[Blueflag]

dudes -- settle down, please.

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/jetliner/b777/ <-- will tell you that the service ceiling of a triple 7 is just over 43,000 feet. But there is a union reason AND a flight safety/procedure reason why commercial passenger aircraft rarely go to FL 410. Exec jets bust FL410 all the time, but not so much the Boeings.

The trash haulers here on FR can tell you why (it has to do with deep, long-lasting marks on the First Officers' faces ;-) )

[safisoft]

But there is a union reason AND a flight safety/procedure reason why commercial passenger aircraft rarely go to FL 410.

I am not sure what you mean by a 'union' reason. I am ALPA, and it does not dictate operating practices at various airlines.