FAA warns airlines to tighten emergency evacuation protocols
The US Federal Aviation Administration is warning airlines to keep imposing strict safety protocols during emergency evacuations.
The notice issued last week comes as passengers continually jeopardize speedy evacuations by insisting on getting their bags from the overhead bins.
The FAA says this is a recurring hazard for safe evacuations.
Even a very brief delay can reduce the chance of survival such as when it involves fire and smoke in the cabin.
Passengers attempting to retrieve their bags inevitably cause an obstruction in the aisle. Passengers carrying bags can also damage emergency slides as well as unnecessarily injuring themselves.
The agency cited a aircraft fire in Russia in 2019 which claimed dozens of lives.
The evacuation of a British Airlines flight due to an engine fire in Las Vegas in 2015 took far longer due to non-compliant passengers scrambling for their bags.
The FAA is emphasizing the “leave everything behind” policy for all emergency evacuations.
Related News Stories: FAA investigating near collision at San Francisco Airport United gets FAA green light for first Starlink equipped flights Newark Airport delays continue as FAA issues persist FAA probing power outage that impacted Houston ATC FAA probing Seattle Airport ground collision United Airlines ground stop lifted after tech outage FAA plans to extend Newark flight cap until late 2026 FAA reinstating Thailand Cat 1 air safety rating FAA responds to Air India crash findings Newark Airport flight cuts take effect
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt