What is "crew scheduling" in aviation?

Crew scheduling in aviation refers specifically to the process of assigning flight crew members—pilots and cabin crew—to specific flights while ensuring compliance with regulations that govern their work hours and rest periods. This is a crucial function in airline operations because it helps maintain safety standards by preventing fatigue among crew members. Regulations such as those from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States dictate the maximum duty times and required rest periods to ensure that crew members are adequately rested and capable of safely performing their duties.

The other options focus on different aspects of airline operations. Determining flight routes involves planning the specific paths that aircraft will take during flights, which is related to air traffic management and operational planning. Scheduling maintenance pertains to the oversight of aircraft safety checks, ensuring they are airworthy and compliant with safety standards. Finally, assigning passengers to seats is related to customer service and ticketing operations rather than the management of flight crew. Each of these tasks is important for the smooth operation of an airline but does not encompass the role of crew scheduling.