Flight UA883 left Heathrow on Friday morning and was due to land at Newark, but instead was diverted to Bangor International Airport.

In an emailed statement to the BBC, United Airlines said police removed the two passengers after landing.

The customers will be banned from future United Airlines flights.

After a seven-hour journey across the Atlantic, FlightRadar shows flight UA883 on a path toward New York before making a sharp detour south-east toward Bangor.

“United flight 883 landed in Bangor this morning after two passengers, who appeared intoxicated, became disruptive,” the airline said in a statement.

“Law enforcement officials removed the two passengers and the flight has already re-departed for Newark Liberty International Airport. The customers will be banned from future United flights while we review this matter.”

The flight – which had 150 people on board and 10 crew members – left London at 07:52 GMT and landed safely in Maine at about 10:00 local time (15:00 GMT), the Federal Aviation Administration added in a statement.

It described what happened on board the Boeing 767 as a “passenger disturbance”.

Bangor Police Department said their officers assisted Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, who are now handling the investigation, in removing the two passengers.

Read the originally published story on bbc.com

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Travellers on the United Airlines flight from Portland to Denver said a woman’s chihuahua caused chaos on the plane when she let her fussy pup out of its crate during the flight on Monday and it left a little present on the furniture.

Passengers were struck by a foul “poop” smell, said one man, who identified himself only as Nick. A pregnant woman sitting directly behind the epicentre of the stench was forced to hit the call button for a flight attendant to help.

Nick says he and the pregnant lady, seated in the back of the plane, searched for the source of the unbearable smell. “I turned on my phone light, and that’s when I realised the dog was out. And we were debating was it her [the owner] or was it the dog,” Nick said.

“She mentioned earlier, when I was first seated, that she hadn’t taken it to the bathroom during the airport. I think they have relief centres so it probably was cooped up in the cage the whole time,” Nick said to WGN-TV.

Flight attendants on their way to assist the pregnant woman said they had found dog faeces on the edge of an aisle seat. But the lady refused to move with her foul-smelling chihuahua or take responsibility for cleaning the nasty mess, another passenger claimed.

“The lady was reluctant to move or to deal with it, and the flight attendants were slow to come,” another passenger named Burton Bix told WGN. “They cleaned it eventually. They were wearing hazmat-type clothes, and they cleaned the seat around it.”

Passengers around the dog poop were unable to switch seats to escape the noxious poop zone as the plane was in full flight. United has clear rules about bringing pets onto its flights.

Read the full story originally published on mirror.co.uk

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Over the years, that has changed. Tickets have become more tiered with the major airlines looking to compete not just with Southwest and JetBlue, the sort of mid-tier customer-friendly carriers, but also the true discounters Spirit and Frontier.

Those airlines sell everything a la carte. Your ticket gives you the right to be on the plane and that’s all. It’s a way to sell tickets to customers at a low price even though most of them will actually pay more.

It’s a model that allows passengers to pay for exactly what they need. If you don’t care where you sit, for example, you can opt to not buy a seat assignment and have your seat assigned at the gate. Passengers can also opt to not pay for baggage or a carry-on bag, meaning they can only carry a purse or small backpack on the plane.

United (UAL) – Get Free Report, Delta, and American have all adopted a form of these a la carte fares. They call it “Basic Economy,” but one airline has opted to be even more basic than its rivals.

United Airlines Basic Economy offers the least

When you fly Spirit or Frontier Airlines, passengers know the deal. They expect airlines that make every effort to save money and people gird themselves for a bad experience.

It’s not uncommon, for example, for Spirit and Frontier to not even have a gate agent available until just before boarding starts. That creates a line at the counter as people ask questions, pay for checked bags they didn’t realize weren’t included, or try to get questions answered.

People generally expect better from United, Delta, and American. That puts those airlines in a tighter spot when it comes to Basic Economy fares. Passengers know that those cheaper tickets lack some regularly included perks, but they still have some expectations.

Passengers traveling on Basic Economy fares expect to pay for checked bags, but United Airlines passengers flying on the no-frills tickets may be shocked to learn that their fare does not include a carry-on bag because Delta and American Basic Economy include a traditional carryon.

United Airlines has the most restrictive fares

Years ago, American Airlines did not allow Basic Economy passengers to bring a traditional carryon on their flight as part of their fare. Customers hated that policy because it led to unexpected charges so the airline gave up some money and dropped that policy in the interest of customer satisfaction.

