FAA Mandates New Rest Rules for Flight Attendants With 10-Hour Minimum

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration finalized on Tuesday new rules that require airlines give airline flight attendants at least ten hours of rest time between shifts.

The action was first directed by Congress in the 2018 reauthorization act, but the Trump administration failed to take action on it.

Under current rules, flight attendants receive at least nine hours’ rest time but, in certain situations, it could be as little as eight hours.

Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen announced the change at a news conference held at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, saying that it took “way too long” to finalize the rule.

“I can tell you firsthand that well-rested crew members are important to safety,” said Nolen, who is a former pilot.

Referencing flight attendants, Nolen added that “they need just as much rest” as pilots.

Some airlines, including American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, already have a ten-hour rule for their cabin crew.

The new rule goes into effect in 90 days and airlines will have to start to comply by that time. The FAA has estimated airlines will need to hire as many as 565 additional flight attendants at a cost of about $117 million annually in order to ensure compliance.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)