How Many Crew For A Transatlantic Flight?

[jcooke]

Hi all,

What's the typical staffing for a transatlantic flight for FA's and crew? For instance, 6 FA, 3 flight crew?

Thanks!

-JC

 

[USAirBoyA330]

A330 is 9 F/A's and 3 Pilots.

 

[jcooke]

thx for the info!

 

[PSA1979]

767 is 6 f/a and 3 flight crew

 

[BizJet]

On the A330, is the cabin crew staffing divided 4 FA's in Envoy and 5 in Coach or 5 in Envoy and 4 in Coach?

What was the staffing on the A330 and 767 during the pinacle of US Airways Transatlantic service, when the A330 was launched featuring three cabins of service and the US Airways Transatlantic product -- in all cabins and even on the 767 -- was truly a premium product of choice?

 

[PSA1979]

Transatlantic

A330 now 4 Envoy 5 coach
767 now 2 Envoy 4 coach

A330 3 class - 2 First 5 Envoy 6 coach
A330 3 class - 2 First 5 Envoy 5 coach
A330 3 class - 1 First 5 Envoy 5 coach
A330 2 class - 5 Envoy 6 coach
A330 2 class - 5 Envoy 5 coach

767 2 class - 3 Envoy 5 coach

 

[phllax]

I thought the 330 started with 14 FA positions

 

[Light Years]

6 F/As? Until a couple years ago, six was nothing... all 757s had six F/As, whether you were going to Hartford or Los Angeles or what have you. US was notorious for overstaffing it's cabins, and it earned us the now diminshed reputation for great service.

BizJet, when the A330 first came on line there were 14 F/As on it, and the service really was impeccable. To put it in perspective, when it was still three classes, First Class had two F/As for the six seats that were up there. The First cabin is still there but it's just an extension of Envoy Class now.

I used to love doing the safety demo, perfectly in sync with all of the other F/As. We thought we were the Cat's Meow, and we were.

 

[732guy]

why do we have 3 pilots for transatlantic? doesn't that diminish the point of having a 2 person cockpit?

 

[Mtnman928]

why do we have 3 pilots for transatlantic? doesn't that diminish the point of having a 2 person cockpit?

[post="240867"][/post]​

11-12 hour flight gets a little trying for just 2 guys. The IRO is included to give each pilot a break. Not to mention FAR requirements.

Mtnman

 

[PSA1979]

I thought the 330 started with 14 FA positions

[post="240825"][/post]​

The 14th F/A position on the A330 when it first arrived was an extra Coordinator. They made sure we did the service correctly and helped out if we needed it. They weren't really a "working crew member" as they were in uniform some and not other times during the first year.

The 3rd flight deck crew member is an International Relief Officer (IRO) that is required by the FAA on flights (or days) that are scheduled for more than 8 flight hours. We have them on all (except when they are shorthanded the MAN, DUB, SNN flights which are under 8 hours each way) transoceanic and some Carribbean trips.

 

[jcavinato]

First transAtlantic in U's 330s was fantastic. My last trip with with my wife, Rome to PHL -- we were the only two passengers in first. Going over we had a air marshall across the cabin. One F/A in each direction.

From 1993 to 2001 I was over and back on U transAtlantic every three weeks -- all in Envoy or first. Great people! got to know the rythem of the flight, where the sun was and the time (westbounds), how much longer the flight, and more. Eastbound, my trick in not getting jetlag was to have no caffeine or alcohol and very little protein the day of the flight. I'd have pasta at either PIT or PHL. On the plane I would only have salad. Take an aspirin and sleepy time tea, and got a good six hours sleep. Would awake when I felt the first move to initial descent. Get up, put shoes back on, go wash up, and get ready for landing. Actually nice memories. Westbound, with a window seat, I got my best concepting and creative writing done. I always called USAirway's transAtlantics my best working productivity tool.

 

[cirrus]

jcavinato-

Thanks for the jet lag tip.