FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) is rolling out new landing procedures from June 3, 2026, requiring flight attendants to secure themselves in their jumpseats earlier than ever, in a bid to reduce turbulence-related injuries during descent.
The updated policy mirrors one introduced by fellow Texas-based carrier Southwest Airlines (WN) nearly 2 years ago.
It follows research showing that most turbulence accidents happen below 20,000 feet, with cabin crew facing the highest injury risk on flights into hubs like Phoenix (PHX), Las Vegas (LAS), and Boston (BOS).
American Airlines Flight Attendants Jumpseats
American Airlines (AA) flight attendants currently begin preparing the cabin for landing roughly 10 to 15 minutes before touchdown, at an altitude of about 10,000 feet. The carrier is now shifting that timeline higher in the sky.
Under the revised procedure, cabin crew will start preparing the cabin at 18,000 feet. They must then strap into their jumpseats as soon as possible, and no later than 10,000 feet.
At that altitude, pilots will sound a double chime in the cabin to signal the crew that the threshold has been reached.
Depending on the descent profile, the new procedure typically translates to the cabin being prepared for landing 4 to 8 minutes earlier than before.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) explained the change in an internal memo, noting that turbulence remains one of the leading causes of occupational injuries for flight attendants.
Unlike passengers, cabin crew are frequently standing, walking, conducting service, or completing compliance duties when turbulence occurs.
The union added that the revised procedures give crew more time to prepare the cabin, improve communication regarding anticipated conditions, and reduce the time flight attendants are exposed to turbulence while performing required duties during descent.
The Inflight Manual also reinforces that flight attendants should not jeopardize their personal safety during turbulent conditions. It emphasizes that communication between the flight deck and cabin crew is essential to avoiding turbulence-related injuries.
Research Backs Policy Shift
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has studied turbulence risk in depth. Its research, based on accident data from 2009 to 2018, found that the majority (36%) of turbulence-related accidents occurred during descent.
More than 65% of these descent-phase incidents happened below 20,000 feet. Flight attendants accounted for nearly 80% of serious turbulence-related injuries, with the majority of those incidents taking place in the galley at the back of the plane.
About 40% of crew injuries occurred while they walked through the cabin doing compliance checks.
The Joint Safety Analysis Team for Commercial Aviation (JSAT) has recommended that flight attendants be seated in their jumpseats by 20,000 feet. However, most airlines have opted for policies below this requirement.
Recent Incidents
Earlier this year, the NTSB released its final report on a serious turbulence event aboard a United Airlines (UA) Boeing 777 flying from Los Angeles (LAX) to Newark (EWR) in February 2024.
Three flight attendants were seriously hurt when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence as they prepared the cabin for landing.
The crew were thrown into the air without warning. One flight attendant was tossed against the ceiling and knocked unconscious before being dropped on a beverage cart.
She then landed heavily on her left leg, shattering her femur and crushing a spinal vertebra.
In another 2024 incident reported by PYOK, three flight attendants on an Alaska Airlines (AS) flight from Seattle (SEA) to Phoenix (PHX) were tossed into the air. The crew were left bleeding and screaming in pain before being stretchered off the aircraft.
How American Compares to Other US Carriers
Earlier-altitude cabin securing has become the de facto standard among major US carriers in recent years.
United Airlines (UA) was among the first to act, introducing a similar rule on December 1, 2023, which requires cabin crew to be buckled into their jumpseats no later than the double chime at approximately 10,000 feet.
Delta Air Lines (DL) updated its descent procedures last year, instructing flight attendants to be seated in their jumpseats by 18,000 feet, with cabin preparations completed shortly before that point.
Southwest Airlines (WN) introduced its earlier-jumpseat policy nearly 2 years ago, becoming one of the first major US carriers to make the shift.
Outside the United States, policies vary widely. Cabin crew at Spanish flag carrier Iberia (IB), for example, are known for remaining in service until they hear the landing gear lower, which can occur at altitudes as low as 2,000 feet.
Impact on Onboard Service
American Airlines does not offer onboard service on domestic flights under 250 miles, so the change will not affect these very short sectors. Flights between 250 and 300 miles, such as Phoenix to Las Vegas or Philadelphia (PHL) to Boston (BOS), may feel the pinch.
The airline officially has no plans to alter its cabin service on these short routes. However, flight attendants will have less time to complete the service than they do now, and there is a risk that on some flights, they will run out of time to serve everyone.
Unlike Southwest Airlines, which adopted a similar policy nearly two years ago, American will expect cabin crew to deliver the same level of service even on its shortest flights.
What Passengers Should Expect
Passengers flying with American Airlines will need to be strapped into their seats longer before landing than at present. Tray tables and laptops must be stowed earlier, and all glassware will be removed from the cabin.
The earlier preparation window is designed to ensure the cabin is fully secured before the aircraft enters the altitude range where turbulence is statistically most likely to cause injuries.
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