CC7028 - Long duty period, with minimal fatigue mitigation in place
Initial Report
We do seasonal flights from {airport A} to {airport B}. As these are a trip out of base for us last year this rotation included an evening in a hotel in the night before. This year, however, we ferry the aircraft in the morning before the scheduled flight.
The ferry flight up to {airport A} takes off at approximately HH:MM and arrives about an hour later, then we have to collect our bags, and wait on the jet bridge whilst the aircraft is prepared, then we get back onboard and board our passengers. We took off again from {airport A} almost 5 hours after most of us had been at the airport for our duty start time.
The pilots on this sector also get switched, with 2 pilots flying the aircraft up to {airport A} and then getting a night stop there before ferrying an empty aircraft back down to base, and 2 new pilots getting on at {airport A} with us, who had a hotel the night before the flight in {airport A}, which is the same arrangement us crew had last year.
It seems totally unfair that the flight crew continue on the same agreement that we were on last year, however we have an extended duty. I feel as though there is very little fatigue mitigation put in place for this trip pattern, as we only get 2 days off rostered both before and after, and they are still only one-night trips down route. I personally felt horrific after landing, and despite having over 12 hours sleep down route, I have woken up today feeling absolutely exhausted.
comments
Company Comment
The rotation referenced includes a short positioning sector operated without passengers, followed by a long-haul commercial flight. Cabin crew are rostered to operate both sectors as a single duty period, with in-flight rest scheduled on the long-haul sector to extend the permitted duty period in line with flight time limitations. This pattern was reviewed by our Fatigue Risk Management (FRM) team prior to implementation and remains subject to ongoing monitoring.
The flight crew operate a different pairing to the cabin crew for a few reasons, due to operational constraints such as base size and rest requirements. Our cabin crew are qualified on all aircraft types out of the base this aircraft departs from, while only a small number of pilots are, therefore we need to roster the majority of them from our main base, which impacts the way we manage our trip pairings. Out of their main base, it is not feasible for them to position then operate both sectors in the same duty period, even with an augmented crew. Instead, they are rostered separately on each leg, with appropriate rest provided between duties. This approach allows greater flexibility in pilot resourcing, particularly where a smaller base limit their availability.
While the pairings for cabin and flight crew differ, both are designed within the relevant regulatory frameworks and have undergone fatigue risk assessment. At this time, no concerns have been raised by the FRM team in relation to this pattern. We continue to monitor fatigue reports across all flying programmes, and any emerging concerns will be reviewed as part of our seasonal evaluation process. This ongoing dialogue ensures that we continue developing efficient and resilient pairings while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our crew.
CHIRP Comment
Flight schedules are frequently adjusted, often with cost considerations as a limiting factor. While it may not always seem fair that flight crew receive hotel accommodation the night before a duty and the cabin crew do not, this is often due to operational requirements, such as the pairings of other trips or simply a matter of cost efficiency. For example, the company may be willing to fund accommodation for two crew members, when necessary, but not for ten.
All flights are planned in accordance with UK Flight Time Limitations (FTLs), and all UK operators are legally required to comply with these regulations. If hotel rooms aren’t provided as part of a trip pattern, it is because they aren’t necessary for the trip to be operated within regulatory limits.
It is essential that crew members make the most of rest opportunities, especially on demanding trip patterns involving long duty days and/or minimum rest. If you believe you are suffering with the effects of fatigue, please report your concerns internally. Cabin crew have a responsibility to inform their operator if they are unfit to perform their duties. Your feedback is essential in helping operators identify and address these issues, promoting safer and healthier working conditions for everyone.