Aviation

7 best airplane movies to watch on Netflix

Photo:Wikipedia

Society of the Snow

2024 | Maturity Rating:A | 2h 25m | Drama

Following a plane crash in the remote heart of the Andes, survivors join forces and become each other’s best hope as they navigate their way back home.

The film depicts the real-life events of a Uruguayan rugby team’s harrowing ordeal following the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in the Andes mountains in 1972. Featuring a cast predominantly comprised of Uruguayan and Argentine actors, many of whom are emerging talents, the movie premiered in Uruguay on December 13, 2023. It garnered critical acclaim, securing 12 awards, notably including Best Picture and Best Director at the 38th Goya Awards.

Top Gun: Maverick

2022 | Maturity Rating:U/A 13+ | 2h 11m | Action

After more than 30 years as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Maverick trains a group of Top Gun graduates for a specialized — and dangerous — mission.

The narrative follows Maverick as he grapples with his personal history while mentoring a new generation of Top Gun graduates, among them the son of his late closest companion, for a perilous assignment. “Maverick” made its debut at CinemaCon on April 28, 2022, before hitting theaters across the United States. The film achieved remarkable financial success, grossing $1.496 billion worldwide, thus becoming the second highest-grossing film overall and the most lucrative of Tom Cruise’s career.

Into the Night

2020 | Maturity Rating:U/A 16+ | 2 Seasons | Sci-Fi

Passengers and crew aboard a hijacked overnight flight scramble to outrace the sun as a mysterious cosmic event wreaks havoc on the world below.

The inaugural season of the series revolves around a group of individuals who find themselves aboard a red-eye flight from Brussels, only to have their journey disrupted by a hijacking. Terenzio, an Italian NATO soldier, commandeers the plane, insisting on an early departure. As the narrative unfolds, these few passengers become survivors of a catastrophic global phenomenon triggered by exposure to sunlight.

In the subsequent season, the remaining survivors embark on a quest to reach safety within a NATO bunker located in Bulgaria, where they hope to shield themselves from the lethal effects of the sun’s rays. Premiering on Netflix on May 1, 2020, the series marks Netflix’s debut Belgian original production. The second season premiered on September 8, 2021, further delving into the survivors’ struggle for survival in the face of an unprecedented threat.

Manifest

2018 | Maturity Rating:U/A 16+ | 4 Seasons | Drama

When a plane mysteriously lands years after takeoff, the people onboard return to a world that has moved on without them and face strange new realities.

“Manifest” is an American supernatural drama series that follows the events surrounding Montego Air Flight 828. During a routine flight from Jamaica to New York City, the plane encounters sudden and intense turbulence. Upon landing at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, the 191 passengers and crew are informed by NSA deputy director Robert “Bobby” Vance that more than five and a half years have elapsed during their time in the air, a period during which they were believed to be deceased.

Keep Breathing

2022 | Maturity Rating:U/A 16+ | 1 Season | Drama

When a small plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, a lone survivor must battle the elements — and her personal demons — to stay alive.

“Keep Breathing” is a survival drama limited series crafted by Martin Gero and Brendan Gall for Netflix. With a total of six gripping episodes, the show debuted on July 28, 2022. The narrative centers on Liv Rivera, a pragmatic lawyer from New York City, whose journey takes a dramatic turn when her plane crashes while traversing northern Canada. Stranded in the unforgiving wilderness with nothing but her wits and determination, Liv embarks on a profound inner journey, drawing upon her past experiences to muster the resilience needed to endure and survive.

Blood Red Sky

2021 | Maturity Rating:A | 2h 3m | Horror

When a group of terrorists hijacks an overnight transatlantic flight, a mysteriously ill woman must unleash a monstrous secret to protect her young son.

Released on July 23, 2021, by Netflix, the story centers around Nadja, a German widow, and her son Elias as they prepare to board a flight to New York. Nadja, who appears to be battling leukemia, intends to seek medical treatment from a doctor in the United States. At the airport, Elias strikes up a friendship with a man named Farid, while Nadja grapples with the discomfort caused by her medication. As the passengers settle in for the journey, a sinister plot unfolds as a group of individuals, including co-pilot Bastian, carry out a heinous act. They murder the sky marshals and tamper with the black box, effectively disabling the plane’s radar tracking capabilities.

Catch Me If You Can

2002 | Maturity Rating:U/A 16+ | 2h 21m | Drama

An FBI agent makes it his mission to put cunning con man Frank Abagnale Jr. behind bars. But Frank not only eludes capture, he revels in the pursuit.

Catch Me If You Can” is an American biographical crime comedy-drama from 2002. The film portrays the exploits of a young man who alleges that before turning 19, he executed cons amounting to millions of dollars, assuming various roles such as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor, and a Louisiana parish prosecutor. However, the veracity of his claims remains highly contentious.

