Laser Strikes Against Planes Hit Record High

The number of laser strikes against planes hit another record last month, according to new data obtained by Gizmodo. And the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would like Americans to get the message that it’s not just dangerous for people on the ground to shine lasers into the cockpits of passing aircraft, it’s illegal and can … Read more

Ukraine’s Patriot kills of Russian planes and missiles have turned a US air-defense weapon with a troubled past into a hero

Ukraine’s use of the US-made Patriot system has been celebrated. The weapon had a chequered reputation due to its performance in past conflicts. Any skepticism over its effectiveness should be put to bed, experts told Business Insider. Any lingering doubts about the effectiveness of the US-made Patriot air-defense system at shooting down airborne threats have … Read more

Qatar Airways to launch First Class, as airline courts Airbus and Boeing for new planes

Qatar Airways is developing a First Class concept and pursuing aircraft orders from aviation giants Boeing and Airbus, as part of a broader strategic overhaul under new group CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer. “This is a new era,” Al Meer told CNBC on Thursday, unveiling changes at the airline that follow a multi-month “war room” … Read more

American Airlines orders hundreds of planes from Boeing, Airbus, Embraer

American Airlines flight 718, a Boeing 737 Max, takes of from Miami International Airport on its way to New York on December 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images American Airlines said Monday it is ordering 260 new narrow-body jets, including dozens of Boeing’s long-delayed 737 Max 10. The order includes 85 … Read more

Greta Thunberg joins hundreds marching in England to protest airport’s expansion for private planes

LONDON — Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined a march in southern England on Saturday to protest the use of private jets and the expansion of an airport. Hundreds of local residents and activists holding banners and placards that read “Ban Private Jets” marched to Farnborough Airport, which mostly serves private aircraft. Some beat drums while … Read more

Russian air passengers face peril as planes show strain of sanctions

Comment on this storyCommentAdd to your saved storiesSave MOSCOW — Over the first eight days of December, civilian Russian airplanes experienced at least eight serious mechanical failures, terrifying many passengers as pilots were forced to make emergency landings in cities across the country. The incidents did not kill anyone, but they illustrate the rising peril … Read more

The Boeing 737 Max Crisis Reignites Arguments Over Infant Safety on Planes

As terrible as that tradeoff is, it’s worth noting that the risk of death on a commercial airliner to anyone, lap-held infants included, remains vanishingly low—so let the pangs of guilt subside if you’ve flown holding your baby on your lap. “Commercial aircraft accidents are still extremely rare, and the logistics of having infants in … Read more

Boeing 737 Max planes are grounded after a hole blew in one mid-flight

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered the “temporary grounding” of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes this morning after a section of fuselage separated from the side of an Alaska Airlines flight on Friday, leaving a gaping hole in the plane. The agency said in its announcement that it will send an Emergency Airworthiness … Read more

A timeline of key moments leading to Japan planes colliding. Human error is seen as a possible cause

It only took 18 minutes to evacuate the 379 passengers of Japan Airlines Flight 516 after their plane burst into flames just after touchdown at Tokyo’s Haneda airport Tuesday evening. A smaller coast guard Bombardier Dash-8 aircraft, preparing to take off to deliver urgent aid to quake-hit central Japan, was using the same runway when … Read more