FAA issues rule to increase the rest period for flight attendants

The FAA proposed a new rule to increase flight attendant rest and is currently expecting feedback.

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On January 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed, through a Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), a regulation to mandate flight attendants to have a longer rest period between shifts.

The proposed rule will increase the rest period to 10 consecutive hours when the crewmember has a scheduled duty period of 14 hours or less:

«The Biden-Harris administration proudly puts forward policies that protect and empower workers. This proposal will contribute to a safer and healthier workplace for flight attendants,» said the Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg.

«Flight attendants play a critical role in passenger safety on all flights and specifically in emergencies. This approach helps reduce fatigue so they can perform this vital function,» said Steve Dickson, FAA administrator.

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At present, flight attendants are required to have 9 consecutive hours of rest. In 2018, under the FAA Reauthorization Act, Congress directed the FAA to increase the minimum rest period for flight attendants with scheduled duty of 14 hours or less in domestic and flag flights and supplemental operations.

Reauthorization Act also required the FAA to prohibit the reduction of the rest period under any circumstances, as reported by our partner Aeroin. The FAA’s proposal meets such requirements.

Back in September 2019, the FAA invited the public to submit initial comments in advance of its proposed rule published today. The agency also reached out to companies to which the new requirements would apply.

The public now has 60 days to comment on the proposed rule once it is published in the Federal Register. The FAA, in turn, will release a final rule once the comment period closes.