CBA Section 3.CC.9.c.
Section 3.CC.9.c. was amended to include United Flight Attendants awarded the jumpseat and occupying the jumpseat the ability to utilize crew bunks and crew rest seats. Previously, only Flight Attendants assigned to the flight were permitted.
The policies and procedures for crew rest facilities to be used by jumpseaters are outlined in the July 17, 2026 JIT Update - which are now also published in Section 5.6 of the Inflight Policies & Procedures Manual.
To clarify how awarded jumpseat riders can utilize available crew rest facilities, the second bullet point in the JIT Update and IPPM states:
“Crew rest seats are only available for use by jumpseat riders on flights where crew rest is required for the working crew. Crew rest seats will not be blocked or available for use by jumpseat riders on flights which do not require crew rest.”
Some Flight Attendants mistakenly think this means jumpseaters can only utilize crew rest facilities if the flight is scheduled for crew rest for the working crew.
What it actually means is that crew rest seats are blocked only on flights designated for crew rest. These are aircraft without bunks. If it is a flight without bunks and there is no crew rest required, there will be no blocked crew rest seats for jumpseat riders to utilize. If it is a flight with bunks that is not designated as a flight requiring crew rest, the bunks are available for awarded jumpseat riders.
Below are the most common questions with answers on the topic of jumpseating and crew rest facilities:
Q: Can a jumpseating Flight Attendant use crew rest facilities if the working crew is not scheduled for crew rest?
A: Yes- Crew rest facilities (unoccupied bunks and unoccupied designated crew rest seats) are able to be utilized by awarded jumpseat riders; coordinated with the International Purser/ Purser - regardless if the working crew has scheduled crew rest or not.
Q: Can the gate agent or International Purser/ Purser assign an awarded jumpseater to take an available cabin seat?
A: Section 3.A.9.d. states: “Flight Attendants cannot be defaulted to NRSA status if their preference is to remain as a jumpseat rider.”
Q: If a jumpseating Flight Attendant chooses to take a passenger seat, does that limit their ability to use crew rest facilities?
A: Section 3.A.9.f. allows a Flight Attendant the option to assume any open cabin seat after boarding has completed (Section 3.A.9.f). However, once they’ve taken a cabin seat, they may not occupy the crew rest facilities. Likewise, once they’ve used the crew rest facilities, they may not then occupy a cabin seat.
Q: Can Flight Attendants non-reving or deadheading utilize crew bunks or available crew rest seats?
A: NO - Crew rest facilities are for the exclusive use of United Flight Attendants awarded the jumpseat.