Hide/Show Archive Navigation.

All News

March 09, 2023

Flyers Rights Loses on Appeal

D.C. Court of Appeals Says FAA not Required to Adopt Seating Rules

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the FAA needn’t set standards regarding the number of seats and their density in commercial passenger aircraft unless impacting safety. The decision strikes a blow to the plaintiff, Flyers Rights. They had hoped that the lawsuit would impel the FAA “to commence rulemaking to establish minimum seat size and spacing requirements for commercial aircraft,” and to issue a final rule cementing the standard.

Strike Still Far Off, But Technically on the Table

FedEx pilot leaders unanimously passed a resolution authorizing their ALPA chair Chris Norman to call for a strike authorization vote. The leadership notes that the strike would only occur if negotiations break down and the federal government authorizes a walkout after the parties exhaust the required procedures of the Railway Labor Act. In such a case, the National Mediation Board would have to release both sides from mediation. Then, after a 30-day cooling off period, both would need to go through 'self-help', which could include a strike by the union or lockout by FedEx.