This is kind of where we see how well developed and tested our plans are. For example, a 777 aircraft designed to hold 350 people can EASILY hold twice that many, if we’re serious about evacuating the people, rather than making sure we comply with every FAA regulation.
To get to that higher number, you simply prohibit checked bags, no galleys/meals (just water), limited fuel (stop in Alaska), and consider removing seats...people sit on the floor. Or, if you do keep the seats, people sit in the aisles and stand/sit in other areas. The odds of a needing a fast evacuation of a properly functioning aircraft are maybe 1 on 10000...so sometimes it pays to play the odds.
The TEST is whether people whose job it is really THINK about their options, or are they Biden Jr type patronage jobs, for which they are totally unqualified.
We shall see which.
first flight is supposed to be diplomats/staff and then the high risk/patients. Hopefully we can get two or three more in there for the 700 or so remaining. But it’s all relying on having ground crew avail to refuel and coordinating with the other half dozen nations trying to fly their ppl out, too. China has alternately ok’d and denied. We’re back to ok for now I guess. Sure hope it doesn’t turn into Saigon.