Airlines

This is How Alaska Airlines is prepping for winter storms

Everyone knows snow can make the holidays extra cozy. But it can also cause headaches for people traveling during the ‘most wonderful time of the year.’

Peek inside Alaska Airlines’ first 737-800 retrofit(Opens in a new browser tab)

Pacific Northwest forecasts are calling for the possibility of snow beginning this weekend and continuing throughout the week. We could see up to three separate snowstorms that could span rain/snow showers to snow actually accumulating on the ground.

How should I proceed if an aircraft is about to crash?(Opens in a new browser tab)

At Alaska, it prepared to pull every lever to get you to your holiday destination, but disruptions from the snow and ice do happen. While team is working hard to get guests where they need to go, we want to share some of the reasons why we do what we do:

Why do the impacts feel worse in Seattle?

Seattle is Alaska’s hometown, and operations represent the largest percentage (by a wide margin) of departures and arrivals at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) compared to other airlines. Because of this, more of guests are impacted when something impacts operations at Seattle. If another airline’s main hub got hit with a snowstorm, hurricane or power outage, they would be disproportionately impacted.

For context, SEA has a very small footprint by acreage compared to other metropolitan airports. This constrains ability to deice entire schedule of flights in wintry weather. Because the space doesn’t allow for that type of volume, they have to thin out their schedule to keep planes moving.

Why do we cancel flights before snow arrives?

We use numerous tools and resources to help us predict the weather. When forecasts tell us to expect snow or ice, we know we need to act. Freezing temperatures and precipitation mean that we need to deice aircraft before they can safely fly. Much like putting chains or studded tires on your car before hitting a snowy road, deicing aircraft slows down operation. This means we can’t move normal number of aircraft into and out of the airport. In order to reduce traffic jams, they need to proactively cancel flights from schedule so they can keep as many aircraft moving as possible.

If need to cancel flights, they try and let impacted guests know as early as possible. This means it could look clear and beautiful outside, but your flight tomorrow may have been canceled.

Why does an airplane need to be deiced?

Whenever there’s any snowfall or ice on aircraft, it begin deicing procedures as part of safety protocol. Aircraft cannot safely operate if there is snow or ice accumulation on the wings or tails, so it’s critical that remove it before takeoff.

It has a full fleet of trucks, equipment and personnel across stations ready to do that work, along with a well-stocked amount of deicing solution. They work as quickly as the airport and weather conditions will safely allow. However, deicing aircraft at the gate can lead to longer wait times on the tarmac—but safety comes first.

How to be a pro winter traveler

Download mobile app to check-in, pay for bags and stay up to date on any changes to your reservation—it’s like having a travel agent at your fingertips.
Always check the status of your flight before heading to the airport. You can do this on mobile app or alaskaair.com.
Allow extra time to travel to the airport and navigate security.
Stay up to date on restrictions for unaccompanied minors and pets flying in the cargo hold. Often during winter weather, it will impose these restrictions to keep everyone safe.

What to do if your flight is canceled?

If your flight has been canceled, you will be contacted and reaccommodated on another flight. You will be emailed a special phone number to call if you need further help with your reaccommodation.

Airlines

The Nine Freedoms of the Air – Jetline Marvel

Most of us travel from one city to another city via road we need to get permission to that specific city if it is in another country like a visa or Road access permission to use its property for revenue purposes to carry passengers and Cargo. Similarly, In the airline Industry, it is also important that the Company have permission to fly and access that country whether it’s for stoppage flying above them, or Operating the passengers within that country This is called Freedom of the Air.

Some countries together they agree with certain conditions to access their Aerospace for to access for the airline to travel above their nation. If the bilateral is done for Their own countries’ airlines or other countries’ airlines. In this chapter, we understand how this thing is carried out. What all the condition has to look into that.

The Freedoms of the Air are international commercial aviation agreements (traffic rights) that grant a country’s airline(s) the privilege to enter and land in another country’s airspace. They were formulated in 1944 at an international gathering held in Chicago (known as the Chicago Convention) to establish uniformity in world air commerce. There are generally considered to be nine freedoms of the air.

