Canadian low-cost airline Flair Airlines boasts itself as the most on-time airline in the nation. To prove it can uphold this high standard for travelers, Flair’s new “On-Time Guarantee” will now compensate travelers if arrivals are behind schedule.
About Flair’s New “On-Time Guarantee”
Flair Airlines issued a press release last week detailing a brand new policy for delayed and canceled flights.
The new On-Time Guarantee (OTG) page states that passengers that get their flights delayed by one hour will get a $60 CAD e-voucher. The flight needs to arrive at the destination within an hour from the arrival time “as stated on your itinerary”. This voucher is good towards a future Flair booking.
Passengers can also obtain this e-voucher if their flight is cancelled within 72 hours before the time of departure.
Flair states that eligible bookings must come from a traveler that is over 18, sorry kids.
It will reportedly take up to 48 hours for passengers to receive their e-vouchers via email. Only one e-voucher can be used per booking, but the voucher is good for both one-way and roundtrip flights.
Flair also notes that the e-voucher can only be used with base fares. It can’t be used with extra expenses such as baggage fees. Also, the voucher can’t be gifted to another person and must be used by the customer that ordered the original flight booking.
Interim CEO of Flair Airlines Maciej Wilk shared his remarks in the new press release:
“Our commitment to passengers has never been stronger…With the OTG, we’re raising the bar in Canadian aviation. The guarantee is simple: if we don’t get you there on time, we’ll compensate you.”
“No other airline in Canada offers this level of accountability,” Wilk continues. “We’re confident in our operations, and we’re putting it all on the line for our passengers.”
VP of Ancillary and Digital Innovation Juliana Ramirez added that the new policy motivated the airlines to continue delivering the service that travelers deserve.
Critic Speaks Out On On-Time Guarantee
The airline posted a 49-second video reel on Instagram summarizing the “On-Time Guarantee”. The video stresses that there are no setbacks to this new policy, so travelers should be encouraged to book a Flair flight without any strings attached.
There is one restriction to the new policy; the voucher is only valid for 60 days. Air Passenger Right (APPR) President Gábor Lukács pointed this flaw out as a “trick” to make passengers potentially spend more on the airline after a disrupted flight. He also mentioned that passengers should be entitled to much more in compensation for a cancellation.
“If the airline cancels your flight that close to your departure date, they owe you way more than $60…Until such time as Flair is agreeing to provide $60 in cash, I would not take Flair’s offer very seriously. It comes across as a somewhat desperate move,” Lukács explained.
Flair Airlines will still reportedly uphold existing policies on canceled flights as stated on the company’s “Passenger Protection Regulations” page. For example, the airline may compensate passengers $400 if their flight is delayed by at least three hours.
Breeze Airways is capitalizing off the holidays with discounts, offering affordable fares for over 100 different routes in its network.
Kicking off on Black Friday, customers have until 1 December at 2359 Pacific Standard Time to book select flights for $29 per passenger.
Breeze Airways Brings the Holiday Cheer with Discounts
Breeze Airways published a press release Monday to announce a $29 Black Friday sale. For a limited time, fares on select one-way routes will be available for just $29 per passenger.
The airline’s big sale starts this Friday, 29 November and concludes on 1 December. The flights eligible for the $29 promotion take place between 4 December through 22 May, 2025 — right before the start of summer.
Here is a list of routes that are confirmed to go on sale this Friday thus far:
Departure City
Choices of Arrival Cities
Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)
New Haven, Connecticut (HVN) Cincinnati, Ohio (CVG) West Palm Beach, Florida (PBI)
Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT) Louisville, Kentucky (SDF) Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM)
Hartford, Connecticut (BDL)
Daytona Beach, Florida (DAB) New Bern, North Carolina (EWN) Savannah, Georgia (SAV)
New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY)
Fort Myers, Florida (RSW) Jacksonville, Florida (JAX) Orlando, Florida (MCO)
Norfolk, Virginia (ORF)
New Haven, Connecticut (HVN) Jacksonville, Florida (JAX) Providence, Rhode Island (PVN)
Orlando, Florida (MCO)
Newburgh, New York (SWF) Evansville, Indiana (EVV) Plattsburgh, New York (PBG)
Providence, Rhode Island (PVD)
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR) Jacksonville, Florida (JAX) Savannah, Georgia (SAV)
Provo, Utah (PVU)
Dallas, Texas (DFW) Phoenix, Arizona (PHX) San Francisco, California (SFO)
Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Bangor, Maine (BGR) Burlington, Vermont (BTV) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
The press release also touts Breeze’s year-round offerings, such as free ‘family seating’, no change or cancellation fees, and reusable flight credit good for up to two years upon cancelling.
Good News From Neeleman
Breeze Airways Founder and CEO David Neeleman commented on the limited-time sale:
“Breeze always offers low fares, but Black Friday offers our lowest fares of the year…Now is the time to book travel for winter and spring for just $29 each way.”
