The new lounge was officially opened on June 21, 2024, with Air France精东影业 La Premi猫re, Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus and KLM and SkyTeam partner airlines customers free to enjoy the swanky facilities. 

Spread over nearly 12,000 sq. feet, the lounge sits close to the boarding gates for Air France flights and can accommodate 172 passengers.聽

鈥淭he entire space is an invitation to discover the company’s universe, featuring its signature colors 鈥� shades of blue, luminous whites and touches of red 鈥� giving a sleek, chic design,鈥� Air France said in a statement.聽

Some of the furniture has been created by renowned French designers including the Ester chairs by Patrick Jouin, the Ribbon armchairs by Pierre Paulin, and the coffee table by Charlotte Perriand. 

French cuisine, as you might expect, is at the heart of the lounge with Monkfish Provencale, Beef Bourguignon and braised chicken among the culinary delights prepared by the in-house chef.聽

Dishes such as pan-fried prawns or cassoulet with duck confit can also be made on request in the open kitchen. 

There is also a wide selection of French wines and champagnes, spirits, and local beers, as well as cocktails and mocktails prepared by a bartender.

This new lounge features a spa treatment area by , which has been an Air France partner for nearly 20 years.聽 聽

Air France customers can find their Zen in two cozy cabins, offering a choice of three free facial treatments: 鈥榓nti jetlag鈥�, 鈥榠nstant detox鈥� and 鈥榠lluminating eye-care’.   

Passengers traveling in Air France精东影业 La Premi猫re cabin also have access to a private hideaway dedicated to just them.听听

Designed in a similar way to the La Premi猫re suites, the private area offers a 鈥渃omfortable, chic and made-to-measure layout鈥� for up to 12 guests with its own dining area.聽

Flying Blue Ultimate customers also have access to an area entirely reserved for them with large armchairs for extra comfort during their wait.  

In addition, there is another area dedicated to relaxation and rest for passengers particularly in need of switching off from the world and a closed-off cabin for making calls.聽

As standard for most contemporary lounges there is free Wi-Fi and numerous electric and USB sockets near the seats. 

And perhaps the most welcome luxury for some passengers are the showers which are available to use throughout the day.  

Over the summer, Air France will be operating 26 flights a week between Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and LAX including 21 operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with La Premi猫re suites.听听聽

Air France-KLM generates over $75B per year for French and Dutch economies聽

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-20

According to the ATSB, the compressor turning tool was discovered behind the fan blades of number one engine on the Airbus A380-842 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on February 2, 2024. 

Mechanics at LAX were carrying out a maintenance inspection on the Airbus A380 when the foreign object debris was found.  

In an investigation report drafted and published on the ATSB website, investigators said that the tool in question was first reported lost on December 6, 2023.听听

The ATSB indicated that it expects to release a final report sometime after July 1, 2024, following completion of the investigation. 

鈥淪hould a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken,鈥� the ATSB said.  

According to the website (PYOK), Qantas told the publication that it was taking the incident 鈥渆xtremely seriously鈥�. 

The Australian flag carrier said it had notified the ATSB when the tool was found.  

鈥淭he tool is a piece of flexible plastic. It had no effect on the operation of the engine,鈥� the airline told PYOK.  

The Airbus A380, registered VH-OQI, was delivered to Qantas on January 13, 2011, and can carry 485 passengers.

Blow to Qantas as Airbus A350 Project Sunrise delayed, new A220 cabin revealed聽

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-02-23

It is a dark tale of revenge, hijack and ultimately mass murder that wouldn鈥檛 look out of place in the latest Hollywood thriller.  

On December 7, 1987, a British Aerospace 146-200A, operated by Pacific Southwest Airlines (which was owned by USAir) crashed in San Luis Obispo County, California, resulting in the deaths of all 43 passengers and crew on board.  

