Introduced in 1982, this paint scheme became synonymous with the airline during the 1980s and early 1990s, displayed on several different aircraft types.
A Delta 727 aircraft (Photo: G B_NZ, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is excited to launch 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.
The Dark-Nose Widget livery featured a prominent element – a dark blue section extending from the cockpit towards the passenger cabin. This design element contrasted with the airline’s white fuselage and gave the aircraft a distinct, two-toned appearance.
A key feature was Delta’s “Widget” logo, a stylized red and dark blue triangle designed by Robert Bragg in 1962. In this livery design, the Widget logo appeared prominently on both the tailfin and the forward fuselage.
Complementing the dark blue and white color scheme was a cheatline – a thin red stripe above a thicker black stripe – that ran along the length of the aircraft. This design element added a touch of dynamism and helped visually break up the white fuselage.
The Dark-Nose Widget livery adorned a wide range of Delta’s fleet, including Boeing 727s, 737s, 757s, 767s, and MD-80s. It also appeared in slightly modified forms on the carrier’s L-1011 Tristar.
Later Paint Schemes
While the Dark-Nose Widget livery served Delta faithfully for over 15 years, the airline eventually introduced a new color scheme in 1997. The so-called “Ron Allen” interim livery, which preceded the current design, saw the return of the words “Delta Air Lines” to the fuselage and a revised color palette.
A Boeing 757 on exhibit at the Delta Flight Museum, located at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). (Photo: Shutterstock)
Unlike its U.S. airline peers, Delta does not have any retro liveries. However, the Dark-Nose Widget livery can still be found on Boeing 757-200 and 767 aircraft static displays at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
American is set to add 10 former Alaska A321neos to its fleet in the coming months. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Alaska’s former Airbus A321neos are slowly getting a new life as they join American’s fleet. In September 2023, Alaska retired its last Airbus aircraft, once again becoming an all-Boeing operator.
A month later, American announced its plan to acquire the 10 A321neos from the Seattle-based airline. With the oldest aircraft having been delivered to then Virgin America in January 2018, the sub-fleet is relatively young.
N925VA – a former Alaska A321neo destined for American – in Roswell, N.M. on March 2, 2024. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
“We have signed an agreement with Alaska Airlines to purchase 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft that we expect to join fleet in the fourth quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2024,” said American’s Chief Financial Officer Devon May during a third-quarter 2023 earnings call. “Our 2023 aircraft CapEx is now expected to be approximately $1.9 billion, which includes a portion of the Alaska A321neo deliveries.”
The ten aircraft have yet to be placed into revenue service, per data from Flightradar24. According to airline industry insider JonNYC on Twitter/X, the aircraft were originally scheduled to enter service as a batch once all entry-into-service checks were complete.
N929VA is set to join American’s fleet after being acquired from Alaska last year. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
However, this plan appears to have changed. The first ex-Alaska A321neo is reportedly entering revenue service early next month, per JonNYC.
The ten aircraft are scattered around different American maintenance bases, including Pittsburgh, San Salvador, and San Antonio. Flight tracking data also shows a handful in Roswell, N.M.
Former Alaska A321neo aircraft slated to operate for American in the coming months (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Only four entered service with Virgin America, while the remaining six joined the Alaska fleet after the 2018 merger of the two carriers. According to data from ch-aviation, American has 70 A321neo aircraft currently in service, making the Fort Worth-based airline the largest North American customer of the type.
Editor’s Note: Photos in this article were taken at Roswell Air Center on March 2, 2024.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
If you're looking to buy an expensive item, it may be better to wait until your next trip abroad and take advantage of favorable taxation rules for travelers.
Duty free shop inside Hamad International Airport (Photo: Shutterstock)
I was recently in Qatar for a couple of days right before Valentine’s Day. This unexpected trip messed up my plans to wait until the last minute to buy a Valentine’s Day present for my wife. She had very casually mentioned wanting a new necklace a few weeks prior which I took to be a hint. My plan was to swing by a jewelry store a day or two before Valentine’s Day and call it a day. The last-minute trip squashed those plans and I was stuck figuring out what I would be able to buy in Qatar or if I should make a stop on my way home from the airport. I settled on trying to buy something in Qatar where there is no sales tax or try duty free at the Doha airport on the return leg.
Once I got to Doha, I noticed there was a very large mall called the Place Vendome. It seemed like a place one could buy nice things, but upon closer inspection it turned out to be a place where the nice things were extremely expensive. Ironically, one of the cheapest places was Tiffany’s & Co., an iconic New York-based luxury jewelry house. I ended up buying a very nice set of gold olive leaf earrings for about the same price I’d pay in the United States pretax. On a $1,000 purchase sales tax of 8.25% here in Houston would have added another $82 to my purchase.