Breeze will also begin service at Tweed New Haven Regional Airport in New Haven, Connecticut. Starting 10 December, the airline will offer $29 introductory fares to Fort Myers, Orlando, Welt Palm Beach, and Vero Beach in Florida.
For 17 years, Avelo Airlines has been the sole airline of Tweed airport. This begins yet another chapter in a budding rivalry between Breeze and Avelo.
“We know that travelers in Connecticut want an elevated product offering that allows them to choose the experience that best fits their needs,” Neeleman said regarding the new Tweed service. “We’re pleased to bring more travel options to Tweed and look forward to the launch of Breeze service on December 10.”
The places where smokers can light up in the United States have been on the decline for decades. Back in the heyday of smoking, smokers could partake in their habit almost anywhere. Smoking was common in airports and even on airliners. There were no smoking lounges back then. You could smoke anywhere.
That began to change in the late 1980s. Smoking was banned on all US airliners. Then airports started to ban smoking except for designated areas. By the early 2000s, the only place one could smoke would be inside a smoking lounge. Over the past few years, most of the lounges at major airports like Washington Dulles, Denver International, and Atlanta have closed. There are still a few places where travelers can still light up. Here’s the list.
Tampa International Airport Smoking Lounge
Tampa International Airport has an outdoor smoking lounge tucked away on the outside of Terminal A. It’s not easy to find. The smoking lounge is only a door tucked away on the southeast corner of the terminal. It leads to an outdoor patio that overlooks the trash bins. It is however, the only way to get one final fix before a flight.
Miami International Airport Smoking Lounge
TGIFridays at Miami International Airport. Image: AirportGuidesWorld.com
Miami International Airport continues to buck the trend. According to AirportGuidesWorld.com, smokers can still light up on the patio of the TGIFridays within the secure area. It’s one of the rare opportunities to enjoy a smoke along with a meal and a drink at an airport before taking off. It is located in Concourse D near gate D-36.
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport Smoking Lounges
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport still has many smoking Lounges. Image: Erica Chang
This airport might be the headquarters for vice at a US airport. Every terminal at the airport features multiple smoking lounges. Terminal 1 near gate C-25 even features a smoking lounge with a full service bar. The catch is that all of the other smoking lounges are colocated with slot machines. To smoke, one must be actively sitting at a machine. It might be the most friendly airport for smokers in the United States. That makes sense as Las Vegas in one of the most friendly places in the world to indulge in the vice or vices of your choice.
Last month marked the end of an era when CSA Czech Airlines closed up shop and converted into a holdings company for SmartWings. Before the closure, it was the fifth oldest airline on Earth still standing.
Founded in 1923, the airline had been operating for over a century.
Which airline takes Czech’s place as the fifth oldest airline still in business? We highlight the top 5 oldest airlines in operation.
Starting with the name Aero, Finnair began services in September 1923. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, the air carrier has been a pioneer to connect Europe with North America and Asia.
Following World War II, Finland made Finnair its official flag carrier. Business rapidly picked up for the air carrier when the country hosted the 1952 Olympics, serving over 100,000 passengers in a year.
In the 70s and 80s, the company became the first in Western Europe to manage flights to Thailand and Japan. Finnair today serves over 10 million passengers yearly and plans to go carbon neutral by the mid 2040s.
4th Oldest Airline – Aeroflot
By Eduard Marmet [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
The official flag carrier of Russia, this air carrier was key for revolutionizing air travel for the nation. Founded on 17 March, 1923, the airline managed to assemble an impressive fleet of over 5,000 domestic aircraft in its first five years in business. During this time, the air carrier was known as Dobroflot.
The company would manage thousands of domestic and International flights. Aeroflot enjoyed a thriving business during the Cold War, increasing its yearly passenger count to over 36 million passengers by 1964. This Moscow-based airline was considered the world’s largest at this point.
As the U.S.S.R. dissolved, the company restructured and downsized in order to continue its long-term success. Aeroflot recorded over 45 million customers in 2023.
3rd Oldest Airline – Qantas
Standing for “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services”, Qantas is considered one of the largest international airlines today. The airline currently serves over 45 million passengers yearly.
Founded in November 1920, the airline started out as a government-funded operation in Australia that would offer air tours and air delivery services. In 1926, Qantas became the first airline to provide air transportation for doctors with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
A Qantas A380-800 from Sydney (SYD) lands at Los Angeles (LAX) on 22 June 2024 | IMAGE: Dave Hartland
As air travel needs evolved in the 1950s, so did Qantas. With its first Boeing 707, it became the third airline to fly across the Pacific with a route from Sydney to San Francisco, California.
Starting in December 1919, Avianca is the flag carrier of Columbia. Originally named the Sociedad Columbo-Alemana de Transporte Aereo (SCADTA), the airline was a pioneer in connecting Central America with the Caribbean via air travel.
To kick off the latter half of the 20th century, the airline made waves by connecting South America to Europe with Trans-Atlantic flights to and from Rome, Italy, Lisbon, Portugal, and Paris, France.
