Latest news with #AirbusA321neo
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Flight attendant claims airlines are too scared to address embarrassing issue
Marcus Daniels, a former flight attendant who spent five years in the job, claims that airlines are too afraid of offending passengers to resolve an apparently longstanding toilet-related issue A former flight attendant claims that airlines are afraid of teaching passengers how to use toilets properly, for fear of offending them. Marcus Daniels spent five years working the aisles at 30,000 feet. He loved his job, but not all aspects of it. Marcus says he was disgusted on multiple occasions by messes left behind by passengers. He believes many of these incidents occurred because some flyers were unfamiliar with these types of toilets, and he noticed a trend emerging on certain routes. 'On those flights, passengers will defecate on the floor, and you just do your best to smile and not say anything. You get used to it after a while and can start mentally preparing yourself for those flights,' Mr Daniels said. The flight attendant added that the language barrier made it difficult to address this delicate topic with passengers. Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@ 'It would be great if there were visual guides showing how to use the toilet properly, rather than just guides for flushing,' he added, according to the Daily Mail. Daniels recalled one occasion when he had to lock off the toilet for the remainder of a flight after a passenger repeatedly urinated on the floor. 'Airlines are very particular about how they communicate with customers because they don't want to offend anyone,' he said. In other plane-toilet news, a flight attendant recently revealed that birdsong is now being played in lavatories to mask embarrassing 'toilet sounds.' KLM attendant Esther Sturrus posted a video on TikTok demonstrating this new feature inside the bathroom of a brand-new Airbus A321neo. Sturrus, 24, who has worked for the Dutch airline since 2020, laughed as the sound of birds chirping filled the space. Since summer 2024, KLM has gradually replaced its Boeing 737 fleet with A321neos, according to its website. 'The birdsong definitely catches people by surprise the first time. You're expecting the usual hum of the engines or total silence, and instead you're suddenly surrounded by chirping birds. The idea behind it is to make the onboard experience a little more soothing and enjoyable, even in the smallest and most unexpected places,' said Sturrus, who is from Rotterdam. 'The birdsong gives a sort of spa-like vibe. Let's be honest, it also nicely covers the classic toilet sounds, so it might just be functional too. I found it unusual and amusing and just had to capture the moment. It's little touches like these that show how much thought can go into even the tiniest details of a flight experience.'
Hans India
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
IndiGo flight with 140 passengers on board makes emergency landing in Indore
Indore: IndiGo Airlines faced back-to-back technical challenges this week, raising fresh concerns over the operational reliability of its Airbus A321neo fleet. Flight 6E 813 operating from Goa to Indore was forced to make an emergency landing on Monday, after a suspected hydraulic malfunction in its wheel system triggered an undercarriage warning mid-air. The aircraft departed Goa's Dabolim Airport at 3:14 p.m. and was approaching Indore when the pilot alerted Air Traffic Control about the irregular hydraulic response linked to the landing gear. As a precaution, the plane circled Indore's airspace seven to eight times while emergency response units were mobilised on the ground. Fire brigades, medical teams, and airport officials were deployed along the runway, anticipating a potentially hazardous landing. The aircraft touched down safely at 5:08 p.m., with all 140 passengers and crew members reported unharmed. This marks the second such scare within 24 hours for the carrier. On Sunday evening, flight 6E 6591 from Tirupati to Hyderabad encountered a separate technical snag shortly after take-off. According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the plane left Tirupati Airport at 7:42 p.m., but was forced to circle overhead before landing back at 8:34 p.m. That flight, also an A321neo and the last scheduled service from Tirupati to Hyderabad for the day, was cancelled. IndiGo has yet to offer a comprehensive statement regarding either incident. Aviation sources suggest both were precautionary manoeuvres prompted by cockpit alerts, not structural failures. However, the proximity of two mechanical alerts involving the same aircraft model has drawn attention from civil aviation authorities, who are expected to initiate a review of maintenance protocols and alert response strategies. Passengers on both flights have expressed relief over the crew's handling of the situations, while aviation observers await official explanations from the airline and regulators regarding any underlying causes or patterns behind the sudden malfunctions.
