July 17, 2026

The JIT has received a number of questions over the past few weeks, so we wanted to provide some clarifications and updates.

Use of Crew Rest by Jumpseat Riders

Effective August 1, 2026, United mainline Flight Attendants who have been awarded to, and are occupying a jumpseat may utilize the crew bunk and crew rest seats. The IPPM will be updated shortly with the following information governing the use of the crew rest areas by jumpseat riders:

• The jumpseat rider will coordinate with the International Purser/Purser to determine if a bunk or crew rest seat is available to use. The working crew has priority and there is no guarantee a bunk or seat will be available to use for the entire flight.

• Crew rests 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.

• Available crew rest bunks will be assigned, based on availability, in seniority order.

• Crew rest bedding kits are not provisioned to accommodate use by jumpseaters. Additionally, you are not permitted to request additional premium cabin pillows and blankets.

• The bunk area may not be occupied while the aircraft is below 25,000 feet (15,000 feet on the B787).  The jumpseater will coordinate with the International Purser/Purser prior to entering the bunk. The International Purser/Purser will ensure the rest of the crew is aware that a jumpseater is using the bunk area.

• Follow maximum occupancy guidelines for crew bunk modules. Only one flight attendant is allowed per bunk.

• Jumpseat riders may change clothes once in a bunk or behind a curtain. However, they must comply with company pass travel attire guidelines any time while in the aircraft cabin.

• Care should be taken so as not to disrupt or interfere with the crew rest breaks of the working crew. The jumpseater will keep the bunk or seat area tidy when not in use. If the facility is needed to provide breaks for the working crew, the jumpseater will vacate the crew bunk or seat area at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled crew break and make it available to the working crew.

• Seat belts are provided for each crew rest seat or bunk. Jumpseat riders occupying crew rest areas must fasten their seat belts whenever occupying crew rest seats or bunks.

• Jumpseat riders may not take sleeping pills or other sleep aids (with or without a prescription) while occupying the jumpseat or crew rest areas.

• The jumpseat rider must vacate the bunk area forty-five (45) minutes prior to landing. The Flight Attendants assigned to jumpseats closest to the bunk area will verify the bunk area is empty prior to landing.

• Non-revenue travelers and those awarded a seat in the cabin are not eligible to utilize crew rest bunk areas.

• Crew rest bunk areas are for the exclusive use of United flight attendants as defined in Section 2.N of the CBA 2026 which states: A “Flight Attendant” means an employee whose duties consist of performing or assisting in the performance of all cabin safety related functions, all en route cabin service or ground cabin service to delayed or canceled passengers in a resourceful manner, and shall include responsibility to apply these services for the safety, welfare, and comfort of passengers.

  • The crew rest bunk areas are not to be used by flight-qualified members of management or by personnel of other airlines even if they are eligible to occupy the jumpseat.

• Jumpseat riders who do not abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the IPPM can be asked by the International Purser/Purser to vacate the crew rest area (i.e., bunk or seats).

We encourage everyone to remember that use of the jumpseat is considered non-revenue travel and subject to United’s Pass Travel Guidelines. Please be considerate of the working crew when using the crew rest areas, just as you would any other time you are traveling space available.

Maternity Leave

Under the terms of Section 15.F. of the Agreement, a Flight Attendant may commence maternity leave as early as the start of the 28th week of pregnancy and as late as the 31st day following birth of the child. At whatever point maternity leave commences, the first 10 weeks (70 days) of the maternity leave will be paid at the rate of 71:00 per month, pro-rated. When Maternity Leave pay begins, it will appear on the 1st and 16th paychecks each month until it has been exhausted.

Boarding Pay – Reboarding and Cancellations

We continue to work with our Digital Technology and Crew Pay teams on the payment of Boarding Pay in cases of Reboarding and Cancellations. As we communicated in early June, the data for re-boardings and cancellations is being captured, however the pay associated with the re-boarding or cancellation after boarding is not being calculated or displayed. Should you have a re-boarding or a cancellation after boarding, there is no action necessary on your part.  We are aware that some crews have been advised to submit a HelpHub case. We would ask that you not do so. Flight Attendants will be paid for the re-boarding and cancellations, however that pay will be delayed while we verify the accuracy of the re-boarding/cancellation data. Once this issue is resolved, we will provide an update of when the impacted Flight Attendants will see the pay.