United policy prohibits Flight Attendants from consuming alcohol during the 12 hours prior to reporting for duty and at any time while on duty, with a negotiated exception for certain deadheading Flight Attendants.
Duty includes reporting to fly, deadheading, and Standby Reserve, and continues through the applicable debrief or release into legal rest.
Deadheading Exception
A Flight Attendant may consume alcohol while deadheading only when all contractual conditions are met:
- The Flight Attendant is not in uniform.
- A Lineholder must not have a scheduled flight departing within 12 hours after scheduled arrival at a domicile or co-terminal. At a non-domicile layover, the Flight Attendant must not be legal for reassignment or drafting for at least 12 hours after scheduled arrival.
- A Reserve must not be legal for assignment for 12 hours after scheduled arrival at a domicile, co-terminal, or non-domicile point.
- Alcohol may only be consumed after takeoff.
- On a multi-segment deadhead, alcohol may only be consumed on the final deadhead segment.
Cabin Jumpseat
Flight Attendants requesting Cabin Jumpseat Authorization may not consume alcohol during the 12 hours prior to occupying a cabin jumpseat.
Important Reminder
United’s 12-hour policy does not necessarily guarantee compliance with every DOT, FAA, state, or international requirement. Some countries may impose stricter standards, including a 0.00% blood alcohol content requirement. Flight Attendants are responsible for complying with the applicable requirements at their point of departure.
Questions?
AFA Council 21 Main Office: (703) 260-0051
