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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.

JET2 is cutting two routes from East Midlands from its summer programme.

The airline will no longer fly to a beach region in Spain and a popular Croatian city on the Dalmatian Coast.

Jet2 has confirmed it is scrapping two routes from East Midlands Airport – to Costa de Almería and Split.

Jet2 said: “As a successful business, we are constantly reviewing our flying programme in response to demand. While this gives us the ability to add more award-winning flights and holidays, we may also very occasionally withdraw flights.

“Following a recent review of our flying programme from East Midlands Airport, we are making some adjustments and have taken the decision to withdraw services to Costa de Almería and Split for summer 2026.”

The route between the airport and Costa de Almería had been in operation for over five years.

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The region in Spain is known for being less touristy than the likes of the Costa del Sol and Costa Brava.

The region has wild beaches, desert-like landscapes and even mountains.

One popular spot is Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park which is known for its beautiful golden beaches and coves.

For anyone who still wants to explore Costa de Almería, easyJet still flies to Almería from Liverpool, London Gatwick and Bristol.

The other axed route is to Split which is the second-largest city of Croatia after the capital Zagreb.

Popular spots include the Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, and the Riva promenade. 

The best beaches in Split include Bačvice Beach for its proximity and sandy shore, Kasjuni Beach for its clear waters and upscale amenities, and Žnjan Beach for its popularity and family-friendly atmosphere.

During summer 2026, there will be direct flights to Split operated by Wizz Air, easyJet and British Airways from London airports, Bristol and Manchester.

The airline has also pushed back its East Midlands to Agadir service until next winter.

The journey will commence in winter 2026 with the first flight departing on October 15 – one-way flights as little as £76.

At the moment, flights are scheduled up until March 18, 2027.

Jet2 is also restarting flights to a Brit-loved holiday destination for the first time in more than a decade.

It will start flights to two destinations in Egypt, after scrapping routes back in 2011.

The Egyptian Cabinet Presidency has reported that there will be seven weekly flights to both Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada with Jet2 from 2027.

Plus, Jet2 will launch first ever flights from major UK airport with 29 new ‘sunshine’ routes.

And hear from one man who visits Spain at least 8 times a year – how to avoid the common tourist mistakes that cost you money.

Make sure to pack some patience in your carry-on.

This Thanksgiving holiday travel period is expected to be the busiest in 15 years, federal officials said, as Americans brush off the recent government shutdown that snarled air travel across the country.

All told, more than 360,000 flights will take to the skies this week through Dec. 1, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Traffic was expected to have peaked Tuesday, with more than 52,000 flights set to ferry flyers to their feasts.

The number of flights was expected to drop to only 25,611 on Thanksgiving Day before ticking back up for post-holiday travel. In a chart posted on X, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimated that 16.9 million people would fly throughout this holiday week.

Los Angeles International Airport officials estimated that 2.5 million travelers would come through the airport from Nov. 20 through Monday. Sunday is expected to be the single busiest travel day, with more than 230,000 people making their way through the terminals.

“Thanksgiving is one of LAX’s most important travel periods with so many of our guests connecting with loved ones or setting out on holiday trips,” said Courtney Moore, deputy executive director of strategy, innovation and experience at Los Angeles World Airports. “We’ve spent the year preparing to welcome our guests with smoother experiences throughout the airport.”

The uptick in travel comes just weeks after the federal government shutdown, which forced the FAA to cut air traffic across the country to relieve air traffic controllers.

While travelers might still feel on edge over possible delays, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a news conference on Monday that they should “travel with confidence.”

“Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush and take pride in helping travelers reach their friends and families during this important time of year,” Bedford said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful to our entire FAA team. Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely.”

Travelers are encouraged to pack light to get through security and arrive early to the airport to avoid travel stress.

While California will largely be warm and sunny through the holiday, weather delays could still impact airports in certain parts of the country, including the New York area, JFK/LGA/EWR; Philadelphia, PHL; Houston, IAH/HOU; Memphis, Tenn., MEM; and Dallas, DFW/DAL.

Ahead of winter holidays and festive trips away, a flight attendant has now shared a clever travel hack to get an extra bag on board without paying a penny more

Whether it’s a summer holiday or a winter trip away, one thing is always certain and that’s packing with luggage allowance is tricky to get right. Pack too much and you run the risk of having a bag that’s too heavy or won’t fit the cabin luggage standards, but if you pack too light then you run the risk of being forced to wash your clothes whilst away.

Yet it doesn’t have to be so hard, as a flight attendant has now shared a clever travel hack to get an extra bag on board without paying a penny more.

Flight attendant Miguel Muñoz shared a sneaky trick to help passengers dodge extra luggage fees by utilising a duty-free shopping bag, and it’s the perfect trip for your Christmas getaway.

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Miguel’s genius idea reurposes a duty-free bag to carry clothes and other items that won’t fit in your hand luggage, you can essentially sneak an extra bag on board.

