What will be the next cut?

Is bringing in new aircraft and letting the 744's go such a good move for passengers? It is a good move economically but personally cant stand flying on Airbus metal, they always seem so cramped.

The whole ash issue and the fact that the 32m provision may not be enough after the fuel subsidy enquiry finishes could well see more cuts to what passengers really enjoy.

It's not that we are being negative, it is just that people have brand loyalty and will only take so much before going elsewhere.

[Neil]

Is bringing in new aircraft and letting the 744's go such a good move for passengers? It is a good move economically but personally cant stand flying on Airbus metal, they always seem so cramped.

Where was it announced that the 747's are going? VS are upgrading the LGW/MAN a/c so they are going to be around for a while longer.

[RichardMannion]

Remind me again of when they are going to start the refurbs on the LGW/MAN fleet.....

Remind me again of all the fuss that was made over the A380 purchases, the double suites etc that never materialised.

Dave, on the crew minimum number are you factoring in the 'absenteeism' issue by any chance?

And please lets not forget that all cabins have had cuts. I am sure we would all agree that this wonderful forum is not exclusively for the use of J class passengers.

Y has had some huge cuts over the years. It was not that long ago that the After Dinner drinks run and menus, which are now used as USP's of W, where actually offered in Y.

And then there are the changes to the food/drinks service. Passengers are now only offered one proper bar service, presumably because the bean counters have worked out that passengers are less likely to approach crew for a beer thus saving the company money. The level of the snack service and breakfast service has been shrunk and of course there have been various changes to the actual main meal (no glasses; no cheese and crackers; smaller portions; smaller trays etc) this all saves money and has made VS very close to becoming a poor relation to the charter carriers.

[Scrooge]

Dave, on the crew minimum number are you factoring in the 'absenteeism' issue by any chance?

Nope, just the actual number required for the plane to push back, the CAA controls that number not the airlines.

[RichardMannion]

Dave, on the crew minimum number are you factoring in the 'absenteeism' issue by any chance?

Nope, just the actual number required for the plane to push back, the CAA controls that number not the airlines.

I know they do - so by type what are the minimum crew numbers laid down by the CAA vs what VS currently staff their planes by (by type)? I don't believe the numbers are the same at the moment, i.e VS is operating above the min numbers (which is probably a good thing given the 'absenteeism'.

[mitchja]

There were 14 crew on both my recent BOS flights (A/C was a 346) with about 225 pax each way, therefore, the crew:pax ratio was 16:1.

I believe the minimum crew ratio is something silly like 50:1 so they are never going to operating with just the minimum.

IIRC CAA requirements are this:

One crew member per fifty seats on a narrow body.

One crew member per exit on a wide body but still complying with one crew member per fifty seats, i.e.: which ever is greater.

Of course airlines have internal policies for the number of crew, depending on standards of service etc. IIRC NZ operate with 13/14 crew on the 744 and 10 on the 772.

The one crew member per fifty seats is pretty much an industry standard.

i think there will be other problems like getting people on the planes following the storys i have heard today , some yet to emerge but iam sure they will they get home and have there recepts claims are refused, one family has it all on cam ,the fact they were rebooked a total of 9 times , they were at the airport to check in 6 of those ,told 5 time there seats have been sold , thats in just 8 days ,

B744 Minimum Crew - 12 (11 if Upper Deck not used)
VS - 15

A346 Minimum Crew - 10
VS - 13

A343 Minimum Crew - 9
VS - 11

[RichardMannion]

Thanks Tinks!

Dave, spot the deltas between the minimum and what VS have

[Scrooge]

Thanks Tinks!

Dave, spot the deltas between the minimum and what VS have

As long as they all show up for their flights.

Thanks Tinks!

Dave, spot the deltas between the minimum and what VS have

As long as they all show up for their flights.

Which is one of the reason standby duties exist.