Originally Posted by FWAAA
Your point is correct, but your numbers are off.
150 seats requires 3 FAs, while 151 requires 4 FAs.
This subject was discussed extensively when B6 removed the one row of seats - the very high load factors at B6 apparently justify the extra 6 seats. Same at TED, which configured its A320s with 156 seats - plenty of opinion that UAL's FAs, who make much more money than the FAs at B6, would not make the extra 6 TED seats worth it.
B6 was barely profitable in 4Q2004 (and would have posted a loss if not for an accounting change) and there are rumors that B6 may post a loss in the 3rd quarter ending in two weeks. If so, perhaps B6 miscalculated on those 6 seats. Perhaps not.
Jetblue is supposedly going to be profitable in the 3Q, but not by much. The fourth quarter is where they might actually lose money, but that can't be blamed on one row of seats. It would have everything to do with off peak travel and sky rocketing fuel. The fact is no business plan is prepared for oil to be in the Upper 60's