Many other countries across the world often charge a Value Added Tax to purchases which can be returned to the traveler if they are taking the purchased goods out of the country. The steps and level of involvement to do this varies by country. It’s usually much simpler to shop where there is no sales or value-added tax.
Airport Duty Free
When I got back to the airport to fly home, I also decided to check out duty free at Doha International Airport. There were quite a few luxury brands with duty free locations at the airport and I was wondering if I should try to sneak in a purchase of an Omega Moonwatch as a Valentine’s Day purchase for myself. I was quite surprised to find the prices right around retail prices in the United States. While I do travel often, I never paid duty free much attention so I wasn’t aware that, for a good number of items, it can be a decent deal.
It turns out that duty free purchases being a decent deal was news to me but most other people already knew. Both Qatar and the UAE release some high-level financial data on how their duty free operates. Qatar Duty Free announced a 32 percent increase in duty free sales for 2023 compared to the year prior. Dubai Duty Free posted a 24 percent increase in sales for 2023 compared to the year prior and had crossed the $2 billion in sales mark taking it back to pre-pandemic sales levels.
Declaring Purchases to Customs
It is important to note though that purchases should be declared when re-entering the United States. Any purchases over the personal exemption of $800 may incur a duty and failing to declare items may result in hefty penalties. I made sure to keep my receipt handy and blurted out that I had things to declare when I got the CBP officer after the Global Entry kiosk. She was actually surprised that I was declaring something and sent me to another officer who would examine my purchase to determine if there would be a duty since I was over the personal exemption.
The second officer asked me the usual slew of questions and asked for the receipt. After a couple of minutes of typing on his computer, he let me know the calculated duty for the earrings I purchased was $8 and they won’t be collecting it since it’s a small amount. I was then free to go.
Buying expensive items oversees in countries without sales tax or robust duty free shops can be a good way to save some money compared to buying the same item within the country. It is important to remember that it’s always better to be upfront with United States Customs and Border Protection officers. My experience was smooth because I declared my purchases. If I had not done that and my bags were searched, I would’ve potentially faced penalties and revocation of Global Entry.
Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.
A Decade of Mystery: MH370 Anniversary Renews Search Hopes
Friday, March 8, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysia flight 370. The Boeing 777 vanished from radar shortly after takeoff.
Malaysians showing support by writing prayers on a wall at a shopping complex. (Photo: Shutterstock)
This Friday, March 8, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The Boeing 777-200 – registered as 9M-MRO – vanished from radar shortly after takeoff from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, en route to Beijing, China, with 239 people on board.
Despite extensive underwater searches spanning over 46,000 square miles (120,000 square kilometers) across a vast swathe of the Indian Ocean, the wreckage of MH370 has never been found. The cause of the disappearance remains one of aviation’s biggest unsolved mysteries, with theories ranging from mechanical failure and hijacking to deliberate pilot action.
A Timeline of Uncertainty
The disappearance of MH370 unfolded over several bewildering hours. At 12:41 a.m. local time on March 8, 2014, the flight took off uneventfully. However, just over an hour later, routine communication with air traffic control ceased. Military radar picked up the aircraft on a seemingly deliberate course change, far off its intended flight path. The last confirmed signal from MH370 came via a satellite ping at 8:19 a.m., indicating the plane was somewhere in the southern Indian Ocean.
“Malaysia Airlines confirms that flight MH370 has lost contact with Subang air traffic control at 2.40 a.m., today (8 March 2014),” the airline said in a statement at the time.
Debris Offers Small Clues, But No Answers
In the years since the disappearance, debris believed to be from MH370 has washed ashore on various coastlines bordering the Indian Ocean. These fragments have been crucial in determining a probable search area, but haven’t provided any definitive answers about the 777’s fate.
Reports of debris have been cumulated into a Google Map. While it is strongly believed much of the debris came from the aircraft, none of which has been confirmed by investigators.
Renewed Search Efforts
The 10th anniversary has reignited efforts to find MH370. Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, is considering a renewed search proposal from seabed exploration firm Ocean Infinity. This proposal focuses on a specific area in the southern Indian Ocean identified through refined satellite data analysis. According to Al Jazeera, Ocean Infinity says it would not charge for the search unless wreckage or debris were found.
“The Malaysian government is committed to the search, and the search must go on,” Loke said during an event in honor of the 10th anniversary.
