Airbus

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At least 15 JetBlue passengers were injured after an A320 aircraft suddenly dropped in altitude and was forced to make an emergency landing

Some air travel across the United Kingdom will be disrupted over the coming days as several airlines carry out software updates on some Airbus 320 aircrafts, an aviation agency said.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued the instruction on Friday, November 29, as a “precautionary action”, impacting travel across the UK.

The Associated Press news agency reported that at least 15 JetBlue passengers were injured in last month after an A320 aircraft suddenly dropped in altitude and was forced to make an emergency landing in Florida. The plane had experienced a “flight control issue” which could be linked to its software system, AP reported.

“The requirement will mean the airlines flying these aircraft will in some cases have to change software over the days ahead or remain on the ground from Sunday onwards until the software has been changed,” EASA, the main certifying authority for the A320 aircraft, said.

“This action is likely to mean that unfortunately there may be some disruption and cancellations to flights.”

Several UK airlines have these aircrafts in their fleet and could be impacted.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the impact on UK airlines should remain “limited”.

“The good news is it seems the impact on UK airlines seems limited, with a smaller number of aircraft requiring more complex software and hardware changes,” Alexander said.

Low-cost airline Wizz Air warned that their passengers may face disruption over the weekend as a result of the update. The airline said it has already immediately scheduled the necessary maintenance to ensure full compliance with the identified mitigation and as a result, some flights will be affected over the weekend.

The UK’s EasyJet said in a statement that there may be changes to their flying schedule as a result of the update and passengers will be informed.

Three British Airways aircrafts require the update, limiting any significant disruption to passengers.

Irish airline Aer Lingus said it was not expecting major operational disruption due to the limited number of its aircrafts impacted.

Jet2.com also said will be no impact to its flying programme as the software updates were on a small number of aircrafts.

“We have been made aware of an issue that may affect some of the A320 family of aircraft and the precautionary action that EASA has taken,” said Giancarlo Buono, director of Aviation Safety at the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

“We appreciate the disruption this may cause to some people flying over the coming days… Airlines have a duty of care to look after passengers when a flight is delayed,” Buono added.

Gatwick Airport also warned passengers may face some disruption over the coming days, but a spokesperson for the airport said the software update will only impact a small number of airlines at the airport.

Both Heathrow and Luton Airports are expected to run their flying schedule as normal.

Nov. 28 (UPI) — Airplane manufacturer Airbus has announced a recall of its A320 planes for a software update to address an issue that contributed to a sudden drop in altitude of a JetBlue plane last month.

At least 15 passengers aboard the JetBlue flight were hospitalized after the plane suddenly dropped. It made an emergency landing in Tampa, Fla. It was headed to Newark, N.J.

Airbus said an analysis revealed intense solar radiation can corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls on the A320 family of aircraft. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency announced a requirement to address the issue.

The update may cause flight delays as airlines work to fix the issue, especially as Americans try to return home after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The setback appears to be one of the largest recalls affecting Airbus in its 55-year history. At the time Airbus issued its bulletin to the plane’s more than 350 operators, about 3,000 A320-family jets were in the air, The Guardian reported.

Fixing the issue mostly means reverting to earlier software, CNBC reported.

American Airlines, which is the world’s largest A320 operator, said about 340 of its 480 A320 planes need the fix. It said it expects these to be updated by Saturday, taking about two hours for each plane.

Colombian carrier Avianca said the recall affected more than 70% of its fleet, causing it to halt ticket sales for travel dates through Dec. 8.

By 2027 passengers will be able to fly non-stop to Australia from the UK

Australia’s national carrier Qantas has revealed the first images of its ultra-long-range Airbus — the aircraft that will make aviation history by flying non-stop for 22 hours. The groundbreaking jet will connect Sydney directly to London and New York by 2027, setting a new global record for the longest commercial flight ever operated.

Currently being assembled in Toulouse, France, the aircraft’s major components — including the fuselage, wings and landing gear — have already been joined. Qantas showcased the milestone at its annual general meeting in Brisbane, describing the next-generation aircraft as a “game-changer” for international travel.

The A350-1000ULR will serve as the backbone of Qantas’s ambitious Project Sunrise initiative, designed to link Australia’s east coast with the world’s major cities without stopovers. Each flight will last up to 22 hours — saving travellers as much as four hours compared to current one-stop journeys.

The jet will soon move into a dedicated hangar for the installation of its engines and flight instruments, before beginning a rigorous testing programme in 2026. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson hailed the milestone as a defining moment for the airline’s global ambitions.

“Given Australia’s position in the world, Qantas has a long history of breaking aviation barriers. Project Sunrise will not only overcome the tyranny of distance, it will fundamentally change the way our customers travel the world,” she said.

“These flights will cut up to four hours off the journey and transform how people experience ultra long-haul travel, through science-backed design to minimise jetlag and maximise wellbeing.”

The aircraft’s record-breaking range is made possible by an extra 20,000-litre rear fuel tank and state-of-the-art onboard systems, ensuring maximum endurance, comfort and safety. When Project Sunrise launches in 2027, it will make possible what once seemed unthinkable — non-stop flights halfway around the world.

To address the physical challenges of such long-haul travel, Qantas has partnered with Australian designer David Caon and researchers from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre. Their team, which includes sleep scientists, developed tailored lighting patterns and meal timing strategies to help reduce jet lag.

Unlike the standard A350-1000 aircraft, which seat more than 300 passengers, Qantas’s version will carry just 238, providing travellers with more personal space and introducing a new “Wellbeing Zone” between Premium Economy and Economy. The area will feature stretch handles, guided exercise screens, a hydration station and light refreshments to keep passengers feeling fresh throughout the flight.

Project Sunrise takes its name from Qantas’s legendary “Double Sunrise” flights during World War II, which stayed airborne long enough to witness two sunrises in a single journey. With the new generation of aircraft, Qantas is rekindling that pioneering spirit — once again pushing the limits of air travel.

The airline also announced the launch of a new domestic travel class, Economy Plus, which will include extra legroom, priority boarding and dedicated overhead locker space. The upgrade will be available for purchase from February, with complimentary access for top-tier frequent flyers.

The first of 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft is expected to be delivered in late 2026, paving the way for commercial operations in early 2027. Qantas said its teams are “incredibly excited” about the project, calling it a “landmark moment for international aviation.”