Originally Posted by nombody

https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-p...isk-1001262156

Article in Globes indicates that new agreement with El Al pilots lowers the number of pilots needed per flight. From 4 to 3 for transatlantic flights and from 3 to 2 for European flights (lets say flights less than 6 hours). While the article says its the number of pilots in the cockpit, i really doubt that El Al has had 4 pilots in the cockpit together for flights to the US. Instead they have a relief pilot and copilot who take over for some hours of the flight.
So first of all, if El Al has had 3 pilots for intra-European flights, that is extremely wasteful, and I doubt any other airline staffs flights of less than 6 hours with a relief pilot. Also for longer flights I wonder what are the standards that other airlines use for when they need a relief pilot and copilot for the flight. For example what do Delta and United do for their TLV flights from NYC?