Airlines

Severe Hailstorm Damages Nose and Cockpit Windows of Austrian Airlines Flight

An Austrian Airlines flight from Palma de Mallorca, Spain to Vienna, Austria (flight OS434) encountered a severe hailstorm during its approach to Vienna-Schwechat Airport on Sunday, sustaining significant damage.

The airline reported that the aircraft was struck by a severe thunderstorm cell that was not visible on the weather radar, resulting in extensive damage to the cockpit windows, exterior coverings, and notably, the nose cone.

The cockpit crew, caught off guard by the invisible storm cell, made a mayday distress call as the plane was battered by hail. The impact damaged the two front cockpit windows, stripped coverings off the aircraft’s nose, and caused other external damage. Photos shared on social media vividly displayed the severe damage to the front of the plane.

When you send off four besties and they end up being „attacked“ by hail, lose half of the cockpit nose and have their front windows shattered prior to arrival. #OS434 Palma to Vienna. Very pleased you all touched ground – alive. Thanks #austrian #aua #airlines pic.twitter.com/SHOUsUY5Wg— Exithamster (@exithamster) June 9, 2024

Passenger Emmeley Oakley, who was on board during the chaotic flight, recounted the harrowing experience to ABC News. She mentioned that they were about 20 minutes from landing when the plane entered a cloud of hail and thunderstorm, leading to powerful turbulence.

“We could definitely feel the hail coming down on the plane and it was quite loud and… super rocky for a minute,” Oakley described in a text message to the station. She estimated that the plane took about two minutes or less to fly through the hailstorm, during which “phones and cups” were thrown around the cabin, causing some passengers to panic and scream.

Oakley praised the cabin crew for their swift and effective response in calming the distressed passengers, ensuring safety and order within the cabin. austrian airlines hail

Despite the turbulent and alarming approach, the flight landed safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, with no injuries reported among the passengers or crew. Austrian Airlines confirmed the safe landing and stated that their technical team is currently inspecting the aircraft to assess the extent of the damage.

Airlines

Southwest Airlines Unveils 3-Year ‘Southwest. Even Better.’ Plan for Growth

Southwest Airlines today hosted its Investor Day briefing in Dallas, where company leaders unveiled an ambitious three-year plan designed to elevate the airline’s unique business model and deliver an even better Southwest experience.

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This comprehensive plan aims to transform the customer experience by offering more choices and enhanced comfort, all while driving revenue growth and returning to industry-leading profitability.

Transforming the Product to Meet Customer Preferences

The heart of Southwest’s transformation is a customer-centric approach guided by data-driven research. The airline is evolving to meet changing traveler needs while preserving the aspects that make it stand out among competitors.

Assigned Seating: Southwest is moving to an assigned seating model, appealing to a broader customer base. Research shows that 80% of Southwest customers and 86% of travelers with other airlines prefer assigned seating, especially on longer flights. The assigned seating model will be introduced for sale in the second half of 2025, with flights featuring this new option beginning in the first half of 2026.

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Premium Seating: Responding to traveler demand, Southwest will offer premium seating options with up to five additional inches of legroom on roughly a third of its seats, all while maintaining a competitive economy seat pitch. This move is expected to attract more customers and generate additional revenue.
Southwest Boarding with Upgrades: Even with seat assignments, Southwest’s signature boarding process will remain. Customers will still board using position numbers and signage, with the most loyal and premium passengers boarding first, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
Bags Continue to Fly Free: Southwest’s iconic “bags fly free” policy will remain unchanged, reinforcing one of the key features that sets the airline apart from its competitors. Research confirms that any changes to this policy would reduce demand, making it a core element of the Southwest experience.

Operational Efficiencies to Fuel Growth

To support its growth over the next three years, Southwest is implementing key operational improvements:

24-Hour Operations: Starting in February 2025, Southwest will introduce redeye flights in key markets, enhancing aircraft utilization.
Turn Times Between Flights: The airline is working to reduce the time it takes to turn an aircraft, boosting productivity and making life easier for employees.

Southwest’s Financial Plan

Cost Discipline: Southwest aims to achieve an estimated $500 million in annual cost savings by 2027 through efficient hiring, optimized scheduling, supply chain opportunities, and corporate efficiency.
Strategic Fleet Management: Southwest is modernizing its fleet to achieve an average fleet age of just five years by 2031, reducing average capital expenditures on aircraft to approximately $500 million through 2027.
Prudent Capital Deployment: The airline is balancing its capital expenditures, investing in operational infrastructure, managing debt, and rewarding shareholders with dividends and share repurchases. The Board of Directors has approved a $2.5 billion share repurchase program, demonstrating confidence in Southwest’s strategic plan and revenue-generating initiatives.

Financial Targets

Southwest’s three-year financial plan aims to achieve approximately $4 billion in cumulative incremental EBIT contribution by 2027, with a targeted Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of 15% or greater, significantly exceeding the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC).