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FAA may mandate more crew for American Airlines' new business class suite configuration

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FAA may mandate more crew for American Airlines' new business class suite configuration
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American Airlines has made significant changes to its flight attendant staffing levels, a decision that has sparked concerns and potential regulatory intervention. The airline's flight attendants are set to receive boarding pay and higher 401(k) contributions, but these benefits will not take effect immediately. However, the staffing levels have not been restored to pre-pandemic numbers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines reduced services and onboard staffing to cut costs. With fewer premium passengers traveling, there was less need for a full complement of flight attendants. American Airlines staffed its narrowbody aircraft at FAA minimums—generally one attendant per 50 seats—and reduced staff on widebody aircraft below pre-pandemic levels.

Before the pandemic, American Airlines had already begun reducing onboard staffing. In 2020, they further cut back:

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- To one above FAA legal minimums on international widebody and transcontinental flights.

- To the legal minimum on Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

The union representing the flight attendants filed grievances over these changes but has not disclosed which parts of their contract were allegedly violated. An arbitrator's decision is pending, though a favorable outcome for the union appears unlikely.

Contract negotiations presented an opportunity to address staffing levels; however, this issue was not pursued by the union. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) might intervene regarding long-haul widebody aircraft staffing due to safety concerns associated with new business class suite configurations.

American Airlines has applied for a supplemental type certificate from the FAA to install doors on business class suites in their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. These doors require approval because they could potentially slow down evacuation during emergencies if not properly managed.

The FAA typically mandates one flight attendant per zone of business class seats between emergency exits, covering up to 32 suites per zone. American Airlines proposes having 22 suites in one zone and 48 in another on their retrofitted aircraft. Consequently, the FAA requires two additional crew members in zones exceeding 32 suites to ensure door compliance during taxiing, takeoff, and landing.

Historically, for similar configurations like JetBlue’s mini-suites with doors, the FAA required additional flight attendants or forced airlines to disable such features due to increased workload and safety risks.

Inquiries about whether American Airlines can meet these new requirements without reducing business class seats have gone unanswered by the airline as of now.

Organizations Included in this History
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