Airbus 320 series cut and shut

[TVR1]

So, on the way back from Geneva yesterday with Swissair on an A319 and one of the people I was with was looking for their seat. He ended up being a bit stumped as the seats went from row 15 to row 26 IIRC just aft of the wing section. Trying to keep things light hearted, as I am not a particularly good flyer, I quipped that...

'yeah, they do that when the plane has had a crash before. It is sometimes quicker to cut the damaged bit out and just join the back bit to the front, but sometimes they forget to change the seat numbers!'

A very worried look followed and I explained that actually, an A319 is a shortened version of an A320.

My question is, is it only Airbus who jump seat numbers? Or is it common practice/a cost thing/airline thing? Or, was this particular plane originally going to be an A320 but the delivery customer changed specs at the last minute?

Very nice on Swissair, BTW.

Edited by TVR1 on Saturday 8th January 11:47

[doodles19]

I hate to rush in and be a keyboard warrior.

But surely even if it does smack a little of a cut and shut type jobbie, surely they have to be rebuilt to very high standards to be allowed to carry passengers again?

[pokethepope]

doodles19 said:

I hate to rush in and be a keyboard warrior.

But surely even if it does smack a little of a cut and shut type jobbie, surely they have to be rebuilt to very high standards to be allowed to carry passengers again?

Surely any crash severe enough to warrant cutting parts out would condemn the entire airframe?

[Eric Mc]

Was there a gap for the emergency overwing exits?

[doodles19]

pokethepope said:

doodles19 said:

I hate to rush in and be a keyboard warrior.

But surely even if it does smack a little of a cut and shut type jobbie, surely they have to be rebuilt to very high standards to be allowed to carry passengers again?

Surely any crash severe enough to warrant cutting parts out would condemn the entire airframe?

I am not going to lie to you...

I have NO idea about aviation engineering at all , merely speculation.

[Eric Mc]

doodles19 said:

pokethepope said:

doodles19 said:

I hate to rush in and be a keyboard warrior.

But surely even if it does smack a little of a cut and shut type jobbie, surely they have to be rebuilt to very high standards to be allowed to carry passengers again?

Surely any crash severe enough to warrant cutting parts out would condemn the entire airframe?

I am not going to lie to you...

I have NO idea about aviation engineering at all , merely speculation.

You don't tend to see "cut and shut" airliners - although the technique does get used sometimes on other types of aircraft. The R101 airship was a cut and shut job as was the North American X-15A2.

Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 8th January 12:03

[TVR1]

Eric Mc said:

Was there a gap for the emergency overwing exits?

Yes, but only one each side. I did wonder about this as the A320 we went out on had two overwing each side. 6 Rows in front of me, rather than 6 and 7 rows infront-I was in row 26 )bit anal to remember that, I guess, but I like to count the rows, you know, just in case I have to use them and can't see.

Logically of course, this would be correct, as less PAX means less emergency exits required.

Edited by TVR1 on Saturday 8th January 12:32

[thehappyotter]

Just a guess, could it have had the interior from a 320 or 321 fitted for some reason. Maybe as part of an interior upgrade or following a major check and they've had to miss rows out so it'd fit?

[Ultuous]

I reckon it's something to do with their internal systems for allocating (and also being able to identify on the fly) seats - quick look on their website reveals there's a business/ economy split between number sequences:

linky

[Ultuous]

Just checked out the 319 arrangement as well and I reckon that confirms my theory - looks like they allocate business from 1 upwards and cattle from 36 down!

[Hard-Drive]

Cool, I'm flying Swiss to Geneva next week, good that they are recommended!

Talking of funny Airbuses, I can see this very aircraft from my office window, sat on the tarmac at BHX...

[john_p]

The Beluga is certainly a cut and shut

[sneijder]

I work with Swiss, and I have no idea why they do it.

Boeings usually never have a row 13.

[perdu]

Hard-Drive said:

Cool, I'm flying Swiss to Geneva next week, good that they are recommended!

Talking of funny Airbuses, I can see this very aircraft from my office window, sat on the tarmac at BHX...

She must have come in from the south

from the north er'd have flown over my roof and boy would I be piffed oss to find out I'd missed that bugger

[Groovydale]

perdu said:

Hard-Drive said:

Cool, I'm flying Swiss to Geneva next week, good that they are recommended!

Talking of funny Airbuses, I can see this very aircraft from my office window, sat on the tarmac at BHX...

She must have come in from the south

from the north er'd have flown over my roof and boy would I be piffed oss to find out I'd missed that bugger

One of them flys out of Broughton most mornings. Always pop out of the house as she comes overhead