Who has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring safety belt compliance on a flight?

The ultimate responsibility for ensuring safety belt compliance on a flight falls to the pilot in command. This is because the pilot in command is responsible for the safety of the flight and all individuals on board. They are tasked with ensuring that all safety protocols are followed, which includes making sure that passengers fasten their safety belts during critical phases of the flight such as takeoff, landing, and turbulent conditions.

While the flight crew plays a significant role in reminding and assisting passengers with safety belt compliance, and passengers certainly have a personal responsibility to buckle up, it is ultimately the pilot in command who oversees the overall safety and compliance on the aircraft. The pilot must ensure that the safety regulations and procedures are adhered to as part of their broader responsibility for the safe operation of the flight. This authoritative role highlights the importance of leadership in aviation safety protocols.