Which of the following is a key responsibility of a flight attendant during the duty period?

The key responsibility of a flight attendant during the duty period is to assist passengers and ensure safety. This role is vital in maintaining a secure environment for everyone on board. Flight attendants are trained to handle various situations, including emergency evacuations, medical emergencies, and ensuring that passengers are comfortable and informed throughout the flight. Their focus is on providing customer service while prioritizing safety protocols, conducting safety briefings, and being prepared to respond to any incidents that may occur.

The other options relate to roles that are outside the primary duties of flight attendants. Managing flight schedules, for instance, falls under the purview of airline operations and dispatch staff rather than the cabin crew. Flight planning and logistics are responsibilities of pilots and flight operation teams, who are trained to handle route planning and air traffic considerations. Aircraft maintenance checks are conducted by qualified maintenance personnel and technicians, ensuring the aircraft is safe and operational before each flight. Thus, the primary focus of a flight attendant revolves around passenger assistance and safety management.