Why is there relatively many cabin crew aboard ?
Oct 23, 2016, 4:40 am
#1
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Why is there relatively many cabin crew aboard ?
The FAA requires a passenger/cabin crew 50:1, which means one steward(ess) for each 50 passengers. But I have seen in many cases that in a flight with 300pax there are at least 10 stewardesses. I am not talking about ultra long haul flights which require a duplicate crew (where the inactive are not on duty in the rest area), but about the medium / long hauls with a single crew on duty.
Why do airlines employ so many flight attendants ? Because of that passengers (yes even in Y) expect they are in a restaurant ?
Why do airlines employ so many flight attendants ? Because of that passengers (yes even in Y) expect they are in a restaurant ?
Oct 23, 2016, 5:42 am
#3
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I would say that airlines usually stick to the minimum on single aisle aircrafts. On small jets (e.g. ERJ135), turboprobs (e.g. Q400) and single-class 737/A320.
With bigger aircrafts usually come a) several traveling classes and b) much more service to take care of. The minimum of flight attendants would simple be insufficient to offer a decent service (even in Y).
With bigger aircrafts usually come a) several traveling classes and b) much more service to take care of. The minimum of flight attendants would simple be insufficient to offer a decent service (even in Y).
Oct 23, 2016, 6:35 am
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Oct 23, 2016, 1:51 pm
#6
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50:1 might barely work in an all-economy configuration, but few airlines (if any, outside special situations like sardine flights for Haj) fly all-economy configurations. You need a much higher ratio of flight attendants to passengers in premium classes. If a 300-passenger aircraft on an international route has 230 economy seats, 50 business class and 20 first, you'll need 5 FAs for J, about three for J and at least two for F. That's ten right there. These are rough figures, airlines differ in both aircraft configurations and staffing levels, but it supports the number in the original post.
Oct 23, 2016, 2:38 pm
#7
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In addition while the medium / long-haul might not require a full set of duplicate crew, they may require rest periods. That alone may necessitate additional crew members to ensure they always have sufficient on-duty staff.
Those extra staff probably help when you are paying attention (meal times and landing) so it seems overstaffed, but may be cycling in and out of their rest break during cruise when reduced staffing levels are needed since most people are sleeping, etc.
Those extra staff probably help when you are paying attention (meal times and landing) so it seems overstaffed, but may be cycling in and out of their rest break during cruise when reduced staffing levels are needed since most people are sleeping, etc.
Oct 24, 2016, 12:49 am
#9
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My impression is that Asian carriers use more FAs than USA legacy airlines.
Oct 24, 2016, 1:08 am
#10
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A 300 passenger aircraft would, I imagine, generally have eight full exit doors requiring at least eight cabin crew.
A couple more for the premium cabins is not that many.
A couple more for the premium cabins is not that many.
Oct 24, 2016, 2:07 am
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It made the word 'enhancement' an invective on the LH forum. Or "hate speech" as modern college students'd refer to it.
Oct 24, 2016, 2:46 am
#12
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I don't know how 6 flight attendants could evacuate 300 economy passengers in an emergency.
I'd sure as heck want more than 1 FA in business class or first.
I'd sure as heck want more than 1 FA in business class or first.
Oct 24, 2016, 3:08 am
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Oct 24, 2016, 7:10 am
#14
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I've noticed ANA do have FA's positioned at the overwing exits, but UA don't on theirs (the ANA planes are a touch denser though, i.e. have less business seating and more Y, so maybe that changes the requirements for door staffing).
Oct 25, 2016, 6:54 pm
#15
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But for the heavier doors with a floatation device ... I think I'd be good to have a trained professional.
I'd sure as heck want more than 1 FA in business class or first.