In 2009, Avianca acquired El Salvador airline Transportes Aéreos del Continente Americano (TACA). This merger made the air carrier the largest in Latin America. Today, the air carrier flies over 30 million yearly passengers.
1st Oldest Airline – KLM
A KLM Boeing 777-200 taxis in a snowstorm at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) | IMAGE: Amsterdam Schiphol on Facebook
Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KLM) translates to “Royal Dutch Airlines” in Dutch. The oldest standing air carrier in the world first opened its doors on 7 October 1919.
Founded by Dutch aviator Albert Plesman, the airline quickly connected Europe with flights from Amsterdam, Netherlands to both London, England and Copenhagen, Denmark.
After shaky business through World War II, KLM made history by being the first Europe-based air carrier to fly across the Atlantic Ocean to New York.
Today, KLM is part of a merger with Air France, with both companies still operating and branding independently. The two airlines combined serve over 65 million passengers per year.
Earlier this month, a situation got out of hand when Jet2 passengers refused to pay for a tuna sandwich on a flight. But as always, there are two sides to every story, and Jet2 states police charged her with a more serious offense.
The woman responded on a BBC radio show in addition to her daughter taking action against the airline for the incident.
‘Lily and the Frozen Sandwich’
Police escorted a Hertfordshire woman and her daughter off a Jet2 plane concluding a flight from Stansted Airport in Essex, England to Milas-Bodrum Airport in Turkey. The flight took place on 3 November.
The woman, named Lily, 79, told her story on The JVS Show to host Jonathan Vernon-Smith.
During the flight, Lily ordered a £9 tuna sandwich. Lily refused to pay for the sandwich because it was ‘frozen’ in the middle. She stated the airline pressured her to pay because she had already opened the packaging.
Lily claimed that she fell asleep several times during the flight, but attendants would wake her up to get her to pay for the uneaten sandwich.
When the plane landed in Turkey, four armed police officers were waiting to take Lily and her daughter away. The pilot ordered other Jet2 passengers to remain seated during the arrest.
“They called the police. Not one, but four police at the door. I was in shock, saying to people, ‘I think I’ve been arrested over a sandwich,’” Lily told Vernon-Smith.
After the arrest, Lily claims she and her daughter showed police their passports as requested and didn’t serve any time in jail.
Jet2 argues that police arrested Lily for a different reason. A spokesperson claimed she displayed ‘rude’ behavior and consumed her own alcohol on the flight, which goes against company policy.
Jet2’s statement to the media was as follows:
“We can confirm that [she] displayed a catalogue of disruptive behaviour on board flight LS1609 from London Stansted to Bodrum including the unauthorised consumption of her own alcohol that she had brought on board.”
“As a family-friendly airline, we take a zero-tolerance approach to such behavior, and we make it very clear that customers cannot consume their own alcohol on flights…We will always support our crew in instances when they are subjected to rude or unpleasant behavior, prioritizing the safety and comfort of all passengers and crew.”
Lily denies the airline’s claims. She called them ‘a disgusting lie’. According to Lily, neither she nor her daughter brought any wine on board the aircraft. Lily and her daughter did order wine on the flight, however.
“I don’t know what they’re talking about…I think they’re so embarrassed over this sandwich and the police and the way we were treated. They are the ones that behaved disgustingly and disturbed me all the way through the flight,” Lily said.
Lily’s daughter sent a formal complaint to Jet2, citing the situation was embarrassing for both her and her mother. The airline pressed no charges against the family.
Although it never went into production, the Bombardier BRJ-X served as the transition between the company’s initial CRJ regional jets and its subsequent C-Series, which eventually became the Airbus A220.
Origin and Program Evolution of the Bombardier BRJ-X
The initial catalyst for what was intended as an addition to its product line was not the result of an independent effort. Instead, it was Bombardier’s early consideration of acquiring financially troubled Fokker, whose 107-seat F.100 would have given it a larger capacity complement to its 50—to 70-passenger CRJ100s, 200s, and 700s.
After determining the true value of such a possibility by the end of February 1996, however, Fokker withdrew its interest, and Fokker itself declared bankruptcy the following month, on 15 May. Nevertheless, the joint venture exploration prompted Bombardier to design its own successor, the Bombardier Regional Jet eXpansion, or BRJ-X.
Designed for an Emerging Need
An AvStat survey indicated that 4,000 aircraft seating fewer than 110 passengers would be needed from 1999 to 2008, while Bombardier estimated the requirement for 2,500 80- to 110-seaters over twice this period.
It first publicly revealed its new regional jet program at the 1998 Farnborough International Air Show. Its prelaunch phase began the following year, when 14 carriers from seven countries attended the first BRJ-X Airline Advisory Council in Montréal. The Council gave Bombardier a chance to formally introduce the aircraft to its core customers, evaluate its attributes, and incorporate design elements based on input.
