Airlines are getting tough on ‘personal items,’ and it could cost you

If you’re stopped before boarding, it can come as a costly surprise: Your “personal item” is too big to bring on the plane. For Sergio Diaz, it was a projector he used for his keynote presentations. “It’s not much bigger than a laptop,” said Diaz, a professional speaker from Los Angeles. But on a recent flight from Los Angeles to New York, an American Airlines gate agent declared the projector was too large to fit under his seat, and he had to pay $50 to check it. Airlines are usually clear… (www.msn.com) More...

Shuttered South African airline Comair sues Boeing over 737 MAX purchases

A shuttered South African airline sued Boeing Co for fraud over its agreement to buy eight 737 MAX planes and seeks damages of at least $83 million. Boeing "placed profits over safety and led with a plan of deception," Comair's suit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Seattle said. Boeing declined to comment. Comair said Boeing committed fraud over its failure to disclose problems with a key flight control system tied to two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 in Indonesia… (www.msn.com) More...

More Investment is Needed for For Sustainable Aviation To Take Off

he aviation industry, under increasing pressure to curb its fast-growing carbon emissions, is placing huge bets on both sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and electric aviation to meet its net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050. But while some predictions are optimistic, including that the aviation industry will be 25 percent electric or hybrid by 2025, a more likely scenario is that the first fully electric flights will be limited to a few regional or short-haul trips. Yet with an estimated half… (www.triplepundit.com) More...

Aviation expert reveals the safest place to sit on a plane

An aviation expert has revealed the seats you may want to avoid during a crash and the safest place to sit on a plane. While Doug Drury, a professor and head of aviation at Central Queensland University, is overwhelming positivity about the safety of planes past research has given clues to which seats passengers may want to avoid when booking. (www.aerotime.aero) More...

Europe’s Aviation Authority Keeps 2 Pilots in Cockpit For Commercial Flights, For Now

The airline industry has pushed for loosening the two-pilot rule for decades, with some carriers clamoring more loudly during the Covid-19 pandemic. A global pilot shortage came to a head last summer, when travelers were routinely encountering up to 20,000 delayed flights every day, and has given pilot unions leverage in negotiating some fat salary bumps for their members. (www.forbes.com) More...

Mitsubishi gives up on Japan's first domestically manufactured passenger jet

Lessons learned could be applied to a next-gen fighter, says company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), a core company within Japan's Mitsubishi Group, announced on Tuesday that it was finally killing its regional aircraft, the SpaceJet.… Although the decision was already made internally, Mitsubishi released the details of the cancelation to the public within its Q3 2022 reports. The company said it was "unable to find sufficient business feasibility to resume development" of the… (www.msn.com) More...

Austin airport plane incident under Federal Aviation Administration investigation

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Federal Aviation Administration said it was looking into an incident involving two planes at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Saturday. The National Transportation Safety Board initially tweeted about a “possible runway incursion and overflight” that involved a Southwest Airlines plane and a FedEx cargo plane. (www.kxan.com) More...

The Best Tool for the Job: Assessing Languages for Microservice Development at FlightAware

Most of the posts on the Angle of Attack blog look to the past. "This is how we solved a hard technical problem;" "here's how we designed a product;" "here's how I optimized something." This post takes a different approach, as it speaks more to what FlightAware will do rather than what it has done. My hope is that it will give readers some insight into how significant technical decisions are made at FlightAware. (flightaware.engineering) More...

EASA rejects single pilot operations

Feb 7 (Reuters) - Europe's aviation regulator has ruled out an industry push to allow planes to be crewed by just pilot by 2030 but said it is considering allowing limited single-person operation for parts of flights as early as 2027. The regulator is weighing a pitch from European planemakers Airbus SE (AIR.PA) and Dassault Aviation SA (AM.PA) for solo flying in the cruise phase, which is less demanding than take-off and landing, when at least two pilots would still have to be in the… (airwaysmag.com) More...

Boeing to slash about 2,000 white-collar jobs in finance and HR

At the end of last month, on the same day that Boeing touted plans to hire 10,000 people this year, senior leadership convened virtual meetings internally to break bad news to nonunion staff in human resources and finance. Despite the growth elsewhere, those corporate positions will be slashed through substantial job cuts and layoffs. (www.seattletimes.com) More...