However, subsequent investigations would discover that this was not merely a tragic accident, and that a handful of those on board were likely killed by a disgruntled former USAir employee before the jet met its grizzly end.聽

Campaign of revenge

David Burke, 35, was born in Croydon, United Kingdom (UK), on May 18, 1952, but emigrated to the United States (US) with his parents.  

They moved to Rochester, New York, where Burke began a career with USAir, before eventually moving to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to take up a new role with the airline.聽

In 1987, after 15 years with the airline, Burke was fired from his job after he was caught on CCTV stealing receipts worth $69 from in-flight cocktail sales. 

Burke pleaded with his boss Ray Thompson, who oversaw USAir operations in Terminal One at LAX, to be reinstated but he was refused. 

Unbeknownst to Thompson, this refusal would set Burke on a campaign of revenge that would shake the aviation industry to its core and tragically lead to his murder.聽 聽

‘Incensed’ by his dismissal

After he was sacked, Burke was reportedly moody and violent, and just three days before the plane crash, he took his girlfriend and her young daughter on a six-hour drive at gunpoint.  

According to the , the girlfriend, who was also a USAir employee, told police that Burke was “incensed” by his dismissal on November 18, 1987.聽

Ray Thompson was known to take regular flights from LAX to San Franciso Airport (SFO) where he lived. 

On the day of the crash, it was reported that Burke was seen at the USAir offices at LAX, possibly to find out what flight Thompson was flying on. 

Crucially Burke knew his way around the airport, and he was familiar with the security codes that were needed to access restricted areas.  

It is not fully clear whether Burke精东影业 identification cards were taken from him or if he had kept one. But either way he probably relied on his familiarity with LAX employees to navigate security while hiding a handgun that he borrowed from a friend. 

One USAir employee told the LA Times following the crash that, 鈥渋t精东影业 always possible to get through [security] if they know your face鈥�.听听聽

Murder in the sky

Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 took off on December 7, 2023, shortly after 3:30 pm local time and was due to land at SFO at 4:43 pm.  

The four-engine British Aerospace 146-200A aircraft had 38 passengers and five crew members on board.  

Tragically, apart from David Burke no one was aware of the terrible fate that the aircraft would meet that day or that the disgruntled former USAir employee had managed to smuggle a Smith and Wesson .44 magnum revolver onto the flight.  

The exact sequences of events that unfolded on Flight 1771 are somewhat shrouded in mystery. The aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) only managed to pick up small pieces of conversation and much of it was of poor quality. 

Following the crash, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published a report which tried to piece together what happened on the flight before the aircraft crashed.  

According to the FBI, the jet was cruising at around 22,000 feet when someone was recorded entering the lavatory. Investigators found this was probably Burke so that he could load the handgun in secret. 

At some point during the flight, Burke also wrote a note for Thompson on an air sickness bag, although it is not clear if he handed it to his former boss.  

鈥淗i Ray. I think it’s sort of ironical that we end up like this. I asked for some leniency for my family. Remember? Well, I got none and you’ll get none,鈥� the note read.  

In another part of the recording Captain Gregg Lindamood or First Officer James Nunns were receiving a message from air traffic control when two “high-level gunshot-like sounds鈥� were heard. It is believed that these were the gunshots that killed Thompson. 

One of the pilots then advised air traffic control that there had been shots fired on board the plane and shortly after a cabin crew member entered the cockpit.聽

in 1987: Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, a BAe 146, is attacked by a disgruntled PSA employee, using his credentials to bypass security with a gun. He kills his former manager (also a passenger) the crew and crashes the jet in California (US), killing all 43 aboard.

— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters)

In 2001, reported that the flight recorder picked up the sound of someone pounding on the cockpit door and what the FBI described as “unauthorized entry” into the cockpit.听听

A 鈥渢errible commotion鈥� then followed and more gunfire, which was most likely the pilots being killed or incapacitated.  

The CVR then picked up a final gunshot which is thought to be the murder of an off-duty pilot who worked for PSA and happened to be on the flight. 

