Airlines

U.S. judge: Passengers in fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes are ‘crime victims’

On Friday, a federal judge in Texas determined that the victims of two Boeing 737 MAX crashes are legally constituted “crime victims,” a designation that will determine what remedies should be enforced.

Some relatives of accident victims claimed in December that the US Justice Department breached their legal rights when it reached a deferred prosecution agreement with the planemaker in January 2021 over two disasters that killed 346 people.

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The families claimed that the government had “lied and violated their rights through a secret process” and asked U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor to revoke Boeing’s immunity from prosecution, which was a condition of the $2.5 billion deal and order the planemaker to be publicly arraigned on felony charges.

Attorney General Merrick Garland met with some of the families after they filed a lawsuit alleging that the Crime Victims’ Rights Act had been broken, but he maintained the plea agreement, which included a $244 million fine, $1.77 billion in airline compensation, and a $500 million fund for crash victims.

MCAS, a safety system related to two deadly crashes and intended to help mitigate the MAX’s propensity to pitch up, was built by Boeing but important information about it was withheld from the FAA. The Ethiopian and Indonesian pilots would have “received training sufficient to respond to the MCAS activation that occurred on both aircraft,” according to O’Connor, “had Boeing not committed its crime,” the judge decided.

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The crashes, which have cost Boeing more than $20 billion in compensation, production expenses, and fines and caused the best-selling airliner to be grounded for 20 months, forced Congress to approve laws changing FAA aviation certification.

Boeing is requesting that Congress extend the FAA’s certification deadline for the MAX 7 and MAX 10 beyond the legislation’s December deadline. All aircraft after that date must have contemporary cockpit alerting systems, which the 737 aircraft do not.

In order to resolve Securities and Exchange Commission allegations that it misled investors about the MAX, Boeing paid $200 million last month.

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Airlines

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

British Airways has introduced its brand-new First Class seat, blending sleek design with expert British craftsmanship. Reflecting modern British luxury travel, this new cabin is part of the airline’s Airbus A380 retrofit plans, set to take flight in mid-2026.

The updated First Class cabin has been crafted to feel like a modern luxury hotel in the sky, complete with cozy touches and thoughtful British details.

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Designed by top experts from across Great Britain and Ireland—including London, Glasgow, West Yorkshire, Kilkeel, and Dublin—the seat reflects the best of British design and quality.

Features and Comforts
The new First Class seat is ultra-wide at 36.5 inches, with a bed length of 79 inches for ultimate comfort. It includes:

A multi-purpose ottoman and stowable table.
A 32-inch 4K TV screen.
Adjustable mood lighting with modes like “relax,” “dine,” and “cinema.”
A cocooned 60-inch curved wall for privacy while maintaining a spacious feel.

Passengers traveling together can enjoy a shared experience with a sliding divider that creates a lounge-like space. The stowable tables also allow for “buddy dining,” where two people can dine together.

The cabin’s flowing curves, inspired by the iconic Concorde wings, create a welcoming and stylish environment. Additionally, passengers can now wheel their luggage directly into their personal storage space, making settling in easier.

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British Airways carefully considered customer feedback when designing this cabin. The seat includes practical storage and features like a fully rectangular bed for home-like comfort. Every detail, from usability to elegance, has been designed to enhance the travel experience.

British Airways is proud to be the only UK-based European airline offering a First Class product across the Atlantic. british airways premium economy and First Class travelers enjoy exclusive perks such as stylish seats, access to luxury lounges, fast-track security, and the First Wing at Heathrow. The airline ensures a premium experience from booking to landing.

This cabin upgrade is part of British Airways’ £7 billion investment in improving customer experiences. The airline has already introduced over 120 initiatives, including new short-haul seats, free onboard Wi-Fi messaging, and refreshed lounges worldwide.