“Bombardier has identified a gap in aircraft capacity in the 80 to 110-seat range and we forecast a requirement for 2,500 aircraft over a 20-year delivery period,” said Steve Ridolfi, Vice President, Marketing and Aircraft Programs for Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. “The BRJ-X Series would fit between the smaller 50- to 70-seat Canadair Regional Jet family and larger 111-170-seat mainline jet aircraft.”
“The BRJ-X family of aircraft will be designed to have the lowest possible operating costs in terms of fuel, crew, maintenance, and ownership,” he further shared. “Acquisition and ownership costs of these larger regional jets must be kept low since regional airlines are the low-cost producers in the airline industry.”
Early aircraft design feature considerations included the control system (conventional versus fly-by-wire), avionics, hydraulics, electrical power, bake type (steel versus carbon), the auxiliary power unit, and possible inflight entertainment capability.
The Bombardier BRJ-X Was Seen as Fulfilling Several Purposes
A Delta Connection CRJ-200 lifting off | IMAGE: Delta Air Lines
It would fill the gap between the smaller 50- and 70-passenger regional jets and the smallest mainline ones, such as the Airbus A318 and the Boeing 717.
The BRJ-X would provide a new-generation, cost-effective replacement for the first-generation twinjets, like the DC-9-30 and the 737-200, and the second-generation ones, such as the British Aerospace BAe-146-200 and the Fokker 100.
It would appear before Embraer’s E-170 to E-195 and Fairchild’s Dornier 728 and -929 regional jets first flew. Because of its capacity, it would redefine the regional jet realm, eclipsing the boundaries of the initial 50-seaters.
It would become Bombardier’s second regional jet design, and also its largest.
The $1 billion, 36-month program, which was to encompass its formal launch, configuration freeze, Joint Conceptual Definition Phase, and certification, would be headed by Boeing executive Gary Scott at the newly established Bombardier Commercial Aircraft (BCA) division in Montréal, separate from the existing Bombardier Regional Aircraft one in Toronto.
Design Features and Versions
Deviating from the aft fuselage-mounted engine and t-tail configuration of its CRJ series, the BRJ-X was to have been a conventional, Boeing 737-resembling one with two under-wing, pylon-mounted turbofans and a low-set tail plane.
Also, unlike its CRJ100 and its successors, it was to have featured a 128-inch-diameter, double-lobe fuselage whose cross section facilitated five-abreast coach seating and provided greater aisle height, increased passenger shoulder room at the sidewalls, and greater underfloor baggage and cargo hold volume. One early overall length projection was 108.9 feet.
A New, Swept Airfoil Would Have Had a 93.8-Foot Span, Again Based Upon Early Projections
Although Bombardier considered the three 19,000 to 22,000 thrust-pound, FADEC (full authority digital engine control) CFM International CFM56-9, Rolls-Royce BR710, and Pratt and Whitney PW6000 turbofans as options, it ultimately selected the latter in 2000, marking only the second time that it had been chosen for commercial application after that for the A318.
The proposed engine for the BRJ-X was the same engine used on the Airbus A318. Image: Joao Carlos Medau from Campinas, Brazil, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Single-class capacity of the initial BRJ-X-90 was to have been 95 at a 32-inch pitch, although a dual-class one was to have entailed eight first class seats at a 36-inch pitch and 80 at a 32-inch one.
Gross weight was originally targeted at 100,000 pounds, but progressively increased. Of the two variants, the baseline one was to have had a 1,500- to 1,800-nautical-mile range, while a BRJ-X-90ER was to have increased this to 2,475 miles, permitting the operation of longer than traditional regional jet sectors, or one-stop transcontinental ones with intermediate refueling. Cruise speed was to have been Mach 0.8.
An early, tentative schedule entailed a first fight in the second quarter of 2002, certification in the third quarter of 2003, and service entry in 2004.
A stretched, 114-foot-long BRJ-X-110, sharing the same wing and empennage, was planned, giving it a 115-passenger, single-class capacity, but an eight-first and 100-economy arrangement would have reduced this to a 108-passenger total.
Program Discontinuation
Bombardier’s reassessment of the regional jet market, which had itself continued to evolve, led to the BRJ-X’s demise.
To reduce both design interval and cost—and thus retain a competitive lead over Embraer’s and Fairchild’s later-appearing aircraft—it replaced its smaller BRJ-X-90 with the 86—to 90-passenger CRJ900, itself a stretched development of the CRJ700.
PSA Airlines CRJ aircraft parked at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) | IMAGE: PSA Airlines on Facebook
Squeezed between the traditional 50-seaters and the 100-passenger mainline jets, it realized that the market size for its offering was decreasing, and it certainly did not relish engaging in direct competition with the likes of Airbus and Boeing.
“If that market fragmentation continues with the increased numbers of 50-seaters and 70-seaters we’re placing in it, one has to question whether demand for a replacement 100-seater going forward would necessarily be in the volume that people are thinking of,” Bombardier Vice President Marketing, Trung Ngo, once commented while assessing the situation.
