Jetstar Japan Ordered to Compensate Cabin Crew Over Break Violations

On April 22, the Tokyo District Court issued a ruling requiring Jetstar Japan Co., a low-cost airline, to compensate its cabin attendants who have faced a demanding work schedule without adequate rest periods. This decision came after a group of 35 flight attendants filed a lawsuit against the carrier, claiming that their working conditions contravened the Labor Standards Law. They sought a legal order preventing Jetstar from requiring them to work without any breaks.

The lawsuit detailed that the flight attendants were often assigned to operate multiple domestic and international flights in a single day, leaving them with continuous work throughout these flights. Even upon landing, their duties continued without interruption, as they were responsible for cleaning the aircraft, which further restricted their opportunity for breaks. According to the Labor Standards Law, workers should receive at least a 45-minute break after working over six hours, and at least one hour for shifts extending beyond eight hours.

The plaintiffs argued that their workdays frequently lasted beyond 10 or 12 hours without any breaks, thereby breaching the legal requirements. Although there are allowances within the law permitting exceptions for continuous work without breaks, Jetstar contended that the nature of flight attendant duties fell under such exceptions. The airline also stated that the time spent between aircraft landings and takeoffs could be considered as rest periods, a point that was challenged in the court proceedings.