Senior cabin crew member collapses and dies mid-flight.

SAUDIA MD 11 HZ-HM7 (MSN 48532)

A Saudi Airlines Dreamliner en route from Jeddah (JED/OEJN) to London (LHR/EGLL) made an emergency landing in Cairo (CAI/HECA) after a senior cabin crew member collapsed and died mid-flight.

The aircraft diverted to Cairo on the 27th of June after the crew reported a medical emergency involving their cabin director, Mohsen bin Saeed Al-Zahrani. He suffered what’s believed to be a heart attack while performing duties onboard. Despite efforts by fellow crew and passengers to revive him, Al-Zahrani was declared dead shortly after landing. Paramedics met the aircraft on arrival and transported his body to a local hospital for examination.

Egyptian authorities have opened a routine investigation, though no foul play is suspected. Saudi Airlines issued a statement expressing condolences to his family and commending the crew for handling the emergency professionally. The aircraft was cleared to continue to London after a brief delay. Just a week earlier, two elderly pilgrims returning from Hajj also died mid-flight on a separate Saudia service to Indonesia, both suffering suspected cardiac complications.
The incidents have renewed focus on in-flight medical preparedness during long-haul operations.

Saudi Airlines expressed its condolences, stating, “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family of our colleague and ask God to have mercy on him.” The airline acknowledged the professionalism of the crew in managing the emergency and ensuring passenger safety during the diversion.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Saudia

Code: SV/SVA

Aircraft: Boeing 787-10

Registration: HZ-AR32

Serial number: 40055

Engines: 2 x RR Trent 1000
First flew: 27/01/2022
Age: 3.5 Years

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND STAFF AT SAUDIA

Breastfeeding mum sues British Airways

BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 777-336 G-STBJ (MSN 43703)

A mother traveling in British Airways' business class with her 7-month-old baby says she is suing British Airways after she was humiliated when a flight attendant lifted her blanket and exposed her breast while she was breastfeeding.

The woman had also asked to postpone her meal service so she could nurse and settle her baby so she could eat, but her request was denied, leaving her no choice but to skip the meal.

As she lay flat in her seat under a blanket, nursing her child with her head under the cover, the same crew member who refused her request allegedly touched her repeatedly.

Despite her efforts to signal she was occupied, the flight attendant suddenly pulled the blanket off her, exposing her and the baby without warning.

Standing over her, the flight attendant asked again if she wanted to eat. The mother filed a complaint with the airline and initially received only a generic basic response.

It was only when the female passenger went to the media, British Airways acknowledged the situation, saying they are now in direct contact with the passenger and are investigating the allegations.

6.6 million air passengers globally are denied boarding every year

6.6 million air passengers are denied boarding every year even though they have a valid ticket and passport, according to Civil Aviation Authority data and new research. Passengers are being 'bumped' from flights because of overbooking by airlines.

Overbooking is a common practice in which airlines sell more tickets for a flight than the number of seats on the plane. This is done as they assume some travellers will miss the flight or won’t turn up for the flight, but it can sometimes result in too many passengers arriving to board, leading to significant delays for some flyers.

A recent study, by Go.Compare, analysed Civil Aviation Authority figures and survey data to estimate the number of passengers affected by the practice each year. In total, around 20.9 million passengers annually are estimated to have felt the impact of overbooking over the past decade.

Around one-third of affected passengers told the insurance comparison site that they were unable to board their plane as a result. This is equal to around 6.6 million travellers denied boarding per year during this period.

When a flight is overbooked, airlines are legally required to manage any affected travellers by providing alternative flights, compensation and assistance. Among the travellers surveyed, most (84%) of those who had been denied boarding were booked onto another flight. That equals around one million passengers each year whose journey is not rearranged.

Out of these few passengers, almost two-thirds said they lost money as a result. However, just under half of these decided to claim on their travel insurance. The insurance comparison site is urging passengers to know their rights in case this happens to them while travelling this year.

Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Flight overbooking happens more than we’d like to think, and it can make for an extremely stressful start to any trip for the passengers affected. If it happens to you, and you’re not allowed to board a plane, the first thing you should do is confirm with the airline that you were denied boarding because of overbooking. Get this in writing if possible.

“Next, you’ll want to discuss what your airline intends to do to get your trip back on course, how they plan to assist you and what compensation they’re offering. They should try to book you onto another flight when possible.

Malaysia Airlines passenger fined for making bomb joke

MALAYSIA AIRLINES BOEING 737-8HS 9M-MXY (MSN 40162)

A Vietnamese man was fined VND 6 million (RM970) for making bomb joke to Malaysia Airlines staff at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, equivalent to $351 Australian.

The incident occurred when the passenger disembarked from Malaysia Airlines flight MH752 from Kuala Lumpur on the 22nd of June. When a flight attendant asked about the black case he was carrying, the man responded with a single word: “Bomb.”

The remark immediately triggered the airport’s full security protocol.

The passenger was escorted off the aircraft and detained for questioning by multiple agencies, including immigration police, aviation security, airport police, emergency command centre officers, Malaysia Airlines representatives, and Vietnam Airport Ground Services staff.

A thorough inspection of the passenger’s luggage and person was conducted – the black case in question was found to contain a computer keyboard and mouse but no traces of a bomb.

The passenger later acknowledged that his comment was an ill-conceived joke made out of ignorance, issued an apology to the authorities and was subsequently fined. Following the incident, Noi Bai International Airport released a public statement on Facebook, emphasising that jokes about bombs, explosives, or weapons are strictly prohibited in airports and on aircraft.

The airport noted that such remarks trigger emergency response measures, can cause fear and panic among passengers, and result in unnecessary delays. Officials urged passengers to cooperate with aviation staff during inspections and to educate family members, particularly children, about avoiding jokes related to sensitive security topics.

“Anyone who violates these rules will be held fully accountable for the consequences,” the airport stated.

Security protocols at international airports are taken seriously, with even seemingly harmless jokes carrying significant consequences.

Australian National Airways (ANA) DC 4 crash

On the 26th of June 1950, a Douglas DC-4 Skymaster aircraft took off from Perth (PER/YPPH), Western Australia, bound for an eight-hour journey to Adelaide (ADL/YPAD), South Australia. Just 22 minutes after departure, the plane crashed 35 miles (56 km) east of Perth Airport. After departure the number four engine, which was misfiring, had been shut down by the flight crew and subsequently the remaining three engines had all failed for indeterminate periods. The crew turned left in an attempt to return to the airport. In a 15 degree turn the aircraft barely cleared a ridge line, struck a tree 30 feet off the ground and ploughed into a downward slope. The crash claimed the lives of all 29 people on board; one person initially survived but succumbed to injuries six days later, marking it as Australia's worst civil aviation disaster to date.

