CNN
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Federal aviation officials have announced that flight attendants will soon have more mandated rest time between flights.
Under the current FAA rules, airlines are required to provide flight attendants with a nine-hour rest period after being on duty for 14 hours or less.
The new rule will increase the rest period to 10 hours between shifts.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, “Flight attendants, like all essential transportation workers, work hard every day to keep the traveling public safe, and we owe them our full support. This new rule will make it easier for flight attendants to do their jobs, which in turn will keep all of us safe in the air.”
Flight crew unions have advocated for the change, citing fatigue and overwork among flight attendants after shifts as long as 14 hours.
Airlines were informed of the upcoming rule changes by the Federal Aviation Administration last week, according to a source familiar with the policy.
The FAA conducted two public comment periods in 2019 and 2021 on the proposed regulatory change. The agency reviewed more than 1,000 comments.
Although approved by Congress in 2018, the change was not implemented by the Trump Administration.
Before his upcoming retirement, House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) emphasized the importance of finalizing the rules.
The final rule will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, expressed her support for the rule, stating, “It’s about time! As aviation’s first responders and last line of defense, it is critical that we are well rested and ready to perform our duties.”
She also emphasized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on flight attendants, with long duty days, short nights, and challenging conditions on planes.
Flight attendants have faced difficulties in 2022 due to increased demand as pandemic restrictions eased.
Allie Malis, government affairs representative at the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, highlighted uncomfortable situations where crew members have to rush through airports to make their next job.
These challenges, along with unpredictable schedules, have taken a toll on the mental and physical well-being of the crew.
Flight attendants in other countries, like British flight attendant Kris Major, have experienced similar difficulties due to constant changes and resulting fatigue and illness.
Image: Passengers and flight attendants aboard a flight from LaGuardia Airport bound for Kansas City International Airport on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