Restructured Norwegian to Add Six Boeing 737 MAX Jets

OSLO, NORWAY — Restructured low-cost airline Norwegian has taken a major step in expanding its fleet by signing a Letter of Intent with Air Lease Corporation (ALC) to lease six Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Airlines Flying to More Than 100 Destinations Worldwide

DALLAS — According to IATA and ICAO data, there are more than 1000 airlines flying across the globe, but few of them fly to more than 100 destinations. Today we look at the passenger airlines that have achieved this milestone. (airwaysmag.com) More...

Russia Plans To Use Western Aircraft Until 2030, Despite Safety Concerns

MOSCOW, RUSSIA — In an interview with a local news agency, Alexander Neradko, the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport, stated that Western-made airliners used by Russian carriers can continue to "easily fly" until 2030 since work is done to maintain their airworthiness. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

A Russian passenger plane caught fire in Thailand after a top Russian official said the country's planes were safe despite sanctions on its airlines

Passengers captured video of a Russian passenger plane that caught fire as it was preparing to depart from the Phuket International Airport in Thailand. Cellphone video obtained by The Sun shows the plane's wing smoking while the plane drives across the airport's tarmac. (www.insider.com) More...

All-You-Can-Fly: Frontier Launches GoWild! Summer Pass for $399

Frontier recently announced an all-you-can-fly pass for $399 for unlimited flights this summer between May 2nd and September 30th. There is also an annual pass option currently at a discounted $1,299 for the year. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

AH-64 crashes at TKA/PATK Talkeetna, Alaska airport, 2 injured

An AH-64 Attack Helicopter from Ft. Wainwright, Alaska (FBK/PAWI) crashed on a training flight at the Talkeetna, Alaska airport. 2 injured soldiers were treated at hospitals. (www.adn.com) More...

FAA proposes more than $1 million fine on United Airlines over preflight safety checks

The FAA alleged United removed a fire-system warning check from its Boeing 777 checklist. The agency said the carrier operated more than 100,000 flights that didn't meet airworthiness requirements. United has 30 days to respond to the FAA's enforcement letter. The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it is proposing a more than $1.1 million penalty against United Airlines for allegedly failing to perform required fire system safety checks on its Boeing 777s. (www.msn.com) More...

Azores Airlines Leases A Plus Ultra Airbus A330 For 4 North American Routes

Azores Airlines has revealed that it will use a wet-leased Plus Ultra A330-200 on four US and Canada routes during the summer. They'll replace the carrier's own 186/190-seat A321LRs/non-LR neos, providing much more capacity for the all-important peak period. Previously known as SATA Internacional, the airline is used to widebodies: it retired the last of its A310-300s in 2018, the same year its sole A330-200 left. And it has leased the A340-300 from Hi Fly and Plus Ultra, the A330 from… (www.msn.com) More...

Feathered Propellers Appears To Be Behind January's Yeti Airlines ATR Crash

Yeti Airlines flight YT691 crashed while landing in Pokhara, Nepal, on January 15th. Now, just over three weeks on from the tragic crash, data from the aircraft’s flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders is beginning to shed some more light on what happened. According to investigators, initial findings suggest that an engine problem was behind the crash, with the team leading the investigation saying, "Flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder of the Yeti Airlines ATR-72… (www.msn.com) More...

Burrell Aviation taps former Southwest exec for cargo push

Cargo is migrating to smaller airports, but they don't have the resources to build warehouses and ramps. Enter Burrell Aviation. (www.freightwaves.com) More...

Vistara Fined $84,000 For Missing Flight Target For Northeast India

India’s full-service airline Vistara has been fined by the aviation regulator for failing to meet the target of its flights operating to the northeastern part of the country. Indian aviation guidelines mandate airlines to operate a certain percentage of their flights to underserved airports. Vistara is said to have fallen short of meeting the target after canceling some flights to the northeast due to poor weather. Missed by a whisker Vistara has been fined over $84,000 for not operating the… (www.msn.com) More...

LATAM Announces New Flights Between Colombia & Ecuador

LATAM Colombia has announced that it will be adding a direct flight from Bogotá to Guayaquil to its flight network. The announcement comes as the Colombian subsidiary of the Latin American airline group looks to expand its offerings and capitalize on revitalized demand. The new route Flights on the new route from El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogotá to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) in Guayaquil will commence on March 26th of this year and be serviced by LATAM… (www.msn.com) More...

