Latest Aviation News

The good times are well and truly over at Etihad. Once having one of the best economy cabins in the world, financial pressures are forcing the Abu Dhabi based airline to cut costs and the latest cost saving targets are economy cabin snacks and drinks. While meals remain free, Etihad passengers in the economy cabin are now being charged for snacks and certain drinks requested outside the scheduled meal service. This applies to both short and long haul routes. It is the latest in a series of  unfortunate cutbacks   at an airline once well known for its extravagance. Business class passengers have been bearing the brunt of cuts to inflight service but now the pain is being shared with the main cabin. Congratulations, your meal has been ‘enhanced’ Etihad has revamped and  “enhanced”  their economy meal service. On flights over three hours, the entree and salad are no more. The main course meal will be slightly larger.  Dessert will continue to be served a...

A plane passenger in  Russia  showcased an appalling episode of air rage after he allegedly attacked crew on the Aeroflot flight. The man was confirmed drunk, according to East2west news, and now faces six years in prison. The aggressive passenger reportedly attacked both pilots in the cockpit of the Boeing 737. He is also have said to have broken the leg of a cabin crew member during his outburst. Footage of the incident, obtained by The Mirror, also shows him threatening to “smash your face” when arguing with a male flight attendant over his treatment of a female colleague. The man also is said to have attacked police when they arrived on the scene. A police source said: “[He] pushed the young woman stewardess inside the cockpit and then hit the pilots, the captain and the co-pilot,” reported east2west news. “These three crew members resisted and managed block the hooligan, Aeroflot told Express.co.uk: "A passenger boarded flight SU1307 in an intoxicated state, att...

The three main Chinese airlines, China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China, have sent a formal request to Boeing for compensation for the cost of grounding their 737 MAX and the postponements of deliveries. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) was the first to order the country’s airlines to suspend Boeing 737 MAX 8 commercial operations following Ethiopian Airlines crash. On March 13, 2019, three days after Ethiopian Airlines crash, Norwegian Air Shuttle was the first affected company to publicly consider compensation. Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen, a spokesperson for the low-cost carrier told  e24.no  that it would claim compensation from the plane manufacturer: "We will send the full bill to Boeing. Norwegian should not be penalized economically because a totally new plane cannot fly”.

Six months ago, Singapore Airlines made headlines when they launched their  New York to Singapore route … the longest in the world. Whilst a marvelous technical achievement, many commented that it’s not that hard to find two airports far away enough to qualify and make a profit. Flying between two close airports and making a profit (and beating alternative forms of transport)… now that’s where the real challenge lies! What’s the world’s shortest flight in 2019? Photo: Pexels What are the shortest routes in the world in 2019? Let’s explore. Westray to Papa Westray Westray to Papa Westray, the world’s shortest flight. Photo: Google Maps Westray to Papa Westray is still one of the world’s shortest flights at 2.75 km between the two islands. It takes the aircraft approx one minute and 30 seconds to jump across to the other island to pick up passengers and post. Alternatively, there is a one hour car and ferry ride. The flight also comes in as one of the cheapest, at $22 US...

After two disastrous plane crashes, new revelations in the Boeing 737 Max ‘fatal flaw’ scandal claim the aviation giant failed to disclose critical information about the aircraft’s warning system. Last week in a special 60 Minutes report, Liz Hayes revealed one of aviation history’s biggest scandals – that aircraft giant Boeing's brand-new 737 Max planes had a “fatal flaw” in a flight control system called MCAS; a system whose very existence Boeing failed to disclose to its airline customers and pilots.  MCAS malfunctions are being held responsible for two horror plane crashes that claimed the lives of 346 men, women and children. This week 60 Minutes reports more damning revelations about the aircraft manufacturer and warnings that should have been heeded about the 737 MAX, well before the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March this year. A Lion AIr Boeing 737 MAX jet plunged into the sea off Indonesia last year. (Supplie...