According to Miguel, “duty-free bags don’t count as carry-on baggage,” so gate agents tend to turn a blind eye.

To take advantage of this hack, holidaymakers can either bring a duty-free bag from home or purchase one at the airport’s duty-free shop.

Miguel said: “If you have something that doesn’t fit in your suitcase or you want to bring an extra bag on board, here’s the trick.

“All you have to do is carry a duty-free bag. Or ask for one at the duty-free shop and you place whatever you want in the shopping bag. There is obviously limited space, but at least you are bringing an extra bag on the plane with you.”

He added: “Now you know. If you ever find yourself in that situation, just put whatever you want in a duty-free bag. You are welcome!”

Miguel’s trick comes after another hack has gone viral, using a “fake pillow” where passengers use a pillowcase filled with extra items, as the pillow doesn’t typically count as a piece of luggage.

This hack has been shared by hundreds of travellers on social media, who claim that security officers and gate agents rarely bat an eye.

TikTok has also been filled with tips and tricks from savvy travellers all keen to carry more, without the hefty fees for extra baggage. A savvy traveller from Handluggageonly explained on the platform, “Pack all the clothes you need in your backpack but if that person checking you in for your flight turns around and says anything about your bag being overweight and tries to charge you the excess baggage fare, simply pop over to the bathroom and wear as many clothes as possible.

“Technically, no one can say anything about the fact that you just wore your extra clothes on you instead of having them in your luggage and more importantly – they can’t charge you the extra fare as your bag weight should be much more in line.”

THE first flight linking two of the UK’s top holiday spots has officially taken off, restoring a vital travel link just weeks after the collapse of its former operator.

The route between Cornwall Airport Newquay and London Gatwick had been left in limbo earlier this month when Eastern Airways revealed it was on the brink of administration.

The regional carrier, which had operated the connection seven times a week, suspended services as the company folded.

But on Sunday afternoon, November 23, Skybus officially stepped in – with its inaugural flight marking the return of the essential link used by holidaymakers, commuters and the region’s tourism industry.

The daily service is being supported by both the Government and Cornwall Council.

Only twelve passengers were on board the Boeing 737 for the first take-off, leaving plenty of space on the 180-seater aircraft as the replacement route got underway.

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Cornwall Airport Newquay’s managing director Amy Smith said the launch marked “an important milestone” for the region.

She added that the reinstated London link would strengthen Cornwall’s “resilience” and support the economy year-round, welcoming Skybus as a partner for “a dependable service for residents, businesses and visitors alike”.

Cornwall Council also hailed the restart as a major boost.

Cllr Tim Dwelly, portfolio holder for economic regeneration, said the return of the connection would play a key role in supporting local business and tourism confidence.

How much does it cost?

Fares on the new Skybus service begin at £79.99 one-way, including a 15kg checked bag.

Travellers can pay extra for additional luggage or a FlyFlexi add-on, which offers increased baggage allowance, ticket flexibility and security fast-track from £22.50 each way.

Skybus confirmed it expects to switch to a smaller 78-seat Q400 turboprop aircraft next month, with services increasing to twice daily from mid-February.

Managing director Jonathan Hinkles said the launch was “a proud moment” for the airline and a major step forward for Cornwall’s connectivity, describing the route as crucial for keeping communities and businesses linked to the capital all year.

Airline collapse

The reinstated service comes after weeks of uncertainty for travellers. Eastern Airways, one of the UK’s remaining regional carriers, collapsed earlier in November after years of financial struggle.

The airline reported a £19.7million net loss for the year to March 2024 – almost £5million worse than the previous year.

Cornwall Council moved quickly to secure a temporary agreement with Skybus, ensuring the connection wasn’t lost for long.

Leader of the council Leigh Frost said the route was essential, particularly with the county’s unreliable rail links, adding that Cornwall “needs that secure route so it can access the rest of the world”.

Skybus will continue to operate the service until at least mid-2026, while the council works to find a long-term airline to take on a four-year contract.

Previously, the route has been operated by FlyBe and after that, British Airways.

Eastern Airways took over operations in 2020 until its collapse earlier this month.

While stepping in on the Newquay–Gatwick route is new territory for Skybus, the airline is no stranger to Cornwall.

It has flown between Newquay and the Isles of Scilly for more than 30 years, with flights also running from Land’s End and Exeter.

Its parent company, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, also operates boats to the islands.

With the reinstated air link now back in action, Cornwall’s gateway to the capital is once again open, offering welcome stability after a turbulent month for regional travel.

Plus, here are the pretty twin beach villages in the ‘forgotten corner’ of Cornwall.

And another Cornish village compared to Greece with seafront Roman attraction and one of the UK’s warmest beaches.

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Plus an English village that’s the ‘quiet side of Cornwall’ has A-list holidaymakers and no cars.

For alternatives to Cornwall, one travel writer would encourage Brits to head to her county instead.

