing more than 100,000 people across a wide range of roles, from pilots and flight attendants to airport operations, maintenance, and corporate functions. Understanding the American Airlines background check process and what to expect at each stage of hiring can help you prepare before you apply. Below, we cover American Airlines' history and operations, and straightforward answers to the most-searched questions about the American Airlines background check process.

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American Airlines: Company overview

American Airlines traces its roots to 1926, when a group of small mail carriers began operations that would eventually consolidate into American Airways. The airline was formally incorporated as American Airlines in 1934 and has grown steadily over the following decades through a combination of network expansion, fleet modernization, and major mergers. The 2013 merger with US Airways, completed under a reorganization of AMR Corporation, created the largest airline in the world by several measures of passenger traffic.

Today, American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and operates as the principal subsidiary of American Airlines Group, Inc. The carrier serves approximately 350 destinations in more than 60 countries across its mainline and regional operations. American's mainline fleet consists primarily of Boeing and Airbus narrowbody and widebody aircraft, supplemented by regional service operated by affiliated carriers under the American Eagle brand.

American is a founding member of the Oneworld global airline alliance, connecting its network with partner carriers across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. The airline's hub airports include Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte Douglas (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Miami (MIA), New York JFK and LaGuardia (JFK, LGA), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), and Washington Reagan National (DCA).

Company workforce and employee programs: American Airlines employs pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians, airport customer service agents, cargo specialists, corporate staff, and technology professionals, among many other roles. The company offers a benefits package that includes:

Health, dental, and vision insurance options for eligible employees
Travel privileges for employees and eligible family members on American and partner airlines
A 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contributions for eligible employees
Profit-sharing participation for eligible employees
Paid time off, sick leave, and holiday provisions
Career development and training programs, including flight training pathways for certain positions

American Airlines has been recognized in various employer and diversity workplace rankings, noted here as informational data points rather than current standing endorsements.

American Airlines background check FAQs

Does American Airlines do background checks?

Yes. American Airlines conducts background checks on candidates for positions across its operations, including corporate, airport, maintenance, and flight crew roles. The scope of the background check varies depending on the position. Roles that fall under federal aviation or transportation security regulations, such as pilots and flight attendants, are subject to more extensive federally mandated screening requirements in addition to the company's standard pre-employment process.

How long can an American Airlines background check take?

Background check timelines at American Airlines vary depending on the role and the types of searches required. For standard positions, most background checks can complete within three to five business days once initiated. Federally regulated roles, such as pilots, may take longer due to the additional searches required under Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, including a 5-year employment history review and FAA records checks. Factors that can extend timelines for any position include:

Court records requiring manual retrieval from county courthouses
Employment or education verification involving multiple institutions or international records
Drug testing result processing
FAA airman records or DOT drug and alcohol program history searches for regulated roles
High application volume periods

For general information on background check timelines, see Checkr's guide on background check turnaround times.

What can be revealed in an American Airlines background check?

A background check for an American Airlines position may include searches across several record categories. Common components include:

Identity verification: An SSN trace confirms the applicant's identity and establishes the address history used to scope additional searches
Criminal history: County, state, and federal criminal records searches covering felony and misdemeanor convictions
Sex offender registry: A search of national and state sex-offender registry databases
Global watchlists: A search of global watchlists, including OFAC sanctions lists and other federal and international databases
Employment history verification: Confirmation of past employers, job titles, and dates of employment, which for regulated roles may extend back 10 years
Education and credential verification: Confirmation of degrees, certificates, or licenses claimed by the applicant, including FAA airman certificates for flight crew roles
Motor vehicle records (MVR): For roles involving the operation of ground vehicles or airport equipment
Drug and alcohol testing: Pre-employment drug screening is standard, and DOT-regulated safety-sensitive roles are subject to federally mandated drug and alcohol testing programs
DOT drug and alcohol history: For safety-sensitive roles, American is required to obtain a drug and alcohol testing history from prior employers for the preceding two years

The specific searches included in any individual background check depend on the position applied for, the hiring location, and applicable federal and state legal requirements.

How far back can the American Airlines background check go?

The look-back period depends significantly on the role being applied for.

For standard non-regulated positions, background checks at American Airlines typically cover seven years of criminal history, consistent with the standard look-back period under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) for most consumer reports. State law may impose shorter limits in certain hiring locations.

For safety-sensitive and federally regulated roles, including pilots and certain other aviation positions, federal regulations require a longer review window:

FAA and DOT regulations require a 5-year employment history review for flight crew positions under the Pilot Records Database (PRD), covering all prior employers during that period
FAA records, airman certification history, and any violations or enforcement actions may be reviewed without a standard time limit
DOT drug and alcohol testing history from prior DOT-regulated employers must be obtained for the preceding two years

Many jurisdictions also have "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process. Candidates should review the laws applicable in their state or city.

What is the FCRA and how does it protect candidates?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report background check information, and how employers may use that information in hiring decisions. Key FCRA protections for candidates include:

Written disclosure: The employer must provide a clear, standalone written disclosure that a background check will be conducted
Written authorization: The candidate must provide written consent before the background check is initiated
Pre-adverse action notice: If the employer intends to take an adverse action based on the report, the candidate must receive a copy of the report and a summary of their rights before the decision is finalized
Opportunity to dispute: Candidates have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information in their background report with the CRA
Adverse action notice: If a final adverse action is taken, the employer must notify the candidate and provide information about the CRA that supplied the report

These protections apply regardless of the employer or the position being applied for. Note that for federally regulated aviation roles, additional federal requirements apply on top of FCRA obligations.

