Flight Safety Information - April 29, 2025 No. 086 In This Issue : Incident: Hawaiian A332 at Tokyo on Apr 28th 2025, passenger phone thermal runaway : Incident: United B772 over Pacific on Apr 28th 2025, cargo door indication : Incident: Skywest CRJ7 at Appleton on Apr 27th 2025, bird strike : Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet - Lost Overboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) (Red Sea) : USS Harry Truman Was Evading Houthi Attack When F/A-18 Super Hornet Rolled Off Its Deck : Flights from India to Europe and North America are taking up to 4 extra hours with fuel stops as airlines avoid Pakistan : How equipment can help make aircraft crashes more survivable : American Airlines ends JetBlue talks, sues over collapsed alliance : Garmin (GRMN) unveils Garmin Pilot Web, an online flight planning tool : Finnair to Furlough 36 Pilots After Qantas Cuts Deal : Woman assaulted on American Airlines flight files federal suit against airline : Spirit Airlines named best U.S. airline for 2025, topping WalletHub ranking amid industry turmoil : Comac C919 To Get European Approval In 3-6 Years, EASA Chief Says : Southeast Regional Chapter (SERC) of ISASI Annual Meeting, July 25 to July 27th in Memphis : Calendar of Events Incident: Hawaiian A332 at Tokyo on Apr 28th 2025, passenger phone thermal runaway A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200, registration N375HA performing flight HA-457 (dep Apr 27th) from Honolulu,HI (USA) to Tokyo Haneda (Japan) with 140 people on board, was descending towards Tokyo when a passenger's mobile phone overheated and caught fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and the device secured. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Haneda's runway 34R (runways 22 and 23 in use for landings at that time). Japan's Ministry of Transport reported a passenger's mobile phone ignited and was secured in a fire proof bag. The aircraft landed without further incident, no emergency evacuation was performed. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 5 hours before departing for the return flight estimated to reach Honolulu with a delay of about 2:15 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=5270c0a3&opt=0 Incident: United B772 over Pacific on Apr 28th 2025, cargo door indication A United Boeing 777-200, registration N780UA performing flight UA-1731 (dep Apr 27th) from Kailua Kona,HI to Denver,CO (USA), was enroute at FL370 over the Pacific Ocean about 1150nm southwest of San Francisco,CA (USA) when the crew received an open cargo door indication, descended the aircraft to 9000 feet and diverted to San Francisco, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 28R about 3.5 hours after leaving FL370. The FAA reported: "United Airlines Flight 1731 landed safely at San Francisco International Airport around 3:45 a.m. local time on Monday, April 28, after the crew reported an open cargo door indication. The Boeing 777-200 departed Kona International Airport in Hawaii and was headed to Denver International Airport. The FAA will investigate." A replacement Boeing 777-200 registration N219UA is about to reach Denver with a delay of about 7 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in San Francisco about 7 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5270ae41&opt=0 Incident: Skywest CRJ7 at Appleton on Apr 27th 2025, bird strike A Skywest Canadair CRJ-700 on behalf of United, registration N718EV performing flight UA-4748 from Chicago O'Hare,IL to Appleton,WI (USA), departed Chicago's runway 09C, climbed to 16000 feet and landed on Appleton's runway 03 about 30 minutes after departure. The FAA reported a post flight inspection revealed a bird strike leaving a dent to the right hand wing. The aircraft is still on the ground in Appleton about 15.5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=5270ac50&opt=0 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet - Lost Overboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) (Red Sea) Date: Monday 28 April 2025 Time: Type: Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Owner/operator: US Navy Registration: MSN: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Location: off USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - Indian Ocean Phase: Standing Nature: Military Departure airport: - Destination airport: - Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 was lost overboard in the Red Sea while being under tow in the hangar bay of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). One sailor sustained a minor injury. The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard. Unconfirmed reports say the carrier had to perform a sharp turn to evade Houthi fire resulting in the loss of this aircraft. Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/503155 USS Harry Truman Was Evading Houthi Attack When F/A-18 Super Hornet Rolled Off Its Deck A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter fell off the side of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman while the ship was conducting evasive maneuvers in response to incoming Houthi threats earlier today, a U.S. official has told TWZ. A tow tractor that had been moving the aircraft at the time also went over the side in the incident, in which thankfully only a single sailor suffered minor injuries. CNN‘s Natasha Bertrand was first to report that the Truman making a hard turn in response to incoming Houthi fire may have been a contributing factor in the incident, citing an unnamed U.S. official. Military.com‘s Konstantin Toropin also subsequently reported this detail, again citing an anonymous U.S. official. UPDATE: