Looking to non rev next week and I've heard it's a frequently weight restricted flight. Currently over 80 seats available. I'm guessing that's enough if it is weight restricted?

 

depends if the weight restriction is cargo optimization

 

Yes it is very often weight restricted and many S/A's don't get on. We have a cargo contract that pays better than coach seats so sometimes you see empty seats because cargo being protected. Sometimes we have a backlog of cargo. I'd say with 80 open you are ok as I've never seen that many protected. Has gotten a little better with the 777-300 added. But each day is different...might be just fine or perhaps no S/A's get on for a couple days. Have a back up.

 

A problem in DXB is they don’t allow standbys to go through security to the gate until they have confirmed seats. So many times even with seats open non-revs get left behind and I argued with the station manager, they don’t care. You get the same response - they’re not gonna get through security in time and the ticket counter is closed etc., etc. etc.

Riding out of DXB is risky business (sh&t show) it’s a crapshoot at best, good luck.

 

That’s an airport policy. If you go through security then you have left the country and it’s a real pain to get back through and UAL gets in a bit of hot water. At the gate they see what it looks like 45 min before departure. If there is space/weight , then CS will escort you through security to expedite and get you there in time. Otherwise standbys might not make it. What often happens is there ends up being more space/weight available 30 min before departure but no time left to bring anyone up. The cargo loads can change last minute. So yeah, it’s risky.

 

Everywhere is like weight restricted isn’t it?…….so it would seem

80 seats a week out….sounds about right……….check 48 hours prior there will be less than 20……24 hours prior and it’s down to single digits Because?………………….. well Because that’s how it always goes.

This compounded by the security issue explained by others here……..I’d put some rupees 🇮🇳 on your back up plan being exercised.

 

Had 15 S/A’s yesterday to EWR. Got them all on. Only took 5 last week due to weight.

 

For context approximately how many open seats that couldn't be used?

 

Make sure to exchange those Indian Rupees to UAE Dirham first.

 

Ultra long haul flights in 787 being weight restricted is a common thing. I pax to HKG often and it's happens a lot that 50 seats are open but you can't get on because its weight restricted. Sometimes they can wiggle you on in the end sometimes not, but it's common to have to sweat it.

787 was never designed to carry heavy loads of cargo AND heavy loads of pax and go ultra long haul. Never designed to replace the 777, so it unsurprisingly can't.

777 was never designed to replace the 747 and it unsurprisingly couldn't. 777-300 has 50 seats less space than 747-400 and 100 seats less than 747-8i. An effective capacity reduction.

Fuel capacity has a lot to do with being weight restricted. 787 wings are maxed out. No space left to expand it's fuel capacity. Thats why 787-10 range is a joke compared to the A350-1000.

A350 is one notch more capable of an airplane than 787 with a lot more fuel capacity and heavier weights... longer range. 777-X variety is one notch more capable than the A350.

Its a mistake to have the 787 as the exclusive ultra long haul airplane for a serious international airline with nothing more capable in the fleet. It automatically cuts us out of certain markets and limits our capacity to lift payload when we do fly into certain markets which others will no doubt happily lift instead.