Back to our friend
JET TRANSPORT PERFORMANCE METHODS
Walt Blake and the Performance Training Group Flight Operations Engineering
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
regulatory requirements for maneuver capability
At the time of this writing, there are no known regulatory requirements for minimum maneuver capability at cruise altitude.
Many airlines have a policy of requiring a maneuver capability of 1.3 gees or better at the selected cruise altitude, and more if turbulence is expected. Operators are free to require more conservative margins if they wish – we understand that there are some operators who do require maneuver capabilities greater than 1.3.
Flight at maneuver capabilities less than 1.3 should not be thought of as inherently dangerous, but rather that the speed margins to buffet are less. Flight in light buffet isn’t dangerous, but it is a natural aerodynamic reminder that the airplane is approaching its operating limits.
It seems my airline has gone the more conservative 1.3 route, rather than the 1.2. It's interesting that, according to Blake, there is no regulatory requirement, yet FAA and EASA differ.