FAA Caps Airbus Crews at Three: Oxygen Tanks Can't Hack Long Flights
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update rules for certain Airbus A330 planes that use just one oxygen tank for the flight crew. Because the oxygen might run out during long flights with four crew members, the new rule will limit those flights to three crew members and fix oxygen pressure info. Airlines need to update their manuals by June 15, 2026, to keep flying safely without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Limit ETOPS-180 Flights to 3 Crew
The FAA proposes that certain Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 airplanes modified by FAA STC ST04038NY that use a single flightcrew oxygen cylinder (115 ft3) may not conduct ETOPS operations with a 180-minute diversion (ETOPS-180) with four flightcrew members. Those airplanes must limit ETOPS-180 operations to three flightcrew members to avoid insufficient oxygen in emergencies.
Required AFM-S Manual Update and Small Compliance Fee
The proposed AD would require operators to revise the Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFM-S) to incorporate the ETOPS-180 crew limitation and to correct minimum oxygen dispatch pressure information, by complying with EASA AD 2025-0047 as incorporated. The FAA estimates compliance will take 1 work-hour per airplane at $85 per airplane, affecting 11 U.S.-registered airplanes for a total estimated cost of $935 to U.S. operators.
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