A Malaysia Airlines 777-200 similar to the one involved in MH370 (Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)
A Day of Remembrance
Friday will also be a day of remembrance for the victims and their loved ones. Memorial events are planned in Malaysia and China to honor the 239 passengers and crew who were on board MH370.
The anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this tragedy. On the flight were 227 passengers and 12 crew members from 14 different countries. Five children were also onboard the flight.
Looking Ahead
While the mystery of MH370 may not be solved on the 10th anniversary, the possibility of a renewed search offers a potential path forward for those who lost loved ones. “No matter if it is 10 years, 20 years or more, as long as we are still alive … we will not cease to press for the truth. We believe the truth will eventually come to light,” said Bai Zhong, a Chinese national whose wife was on the stricken jet, told Al Jazeera.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
A United 737-800 in San Francisco. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
United is the latest U.S. carrier to slow pilot hiring this year. According to a CNBC report, the Chicago-based carrier will pause new hire classes in May and June, citing delivery delays at Boeing.
The airline expects to receive 21 fewer 737 MAX aircraft this year than its original forecast. Manufacturing delays continue to plague Boeing following January’s door plug incident on an Alaska 737 MAX 9.
In 2024, United had also expected to receive 80 737 MAX 10 aircraft from Boeing, but certification timelines continue to slip. The carrier recently removed the largest variant of the 737 MAX from its fleet plan.
“We wanted to let you know that United will slow the pace of pilot hires this year due to continued new aircraft certification and manufacturing delays at Boeing,” said United’s Marc Champion, Vice President of Flight Operations,and Kirk Limacher, Vice President of Flight Ops Planning and Development, in an internal memo viewed by CNBC.
The memo continued to say that the airline expects to resume new hire classes in July.
So far this year, the airline said it hired 450 pilots with plans for up to 800 by the end of April.
“As you know, United has hundreds of new planes on order and while we remain on a path to be the fastest growing airline in the industry, we just won’t grow as fast as we thought we would in 2024 due to continued delays at Boeing,” Champion and Limacher added in the Thursday memo.
Following Other Airlines
United isn’t the only U.S. carrier to slow pilot hiring this year. Delta announced it would be slashing its hiring plans in half in 2024.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
A United 767-300. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
United Airlines will expand flights across the globe this year, adding new routes and additional service to a handful of destinations.
The airline on Thursday announced it would add new flights to Morocco, the Philippines, Japan, and Colombia. United will also operate more flights to China, South Korea and Portugal.
“We have consistently been ahead of the curve in finding hidden gem destinations for our customers to explore and remain committed to providing the most unique slate of travel options for their adventures abroad,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, in a news release.
United will launch flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Marrakech beginning Oct. 24. The nonstop flights will be operated three times a week on a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.
The airline will begin operating daily nonstop flights on July 31 from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu, Philippines. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 737-800.
In addition, United will fly nonstop to Medellin, Colombia for the first time. The daily nonstop flights will depart from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston beginning Oct. 27 on a Boeing 737 aircraft.
Other new flights:
Shanghai to Los Angeles four times weekly beginning Aug. 29 before expanding to daily service in October
Additional daily flights from Los Angeles to Hong Kong on Oct. 26
Additional daily flights from San Francisco to Seoul on Oct. 25
New route between Tokyo and Guam beginning in May
Additional daily flights from Newark to Porto, Portugal beginning May 23
Brinley Hineman covers general assignment news. She previously worked for the USA TODAY Network, Newsday and The Messenger. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and is from West Virginia. She lives in Brooklyn with her poodle Franklin.
Qatar Airways Says Goodbye to Boeing 747 Freighter
The company’s cargo subsidiary announced that its lone remaining Boeing 747-8 freighter finished its last flight on Friday.
The 747 jumbo jet era is over at Qatar Airways. The company’s cargo subsidiary announced that its lone remaining Boeing 747-8 freighter finished its last flight on Friday, arriving at its base in Doha from Barcelona, Spain.
Qatar Airways Cargo acquired two 747-8s in 2017 and recently agreed to sell them to UPS. The airline will now operate an all-Boeing 777 fleet as it seeks better efficiency and emissions reductions.
The two cargo jets, which are young by freighter standards at 10 and seven years, logged more than 9,000 flights totaling more than 66,000 hours. Together hauled nearly 882,000 tons of goods, including racing cars and horses, around the world.
