Aviation

Air India Alters Elderly Couple’s US Flights Without Notice

A 17-yr boy was arrested for making a hoax bomb threat, causing multiple flight diversions and delays.

An elderly couple’s travel plans were unexpectedly disrupted when Air India allegedly changed their tickets and destinations without prior notification, as reported by a user recounting the ordeal.

According to Dushyant Arora, the couple discovered the changes only when they attempted to check in for their flight to Newark, New Jersey, scheduled for June 19.

My partner’s old parents- cardiac patients were to fly to Newark today via @airindia @RNTata2000

When they tried to check in last night, they found out- Air India unilaterally changed their tickets

1. put mother in one flight, father in another.

2. One flight to depart on…
— Dushyant Arora (@atti_cus) June 19, 2024

They were shocked to find that Air India had booked them on separate flights. The husband was re-routed to New York instead of Newark, departing on a different day than originally planned, while the wife’s itinerary remained unchanged.

The couple, unfamiliar with the changes and concerned about flying separately, decided to cancel their tickets. This decision was particularly difficult for the mother, as it would have been her first time flying abroad, and she expressed reluctance to travel alone.

The couple was not contacted by anyone from the airline to inform them of the changes. The tickets had to be cancelled by the couple. In response to the X user, Air India stated that the customer’s request for a complete refund has been fulfilled.

“Dear Sir, we apologise that this happened and assure you that we never plan to interfere with our clients’ travel arrangements. “We have conducted a complete refund in accordance with the primary customer’s request, who was booked in the PNR,” stated Air India.

Aviation

Airbus Plans Cockpit Toilet to Make Single-Pilot Operations a Reality

In a bold move aimed at cutting costs, Airbus is exploring the possibility of installing a potty-style toilet right behind the Captain’s seat on its A350 long-haul aircraft. According to the reports from paddleyourownkanoo.com

This proposal is part of the ongoing effort to implement Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), a concept that could revolutionize the aviation industry by reducing the number of pilots required on ultra-long-haul flights.

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Currently, on long flights, two pilots stay in the cockpit while the others rest in a separate compartment. However, under eMCO, one pilot could be alone in the cockpit for up to three hours while the other sleeps. The goal is to reduce crew costs and improve airline efficiency, as fewer pilots would be needed for these flights.

But this proposal has raised concerns from pilot unions, who worry about safety and the challenges of single-pilot operations. To address the issue of bathroom breaks, Airbus suggests installing a radio-equipped toilet in the cockpit, allowing the pilot to use it without leaving their seat.

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If the pilot needs to use the toilet, the second pilot would have to be woken up, terminating the eMCO process temporarily.

If successful, Airbus plans to begin testing this system on its A350 aircraft as soon as 2027, with single-pilot operations possibly being introduced on freighter Airbus A320s within the next five years.