As the plane headed east over Perth's outskirts, numerous witnesses noted its unusually low altitude compared to the standard Skymaster services, with at least one engine misfiring and backfiring consistently. In the moments leading up to the crash, varying engine sounds were reported – at times functioning normally, at others ceasing entirely, followed by a loud, high-pitched "scream." Weeks later, an examination of the damaged engines revealed considerable corrosion in the fuel systems of two engines. Preliminary findings by the Department of Civil Aviation suggested that water-induced corrosion led to the malfunctioning of at least one engine and a temporary total loss of power. 

However, the source of the water remained unidentified.

Of the 29 individuals aboard, all but one perished at the site from extensive injuries, burns, or incineration. An elderly male passenger, found disoriented and injured by the first responders, was the sole survivor. Despite being hospitalized with severe burns, he passed away six days following the accident.

The aircraft was the Amana, a Douglas DC-4-1009 registered VH-ANA (MSN 42910) and the flagship of the Australian National Airways fleet. It flew for the first time on the 28th of January 1946 and was flown to Australia on the 9th of February 1946.

Remembering Air France Flight 296Q

AIR FRANCE AIRBUS A319-211 F-GRHP (MSN 1344)

 

Air France Flight 296Q was a chartered flight of a brand-new Airbus A320-111 operated by Air Charter International for Air France. On the 26th of June 1988, the plane crashed while making a low-level pass over Mulhouse–Habsheim Airfield as part of the Habsheim Air Show. The newly delivered Airbus was destroyed when it impacted trees during the low pass over the runway. A fire broke out, killing three occupants.

This particular flight was the A320's first passenger flight and most of those on board were journalists and raffle competition winners, having won tickets as part of a promotional event by local businesses. Many, including several unaccompanied children, had never been on an airplane previously. The low-speed flyover, with landing gear down, was supposed to take place at an altitude of 100 feet (30 m); instead, the plane performed the flyover at 30 ft (9 m), skimmed the treetops of the forest at the end of the runway (which had not been shown on the airport map given to the pilots) and crashed. 

All 136 passengers survived the initial impact, but 3 then died of smoke inhalation from the subsequent fire; a quadriplegic boy in seat 4F, a 7-year-old little girl in seat 8C, trapped by her seat being pushed forward and struggling to open the seatbelt, and an adult who, according to her partner, had reached the exit with him but then turned back to try help the 7 year old. (The child had been traveling with her older brother but seated apart; he was swept out by a flow of escapees as he tried to find his sister).

The aircraft first flew on the 6th of January 1988 and was delivered to Air France on the 23rd of June, three days prior to its destruction. It was the third A320 delivered to Air France, the launch customer.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air France

Code: AF/AFR

Aircraft: Airbus A320-211

Registration: F-GFKC

Serial Number: 009

Engines: CFMI CFM56-5A1

First Flew: 6th January 1988

Age: 6 months

All four engines have failed...

BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 787-9 G-ZBKN (MSN 38630)

 

On the 24th of June 1982, British Airways Flight 009, with a callsign of Speedbird 9, was performing a scheduled flight from London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) to Auckland (AKL/NZAA), with stops in Delhi (DEL/VIDP), Kuala Lumpur (KUL/WMKK) and Perth (PER/YPPH).

During the Kuala Lumpur - Perth sector the aircraft flew into a cloud of volcanic ash thrown up by the eruption of Mount Galunggung around 110 miles (180 km) south-east of Jakarta, Indonesia, resulting in the failure of all four engines. Partly because the event occurred at night, obscuring the cloud, the reason for the failure was not immediately apparent to the crew or air traffic control. 

Shortly after 13:40 UTC (20:40 Jakarta time) above the Indian Ocean, south of Java, the crew first noticed an unusual effect on the windscreen similar to St. Elmo's fire. Despite the weather radar showing clear skies, the crew switched on engine anti-ice and the passenger seat belt signs as a precaution.

As the flight progressed, smoke began to accumulate in the passenger cabin of the aircraft; it was first assumed to be cigarette smoke. However, it soon began to grow thicker and had an odour of sulphur. Passengers who had a view of the aircraft's engines through the window noted that they were unusually bright blue, with light shining forward through the fan blades and producing a stroboscopic effect.

Around 13:42 UTC (20:42 Jakarta time), the number four Rolls-Royce RB211 engine began surging and soon flamed out. The flight crew immediately performed the engine shutdown drill, quickly cutting off fuel supply and arming the fire extinguishers. Less than a minute later, at 13:43 UTC (20:43 Jakarta time), engine two surged and flamed out. Within seconds, and almost simultaneously, engines one and three flamed out, prompting the flight engineer to exclaim, "I don't believe it—all four engines have failed!"

Without engine thrust, a 747-200 has a glide ratio of roughly 15:1, meaning it can glide forward 15 kilometres for every kilometre it drops. The flight crew quickly determined that the aircraft was capable of gliding for 23 minutes and covering 91 nautical miles (169 km) from its flight level of 37,000 feet (11,000 m).

At 13,500 feet (4,100 m), the crew was approaching the altitude at which they would have to turn over the ocean and attempt a risky ditching. Although the crew had guidelines for the water landing procedure, no one had ever tried it in a Boeing 747. As they performed the engine restart procedure, engine number four finally started, and at 13:56 UTC (20:56 Jakarta time), Moody used its power to reduce the rate of descent. Shortly thereafter, engine three restarted, allowing him to climb slowly. Shortly after that, engines one and two successfully restarted, as well. The crew subsequently requested and expedited an increase in altitude to clear the high mountains of Indonesia.

The aircraft landed safely in Jakarta.

The route was flown by the City of Edinburgh, a Boeing 747-236B registered as G-BDXH. The crew members of the accident segment had boarded the aircraft in Kuala Lumpur, while many of the passengers had been aboard since the flight began in London.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: British Airways

Code: BA/BAW

Aircraft: Boeing 747-236

Registration: G-BDXH

Serial Number: 21635

Engines: 4 x RR RB211-524D4

First Flew: 19/03/1979

Age at incident: 3.3 Years

Remembering Air India flight 182

AIR INDIA BOEING 787-8 VT-ANH (MSN 36276)

 

On the 23rd of June 1985, Air India flight 182 disintegrated in mid-air en route from Montreal-Mirabel International Airport, QC (YMX/CYMX), Canada to London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL), United Kingdom. It was at an altitude of 31,000 feet (9,400 m) over the Atlantic Ocean. The result of the explosion from a bomb being planted by Canadian Sikh terrorists. The remnants of the airliner fell into the ocean approximately 190 kilometres (120 miles) west-southwest of the southwest tip of Ireland, killing all aboard: 329 people, including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens and 24 Indian citizens. 

