Latest Aviation News

In news that many might find hard to believe, business class airfares in Australia are falling, down 10.6% from July 2018.  Australian Aviation  is reporting the (Australian) Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) results also indicated that July 2019 is the fourth consecutive month that business class airfares have fallen. BITRE reports business class airfares in Australia are down 10.6% since July 2018. Photo: Andrew Curran / Simple Flying The result is compiled by tracking the cost of fares on the top 70 routes in Australia, collected from the websites of the two Australia airlines with business class cabins – Qantas and Virgin Australia. Fares include all taxes and charges and are adjusted for CPI movements. The Australian  quotes Westpac’s Matthew Hassan, an economist, as saying the demand for premium seats is “restrained”, and that, “There has been a clampdown on discretionary spending … it may also be to do with corporates tighten...

With trade tensions, disputes over aircraft subsidies and the slowing global economy, it is a tough time to be in the   aviation industry. But there is a more troubling trend that the industry could do without. 2018 was the deadliest year the aviation industry has experienced for some time. There were 523 deaths last year - the highest number in four years, and up from just 59 in 2017. And this year is already looking bad - there were 232 deaths from the accidents involving Ethiopian Airlines and Russia's Aeroflot. That is well above the five-year average of 189 fatalities a year, according to the Aviation Safety Network. On the front line of the industry's troubles is plane manufacturer Boeing. Its 737 Max has been grounded since March after two fatal crashes, which killed a total of 346 people. Preliminary investigations have suggested that software intended to improve the plane's handling was faulty. Aviation analyst Alex Macheras tells   Counting the Cost ...

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...