Thanks AB, unfortunately the older mark Airbus aircraft (excluding 310's which climb like rockets) are absolute dogs for climb.....which in our business works against them as you can't afford to have them climbing through all your traffic and airways when its really busy.
So utimately if they can't meet the requirements (often the case) they don't get the level....not sure Mr and Mrs Engineer think of this when designing the ultra efficient engines/airframes!! In reality the quicker you can get there the better in the busy sectors.