The aircraft took off from Montreal at 02:18 UTC. Its estimated time of arrival at London was 08:33 UTC. At 07:15 UTC, at FL310 over the Atlantic Ocean an explosion occurred in the forward cargo compartment, causing a rapid decompression. The aft portion of the aircraft separated from the forward portion before striking the water. The wreckage sank to a depth of 6700 feet.
From the wreckage retrieved no direct evidence was found of an explosive device. However, there is a considerable amount of circumstantial and other evidence that an explosive device caused the occurrence. Furthermore, because an explosive device detonated in Tokyo the same day. Just 55 minutes before Air-India 182 crashed, A bag from CP Air Flight 003 exploded at Tokyo-Narita Airport, just 55 minutes before Air India 182 crashed. This was probably an interlined unaccompanied suitcase to be placed on Air-India Flight 301 to Bangkok.

Investigation determined that a suitcase was also interlined unaccompanied from Vancouver via CP Air Flight 060 to Toronto. In Toronto, there is nothing to suggest that the suitcase was not transferred to Terminal 2 and placed on board Air India Flight 181/182 in accordance with normal practice. The aircraft departed Toronto for Montreal-Mirabel and London with the suitcase unaccompanied.

The bombing of Air India Flight 182 is the largest mass killing in Canadian history, Canada's worst terrorist attack, the deadliest aviation incident in the history of Air India and was the deadliest act of aviation terrorism until the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air India

Code: AI/AIC

Aircraft: Boeing 747-237B

Registration: VT-EFO

Serial Number: 23634

Engines: 4 x PW JT9D-7A

Delivery Date: 30/06/1978

Boeing 747
There were 1551 747's built
This was the 14th loss
This was the 9th fatal accident
This was the 2nd worst accident (at the time)

and is the 5th worst accident (currently) 

Passenger smashes exit window on Delta 767

DELTA AIRLINES BOEING 757-251 N545US (MSN 26492)

A disturbing incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP/KMSP) to Honolulu (HNL/PHNL) left the aircraft’s interior bloodied after an unruly passenger shattered a reinforced window in an emergency door and injured himself.

The episode unfolded mid-air aboard a Boeing 767, with the suspect displaying increasingly erratic behavior that culminated in a violent attempt to open the emergency exit after landing. No other passengers or crew were harmed during the ordeal, and flight operations from Honolulu Airport were not impacted.

The mid-air disruption occurred a few hours into the approximately eight-hour trans-Pacific flight. Cabin crew observed the male passenger behaving oddly and attempted to de-escalate the situation, reportedly suspecting a psychological episode such as PTSD or acute psychosis. Their intervention helped stabilize the passenger until landing.

However, after the aircraft arrived at Honolulu Airport, the man suddenly attempted to access the emergency exit. During the attempt, he violently struck the reinforced viewing window integrated into the Boeing 767 door design, managing to smash it.

The resulting lacerations caused visible blood stains around the door and galley area, creating a scene witnesses likened to a “bloody crime scene.”

Law enforcements, including the FBI, quickly boarded the plane and detained the passenger without further incident. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening.

Delta Air Lines, while not offering an immediate public comment, has protocols in place for handling in-flight disturbances. Cabin crew are trained in conflict de-escalation and restraint procedures, supported by post-landing coordination with federal authorities when needed.

Unruly passenger incidents, although rare, are taken seriously and may result in lifetime bans, federal charges, or psychiatric evaluations depending on the circumstances and severity.

Doctor threatened to crash Air India Express plane.

A 36-year-old female doctor has been charged with allegedly threatening to crash an Air India Express flight bound for Surat International Airport (STV/VASU) in Gujarat. Officials said the incident began when she asked the cabin crew to bring her hand baggage, which she had left near the front row, to her assigned seat at 20F. The situation escalated when the cabin crew refused her request and she allegedly threatened to ‘crash the plane’, leading the crew to alert the pilot.

But what led the doctor to make such a threat? And what are the consequences of making such claims? A female doctor allegedly threatened to crash an Air India Express flight. Dr Vyas Hiral Mohanbhai from Yelahanka, was taken off the flight after the incident, according to The Indian Express.

Despite several attempts by the crew and the pilot to calm her down, she reportedly refused to cooperate. She also shouted at other passengers who tried to speak to her, it was reported. The pilot and crew then called airport security and CISF personnel, who removed her from the aircraft. According to the complaint, the incident went on from around 2.45 pm to 5.30 pm on the 17th of June.

Police added that her aggressive behaviour continued at the KIA police station, where she allegedly abused and assaulted officers. “This was the first time we heard such abusive language in the station,” a senior officer told Business Standard.

Qantas 737 catches fire

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VYI (MSN 34181)

A Qantas Boeing 737-800 sustained severe damage in a fire, resulting in significant damage to the fuselage. This has necessitated Boeing's involvement to supervise repairs, rendering the aircraft out of service. A Qantas engineer reported that the vacuum's battery overheated after being left on the aircraft, causing a fire that remained undetected for several hours.

The damage was limited to the rear cargo area, and the fire was extinguished within minutes. The maintenance provider in Hong Kong holds CASA accreditation, with all work supervised and approved by an on-site Qantas engineer. The incident occurred in early May, but the information has just come to light. 

VH-VYI left Cairns (CNS/YBCS) as QF6033 at 11.37 pm and flew to Hong Kong (HKG/VHHH) for maintenance works on 23rd of April 2025, according to flight radar

VH-VYI first flew as N1786B on the 14th of December 2005, it was entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VYI on the 16th of December 2005. This was the 33rd Boeing 737 delivered to Qantas.