Despite the controversy surrounding the protagonist’s accounts, the movie was a commercial triumph, amassing a global box office revenue of $352 million.

Aerospace

Airbus Reveals Innovative Hybrid Aircraft, Blending Plane and Copter Designs

Airbus Helicopters has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation in rotorcraft technology with the introduction of an experimental hybrid aircraft, blending the features of a plane and a helicopter.

Named the Racer, this one-of-a-kind demonstrator model integrates traditional overhead rotor blades with two forward-facing propellers, aiming stability with speed. The primary objective behind this engineering marvel is to significantly reduce response times for critical missions such as search-and-rescue operations.

Priced at 200 million euros ($217 million), the Racer represents a pioneering leap in rotorcraft design, poised to revolutionize the industry. Beyond its immediate applications, including search-and-rescue missions, the Racer’s potential extends to military endeavors, aligning with NATO’s ongoing exploration of next-generation helicraft. However, the realization of such prospects hinges upon the alignment of future operational requirements.

Designed to operate at a cruise speed exceeding 400 km/h, the Racer demonstrator is meticulously engineered to strike a delicate balance between speed, cost-efficiency, and mission performance.

Notably, the aircraft targets a notable reduction in fuel consumption, aiming for a 20% decrease compared to contemporary helicopters of similar caliber. This feat is made possible through aerodynamic optimization and an innovative eco-mode propulsion system, developed in collaboration with Safran Helicopter Engines.

The hybrid-electrical eco-mode system allows for the temporary suspension of one of the two Aneto-1X engines during cruise flight, thereby contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions. Moreover, the Racer seeks to address environmental concerns by focusing on lowering its operational acoustic footprint, showcasing its commitment to sustainability.

Building upon the success of Airbus Helicopters‘ X3 technology demonstrator, which previously pushed the boundaries of helicopter speed by achieving a remarkable 472 km/h, the Racer represents a significant evolution in aerodynamic configuration and technological innovation.

Aviation

Pratt & Whitney Faces Lawsuit Over Aircraft Engine Allegations

In a significant legal development within the aerospace industry, Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of aerospace giant RTX, finds itself embroiled in a formidable $150 million lawsuit. As reported by Reuters.

Filed by Universal Turbine Parts LLC (UTP) in a Philadelphia federal court, the lawsuit accuses Pratt & Whitney Canada, a unit of RTX, of engaging in anti-competitive practices aimed at stifling competition in the market for used engines and parts for regional commercial aircraft, freight operations, and other applications.

UTP, an Alabama-based supplier of aftermarket aircraft engines and engine parts, alleges that Pratt & Whitney Canada has systematically obstructed rivals, including UTP, from accessing its used PT6 and PW100 turboprop engines.

These engines, manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, hold a significant presence in the aviation industry, with Pratt having produced over 64,000 PT6 engines and 8,000 PW100 engines, as stated in the lawsuit.

Central to UTP’s claims is the assertion that Pratt & Whitney has violated U.S. competition law by imposing restrictions that prevent approved “overhaul facilities” from supplying engines and parts to UTP and other second-hand sellers.

Moreover, UTP accuses Pratt of engaging in unfair practices by acquiring used engines and parts at non-economic prices, effectively monopolizing the market and limiting access for competitors.

The lawsuit further alleges that Pratt & Whitney may have obtained sensitive information, leading to its attempts to cut off the supply of engines to UTP and other second-hand sellers. UTP’s legal action seeks $150 million in cash damages, portraying Pratt’s actions as part of a larger “multi-faceted scheme” of antitrust offenses.

Aviation

Major US airlines sue Biden administration over junk fee rule

A clash is brewing between US airlines and the Biden administration over a new rule aimed at shedding light on the often opaque world of airline fees.

The rule, announced by the US Transportation Department, requires airlines to be more transparent about charges such as baggage fees and reservation changes. However, major carriers including American, Delta, and United, alongside their industry trade group, are pushing back against the regulation.

They argue that the increased transparency could overwhelm consumers with information and complicate the ticket-buying process.

The Transportation Department, on the other hand, is staunchly defending the rule, emphasizing its role in protecting consumers from what it calls “hidden junk fees.” The department estimates that the rule could save consumers over $500 million annually.

The dispute lies in the requirement for airlines and travel agents to disclose fees upfront, prominently displaying them on the first webpage where flight prices are quoted.

While the Biden administration sees this as a step towards empowering consumers, airlines fear it will confuse travelers and disrupt their business models. Despite the opposition from some airlines, Southwest Airlines expressed support for the principle of transparent pricing.

While the rule may have minimal impact on Southwest due to its existing policies of allowing free checked bags and no extra fees for reservation changes, the airline emphasizes the importance of clear and consistent fee disclosure for informed consumer decision-making.