Has there been any info as to the nationality of the pilots? Do the regs still allow for flights that are scheduled under 12 hours to operate with two pilots and a third as a relief pilot? Been retired a long time-things change!
I really have to agree with the poster that expressed concern for the pilots involved. How they must feel. For 36 years I sat in the pointy end of everything from the dc9-10 to the 747 and came to realize that as pilots we have to do everything possible to hone skills and then hope that luck is our companion.