May, 2024

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American Begins the Long and Difficult Task of Fixing the Mess It Created Over the Last Two Years

Cranky Flier

Two weeks ago, the rumors began to swirl. American Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja was out. Or he was at least taking a leave of absence. Or he was working from home. Something was going on, and people in the know began talking. The saga has now ended after a fortnight. Vasu was unceremoniously booted from his job this week. While many of the policies that Vasu drove have not delivered, the ultimate blame has to lie with his boss, CEO Robert Isom.

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Airbus led alliance launches four-year hydrogen trial at three European airports

Aerotime

Airbus is to lead an alliance of industry partners in researching aviation hydrogen handling and refueling at three selected European airports. The group of academic partners, airport operators and hydrogen-industry companies will work with Airbus to demonstrate how small-scale liquid hydrogen aircraft ground operations can be managed. The four-year project, at Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), Stuttgart Airport (STR) and Budapest Airport (BUD), will run as Europe searches for solutions to th

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Measles Case Confirmed On SkyWest-Operated United Airlines Flight From LAX To Fresno

Simple Flying

On Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, a case of measles was reported in Fresno, California, among over 150 cases of the extremely communicable virus that the Centers have reported for Disease Control and Protection (CDC). This illness is of particular concern as the passenger in question, who has since been diagnosed with the virus, had recently traveled onboard a United Airlines flight, one which was nearly 70% full at the time, according to reports.

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Dick Rutan Dies At 85

AV Web

Legendary pilot, educator and adventurer Dick Rutan died Friday, according to a press release issued on behalf of the family. (Full text follows). He was 85. Rutan, best known for the record-setting nonstop unrefueled circumnavigation he and Jeana Yeager accomplished in 1986, was surrounded by family when he died in Kootenai Hospital in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, in the early evening from complications resulting from a yearlong bout with long COVID, according to family friends. “He spent

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Alaska Airlines elevates its premium inflight retail menu with the return of Main Cabin hot meals  

Alaska Air

We're elevating our premium onboard menu with the return of hot meals to our inflight retail menu in the Main Cabin. Fueled by our industry leading pre-order program, our inflight menu continues to offer more choices than any other U.S. airline. The post Alaska Airlines elevates its premium inflight retail menu with the return of Main Cabin hot meals appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.

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Marriott Bonvoy’s Shocking Elite Inflation: 50%+ Of Guests Platinum

One Mile at a Time

I think most people would like to think that their elite status with an airline or hotel group makes them special to that company in some way. After all, the travel brands thank their elite members for being among their best customers, so they’re the ones responsible for the narrative. However, once in a while we get a reality check… When basically everyone is a Marriott Bonvoy elite member We’ve seen an increasing trend among Marriott Bonvoy properties, whereby they have a sign at the front des

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SpaceX Adds Cosmic Tourism Offering to Website

Flying Magazine

Human spaceflight has long been a goal for SpaceX, the rocket and satellite manufacturing venture of billionaire Elon Musk. Per an update to the company’s website, it appears interested customers can now book their spots on missions to the International Space Station (ISS), moon, and Mars, with flights beginning as early as this year. SpaceX this week quietly added a “ Human Spaceflight ” tab to its website, listing four destinations to which customers can book flights: Earth orbit, the ISS, lun

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Turkish Airlines Flight Attendant Hits Cabin Ceiling & Breaks Spine After Severe Turbulence Rocks Airbus A321

Simple Flying

Another incident of mid-flight turbulence involving an Airbus narrowbody jet belonging to Turkish Airlines has come to light. While airplanes encounter turbulence every day, incidents severe enough to injure passengers and crew also seem to be on the rise.

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National Championship Air Races take off for Roswell, NM in 2025

Vintage Aviation News

PRESS RELEASE Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) proudly announces that Roswell, NM will be the new home of the world-renowned National Championship Air Races (NCAR). Following a lengthy selection process by RARA, and after demonstrating its commitment to carry forward this one-of-a-kind event, Roswell has been chosen to host the return of the air races in 2025.

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Alaska Airlines launches new options for guests to support sustainable travel

Alaska Air

Now, when you book your flights with Alaska Airlines, guests will have the option to reduce their environmental impacts by purchasing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) credits right in the booking path. The post Alaska Airlines launches new options for guests to support sustainable travel appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.

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United 767 Diverts Over Stuck Laptop, Leads To 27-Hour Delay

One Mile at a Time

If this doesn’t highlight the operational complexity of the airline industry, then I don’t know what does (thanks to PYOK for flagging this). United 767 diverts to Shannon over laptop issue This incident happened on Sunday, May 19, 2024, and involves United Airlines flight UA12 from Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH), to Chicago (ORD). The flight was operated by a 30-year-old Boeing 767-300ER with the registration code N663UA.