Most nations of the world exchange first and second freedoms through the International Air Services Transit Agreement. The other freedoms,chase freedom airline miles when available, are usually established between countries in bilateral or multilateral air services agreements. The third and fourth freedoms are always granted together. The eighth and ninth freedoms (cabotage) have been exchanged only in limited instances

First Freedom:

The basic permission granted to an airline from one country (A) to fly through the airspace of another country (B)

Second Freedom:

The permission for a commercial airplane from country (A) to land and refuel (often called a technical stop) in another country (B).

Third Freedom :

The privilege for an airline to transport paying (Revenue) passengers from its home country (A) to another country (B).

Fourth Freedom

The rights for an airline to transport paying (Revenue )passengers from another country (B) to the airline’s home country (A).

Fifth Freedom

Fifth Freedom (also known as beyond rights): The rights for an airline to transport passengers from its home country (A) to a destination (B), then pick up and carry passengers to other international destinations (C).

Sixth Freedom:

Sixth Freedom (Combination of Third & Fourth Freedoms) The right for an airline to carry passengers or cargo between two foreign countries (B and C), provided the aircraft touches down in the airline’s home country (A).

Seventh Freedom:

The authorization for an airline to operate flights that start in a foreign country (B), skip its home country (A), and transport passengers to another international destination (C).

Eighth Freedom Air

The rights for an airline to transport passengers from one location within a country’s territory (B) to another point within the same country on a flight originating in the airline’s home country (A). This right is commonly referred to as cabotage and is notably scarce outside of Europe.

Ninth Freedom Air

The entitlement for an airline from a specific country (A) to begin a flight in a foreign country (B) and transport passengers from one location to another within that foreign country. This concept, also referred to as stand-alone cabotage, distinguishes itself from the traditional aviation definition of cabotage by not directly involving the airline’s home country.

Airlines

ANA and Air India Launch Codeshare Agreement for Enhanced Travel Options

The national flag carrier of India, Air India, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have signed a business deal to initiate a codeshare alliance that will link India and Japan.

Starting on May 23, customers will have more flight options with this cooperation between the two Star Alliance members. By consolidating flights from both airlines onto a single ticket, passengers will be able to go to their selected destinations more quickly. Additionally, both passengers on codeshare flights can take advantage of the premium services that Star Alliance provides to its premium members, like priority boarding and lounge access.

ANA will use its “NH” code on Air India flights between Narita and Delhi, and Air India will add its “AI” code to ANA’s flights between Haneda and New Delhi and Narita and Mumbai. These codes will go on sale on April 23.

Soon, the two airlines hope to add more destinations as part of their growing partnership. Through expanded chances for visitors from both nations to explore each other’s wonders, this agreement will help to strengthen the economic and commercial links between Japan and India. The airlines’ individual websites, reservation systems, and travel companies will all offer codeshare flights for sale.

Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer of Air India Nipun Aggarwal stated, “This codeshare agreement with All Nippon Airways marks an important step forward in connecting India and Japan.” “This partnership increases our network’s reach and provides our customers with more options for flights between the two nations as well as seamless travel experiences. We anticipate working well with ANA and looking at potential future collaboration opportunities.”

Airlines

An A320 plane flew for 28 minutes with both pilots asleep

In a startling incident, an Airbus A320 operated by an Indonesian airline, Batik Air, flew for a harrowing 28 minutes with both pilots asleep at the controls.

The alarming event unfolded on Batik Air Flight 6723, carrying 153 passengers, en route to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. The saga began when the first officer allowed the captain to take a nap, only to fatigue himself, attributing his drowsiness to caring for his one-month-old twins. As the pilots dozed off, the aircraft veered off-course, prompting concerns from air traffic control (ATC) who lost contact with the flight 90 minutes into its journey.

Despite the pilots being unresponsive for nearly half an hour, ATC managed to track the aircraft using radar as it covered a staggering 210 nautical miles, equivalent to the distance between New York and Washington, D.C. The captain eventually woke up, realizing the perilous situation and rousing his co-pilot.

After correcting the flight path, the captain attributed the radio silence to a “communication problem,” and the plane eventually touched down safely in Jakarta. However, the incident sparked widespread concern and investigation by Indonesia’s transport ministry.

A preliminary report revealed that the second-in-command had not rested adequately before the flight, shedding light on the potential dangers of pilot fatigue. While the identities of the pilots remained undisclosed, the incident underscored the critical importance of ensuring crew members are well-rested and fit for duty.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the swift actions of the awakened captain averted disaster, emphasizing the necessity for robust safety protocols and measures within the aviation industry.