Ask Captain Lim ~ All about Aviation

Hi Captain Lim,

I am a very fearful flier and have learned a lot from your site. Many Mahalos!

Last week, I flew on a non-stop flight from Newark to Honolulu. The plane was a Boeing 767. The row next to me did not have any passengers. When people asked the flight attendants whether they could sit there, they were told that they could not because it was for the pilots. Sure enough, during the flight, 2 pilots took turns sleeping in those seats which, they covered with blankets.
 

I was under the impression that 2 pilots were flying the plane at all times. Is this true? Is it possible that the 2 pilots that were sleeping were just "extras" and not the ones actually flying the plane? I just feel that 2 people should be awake and at the "wheel" at all times in case anything happens to one.

Also, if I call the airlines, will they give me information regarding how many pilots were on that flight? Please respond at your earliest convenience.

Thanks again for you site.

Tiffany.

Hi Tiffany,

The two pilots who took turns sleeping on the passengers' seat were part of the extra or relief crew. While they were sleeping or having a rest, there were always two pilots in the cockpit flying the plane at all times.

Unlike long haul plane such as the Boeing 777, the Boeing 767 does not have bunks or beds for the relief pilots. Hence, two seats are always blocked for them. The reason they were not there during the take off was because they were in the cockpit. Yes, the cockpit can accommodate up to 4 pilots – the two extra pilots on the observation seats.

Normally the airlines would not reveal the number of pilots on a particular flight. If the length of the journey would exceed the pilot duty limitation time then, by regulations, the plane must be crewed by either three or four pilots.

Yes, there were at least three or four pilots flying you from Newark to Honolulu! :-)