A Swiss A220 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
A week after an emergency landing of a SWISS flight sent a flight attendant to the hospital, SWISS confirmed that the worker died on Monday.
Flight LX1885 was forced to make an emergency landing on Dec. 23 after the cabin and cockpit filled with smoke en route from Bucharest, Romania to Zurich.
74 passengers and five crew members were aboard the aircraft, according to a report by Paddle Your Own Kanoo. One flight attendant aboard the aircraft was transported and hospitalized in Graz, Austria, after the landing. They remained in intensive care for several days before succumbing to their injuries Monday.
Ten other passengers also required medical care, but were discharged from the hospital. The carrier said in a statement posted on Facebook that today is a “dark day for SWISS”
“It is with heavy hearts that we must share the loss of a dear colleague following the emergency landing of LX1885 on 23 December 2024,” SWISS said. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and the loved ones of our dear colleague, whose pain must be immeasurable.”
Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS, said the news has left the airline heartbroken.
“On behalf of the entire SWISS team, I want to express our deepest condolences to the grieving family,” Fehlinger said. “We are doing everything in our power to support them during these incredibly difficult times.”
Although the flight attendant was not named, the airline referred to them as “their young colleague” in the full statement posted on its website. SWISS said with respect to their family’s privacy, the flight attendant’s cause of death will not be disclosed.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 at 9:12 a.m. ET to correct the location of Graz.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
A Jeju Air Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
South Korea’s government has ordered the inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the country following Sunday’s deadly Jeju Air crash.
Jeju Air Flight 2216 veered off a runway and caught fire near Muan, South Korea, on Sunday morning killing 179 of the 181 people aboard. The exact cause of the incident is still being investigated.
Shortly after the crash, Boeing posted a statement on X saying it was in contact with Jeju Air and stood ready to support them.
According to reporting by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, an unnamed transport ministry official said the government plans to have airlines conduct a full safety review on the Boeing model to ensure regulations are followed.
These inspections would check carriers’ aircraft utilization rates, flight inspections, and maintenance records. The ministry official also told Yonhap that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will participate in the crash investigation.
The ministry has told airlines operating the Boeing 737-800 model that it will dispatch air safety inspectors to probe pilot training, engines, and landing gears of the aircraft.
Concrete Structure on Runway Raises Concern
According to another Yonhap report, some observers are speculating if a four-meter-high concrete and dirt mound at the Muan International Airport may have caused more fatalities in the crash. The report stated that the aircraft skidded about 1,600 meters on the runway before colliding with the structure, which holds a “localizer” navigation system to assist in aircraft landings.
The localizer is installed about 251 meters from the end of the runway, and some other airports both in the country and abroad use them with similar concrete structures, the ministry has said in briefings covered by Yonhap.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
JetBlue plans to grow its Airbus A220 network in 2025. The carrier has just over 40 A220s in its fleet, which will replace the Embraer E190s.
The airline will add more A220 flights from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to Ishrion Aviation, these include routes to Bradley/Hartford; Charleston, South Carolina; Cancun, Mexico; Washington Reagan National; Nassau; Worcester, Massachusetts; and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Cirium Diio schedule data also shows the aircraft operating regular flights from the South Florida airport to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana and Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic.
These routes are slated to move to the aircraft type starting on April 30. From Fort Lauderdale, the airline currently uses its A220s on a handful of flights to Boston, New York-JFK, and Buffalo, New York.
The airline plans to phase out its E190 fleet in late 2025. JetBlue has 17 E190 aircraft remaining.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
A Delta Boeing 717 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Delta plans to expand its Boeing 717 network next summer. The Atlanta-based airline has roughly 80 717-200s, which are the smallest mainline aircraft in its fleet.
Starting on June 8, 2025, the carrier will resume service from Detroit to Pensacola and Destin-Fort Walton in Florida. Both routes were last served in 2023 with a mix of Airbus A319s and 717s.
The new flights will operate once per week on Saturdays only. Seasonal service runs from June 8 to September 7.
Other Routes
In a recent news release, Delta announced a handful of routes starting next summer. Also from Detroit, the airline will operate Saturday-only flights to Punta Cana and Bozeman, Montana.
Atlanta will see Boeing 737-800 service to Bangor, Maine, and Rapid City, South Dakota. Lastly, the airline’s Minneapolis hub will gain another flight to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
A Jeju Air Boeing 737 veered off a runway and burst into flames near Muan, South Korea, on Sunday morning. According to initial reports, the flight, which was flying between Bangkok and Muan, had 181 people onboard, 175 passengers and six crewmembers.
