Egypt bound Aircraft fails to take off not once, but three times

by Scott Carmichael on

What was supposed to be a fun holiday flight from Gatwick to Taba in Egypt turned into a bit of a nightmare for the passengers.

During its take off procedure, the pilot of a Monarch Airbus A300 had to slam the brakes and return to the gate.

Now, I’ve experienced this a couple of time before, and while it isn’t exactly fun, it’s not a life altering experience.

What makes this event different is that the plane went through this takeoff and abort routine another two times.

That’s right – the poor passengers went through the hassle of an aborted take off THREE times!

Each time, the plane went back to the gate, got a part replaced, and tried again. Eventually, after an eight and a half hour delay, the passengers were on their way to their destination.

One of the passengers reported that “People were really scared because we had come so close to taking off, which could have been disastrous”.

American Airlines updates fleets with new Boeing 737s

by Grant Martin on

With the oldest fleet in the American workforce, it was about time that American Airlines got aggressive with updating their aircraft. This year they’re starting the revamp with delivery of new Boeing 737-800s.

While the 737-800 airframe has been around for ten years now, American is making sure to include all of the modcons to keep passengers happy. Among those tidbits will be new, numerous overhead screens that pump better, streamlined videos, in-seat power in coach and Aircell augmentation — meaning wireless internet will eventually be available on all new aircraft.

These new deliveries will be a fresh breath of air compared against the current, ancient fleet that American flies today. While it’s an impressive accomplishment to keep such an outdated fleet operational, at some point, a new generation of aircraft needs to take hold.

Deliveries of the 737-800 aircraft started this month and will continue throughout the next couple of years. Keep an eye out for the new aircraft, interiors and service. You’ll be impressed.

Delta to charge $50 for second checked bag on international routes

by Jeffrey White on

Well, we knew this day would arrive eventually.

Delta Airlines today announced that it would begin charging $50 for a second checked bag on its international routes.

That makes it the first US legacy carrier to implement a baggage fee for international travel.

American Airlines and United are reportedly studying Delta’s move, which means they’re weighing the same fee but want to see first whether it is really worth it.

Passengers with elite status on Delta, and active military personnel, are exempt from the new baggage fee.

The first checked bag remains free on Delta’s international routes.

Delta, the world’s largest airline, reported a $794 million first-quarter loss today, which it blames on both the bad economy and bad hedging on fuel prices.

The airline plans to reduce its international capacity by roughly 10 percent starting this fall.

Mile high club has new hero

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Joining the mile-high club is bold … doing it in the crew rest area is beyond praiseworthy. Rather than punishment, awards should be given. But, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific takes a different view. The airline is investigating this unorthodox use of a Boeing 777, and I’m rooting for the good guys.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a couple was found coupling in first class seats that fold out into beds (hell, what else would you do with them?). Either to offer some privacy or enjoy a private show, the frolickers were invited into the crew area to finish what they had started.

Had they called it quits after the romp, future passengers may have enjoyed the same treatment. But, there’s always someone to ruin it for the rest of us.

The passenger, who is an American doctor in his 20s, used the internet for its intended purpose: he posted pictures of himself proving that he left the skies a bit friendlier than he found them. Boredom drove him to stretch the rules, and it’s pretty clear that a lust for fame led to his 15 minutes on the internet. The encounter was aided by a crew member, “Alvin,” who the passenger knew.

I guess you could say it was an “inside job.”

Virgin America helps the green movement

by Jamie Rhein on

Fresh spring food selections isn’t all that Virgin America is up to these days. Virgin America is also interested in lessening its impact on the environment. To prove it, the California-based airlines has joined The Climate Registry, the non–profit organization dedicated to keeping track of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to aid in better regulation so that efforts to be more environmentally friendly have a fighting chance.

In fact, Virgin America, the first U.S. airlines to join up with the Climate Registry, is ahead of the curve. By the end of 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency may have emission standards for aircraft and aircraft engines. Because Virgin America has agreed to add to the transparency of measuring emissions, it’s helping the cause of seeing how much airplanes impact the environment and what to do to lessen adverse effects.

One might wonder just what an airline can do to be more environmentally friendly considering the amount of fuel it takes to fly, but Virgin America has thought of such details.

For example, the new Airbus A320 fleet is 25% more fuel efficient than other domestic carriers. Virgin America also does the following as part of its efforts to fly more green:

  • single engine taxiing
  • idle reverse landings
  • regulate speed to reduce fuel burn
  • use advanced avionics to fly more efficiently

There is a certain hopefulness to read about an airline that is interested in taking care of the environment while it figures out how to turn a profit. [PR Newswire: United Business Media]