Peter47
23rd Jul 2016, 09:12
I hope that that this is the correct forum (or should it be the spectator's balcony)?
Certain aircraft have a lot of belly hold cargo capacity - I believe that the 777-300 can carry 44 LD3 containers, or 30+ tonnes of cargo and baggage, obviously depending upon density. This is great on many routes but it may not be possible to utilise all of the space either because of lack of demand for cargo or because of weight limitations on longer routes where the block time can exceed 16hrs.
My question is could you use this belly hold space for passengers? Below deck galleys were common in L1011s and I believe existed in DC10s, but I am not aware of passengers travelling below the main cabin since the days of the B377 Stratocruiser. I would envisage using the front hold as a large first class lounge thus releasing the space currently utilised by first class (or business on certain airlines). Would this be legal? Would passengers have to return to the main deck for take off and landing? Does it make commercial sense?
I'd be interested in people's thoughts.
Certain aircraft have a lot of belly hold cargo capacity - I believe that the 777-300 can carry 44 LD3 containers, or 30+ tonnes of cargo and baggage, obviously depending upon density. This is great on many routes but it may not be possible to utilise all of the space either because of lack of demand for cargo or because of weight limitations on longer routes where the block time can exceed 16hrs.
My question is could you use this belly hold space for passengers? Below deck galleys were common in L1011s and I believe existed in DC10s, but I am not aware of passengers travelling below the main cabin since the days of the B377 Stratocruiser. I would envisage using the front hold as a large first class lounge thus releasing the space currently utilised by first class (or business on certain airlines). Would this be legal? Would passengers have to return to the main deck for take off and landing? Does it make commercial sense?
I'd be interested in people's thoughts.