A US official said that initial reports from the scene indicated that the Truman made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire, which contributed to the fighter jet falling overboard. https://t.co/TqrvCDUy3T https://t.co/2NFimBjl0A — Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) April 28, 2025 A US official has also confirmed this detail to me. The carrier was evading Houthi fire and made a hard turn ahead of the jet falling into the water. https://t.co/E3V4ahLdww — Konstantin Toropin (@KToropin) April 28, 2025 https://www.yahoo.com/news/f-18e-super-hornet-slides-203532105.html Flights from India to Europe and North America are taking up to 4 extra hours with fuel stops as airlines avoid Pakistan Airlines are adding hours of flight time to reroute around Pakistan amid rising tensions. Air India has added a fuel stop in Europe on treks to and from North America. IndiGo has suspended some flights to Central Asia because its planes now can't make the trek. Flights by Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, are spending hours of extra time circumventing closed Pakistani airspace amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The carriers could previously fly west across neighboring Pakistan to connect to countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Now, they must reroute around Pakistan's borders after the government closed its airspace to Indian airlines on Thursday following India's response to an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir two days earlier. Air India's Delhi hub is most affected, as planes must detour south around Pakistan and across the Arabian Sea before returning north. With more miles to cover, some flights to North America must stop in Europe to fuel up before finishing their treks across the Atlantic, adding up to four hours to their passengers' journeys. An Air India spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider that treks to North America had stopped in Vienna for fuel. He added that other flights to Europe and the Middle East would see "extended" routes. Another airline, IndiGo, is suspending some routes because of the closure. The India-based CNBC affiliate CNBC-TV18 reported that the budget carrier had cut flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan, through at least May 7 because the longer treks were too far for its narrow-body Airbus planes. Fuel stops add hours to US-bound flights During Sunday's Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago, the plane flew about eight hours to Vienna, spent about an hour and a half on the ground, and then flew another nine hours to the US. Sunday's flight to New York, which stopped in Copenhagen, spent about the same time in the air and a similar 90 minutes on the ground. The more than 18-hour journeys exceeded the typical 14- to 15-hour treks before the Pakistan closure. Air India typically flies the route to Chicago nonstop, but the fuel stop in Vienna means passengers risk missing their onward connections in Chicago. San Francisco flights to and from Mumbai, previously about 17 hours, now exceed 20 hours of travel time with the stop. "Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control," the spokesperson said. "We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority." Nonstop flights will take extra time Even if Air India operates some westbound long-haul flights nonstop, the lengthy detour still adds hours of flight time. Flight tracking data shows that the route from Toronto to Delhi on Friday and Saturday flew nonstop for about 15 hours, compared with the typical 13 hours previously. Nonstop flights from India to Europe and the Middle East are less affected time-wise, but they can still be a nuisance for travelers. Air India flights from Delhi to cities such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London took about nine hours before Thursday; now they're reaching 10 or more. SpiceJet and IndiGo have said they're seeing a similar impact, with IndiGo announcing that 50 international routes would be longer than usual. SpiceJet has a considerably smaller operation than IndiGo and Air India. It leases aircraft from the Czech carrier Smartwings. For example, since Thursday, Flightradar24 shows IndiGo's flight from Delhi to Tbilisi, Georgia, has taken up to an hour extra. SpiceJet's route from Amritsar, India, to Dubai is similarly longer. All three airlines have advised customers on social media and their websites to monitor their flight status for schedule adjustments, rebooking, and refund options. This isn't the first time geopolitical tensions have forced lengthy detours. Carriers such as Finnair and United Airlines started flying extra hours to Asia after Russia closed its airspace following its attack on Ukraine in 2022. https://www.yahoo.com/news/flights-india-europe-north-america-200140564.html How equipment can help make aircraft crashes more survivable Regulators and the industry learn from every incident With renewed focus on aviation safety, our new article provides an overview of some of the catastrophic incidents that led to change in the global aviation industry. When the Wright brothers took to the air for the first time in 1903 it was considered an extraordinary feat, but nearly a century and a quarter later, flying has become a normal, and safe, mode of transportation for billions of passengers globally. Safety is at the forefront of the aviation industry’s considerations, in terms of reducing both the risk of incidents and their severity. A range of equipment and training programs have been designed, implemented and improved to enhance the likelihood of