russia

Tag Archives for russia.

Passengers Showed Up For A Regional Flight — Then Boarded A Cargo Plane With Folding Seats And Luggage Strapped Down The Middle

by Gary Leff on January 27, 2026

Jan 27 2026

Passengers boarding IrAero flight RD382 from Irkutsk (IKT) to Mama (UIKM) thought they were getting a normal regional turboprop—until the airline swapped in an Antonov An-26 configured like a freighter, with travelers (including kids) on folding sidewall seats and luggage strapped down the center aisle. IrAero says it’s a legitimate combi configuration, but prosecutors are looking at complaints that passengers weren’t warned in advance—an ugly snapshot of what “making do” can say about aviation under sanctions.

Drunk Russian Passenger Demands Alcohol On Dubai–Moscow Flight — Flirts With Seatmate Then Turns On Crew Before Police Escort Her Off

by Gary Leff on December 4, 2025

Dec 04 2025

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Moscow was delayed on the ground after a drunk Russian passenger boarded already agitated, demanded more alcohol, and then tried to turn the drama into flirtation with the man seated next to her. When crew refused to serve her and asked her to calm down, she turned on them instead, yelling in the aisle until airport police boarded, escorted her off the aircraft, and ground staff had to go digging through the hold to pull her bags.

FAA Warns Flights Away From Venezuela — As Washington Pushes a Ukraine Deal That Favors Russia in Exchange for Maduro’s Exit

by Gary Leff on November 23, 2025

Nov 23 2025

The FAA has issued a warning for all operators to avoid Venezuelan airspace, even as international airlines cancel service. The timing aligns with reporting that Washington is pushing Ukraine toward a settlement tilted toward Russia in exchange for Moscow’s acquiescence on removing Nicolás Maduro.

Russia Fires Rockets Into U.S.-Controlled Airspace—Forcing Flights 300 Miles Off Course

by Gary Leff on September 23, 2025

Sep 23 2025

Russia’s rocket firings inside U.S.-controlled Pacific airspace forced transpacific flights, including FedEx and UPS cargo jets, to detour hundreds of miles off course.

Russian Explosive Devices Headed For Transatlantic Flights: Two Failed Attempts Could Lead To New Bans On Everyday Items

by Gary Leff on November 4, 2024

Nov 04 2024

Airlines in some parts of the world are banning passengers from flying with pagers and walkie talkies after Israel took out much of Hezbollah’s command structure by supplying booby trapped devices. Soon in the U.S., though, we may no longer be able to travel with personal massagers – or other personal electronic devices.

Passengers Are Carrying Aircraft Parts In Their Luggage To Keep Russian Airlines Flying

by Gary Leff on May 11, 2024

May 11 2024

Reportedly flight safety incidents more than doubled between 2022 and 2023 as parts inventories ran low.

Now it seems that one way Russian airlines have kept flying – acquiring the spare parts they’ve needed – is having passengers check the parts in their luggage.

Pro-Hamas Rioters Searching For Jews At Russian Airport, Go Door-To-Door In Hotels

by Gary Leff on October 29, 2023

Oct 29 2023

Pro-Hamas demonstrators stormed Makhachkala Uytash Airport in Dagestan, responding to “rumors..that an Israeli aircraft was preparing to land.” Their mission: “Kill Israelis and Jews.” Meanwhile, they stormed a hotel going room to room in search of Israelis.

Emirates Jet Catches On Fire In Russia

by Gary Leff on June 30, 2023

Jun 30 2023

Emirates flight 176 from St. Petersburg, Russia to Dubai caught fire while still on the ground prior to departure. It’s being reported that the fire was in an engine of the Boeing 777, and that passengers were evacuated. The flight currently shows a 3 a.m. estimated departure time, four hours late, but that seems.. optimistic?

Judging from video of the incident I’d have to speculate that it’s not one of the plane’s engines but its auxiliary power unit.

Belarus President Turns Off Plane’s Transponder Over Russian Airspace – Attempted Russia Coup Is Real

by Gary Leff on June 24, 2023

Jun 24 2023

The President of Belarus flew over Russian airspace – but his plane’s transponder was turned off until he had cleared it. Belarus is a vassal state of Putin’s regime. And Putin is facing a coup led by the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

With Prigozhin’s forces targeting military aircraft, VIP aircraft movements taking steps not to be tracked seems… wise.

American Airlines Forced To Stop Codesharing With Cathay Pacific Between New York and Hong Kong

by Gary Leff on November 2, 2022

Nov 02 2022

Cathay Pacific has started routing flights over Russian airspace again, after pausing the practice as a result of Western sanctions which followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Their New York – Hong Kong flight takes a ‘polar route’ which touches the eastern part of Russia, because it’s faster and they don’t have to weight restrict flights as they do taking a longer route.