The aircraft is due to return to service in mid-July and there are no impacts to scheduled flights.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Qantas

Code: QF / QFA

Aircraft: Boeing 737-838 

Registration: VH-VYI

Serial Number: 34181 
Engines 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B26

First Flew 14/12/2005

Age: 19.6 Years

Qantas confirms pilot passed out while at controls of passenger jet

Qantas has confirmed that a trainee pilot lost consciousness while operating a Boeing 737 passenger jet with 121 individuals on board a few days ago

QF804, traveling from Canberra (CBR/YSCB) to Sydney (SYD/YSSY), had landed at Sydney Airport when the pilot became unwell and lost consciousness while taxiing toward the designated terminal jet bridge. Experienced pilots in the cockpit assumed control of the aircraft as the trainee pilot, feeling unwell, applied the brakes shortly before the medical incident occurred.

The flight carrying 113 passengers and eight crew members, including the three pilots, was safely steered toward the T3 gate after the supervising check captain took control of the situation and adhered to the Qantas training procedures. The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, where medical staff arrived on board shortly after passengers began disembarking and treated the incapacitated pilot.

A Qantas spokesperson said in a statement the pilot was receiving treatment and is part of an investigation into the incident.

“Our pilots followed standard operating procedures when one pilot suffered a medical incident following landing in Sydney,”.

“The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our priority, and we’re supporting the individual following the incident.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said they are aware of the “pilot incapacitation event” on the flight and were satisfied proper procedures were followed and all steps to assist the pilot and efforts to establish a follow-up plan were in place.

Florida man charged after flying 120 times for free

A Florida man is facing up to 30 years in prison after posing as a fight attendant to book over 120 free flights. 

Federal prosecutors say 35-year-old Tiron Alexander used fake airline credentials to access flights reserved for pilots and crew members, flying for free at least 34 times between 2018 and 2024. Most bookings had multiple trips.

He reportedly used around 30 different badge numbers across 10 various airlines to pull off the scheme.

Alexander had prior experience in the airline industry, working in ticketing for Delta from 2010 to 2012 and briefly as a flight attendant for two smaller carriers after that. 

His past role helped him bypass security and book the unauthorized flights. He was convicted of wire fraud and unlawfully entering secure areas of airports under false pretenses. The case was investigated by the TSA and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra is scheduled to sentence Alexander on the 25th of  August 2025, after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

British Airways 787 flight diverts backs to London

BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 777-336 G-STBJ (MSN 43703)

A British Airways flight traveling from London, England (LHR/EGLL) to Chennai, India (MAA/ VOMM) made a precautionary return to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on the 15th of June 2025, after experiencing a technical issue on departure.

British Airways confirmed the return followed standard safety procedures. Flight BA35 took off from runway 27R at Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 1:15 PM local time after a short delay. The 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as G-ZBJG, did not continue on its journey due to a technical anomaly detected during flight. According to British Airways, the flight crew opted to return to its origin as a routine precautionary measure.

The airline emphasized that this was not classified as a full emergency landing. Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft performing 11 six-minute patterns over the Strait of Dover before safely touching down on runway 27L one hour thirty-eight minutes after departure.

Upon landing, all passengers and crew disembarked normally. The airline stated that it is actively working to rebook affected passengers and resume operations. Technical teams are currently inspecting the aircraft to assess the issue.

British Airways reiterated its commitment to safety, explaining that returning to the departure airport in response to technical alerts is a standard protocol. The early return allows for immediate maintenance intervention while minimizing passenger inconvenience.

Passengers on board were assisted by ground staff upon arrival, with rebooking and accommodation support provided where necessary. No injuries or emergencies were reported during the event.

Aircraft Information: 

Airline: British Airways

Code: BA/BAW

Aircraft: Boeing 787-8

Registration: G-ZBJG

Serial Number: 38614

Engines: 2 x RR Trent 1000

First Flew: 21/06/2014

Age: 11 Years

Another tragedy in India as 7 killed in helicopter crash.

Seven people including a toddler were killed on Sunday in India when a helicopter ferrying Hindu pilgrims from a shrine crashed in the Himalayas, officials said.

The Bell 407 was traveling from Kedarnath Dham Helipad to Aryan Helipad, Guptkashi.

The helicopter crash left the pilot and all six passengers dead when their chopper came down during the flight from Kedarnath temple, in Uttarakhand state, disaster response official Nandan Singh Rajwar said.

The state’s chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, said rescue teams had been dispatched to the scene after the “very sad news”.

The crash was likely caused by bad weather, according to district tourism official Rahul Chaubey.

Pilgrims flock to Kedarnath temple during the summer when it is possible to access the site, which stands at an altitude of 3,584 metres (11,759 feet).

Helicopter charter firms were developed to serve wealthy pilgrims who want to visit shrines in the Indian Himalayas, but who prefer to avoid arduous trekking.

Six people were killed last month in another helicopter crash en route to the shrine.

Aircraft Information:
Owner Operator: Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd
Aircraft: Bell 407
Registration: VT-BKA
Serial Number: 53832
Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turboshaft engine
First Flew: 2008
Age: 17 Years


OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF EVERYONE INVOLVED

The world's oldest airlines still flying strong today

Since the Wright brothers the first controlled, sustained flight in a heavier-than-air aircraft in 1903, aviation has advanced significantly. Evolving from a reserved for the wealthy only to an essential and widely utilized mode of transportation, air travel has undergone a remarkable transformation. Which then, are the oldest airlines that continue to dominate the skies today?

Air India (1932)
Established on the 15th of October 1932, Air India was initially named Air Tata after its founder, industrialist and pilot JRD Tata. It started life as a mail service, transporting letters, parcels and goods between India’s major cities, but quickly grew into a fully-fledged commercial passenger airline. By the late 1940s it was offering international flights to cities including London, Cairo and Nairobi. It came under national ownership in 1953, after India declared independence in 1947. In the early 1960s, Air India began purchasing the Boeing 707-420 planes that were kickstarting the jet age and became the first airline to operate an all-jet fleet in 1962. Today, Air India serves more than 100 international and domestic destinations and is renowned for its high level of customer service.

Cubana (1929)
Clearly 1929 was a busy time for the aviation industry, as Cubana was another airline founded in that year. On the 8th of October 1929 Cubana de Aviación was established as the national airline of Cuba, and needless to say it was closely linked with the country’s political situation throughout the 20th century. That might explain why it has such an unconventional fleet, with an eclectic mix of French (ATR 72s), Ukrainian (An-158s) and Russian planes (Il-96s and Tu-204s). Perhaps unsurprisingly, you won’t find any American aircraft operated by Cubana. Today, the airline has a limited offering, running a handful of routes to destinations across the Americas and Europe.

