United Airlines’ Unique Overbooking Policies

It would appear that United Airlines is in the process of writing a book about the stupidest business practices ever. From what I can tell, the working title is “The Friendly Skies – Not!” Just looking back at the past few months, in December 2016, Uni …

United Airlines Pilot Removed From Flight

United Airlines had to remove one of its own pilots prior to takeoff on Saturday after a rather bizarre meltdown. The pilot apparently arrived late for United Airlines flight #455 from Austin to San Francisco still in street clothes. She then began wha …

American Airlines Plane Hits Deer On Runway

We’ve posted blogs before about the dangers of bird strikes to aircraft. Bird strikes happen regularly, yet can be very dangerous and represent a serious aviation safety issue – think Captain Sully Sullenberger. Yesterday, there was a more unusual inci …

Search For Flight MH370 Suspended

After three years with no luck, authorities have officially ended the underwater search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The plane disappeared over the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on bo …

United Airlines Receives Push Back On Basic Economy Fare Plan

As we discussed in an earlier blog, United Airlines recently announced its plan to charge for overhead bin space. Passengers will be allowed one carry-on, limited to 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches, and it must fit under the seat. Although some of the …

Lockhart, Texas Hot Air Balloon Crash Involved Impaired Pilot

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently heard expert testimony as part of their investigation into the Lockhart, Texas hot air balloon crash. The July 20, 2016 crash killed 16 people, including the pilot of the balloon. The balloon hit …

United Airlines Introduces New Steerage – or, sorry – Basic Economy Class

In keeping with the holiday spirit, United Airlines just announced that starting in early 2017, it will charge for overhead space. So-called Basic Economy fliers will be limited to one carry-on, and it must fit under the seat. The valuable and limited …

Daallo Airlines Explosion Kills Passenger

What many believe to have been a bomb exploded yesterday on a commercial airliner, an Airbus A321, flying from Mogadishu to Djibouti. The pilots landed the plane safely, which was reportedly in flames and surrounded by smoke, after declaring an emergen …

Run and Hide – Not Exactly The John McClane Approach

Remember Die Hard 2, where Officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) saves Washington Dulles Airport from a rogue band of militant terrorists? Well apparently that’s not how they roll in Chicago. If you see the aviation police running in Chicago, don’t assum …

A Holiday Guide to FAA Drone Rules

If you are on Santa’s nice list, chances are you may find a drone, or even better, a drone with a mac-daddy Go-Pro camera under your tree this Christmas. But just remember, that gift comes with some strings. A drone, no matter how small, is an aircraft …