Flight attendant requirements

This regulation sets minimum flight attendant requirements for certain aircraft operations under Part 91. You must have at least one flight attendant when carrying 20-50 passengers, two flight attendants for 51-100 passengers, and two plus one additional for every 50 passengers (or fraction thereof) above 100.

Before flight, anyone serving as a required flight attendant must demonstrate to the pilot in command that they're familiar with emergency procedures and evacuation functions, and can actually use the emergency equipment installed on that specific airplane. This isn't about formal certification—it's about the PIC being satisfied the person knows what to do.

This matters because these operations fall under Part 91 (general operating rules) rather than the more stringent Part 121 or 135 commercial rules. The regulation ensures passenger safety during emergencies even when operating under less restrictive regulations, while giving the PIC responsibility for verifying flight attendant competency.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*