Some operators of corporate, charter and private flights in business jets use flight attendants to perform safety and service duties when this is not required by aviation regulations.1 Other operators say that a flight attendant would not be appropriate in the context of their overall safety strategy — and they instead train passengers to cope with cabin emergencies or depend entirely on the flight crew. Making someone responsible only for service-related duties in the cabin, however, falls short of the best safety practices currently recommended.
Deciding whether to voluntarily implement a three-person crew deserves a careful assessment of risks, costs and benefits, but there is no reason for any operator to begin with a blank sheet of paper. Extensive resources are available, from the regulatory requirements applicable to commuter and charter operations in business aircraft that have 19 or more passenger seats and cabin crew requirements for airlines to industry-devel…
