If you like Jazz . . .

[Driver]

. . . take your floaties :!:

Airline removes life vests | The Australian

 

[serfty]

Most AA domestic aircraft do not have life jackets for every seat; indeed as per the article seat cushions are to be used. The safety demonstration refers the the detachable seat cushion you are sitting on (hand holds on underside) and tell you how to use them.

 

[Driver]

I can understand this if you are not flying over water - seems senseless carrying the extra weight. I'm puzzled though with the thought of a plane going down in the drink - perhaps survivors, or even not - if people have a life jacket on, wouldn't recovery be more likely? The article says they only travel without life jackets if less that 80km from shore - but that's a long way. I know it's all hypothetical and the odds of it happening would be off the chart - but given the choice, people might choose to lose 500gm off their baggage allowance.

 

[JohnK]

I would feel much more comfortable having a life jacket on rather than holding onto a flotation device for any length of time.

So if there are 200 seats on the aircraft they save 100kgs by not including life jackets. What a huge difference that is going to make to the fuel burn!

 

[straitman]

So if there are 200 seats on the aircraft they save 100kgs by not including life jackets. What a huge difference that is going to make to the fuel burn!

That is one extra seat they can sell OR pax they can carry at the same weight. Over an airline the size of AA that is significant.

 

[Mal]

What a huge difference that is going to make to the fuel burn!

Theres more to it than just fuel burn. Life Jackets have a limited lifespan (5 or 7 years?) and need to be regularly replaced, maintained, checked, certified etc. And of course, replaced when stupid passengers steal them.

 

[oz_mark]

Theres more to it than just fuel burn. Life Jackets have a limited lifespan (5 or 7 years?) and need to be regularly replaced, maintained, checked, certified etc. And of course, replaced when stupid passengers steal them.

Hmm, how often are they stolen, and how often are aircraft checked for missing lifejackets?