The Federal Aviation Administration filed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on 2 July 2026 to preempt state meal and rest break laws for pilots and flight attendants, citing the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 as the legal basis. This proposal establishes a single national standard for crew duty, rest, and breaks, overriding patchwork state regulations like California’s 30-minute meal break mandate for shifts over five hours. Operators argue conflicting state laws disrupt scheduling, force additional relief crew, and compromise safety by requiring crews to remain available for emergencies. The rule does not introduce new federal break requirements but clarifies existing fatigue management rules prevail. Public comments are accepted until 4 September 2026, with final adoption and implementation pending review and potential revisions.