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Flying with Ease: Expedia’s Guide to Stress-Free Air Travel in 2024

Flying with Ease: Expedia's Guide to Stress-Free Air Travel in 2024

According to new Expedia® data, air travel is the main cause of stress for 55% of Americans, who find it more difficult than filing taxes or going to the dentist. Expedia has launched its 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, which unpacks data-backed ideas for saving money and minimizing stress as the busy holiday travel season approaches. This year’s report highlights include:

  • Domestic airfare should be booked 28 days before departure; travelers saved up to 24% compared to those who booked at the last minute, surpassing the 10% savings travelers saw on average in 2022. 
  • International airfare should be booked around 60 days out (and no more than 4 months out) for optimal availability and savings (around 10% on average). Last year, the sweet spot was closer to six months out. 
  • Sunday remains the cheapest day of the week to book flights, while Fridays are most expensive. On average, travelers saved up to 13%.2 
  • Fly before 3 p.m. to minimize the impact of delays and cancellations. Flights departing after 3 p.m. statistically have a 50% higher chance of being canceled than earlier flights.3 
  • There’s officially no bad time to book, with Expedia’s Price Drop Protection: More than a quarter (28%) of U.S. travelers continue checking ticket prices even after they’ve booked, but this new product issues a refund if the price of the ticket drops on Expedia after booking. *

The analysis also discovered that average ticket prices have remained nearly flat compared to last year, and flight cancellation rates have improved (1.7% of flights compared to 4.1% in 20223), both of which are positive trends for travellers who cite finding a good deal (61%) and worrying about disruptions (28%).

The most annoying types of airline passengers…!!(Opens in a new browser tab)

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“No way should people rather get a cavity filled than go on a trip, so thank goodness a lot of the things causing travel-related stress are getting better,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “Fewer flights are being canceled and technology is helping with tools in the Expedia app like Price Tracking and Price Drop Protection that make the whole booking and flying journey smoother.” 

Expedia’s annual Air Travel Hacks Report is backed by an analysis of billions of data points and the most extensive air ticketing database in the world through collaboration with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and OAG

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What factors influenced Go First’s decision to resume flight operations starting May 27?(Opens in a new browser tab)

“Airlines are adding capacity and increasing service to meet the sustained air travel demand we’ve seen throughout 2023,” said Chuck Thackston, managing director of data science and research at ARC. “Air travel has proven resilient over the past few years, with travelers increasingly taking to the skies for both business and leisure. Fortunately for those travelers, the cost of airfare has been below 2022 levels for most of the year.”

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He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

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Airlines

Mid-Flight Chaos: Eva Air Flight Attendants Praised for Halting Brawl Over Seat Dispute

Mid-Flight Chaos: Eva Air Flight Attendants Praised for Halting Brawl Over Seat Dispute

In a remarkable display of bravery and quick thinking, three female flight attendants from Eva Air have been lauded as heroes after diffusing a tense altercation between two male passengers aboard a flight from Taiwan to San Francisco.

The incident unfolded onboard EVA Air flight BR8 on May 7, just hours into the 11½-hour journey from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.

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Reports suggest that the confrontation erupted over a seat dispute when one passenger sought to switch seats due to concerns over a neighbor’s coughing. In the ensuing chaos, the passenger who attempted to claim the seat was met with resistance from its original occupant, leading to a physical altercation.

Witnesses on the flight described a scene of escalating tension as one passenger attempted to strike the other, prompting the swift intervention of the cabin crew. Video footage shared on social media captured the moment when the flight attendants courageously stepped in to separate the brawling passengers, with one attendant holding back the assailant while others intervened to prevent further escalation.

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Passenger Alex Pierce, who captured the incident on video, expressed his concern for the safety of the flight attendants amidst the chaos. Despite the volatile situation, the Eva Air crew remained composed and acted decisively to restore order on the aircraft.

Following the intervention of the flight attendants, the two unruly passengers were handed over to US law enforcement upon the flight’s arrival in California. Eva Air reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive behavior and commended the crew for their exemplary response to the incident.

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Why do airplane tires cause smoke at touchdown?

Why do airplane tires cause smoke at touchdown?

When an aircraft touches down during landing, the appearance of smoke is a common sight. This occurrence arises from a combination of factors related to the landing procedure and the characteristics of the tires themselves.

As the aircraft descends and prepares for touchdown, the tires are stationary. Upon contact with the ground, they rapidly accelerate from a standstill to an average speed of 240 to 260 km/h. This sudden burst of motion creates friction between the tires and the runway surface, resulting in the emission of smoke.

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The smoke stems from the considerable heat generated by the friction between the rubber tires and the asphalt runway. This heat is sufficient to cause the rubber to almost vaporize, resembling the smoke produced when a bike tire skids against the road.

Several variables influence the intensity and occurrence of smoke during landings. The frequency of landings a tire experiences within a specific timeframe, such as within 24 hours, impacts its level of wear and tear. Airlines rigorously inspect tire conditions before each flight, promptly replacing them if any damage or signs of deterioration are detected to uphold safety standards.

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The design and resilience of aircraft tires are influenced by the type of aircraft and its operational demands. For example, the tires used on an Airbus A330-200 differ in composition and load capacity compared to those designed for conventional automobiles. Furthermore, environmental factors such as runway temperatures and altitude variations contribute to tire performance.

Aircraft tires are meticulously engineered to endure the demanding conditions of takeoff and landing. They incorporate multiple layers of nylon for reinforcement and a wire core to prevent slippage on the rim. Moreover, these tires are filled with nitrogen, offering superior properties compared to conventional compressed air for aviation purposes.

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FedEx B767 Freighter Aircraft Lands in Istanbul Without Nose Gear

A FedEx cargo Boeing 767-300F, bearing registration N110FE, faced a tense situation as it embarked on what should have been a routine journey from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport to Istanbul.

However, mid-flight, the pilots discovered a malfunction in the front landing gear, setting off a chain of events that culminated in a dramatic emergency landing at Istanbul Airport on 8th May.

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According to reports from the state-run Anadolu Agency, the crew onboard Flight FX6238 promptly alerted authorities at Istanbul Airport upon realizing the landing gear failure. With nerves of steel, they maneuvered the aircraft under the guidance of the control tower, navigating the challenge of landing without the crucial support of the front landing gear.

As the FedEx plane descended toward the runway, onlookers, and social media users witnessed a nerve-wracking sight: the aircraft relying solely on its back landing gear, gently touching its nose to the tarmac in a controlled landing.

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In response to the emergency, airport rescue and fire fighting teams sprang into action, ready to respond to any potential disaster. Fortunately, their services were not required as the skilled piloting and swift coordination ensured the safety of all onboard. Despite the intensity of the situation, there were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.

The incident prompted the temporary closure of runway 16R at Istanbul Airport, but the quick action of authorities ensured that flight operations continued smoothly on other runways. Istanbul Governor Davut Gul reassured the public of the airport’s robust infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, emphasizing that such incidents are managed effectively to minimize disruptions.

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Still, questions concerning Boeing aircraft quality control have been raised once again in light of the emergency landing. This event adds to the ongoing criticism of Boeing’s safety measures in light of the recent controversies concerning the company’s manufacturing operations.

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