survival for passengers and crew in the unfortunate event of a serious incident. This article looks at how safety equipment has evolved over the last few decades, highlighting some of the innovations and enhancements that have been put in place from both a technical and a training perspective, including the increased focus on human factors as a key element of safe operations. While there have been several incidents recently (discussed in our Q1 Airline Insurance Market Update), the aviation industry remains statistically one of the safest forms of transport,[1] and the constant enhancements to safety equipment and training are vital to this ongoing success. Structural enhancements We may not always know what causes an aviation incident, but we know what happens when an issue becomes a problem. Enhanced seat design and the wider use of fire-retardant materials have reduced the risk of gravity- and conflagration-related injury. Crashworthy seats One of the most critical advances has been the development of ‘crashworthy’ seats, a term used to denote that a piece of equipment offers passive protection in the event of an incident.[2] Since 2009, all commercial aircraft seats have been designed to absorb impact energy of up to 16 times the force of gravity (16g),[3] prior to which, the requirement had been for seats to be able to absorb 9g (although 16g seats had been mandated by some aviation authorities on newly developed aircraft since 1988[4]). Modern seats have stronger frames and energy-absorbing cushions, which reduce the forces transmitted to occupants during a hard landing. The introduction of head injury criteria (HIC) compliant seats has further enhanced safety by mitigating the risk of cranial injuries.[5] The aircraft that flipped on landing on February 17, 2025, at Toronto Airport would have had these seats, which is likely to have played a role in the fact that all passengers and crew survived the incident. Fire-resistant materials and design One of the loss events that had a strong influence on the safety of the aviation industry was the 1985 British Airtours disaster at Manchester Airport.[6] During the take-off run, the aircraft suffered an uncontrolled engine failure which led to a fire, filling the aircraft with toxic fumes due to the cabin’s combustible materials. This led to the deaths of 53 passengers and two crew members. Following the event, regulations mandating fire-retardant materials were introduced, most notably for seat covers and carpets. Modern aircraft interiors, including the uniforms of cabin crew on some airlines, are now made of materials that are either less likely to ignite or retard the spread of flames. The loss also highlighted the need for a wider gap between rows of seats near emergency exits, to reduce the risk of blockage as people try to access the exits. These developments provide passengers with more time to evacuate an aircraft in the event of a fire, reducing injuries and fatalities. The Manchester disaster also offered lessons about how weather can make things worse The Manchester disaster also offered lessons about how weather can make things worse. The stricken aircraft had been able to move off the runway and onto a taxiway during the initial phase of the incident, but the change of position meant that the wind started to fan the flames across the wing and onto the fuselage. It is also worth noting that the way that the wings are attached to the fuselage section on a modern aircraft has also changed. They are now attached using a series of specialized bolts, some of which allow stripping of the wing under certain impact forces (particularly when the aircraft is impacted from the side). This allows the fuselage to continue moving and come to rest safely while reducing the potential for a post-impact fuel fire engulfing the sections of the aircraft that contain the passengers and crew, as demonstrated in the recent Toronto incident.[7] Technological innovations From lighting to cockpit enhancements, technology has played a key role in mitigating the risk of crashes. Enhanced emergency lighting Emergency lighting systems, such as floor-level lighting that guides passengers to exits, were also enhanced after the Manchester loss. The lighting is designed to remain operational even after a crash, ensuring that passengers can safely and quickly find their way out of an aircraft even in challenging circumstances. These systems have repeatedly proved to be invaluable during aircraft evacuations, even in conditions of low visibility. EGPWS, TCAS and FOQA/FDM/FDA Cockpits are also far more advanced than they used to be. The Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) warn pilots if they are getting too close to terrain or other aircraft. Flight Operations Quality Audit (FOQA), also referred to as Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) or Flight Data Analysis (FDA), is another technology-led program and adds a layer of oversight to day-to-day operations. It collects data that can be analyzed and provides feedback to aircraft crew and training teams as they strive to achieve an ideal flight profile every time. The approach is intended to ensure that there is a close connection between the technology that manages the aircraft and the humans that operate it. The system is mandatory for commercial aircraft with a take-off weight of more than 27,000kg, and while turboprop operators are not required to use it, most of them have implemented it in some form. It is worth noting that while the international aviation community strives to simplify and standardize language as far as possible, FOQA is the terminology used by organizations