Lima Airport To Open New Runway And ATC Tower In April

Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) is set to open the next stage of a significant expansion and overhaul in the coming months. The airport's new Air Traffic Control Tower and a second runway are officially due to begin operations on April 1st, 2023. The facilities were completed at the end of last year and have been undergoing final checks and certification processes ahead of their entry into commercial service. The new tower and runaway were initially scheduled to open… (www.msn.com) More...

Qantas Restarts Flights To Hong Kong For The 1st Time in 3 Years

Qantas is back in Hong Kong. After almost three years of absence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the flying kangaroo will connect Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Initially operating three times per week, the carrier will increase the connection to a daily service from February 27. Victorian's will join on March 26, when Qantas will re-commence Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) to Hong Kong. Both Sydney and… (www.msn.com) More...

The world’s favourite airline? It’s certainly not British Airways anymore

British Airways is getting its comms wrong. Banning pilots and hostesses from posting on social media while they work shows the airline prioritises money over its employees, writes Eliot Wilson Next year British Airways will celebrate its golden anniversary. Fifty years! You get less for murder. The company’s lineage goes back much further than that, to the earliest days of air passenger travel, and BA’s marketing department chose to mark its centenary in 2019. But the facts do not lie: it was… (www.msn.com) More...

Measles Warning Issued To Passengers On Etihad Boeing 777 To Melbourne

A positive measles case has raised concern for Australian and New Zealand Health authorities. (simpleflying.com) More...

Investigation Launched Into Close Call Between Southwest Airlines & FedEx Planes

The two aircraft reportedly came within 100 ft of one another during the near miss. (simpleflying.com) More...

GOL's Chile & Peru Flights To Remain Suspended

Brazilian low-cost carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas has revealed it will not resume flights to Chile and Peru after both destinations were set to return to its network this year. The airline is also set to scrap flights to Cancun, Mexico, this month. GOL keeps Chile and Peru suspended The carrier had initially planned to restart flights to Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) on March 29th, followed by a return to Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) on June 2nd. However,… (www.msn.com) More...

JetBlue Airlines Has Good News For Its Passengers

In the wake of rival Southwest's struggles, JetBlue has decided to make some key changes. Travel points are huge if you know how to earn them, since they can be used for free or discounted flights and hotels, as well as other travel incidentals. In some cases, expensive trips can become affordable or even free if points are earned and used properly. Airline JetBlue's (JBLU) - Get Free Report travel points can be earned by being a TrueBlue member when booking car rentals, hotel stays,… (www.msn.com) More...

Turkey Ground Handling Staff May Stop Servicing Russian Airlines' Boeing Jets

Although several Russian carriers have started ramping up their international flight schedules, not every airport ground service provider is keen to work with the airlines and their fleets. Turkey's largest ground handling company Havas is one example, as it wrote a letter to Russian and Belarusian airlines warning that it might stop providing ground services to them. Ground services may be denied The letter was sent to these airlines - including Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, Rossiya… (www.msn.com) More...

The KC-46: Boeing's Military 767 With A 787-Style Cockpit

A little over two years ago, Simple Flying took a look at Airbus' modified A330-200 variant designed to serve as a military support aircraft - otherwise known as the A330 MRTT. Today, we'll examine Boeing's answer to this product: The modified 767-200 designated as the KC-46 Pegasus. Aircraft mission and capabilities Like the A330 MRTT, the KC-46 Pegasus was also designed to be a multi-role tanker and transport aircraft. As is fairly obvious in the description, the aircraft is… (www.msn.com) More...

Amsterdam Schiphol Passengers Could Be Charged $3 Suitcase Fee Amid Staff Recruitment Goals

Here we go again. European airports might face another challenge as handling companies do not have enough personnel to accommodate increasing demand during peak holiday seasons. For instance, Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), one of Europe's largest hubs, is unhappy with the number of baggage handlers currently employed. However, a solution to the lack of staff might have been found. Nonetheless, it might not sound ideal to Schiphol's passengers. Let's see why. (www.msn.com) More...

Airbus A321neo Cockpit Anadolujet by Turkish Airlines to Antalya & Paris

Airbus A321neo Cockpit Anadolujet by Turkish Airlines to Antalya & Paris (www.youtube.com) More...

Close call at Austin Airport when a FedEx 767 attempted to land while a Southwest 737 was taking off

The Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board are investigating an aborted landing in Austin, Texas, on Saturday morning by a FedEx cargo plane that had been set to land on a runway on which a Southwest Airlines jet was also cleared to depart from, the agencies said. (airlive.net) More...

