United to Receive 50 Boeing Dreamliner 787 Aircraft

United Airlines is scheduled to begin using 50 Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft in 2012. United will be the first North American airline to receive the aircraft. The final assembly has just been completed and all that is left to do is configure the cabins, install the engines, and paint them.

According to Boeing's website, the 787 Dreamliner aircraft are "super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features. They will bring the economics of large jet transports to the middle of the market, using 20 percent less fuel than any other airplanes of their size."

For more on the Dreamliner fleet and detailed specs: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/background.html

Heavy-Duty Article about Boeing Jetliner Air Safety Suit Summed-Up

A former flight attendant settled a case (an undisclosed settlement) with Boeing over what she claims to be a faulty aircraft design (there have been people speaking out about this since the 50s, but most industry experts maintain that the air people breathe while flying is completely safe). The woman, Terry Williams, claims the default has resulted in memory loss, severe headaches, and tremors that have left her unable to work.

Though rare, the passengers and crew in at least 1 in about 28,000 flights (roughly as many that operate in one day) are exposed to small amounts of harmful toxins like tricresyl phosphates (TCPs), carbon monoxide, and others that can sometimes lead to health risks.

The toxins enter the cabin's air through the plane's system of "bleeding" in air that is pumped through the jet's engine, cooled via air conditioners, and mixed with the cabin's existing air (the air in the entire cabin is replaced every two to three minutes with this outside air).

In far greater detail from msnbc, which includes a great graphic about how the air bleeding works: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44777304/ns/travel-news/

Tips from MSNBC on How to Get Some Sleep on a Flight

Here are some tips on how to capture some too-often elusive sleep on an airplane (not that any of them are exceptionally mind-blowing... but still worth a look).

1.) Don’t drink caffeinated coffee, tea, soda or eat chocolate (or anything else with caffeine) for six to eight hours before a flight or during one.

2.) Bring earplugs and an eye shade to block out light and sound (some airlines hand these out). Pack a pillow and a blanket- or use the airline provided ones, though they are definitely not as comfy- in order to stay warm, as your body temperature naturally drops when you sleep.

3.) Don't take a sleeping pill- it doesn't do much good, and doctors advise against it on flights due to its potentially adverse effects on your health.

4.) Take advantage of airline services that promote friendlier sleeping conditions (they vary by airline/ flight). For example- some airlines offer a variety of on board sleep aids, including mood lighting, “do not disturb” stickers, and other amenities,

or upgrade to business or first class- many of these seats can now be turned into flat, horizontal beds and make you feel less like a sardine,

(or check out something like Air New Zealand's "Skycouch," in economy which lets three adjoining seats morph into one giant couch-like seat).

5.) Trick yourself- do things you would normally do at home before bed like: brush your teeth, change your clothes (into something more like pajamas if you really want to mimic your home routine) or whatever else you typically do (so long as it is legal to do on a crowded airplane of course!).

Find the original story here: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/28/8014756-cant-sleep-on-a-plane-tips-to-help-you-catch-a-few-zzzs

Rats on a plane!

FDA finds rodent feces near galley on Delta jet!

In an inspection of a Delta plane in Atlanta earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration found rodent feces throughout the aircraft, according to an April 13 warning letter sent to Delta CEO Richard Anderson.

The FDA said it inspected the plane from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2 and found rodent pellets "too numerous to count in three areas in ceiling panels located in the middle cross over galley G2, which is directly over places where food and drinks are stored in the aircraft."

Inspectors also found eight to 11 rodent pellets above the right door panel in the forward galley and 10 to 20 pellets above the left door panel in the forward galley. Plus, nine to 15 rodent feces were found on the right aisle of the plane.

"Please notify this office in writing within 15 working days from the date you receive this letter of the specific steps you have taken to correct the noted violations, including an explanation of how you plan to prevent these violations, or similar violations, from occurring again," the FDA letter said.

Delta said it was an isolated incident, and that the plane was pulled from service and cleaned, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

FAA orders emergency Boeing 737 inspections

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to issue an emergency directive on Tuesday that "will require operators of specific early Boeing 737 models to conduct initial and repetitive electromagnetic inspections for fatigue damage."

FAA noted the directive would "initially" impact about 175 aircraft, 80 of them operating in the United States.

"Most of the aircraft in the U.S. are operated by Southwest Airlines and a few by Alaska," according to an FAA statement.

Southwest canceled hundreds of flights on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to inspect Boeing 737 aircraft after an incident on Friday in which a hole ripped open in a plane's fuselage, forcing an emergency landing.

After the Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency directive that mandates operators of specific Boeing 737 aircraft to conduct repetitive electromagnetic inspections for fatigue damage, Southwest has grounded two more planes because of cracks, bringing the total to five.

Airbus Considers Transparent Fuselage

Hold on for this news bit...........
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Airbus is toying with the idea of creating a passenger aircraft with completely transparent fuselage, allowing passengers to take in the scenery — from a see-through cabin — at 35,000 feet.
According to the International Business Times, Airbus will create a dream-like cabin, with morphing seats (seats will change shape depending on passenger comfort preferences), walls that become clear at the touch of a button and holographic projections of various decors, transforming cabins into whatever the passenger desires — from an office or bedroom to a garden and more.
Not only does the new design allow for 360-degree views of the sky, but it is also more eco-friendly. Aircraft will be lighter, more cost efficient and made from renewable materials.