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Warbird Paradise: The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Inspire

A long-overdue visit to Dayton, Ohio, and the world’s largest military aviation museum. The post Warbird Paradise: The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force first appeared on Hangar Flying.

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airBaltic to collaborate with Fokker Next Gen to design a hydrogen airliner 

Aerotime

airBaltic has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with Fokker Next Gen on the development of a clean-sheet airliner powered by liquid hydrogen, the Riga-based carrier announced on May 13, 2024. Fokker Next Gen aims to develop a hydrogen-powered airliner by 2035 able to carry between 120 and 150 passengers, and with a range of up to 2,500 km.

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Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Pay Is So Bad, 1 In 10 Live Out Of Their Car

Simple Flying

The Association of Flight Attendants Alaska (AFA Alaska), the union representing Alaska Airlines flight attendants, has come forward with the results of an affordability survey. AFA Alaska had 52% of members complete the survey, finding that 79% of respondents are experiencing financial insecurity.

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Aero Legends’ Spitfire MJ444 Restoration – April Update

Vintage Aviation News

In 2021 Aero Legends based at Headcorn in the UK announced that they had commissioned the rebuild of another Supermarine Spitfire in a two-seat configuration to join their stable, this being Mk.IX MJ444, a WWII combat veteran which served with several Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fighter squadrons in Europe, just like her sister ship NH341 Elizabeth.

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Celebrating International Flight Attendant Day at Alaska Airlines 

Alaska Air

It’s International Flight Attendant Day, and we’re celebrating our remarkable inflight crew, who go above and beyond for our guests every day. For everything you are, and everything you do—thank you! The post Celebrating International Flight Attendant Day at Alaska Airlines appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.

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Singapore Airlines Awards Staff With Bonus Equivalent to Nearly Eight Months Salary

Airline Geeks

Singapore Airlines has announced that it will reward staff with a bonus equivalent to eight months of salary, following the airline's record-breaking profits.

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Brother, Sister Receive FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award

Flying Magazine

Ever since a pair of brothers from Ohio started experimenting with gliders, aviation has run in families. Some more than others. On Wednesday, Claudia Simpson Jones and Graham Simpson received the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award during a special ceremony at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The award is part of the agency’s recognition of safe pilots.

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MAJOR: Vasu Raja Leaving American Airlines

One Mile at a Time

American Airlines has just announced that one of the company’s top executives is leaving the airline. I’d argue that this has significant implications, and is even more telling than if the CEO left the company… American’s Chief Commercial Officer is out Vasu Raja, American’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, will be leaving the airline in June 2024.

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History: How A 2014 ICAO Safety Audit Led To The Suspension Of All AOCs In Uganda

Simple Flying

In June 2014, a safety audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Uganda led to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) suspending all Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) of airlines operating international flights. The suspension led to the demise of Air Uganda, one of the country's most prominent airlines at the time.

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Lancaster NX611 ‘Just Jane’ – Restoration Update 221

Vintage Aviation News

As regular readers will know, Avro Lancaster B.VII NX611 Just Jane is under restoration to airworthy condition with the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at the former RAF East Kirkby airfield in Lincolnshire, England. The group continues to make magnificent progress, and we thought that everyone might like to see a recent (edited) report, reproduced here with permission.

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Alaska Airlines celebrates summer travel season with “upgrade unlocked” – get ready for a surprise upgrade to Premium Class!

Alaska Air

Every day this summer, Alaska Airlines is surprising and delighting at least one guest seated in our Main Cabin with an upgrade to Premium Class to celebrate the start of the busy travel season. The post Alaska Airlines celebrates summer travel season with “upgrade unlocked” – get ready for a surprise upgrade to Premium Class! appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.

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JetBlue to Return Some Retired A320 Jets to Service

Airline Geeks

Embattled with ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine troubles on its new A321neo aircraft, JetBlue is planning to return some older Airbus A320s to revenue service.

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The Unfulfilled Promise of the Fairchild T-46

Flying Magazine

Since its introduction in 1957, the trusty Cessna T-37 “Tweet” had served the U.S. Air Force well. It fulfilled primary trainer duties for more than 20 years and was modified to serve as a light ground attack aircraft in the form of the A-37 Dragonfly. However, as the 1980s approached, so did the end of the T-37’s projected life cycle, and military leaders determined a more modern replacement was needed.

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Minnesota Allows Flying Cars On Roads

AV Web

Minnesota is set to become the second state to formally accept flying cars as a category of vehicles allowed to use the roads. Samson Sky, which is developing the Switchblade roadable aircraft, said the measure was included in Minnesota’s recently-passed transportation bill, which has been signed into law and defines the new category as aircraft that can be driven to and from airports or private strips.

