Articles in In Flight

In-Depth Analysis: American Airlines’ Fleet Plan Through 2021

In-Depth Analysis: American Airlines’ Fleet Plan Through 2021

American Airlines filed an updated fleet plan for the coming three years with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week.
The world’s largest airline operates a mix of Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and McDonnell Douglas narrow- and wide-body aircraft in its mainline fleet with a total of 957 aircraft as of early 2019.
It is the largest operator in the world of Airbus A320-family aircraft.  It is also the largest A319 operator and …

Analyzing American Airlines’ ‘Roadmap to ‘Long-Term Success’

American Airlines unveiled its plan to improve corporate culture and the customer experience in 2019 in a memo to employees.
The airline set forth very specific goals under three top-level objectives.
“These short-term goals will help us achieve long-term success and will change each year as we prioritize and focus where it matters most,” it said in the memo.
The three-pronged plan calls for making the airline’s culture “a competitive advantage” as well …

Aviation Groups Warn of ‘Total Disruption’ During Government Shutdown

Unions representing air traffic controllers, airline pilots, and flight attendants said that the partial government shutdown is causing an “unprecedented” and “unconscionable” safety threat to the skies.
The joint statement, issued by three unions representing over 130,000 aviation professionals, also said that the threat to safety is growing as the shutdown continues with no end in sight.
“We have a growing concern for the safety and security of our members, our airlines …

Inside the Aircraft Deicing Process: How It Makes Winter Flying Safer

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting on an aircraft in New York, watching the thermometer precipitously drop from merely below freezing to Arctic in the wake of a major winter storm.  Admittedly, I’m lucky to be on a plane that will depart, given that 1,500 flights in the United States have already been cancelled, many in the Northeast.
After a 30-minute delay in boarding due to the late arrival of the …

Here’s What You Need to Know About Airport Security Checkpoint Wait Times During the Government Shutdown

The partial government shutdown has led to a reduction in staffing at security checkpoints at the nation’s airports. Multiple airports had to consolidate security operations resulting in the closing of entire checkpoints at some terminals, including Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Miami International, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, and Washington Dulles International.
Here’s a guide to what to expect in the coming days, as it’s likely that the absenteeism rate will continue …

‘Brace for Impact’ – 10-Year Anniversary of ‘Miracle on the Hudson’

Tuesday marked the tenth anniversary of what became known as the Miracle on the Hudson.
US Airways Flight 1549 was an Airbus A320 that, after takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009, struck a flock of Canada Geese northeast of the George Washington Bridge.
With both engines out, the aircraft had no power and was unable to reach a nearby airport or runway. Captain Chesley Sullenberger …

British Airways Galleries First Lounge London-Heathrow Terminal 3 – Review

British Airways Galleries First Lounge London-Heathrow Terminal 3 – Review

While some view London Heathrow Airport as the epitome of chaos, those in the know see it for what it really is: a massive airport with several fetching oases. One of them is the British Airways Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 3.
After arriving in London at Terminal 5 on a short-haul flight in the airline’s business class, I had over three hours to make my connecting flight on American Airlines …