A220-300 via Airbus
Ultimately, it discontinued development of its larger BRJ-X-110 in favor of its successor, the higher-capacity, longer-range C-Series offered in CS100 and CS300 versions. After Airbus acquired the program, it eventually became the A220-100 and -300.
Alaska Airlines customers that want to accelerate check-in times are in luck. The airline is offering a permanent bag tag that will display electronic labels, which eliminates the need of printing a paper tag for each flight.
The electronic bag tags are available now on the Alaska Airlines official site for $89 each.
About the Alaska Airlines Bag Tag
Alaska Airlines is now selling electronic bag tags designed to speed-up the check-in process and reduce paper waste. The airline touts itself as the very first to offer such a tag to customers.
The bag tag product page explains how customers can use it to ‘fly through the airport’. First, the user accesses the Alaska Airlines mobile app to check him or herself in along with the luggage.
Next, the user uses the app to create a digital label that the electronic tag will also display. The user is then cleared to drop off the luggage at the airport self-service drop-off point.
The tag consists of a simple screen and a strap that can attach to any handle mechanism. The screen only turns on when it receives a digital tag. Interestingly, the tag never needs a battery as it requires very little power to display labels.
According to the official website, the tag can be used on Alaska Airlines, Horizon, or SkyWest flights. There is currently no word on if the tag can be used on Hawaiian flights, as the airline had recently joined the Alaska family.
The Alaska Airlines Bag Tag Timeline
Alaska Airlines had been working on an electronic bag tag as early back as 2015. Hundreds of users, including Alaska employees and loyal customers tested the tag out in its early stages. The press release describes an early description of the tag with many features of it still present with the new tags available:
“The tags are affixed to a suitcase like any other bag tag, using durable nylon cording, and are updated via the Alaska Airlines mobile app during the check-in process. They never need to be recharged during their two-year lifespan.”
Alaska Airlins 737 MAX 9.
It wasn’t until six years later when Alaska announced an electronic bag tag program. This program involved a larger-scale test of a later version of the tag. This time, 2,500 loyal Alaska members were able to try the tag’s technology and test the self-service drop-off area with the tags intact.
Late November marks the first time the bag tag became widely available for all customers. The first shipment of tags reportedly sold out in the first 12 hours of availability.
As of this writing, it’s not revealed how long the electronic tags will last before users need to replace them.
Spain has imposed fines of nearly $200 million against five low-cost airlines including Ryanair. A governing body has also ordered airlines to stop predatory practices in Spain.
Airlines, however, are arguing that these fines are illegal and plan to contest them in court.
The Bull Comes for European Airlines
Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Rights issued fines against five airlines on Friday worth a total of $186 million (€179 million).
These fines are for “abusive practices” of charging passengers for additional cabin luggage fees, seat selection in order to sit next to a friend or family member, rejecting cash payments, and not clarifying how passengers are getting charged on their websites.
Irish airline Ryanair received the brunt of these fines, subject to paying Spain over $111 million (€107 million). Spanish airline Vueling is facing fines of $40.7 million (€39.2 million). British airline EasyJet was hit with a $30.1 million (€29 million) penalty.
Spanish airline Volotea and Scandinavian airline Norwegian have received smaller penalties. Each received fines of a little over €1 million.
In addition, The Ministry has also ordered all airlines to discontinue charging passengers for these fees.
Airlines Fighting Back
The Association of Airlines (ALA) President Javier Gandara has called the fines “manifestly illegal”. Gandara had these words when speaking to CNBC:
“If implemented, the resolution of the Ministry of Consumer Rights would imply irreparable damage to [the] passenger, an attempt against their freedom to tailor their voyage depending on their needs, and an obligation to pay for services that they might not need.”
Passengers wait to board a Ryanair flight. By Alexandar Vujadinovic (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary claims the fines are ‘illegal and baseless’ and would prevent the airline from giving out low travel fares to passengers. O’Leary responded to Fortune for comment:
“These illegal and baseless fines, [which] have been invented by Spain’s Consumer Affairs Ministry for political reasons, are clearly in breach of EU law.”
An EasyJet spokesperson also responded to reporters via email about the fines:
“We completely disagree with the decision of the Spanish Consumer Ministry and find the proposed sanctions outrageous.”
The Ministry previously imposed a fine in May against budget airlines, accusing them of ‘infringing on Spanish consumers’ rights’. This ruling followed an investigation that took place in 2023.
Airlines have two months to file an appeal before courts finalize and issue the penalties. As of now, the ALA, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Norwegian plan to appeal the new fines.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if lightning struck a commercial aircraft in the middle of a flight? Such an occasion happened when lightning hit a United jet on its way to Cleveland, Ohio from Chicago, Illinois on Thursday evening.
Fortunately, no deaths were reported, but the lightning strike led to one injury as well as multiple damages to the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a detailed report on the incident.
