Airlines

From Barroom Bet to Stolen Aircraft: The Unbelievable Flights of Thomas Fitzpatrick

In September 1956, there was a man named Thomas Fitzpatrick. He had a few too many drinks in a bar in New York City. When he was drunk, he made a bet with someone that he could fly from New Jersey to New York City in just 15 minutes.

At 3 a.m., he did something very risky. He stole a small airplane from an airport called Teterboro. He didn’t turn on the airplane’s lights or radio. He flew the plane and landed it on a street called St. Nicholas Avenue, close to 191st Street, right in front of the same bar where he made the bet. The New York Times even said it was a good landing and impressive flying. But what he did was illegal, and he had to pay a $100 fine because the owner of the plane didn’t want to press charges.

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Then, in October 1958, Fitzpatrick did something even crazier. He stole another plane from the same airport and landed it on a street called Amsterdam Avenue near 187th Street. He did this because someone didn’t believe that he had done it the first time.

For the second stolen flight, a judge named John A. Mullen sentenced him to six months in prison. When the police asked him why he did it again, he said it was because someone didn’t believe his first flight.

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Fitzpatrick had been a Marine during the Korean War and even received a Purple Heart for his service. He had a family with three sons and was married for 51 years. He worked as a steamfitter. He passed away in 2009 when he was 79 years old.

Because of his daring airplane feats, there’s a mixed drink named after him called the “Late Night Flight.”

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

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“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.