INTRODUCTION: -Sleep loss and circadian disruption pose a significant risk in aviation. -Previous literature has shown that inflight rest facilities influence alertness and performance among pilots, but few studies have evaluated cabin crew. -The aim of this research was to assess alertness and performance among cabin crew members sleeping in different rest locations during a long-haul out-and-back trip. METHODS: -Twenty-nine cabin crewmembers flew the same long-haul route (outbound and inbound). -Participants were randomly assigned to fly on an aircraft with a bunk in both directions or to fly an aircraft with a bunk in one direction and with a high comfort jump seat (HCJS) in the other direction. -Throughout the study they completed a Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) and a 5-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) at the beginning and at the end of each flight. RESULTS: -A series of mixed-effects models were performed to assess the changes in KSS and PVT when crewmembers slept in the bunk during both directions of flight (bunk-only) compared to when sleep was obtained in the HCJS during one direction and bunk in the other (bunk + HCJS). -There was no significant difference in KSS alertness between the two conditions. - There were no significant differences in PVT response speed or lapses between the two conditions. CONCLUSIONS: -Limitations: small number of participants. Our study stopped abruptly because of the COVID-19 pandemic which limited our sample size. -Further research is needed to understand how other factors such as duty start time and workload might influence the sleep of cabin crewmembers during long-haul flights.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Cabin Crew Alertness and Performance During Long-Haul Flights


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2024


    Size :

    1 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Vibroacoustic impacts performance and wellbeing of cabin crew during long-haul flights

    Mellert, Volker / Baumann, Ingo / Buss, Sandra et al. | Tema Archive | 2007



    Environmental Conditions for Cockpit and Cabin Crew Members during Lon-Haul Flights

    Bellmann, M. / Roeder, A. / Remmers, H. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005