JetBlue will be adding cabin crew on its newest Mint-configured planes. The A321neo will go from four to five, while the A321LR will go from three to four. The carrier notified employees on Friday of the change.
The move is tied to an updated FAA requirement, according to the internal memo, reviewed by PaxEx.Aero.
It appears the change is specifically related to the mini-suites in the Mint cabin. The Mint planes without the privacy doors are not affected by the “regulatory clarification.”
While unconfirmed, it appears that the revised guidance requires an additional crew member for each 24 mini-suites on board, in part to ensure they are locked open for taxi, takeoff, and landing. This is in addition to the Section 121.391 requirements of one crewmember for each 50 seats on board, a requirement detailed in the approval exemption allowing doors to be present in the cabin (see below).
Update 1 (30 Mar 2024 10:00a EDT): I’ve confirmed that other aircraft types with suite doors have the additional crew requirement as part of the special conditions allowing the door, typically up to 32 seats per zone requiring an additional cabin crew. Still working to confirm similar rules for the A321neo.
Update 2 (30 Mar 2024 10:45p EDT): JetBlue’s initial Mint configuration, with four mini-suite doors, was approved in 2013 as Exemption No. 10865 under Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2013-0189. That approval explicitly waived the requirement of an additional flight attendant to verify the door positions for take-off and landing:
The passenger capacity, total number of mini-suites, and simplicity of the interior arrangement all have the effect of reducing the need for additional, i.e., above the regulatory requirement, number of flight attendants. In this case, the FAA has concluded that adding a fifth flight attendant would not increase the likelihood that the mini-suite doors would be correctly positioned.
In December 2020 Exemption No. 18674 (Docket FAA-2020-0776) was issued, approving the installation of either 16 or 24 mini-suites with doors on an A321neo with the Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) layout. Among other things, ACF removes the second doors forward of the wings, creating more space for the premium cabin on board. While issued to Airbus, the configuration described is that of JetBlue’s newer Mint layout with either 16 or 24 Mint suites on board. Unlike the earlier approval, the FAA decided in this case that the additional crew is required:
The FAA does not agree with the petitioner’s proposal because the workload that will be required to ensure the proposed 16 or 24 suite doors are in the correct position for taxi, take-off, and landing is considered significant and would not necessitate an additional evaluation… Because this is a critical safety element to reduce the likelihood that a door could be left closed for takeoff and landing, the FAA will require an additional crewmember in order to grant this exemption.
Update 3 (1 Apr 2024 8:45p EDT): On Monday evening an FAA spokesperson issued a statement noting that the Agency “Would not comment on or confirm any ongoing investigation” related to this issue.
Presumably this will affect other aircraft and airlines flying under FAA certification oversight with mini-suite doors installed. Whether it skews airlines’ consideration of adding the doors remains to be seen. Historically most airlines have staffed above minimums for premium cabin flights to provide better service, but that is not always the case.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
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Anthony says
Hey Seth, the LR is crewed with 5 FAs as it is and if it’s flown domestic it’s crewed with 4.
Seth Miller says
I’ve experienced the 5 FA version on TATL, so that makes sense. And it is more than just a paperwork issue, and the company told FAs it is adjusting staffing to address the revised guidance. But I’m also (understandably) having trouble getting more answers on the weekend.
Robert says
“This is a developing story…”? LOL.
BenG says
This sounds like a handout to FA Unions. Also, can’t wait to see AA and others rip the doors off of new planes……