LATAM Airlines (1929)
Although LATAM as we know it was formed from the merger of two companies, LAN and TAM, in 2012, its history goes back much further than that. LAN or Línea Aérea Nacional de Chile was founded on the 5th of March 1929 as Chile’s flag carrier by army commodore Arturo Merino Benítez. The airline flew its first international flight in 1946, between Santiago and Buenos Aires. Through the next few decades, it steadily increased its offering to other destinations in North and South America, then began flying to Europe in 1970. Meanwhile, TAM was founded in 1961 and started life as an air taxi company based in Brazil. The two airlines merged in 2012, and LATAM racked up more than 70 million passengers in 2023. The airline has also built a great track record for punctuality – OAG ranked LATAM third in the world in its Punctuality League 2023 with 85.03% of flights arriving on time, behind two airlines from Japan. Today, it's the largest airline in Latin America.

Hawaiian Airlines (1929)
When Hawaiian Airlines started up on the 30th of January 1929, it was an island-hopping domestic service known as Inter-Island Airways, with the first flight running between Honolulu and Hilo. But in the early 1940s it began to expand its horizons, offering flights between the islands and the US mainland and changing its name to Hawaiian Airlines. It was also the first certified air cargo service in America. Today, Hawaiian is a small yet reliable carrier flying to every major island in Hawaii, as well as North America, Asia and the South Pacific. It handles more than 10 million passengers each year and was ranked in the top five in the US for on-time flights in 2022, according to the US Department of Transportation. It also boasts a whole host of awards from national and international organisations and media.

LOT Polish Airlines (1928)
Created by the Polish government on the 29th of December 1928, LOT was the successor to existing domestic carriers Aero and Aerolot. For much of the post-war period it flew exclusively Soviet aircraft, but the company was able to buy Western planes again in 1988 amidst the breakup of the Soviet Union. It started by buying a small fleet of Boeing 767s, which allowed LOT to fly longer-haul flights between North America and Europe. Seen here are passengers disembarking a pre-war LOT Douglas DC-2 aircraft. Today, LOT flies to around a hundred destinations across four continents and it’s scooped up some great achievements during its 90-plus years in operation. It was the first airline to fly between Warsaw and Los Angeles, it was the first carrier in Central and Eastern Europe to purchase a Boeing plane, and it claims to have the largest loyalty program of any European airline.


Iberia (1927)
The Spanish flag carrier and world leader on flights between Latin America and Europe, Iberia started life on the 28th of June 1927. But it was a turbulent beginning: Iberia was founded when Spain was ruled by military dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera, who insisted that it must be put under state ownership. So, it wasn’t until 1937 that Iberia relaunched under its current name, when it began flying planes as part of the nationalist effort during the Spanish Civil War. In 1944, the airline was nationalised by the Franco regime. 

Air Serbia (1927)

On the 27th of June 1927, Aeroput (which would eventually be renamed Air Serbia) was founded as the national airline of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Its first regular route, between Belgrade, Serbia and Zagreb, Croatia was established the following year. Like many other operators, it stalled during World War II but resumed routes – largely in then-Yugoslavia – in the post-war years, although a route linking Belgrade, Prague and Warsaw allowed it to spread its wings to the rest of Europe.

Up until 2013, Air Serbia was operating under the name Yugoslav Airlines (JAT). Following some financial difficulties, the airline partnered with Etihad and the government of Serbia to relaunch under the name Air Serbia, which it has held ever since. Today, the operator flies to more than 70 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North America, and has an overall 3-star rating from Skytrax.

American Airlines (1926)
US juggernaut American Airlines started life on 15th of April 1926, when famous aviator Charles Lindbergh flew mail from St Louis, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois. But the airline soon switched from delivering mail to delivering passengers, offering routes from New York City and Boston to San Diego and Los Angeles. In 1936, American was the first operator to use DC-3 aircrafts (pictured here), which were considered the world’s first successful commercial planes and were also used in combat during World War II. Today, American is acknowledged as the world’s largest airline by fleet size and is responsible for one in five plane tickets bought in the US. So how did it get so successful? One of the biggest reasons is its AAdvantage loyalty programme, which launched in 1981 and generated a jaw-dropping £5.18 billion ($6.53bn) for the business in 2023. But it’s had many other firsts in its long history, from being the first US airline to hire an African American pilot to being one of the first to roll out Boeing 707s.

Delta (1925)
You might be surprised to learn that Delta actually had its roots in the farming industry: the airline’s first planes were used for aerial crop-dusting (spraying powdered fertilizer on crops from the air). Under the name of Huff Daland Dusters, the company was founded in Macon, Georgia on the 2nd of March 1925. Delta gained its current moniker in 1928 – after the Mississippi Delta region it initially served – and began flying passengers a year later. Pictured here are vintage advertisements from 1965. Despite its humble beginnings, the airline has had some impressive firsts. It was the first operator to offer a direct flight between Chicago and Miami (1946), the first to use Convair 880 jets (1960) and the first US carrier to put moving maps into cabins showing passengers the plane’s route (1992). In the latter half of the 20th century, Delta acquired Western Air Lines, Pan Am, Atlantic Southeast and Comair. Today, it's the largest airline in the world by total revenue.


Finnair (1923)
Based at Helsinki Airport, Nordic airline Finnair was founded on the 1st of November 1923 under the name Aero. It may not be one of the biggest players in the global aviation industry, but it's always been ahead of the curve: it was the first small airline to introduce Caravelle passenger planes in 1960, which catapulted Finnair into the jet age. In 1999 it became the first airline to receive a delivery of the brand-new Airbus A320, and today its fleet is largely made up of Airbuses. The airline is continuing to stay ahead of the times thanks to its world-class sustainability plan, which includes commitments to be completely carbon neutral by 2050. It is also part of the Nordic Initiative for Electric Aviation and has a scheme allowing customers to offset their flights or put money towards biofuel, which is used on Finnair flights.


Qantas (1920)
Founded in 16th of November 1920 by a pair of World War I veterans, the initial goal of Qantas was to provide quicker journeys between remote parts of Australia. After some ad-hoc leisure flights, it began running mail flights in 1922 and domestic passenger flights two years later. In 1934, Qantas partnered with British airline Imperial Airways to form Qantas Empire Airways Limited. Pictured is one of the group’s De Havilland DH86 airliners at Croydon Airport in London. While many commercial airlines ground to a halt during World War II, Qantas continued flying between Australia and Singapore until 1942. What’s more, it was the only airline operating services between East Asia and Australia throughout the war. Qantas also claims it invented business class cabins – and while the truth is a little less clear-cut, the Aussie airline was the first to roll out larger and more comfortable seats, for which it charged a 15% premium. Today, Qantas is a good bet for nervous flyers: it’s frequently listed as the world’s safest airline by airlineratings.com and has never had a fatal accident.

