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. PaxEx.Aero is working to confirm this guidance and determine what federal regulations is falls under.
Update 1: 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.
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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