An Electrifying Flight
A bolt of lightning hit a United Airlines jet in the middle of flight UA2226 on Thursday. The Boeing 737-800 departed Chicago O’Hare International airport at 1607 Central Standard Time.
Despite a storm over Lake Erie, the plane landed safely at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The 55 minute flight landed without further incident. With its 13th year in service, the Boeing 737 flew three other times that day.
While no witness testimonials were made public, the FAA confirmed the Boeing was struck by lightning in a Friday report. The force of nature reportedly damaged the frame, cracked the windshield, and left burn marks on the tail.
The report also revealed that a member of the flight crew suffered minor injuries and was receiving medical treatment. There is no information on the identity of the crew member or how the incident happened.
The 737 had been since grounded for at least 21 hours after the Thursday evening flight.
Lightning Strikes on Commercial Flights
Lightning striking a commercial plane during a flight does happen from time to time. In many cases, nobody on board can indicate if lightning makes contact with the aircraft.
Usually, the aircraft is durable enough to withstand lightning and protect the people on board. Decades ago, however, airlines would worry about lightning’s exposure to the plane’s fuel tank.
One of the most infamous lightning strikes affected Pan Am Flight 214. Lightning caused the fuel tank to catch fire. The Boeing 707-121 crashed after 35 minutes being in the air, killing all 81 people on board.
In March 2024, an Air Canada aircraft was recorded on video as a bolt of lightning traveled through it. The aircraft continued to travel as normal. This incident occurred as the plane was departing Vancouver International Airport in Canada.
In August 2024, a flight crew did have an indication that lightning struck the Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 they were working on. The Rome, Italy-bound jet made a U-turn and returned to Boston only five minutes into the flight. No injuries were reported.
The Herc May Not Be Comfortable or Fast, But The Airlifter Has Done It All- and Well Enough to Stick Around
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules has been called “the most remarkable plane ever produced.” As a testament to its timelessness and unparalleled capabilities, the C-130 is still in production so many years later. For generations, from Vietnam to Iraq, Hercules aircraft have proven to be the critical link in delivering troops and equipment right into the heart of the combat zone.
Image via US Air Force
A Veteran Aircraft
Many American and allied soldiers, marines, & airmen have depended on C-130 airdrop and airland operations where C-130 crews have dropped critical supplies or landed at fields under hostile fire delivering rations and ammunition, while taking out the wounded, all in an effort to sustain the fight against our nation’s enemies from Vietnam to Iraq & Afghanistan. It brought countless men and women home to their families and lifted the fallen venerably to their final resting place.
Image via US Air Force
A Symbol of Hope
A symbol of hope, the C-130 “has brought food to the hungry, relief to victims of natural disasters, and hope to remote corners of the earth.” It has been adopted by over 70 countries and produced in over 70 commercial and military versions. The Hercules worldwide fleet has over 20 million flight hours and an impressive safety record. It is the workhorse of the jet age, causing those familiar with its operation to refer to it as ” a one-plane air force.”
Image via US Air Force
Humble Beginnings
The US Air Force outlined the original requirements for a new transport aircraft in 1951, detailing a platform that was a mix of “truck, Jeep, and airplane.” The service needed an aircraft capable of “hauling large bulky equipment, including artillery pieces and tanks, over long distances. It had to land in tight spaces, slow to 125 knots for paratroop drops, and fly, if need be, with one engine.
In other words, the Air Force wanted a tough, versatile heavy-lifter with plenty of “trunk space,” and Lockheed delivered. Famed Lockheed aerospace engineer Kelly Johnson called the Hercules “the ugliest airplane” he’s ever seen.
The first prototype Lockheed YC-130 Hercules, 53-3397, takes off from the Lockheed Air terminal, Burbank, California, 23 August 1954. (Lockheed Martin)
That Maiden Flight
The YC-130A prototype’s first flight was on 23 August 1954 at Burbank, CA. After a 61-minute maiden flight, the aircraft landed at Edwards Air Force Base, where it completed its basic flight testing program. The C-130 assembly line was located at the Lockheed Georgia/Dobbins Air Force Base complex, which today houses production facilities for the C-130J.
Image via Ken Fielding
First Production Test Flights
The first production C-130A broke terra firma at Dobbins Air Force Base on 7 April 1955 on its premiere flight. The C-130A only used 800 feet of runway for its takeoff roll. The flight lasted an hour and seven minutes, and the landing was executed with reverse thrust to a stop, using only 2000 feet of runway. The C-130 successfully completed that flight, commencing a new era in tactical airlift that has lasted to the present day.
USAF YC-130s 53-3396 c/n 1001 and 53-3397 c/n 1002
While Spirit Airlines has been making headlines with its recent bankruptcy filing, Allegiant is flying high with the largest expansion in its history.
The Las Vegas-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) unveiled plans this week to launch 44 new routes, introduce three new cities to its network, and expand its reach to nearly 500 routes across 124 destinations in 40 states.
