Groucho
"Out of interest, why?"
Probably, Nigel, for the same reason that many professional pilots find it odd too. I'm sure you know (or should know!) that flying below MSA IMC is only OK under radar or on a procedural cleared route where that level or above is acceptable. To then 'divert' off that route at FL90 without a **** clue where the hard stuff is is OK with you?
The question was why they were "cruising" at FL90. My question was why is that determined to be "strange" and I asked why?
Yes - there are rules for flying below MSA, and I am not saying those rules were followed when they deviated. But that was
not the question.
So I ask you, as a stated professional pilot, what cruising FL you would expect / choose / fly / could achieve in a widebody with a sector length of ~60NM?
And I also ask you, how and where has it been stated that the route,
as planned, had an MSA of >FL90?