Jump seat

The term originated in the United States c. 1860 for a movable carriage seat.

[2] Jump seats originated in horse-drawn carriages and were carried over to various forms of motorcar.

Jump seats are found both in the utility areas of the passenger cabin for flight attendant use (required during takeoff and landing) and in the cockpit — officially termed auxiliary crew stations — for individuals not involved in operating the aircraft.

Cockpit uses may include trainee pilots observing the flight crew, off-duty crew members deadheading to another airport, or official observers such as regulatory agency or airline inspectors.

[3] Security requirements for both flight deck and cabin jump seat use have been tightened significantly since September 11, 2001.