including the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) uses FDM, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) uses FDA. The CVFDR/Black box Recovery and interrogation of the black box is one of the priorities in the immediate aftermath of an incident. The black box contains data collected by the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) alongside the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which tends to be combined to be known officially as the CVFDR. The lack of CVFDR data can be a major impediment to investigations This flight data helps investigation teams understand what was happening on an aircraft and what its systems were doing in the moments leading up to and immediately after an event. The lack of CVFDR data can be a major impediment to investigations and can leave lessons unlearned. The CVFDR is exceptionally robust and designed to withstand impacts of up to 3,400g and temperatures of up to 1,000°C (1,830 °F). The name black box dates to the 1940s, but they have been bright orange since the 1960s to help recovery crews can find them more easily. Emergency response equipment Emergency equipment for the passengers and crew, such as oxygen systems and life vests and rafts, is also constantly being enhanced. Oxygen systems In the event of an incident at high altitude, the availability of breathable oxygen is crucial. Improved oxygen systems ensure that pilots and passengers receive an adequate supply of oxygen until the aircraft reaches a safe altitude. These systems include advanced oxygen masks that are easier to deploy and provide a more consistent flow of oxygen. Life vests and rafts For incidents involving water landings, the development of advanced life vests and life rafts has been instrumental in improving survivability. Modern life vests are equipped with features such as water-activated lights and whistle attachments to aid in rescue operations. Just remember to not inflate your life vest until you have exited the aircraft Life rafts have also become more durable and easier to deploy, providing a safer refuge for passengers awaiting rescue. Just remember to not inflate your life vest until you have exited the aircraft as, in the event of an aircraft filling with water, an inflated life vest can hinder, or possibly even prevent, one’s exit. Training and protocols Improvements in equipment have been complemented by enhanced crew training and passenger safety briefings. Crew training In 1972, an Eastern Airlines passenger flight crashed in the Florida Everglades.[8] Investigations into the event found that the crew were preoccupied with a faulty nose landing gear indicator light and, such was their focus, they did not realize they were losing altitude for several minutes. This crash led to the development of Crew Resource Management (CRM), which emphasizes situational awareness and communication within the cockpit. Many airlines have also adopted programs such as Line Orientated Safety Audits (LOSA) which analyze (anonymously) how crews react to threats and information from outside the aircraft (such as adverse weather and air traffic control instructions) and monitor errors that occur inside the cockpit (such as inadvertent skipping of a checklist item, or an unhelpful distraction during setting of an altimeter pressure setting) in order to understand how well the crew prevent occurrences leading to unsafe situations. The lessons from LOSA are fed back into the operator’s training program to enhance the guidance to crews. Cabin crews are also better trained to handle emergency situations. This training includes the use of simulators that replicate various crash conditions, allowing crew members to practice evacuation procedures and the correct use of emergency equipment for events such as lithium battery fires, which need to be controlled in a specific way. Passenger safety briefings In January 1989, British Midland Airways flight 092 left London for Belfast but suffered an engine failure.[9] The pilots erroneously shut off the good engine and, without thrust, the aircraft crashed on the M1 motorway in Leicestershire, killing 47 of the of the 126 people on board. The subsequent investigation revealed that many of the passengers did not assume the brace position during the crash. This led to a revision of the brace position, which is now widely adopted. Other recommendations from this loss included improved seat design, stronger overhead lockers and improvements in locker latches (which gave way in the crash and caused injury from falling bags). Configuration management training was also enhanced to ensure that crews understood the specific characteristics of the aircraft they were working on. The industry has had to grapple with the proliferation of personal headphones Since these recommendations were released in 1993, effective passenger safety briefings have played a role in improving survivability. These briefings provide passengers with clear instructions on how to use safety equipment and what to do in the event of a crash. The use of visual aids and demonstrations helps passengers prepare and act quickly and efficiently in the unlikely event of an emergency. The industry has had to grapple with the proliferation of personal headphones and find ways to ensure passengers play their part in protecting themselves by actively paying attention to safety briefings. There is also standardization and rules for the safety cards available on each passenger seat. Icons and infographics on these cards must follow international standards, which is why they all look similar and tend to avoid embellishment. Standardized language Airports and air traffic control (ATC) operators have also enhanced their processes and procedures as a result of lessons learned from previous incidents. The dreadful loss of two aircraft in Tenerife in 1977 led to the development of more standardized language and clearer instructions from ATCs.