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
ITA Airways expands global network with strategic growth in Middle East
ITA Airways, Italy's national flag carrier, continues its ambitious international expansion strategy by reinforcing its presence in the Middle East— one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. With the recent launch of new nonstop routes to key destinations across the Gulf region, the airline is connecting Italy with high-potential international markets, supporting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. These new routes mark a significant step in ITA Airways' long-term vision to establish Rome Fiumicino as a major intercontinental hub. Operated by the cutting-edge Airbus A321neo, the Middle Eastern routes offer passengers a refined travel experience with a three-class cabin configuration — Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. The aircraft also underscores ITA Airways' sustainability mission, delivering over 20 percent lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions per seat, along with a 50 percent reduction in noise impact compared to previous-generation models. Passengers flying to and from the Middle East benefit from seamless connections across ITA Airways' growing network, covering Europe, the Americas, and North Africa, supported by optimized transit through Rome Fiumicino Airport. Further enhancing the customer journey, ITA Airways recently unveiled its new premium Runway Lounge at Milan Linate Airport — an elegant space that embodies Italian design and excellence. Developed in collaboration with iconic Italian brands such as Campari Group, illycaffè, iGuzzini, and Poltrona Frau, the lounge offers a luxurious and uniquely Italian ambiance. To celebrate the launch, a fashion show curated by Italian label Silence Please featured designs inspired by ITA Airways' intercontinental destinations, reinforcing the brand's connection to Italian creativity and global elegance. Commenting on the expansion, Jörg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways, said: 'Our growing footprint in the Middle East is a clear reflection of our long-term commitment to building sustainable and meaningful connections between Europe and this dynamic region. ITA Airways is dedicated to providing a premium and authentically Italian travel experience, supported by a modern fleet and seamless global connectivity. These new routes go beyond commercial value — they represent a vision of smarter, more connected travel that brings people, cultures, and economies closer together.' As part of its broader growth strategy, ITA Airways continues to invest in fleet renewal, aiming for 90 percent of its aircraft to be next-generation models by 2027 — making it one of the youngest and most environmentally responsible fleets in Europe. Backed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy and Deutsche Lufthansa AG, ITA Airways is steadily establishing itself as a key player in global aviation, driven by innovation, sustainability, and an unmistakable Italian style.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Tirupati-Hyderabad IndiGo Flight Circles In Air For 40 Minutes After Glitch
Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-bound IndiGo flight on Sunday allegedly suffered a technical glitch and circled in the air for about 40 minutes before returning to Tirupati safely. The aircraft, an Airbus A321neo, departed from Tirupati Airport around 7:42 pm and returned to its origin around 8:34 pm, according to the air traffic tracking website Flightradar24. A flight path on Flightradar24 showed that the plane, 6E 6591, reached the Venkatagiri town in Tirupati before taking a U-turn. It then circled in the air for about 40 minutes and returned to Tirupati Airport. According to the IndiGo website, the flight departs from Tirupati at 7:20 pm and arrives in Hyderabad at 8:30 pm. The flight, which was reportedly the last scheduled plane to Hyderabad for the day, was subsequently cancelled. A video on social media showed passengers arguing with the airline's staff about rescheduling. The airline has so far not released an official statement on the incident.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
CDB Aviation and Loong Air Execute Lease Agreements for Six A321neo Aircraft
HANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ('CDB Leasing'), announced the execution of new lease agreements for six Airbus A321neo aircraft with its Chinese airline customer, Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co., Ltd. ('Loong Air'). We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Loong Air through this transaction, which underscores our commitment to supporting the growth of China's aviation sector. Share The Hangzhou-headquartered carrier is expected to take delivery of the aircraft in 2027 from the lessor's orderbook. Renowned for its fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and extended range capabilities, the A321neo, the largest member of Airbus' A320neo family, is well suited to enhance Loong Air's operational efficiency and sustainability goals. 'We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Loong Air through this transaction, which underscores our commitment to supporting the growth of China's aviation sector,' said Jie Chen, Chief Executive Officer of CDB Aviation. 'The A321neo's superior economics and passenger comfort align perfectly with Loong Air's vision of expanding its domestic, international and regional network.' Established in 2011, Loong Air operates a fleet of over 70 Airbus A320-family aircraft, serving major Chinese cities and select international routes. The addition of the A321neos will enable the airline to boost capacity on high-demand routes while maintaining its focus on cost efficiency and environmental responsibility. 'This agreement marks another milestone in Loong Air and CDB Aviation's strategic partnership of more than 10 years,' commented Qihong Liu, Chairman of Loong Air. 'We also hope to continue to explore new opportunities of cooperation with CDB Aviation and jointly promote innovative development in the future. The A321neo's enhanced performance and cabin flexibility will allow us to offer an elevated travel experience to our passengers, while supporting our long-term sustainability objectives.' Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, including with respect to CDB Aviation's business, financial condition, results of operations or plans. CDB Aviation cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results or other financial condition or performance measures could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'seek,' 'continue,' 'aim,' 'anticipate,' 'target,' 'projected,' 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'goal,' 'believe,' 'achieve' or other terminology or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of CDB Aviation's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Loong Air Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co., Ltd. ('Loong Air') was established on April 19, 2011, with its first cargo flight launched on August 9, 2012, and its first passenger flight on December 29, 2013, Based on Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The company serves as Zhejiang Province's leading home-based airline and one of the key players in the aviation industry. Loong Air has established three branches in Northwest, Southwest, and Central-South of China. To date, its fleet size reach to 73, operating domestic and international passenger and cargo routes covering Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and extending to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia, transporting over 10 million passengers annually. The company is committed to four major development visions: high-quality, group operations, intelligence and international, to establish itself as a world-class aviation group. About CDB Aviation CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ('CDB Leasing') a 40-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. CDB Aviation is rated Investment Grade by Moody's (A2), S&P Global (A), and Fitch (A+). China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is one of the world's largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating. CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China's leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business – listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606).
