Average US flight 17 pax

[b1lanc]

"Even after grounding more than 3,000 aircraft, or nearly 50% of the active U.S. fleet, the group said its member carriers, which include the four largest U.S. airlines, are averaging just 17 passengers per domestic flight and 29 passengers per international flight."

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/co...travel-decline

Shouldn't have to worry about social distancing at this rate.

[Pistonprop]

I really can't see any significant improvement until such a time that:
a) An effective vaccine is found and available, or b) an effective treatment is found which can effectively and successfully treat anyone who becomes infected.

[Airbubba]

Got another update from my buddy Ed Bastain at Delta.

Here's the new plan for packing the planes:

• Requiring masks to keep everyone safe. Providing every person with an extra layer of protection will help make your travel experience safe. That’s why we are temporarily requiring face masks or face coverings for everyone – Delta employees included – in the check-in lobby, Delta Sky Clubs®, gate areas, jet bridges and on board our aircraft. If you find yourself without a face mask or covering, don’t hesitate to ask our team for one – we’re here for you.

• Giving you more space onboard with new seating policies. Limiting the number of people you pass on the way to your seat and providing you with additional space is a priority. For these reasons, we recently started back-to-front boarding, capped seating at 50 percent in First Class and 60 percent in Main Cabin, and created new seating policies that keep middle seats blocked. On planes without middle seats, we are blocking select aisle and window seats to give you even more peace of mind during your travels. And as you deplane, please take time to create distance for those ahead of you to exit.

[patrickal]

Originally Posted by Airbubba

Got another update from my buddy Ed Bastain at Delta.

Here's the new plan for packing the planes:

What will be the net effect on ticket pricing because of this?

[b1lanc]

Originally Posted by Airbubba

Got another update from my buddy Ed Bastain at Delta.

Here's the new plan for packing the planes:

Think they have a long way to go from 17 pax to 60% capacity and that 60% will be paying for the empty 40% seats too!

[Airbubba]

And, with these new seating plans, will some seats actually be removed to save weight if they won't be used for a while? Will the FAA required number of flight attendants be reduced under 121.391? Seems like traditionally seating capacity for Part 121 purposes meant installed seats even of they were blocked for some reason.

[Cat Techie]

No one wants to fly unless they have to. That is the be all and end all of it . POTUS can twitter as much as he likes, but people will not fly unless they have had it or know they have had it .

[Airbubba]

Originally Posted by vikingivesterled

Regulations says minimum1 flight attendant per 50 passengers or part thereof. That is by actual total number of passengers per flight and not by number of seats.

So, if those 17 pax show up on a 777 they only need one flight attendant?

That's a new one on me.

§ 121.391 Flight attendants.

(a) Except as specified in § 121.393 and § 121.394, each certificate holder must provide at least the following flight attendants on board each passenger-carrying airplane when passengers are on board:

(4) For airplanes having a seating capacity of more than 100 passengers - two flight attendants plus one additional flight attendant for each unit (or part of a unit) of 50 passenger seats above a seating capacity of 100 passengers.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/121.391

[Bend alot]

Seating capped at 50% in first class & 60% in main cabin.

Nice lip service on social distancing.

[b1lanc]

Originally Posted by Airbubba

So, if those 17 pax show up on a 777 they only need one flight attendant?

That's a new one on me.

Maybe the PM will do double duty. Does that count?

[Airbubba]

Looks like United has not implemented social distancing seating on some flights yet.

[Airbubba]

Originally Posted by vikingivesterled

I see that the 50 seat is the general rule from the FAA. However EASA allows variations based on that each aircraft type comes from the manufacturer with a minimum cabin crew requirment based on its emergency evacuation testing.

Well, you just told me above it depended on the actual number of pax and not the seats:

Originally Posted by vikingivesterled

Regulations says minimum1 flight attendant per 50 passengers or part thereof. That is by actual total number of passengers per flight and not by number of seats.

Do you know or are you making this up as you go along?

Originally Posted by vikingivesterled

You could also argue that if a plane has 3 different passenger compartments but only 1 of them is open for passengers does it still have the full complement of seats or just the ones in the opened compartment. Sample if downstairs was closed for passengers on a 747 should one only count the upstairs seats.

I think you've just admitted that you don't know what you are talking about.

[Long Haul]

I have been on nine flights since the quarantines went into effect and the number of passengers have varied from zero to 100 or so, with the median being about fifteen. These were all on aircraft with capacity around 300. The number of flight attendants really won’t change because they need to have enough for the trip out and back, and It’s not like they are short of personnel. What strikes me now, after having to line up with the rest of the passengers at ORD to deplane one at a time for health screening, is how much of a pain in the butt this is going to be once the planes are full again. People are going to freak out if they have to sit next to a stranger, and some airlines block the middle seats, some block the aisle seats, etc. Not to mention health forms, mandatory mask wearing and reductions in service. It is going to be a long summer for those of us who fly for a living.

[b1lanc]

Originally Posted by Long Haul

I have been on nine flights since the quarantines went into effect and the number of passengers have varied from zero to 100 or so, with the median being about fifteen. These were all on aircraft with capacity around 300. The number of flight attendants really won’t change because they need to have enough for the trip out and back, and It’s not like they are short of personnel. What strikes me now, after having to line up with the rest of the passengers at ORD to deplane one at a time for health screening, is how much of a pain in the butt this is going to be once the planes are full again. People are going to freak out if they have to sit next to a stranger, and some airlines block the middle seats, some block the aisle seats, etc. Not to mention health forms, mandatory mask wearing and reductions in service. It is going to be a long summer for those of us who fly for a living.

Don't forget the TSA - you know changes are coming.

[Long Haul]

Originally Posted by b1lanc

Don't forget the TSA - you know changes are coming.

I have actually noticed that security screening lines are back in some places at some times, but mostly because there is only one checkpoint open.

[Long Haul]

Originally Posted by Airbubba

And, with these new seating plans, will some seats actually be removed to save weight if they won't be used for a while? Will the FAA required number of flight attendants be reduced under 121.391? Seems like traditionally seating capacity for Part 121 purposes meant installed seats even of they were blocked for some reason.

Personally I think that the airlines will block x- number of seats “in the interest of crew & passenger safety” until the day after the number of booked seats is equal to or is greater than the seat capacity minus x, at which point flying with full cabins will once again be deemed safe as brick houses.

[5000 metres]

Originally Posted by Airbubba

Got another update from my buddy Ed Bastain at Delta.

Here's the new plan for packing the planes:

Delta statement: "Face coverings will be required starting in the check-in lobby and across Delta touchpoints including Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and on board the aircraft for the duration of the flight -- except during meal service."

[cappt]

Originally Posted by Airbubba

Looks like United has not implemented social distancing seating on some flights yet.

That's good to see! This is a country on the move, we can't sit still for too long, people are getting edgy. The 2.2 million forecasted dead by that UK expert (cheater) was a hoax.

[Bend alot]

Great photos of all the different masks - the child in me just wants to deploy the oxy masks!

[LGW Vulture]

Originally Posted by cappt

That's good to see! This is a country on the move, we can't sit still for too long, people are getting edgy. The 2.2 million forecasted dead by that UK expert (cheater) was a hoax.

Hear hear.......