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Individuals are increasingly taking glamor shots for their passport photos, staging the lighting to enhance their appearance. This trend, however, is causing complications at immigration checkpoints. TikToker Beth Gould shared her experience upon landing in Taiwan: “The machine said my passport photo didn’t look like me, so I had to go to the desk and get my identification verified.”
FARNBOROUGH — British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet program has provided fully-funded flight training for up to 100 candidates per year since 2023. Now, the airline is expanding its investment for next year’s class, offering up to 200 prospective pilots the opportunity to pursue a commercial flying career without bearing the £100,000 cost of training.
Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Chicago Midway found themselves in an uncomfortable situation when a woman's hair draped over the back of their seat. Seeking assistance, they approached a flight attendant, who reportedly responded with, “What exactly would you like me to do?”
A recent incident involving a couple traveling together on an anniversary trip has sparked debate over travel etiquette and honesty. The couple was flying with American Airlines, where only one upgrade seat to first class was available. The husband suggested they both remain in coach to stay together, and the wife agreed.
Viasat reports that its satellite communication services, including those in aviation, were only “minimally impacted” by China’s sanctions against the US firm, which have now been lifted.
News and notes from around the internet:
General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) has traced the source of a stain on the underside of the AOPA Beech Baron fuel test bed aircraft to a leaky patch in a 50-year-old bladder in the tank. According to a report prepared by GAMI, mechanics who removed all four bladders from the Baron discovered the leak in an old patch on the aged bladder that had been used to hold G100UL for the past nine months.
Airlines use up to four digits for flight numbers, allowing a maximum of 9,999 flights. Despite this seemingly ample range, major carriers like American Airlines, Delta, and United are facing a shortage of available flight numbers.
Delta Air Lines experienced a significant operational failure following a glitch from CrowdStrike, resulting in more flight cancellations over five days than in all of 2018 and 2019 combined. The incident cost the airline approximately $500 million. Amidst the crisis, Delta's CEO was reported to have traveled to Paris for the Olympics, leaving employees and passengers to manage the aftermath.
United Airlines has announced a devaluation of its MileagePlus program, specifically affecting premium award prices for flights to Europe and South America. This move continues a trend that has seen the value of United miles diminish over time. Critics have noted that despite efforts by Andrew Nocella to improve the program, changes like these undermine consumer value. The hiring of a former Comcast executive to oversee the program has also raised concerns about the airline's commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Bilt Rewards has raised an additional $150 million at a $3.25 billion valuation, with the funding round led by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. Other participants included Vanderbilt University Endowment, the University of Illinois Foundation, and existing investors. This extension follows a January funding round that increased Bilt’s valuation from $3.1 billion to $3.25 billion.
On Sunday, individuals can visit any DoubleTree hotel to receive a free cookie, even if they are not guests. The offer includes both the original warm chocolate chip cookie and an allergy-free version. This initiative coincides with National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day.
A video that has gone viral shows President Biden appearing to be confused while attempting to board the wrong plane. The claim is that he mistook a small jet for Air Force One. This incident aligns with narratives suggesting that he frequently loses situational awareness, raising questions about his competence to hold office now and in the future.
United Airlines has announced a new policy requiring basic economy passengers to provide a $65 pre-authorization on their credit cards to check in online, starting August 6th. This move comes as part of an ongoing effort by the airline to adjust its basic economy fare rules.
FARNBOROUGH — The absence of flying activity at Boeing this year was understandable, but the quiet show for Airbus was somewhat surprising. Record sales for its flagship aircraft, especially the A320 and A350 families, combined with supply chain constraints in interiors and engines, have left most airlines with limited options from Airbus. Currently available are mainly the A220s or A330neos.
FARNBOROUGH — At the Farnborough Airshow, Boeing's main commercial attraction was the mockup of its 777X cabin displayed within the company's large pavilion. The event highlighted Boeing's design considerations for the 777X cabin, including various overhead lighting options and innovative storage solutions.
Word broke yesterday that United Airlines was putting bigger regional jets – Embraer 175s – on its Aspen routes. This was surprising since the airport doesn’t support these planes and has blocked attempts to require that they make very modest changes in order to do so. How did United make this happen?
A new report from insurance provider Allianz Commercial indicates that gross written insurance premiums for the aviation sector are projected to reach a 20-year high of more than $8 billion in 2024.
dnata, a global air and travel services provider, has announced the addition of 24 electric tugs to its ground support equipment fleet at São Paulo International Airport. This move is part of a US$ 1.7 million investment aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
On a recent flight, an emotional support dog reportedly broke regulations and caused alarm among passengers. The incident was shared on social media, where one user tweeted, "Best flight ever," accompanied by a photo of the dog.