The new routes aim to connect underserved communities with popular leisure destinations, a hallmark of Allegiant’s strategy. Eleven of these new routes will serve the three newly added cities—Gulf Shores, Alabama (GUF), Colorado Springs, Colorado (COS), and Columbia, South Carolina (CAE).
Unsurprisingly, Florida is the Big Winner in this Allegiant Expansion
A new Allegiant Boeing 737 MAX 8 over the Florida coast | IMAGE: Allegiant
Beyond the new cities, Allegiant is adding routes from several existing markets. Florida sees the largest share of growth with ten new routes, further solidifying its status as a key leisure destination for the airline. Notably, Allegiant will operate 39 of the 44 new routes exclusively, with seven routes being the only ULCC option available to passengers.
Most new routes will operate twice weekly, with select routes running once weekly. Flights will begin between February and June 2025, and the carrier’s expansion reflects its confidence in “robust leisure demand,” as stated by a carrier spokesperson.
All city pairs will see twice-weekly service unless otherwise noted.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE): Starts 14 Feb.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to:
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): Starts 15 May
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): Starts 22 May
Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) to:
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS): Starts 21 May
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG): Starts 22 May
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): Starts 22 May
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA): Starts 22 May
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV): Starts 23 May
Kansas City International Airport (MCI): Starts 24 May
Existing Cities
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to:
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT): Starts 7 Feb
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) to:
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD): Starts Feb. 13
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) to:
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP): Starts 13 Feb
Quad Cities International Airport (MLI): Starts 13 Feb
Albany International Airport (ALB): Starts 14 Feb
Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM): Starts 14 Feb
Eppley Airfield (OMA): Starts 14 Feb
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA): Starts 14 Feb
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS): Starts 14 Feb
Blue Grass Airport (LEX) to:
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): Starts 3 Apr
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to:
Huntington Tri-State Airport (HTS): Starts 15 May
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): Starts 22 May
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) to:
Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG): Starts 15 May
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR): Starts 22 May
Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG): Starts 22 May
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to:
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): Starts 22 May
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): Starts 23 May
Nashville International Airport (BNA) to:
Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV): Starts 22 May
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to:
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV): Starts 22 May
Des Moines International Airport (DSM): Starts 23 May
Denver International Airport (DEN) to:
Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA): Starts 22 May
Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK): Starts 22 May
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to:
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): Starts 22 May
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS): Starts 23 May
Portland International Airport (PDX) to:
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT): Starts 22 May
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG): Starts 23 May
Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT): Starts 23 May
Indianapolis International Airport (IND): Starts 23 May
Dulles International Airport (IAD) to:
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV): Starts 22 May
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS): Starts 23 May
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS): Starts 24 May (1x weekly)
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL): Starts 20 Jun
Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) to:
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): Starts 23 May
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS): Starts 24 May (1x weekly)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to:
Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT): Starts 23 May
Spokane International Airport (GEG) to:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Starts 23 May
IMAGE: Allegiant Air
Breaking Down Allegiant’s Historic Expansion
An Allegiant Airbus taxis to the terminal at Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Mich. | IMAGE: Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air’s historic growth plan isn’t just about numbers—it’s a strategic effort to solidify its dominance in the ULCC market. Here’s a closer look at the highlights and what they mean for travelers and the aviation industry.
Focus on Underserved Communities
Allegiant’s strategy targets regions with limited air travel options, providing direct connections to popular vacation spots. This approach differentiates the airline from traditional carriers that focus on major hubs. For example:
Gulf Shores, Alabama (GUF): A major highlight of this expansion, Gulf Shores gets an impressive six routes right from the start. These connections bring leisure travelers closer to the Gulf Coast’s beaches and vibrant culture. It also underscores Allegiant’s intent to invest heavily in smaller markets with untapped potential.
Colorado Springs, Colorado (COS): Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, COS offers an attractive gateway for outdoor enthusiasts. Allegiant’s introduction of flights to Arizona, Florida, and California caters to both local leisure travelers and inbound visitors.
Columbia, South Carolina (CAE): As the state capital, CAE opens up travel opportunities between South Carolina and Florida’s tourist hotspots. Allegiant’s low-cost service is a welcome addition to a city that lacks ULCC options.
Bolstering Options for Budget-Minded Travelers
Allegiant’s dominance is evident in the fact that 39 of the 44 new routes will be operated solely by the airline, with seven routes being the only ULCC service available. This monopoly in certain regions strengthens Allegiant’s competitive edge.
Furthermore, Florida—one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S.—is a cornerstone of this expansion. With ten new routes connecting cities like Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, Allegiant is bolstering its popularity for budget-conscious vacationers to the Sunshine State.
Allegiant Expansion Follows Delivery of Two Boeing 737 MAX 8s
Allegiant’s brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 | IMAGE: planespotters.net
Allegiant’s fleet, which has historically relied on Airbus aircraft, recently welcomed the addition of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. In September, the airline received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 (N811NV), followed by its second (N814NV) on 21 November.
Why the MAX?