A350s, A321s And More: The German Air Force's Special Air Mission Wing

A look at the German government's special air transportation, which includes Airbus A350s and A321LRs. (simpleflying.com) More...

How US shot down Chinese 'spy' balloon and what's next

A Chinese balloon, which has been floating over the US for the past week, was shot down in a puff of smoke and debris on Saturday. (www.indiatoday.in) More...

U.S. military shoots down suspected Chinese surveillance balloon

The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that had been transiting across the country for several days. (www.cnbc.com) More...

FAA iissues ground stops at East Coast Airports, Ballon Shot Down

Esst Coast Airports, NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC(CRE), WILMINGTON, NC(ILM), MYRTLE BEACH, SC(MYR), CHARLESTON, SC(CHS) Are on ground stops by the FAA in an apparant anticipation of the shooting down of the Chinese Ballon when it reaches open waters of the Atlantic. News reports shows ballon after being shot. Disregard the Narritive. 0 (www.youtube.com) More...

FAA Approves Aspen Pro MAX, Garmin GFC 600 Integration Software

Aspen Avionics has received FAA approval for new software that will allow Garmin’s GFC 600 digital autopilot to be integrated with the Aspen EFD1000 Pro MAX primary flight display (PFD). The Pro MAX v2.12 software update will enable GFC 600 interface features... (www.avweb.com) More...

The Chinese spy balloon currently over the US is flying 50,000ft toward East

According to our information, the ballon is flying 50,000ft toward East. (airlive.net) More...

The former French aircraft carrier "Foch" was sunk in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

The decision is strongly criticized by several organizations for the defense of the environment as the former flagship of the French navy, bought by Brazil in 2000, is filled with asbestos, paints and other toxic waste. (airlive.net) More...

Chinese spy balloon enters US airspace: What we know

Chinese spy balloon was 'intentional,' US official says (www.foxnews.com) More...

Thermal testing for NASA X-57 electric plane before first flight

NASA’s X-57 Maxwell all-electric aircraft reached another milestone recently toward its first flight with the successful thermal testing of its cruise motor controllers. (dcnewsroom.blogspot.com) More...

No floaty Hercs just yet!

MC-130Js on floats were announced in Sept. 2021, expected to demo in 2023 but now put on the back burner. (www.thedrive.com) More...

Icelandair to Announce Future Aircraft Fleet Strategy

Icelandair is close to announcing the airline’s fleet strategy, as it looks to a future without the iconic Boeing 757 aircraft. The Icelandic carrier currently has thirteen 757s in the operation of both the -200 and -300 variants that the airline cites as giving long range and versatility ‘making them ideal for U.S. West Coast and Canada operations’. (airlinegeeks.com) More...

Hainan Airlines Resumes Flights with Boeing 737 MAX 8, Becomes Second Chinese Carrier to Reintroduce Grounded Jet

HAINAN, CHINA — Hainan Airlines resumed its flights on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, becoming the second airline in China to bring back the single-aisle aircraft to service after a four-year grounding. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Analysis-Airbus and Boeing try to fill giant factories with small jets

PARIS – Airbus and Boeing have set the stage for the next chapter in their titanic rivalry by remodelling two of the world’s largest buildings – gutted by changes in air travel. As the last Boeing 747 leaves its factory later on Tuesday, part of the company’s historic wide-body plant has been earmarked for production of in-demand smaller jets, matching a change of focus at the home of the defunct Airbus A380. (www.euronews.com) More...

See inside the Boeing 767 freighter that shuttles thousands of pounds of packages per day for companies like DHL and Amazon

As people stayed home during lockdown, e-commerce started to boom. But, a labor shortage, coupled now with shifts in demand and the ongoing war in Ukraine, caused the global movement of goods to slow down. (sports.yahoo.com) More...

Japan Airlines Teases A350-1000 Introduction

DALLAS – Japan Airlines (JL) has revealed the first route that will be served by its soon-to-be-delivered new flagship aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000. (airwaysmag.com) More...

Suspected Chinese spy balloon found over northern U.S.

“The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told NBC News. “We continue to track and monitor it closely.” Secondary story with pictures: https://www.kulr8.com/news/report-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-spotted-over-billings/article_cb4d11b6-a328-11ed-83cb-fbf1388f61fe.html (www.nbcnews.com) More...