United Airlines seems to be taking a very different approach to how it treats Basic Economy passengers,

“Carry-on bags are not included unless you’re flying to Canada, South America, across the Atlantic, or on an international flight across the Pacific. You can prepay to check a bag or check a carry-on at your gate for the regular bag fee plus an additional $25,” the airline shared on its website.

So, not only will passengers pay to check their bags, but they’ll also pay a penalty because they didn’t read the fine print.

United also makes it harder for Basic Economy passengers who don’t pay for a checked bag or carryon to get on the plane.

“If you’re flying on a Basic Economy ticket without a checked bag, you’re not allowed to check in online or via the airline’s mobile app So all Basic Economy customers are forced to wait in the line of shame at the airport. Their travels are slowed down and what they save in airfare they pay in time,” Garry Leff wrote on View From the Wing.

The post United Airlines has a policy that will cost passengers more money appeared first on Aviation Figures.

In a lawsuit filed in a Colorado district court, the victim claims the flight attendant gave the alleged perpetrator at least nine servings of alcohol and started to serve doubles in larger glasses as she grew ‘frustrated’ at the man’s requests for more alcohol.

United is responsible, the lawsuit claims, because the airline knows that over-serving passengers is the cause of some inflight sexual assaults, and, the suit continues, United managers are aware that the result of supplying liquor to passengers in large quantities is that their seatmates could be sexually assaulted.

The victim, who has applied to be identified only as Jane Doe, was flying in First Class between Orlando and Denver on October 2, 2022. Sitting in seat 1A at the front of the aircraft, the victim initially had a ‘pleasant conversation’ with the perpetrator sitting in 1B before he became ‘highly intoxicated’.

Once in flight, however, the “assailant requested drink after drink”, the lawsuit claims. Specifically, the assailant was drinking Screwdriver cocktails – a mix of vodka and orange juice.

Every time the flight attendant passed, the assailant would ask for another drink, causing the crew member to become frustrated at repeatedly needing to serve another drink. To avoid walking to and fro from the galley, the flight attendant started serving the assailant ‘doubles’ in larger glasses.

Soon after, the victim had to get up to use the restroom and at this point, the assailant put his hand on her back without consent. A little later, the assailant placed his hand on the victim’s leg, but despite being told to stop, the assailant continued to touch the victim.

In fact, as the flight continued, the lawsuit alleges that his unwanted touching started to escalate. At one point, the assailant even grabbed the victim’s barefoot and started to rub it, while another time, the assailant touched the victim’s back and asked to give her a massage.

The victim started to cower into the window to avoid the assailant, but this didn’t seem to stop him, as he reached over her and placed his mouth over her’s in an attempt to kiss her.

By this point, the victim was ‘petrified’ and unable to move for fear that would provoke more sexual assaults.

United refunded the victim’s ticket after hearing about what happened, and an agent even allegedly admitted that it was ‘unacceptable’ for a flight attendant to serve a passenger so much alcohol.

“United management officials know that a foreseeable consequence of supplying liquor to passengers in such large quantities that they become inebriated is that neighboring passengers will be sexually assaulted,” the lawsuit alleges.

“United’s flight attendant repeatedly served the Assailant “doubles” so that she would not have to walk over to him frequently, but in the process endangered Ms. Doe,” the lawsuit continues.

The victim says she has been left suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and now avoids air travel or any kind of social gathering, as a result of the assault.

A spokesperson for United declined to comment, citing the fact that the litigation was still ongoing.

News Source: paddleyourownkanoo.com

The post Female Passenger Sexually Assaulted On United Flight After Crew Member Repeatedly Served Perpetrator Double Shots of Vodka appeared first on Aviation Figures.

In 2023, several airlines around the world have emerged as the safest options for travelers. Let’s delve into the Top 20 safest airlines in the world, as ranked by Airline Rankings, and explore the criteria used to determine their safety.

What makes an airline safe?

Determining the safety of an airline involves a complex analysis of multiple factors. According to Geoffrey Thomas the editor-in-chief for Airline Rankings, their editors employ a comprehensive methodology. They analyze:

• Crashes in the last 5 years: The number of crashes an airline has experienced over the past five years is a crucial indicator of its safety performance. Few or no crashes demonstrate a commitment to safety.
• Serious incidents within a two-year period: While crashes are the most severe safety events, serious incidents like engine failures, emergency landings, or near-miss situations also play a role in assessing an airline’s safety.
• Inspections conducted by aviation regulatory authorities: Regulatory agencies and industry associations conduct regular audits to assess an airline’s adherence to safety standards and procedures.
• Fleet age: Older aircraft may have more wear and tear, increasing the risk of mechanical failures. A young fleet is often seen as a safety advantage.
• Assessment of pilot training: Well-trained and experienced pilots are a cornerstone of flight safety. Airlines with rigorous pilot training programs score higher in safety assessments.
• COVID protocols: In the post-pandemic world, airlines’ response to health and safety measures is also a significant consideration.