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Breaking: 1 Dead After Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 Hits Severe Turbulence

Simple Flying

At least one person has died after a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 hit severe turbulence. The aircraft, flying from London to Singapore as SQ321, diverted to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and squawked 7700, the code for a general emergency. According to a report from the BBC , a further 30 individuals were injured by the occurrence.

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Pacific Wrecks’ Led Expedition Finds Richard Bong’s P-38 in South Pacific

Vintage Aviation News

Researchers announced on Thursday that they have likely found the wreckage of World War II ace Richard Bong’s plane in the South Pacific. The aircraft is a Lockheed P-38J-15-LO Serial Number 42-103993 , assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF) , 5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command) , Headquarters Squadron. Assigned to pilot Captain Richard I. Bong , who named it “Marge” It had red propeller spinners, wingtips, and the top and bottom tips of the tail.

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Alaska Airlines invests in new world-class training facility to support flight attendants, pilots and more

Alaska Air

A new future for Alaska Airlines' employees and their careers begins today with the purchase of a facility that will become home to the airline's world-class training programs. The post Alaska Airlines invests in new world-class training facility to support flight attendants, pilots and more appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.

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Korean Air Sells Five Boeing 747-8s, To Become “Doomsday Planes”

One Mile at a Time

Korean Air’s Boeing 747 fleet will soon shrink, which is a shame for those of us who love the plane… Korean Air getting rid of five Boeing 747-8s in 2025 As reported by Reuters , Korean Air has reached an agreement to sell five of its Boeing 747-8s, and the planes are expected to exit the fleet as of September 2025. According to a regulatory filing, the sale is valued at $674 million (so around $135 million per plane), and is part of the carrier’s strategy of refreshing its fleet with newer gene

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JAL Debuts New Special Livery for EXPO 2025

Airline Geeks

JAL unveiled its special "JAL MYAKU-MYAKU JET" livery for international and domestic routes in celebration of the upcoming 2025 World Exposition.

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Spirit Aerosystems Whistleblower Dies

AV Web

For the second time in two months a prominent Boeing-related whistleblower has died. The Seattle Times is reporting Josh Dean, 45, a former quality control inspector at 737 MAX fuselage supplier Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, died from an infection by an agressive antibiotic-resistant bacteria called Methicillin-Resistant Staphyulococcus Aureus, or MRSA.

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Uganda Airlines Is Now Using The Worlds 2nd Oldest Active Airbus A320

Simple Flying

It is challenging to make an airline work anywhere, and doubly so in Africa, a continent littered with innumerable dead airlines and others defying gravity by hanging on. One example is the tiny and troubled Uganda Airlines , which possibly has the world's most extreme difference in seat capacity. It has four CRJ900s and two A330-800s, the latter a vanity project precisely what isn't needed.

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Messerschmitt Me 262 Replica For Sale

Vintage Aviation News

A rare opportunity has arisen to purchase a full-scale replica of the Messerschmitt Me 262, the first operational jet-powered fighter. The aircraft in question was built in Germany by Manfred Pflumm, the owner of the International Flugmuseum in Schwenningen. With a passion for aviation and a keen eye for detail, Pflumm dedicated many years to restoring and rebuilding airplanes for various museums.

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At Alaska Airlines, honoring the fallen and their families

Alaska Air

A custom-made cart with American flag curtains and the insignia of the six branches of the military is the most visible part of the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program, which honors those on their final journey. The post At Alaska Airlines, honoring the fallen and their families appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.

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Scary: Spirit Airlines Flight Prepares For Water Landing

One Mile at a Time

It’s not uncommon for aircraft to have to divert to their origin airport due to a maintenance issue. While that can be unnerving, I think it pales in comparison to the crew briefing passengers to prepare for a possible water landing… Brand new Spirit Airlines A321neo returns to Montego Bay This incident happened on Sunday, May 26, 2024, and involves Spirit Airlines flight NK270, scheduled to operate the 540-mile journey from Montego Bay (MBJ) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

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JetBlue Redeploys Capacity to Add New Mint and Puerto Rico Routes

Airline Geeks

JetBlue has unveiled a suite of network changes, including an expansion of its Puerto Rico operations and several new Mint routes. The airline will also be reducing its flying from LaGuardia Airport in New York.

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MightyFly Obtains ‘Industry First’ FAA Flight Corridor Approval in California

Flying Magazine

A self-flying electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) drone for the cargo logistics industry has obtained a first-of-its-kind approval, according to its manufacturer. California-based MightyFly this week announced what the company is calling an “industry first” FAA authorization, granting it permission to test its recently unveiled 2024 Cento within a flight corridor between New Jerusalem Airport (1Q4) and Byron Airport (C83) in California.

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