[10] Research into this event helped develop further CRM, Human Factor Management and Fatigue Risk Management, all of which later played a crucial role in enabling a crew to crash-land a crippled aircraft in Sioux City in 1989.[11] Conclusion Continuous advances in aircraft safety equipment and human factor-based protocols have significantly improved the chances of surviving an aircraft crash. From structural enhancements and technological innovations to improved emergency response equipment and rigorous training programs, the aviation industry remains committed to ensuring passenger safety.[12] While the ultimate goal is to prevent accidents, these developments provide a vital layer of protection, improving passenger and crew prospects even in the most dire circumstances. With the aviation industry back to pre-COVID 19 levels of activity and the potential growth of advanced air mobility over the next few years, there is unlikely to be any let-up in the focus on safety.[13] All the incidents above are tragic, but industry professionals have learnt from each event and created systems, engineered structures and developed processes to reduce frequency and increase survivability of aircraft crashes. https://www.wtwco.com/en-us/insights/2025/04/how-equipment-can-help-make-aircraft-crashes-more-survivable American Airlines ends JetBlue talks, sues over collapsed alliance American Airlines had been in talks with JetBlue to form a new partnership aimed at strengthening its network and loyalty program, following the dissolution of the NEA after a non-jury trial in May 2023 found the agreement violated federal antitrust law — a decision later upheld by a U.S. appeals court. "Ultimately, we were unable to agree on a construct that preserved the benefits of the partnership we envisioned, made sense operationally or financially," American Airlines' Johnson said in the letter. In February, JetBlue said it was still in talks with multiple airlines to establish a partnership and is willing to allocate more funds to get a deal done. The NEA was announced in July 2020 and received approval from the U.S. Transportation Department just days before the end of Republican President Donald Trump's first term in January 2021. The alliance allowed the two carriers to coordinate flights and share revenue, forming a key part of American Airlines' strategy to gain ground in the New York market, where it had been operating at a loss. American Airlines said on Monday that it has also filed a lawsuit to recover money owed by JetBlue following the unwinding of the NEA. The Texas-based firm is seeking monetary relief of more than $1 million, excluding attorney fees and costs from JetBlue, according to the lawsuit filed in a Texas court. JetBlue, in response to the lawsuit, said it has been working collaboratively with American to wind down the NEA since a court ruling deemed it anti-competitive. "We plan to review American's complaint, and as this is pending litigation, we cannot comment further at this time," a JetBlue spokesperson said in an emailed response. https://www.reuters.com/business/american-airlines-sues-jetblue-scraps-partnership-talks-2025-04-29/ Garmin (GRMN) unveils Garmin Pilot Web, an online flight planning tool Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today introduced Garmin Pilot Web, its new powerful flight planning website that complements the Garmin Pilot mobile app. Garmin Pilot Web offers an expansive set of free features for all pilots, including at-a-glance flight planning with high-resolution maps and charts, airport information, weather and aeronautical data overlays for an information rich experience. Garmin Pilot mobile users in North America will have expanded access to Garmin Pilot Web features including robust flight planning, routing, filing, aircraft performance data, a live internet traffic layer and more. Garmin unveils Garmin Pilot Web, an online flight planning tool "The Garmin Pilot mobile app has always been known for incredible maps and weather overlays, and we're excited to bring those capabilities and more to the web. If you are not already familiar with Garmin Pilot, I encourage you to give Garmin Pilot Web a try when planning your next flight. With its free, at-a-glance tools – you will find it can greatly simplify your online flight planning workflow." –Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice President of Aviation Sales, Marketing, Programs & Support Free flight planning tools and maps Available for free to all aviators, Garmin Pilot Web's Map tab provides a variety of mapping options such as topographic maps, satellite view, VFR sectionals, IFR High/Low charts and street maps. Using the Map Controls menu, overlays for a new aeronautical layer, radar, AIR/SIGMETs, TFRs, temps, fuel prices and more can be selected for additional detail. The Winds Aloft overlay allows pilots to select a specific altitude and view a highly visual depiction of wind and pressure system information. Basic route planning allows pilots to enter the desired route and select the altitude, speed and fuel burn for their aircraft. The distance, fuel required, ETE and ETA will then be calculated for the selected route, with the option to display fuel burn, true air speed, winds aloft and more at various altitude levels. Airport information is also available, including