Avianca (1919)
The national airline of Colombia, Avianca was founded on the 5th of December 1919, although back then it was known as SCADTA (Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transporte Aereo). It initially began by offering domestic flights before launching international routes – to the US and Venezuela – in the 1920s. It has notched some impressive achievements over the years: it owned the largest and fastest plane in 1951 (the Lockheed Super Constellation) and it was the first Latin American airline to own a Boeing-747. This hasn’t made Avianca immune to hard times. In 2003, following the deregulation of Colombia’s aviation industry and competition from international airlines, it filed for bankruptcy. As part of its financial plan, it merged with El Salvadorian carrier TACA in 2009. The coronavirus pandemic forced Avianca to file for bankruptcy for a second time, in 2020, but after restructuring the company says it’s become "more efficient and financially stronger".

KLM (1919)
Aviation buffs will know that KLM, which is now part of the Air France KLM group, is the oldest airline on the planet. Established on 7 October 1919, the Dutch operator – whose name stands for Koninklijke Luchtvaartmaatschappij (I can see why they abbreviated it) – had its first official flight between London and Amsterdam in May 1920. The airline began to introduce routes connecting major European cities, including Brussels, London, Paris and Amsterdam, before introducing its first-ever transatlantic service in 1934. Pictured here are passengers ready to board a flight in 1928. The industry has had many ups and downs since KLM’s inception, including suspended flights due to World War II and the jet plane boom between the 1960s and 1980s. But KLM has managed to weather the storms. In 2004 it was acquired by Air France to create the Air France KLM Group. With a fleet of more than 550 aircraft and nearly 100 million annual passengers, the group takes up a larger chunk of Europe’s air traffic than any other.

Air India flight forced into emergency landing after bomb threat

AIR INDIA BOEING 787-8 VT-ANP (MSN 36287)

An Air India flight travelling from Phuket (HKT/VTSP) to New Delhi (DEL/VIDP) was forced to make an emergency landing back in Phuket just a day after the Ahmedabad air disaster due to receiving a bomb threat on Friday.

Passengers were escorted from the plane in line with emergency plans, an Airports of Thailand official said. There were 156 passengers on the flight and the bomb threat was received on board the plane, it said in a statement. The aircraft took off from Phuket airport for the Indian capital at 9.30 am on Friday but made a few wide loops around the Andaman Sea and landed back at the Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.

AOT did not provide details on the bomb threat. Air India did not give a statement on the incident immediately.

The incident came a day after an Air India flight departing for London crashed moments after take-off in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, killing all but one of the 241 people on board.
The casualties included 169 Indian, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese citizens, the airline said. Indian civil aviation faced a crisis last year after what turned out to be hoax bomb threats forced emergency landings or cancellations of a number of flights, the Independent reported.

Airlines and airports field nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages in the first 10 months of 2024, about 10 times more than in the whole of the previous year.

Aircraft Information: 

Airline: Air India

Code: AI/AIC

Aircraft: Airbus A320-251N

Registration: VT-TQA

Serial Number: 10327

Engines: 2 x CFMI LEAP-1A26

First Flew: 27/10/2020

Age: 4.6 Years

Jetstar Asia aircraft to be redeployed in Australia and NZ

An increased number of Jetstar planes will in the skies of New Zealand and Australia as the airline prepares to close its intra-Asia carrier, Jetstar, next month.

JETSTAR ASIA AIRBUS A20-232 9V-JSK (MSN 4772)

The final Jet Asia flight is set to depart on the 31st of July, resulting in 500 Singapore-based employees losing their jobs as the Qantas refocuses its operations on the Australian and New Zealand markets. There were no changes to any flights connecting Australian airports to destinations in Asia or changes to Jetstar Japan services.

Some 13 Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 planes would eventually replace leased aircraft and older planes used in Australia and New Zealand, which the airline claimed would create 100 local jobs. In a statement to the ASX, Qantas Group attributed the closure of Jetstar Asia to greater competition, rising supplier costs and high airport fees.

Jetstar Asia was on track for a $35 million loss by the end of the financial year. Qantas Group chief executive Vanessa Hudson said it was a "very tough day" for staff and the airline had made low-cost travel accessible to millions of customers over more than 20 years.

"We have seen some of Jetstar Asia's supplier costs increase by up to 200%, which has materially changed its costs base," Ms. Hudson said. The airline said the move would "unlock" up to $500 million in capital which would be reinvested into its core businesses. Passengers with bookings for cancelled flights would be entitled to refunds or be moved onto other flights.

The airline said Jetstar Asia employees were entitled to redundancy benefits and would be re-employed within Qantas Group where possible.

Air India 787 crashes on takeoff in India

BREAKING NEWS

AIR INDIA BOEING 787-8 VT-ANZ (MSN 36297)

An Air India aircraft traveling from Ahmedabad (AMD/VAAH) to London's Gatwick (LGW/EGKK) has crashed in India's western city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat shortly after take-off.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time. The ADS-B transponder of the aircraft reported an altitude of 625 feet before the connection was lost. The crash took place in the early afternoon during routine takeoff procedures. Eyewitnesses from the Meghani Nagar area reported hearing multiple explosions, followed by thick plumes of smoke visible from nearby locations, including Dharpur

Flight AI171 was reported to have 242 people on board.

In a statement, Air India said: "At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest."

India’s aviation minister said the authorities are on “highest alert” and that rescue teams have been mobilised. He also expressed his shock and devastation at the crash.

“I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X, adding that all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support were being rushed to the site.

The country’s aviation regulator said the aircraft fell just after departure on the ground outside the airport perimeter. The director general of the directorate of civil aviation told The Associated Press that the plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off.

At least 242 people were on board the flight, local police said in an update, without confirming any fatalities. Footage taken near the crash site, located in a civilian area near the airport, showed thick plumes of smoke and debris on fire.

Aircraft flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said the plane involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and signal was lost at 625 feet, less than a minute after take-off.

According to Aviation Safety Network, the Dreamliner has a very strong safety record, with no hull losses and no fatalities since entering service.


Aircraft Information: 

Airline: Air India

Code: AI/AIC

Aircraft: Boeing 787-8

Registration: VT-ANB

Serial Number: 36279

Engines: 2 x GEnx-1B

First Flew: 14/12/2013

Age: 11.5 Years

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO FAMILIES AND FREINDS OF EVERYONE INVOLVED AND THE STAFF OF AIR INDIA.

