Originally Posted by
Mountain Explorer
I know Boeing fans love to talk about this, but something has been done. The temps in SLC have reached high-90s (or hotter) several times this summer already, and both the A339 departures (CDG and AMS) take off around 3-4pm, exactly at the peak temperature. I've been watching them, and there have been no delays, no diversions, no substitutions. I also happen to have been flying on a couple of those extreme-temperature departures. These flights were nearly full, and I purposely boarded late to see if the gate agents were seeking volunteers or denying boarding or off-loading bags, and none of that happened. Obviously DL might have reduced cargo, I have no way of knowing.
In previous years, these would be guaranteed fuel stop diversions. I don't know what exactly has changed. But it no longer seems to be much of a concern
The flights are weight restricted nearly every day. They have made some improvements but the performance issues are real and expected to continue long term. That is why they postponed the A330 SLC pilot base. The are looking at increased A350 flights as an option. The performance penalties become very high with crosswinds on takeoff.
The improvements are minor but include ETOC which allows more takeoff flap position options and a faster gear retraction speed. In the end however the airplane is a dog and Airbus can’t get any sales traction. Without the Delta orders the program would have been shutdown and that may yet happen.