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Imagine to have to hold at a busy airport before landing for a quite long time (let's say 20 plus minutes), does it requires that the pax must have the seat belt on during the whole holding procedure? Is it required by the Authority or just by the company?

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  • $\begingroup$ Commercial airliner? Need to do what the Captain shows via the seatbelt sign. It's a good idea to have it on all the time anyway, never know when unexpected turbulence might hit, such as wake turbulence from another plane, or your own even. $\endgroup$
    – CrossRoads
    Apr 17, 2018 at 14:22

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There are no regulations which require passengers to be seated when the plane is flying a holding pattern, but there are a few practical advantages to keep the seat belt sign on during this phase:

  1. The plane is flying at a lower altitude, where it is more likely to encounter turbulence and other unstable weather conditions. Up in FL330 it is usually clear skies all along.
  2. The plane may need to get down quickly after an approach clearance is issued (after all, it is busy airspace). From that point onward the pilots may deploy the spoilers to lose altitude (which shakes up the plane a little), turn towards the approach course and without you noticing, landing gear is down and locked already. At the same time, we know it takes quite a few minutes after the seat belt sign has been turned on until everyone is seated (passengers won't just rush back to their seat after hearing the Ding Dong tune). If the seat belt sign is not illuminated in this period, there may not be enough time for the cabin crew to prepare the cabin for landing.
  3. It reminds the passengers that if they wish to get out of their seat for whatever reason, they should make it quick.

If the flight deck tells the passengers it is going to be a delay, the cabin crew is usually a bit relaxed at enforcing the seat belt sign. E.g. if someone is going to the bathroom, they won't block unless that person is hanging around standing. When the approach clearance is given, another announcement will be made, and the cabin crew will now make sure everyone is seated because landing will commence shortly.

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  • $\begingroup$ "3. It reminds the passengers that if they wish to get out of their seat for whatever reason, they should make it quick." This is wrong. When the seatbelt is on, the passengers are not allowed to get out of their seat for any reason. There should be absolutely no exceptions given. Otherwise a great answer. $\endgroup$
    – Sami
    Apr 26, 2019 at 10:36
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There is no requirement for seatbelts during holding.
However, holding times are really hard to predict. It is good to be prepared and to have the cabin ready for approach, so if an opportunity for a quick approach comes, it can be taken.

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Seat belts are only required for ground movement, takeoff and landings.

For the US and presumably other countries too, the only requirement is given under FAR 91.107 which says,

"(3) Except as provided in this paragraph, each person on board a U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except a free balloon that incorporates a basket or gondola or an airship type certificated before November 2, 1987) must occupy an approved seat or berth with a safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness, properly secured about him or her during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing."

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