Investigations concluded that maybe the off-duty pilot had attempted to reach the aircraft controls and level the plane as it thundered towards the ground.  

However, ultimately, he was unsuccessful and at 4:16 pm the aircraft crashed in the Santa Lucia Mountains between Paso Robles and Cayucos.  

A witness who saw the plane crash said that it 鈥渟ounded like it was breaking the sound barrier鈥� as it fell to the ground.  

At the crash site investigators later found the air sickness bag note written to Thompson and parts of a revolver with six empty castings.  

A fragment of Burke’s fingertip was also found lodged in the gun trigger suggesting he was holding the firearm when the aircraft crashed.聽 聽聽聽

The victims and the lessons聽

Killer Hijackers: Former USAir Employee David Burke. PSA Flight 1771 (1987). Murdered 42 passengers & crew.

— Luke鉁嶐煆� (past aviation account 鉁堬笍) (@Drawingyterss)

The Flight 1771 tragedy was also notable due to some high-profile passengers on board the flight.聽

Among those killed was James Sylla, the President of Chevron USA, and three of the firm精东影业 public affairs executives. Three executives of Pacific Bell were also killed. 

The crash is seen as a precursor of corporations ensuring that multiple executives do not travel on the same flights.  

Following the crash, a great deal of focus was placed on how Burke was able to smuggle a firearm past security at LAX.  

New Federal laws were passed that ensured all airline and airport employee credentials were seized when a staff member leaves their position. 

A policy was also brought in to ensure all aviation staff faced the same security checks as passengers at airports.   

Korean Air Lines Flight 007: the Boeing 747 shot down by a Soviet Su-15 in 1983

• Aviation History

byIan Molyneaux

2023-09-01

The Boeing 737 jet was due to depart Chicago O鈥橦are International Airport (ORD) for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 7:40 pm but as the aircraft was taxiing for take-off the unruly passenger began disrupting the flight.听听

The (FAA) confirmed in a statement that on September 8, 2023, Flight UA1641 returned to the gate shortly after 9 pm.聽

“The passenger was not successful, and law enforcement greeted the unruly passenger at the gate,” the FAA said in a statement. 

The flight was subsequently cancelled by United Airlines.听听

The incident came just three days before many people精东影业 thoughts will turn to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in America on September 11, 2001, when hijackers took control of multiple planes by entering the cockpit.  

Many of the strict rules and procedures around aircraft security and the cockpit are a direct result of that fateful day when more than 2,900 people were killed.  

There appears to be a growing number of incidents on flights where individuals have either tried to enter the cockpit or open the exit doors.  

Only on September 4, 2023, a Wizz Air flight bound for London-Luton Airport (LTN) in the UK from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Israel was forced to land prematurely due to an unruly passenger on board.    

According to local reports, the passenger attempted to open the emergency door mid-flight and tried to attack cabin crew members.听听聽聽

Exploring the use of robotics and automation to enhance airport ground handling

• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-07-06

Initially the airline will operate five weekly flights, progressing to daily flights by June 2023. 

The TPE-LAX route will be operated on STARLUX精东影业 fleet of Airbus A350 configured in a premium four-class layout, with four seats in First, 26 in Business, 36 in Premium Economy and 240 in Economy.

The flights are expected to operate on the following schedule:

JX002 Taipei to Los Angeles (daily except Tuesday and Sundays) 

Departs TPE 23:40 local time arrives LAX 20:30 local time

JX001 Los Angeles to Taipei (daily except Mondays and Wednesdays)

Departs LAX 00:50 local time arrives TPE 05:40 local time, the following day

As well as announcing the creation of its first US-based office in Los Angeles, the airline also reported its new designation as the Official International Airline Partner of the LA Clippers, as part of a multi-year partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) team.

鈥淎s a brand-new airline to the US market, STARLUX is excited to help create memorable journeys by providing unique and exquisite service to customers traveling to and from Los Angeles to Taipei, and other Asian cities,鈥� STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai said in a statement published by the NBA.