Per BNO News, the aircraft attempted to land without gear before hitting a wall at the end of the runway. Photos on social media show the aircraft in flames.
BREAKING: Video shows crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 in South Korea. 181 people on board pic.twitter.com/9rQUC0Yxt8
According to the Yonhap News Agency, 179 passengers were killed with two survivors found. Jeju Air flight 2216 was operated by a 15-year-old 737-800 with registration HL8088.
Boeing says it is in contact with the airline. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew,” the company said in a statement.
Editor’s Note: This story was last updated on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at 10:44 a.m. ET.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
JetBlue's "Blue Finest" Airbus A320 climbing out from Boston (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.
Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.
JetBlue is no stranger to special liveries. Not only does the airline have different tailfins and liveries across its entire fleet, but it has a whole host of special paint jobs. Of these, two pay tribute to first responders in the airline’s hometown of New York City.
Blue Bravest
In stark contrast to its blue liveries, JetBlue has a bright red aircraft painted in a special livery to support the FDNY Foundation. The FDNY Foundation is the official non-profit organization of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). It raises awareness and promotes fire safety, while also supporting the professional development and training for members of the department.
The Airbus A320-200 – named “Blue Bravest” registered as N615JB – is painted red and features the FDNY logo on the rear portion of the aircraft. The livery was revealed in front of an audience of JetBlue employees, friends and family, and FDNY personnel on October 23, 2013 at JetBlue’s hangar at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. After receiving its new paint job, the aircraft also conducted a low-altitude flyby over the Hudson River at sunrise upon arriving in New York.
JetBlue’s “Blue Bravest” special FDNY livery A320 over the runway in Las Vegas (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
“JetBlue has shown they are true friends of the Department through their generous support of the FDNY Foundation and active partners in our mission to keep New Yorkers safe from fire,” said then-Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano. “Now, with this incredible aircraft, JetBlue has created an outstanding tribute to the 15,000 members of the FDNY and the life-saving work they perform every single day.”
Blue Finest
In May of 2017, JetBlue revealed “Blue Finest,” a special livery dedicated to New York City’s police officers. The aircraft is an Airbus A320-200, registered as N531JL. On top of a blue base, the plane is adorned with the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) flag, badge, and shield.
The flag is displayed on the tail and rear portion of the aircraft, while the badge and shield are painted by the front door. According to the airline, the NYPD flag was chosen since it represents all five boroughs of the city and is a symbol of pride for all who have served.
“As New York’s Hometown Airline, supporting our local public servants including the NYPD is part of our DNA,” then-JetBlue Executive Vice President Customer Experience (and current Chief Executive Officer) Joanna Geraghty said at the time of the livery’s unveiling. “Our mission of inspiring humanity is brought to life each day through our crewmembers, many of whom are also former public servants. This mission also lives in the work the NYPD does to keep our communities safe.”
A New York Police Department (NYPD) cruiser with JetBlue’s “Blue Finest” A320 during the livery’s unveiling in May of 2017 (Photo: Gordon Gebert)
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
A Delta Airbus A321neo. (Photo: Shutterstock | Kevin Hackert)
In a second occurrence this holiday season for the airline, another stowaway has been caught aboard a Delta flight just before takeoff on Friday.
According to a CNN report on the incident, Delta flight 487 from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was taxiing for takeoff to Honolulu when the unticketed passenger was discovered.
An airport spokesperson told CNN that the stowaway had gone through a TSA security checkpoint the evening before the flight without a boarding pass. The person then gained access to the loading bridge without a scanned ticket at the gate.
After the crew found the stowaway, the aircraft returned to the gate, and the individual was removed and arrested for criminal trespass.
The incident has reignited a conversation around airport hitchhikers and security protocol. Just a month prior to this incident, Delta had another unticketed passenger hitch a ride from New York to Paris. After some delays, that individual was eventually brought back to the U.S.
CBS reported the individual was charged with obtaining transportation on an aircraft without consent or permission – and she was later apprehended once again while attempting to cross the border into Canada.
Christmas Eve Stowaway
Additionally, the body of a third stowaway was recently found in one of the main wheel wells of a United Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner after it flew from Chicago O’Hare to Kahului Airport in Hawaii. The stowaway, later pronounced dead, was discovered on Christmas Eve after flight 202 flew for nearly nine hours.
