Article: Should Airlines & Hotels Offer Last-Minute Discounts?

[MEL_Traveller]

I do recall a few QantasLink Q300 flights with only one flight attendant, rather than the usual two. Those were all lightly loaded flights with ~20 pax onboard. I’m guessing 2 FAs would have been required if the actual passenger count was above 36?

Cathay also did that for some of their 747 and 777 first class cabins into china. Not because of minimum crew from a safety aspect, but rather not enough crew to service the cabin.

My understanding is that in the event of a sudden and unexpected crew illness before departure (particularly at an outstation?), exemption may be given to operate below minimums. IIRC I read somewhere a whole section of economy was blocked off because there was no crew member available for an exit.

 

[brucemoon]

Isn't that what lastminute.com was originally set up to achieve?

Having a third party offer discounted product makes business sense.

But, with the American corporates now in control, ideas such as yours go nowhere.