12.02.25 – APFA Continues Efforts to Correct FAA Minimum Crew Reduction on Widebody Aircraft

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

APFA Continues Efforts to Correct
FAA Minimum Crew Reduction on Widebody Aircraft

APFA continues to engage with lawmakers to emphasize the serious safety risks associated with FAA-approved minimum crew levels that do not require a Flight Attendant at every widebody emergency exit door. In November, APFA Representatives met with 25 key Senate offices on the Commerce Committee and Aviation Subcommittee. This builds on the 79 in-person meetings conducted with Members of the House of Representatives in October.

APFA Representatives meet with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)

Meeting discussions centered around the industry-wide problem of airlines reducing minimum crew, leaving widebody exit door(s) exposed without a trained Flight Attendant to evacuate. Now that key lawmakers are fully briefed on the minimum crew reductions, our allies in Congress are ready to take action to ensure every widebody exit door is properly staffed for an efficient and safe evacuation.

APFA Representatives conducted 25 meetings with Senate offices in November

APFA National President Julie Hedrick also met with leaders at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss our concerns over this minimum crew reduction as well as similar reductions implemented at United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. This is an industry-wide problem, not just an American Airlines issue.

Images were shared with lawmakers to underscore the serious safety risks created when the rear door of a widebody aircraft is left without a trained Flight Attendant assigned to it. Not only could passengers be forced to operate a widebody exit during a high-stress emergency without any training, but the reduction also leaves a single Flight Attendant responsible for the entire rear of the aircraft with potentially over a hundred passengers evacuating during an emergency. This scenario presents unacceptable risks to both passengers and Flight Attendants.

APFA will continue to educate and work with members of Congress to correct this safety vulnerability on widebody aircraft in the U.S. airline industry. U.S. aviation regulators and operators must be proactive to prevent unnecessary tragedy. We know that passenger safety requires a trained Flight Attendant at every widebody door exit on every flight, and we will continue to fight until minimum crew is restored.

In Solidarity,

Julie Hedrick
APFA National President
[email protected]

Allie Malis
Lori Vitto-Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representatives
[email protected]