鈥淲ith Los Angeles being the sister city of Taipei, along with our partnership with the LA Clippers, the city of angels is our airline精东影业 perfect starting US destination,鈥� Chai further said.

According to the NBA, STARLUX精东影业 partnership with the Clippers includes international rights through the NBA精东影业 international team marketing program. The airline will activate in-flight branding, international sweepstakes, and other digital and in-person activations featuring Clippers elements and personalities.  

Starting June 1 2023, Clippers-themed amenities will be provided on STARLUX TPE-LAX flights, such as themed meal packaging including paper placemats, napkins, towelettes, inflight meal foil covers, mini food flags, burger wrapping paper and kids鈥� meal boxes.

鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to partner with STARLUX Airlines to celebrate their new flight route to Los Angeles, and work together to reach new global audiences,鈥� Scott Sonnenberg, LA Clippers chief global partnerships officer said in a statement. 

Sonnenberg added: 鈥淐lipper Nation is made up of diverse fans in Los Angeles and around the world, and this new partnership will literally help us bring Clippers fans to L.A. I can鈥檛 think of anything better.鈥�

Starlux takes delivery of its first Airbus A350

• Airlines

by精东影业 Team

2022-10-31

This makes Delta the first North American airline to have direct flight services to New Zealand.

鈥淟AX continues to grow its global network of destinations that are connecting Angelenos to every corner of the globe, and Delta精东影业 addition of nonstop service from Los Angeles to New Zealand is in lockstep with the airline精东影业 commitment to expand and improve service to our region,鈥� Justin Erbacci, chief executive officer, Los Angeles World Airports said in a .

鈥淐oupled with Delta精东影业 international additions to Sydney and Tahiti, this is another exciting result of the ongoing and strong collaboration between LAX and Delta Air Lines as we connect more people across the Pacific and beyond,鈥� Erbacci added.

The daily LAX-AKL service, which will be flown using Delta精东影业 fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, will operate on the following schedules:

DL65 departs Los Angeles at 22:30 local time, and arrives into Auckland at 08:35 local time
DL64 leaves Auckland at 15:00 and touches down at Los Angeles at 06:05 local time

The only other airline that offers a direct connection between Los Angeles and Auckland is Air New Zealand, on its Boeing 777 fleet.

LATAM, Delta announce non-stop LAX to Sao Paulo route as first joint venture

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2022-11-25

A hybrid carrier is an airline that has a low-cost business strategy, but offers premium service. American carrier JBLU) is an example of a hybrid airline. 

Air Premia will operate its ICN-LAX flight five times a week on its Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft, configured with 309 seats. All flights offer two cabin options: Premium Economy and regular Economy Class.

Flight YP101 will depart ICN at 13:20 local time and arrive in LAX at 08:20 local time. The return  flight, YP102, will then depart LAX at 10:50 local time and arrive back at ICN at 16:20 local time. The flights will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Onward flights will be available from Incheon to Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.

Air Premia精东影业 maiden flight took off on August 11, 2021. It was a domestic flight from Seoul-Gimpo International Airport (GMP) to Jeju International Airport (CJU).

Air Premia was founded in July 2017, and operates with the slogan: ‘Comfort that everyone can enjoy鈥�. 

New Korean airline Air Premia sets maiden flight date

• Airlines

byParam Agarwal

2021-08-09

Flight PR 113, using a B777-300 aircraft,  left LAX on August 28, 2022 and two hours prior to landing in Manila, the flight encountered severe turbulence.

Local media reported that flight PR 113 landed in MNL at 22:30 local time, and the  nine passengers and three crew members were rushed to the hospital immediately.

Philippine Airlines said there was no advance warning of the incident because turbulence was not detectable on the aircraft精东影业 onboard weather radar system.

We are in the process of reaching out to the affected passengers and coordinating passenger wellness, NoMad.

Please note as well that this turbulence was not detectable on the aircraft精东影业 onboard weather radar system, hence there was no advance warning.

(1/n)

鈥� Philippine Airlines (@flyPAL)

Philippine Airlines spokesperson Ciel Villaluna told local media that the airline will shoulder all of the injured passengers鈥� medical expenses.

“We are in the process of reaching out to the affected passengers and coordinating passenger wellness… We affirm that safety is our top priority and that Philippine Airlines is fully cooperating with the concerned airport and aviation authorities,” Villaluna told local media.

Embraer E175LR loses winglet due to turbulence

• Aviation Safety

byVyte Klisauskaite

2022-05-04

Shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on June 10, 2022, flight SQ37 sent out a 7500 transponder code, according to flight tracking site ADS-B Exchange.

In international aviation, a 7500 transponder code indicates that an aircraft has been hijacked and needs emergency support.

However, the aircraft, an Airbus A350, continued on its normal course, the emergency signal stopped and was no longer being received, which meant that it was a false alarm. 

BREAKING : Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) flight sent out 7500 transponder code shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport

The transponder code indicating a possible hostile takeover of the aircraft

鈥� Elill (@Elill_E)

The Daily Mail, who first reported the incident, received confirmation from Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) that there was no emergency onboard flight SQ37.

鈥淪ingapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) is in contact with the pilots on board SQ37, operated on an Airbus A350-900, which departed Los Angeles International Airport on 10 June 2022 at around 2355hrs local time,鈥� a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) said. 

鈥淭he pilots have confirmed that there is no emergency on board. The flight is enroute to Singapore, and is scheduled to arrive on 12 June 2022 at around 0750hrs local time,鈥� the spokesperson added. 

Based on information from , SQ37 arrived in Singapore on June 12, 2022 at 07:35AM, 15 minutes earlier than expected. 

Today in history: FedEx Flight 705 attempted hijacking

• Aviation History

byAlec Wignall

2022-04-06

 

In a press statement, labor union Unite Here says that the protest claims from SFO include workers being denied affordable family health care in the face of increased risk of COVID-19 due to exposure to holiday travelers, and the union keeping workers on part-time status means they cannot qualify for health care coverage.

The SFO workers strike is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 15:00 PM  at the airport精东影业 Terminal 3 on what is typically one of the busiest travel days of the year and will include about 200 workers, some non-union and some members of the Unite Here Local 2 union, who are cashiers and food service employees in airport terminals as well as those who prepare food and drinks served on planes.

鈥淎irport employers are cheating their employees out of health care that workers need more than ever,鈥� said Anand Singh, president of Unite Here Local 2 in a statement. 

鈥淭hese greedy companies will stop at nothing just to pad their profits 鈥� even union-busting to avoid giving workers family health care. With COVID on the upswing, airport workers are going to fight back to get the health care they deserve.鈥�

SFO spokesman Doug Yakel that the airport has issued a permit to the union for free speech activity to ensure that passengers can continue to move through the airport without being impeded.

Meanwhile, at LAX, airport food workers will stage a day-long protest on November 24, 2021 at Terminal 4 departures area of the airport. 

According to Unite Here Local 11精东影业, airport workers plan to demonstrate all day to express frustration that American highway and airport food company HMSHost has dragged out its labor dispute with workers at LAX, resulting in hundreds of long-term workers going without a raise, except for those required by the airport minimum wage, for more than three years. 

In Phoenix, Arizona, union airport concessions workers at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) have been on strike since November 22, 2021. Unite Here Local 11 Phoenix strikers demand a new, comprehensive contract with fair raises, affordable health insurance, a company-paid retirement contribution, protections for workers鈥� tips, and strong contract language for equal opportunity and protection from discrimination. 

HMS Host is the largest airport concessions company in North America and at LAX, where the company operates numerous restaurants, all on-airport Starbucks locations, and American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) lounges in Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.