By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – A group of flight attendants based in California won a lower court decision that determined Virgin America did not comply with state law regarding meal breaks and rest periods.

It was decided that the Justice Department’s solicitor-general should not file an appeal following a 2021 decision by the 9th Circuit in favor of flight attendants.

Lower court ruled that airlines may comply with Federal Aviation Administration safety rules as well as California’s staff meal and break requirements. ()You can take longer flights and have additional attendants to make it possible for you to enjoy duty-free break.

Virgin America was purchased by Alaska Air The 2016 NYSE Group decision may cause “flight attendants to be added per flight and inevitably pilots” and could “dispplace pay passengers”.

Alaska Airlines announced Wednesday that it will respond to the Justice Department. It added, “Uniform national standards essential for ensuring safety in the U.S. Air Transport System.” Air travel would be at risk if individual laws were applied.

The flight attendant lawyers would only be allowed to work on flights within California. They also stated that Virgin Airlines can meet those requirements simply by adding an extra flight attendant for any intrastate flight at a marginal cost of $100.

Airlines for America is an association representing American Airlines (NASDAQ 🙂 United Airlines, and other airlines. They argue that the California laws should be overridden by federal law, and asked the Supreme Court for a reversal of the decision.

This group stated that “flying companies cannot comply with the laws if they have more flight attendants for ‘longer’ flights or schedule longer ground periods between’shorter flights”.

According to the Justice Department, the Transportation Department, FAA and Unions are “prepared to facilitate talks outside of litigation with airlines, states, and unions to minimize disruptions to traveling public that might arise.”