The Rigorous Schedule of Ultra Long Haul Flight Crew: Insights and Facts
Ultra long haul flights are a fundamental part of modern air travel, connecting distant continents and facilitating global trade and tourism. However, the demands placed on the crew of these flights are often overlooked. This article aims to demystify the challenge and realities of the flight crew schedule, offering detailed insights into their working lives.
Understanding the Workload
In the aviation industry, crew schedules for typical long haul flights are meticulously planned to ensure they comply with international aviation laws and company policies. The standard schedule for a long haul flight typically involves 12 to 14 workdays per month, with approximately 6 to 8 flying days.
Out and Back Flights: Legs such as Seattle to Beijing or Shanghai generally cover two 10 to 12-hour flights, totaling about 35 hours. Breaking it down, the crew spends 3 days with a workload equivalent to around 74 hours.
Alternatively, a more demanding schedule involves 11 to 13-day trips with 6 or 7 legs, totaling approximately 78 hours. According to this pattern, crew members typically work 4 days per week, allowing for a rotation over three weeks.
Example: LAX to Hong Kong
Consider the scenario of a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong. In this case, the crew benefits from a 48-hour layover for rest. The flight itself is approximately 14 hours each way, making the total travel duration around four days. This schedule can be replicated up to three times a month, plus a few additional short flights known as filers. These filers are categorized as quick turnaround flights within the same region.
Variations in the Schedule
The crew schedule can vary significantly and is often influenced by the route. For instance, a flight from London with an origin in Vancouver that ultimately terminates in Hong Kong via Europe and return flights could keep the crew away from their home base for a period close to 15 days. This extensive travel often includes one or two day stopovers, providing some rest and a chance to reconnect with loved ones.
Crew Changes and Limitations
During long haul flights, especially over 10 hours, crew changes are commonly implemented to comply with airline and aviation regulations. For example, in past scenarios, an international flight from London to Hong Kong would typically involve a crew change after the 10-hour flight segment, ensuring pilots maintain their alertness and capabilities.
In more stringent regions like the USA, flight time regulations are even more strict. Pilots are limited to 8 hours of duty time per day, which can be extended to 10 hours in cases of augmented crews. These regulations are part of a comprehensive framework to protect the well-being and safety of both the crew and passengers. The monthly limit is set at 100 hours, with an annual cap of 1000 hours.
Conclusion
The journey of ultra long haul flight crew is remarkable and demanding. It involves a delicate balance of skill, discipline, and commitment. Their schedules are tightly regulated to ensure safety and compliance, yet their contributions to the aviation industry and global connectivity are indispensable.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to recognize and support the efforts of these skilled professionals. Understanding their schedules and the challenges they face can help in enhancing the overall aviation experience for all involved.