Category Archives for Aircraft.
The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fallen, and he fled the country. However there are reports that his plane crashed. While this is not fully confirmed, the aircraft may have been shot down. It disappeared from radar.
The plane crashed into a two-story residential building about 0.9 nautical miles from the runway. It skidded several hundred meters before impact, bursting into flames upon collision. The building was set on fire, along with nearby smaller structures and a car. Emergency services successfully evacuated all 12 residents from the building without injuries.
Even though the Airbus A330-200s were parked four and a half years ago, that fleet is still only about 13 years old on average. It was larger in quantity and newer than the 9 orphan -300s which were certainly on the way out, even without the pandemic.
These planes were ex-US Airways, from shortly before taking over American, and had just been retrofit to offer premium economy before being parked.
There’s something special about flying a widebody aircraft domestically. These are larger and usually more spacious planes, designed to take passengers across oceans. Many passengers simply find them more enjoyable.
U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor has introduced a fresh twist to Boeing’s high-stakes plea deal with the Department of Justice, a resolution set to address the company’s role in two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. Central to the judge’s focus is a brief reference to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the DOJ’s plan to appoint an independent compliance monitor.
British Airways is still in cost-cutting mode. They just can’t help themselves. The latest is that they’re serving breakfast for lunch because it’s cheaper.
Yesterday, an incident involving American Airlines Flight flight 47 from London Heathrow to Chicago, occurred on Taxiway Bravo after arrival at approximately 3 p.m. As the Boeing 787-9 was taxiing to its gate, it ingested a cargo container into its right (#2) engine, causing severe damage to the engine. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Tensions between Nigeria and Libya have flared after Libya seemingly used air traffic control to gain an edge in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying soccer match between the two national teams.
Nigeria’s national team was flying to Benghazi – and had its permission to land pulled at the last minute, sending them to an airport 135 miles away (that wasn’t even their diversion airport) and denying them accommodations on the ground where they were left stuck for about 19 hours. Nigeria’s Super Eagles ultimately declined to play the match.
Boeing’s 777X widebody program won’t see commercial service until (at least) 2026. And Tim Clark is on a warpath over what’s now a six year delay. He offered, “I fail to see how Boeing can make any meaningful forecasts of delivery dates” at this point. Just last year he increased the carrier’s order book to 256 777X widebodies – adding 55 -9s and 35 -8s at the Dubai Air Show.
Now, he says, unless the aircraft manufacturer can raise the $10 billion it’s seeking in new equity, “I see an imminent investment downgrade with Chapter 11 looming on the horizon.”
If you’re a coach passenger, can you use the bathroom up front in first class? What if a flight attendant’s drink cart is blocking the aisle and you can’t make your way to the back and you really have to go? (And yes, a passenger was arrested for making the wrong choice.)
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
