Airlines

Japanese flight with over 300 passengers sent back to starting point after 7-hour nightmare

A domestic flight in Japan that just missed a curfew and was then sent on a roundabout journey back to its originating point evolved into a seven-hour experience for more than 300 passengers.

JL331 of Japan Airlines Co. was scheduled to depart Tokyo’s Haneda Airport at 6:30 p.m. local time on Sunday for the two-hour journey to Fukuoka. Nevertheless, a last-minute plane switch caused a 90-minute delay in takeoff, and as the plane approached Fukuoka, it became clear that it would just miss the airport’s 10 p.m. commercial plane cutoff time, contrary to earlier expectations that it would land with 4 minutes to spare, the airline said in a statement.

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Several flights headed for the city had already experienced delays due to the morning’s strong winds at Haneda. A few late-running aircraft were permitted to land after the curfew, but JL331 was denied permission.

The lengthy trip back to Tokyo then started. JAL reported that an original proposal to divert the flight to the adjacent city of Kitakyushu was abandoned because there weren’t enough buses to transport the 335 passengers. Instead, pilots were diverted to Kansai International Airport near Osaka, about 280 miles (450 kilometres) from their original destination, where they landed at 10:59 p.m.

Unlucky JL331 passenger tweeted a picture of the flight’s path, showing the aircraft doing a significant U-turn close to Fukuoka.

JAL331 ダイバート
羽田発→福岡行
これ羽田着いた後ホテル用意してくれるんかな？ pic.twitter.com/KRwKTEpzko
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— うぱ?? (@pococha_upa) February 19, 2023

The airline said it provided lodging and transportation expenses as compensation for the travellers. To make up for its customers’ unfortunate travel experiences, it also provided a cash payment and a replacement flight.

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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.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“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.