Originally Posted by
Phileas Fogg
Compare "boarding passengers" to "herding CATS" ...
Fixed that for you, cattle are usually well behaved.
Peter47, you are right about the 20 minute 'turns' that WN but in those days their 737-200s had fewer than 120 seats vs 175 seats on their current -800s. (Ryanair has 195 on their -800s). That makes a difference. Also I think most of the 20 minute turns were at intermediate points on a multi-sector where a full load off/on wasn't taking place. Obviously no fuel, catering or other stores were loaded at these intermediate points. Their turns at terminus stations were longer.
Shaving 10 mins for a short haul aircraft, which possibly could do six daily rotations (12 flights) isn't going to allow another rotation. And of course the aircraft needs to be catered for on-board sales and fuel at least every few turns.
Slots are a problem at many airports ...