daily & hourly forecasts1 in addition to aviation centric weather data. Runway information, terminal charts, FBOs, Garmin SafeTaxi® diagrams and more are also accessible in the Airport Info menu. In-depth flight planning and aircraft profiles for mobile app users Garmin Pilot mobile app users can enjoy additional features on Garmin Pilot Web by utilizing the Flights and Aircraft tabs. The Flights tab allows pilots to create, save and file flight plans, as well as view weather briefings. Also within the Flights tab, pilots can view details for their flight plan such as distance, fuel required, estimated time enroute, payload and fuel calculators that show how much useful load remains, and more. Routes cleared previously are also displayed, making it easier for pilots to plan their own routes to similar destinations. Using the procedure selector, pilots can simultaneously view departures, approaches or arrivals on a map alongside a flight plan so it's easier to visualize and select the most appropriate procedure based on a flight plan and intended direction of flight. The Aircraft tab allows pilots to add new aircraft, edit current aircraft and tailor aircraft performance data conveniently from their computer. To simplify the process, pilots can choose to add their aircraft from an existing template or add it manually. Flight plans and aircraft data are synced across Garmin Pilot platforms. Additionally, Garmin Pilot mobile users can view live internet traffic on Garmin Pilot Web – including flight details such as the callsign, aircraft type and more when available. To access Garmin Pilot Web, visit pilotweb.garmin.com. To take advantage of all Garmin Pilot Web features, visit garmin.com/garminpilot and select the plan that best suits your flying. Full-featured flight planning is available in North America at launch, with additional regions planned in the future. Garmin products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world's first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminaviation on social, or follow our blog. 1 Available in the United States. https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Garmin+%28GRMN%29+unveils+Garmin+Pilot+Web%2C+an+online+flight+planning+tool/24701980.html Finnair to Furlough 36 Pilots After Qantas Cuts Deal While Qantas hasn't canceled the arrangement entirely, its decision to scale back represents a significant blow to Finnair's operational strategy. HELSINKI- Finnair (AY) has announced plans to furlough 36 pilots following Qantas Airways’ (QF) decision to reduce their wetlease partnership by half. The Finnish flag carrier blames ongoing industrial action by its pilots’ union for the Australian airline’s decision to scale back operations. The dispute centers around contentious wage negotiations, with Finnair pilots refusing to accept new work rules and implementing an overtime ban that has disrupted flight schedules. Jaakko Schildt, Finnair’s chief financial officer, described the situation as “unfortunate for all parties” as the carrier faces significant operational challenges. Qantas and Finnair established their wetlease agreement in 2023, utilizing two Finnair Airbus A330 aircraft to operate routes from Sydney (SYD) to Singapore (SIN) and Bangkok (BKK). While Qantas provides cabin crew, Finnair supplies pilots who typically live in Helsinki and travel to Asia to begin their rotation. The ongoing protests by Finnair’s pilot union, including a refusal to work standby duties, have created scheduling problems as pilots fail to reach Bangkok and Singapore on time. These disruptions have directly impacted Qantas’ operations, prompting the Australian carrier to reduce the partnership to just one aircraft through the remainder of the contract, which extends to 2027. Earlier this year, Finnair warned that failure to reach an agreement with its pilots could result in Qantas terminating the wetlease agreement completely, potentially eliminating 90 pilot positions. While Qantas hasn’t canceled the arrangement entirely, its decision to scale back represents a significant blow to Finnair’s operational strategy. Finnair (AY) has announced plans to furlough 36 pilots following Qantas Airways' (QF) decision to reduce their wetlease partnership by half. Understanding Wetlease Agreements in Aviation Wetlease agreements, commonly known as ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) contracts, are standard business arrangements in the aviation industry. Under these agreements, one carrier provides an aircraft with a crew to operate flights on behalf of another airline. These partnerships typically arise when airlines need additional capacity due to seasonal demand increases or engineering issues with their own fleet. The Rolls-Royce engine problems affecting certain Boeing 787 Dreamliners have led many carriers to seek wetlease solutions in recent years. Finnair’s arrangement with Qantas is somewhat unusual, as established passenger airlines rarely provide wet-lease services themselves. This strategic pivot came as a direct response to Russian airspace closures, which left Finnair with surplus widebody aircraft due to range limitations on its traditional Asian routes. Risks of Finnair’s Business Strategy Finnair’s decision to enter the wetlease market represents a calculated business risk that now appears to be backfiring. While wetlease agreements can provide valuable revenue streams, they often lack long-term security, with contracts frequently containing clauses allowing for early termination, PYOK flagged. The Russian airspace closure forced Finnair to adapt its business model quickly, but the ongoing labor disputes have undermined this strategic shift. The airline’s inability to maintain consistent service for Qantas demonstrates the vulnerability of depending on wet-lease arrangements for financial stability. The furlough of 36 pilots marks a significant setback for Finnair as it attempts to navigate the challenging post-pandemic aviation landscape while managing contentious labor relations. The airline must now reassess its operational strategy as it faces reduced demand for its wet-lease services. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/04/28/finnair-to-furlough-36-pilots-after-qantas-cuts-deal/#google_vignette Woman assaulted on American Airlines flight files federal suit against airline A woman who was sexually assaulted by a North Texas man while onboard an American Airlines flight has filed a federal lawsuit against the Fort Worth-based airline, according to court documents. The lawsuit, filed April 24 in the Northern District of California, alleges that the assault was “the direct result of a culture at American Airlines that enables sexual predators,” the suit reads. The suit also names the man, Cherian Abraham, as a co-defendant in the case, according to court documents. The woman, named in the lawsuit as Barbara Morgan, was seated next to Abraham on an overnight flight from San Francisco to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport last April, according to the lawsuit. Morgan’s husband was also on board the flight and seated away from his wife, according to the lawsuit. Morgan asked flight attendants if she could move and be seated next to her husband, but was told a seat change would cost an additional $70, according to the lawsuit. After cabin lights were dimmed, Abraham allegedly began to grope Morgan, according to the lawsuit. Morgan did not report the assault while in the air because she feared the plane would be rerouted, angering other passengers. Morgan later reported the assault online to the airline’s customer service, but did not receive a response until over a week later, according to the lawsuit. When the airline did respond to Morgan’s complaint, a representative dismissed the allegation of sexual assault and shifted blame onto Morgan for not reporting the incident while in the air, the lawsuit states. Abraham was noted to have assaulted at least one other woman aboard an American Airlines flight prior to the incident involving Morgan, according to the lawsuit. Last month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Washington announced it would seek charges against Abraham for the subsequent assault of another woman on an American Airlines flight, according to the lawsuit. Morgan is seeking damages, court costs and attorney’s fees, according to the lawsuit. Representatives for American Airlines and lawyers for Cherian Abraham could not immediately be reached for comment Monday evening. https://www.yahoo.com/news/woman-assaulted-american-airlines-flight-005418606.html Spirit Airlines named best U.S. airline for 2025, topping WalletHub ranking amid industry turmoil Spirit Airlines claims the top spot in WalletHub’s 2025 airline rankings, leading in affordability and safety as travelers prioritize budget and security. Spirit Airlines tops WalletHub's list of best airlines. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways An ultra-low-cost airline claimed the title of the best U.S. airline in 2025, according to an annual ranking from WalletHub. Spirit Airlines — a no-frills airline that sells cheap base tickets but recoups some costs through add-ons like carry-on and checked bag fees and seat selection — jumped from last year’s No. 3 spot on the list to the top spot in 2025. In addition to being named the best overall airline, Spirit ranked No. 1 in two of WalletHub’s subcategories — affordability and safety — that are top of mind for travelers at the moment, however data for the rankings was captured through 2024. But Spirit may not be a super-budget airline for much longer. Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last November after losing $1.2 billion in 2024, but in March, it emerged from bankruptcy protection and announced it would rebrand as a premium airline. The rankings were released as the airline industry grapples with a spate of catastrophic incidents that have prompted travelers to question airline safety. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have sent airline bookings into a tailspin. Alaska Airlines was named the top airline in the U.S. in WalletHub rankings in 2024, but slipped to the No. 6 spot this year. In January 2024, a door plug blew out mid-flight on a Boeing 737 Max, forcing Alaska Airlines to ground a flight. While no one was seriously physically injured, the incident did prompt serious safety concerns over Boeing’s manufacturing processes and the schedule of airlines' safety checks. Since WalletHub, a personal finance site, examined data through 2024, it didn’t capture major incidents in 2025 like the January midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft. For its 2025 rankings, WalletHub compared the nine largest U.S. airlines, plus two regional carriers, across 14 metrics, using U.S. Department of Transportation data. Read on to find out more about the methodology of the airline rankings and how the airlines fared in rankings that zeroed in on safety, affordability and reliability. How Was The Best U.S. Airline Determined? For its rankings of the best U.S. airlines in 2025, WalletHub considered factors like reliability, comfort, affordability, and safety. Criteria such as flight cancellations and delays, animal-related incidents affecting those traveling with pets, leg