The MAX 8-200 offers increased seating capacity and fuel efficiency, aligning with Allegiant’s low-cost model. Each aircraft includes 190 seats, 21 of which are premium Allegiant Extra, offering more legroom.
Challenges and Delays
Allegiant’s 2022 MAX order promised a fleet upgrade, but delays with Boeing have slowed progress. While Allegiant has 50 MAX aircraft on firm order–plus options for up to 80 more–ongoing delivery delays mean no further additions are expected this year. Despite receiving its second MAX 8 this week, the carrier does not expect any additional deliveries this year. For now, Allegiant is focusing its MAX aircraft on routes to and from Florida.
Balancing Airbus and Boeing
Allegiant’s fleet has been all Airbus since 2018, following the retirement of the carrier’s Boeing 757s in 2017 and MD-80s in 2018. At this time, Allegiant’s Airbus fleet includes 34 Airbus A319-100s and 84 Airbus A320-200s.
Allegiant Makes Its Move Amid a Turbulent ULCC Climate
parked Allegiant Airbus A320s under the Northern Lights at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) | IMAGE: Allegiant
Launching this massive expansion just as Spirit Airlines grapples with bankruptcy isn’t coincidental. Allegiant is positioning itself to capture market share as Spirit navigates restructuring under Chapter 11 while doubling down on its unique approach to leisure travel.
This is particularly significant given the current turbulent climate within the ULCC sector. And it’s not just Allegiant: Frontier Airlines and Avelo Air are embarking on expansion plans in the near term. Additionally, Breeze Airways continues to grow.
Allegiant’s expansion plan is significant in that it is a game-changer for the ULCC sector in a time of great uncertainty. However, by staying true to its mission of serving underserved markets and embracing new opportunities with its evolving fleet, Allegiant is charting a course for sustained growth.
For travelers, it’s a win-win scenario: more routes, lower fares, and greater connectivity to the places they want to escape to.
Ancient Airlines: A look at unique and quirky airlines throughout aviation history
Air Florida was a short-lived, Miami-based budget carrier that had ambitious plans but ultimately fell short due to several incidents, including a crash and notorious hijackings. Despite this, Air Florida carried passengers all across the world, including the southern United States, the Caribbean, and even Europe.
Air Florida Ambition: Go Big or Go Home
Air Florida was founded in 1971 and began operations in 1972 with just two Boeing 707 aircraft. At the beginning, Air Florida only offered service within the state of Florida, with routes between Miami, Orlando and St. Petersburg. One-way fares started at just $12.
Shortly, however, Air Florida began increasing its routes offered, taking travelers to desirable domestic and international destinations with its fleet of Lockheed L-188 Electra, Boeing 727-200, Boeing 737-100, Boeing 737-200, Douglas DC-8-62, Douglas DC-9-10, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 aircraft. Popular routes included those taking travelers from the northeast to Florida or the Caribbean and Central America, as well as Air Florida’s trans-Atlantic routes to Ireland, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Air Florida even had such a presence abroad that it, for a short time, sponsored an English football club.
Despite its budget prices, Air Florida became known for its great service, particularly attractive flight attendants, and great in-flight dining during international flights.
Hijackings, Terrible Crash Hastened The End of Air Florida
In the early 1980s, Air Florida seemed to be the airline of choice for hijackers looking to go to Cuba.
The first hijacking took place in August 1980, when a hijacker took over a Boeing 737 flying from Miami to Key West and demanded to be taken to Cuba, where he surrendered in Havana. Literally just three days after that, another hijacker asked to be taken to Cuba on a flight going from Key West to Miami, but the hijacker also surrendered.
In 1982, a hijacker overtook yet another Miami to Key West flight and asked to be taken to Cuba, but again, surrendered.
And finally, in 1983, a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa was hijacked by a man who gave a flight attendant a note saying he had a bomb in an athletic bag, which he would set off if they didn’t take him to Havana. The crew did as told, and the hijacker was arrested once in Cuba.
However, beyond the hijacking, there was also a fatal crash that occurred in 1982, less than a month before the 1982 hijacking. Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac, killing 74 of the 79 souls on board, along with four more people stuck in traffic on the 14th Street Bridge, which the jetliner contacted on its way down. The aircraft had just taken off from Washington, D.C., and crashed due to icing and pilot error. Heroically, one of the passengers who survived, Arland Williams Jr., died from drowning in the river after making other passengers go ahead of him when the helicopters came to their rescue.
A coast guard vessel at the site of the crash
For many, Air Florida Flight 90 sticks out in their minds as one of the first gruesomely documented air crashes in the modern age, which took place in an urban area, where plenty of onlookers and the media could see.
Into the History Books
Photo: Eduard Marmet
None of these incidents spelled good things for Air Florida. The challenge of recovering from a crash and deregulation proved too much. Air Florida declared bankruptcy in 1984. Midway Airlines would go on to acquire Air Florida’s assets. Now defunct, Midway Airlines operated out of Chicago until the early 1990s.