Jetstar Asia to cease operations in July

JETSTAR ASIA AIRBUS A320-232 9V-JSJ (MSN 4515)

Following an extensive and careful review of the Jetstar Asia (3K) airline, the very difficult decision has been made to progressively reduce the airlines’ schedule before permanently ceasing operations on the 31st of July 2025.

The decision does not impact any Jetstar Airways (JQ) flights, including JQ international flights between Australia and Southeast Asia, or any Jetstar Japan (GK) flights. 

Jetstar Asia’s (3K) business has been increasingly challenged in recent years by escalating supplier costs, airport fees and aviation charges as well as growing capacity and competition in the region.

Despite our best efforts to offset these rising costs, they are expected to continue into the foreseeable future, putting unsustainable pressure on Jetstar Asia’s ability to offer low fares.

This is incredibly difficult news for our Jetstar Asia team members and customers, and the Jetstar Group is committed to providing support during this time with a range of options in place for all those impacted.

Information for customers with Jetstar Asia (3K) bookings:
Jetstar Asia (3K) flights will continue to operate until the 31st of July 2025 with a progressively reduced schedule. For customers with bookings prior to the 31st of July 2025, there will be some changes to Jetstar Asia’s usual schedule, and we will reach out directly if there are any changes to your upcoming flight.

If you are not contacted with any schedule changes, your original flight will operate as planned, and there is no action needed. Please proceed to the airport as normal. You can also check your flight status here in the lead up to your departure.

Customers with bookings from the 31st of July 2025 onwards are eligible for a full refund to your original form of payment. We will contact you directly to discuss your options. You can also visit Manage Booking to secure your refund now.

Additional information for customers
If you have a current Jetstar voucher related to travel with Jetstar Asia (3K) with an available balance, you’ll be contacted in August to arrange converting your remaining voucher balance to a monetary refund.

Club Jetstar memberships:
We will commence processing refunds from August, which will be automatically applied directly to the card you used to purchase the membership.

We sincerely thank our customers for their support during the transition towards closure.

Need more information?
For further information, please visit the Jetstar Asia info page.

Jetstar Asia was launched on the 19th of November 2004 as a partnership between Qantas, holding a 49% stake in the airline, Singaporean businessmen Tony Chew (22%) and FF Wong (10%) and the Singapore government's investment company, Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (19%).

Qantas London to Singapore flight diverts to Baku

A Qantas Airbus A380 operating the London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) to Singapore (SIN/WSSS) flight requested emergency landing clearance at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD/UBBB) in Azerbaijan on the 9th of June 2025.

QANTAS AIRBUS A380-842 VH-OQB (MSN 015)

The captain initiated the diversion after a passenger experienced sudden health deterioration during the flight. A Qantas Flight QF2 from London to Singapore took off from London Heathrow at 09:12 pm local time.

A passenger’s health rapidly deteriorated mid-flight prompting a diversion to Baku’s Heydar Aliyev Airport. The A380 aircraft successfully touched down at Baku’s airport at 07:55 local time. Medical personnel immediately attended to the affected passenger upon landing, providing on-site medical assistance.

Healthcare professionals continue monitoring the passenger’s condition and conducting necessary medical evaluations. The Airbus A380 represents the largest passenger aircraft in global aviation, featuring a two-deck configuration with four engines capable of transporting hundreds of passengers.

The aircraft requires specialised airport infrastructure and can only operate from international airports meeting specific technical standards.

Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) maintains comprehensive capabilities to accommodate A380 operations. The facility features modern ground handling systems, wide runways, and advanced service infrastructure designed for large aircraft operations.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Qantas

Code: QF/QFA

Aircraft: Airbus A380-842

Registration: VH-OQB

Serial Number: 015

Engines: 4 x RR Trent 972

First Flew: 25 June 2008

Age: 17 Years

Six killed as plane plunges into ocean off San Diego

A Cessna 414 traveling from San Diego International Airport, CA (SAN/KSAN) to Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ (PHX/KPHX) crashed into the ocean on Monday, about three miles west of Point Loma, shortly after takeoff from San Diego International Airport California. 

The aircraft took off from runway 27 at San Diego at 12:25 local (19:25 UTC) on a flight to Phoenix-Sky Harbor. After receiving instructions to turn to a heading of 180 after departure, the pilot radioed that he struggled to maintain heading and altitude. ADS-B data show that the aircraft entered a sharp descending left turn, losing 1900 feet in 13 seconds. The aircraft began to climb again, but ADS-B data show an erratic altitude and heading until the moment the aircraft impacted the surface of the water, six minutes after it had commenced the takeoff roll.

Sadly, the pilot and five passengers were killed. A debris field was located in the water.

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Optimal Health Systems LLC

Aircraft: Cessna 414

Registration: N414BA

Serial Number: 414-0047

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO FAMILIES AND FREINDS OF EVEYONE INVOLVED.

Looking back on the crash of TAA flight 538

TRANS AUSTRALIAN AIRLINES FOKKER F 27 VH-TFF (MSN 10121)

WAS ALSO REGESTERED AS: N1036U; F-GAOT; OO-SVM; F-WKPX.

On the 10th of June 1960, a Fokker Friendship passenger aircraft operated by Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) was on approach at night to land at Mackay airport in Queensland, Australia when it crashed into the sea. All 29 people on board Trans Australia Airlines Flight 538 were killed.

The Fokker F-27 aircraft was on a regular passenger flight from Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) to Mackay (MKY/YBMK) via Maryborough (MBH/YMYB) and Rockhampton (ROK/YBRK). The aircraft departed Brisbane at 17:11 and arrived at Maryborough at 17:52. It then took off at 18:12 on the next portion of the trip to Rockhampton where it landed without incident one hour later. Just prior to the landing at Rockhampton, the aircraft was advised of a special weather report which indicated shallow ground fog at Mackay to a height of 20 ft with a visibility of 880 yd, and also that an alternate aerodrome would be required for the rest of the flight.

The flight departed Rockhampton at 19:52. On departure the air traffic controller at Mackay was advised that the expected flight time to Mackay was 52 minutes at an altitude of 13000 ft, that Townsville had been selected as the alternate. It was advised that Mackay Airport was closed to landings at that time, and the situation remained the same when the aircraft reached the point at which it would normally have commenced its descent to Mackay. The captain indicated that he would continue the flight at 13000 ft and would hold over Mackay at that altitude. At 20:45 the ATC Officer advised the pilot that visibility was fluctuating between 2 and 2-1/2 miles along runway 14/32. 

