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

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.