Airline removes life vests

Toronto Star reported that Jazz airlines, Air Canada's regional affiliate, have removed life vests from all of its planes; including those that fly over water. The reason? Saving money of course.

According to Transport Canada regulations, the carriers that fly within 50 nautical miles of shore may use flotation devices instead of vests. So Jazz airlines passengers in the "unlikely event of a water landing" will hold to their floating seat cushions.

Me thinking: children, me thinking: cold water, me thinking:... insane.

Mobiles on airplanes are OK

Ofcom has given the go ahead to mobiles on UK-registered airplanes, although subjected to approval by both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK.

Ofcom also said that when people received a call in-flight, the cost would be a matter between them and their mobile operator – however they added that they were, "Concerned about this issue as tariffs may well be high relative to other mobile communication services and there is a danger that consumers will receive unexpectedly high bills."

Satellite comms vendor Inmarsat welcomed the decision since it currently provides inflight communications for government and private users – "Much of the required infrastructure for inflight mobile phone use is already in place," added Inmarsat.

A380 superjumbo lands in Heathrow

The world's biggest passenger plane, the Airbus A380 superjumbo, has touched down at Heathrow after its first commercial flight to Europe.

The 471 passengers applauded loudly on landing at the west London airport which had spent over £100 million to accommodate the jet which had taken off 14 hours earlier from Singapore's Changi airport.

The Dubai-based carrier Emirates will start A380 services to Heathrow in December and Australian carrier Qantas is also expected to use the superjumbo to fly to London.

In the future, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be flying the A380 at Heathrow, where both Terminal 3 and the new £4.3 billion Terminal 5 can take the new aircraft.

All of those on board were given a certificate with their names on to mark the event, with intrepid traveller Mark Barden, 45, from Southampton possibly the most worthy recipient.

Mr Barden, a male nurse, flew out to Singapore to be on the inaugural flight. After just eight hours in the Far East, he was then flying back for his third A380 trip in two days and was even contemplating going in to work on Thursday.

And Roger and Sue Simpson from Fowey, Cornwall, had expected to be on a conventional jumbo jet but found to their pleasure that their flight had been earmarked as the inaugural A380 European run.

Mr Simpson, 56, a retired environmental manager, said: "This plane is a step in the right direction. It's quiet, less-polluting and roomy."

Passengers sat in three classes - first, which has 12 luxury suites with 23-inch TV and cinema screens and double beds; business, where 60 people can enjoy flat-bed sleeping; and economy where nearly 400 passengers have seat-back screens and more room than rival aircrafts.

The aircraft's huge wings are manufactured in Broughton, North Wales, and Filton, Bristol, while the superjumbo is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

Source: msn news UK

UK domestic flights passengers to be fingerprinted on Heathrow’s Terminal 5

From next month all passengers boarding flights from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 will be fingerprinted.

Heathrow’s Terminal 5 will accommodate yearly for 4 million domestic passengers. To make sure the same person who checked in boards the airplane, all passengers will our fingerprints taken, as well as being photographed, when they check in and then the procedure will be repeated while boarding.

BAA, the Heathrow’s owner, sees biometric security check as a way to prevent criminals, terrorists and illegal immigrants trying to bypass border controls and assures all biometric data will be destroyed after 24 hours and will not be passed on to the police.

If biometric is to be used to prevent immigrants, how come it is to be implemented on domestic flights terminal? Even security mad U.S. does not fingerprint their domestic passengers.

Superb 360° view of a A380 flight deck

Probably everyone interested in air travel already heard about A380, but how many people acutely saw its cockpit? Here is your chance to admire true masterpiece of technology, the magnificent 360° view of a A380 flight deck. Truly worth a look.