FAA urges airlines to reevaluate emergency evacuations after carry-on concerns

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday urged airlines to reevaluate their emergency evacuation procedures, citing recent evacuations in which passengers carried on items, slowing exits and risking damage to emergency slides. The safety alert for operators asks carriers to review flight-crew training, announcements and command procedures during emergencies, and to emphasize that passengers should leave belongings behind as they evacuate.

Passengers have taken their carry-on items with them on a number of recent evacuations, the agency noted in the release. The FAA said operators should conduct passenger outreach and education campaigns and leverage their Safety Management Systems to identify risks and hazards that could affect evacuation timelines and safety. The alert underscores the role of effective crew coordination and clear, concise passenger guidance during high-stress situations.

A string of high-profile evacuations in the United States has drawn attention to how carry-on luggage can complicate urgent departures. In July, an American Airlines flight bound for Miami was evacuated at Denver International Airport after a fire alarm and smoke were reported aboard a Boeing 737 Max 8. Nineteen dozen?—no, correction: 173 passengers and six crew members were evacuated safely. Initial reports described passengers sliding down emergency slides and exiting the aircraft as flames and smoke were observed underneath the plane. The FAA did not disclose the cause of the event, but cited it as part of the pattern the safety alert is addressing.

Separately, a Hawaiian Airlines flight diverted to San Diego in May after a possible bomb threat, prompting a multi-agency response and the evacuation of nearly 300 passengers by slide and stairs. One person was arrested during the incident, though police later said nothing suspicious was found onboard. The FAA noted that while the security concern was separate from the carry-on issue, both events highlight the need for swift, orderly evacuations and clear crew guidance under pressure.

In April, a Delta Air Lines aircraft’s engine caught fire while taxiing away from the gate at Orlando International Airport, forcing a slide evacuation that involved around 300 passengers. There were no fatalities, and airline and airport investigators reviewed the procedures used during that incident as part of broader safety reviews.

The FAA’s safety alert for operators emphasizes three main actions: reinforce training that clarifies crew roles and command structure during evacuations; enhance passenger announcements so instructions are clear even amid smoke, heat or noise; and implement or refresh passenger outreach campaigns to remind travelers to leave bags behind when evacuations occur. The agency also urged airlines to integrate these practices into their Safety Management Systems to identify risks, hazards and mitigation strategies before an incident occurs.

The FAA’s directive arrives amid ongoing scrutiny of how passengers behave during in-flight emergencies and how quickly crews can evacuate. Officials stressed that timely egress is essential to reducing injuries and fatalities, particularly in high-density events where slides must deploy and passengers must move away from the aircraft as rapidly as possible.

The agency did not announce penalties or sanctions tied to the new guidance, focusing instead on proactive safety improvements and standardized procedures across carriers. Industry observers have said that consistent training and passenger education can substantially shorten evacuation times, especially when passengers may be distracted by mobile devices or personal belongings.

The FAA’s notice was issued as a safety alert for operators, a step that signals heightened attention to the procedure but does not necessarily prescribe new regulation. Airlines are expected to review and update their procedures, and to report back to the FAA with revised training modules or changes to passenger communication templates as part of a coordinated effort to reduce carry-on-related delays in future evacuations.

The incidents cited by the FAA highlight a broader safety objective: ensuring that, even under duress, crews can maintain orderly evacuations and passengers understand that belongings should be left behind. The FAA said it will monitor how airlines implement the guidance and will consider additional actions if needed to improve evacuation effectiveness in emergencies.

As the aviation industry continues to assess and refine emergency protocols, the FAA’s emphasis on training, clear communication and passenger education aims to minimize the risks associated with carry-on baggage in evacuations and to support faster, safer exits when every second counts.