Qatar Airways Cargo is the largest cargo airline in the world by cargo ton miles. “When we welcomed our Boeing 747 freighters to the Qatar Airways Cargo fleet seven years ago we were responding to a sharp rise in customer demand for capacity, which we were quickly able to fulfill. Our Next Generation freighter strategy is based both on evolving customer expectations and our firm commitment on sustainability and efficiency. Efficiency is achieved through fleet harmonization and simplification, and sustainability is improved by the latest in-flight and fuel technology,” said Chief Cargo Officer Mark Drusch, in a news release.
Drusch moved to the cargo side in January from Qatar Airways, where he was senior vice president of revenue management, alliances and strategy. Prior to joining Qatar Airways in 2019, he spent 20 years at Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines and Lufthansa LSG Sky Chefs. He took the position previously held by Guillaume Halleux, who left the company last year.
Qatar Airways Cargo operates 27 Boeing 777 freighters and expects to receive another aircraft by the middle of March. It has a firm order with Boeing for 34 next-generation 777-8 freighters, which will reduce fuel use and carbon emissions by 30% compared to the 747-8.
UPS recently confirmed that the 747-8s picked up from Qatar Airways won’t join the fleet until late this year or early 2025. The planes require some modifications and a new paint job to meet UPS requirements. Aircraft tracking site FlightRadar24 shows the last Qatar Airways 747 arrived at Victorville Logistics Airport in Southern California, which has an aircraft maintenance facility. In 2014, Boeing painted the plane in the colors of the Seattle Seahawks football team to celebrate the team’s Super Bowl victory.
The 747-8s represent an environmental and fuel upgrade compared to the MD-11s that UPS is phasing out.
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on Freightwaves.
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.
Virgin Australia Plans for First Domestic In-Cabin Pet Policy
Virgin Australia announced plans to become the first domestic airline in the country to allow small cats and dogs to travel in the cabin with their owners.
A Virgin Australia Boeing 777 in Los Angeles.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Virgin Australia has unveiled plans to make history as the first domestic airline in the country to permit small cats and dogs to travel alongside their owners in the cabin. This eagerly anticipated pet-friendly policy, slated for launch within the next 12 months, will specifically cater to select domestic flights, providing a unique travel experience for pet owners within designated cabin rows.
Regulatory Changes And Public Support
This decision comes in the wake of a 2021 regulatory change by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which eased restrictions on in-cabin pet travel. Currently, major Australian airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Regional Express permit service dogs to accompany their owners in the cabin at no additional cost.
However, all other pets have been restricted to travel in the cargo hold. With this move, Virgin Australia is poised to become the first domestic airline in Australia to welcome pets in cabins, offering pet owners increased convenience and the ability to keep their animals close during air travel.
Virgin Australia’s chief executive, Jayne Hrdlicka, noted the success of this arrangement internationally, highlighting that allowing pets on flights is a common practice in North America.”Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality,” she said.
Referring to a recent poll conducted on Virgin’s Facebook page, 85% of respondents supported the airline allowing pets in the cabin.
Ensuring Safety and Comfort
However, specific limitations are in place. To ensure passenger comfort and safety, pets will be restricted to designated rows, unable to roam freely or occupy laps. They must be securely transported in a Virgin Australia-approved ventilated carrier that fits under the owner’s seat throughout the flight.
Acknowledging the concerns of passengers uncomfortable with the new in-cabin pet policy, Hrdlicka clarified, “It won’t be a menagerie on board; we’re just talking dogs or cats.” She also emphasized that the designated pet-friendly rows will facilitate easy separation between pet owners and passengers with pet allergies or sensitivities.
Melbourne Airport CEO, Lorie Argus said the airport was looking forward to helping Virgin Australia deliver the Australian-first.
“We’ve been investing significant effort into providing relief areas for assistance animals and these facilities have ample capacity to serve Virgin Australia’s new guests,” she said. “We expect the pets in cabin concept will prove a popular offering and we look forward to working with Virgin Australia to make it a reality.”
While details regarding participating routes and associated fees are forthcoming, Virgin Australia’s move marks a significant shift in domestic pet travel options within Australia.
Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.
British Airways to Return to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur
British Airways is adding two major cities in southeast Asia back to its route network later this year from both Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
A British Airways 787-9 at LAX (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
British Airways is adding two major cities in southeast Asia back to its route network. Later this year, the British flag carrier is slated to re-introduce flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
British Airways’ Shifting Bangkok Service
Flights between London Gatwick Airport and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport will begin on Oct. 28, 2024. The seasonal route will operate three times per week using British Airways’ Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with an older configuration, featuring 32 Club World seats (business class), 48 World Traveller Plus seats (premium economy class), and 252 World Traveller (economy class).
