Airlines

Southwest pilots union backs Boeing on MAX 7, 10 certification extension

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The union that represents nearly 10,000 Southwest Airlines pilots is in favor of extending an exemption from the new cockpit alerting regulations to Boeing 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 aircraft.

The 737 MAX 7 and 10 variants must be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration by the end of December, failing which Boeing will be forced to comply with new contemporary cockpit-alerting regulations that may severely delay the plane’s entry into service.

10 things about Boeing 737 max aircraft. (Opens in a new browser tab)

It made sense to have standardized alerts across the 737 families of aircraft, according to Capt. Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, in an interview on Friday. Murray stated We feel in the interest of safety and commonality that it should be certified under the same regulations, adding that he backs the legislation’s mandate that upcoming aircraft have cutting-edge cockpit alerting systems.

The Allied Pilots Association, which is made up of 15,000 American Airlines (AAL.O) pilots, stated that it is against the Boeing MAX jets’ expansion.

Boeing received the most orders at the Farnborough airshows in 2022.(Opens in a new browser tab)

One unified 737 cockpit warning system, according to Boeing, makes the cockpit safer. “A consistent operational experience across an airplane family is an industry best practice that benefits flight crews and the flying public by improving safety and lowering risk,” said Boeing. Following the deaths of 346 people in two deadly 737 MAX crashes and the subsequent 20-month grounding of the best-selling aircraft, Congress implemented the rules as part of certification reform.

According to a letter from the FAA, Boeing does not expect to receive regulatory approval for the MAX 10 until next summer. The deadline for Boeing to obtain certification for the additional versions was extended last week by one year, to September 2024, by Senator Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Commerce Committee. Wicker plans to include the request in the yearly military bill.

The 65,000 airline pilots in North America that make up the Air Line Pilots Association remained silent on their position regarding the extension on Friday.

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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.

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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.