With these criteria in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Top 20 safest airlines in the world for 2023:

1. Qantas

Country: Australia
Commenced operations: November 2, 1922
Qantas achieved a remarkable safety milestone with its last fatal crash occurring back in 1951. Since that time, over 70 years have passed without any fatal accidents being recorded by the airline.

2. Air New Zealand

Country: New Zealand
Commenced operations: April 1, 1965
Air New Zealand is renowned for its commitment to safety and excellent service, making it a top choice for travelers.

3. Etihad Airways

Country: United Arab Emirates
Commenced operations: November 2003
Etihad Airways maintains a strong safety track record, providing peace of mind to passengers.

4. Qatar Airways

Country: Qatar
Commenced operations: January 20, 1994
Qatar Airways is recognized for its modern fleet and adherence to safety standards.

5. Singapore Airlines

Country: Singapore
Commenced operations: October 1, 1972
Singapore Airlines is known for its impeccable safety record and high-quality service.

6. TAP Air Portugal

Country: Portugal
Commenced operations: September 19, 1946
TAP Air Portugal has been steadily climbing the safety rankings, thanks to its rigorous safety protocols.

7. Emirates

Country: United Arab Emirates
Commenced operations: October 25, 1985
Emirates, one of the world’s largest airlines, consistently prioritizes safety, making it a popular choice for travelers.

8. Alaska Airlines

Country: United States
Commenced operations: June 6, 1944
As one of the safest airlines in the US, Alaska Airlines has a strong safety culture.

9. EVA Air

Country: Taiwan
Commenced operations: July 1, 1991
EVA Air or Evergreen Airways is known for its modern fleet and dedication to passenger safety.

10. Virgin Australia/Atlantic

Country: Australia/United Kingdom
Commenced operations: Virgin Australia August 29, 2011, and Atlantic June 22, 1984
The Virgin Group airlines Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic place a strong emphasis on safety, offering reliable travel experiences.

11. Cathay Pacific Airways

Country: Hong Kong
Commenced operations: September 24, 1946
Cathay Pacific Airways maintains an excellent safety record, assuring travelers of their well-being.

12. Hawaiian Airlines

Country: United States
Commenced operations: October 6, 1929
Hawaiian Airlines is a trusted choice for those traveling to and from Hawaii, known for its safety measures.

13. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)

Country: Sweden/Norway/Denmark
Commenced operations: August 1, 1946
SAS is recognized for its commitment to safety, serving travelers in Scandinavia and beyond.

14. United Airlines

Country: United States
Commenced operations: March 28, 1931
United Airlines is one of the largest carriers in the world, and its safety record reflects its dedication to passenger well-being.

15. Lufthansa Group airlines

Country: Germany
Commenced operations: April 1, 1955
Lufthansa Group airlines, operating under one umbrella, prioritize safety and passenger satisfaction.

16. Finnair

Country: Finland
Commenced operations: November 1, 1923
Finnair is a reliable choice for European and international travel, with a strong safety record.

17. British Airways

Country: United Kingdom
Commenced operations: August 25, 1919
British Airways has a long history of safety and provides a comfortable travel experience.

18. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Country: The Netherlands
Commenced operations: October 7, 1919
KLM’s commitment to safety and service has earned it a place among the Top 20 safest airlines.

19. American Airlines

Country: United States
Commenced operations: June 25, 1936
As a major United States carrier, American Airlines emphasizes safety to ensure passenger confidence.

20. Delta Air Lines

Country: United States
Commenced operations: June 17, 1929
Delta Air Lines rounds out the list, known for its focus on safety and customer service.

When it comes to choosing the best airline for your travels, safety should always be a top priority. The Top 20 safest airlines in the world in 2023, as ranked by Airline Rankings, have demonstrated their commitment to passenger safety through their excellent safety records, rigorous training programs, and adherence to industry standards.

Whether you’re embarking on a short domestic flight or a long-haul international journey, these airlines provide peace of mind, making your travel experience as safe and enjoyable as possible. So, if you fear flying, rest assured that these airlines have your safety at heart, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your journey rather than the fear of the flight.

Read Full Originally Published story on www.aerotime.aero

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