The carrier previously flew between London and Bangkok before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the route existed in a different form. In pre-pandemic times, British Airways operated a daily service to Bangkok from London Heathrow Airport. Thailand is an extremely popular tourist destination and the introduction of a non-daily service from Gatwick shows a more leisure-focused approach to this route.
While British Airways will be the only airline serving Bangkok from Gatwick, the London–Bangkok market is not lacking in competition. Thai Airways International flies twice daily between Bangkok and London Heathrow and EVA Air operates a daily fifth freedom flight between the two airports.
A Return to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is also returning to the British Airways network after a four-year pandemic hiatus. Starting on Nov. 10, 2024, the airline will resume daily flights between London Heathrow Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The route will be served by Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with eight First Class seats, 42 Club World seats, 39 World Traveller Plus seats, and 127 World Traveller seats.
The four-class daily service from London Heathrow shows that the Kuala Lumpur route is more business-focused than the Bangkok market. British Airways will also not be without competition on this route. Fellow oneworld alliance partner Malaysia Airlines flies twice per day between London Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur.
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.
The FAA is investigating an incident in which an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost a door plug in flight. (Photo: NTSB)
In a Senate hearing on Wednesday, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said that Boeing has failed to hand over key records on work done to Alaska 1282’s now-infamous door plug before it was delivered. Homendy says that the NTSB has requested certain documents and information “numerous times over the last few months” but has not received them.
“Boeing has not provided us with the documents and information that we have requested…specifically with respect to opening, closing and removal of the door and the team that does work at the Renton facility,” Homendy said during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing.
“It’s absurd that two months later we don’t have that,” Homendy commented. “Without that information, that raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, safety management systems [at Boeing].”
The NTSB is currently trying to determine which Boeing employee worked on the 737 MAX 9’s plug door as part of the investigation process. Meeting with the specific employee may shed light on why they failed to act on the bolts. Both the specific worker who installed the plug door and other Boeing employees may be able to shed additional light on how Boeing’s culture is affecting employees’ thoroughness, decision-making, and attitudes toward work.
A team of 25 people at Boeing’s Renton factory deal with plug doors on 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Though the NTSB has been unable to interview the team’s leader due to medical leave, the names of the other people on the team have not been disclosed, thus preventing investigators from meeting with any workers who might have touched the door plug in question.
An Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 sits in Seattle prior to delivery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
When asked about the possibility that requested documents simply do not exist, Homendy replied: “There are two options. Either they exist and we don’t have them, or they do not exist, which raises two very different questions — several different questions, depending on which one is the right answer.”
“We have been informed [Boeing has] a procedure to maintain documents on when work is performed, including when door plugs are open, closed, or removed,” Homendy continued. “We have not been able to verify that. And without that information that raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, safety management systems within Boeing.”
Homendy did mention that this failure to produce documentation “is not for lack of trying,” as the information requested by the NTSB is quite precise. Still, Homendy says the NTSB has gone through texts and pictures regarding the incident but still has not received such information from Boeing directly.
The NTSB has engaged its attorney on the matter. The government must prove that Boeing is acting intentionally to obstruct the NTSB if they want to pursue any charges regarding obstruction of a federal investigation.
Additionally, the NTSB has said that people presented by Spirit Aerospace for interviews did not actually work for Spirit but instead were employed by subcontractors.
A Boeing 737 MAX 9 testbed aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Neither Boeing nor Spirit has commented on these remarks as of the time of writing.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington, highlighted Boeing’s critical role as a major exporter and defense contractor, adding to the importance that the company’s procedures are fine-tuned.
“We need to get this right,” Cantwell said. “We need to help with the investigation so we can find out what in our system needs to be improved.”
Cantwell announced after Homendy’s testimony that she plans to send a letter to Boeing calling for their full, immediate cooperation.
“Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened. An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory,” Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun said in a February statement. “We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers.”
Since the investigation started, the FAA has increased oversight of Boeing, and an audit of the manufacturer’s production and manufacturing processes is underway. As that audit continues, Boeing is looking into the possibility of purchasing Spirit Aerospace, a contractor that spun off of Boeing in the early 2000s to produce various aircraft components as an independent company.
John McDermott is a commercial pilot pursuing a career in professional flight. His passion for aviation began in an Ann Arbor bookstore with a tale of enemy pilots during World War 2, and he hasn't looked back. Besides flying and writing for AirlineGeeks, John volunteers with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and travels whenever he gets the chance.
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