The pilot replied that the airport lighting, the city area, and the surrounding country could be clearly seen, but that a belt of fog extending about 10 miles was situated to the southwest of the airport and was moving in a slightly northeasterly direction across the airport. The pilot then requested landing instructions. The aircraft was cleared to make a visual approach with a view to landing on runway 14. He reported on final approach, and at 20:55 the aircraft was cleared to land.

As the aircraft approached close to the runway threshold at a height of about 50ft, the pilot advised that a small patch of fog had suddenly appeared on the approach to the runway. It then flew along the runway at a height of approximately 50 ft and commenced to climb away. The pilot advised that he would look at the approach to runway 32.

The ATC Officer next observed the aircraft descending to approach runway 32. It reached a height of approximately 200 ft, but before crossing the threshold it began to climb along the line of the runway, and the pilot requested permission to hold over Mackay at 5000 ft until an improvement in the weather occurred. This procedure was approved. The aircraft continued to hold over Mackay until about 22:00. At approximately 22:02 the ATC Officer noted the conditions improved rapidly and visibility was continually improving. When the aircraft was thus informed, it replied: "Roger tower, will commence let down to approach on runway 32". The aircraft was cleared for a visual approach and was given the wind (calm) and QNH (1019 mb) and was asked to report on final approach. Nothing more was heard from the flight. During the approach the airplane contacted the sea and crashed, some 12 km short of the runway.


Aircraft Information:
Airline: TAA (Trans Australian Airlines)
Code: TN/TAA
Aircraft: Fokker F-27 Friendship 100
Registration: VH-TFB
Serial Number: 10112
First Flew: 26/02/1959
Age: 1 Year 4 Mts

Other Information: 

Entered onto the Dutch Aircraft Register as PH-FAH on the 19th February 1959
First flew as PH-FAH on the 26th of February 1959

Cancelled from the Dutch Aircraft Register on the 6th April 1959
Accepted by Trans-Australia Airlines at Amsterdam (Schiphol) on the same day.

The Trans Australia Airlines crash is the second-worst air accident in Australia behind the 1950 Australian National Airways Douglas DC-4 crash, with 29 fatalities.

American Airlines sent a plane to Italy and wasn't allowed to land

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N826AN (MSN 40649)

An American Airlines flight had to divert, and passengers were transported by bus, after the carrier sent a plane that was too big for its destination. Flight AA780 departed Philadelphia, USA (PHL/KPHL) at 7:42 p.m. and was supposed to land in Naples, Italy (NAP/LIRN) at 10 a.m. local time.

However, data from Flightradar24 shows how seven hours later, the Boeing 787-9 abruptly turned around over the Tyrrhenian Sea, west of the Italian mainland. It was only about 70 miles away from Naples International Airport before it diverted north to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO/LIRF).

An American Airlines spokesperson said that the flight diverted due to "operational limitations."

Historical flight data shows that the airline usually sends a Boeing 787-8 on flights to Naples. While these two Dreamliner variants are pretty similar, with the same wingspan, the 787-9 is actually 20 feet longer. Documents from Boeing and the International Civil Aviation Organization show how this means the two planes have different requirements for rescue-and-firefighting services (RFFS).

The 787-8 is small enough to land at an airport with a Category 8 RFFS, but the 787-9 needs a Category 9 RFFS airport. An aviation enthusiast who first shared the incident on X, reported that the airport authority said 787-9 planes can't land in Naples. The Naples and Rome airport authorities didn't immediately respond to requests for comment sent by BI outside Italian working hours.

After landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport around 9:45 a.m., passengers were transported to Naples by bus, the airline spokesperson said. The two airports are around 145 miles away by road, which would take more than two hours thirty minutes.

"We apologize to them for this disruption to their journey," they added.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: American Airlines

Code: AA/AAL

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

Registration: N837AN

Serial Number: 40658

Engines: 2 x Genx-1b74/75/P1

First Flew: 15 August 2018

Age: 6.10 Years

97th Anniversary of the Southern Cross’s historic flight

  

On the 9th of June 1928 the Southern Cross, a Fokker F.VIIb/3m Trimotor, settled on to the grass of Brisbane’s Eagle Farm Aerodrome, having left Oakland, USA, 10 days earlier. The aircraft flew 11,585km and had been airborne for 84 hours, with refuelling stops in Hawaii and Fiji.
Chuffed with the first ever trans-Pacific flight, the Prime Minister, Stanley Bruce, presented a cheque for £5,000 to the flight crew. Equally pleased the flight’s financial backer Californian, George Hancock, waived any right to recover his substantial investment.
It was Saturday night and hero Australian pilots, Brisbane born Charles Kingsford Smith “Smithy” and Melbourne born Charles Ulm, together with Americans, radio operator James Warner and American navigator and engineer Harry Lyon were thirsty, cashed up and debt free.
It’s not recorded what beer they celebrated their world record breaking flight with, but “Smithy was heard well into the night yelling that’s a Fokkin’ Good Beer”.
Alliance Airlines commemorated the 90th Anniversary of the Southern Cross’s historic flight by painting one of their F28's.

ALLIANCE FOKKER F28 MK100 VH-FGB (CN 11446)

The Fokker F28 MK 100 has been aptly registered VH-FGB which stands for Fokken Good Beer... The Southern Cross is on public display near Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal.

Smithy enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915 and served in Gallipoli. His wartime experience gave him a lifelong love of flying, and he worked as a pilot after the war. Smithy and Ulm, who worked together as Interstate Flying Services, made the trans-Pacific flight to see if air services across the Pacific between Australia and the United States had a commercial future. For their journey, Smithy and Ulm equipped a second-hand Fokker plane with three new engines and the best navigation and radio equipment available. Named the Southern Cross, Smithy called it the ‘Old Bus’. Captain Harry Lyon joined the pair as navigator, and Jim Warner as radio operator.

 

Alliance Airlines was established in 2002 when Brisbane-based Queensland Airline Holdings acquired the assets of the dormant Flight West Airlines, which had been established in May 1987 and ceased scheduled services in 2001. Alliance commenced operations with two Fokker 100 aircraft and has since expanded its fleet and operational capabilities to service the growing demand from the mining and energy sector. The airline is wholly owned by Alliance Aviation Services Limited which was listed on the ASX in 2011 and now has over 920 employees. 

ALLIANCE FOKKER F28 MK 100 VH-UQG (CN 11520)