Aircraft

Category Archives for Aircraft.

Libya’s Wild Air Traffic Control Stunt Diverts And Strands Nigerian Soccer Team, Putting Africa Cup In Jeopardy

by Gary Leff

Oct 17 2024

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.

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Emirates President: “Chapter 11 Looming On The Horizon” For Boeing

by Gary Leff

Oct 14 2024

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.”

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Flights Diverted Yesterday To Avoid Iranian Missiles After They Failed To Close Its Airspace Before Launching Attack

by Gary Leff

Oct 02 2024

Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday. However, they failed to close their airspace prior to the launch. With no NOTAM issued, their skies were full of commercial airliners, with several observing the launches. On this one from Dubai the missiles were filmed coming from an IRGC base in South Shiraz.

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Window Seat Showdown: Passengers Lose Control As Crew Lock Shades Mid-Flight

by Gary Leff

Sep 28 2024

Cabin crew kept the windows locked in the dimmed position beginning after takeoff, and up until final approach to London Heathrow.

She is a fearful flyer in turbulence, and asked flight attendants to let her open her window. She was told they would, but didn’t, and believes that window seat passengers should have control of the window. She’ll even choose planes with manual window shades in the future, so she doesn’t give up control of them to flight attendants. She was just too scared when turbulence hit.

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Hidden Danger: Imminent Government Crackdown On JSX Will Devastate Rural Air Service And Kill Electric Aircraft Innovation

by Gary Leff

Sep 14 2024

Most small rural airports aren’t ever going to be served by the major commercial airlines. 90% of the airports in the country aren’t usable by part 121 carriers but most are open to part 135.

Even where they can use the airports, it’s not economical for their pilots and planes with just a few passengers on board. But new, fuel efficient planes are a few years from market… as long as there remains a market.

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Wide Open Using Your Miles: Fly Business Class To Europe On Singapore Airlines

by Gary Leff

first class cabin
Aug 15 2024

Whenever an airline discounts awards on a route, it’s worth checking to see whether availability is really good. Usually a discount corresponds to a flight being lightly booked.

Similarly, when a flight is new it often takes awhile to book up, and award space can be good. Or an airline might initially load inventory for a new flight with plenty of space.

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