The other thread about BA's LHR-CCU flight reminded me of something that I've occasionally wondered about.

This flight operates three times a week, so there are up to three days between flights. Now I love Kolkata, but I can imagine that it is not every FA's cup of tea. What does the incoming crew do...are they holed up in a hotel for up to 72 hours (they would not be paid for that time, I assume) and then return to LHR by working on the departing flight? Or do they fly in/out on other airlines from nearby BA stations (DEL and BKK are quite far, and DAC is nearby but doesn't have daily flights either) in order to staff the CCU flight?

Of course, CCU is only an example, the same question would apply to any non-daily flight.