Do You Really Need a Flight Attendant?

On Feb. 9, 2024, the crash of a business jet trying to land took the lives of the two pilots. The two passengers in the cabin could have lost their lives as well had it not been for the quick thinking by the third crew member, a professionally trained flight attendant. 

Both the main cabin door and emergency exit were blocked by the crash’s conflagration outside, so the flight attendant led the two passengers to the rear of the aircraft into the baggage compartment and evacuated them and herself through the aft door. Moments later an explosion consumed the aircraft. The rear baggage door was not typically a subject of the emergency exits briefing passengers get before the flight takes off.

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Corporate Cabin Flight Attendants: Beyond Service

Having trained professionals in the back of the plane with you could mean the difference between life and death.

One of the ironies of this tragedy is that because of the number of seats in this particular aircraft, a flight/cabin attendant was not required. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) require one qualified flight attendant on any private or commercial flight if that aircraft has more than 19 passenger seats. Cabin attendants aboard smaller private and commercial aircraft typically result from a request by the charter passengers, the company that charters the aircraft, or the aircraft owner.

Interestingly, if a flight attendant is going to be assigned as a crewmember on an aircraft that doesn't require his or her presence, then he or she need not meet the minimum FAA training requirements to be legal. Only airlines must use qualified cabin attendants, even those in excess over the minimum required. 

However, you and other business jet passengers can rest assured that your flight attendants are extremely well trained for the unique safety demands of corporate aircraft—demands presented by  many different aircraft models, each with their own custom interior. There are several sources who market specialized business aircraft flight attendant training courses. 

After completing a formal flight attendant course of instruction, business jet flight attendants will be expected by the hiring company to show proficiency in the following areas: familiarization with the aircraft's interior; routine in-flight safety briefings, including the location and operation of exits; passenger handling, including those whose conduct might jeopardize safety; ditching, evacuation, and other emergency procedures; and proper use of electrical galley equipment, and the controls for cabin lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and entertainment systems. 

Fortunately, keeping passengers safe is rarely as spectacular as what happened in the Feb. 24, 2024 accident, but the job entails risks even on routine trips. For example, during critical segments of flight, such as turbulence or shortly before landing, flight attendants are usually not strapped in their seats, because they are in the cabin aisle checking that and you and your fellow passengers are safely seated and belted. Consequently, there are numerous reports of accidents and incidents in which a flight attendant was injured from falling or being thrown about. 

Undecided? Talk to passengers who fly with cabin attendants to solicit their opinions and references. Flight attendants don't come free of charge, but graduates of formal training programs have gone on to become essential crew members in private and charter flight departments, as well as being available on an individual contract basis.