I suspect that, in that landing as shown on video, realistically ANY airframe's fuel tanks (if still full from take-off) would have ruptured. Like the aftermath of Chernobyl in 1986, Russian safety only improves when exposed to the glare of publicity.

(Written on 10/05/2019)(Permalink)

Unlikely that Putin will agree to "act of God" as a cause!

(Written on 10/05/2019)(Permalink)

Tobin; do you mean like the Boeing 717, or the Boeing C-17? Or the 80% Boeing-Embraer deal in 2019? Mergers, collaboration and partnerships are the way of the world. Remember that Airbus is also building planes (for the restricted USA market) in Mobile Alabama. Sit back and wait for flames.

(Written on 10/05/2019)(Permalink)

Hmm: whilst it has, in the space of five months, closed in on the 1950s initial failure record of the Comet, the 737-MAX *IS* killing more passengers in each incident. I take comfort from the fact that, in this era of social media, manufacturers (however well-embedded with the current USA administration) cannot over-ride a tidal wave of frightened negativity. I do believe, however, that the FAA should have "grown a pair" in a shorter time period. It is sad that some 300 people had to die before Boeing finally tells pilots to RTFM. Has the 737 reached its shelf-life, continually tweaked beyond the sensible limit? Yes, it has clocked up 5,000 orders, but should it not have been replaced by a newly-developed airframe where the engines don't drag along the runway? Mike

(Written on 15/03/2019)(Permalink)

An interesting observation: "The chairs will also automatically adapt to adjust to a passenger’s weight and size". Looking at the pictures, the armrests will do nothing to prevent some lard-a*se fattie next door from slithering sideways into "your" space. I cannot see this making it into many American airlines' operations (or sadly the airlines of many other countries where "portion control" or "self-restraint at mealtimes" have long been abandoned. Happy to be proven wrong. Mike.

(Written on 02/03/2019)(Permalink)

Partially-depreciated airframe; work for the airframer and their workforce. Attractive USP for the airline and better conditions for cattle class. How can this fail to reap warm plaudits from the travelling public?

(Written on 12/02/2019)(Permalink)

Dead Body cupboard - part of the fitout on that long-range A340

(Written on 01/02/2019)(Permalink)

It will be a sad day when for final BS 747 retires. The BA Club World cabin, upstairs behind the drivers, has long been our favourite oasis of tranquility for long distance flying - preferable even to First, downstairs over the nosewheel.

(Written on 01/02/2019)(Permalink)

RIP. What a terrible way to go, with little privacy and (apart from the airbus A340-500 which had a specific DB cupboard for its long-range flights) no storage facilities onboard for a body.

(Written on 01/02/2019)(Permalink)

Well, let us be charitable in this. Perhaps Boeing are now rueing the "law of unintended consequences"? But I do agree - a beautiful aircraft showing the best aspects of globalisation.

(Written on 23/01/2019)(Permalink)