Aviation
Hawaiian, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon Airline to introduce new ‘smart bag’ policy
Cathay Pacific :
Effective 1 January 2018, smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries will not be accepted as
cabin or checked baggage
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon will be introducing new policies surrounding the carriage of ‘smart bags’, which are a new type of innovative luggage featuring integrated lithium batteries for the purpose of charging an external device or to provide power to the wheels of the bag.
Smart bags will not be considered a portable electronic device (PED); their batteries will be handled as a power bank or spare lithium battery. The new policy follows industry guidance recently issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and aligns with similar practices adopted by major airlines worldwide for safety management and risk mitigation.
Checked baggage
Effective 1 January 2018, customers who travel with a smart bag must be able to
remove the battery in case the bag has to be checked-in at any point during the
customer’s journey. The passenger must carry the removed lithium battery in their
cabin baggage and it will be treated in accordance with existing spare lithium battery
requirements.
Cabin baggage
If the customer would like to take the smart bag as cabin baggage, the battery must
be removable and should remain installed inside the bag.
If the battery cannot be removed, the bag will not be permitted for carriage as
checked or cabin baggage.
Our Airport teams will be happy to assist customers with any queries they may have
concerning smart bags.
Hawaiian Airlines
– Hawaiian Airlines today announced it will no longer accept smart bags containing non-removable
lithium ion batteries as checked or carry-on luggage beginning Jan. 15. These batteries have been known to short-
circuit, posing a safety risk for airlines.
Smart bags featuring removable batteries may be carried on and stored in the overhead bin as long as they remain
turned off for the duration of the flight in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations regardinglithium ion batteries. Passengers may check a smart bag if its battery has been removed. The detached battery, which must be carried in the cabin, will need to have its terminals isolated to prevent a short circuit.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a smart bag may include features such as:
• Lithium ion battery and motor allowing it to be used as a personal transportation device, either as a stand-up
scooter, or sit on vehicle. These devices do not meet the criteria of a mobility device.
• Lithium ion battery power bank that allows charging of other electronic devices such as mobile phones,
tablets and laptops.
• GPS tracking devices with or without GSM capability.
• Bluetooth, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) and Wi-Fi capability.
• Electronic baggage tags.
• Electronic lock(s).
• Lithium ion battery, motor and tracking device (GPS) allowing the bag to self-propel and ‘follow’ the owner.
Aviation
All passengers killed in plane crash, after pilot let his children to control the plane
When boarding a plane, passengers entrust their safety to the skilled hands of the pilot. However, tragedy struck when one of the flight ended in disaster as all passengers lost their lives in a horrific plane crash.
In 1994, during a flight from Moscow to Hong Kong, tragedy struck as an Aeroflot relief pilot made a fateful decision. In a move that would have devastating consequences, the pilot invited his own children into the cockpit to play with the controls. Little did anyone know, this seemingly innocent gesture would lead to the loss of all 75 lives aboard the aircraft.
It was a seemingly innocent act that led to catastrophic results. The relief pilot, Mr. Kudrinsky, invited his two children, Yana, 12, and Eldar, 15, into the cockpit during the late hours of the night. Little did anyone know, this simple gesture would set off a chain of events that would end in tragedy.
Once in the cockpit, the children were allowed to sit in the captain’s chair and play with the controls, unaware that they should have been disabled as the plane was in autopilot mode.
Eldar, perhaps in a moment of curiosity or innocence, held the control column down for a mere 30 seconds. Yet, in those brief moments, the autopilot disengaged, thrusting the aircraft into manual control.
By the time the pilots regained their seats and attempted to regain control, it was too late. Despite their efforts to pull the plane out of a dive, they overcorrected, causing the flight to climb almost vertically, ultimately stalling it.
Final moment Flight 593 crash
In the final moments, as the pilots struggled to stabilize the aircraft, Flight 593 crashed into the Kuznetsk Alatau Mountain range in southern Russia, completely obliterating the plane and claiming the lives of everyone on board.
Investigations revealed a chilling truth: there was no evidence of technical failure. Instead, the crash was attributed to the unthinkable decision to allow inexperienced hands to manipulate the controls of a commercial aircraft.
The black box recording captured the harrowing sequence of events, providing a grim reminder of the human cost of a lapse in judgment. In just over two minutes, the lives of all on board were tragically short, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow and unanswered questions.
Aviation
American Airlines Flight Attendant Orders First-Class Traveler to use Economy Restroom
On a recent American Airlines flight from Chicago O’Hare to Phoenix, Pamela Hill-Veal, a retired circuit court judge, found herself at the center of a disturbing incident.
Despite traveling in First Class, she was directed by a flight attendant to use the Economy Class restroom, sparking allegations of racial discrimination. According to Hill-Veal, the ordeal began when she used the dedicated First Class lavatory during the flight. A flight attendant approached her, accusing her of slamming the door and issued a warning.
Despite remaining calm, Hill-Veal faced further confrontation when she attempted to use the First Class restroom again later in the flight. The situation escalated as the flight attendant persisted in berating Hill-Veal, who felt targeted due to her race. She highlighted the disparate treatment, noting that white passengers were not subjected to similar directives.
In a distressing turn, the flight attendant followed Hill-Veal to her seat and allegedly touched her while threatening arrest upon landing. This alarming encounter left Hill-Veal feeling humiliated and traumatized, impacting her ability to rest even after the flight.
American Airlines has responded, expressing a commitment to investigating the matter and addressing discrimination claims seriously. However, the incident underscores ongoing concerns about racial bias in air travel and the need for accountability in ensuring all passengers are treated with dignity and respect.
Aviation
Southwest CEO Signals Major Shift: Farewell to Open Seating
Southwest Airlines is contemplating a significant shift away from its traditional open seating policy, a move that could signal a departure from its long-standing business model.
The potential change, which would introduce assigned seating and premium seat options, is being considered to appeal to a younger demographic of travelers. This adjustment would mark one of the most substantial alterations for the carrier since its inception in 1971.
Unlike its competitors who have embraced premium seating offerings, Southwest has stuck to its open seating approach, albeit providing the option for early boarding at a fee. However, with rivals like United Airlines witnessing revenue growth from premium seating, Southwest is reevaluating its strategy. According to Forbes, the airline industry has seen a shift in customer preferences over time, prompting Southwest to reconsider its seating model designed during an era of lower load factors.
While Southwest CEO, Jordan,told to CNBC that he has neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of premium seating, he acknowledges that the company is exploring various options. He emphasized that while it’s still early in the decision-making process, the initial results are promising, hinting at potential changes in the future.
Southwest currently operates with a single economy class cabin across its all-Boeing 737 fleet, with no assigned seating. However, the airline does offer the option for early boarding for passengers to secure their preferred seats for an additional fee. Over the years, Southwest has maintained a focus on simplicity and user-friendliness in its offerings, striving to minimize costs and complexity.
In contrast, competitors like Delta and United have capitalized on revenue growth from premium seating options such as business class, demonstrating strong upsell rates. Analysts have repeatedly questioned Southwest about the potential for introducing premium seating or additional fees, although the airline has traditionally refrained from charging for the first two checked bags.
For now, the only way Southwest passengers can secure their preferred seats is by paying for an earlier boarding position, as the airline continues to operate without assigned seating, allowing passengers to choose their seats upon boarding in a predetermined order.