Question regarding the number of crew required by law vs number of seats. I recall reading that the CAA mandates the minimum crew per aircraft is directly linked to the number of
seats fitted on each aircraft, not the actual number of
pax on board?
Why would it be done like this, surely it allows an airline much more flexibility of aircraft changes if based on number of pax on board?
Surely an airline can simply block out a number of seats in the reservation system to ensure compliance rather than have to physically remove rows of seats? The way it is mandated at the moment prevents a last minute substitution if an aircraft goes tech and another frame also with similar seats removed is not available?
There is nothing to prevent an airline blocking seats or closing cabins to operate with fewer crew members.