Everyday more and more passengers are bringing devices onboard to improve their comfort inflight. This includes devices such as:
- knee defenders
- cabin case seat extender
- leg hammocks
- baby hammocks.
Some of these devices may not break safety regulations, but they may pose safety hazards in the cabin when used.
As a result of more passengers using comfort devices, operators have developed specific criteria as to what comfort devices are acceptable for carriage inflight.
There is currently no standardised criteria for bringing these devices onboard and may differ between operators.
You can read our full technical documents at Cabin Safety Bulletins.
Legislative requirements for comfort devices
Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) 121.260 requires the stowing of loose articles in the cabin of an aircraft to avoid:
- injury to people
- damage to the aircraft. Devices can move around the cabin if there is in-flight turbulence, unusual accelerations or manoeuvres.
The CASR provisions also require crew members and each passenger to occupy a seat of an approved type during:
- take-off and landing
- instrument approach
- when the aircraft is flying at a height less than 1000 feet above the terrain
- in turbulent conditions.
Policy, process and procedures acceptance criteria
Operators who need to develop policy, process and procedures around acceptance, use and stowage of these devices should:
- identify comfort devices passengers attempt to, or successfully bring on board when travelling with small children. You can identify this in trend analyses through occurrence report submission
- identify comfort devices marketed to passengers travelling with infants and children
- conduct an evaluation of the safety of the comfort device
- find out the suitability and compatibility of the comfort device with aircraft componentry and approved stowage
- conduct a risk assessment as to any safety implications for cabin crew members, passengers or both
- conduct a risk assessment on existing procedures to test their effectiveness. For example, encountering turbulence or impeding egress to emergency exits.
Operators should determine their policy on acceptance and use of these devices by means of a safety risk assessment process.
You can find an example of a risk assessment process in our full Cabin Safety Bulletin 18.
Consideration when developing procedures
There are several considerations in developing and documenting procedures and training for:
- crew members
- other operational personnel.
Along with the release of passenger guidelines, other considerations could include the following:
Cataloguing of comfort devices
- Definition of comfort devices.
- List of comfort devices allowed or prohibited for carriage.
- Photographic images and schematics of comfort devices that are acceptable for carriage. This includes positioning of these items across aircraft seating plans.
Pilot in command responsibilities
Pilot in command responsibilities in determining comfort devices that are acceptable or unacceptable for carriage where doubt exists.
Specific crew member responsibilities
Specific crew member responsibilities include:
- conducting appropriate passenger briefings before devices and detailing phases of flight when passenger can use comfort devices. For example, item use during illumination of the seat belt sign
- checking the comfort device is in a position that does not obstruct the access to, or use of:
- any required emergency or regular exit
- the use of the aisle between the crew and the passenger compartment,
- located in a position that obscures any passenger's view of the "seat belt" sign, "no smoking" sign or placard, or any required exit sign
- checking the passenger hasn’t installed the comfort device in a position that restricts access to, or use of any required emergency equipment
- stowing the device in an approved cupboard or locker or underseat, during take-off, landing or during movement on the surface
- checking appropriate placement restrictions of the comfort device in the cabin. For example, passengers can only use the device at a window seat on a single aisle aircraft
- checking the comfort device does not impose any load on seats or in the floor structure that exceeds the load limitation for those components
- checking the comfort device does not interfere with or potentially damages aircraft componentry or structural integrity. For example, seat recline or attachment points that require use of tray table arms
- making sure the positioning of an inflation valve is accessible to reduce the deflation time of an item. For example, in the event of an inflight emergency or preparation for landing
- any safety implications such as the potential for harm or injury to the passenger using the device or passengers sitting next to the device
- making sure passengers pack or cover the comfort device to avoid possible injury to passengers
- seat belt use and fitment is possible and effective
- no interference with a passenger seated adjacent to, or in front of the comfort device
- taking action in the event a passenger is using a prohibited device in flight
- taking action in the event a passenger is using an unfamiliar device in flight.
Documentation
- Create procedural information that maps to existing manual provisioning to ensure compatibility.
- Hazard occurrence reporting criteria to include reference to comfort devices attempted to be:
- brought on board
- used in-flight
- removed from stowage that may cause injury to passengers or crew members.
- Safety awareness training for aircrew and ground operational personnel as it relates to comfort devices.
- Instruction to crew members for stowage and removal of a comfort device from an approved stowage in-flight or after landing. This instruction is to prevent injury to themselves or other passengers.
Communicating your procedures and policies
- Communication methods for comfort devices permitted or prohibited for crew members, other operational personnel and passengers.
- Monitoring of new product releases and release of requisite communication of comfort devices. This includes both permitted or prohibited devices. The builds awareness for crew members, other operational personnel and passengers.
- Communication aimed at passengers about removing a comfort device from an approved stowage in-flight or after landing. This is to help prevent injury to themselves or other passengers.
Decision tool matrix for comfort devices
You can find our example matrix that details criteria you can adapt into a checklist to support cabin crew decision making. The checklist is helpful when crew see a device they haven’t seen before to include in their operational policy and procedures manuals.
You can find an example matrix in our full Cabin Safety Bulletin 18.
Further information
To keep up to date with the latest cabin safety information subscribe to our cabin safety bulletins mailing list.