Does American Airlines hire felons?

American Airlines does not publish a blanket policy excluding all applicants with felony records from every position. However, the answer varies considerably depending on the type of role being applied for.

For non-safety-sensitive corporate, ground operations, and support roles, American Airlines generally evaluates candidates with criminal histories on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and the relevance of the conviction to the specific position. This approach is consistent with EEOC guidance encouraging individualized assessments rather than categorical exclusions.

For safety-sensitive and security-sensitive roles, federal requirements impose additional restrictions. TSA regulations require a 10-year criminal history check for employees requiring unescorted access to secure airport areas, and certain criminal convictions, including crimes involving explosives, sedition, or air piracy, are permanently disqualifying under federal law. Aviation-specific positions may also be subject to FAA fitness requirements that evaluate an applicant's overall history.

Candidates with felony records are encouraged to review the specific requirements for the role they are applying for, understand the applicable federal regulations, and be prepared to provide context around their history. Outcomes will vary depending on the nature of the offense, the position, and the hiring location.

What are the American Airlines pilot background check requirements?

Pilot candidates at American Airlines are subject to more extensive background screening than candidates for most other positions, driven by FAA and DOT federal regulatory requirements. Key components of the American Airlines pilot background check process include:

5-year employment history review: FAA regulations require a 5-year employment history from all pilot applicants under the Pilot Records Database (PRD), with records obtained from each prior employer. Gaps in employment must be explained and documented.
FAA airman records: American Airlines reviews FAA airman certification records, including any violations, enforcement actions, or certificate actions on file with the FAA
DOT drug and alcohol testing history: Under DOT regulations, American must obtain a two-year drug and alcohol testing history from all prior DOT-regulated employers before a pilot can perform safety-sensitive functions
Criminal history: Standard criminal record searches are conducted in addition to the federally mandated reviews
Motor vehicle records: MVR checks are typically included for pilots as part of the standard pre-employment process
First-class medical certificate: While not a background check element, pilots must hold a valid FAA first-class medical certificate issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) as a condition of employment

Certain criminal convictions are permanently disqualifying for pilot employment under federal aviation regulations. Pilot candidates with any history of FAA enforcement actions, substance violations, or criminal records should review the applicable regulations and consider consulting legal counsel before applying.

What are the American Airlines flight attendant background check requirements?

Flight attendant candidates at American Airlines are subject to background screening requirements that include both the company's standard pre-employment process and federally mandated aviation security checks. Key components include:

TSA security threat assessment (STA): Flight attendants require unescorted access to secure airport areas and are subject to TSA criminal history records checks (CHRC). The TSA review covers a 10-year criminal history and includes a check against the TSA's disqualifying criminal offenses list. Certain convictions, including crimes involving explosives, sedition, or other aviation security violations, are permanently disqualifying under federal regulations.
Criminal history: County, state, and federal criminal record searches are conducted as part of the standard background check
Employment history verification: Prior employment is verified, typically covering recent years of work history
Identity verification: SSN trace and identity confirmation are standard components
Drug testing: Pre-employment drug screening is required for flight attendant positions, which are classified as safety-sensitive under DOT regulations. Flight attendants are also subject to ongoing random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Flight attendant candidates with any criminal history should review the TSA's list of permanent and interim disqualifying offenses, as federal regulations set minimum requirements that apply regardless of the employer's own screening criteria.

What is the American Airlines hiring process?

The American Airlines hiring process varies by role and department, but the general sequence for most positions follows these stages:

Online application: Candidates submit an application through the American Airlines careers portal at aa.com/careers. Flight crew and some technical roles may have specific application pathways
Application review: The recruiting team reviews applications for minimum qualifications, including required certifications, licenses, or experience thresholds
Recruiter screen or assessment: Qualified candidates may be contacted for a phone screen or asked to complete an online assessment relevant to the role
Interview process: Candidates may participate in one or more interviews, which can include panel interviews, behavioral interview formats, or for flight crew roles, simulation or assessment center evaluations
Conditional job offer: Candidates selected for a position receive a conditional offer of employment pending completion of pre-employment requirements
Pre-employment screening: This stage includes background check consent and initiation through a third-party CRA, pre-employment drug testing, and for regulated roles, the additional federally mandated reviews described above (employment history verification, DOT drug and alcohol history, FAA records checks)
Training and onboarding: Upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, candidates proceed to initial training and onboarding. Pilots and flight attendants complete Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 121 training before being placed in active service

Timeline from application to start date varies considerably by role and hiring volume. Flight crew hiring cycles, in particular, can be extended due to the volume of federally required verifications. The background check phase for non-regulated positions typically takes three to five business days once initiated.

Order your own background check

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what American Airlines may see before you apply. Reviewing your own report gives you the opportunity to identify and dispute any inaccurate or outdated information before it appears in an employer's search.

A personal background check through Checkr can include:

Criminal history searches across county, state, and federal databases
Sex offender registry searches
Global watchlist searches
SSN trace and identity verification
Motor vehicle records

To get started, visit Checkr Personal Background Checks or create a portable Checkr Profile that you can share with prospective employers directly.

Are you a candidate with an open background check with Checkr?

If American Airlines initiated your background check through Checkr and you have questions about your report status, you can log in to the Candidate Portal or find answers and support through the Checkr Help Center.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.