room, complimentary refreshments and price are considered. Criteria is also weighted differently — for example, mishandled baggage reports bear more significance in final scores than in-flight entertainment. Analysts also factor in ticket costs in relation to in-flight amenities. “For example, it wouldn’t be right to penalize an airline that charges for drinks if its tickets are far cheaper than those from an airline with free in-flight refreshments,” according to WalletHub. What Are The Best Airlines in The U.S.? No. 1: Spirit Airlines No. 2: SkyWest Airlines No. 3: Delta Air Lines No. 4: JetBlue Airways No. 5: Southwest Airlines No. 6: Alaska Airlines No. 7: Hawaiian Airlines No. 8: United Airlines No. 9: Frontier Airlines No. 10: American Airlines No. 11: Envoy Air What Are The Top Airlines in Other Categories? In addition to the best overall U.S. airlines, WalletHub recognizes the leaders of categories. Here are the airlines that ranked highest this year. Most Affordable Airline According to the Consumer Price Index, airline ticket prices shot up by nearly 8% in 2024, outpacing inflation. Spirit was the most affordable airline for budget flyers in 2025, according to WalletHub. Most Reliable Airline Delta Air Lines is the most reliable airline in 2025, according to the WalletHub ranking that found it had the least amount of cancellations, delays, mishandled luggage and denied boardings. Most Comfortable Airlines As far as the most comfortable airlines in 2025, JetBlue Airways and Hawaiian Airlines tied for the top spot on WalletHub’s rankings. The analysts credited free amenities such as Wi-Fi, extra legroom, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Best Airline for Pets Three airlines tied in WalletHub’s rankings for being most pet-friendly: SkyWest Airlines, United Airlines and Envoy Air with no incidents related to the loss, injury or death of pets as tracked by the Department of Transportation. Safest Airline The safety category from WalletHub includes metrics like aviation fatalities and injuries as well as fleet age. Spirit Airlines was ranked the safest airline by WalletHub, followed up by Frontier Airlines. Spirit flies to destinations throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean with its all-Airbus Fit Fleet, which it claims is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the U.S. https://www.yahoo.com/creators/lifestyle/story/spirit-airlines-named-best-us-airline-for-2025-topping-wallethub-ranking-amid-industry-turmoil-154402119.html Comac C919 To Get European Approval In 3-6 Years, EASA Chief Says LYON—The Comac C919, China’s foray into the current-generation commercial narrowbody aircraft market, may receive its European certification in 3-6 years, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Executive Director Florian Guillermet said in an interview published by French-language weekly l’Usine Nouvelle April 28. Compared to 2025, as Comac hoped until recently, the 2028-2031 period looks less favorable. It means the C919 will start competing with the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX in most countries at least 12 years after their entry-into-service—with comparable technology, at best. Unlike in the automotive sector, China has yet to create competitive products in aviation. Comac’s previous design, the ARJ21, also relied on a number of Western systems but never reached a significant production rate. The joint work with EASA will, at least, act as seeds for faster validation of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)’s approvals in the future. Comac and EASA’s joint work started four years ago, with two productive years, Guillermet said. They relied on the EU-China Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement that became effective in 2020, before the CAAC certified the C919 in China in September 2022. The certification process for a Western-built aircraft usually takes 1-2 years after its first flight, or the validation takes some six months after a counterpart in a bilateral aviation safety agreement (BASA) certifies the aircraft. Those durations, however, are for organizations with long-established ties. “We have yet to carry out validation tests for the design of the aircraft and some components,” Guillermet said. “Inflight evaluations will be performed, too.” Among other pieces of Western-built equipment, the Comac C919 uses the CFM International Leap-1C, an engine almost identical to the A320neo’s Leap-1A. Nevertheless, EASA must assess the overall design and integration work, Guillermet said, noting he has no doubt Comac will obtain the type certificate. The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database shows 15 C919s are active in service. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/comac-c919-get-european-approval-3-6-years-easa-chief-says CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 70th annual Business Aviation Safey Summit (BASS), May 6-7, 2025, Charlotte, N.C., organized by Flight Safety Foundation in partnership with NBAA and NATA. · Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore · Flight Safety Foundation - Aviation Safety Forum June 5-6, 2025 - Brussels . 2025 EASA-FAA International Aviation Safety Conference, 10 Jun 2025 to 12 Jun 2025, Cologne, Germany · The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 . Airborne Public Safety Association -APSCON / APSCON Unmanned 2025 in Phoenix, AZ | July 14-18, 2025 . 3rd annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), July 15-17, 2025, Singapore, organized by Flight Safety Foundation and CAAS. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis & Associates