Regulation Text
(a) No person may operate an airplane unless at least the following number of flight attendants are on board the airplane:
(1) For airplanes having more than 19 but less than 51 passengers on board, one flight attendant.
(2) For airplanes having more than 50 but less than 101 passengers on board, two flight attendants.
(3) For airplanes having more than 100 passengers on board, two flight attendants plus one additional flight attendant for each unit (or part of a unit) of 50 passengers above 100.
(b) No person may serve as a flight attendant on an airplane when required by paragraph (a) of this section unless that person has demonstrated to the pilot in command familiarity with the necessary functions to be performed in an emergency or a situation requiring emergency evacuation and is capable of using the emergency equipment installed on that airplane.
The short answer
(14 CFR § 91.533) Flight attendant staffing scales with passengers on board: one attendant for more than 19 but fewer than 51, two for more than 50 but fewer than 101, and two plus one more per 50 (or part) above 100. Each must demonstrate emergency familiarity to the pilot in command.
Research Notes
Common Questions
How many flight attendants does § 91.533 require?
Staffing is tied to the number of passengers actually on board: one for 20–50, two for 51–100, and two plus an additional attendant for each unit (or part of a unit) of 50 passengers above 100.
"(1) For airplanes having more than 19 but less than 51 passengers on board, one flight attendant. (2) For airplanes having more than 50 but less than 101 passengers on board, two flight attendants. (3) For airplanes having more than 100 passengers on board, two flight attendants plus one additional flight attendant for each unit (or part of a unit) of 50 passengers above 100." — 14 CFR § 91.533(a)
What must a flight attendant demonstrate before serving?
The person must show the pilot in command familiarity with the functions to be performed in an emergency or evacuation and be capable of using the airplane's installed emergency equipment.
"no person may serve as a flight attendant ... unless that person has demonstrated to the pilot in command familiarity with the necessary functions to be performed in an emergency or a situation requiring emergency evacuation and is capable of using the emergency equipment installed on that airplane." — 14 CFR § 91.533(b)
Does this rule count by seats or by passengers on board?
The thresholds in § 91.533(a) are expressed in terms of passengers on board the airplane, not installed seat count.
"No person may operate an airplane unless at least the following number of flight attendants are on board the airplane ..." — 14 CFR § 91.533(a)
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