A United Boeing 787 over the runway in Amsterdam. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)
The TSA placed some blame for the security breach on a lack of funding for screening technology. The agency has proposed “e-gates” to be combined with its facial recognition technology to only open and allow ticketed passengers access to a gate. Many airports worldwide already use this technology, including several in Europe.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
An Azerbaijan Airlines Boeing 787 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Azerbaijan Airlines has announced plans to suspend flights to several cities in Russia following the deadly crash of its Embraer E190 jet that was bound for the Russian city of Grozny.
The carrier has suspended flights from Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, to ten Russian cities: Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod, Vladikavkaz, Grozny and Makhachkala. The suspension goes into effect on Saturday and will end once the investigation into the incident has completed.
According to a news release from Azerbaijan Airlines, Friday’s decision to suspend flights was based on preliminary results of the investigation into the crash of flight J2-8243 due to “physical and technical external interference.”
“This decision, made in accordance with the Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Authority, is based on the preliminary results of the investigation into the crash of the Embraer 190 aircraft operating the Baku-Grozny flight J2-8243 of Azerbaijan Airlines due to physical and technical external interference and considers potential risks to flight safety,” the release said. “The suspension will remain in effect until the completion of the final investigation.”
The Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Authority has also suspended flights by other airlines from Baku to the ten Russian cities for “safety reasons.” Passengers of Azerbaijan Airlines flights to and from those cities in Russia will be able to receive a full refund without penalties or rebook their tickets.
Azerbaijan Airlines stated it will pay compensation to the injured and families of those killed in the plane crash. All passengers will also receive insurance compensation as specified in the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan and international best practices.
The decision to suspend flights to Russia comes after reports that Russia may have shot down the passenger jet using air defense systems. A CNN report quoted Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, who said that while flight J2-8243 was trying to land in Grozny, the area’s skies were closed due to a Ukrainian drone attack.
After two failed attempts to land in Grozny – which Yadrov said was shrouded in fog – the jet diverted and flew over the Caspian Sea where it crashed on the other side in Aktau, Kazakhstan. At least 38 of the 67 people aboard were reportedly killed.
The Associated Press reported that White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. has “seen some early indications that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down by Russian air defense systems” during a press conference on Friday. He refused to elaborate on the matter, citing an ongoing investigation.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
British Airways and Iberia aircraft at London's Heathrow Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | Fasttailwind)
International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, has been in talks with Starlink as well as projects by Amazon in order to supply Wi-Fi to its fleet.
IAG’s head of innovation, Annalisa Gigante, revealed in an interview with Bloomberg that the group still hasn’t made a final decision and has been talking to multiple providers. She claimed that the company had some “really exciting things coming up, but that’s going to be for next year.”
Earlier this year, Qatar Airways launched Starlink connectivity aboard its flights. It kicked off with a notable first flight, with content creators even streaming online video games on board.
However, Gigante said that there are issues with the company, namely the complicated certification process. Unlike U.S. carriers, where Starlink is already certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, European carriers must undergo a certification process to install the WiFi systems. Unfortunately for IAG, it would have to do this twice, once for British Airways and again for Iberia.
On the other hand, Starlink’s competitor, Amazon’s Kuiper plans to launch satellites and begin service by the end of 2025. Its aim is to use a network of more than 3,000 satellites in the atmosphere to bring fast and affordable broadband, ensuring accessibility.
Sam Jakobi is a young aviation journalist based in London, U.K. A lifelong Airbus fan, he has adored aviation for as long as he can remember. Sam writes articles and conducts interviews with members of the aviation community.
Alaska Schedules Its Newest Route
After a monthslong wait, the Seattle-based carrier received approval from the Department of Transportation to schedule the service.
An Alaska Airlines 737-800. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Alaska Airlines is gearing up to serve a new domestic route in 2025. After a monthslong wait, the Seattle-based carrier received approval from the Department of Transportation to schedule the service.
Beginning on March 17, 2025, the airline will connect Washington’s Reagan National Airport and San Diego. This is one of five long-distance slot pairs recently added to the D.C. airport following the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
The airline sought approval for the new service earlier this year.
Flights will operate on a daily basis using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Flights from San Diego will depart at 2:10 p.m., arriving in Washington at 9:55 p.m. local time.
Return flights from D.C. launch on March 18, departing at 8 a.m. and landing in San Diego at 10:35 a.m.
Alaska also serves San Diego from Washington Dulles. The California city will be the fifth market served by Alaska from Reagan National, joining Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon, all of which are outside the airport’s 1,250-mile perimeter.
Reagan National to San Diego was last served by US Airways in 2014. American, United, Delta, and Southwest were also awarded long-distance routes from Reagan National.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