A holiday expert revealed if your flight is delayed by a certain length of time, you could claim more than just monetary compensation – but you need to know your rights

Finding out your flight is delayed is never welcome news, but knowing exactly what you can claim from the airline can help ease the frustration of waiting at the airport. With many of us planning winter getaways to sunny locations to escape the dreary UK weather, or perhaps even thinking of spending Christmas abroad, airports are set to be incredibly busy over the coming weeks.

While we’d all love for every flight to leave and land perfectly on time, that is simply not practical, and some delays are inevitable. But what are your rights when your flight is delayed? One holiday expert has shared some vital tips that could help you next time you’re stuck waiting for your plane.

The expert, named Chelsea, shared a video on TikTok in which she stated her flight had been delayed and she was stuck in the airport. She said that before you start worrying about whose fault the delay is, there are other things to consider.

She said there are “a load of things” you could have a right to, no matter whose fault the delay is, but they all depend on how long your flight has been delayed.

For short-haul flights delayed by over two hours, you are entitled to food and drink, access to phone calls and emails, and accommodation for the night if needed, as well as transport to and from that accommodation.

Chelsea only needed food and drink this time, but when she went to get a voucher from airport staff, she found nobody working behind the desks. Instead, she bought her food and kept the receipt, saying she would be able to claim it back online once she finally got on her flight and headed to her destination.

Once her flight was boarding and her passport had been checked, she asked for confirmation on the reason for the delay. She was told it was due to an aircraft change, which means the delay was the airline’s fault – and that means Chelsea could be entitled to compensation.

However, to receive £220 compensation for her delayed flight from Tallinn, Estonia, back to London, her plane had to be three hours late. There are also very specific restrictions on that time.

She said: “It’s not about the time we land, it’s about what time the first door opens.”

Chelsea’s plane landed on the runway 2 hours and 56 minutes after it was scheduled to, meaning she had four minutes until her compensation could be paid. It finally came to a stop, and passengers began to stand up with just one minute left on the clock, and thankfully, the doors opened just a few seconds after the three-hour mark – meaning she was able to put in a claim to get her money back.

In her caption, Chelsea claimed these rules are only relevant to flights that are departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.

You should always check the specific rules for the airline you’re flying with before you travel, as you don’t want to be caught off guard if it turns out your airline operates under different rules.

Chelsea added: “For both expenses and compensation, airlines will have a dedicated page on their website with the details on how you can claim your money back.”

Commenters on the expert’s post were thankful for her advice, though many shared their own stories from times their flights were delayed and they were unfortunately denied compensation.

One person said: “This is gold! Love this for you.”

Another added: “This happened to us in December 2023! They opened the doors seconds after, and all three of us got the compensation. We also got food vouchers at the airport.”

A third wrote: “This happened to us. My friend recorded the time the doors were opened on her phone. The airline refused. My friend found the airline CEO on LinkedIn… he authorised our compensation.”

Mateusz Kowalewicz, 29, has visited all the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ and has ticked off some incredible experiences – but it’s not always smooth sailing

A jet-setting flight attendant has shared the ups and downs of his high-flying career – from lightning strikes and severe sleep deprivation to ticking off the world’s most incredible sights.

Mateusz Kowalewicz first got bitten by the travel bug as a teenager after participating in a school exchange with Israel – marking his very first journey abroad.

He soon started exploring Europe on a shoestring budget, hitchhiking to save money, before finally deciding to become a flight attendant so he could earn while doing what he loved. Mateusz, 29, hails from Białystok, Poland, and now resides in Warsaw, globetrotting for work.

Speaking to Polish media, he said: “It’s very hard to describe a typical month, because every single one is different. My airline operates three types of aircraft, which means it never gets boring, and the roster looks different every month.

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“My biggest travel achievement is visiting all the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’. I owe a lot of that to my job – I visited four on layovers and flew to another using staff tickets.”

However, it’s not always plain sailing. Mateusz recounted an incident where one flight was struck by lightning, as reported by What’s The Jam. “It felt like someone flashed a camera straight in my eyes. A moment later, we heard from the cockpit that we had to turn back to Warsaw. The aircraft was fine, but logically it’s better to return and take another plane than risk finding out in Rome that the aircraft must be grounded.”

When asked about his biggest bugbear, he didn’t mince his words: “Not being able to fall asleep, especially in the East on long-haul layovers. “I’m a heavy sleeper, so any unexpected wake-up in the middle of the night because of time zones is awful.”

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What he relishes most is the unpredictability. “Sometimes you fly to Chicago on a layover and end up meeting a Polish priest who invites you to an American christening for nearly 200 people – and one of the guests is a passenger you met on a flight a few months earlier. Absolutely incredible!”.

His job has also afforded him the chance to indulge in bucket-list adventures like skydiving in Dubai and taking a seaplane ride in Mauritius.

As for travel dreams still on the list: “I’d like to climb Kilimanjaro, and I can see I’m being drawn towards Africa, which is the continent I’ve explored the least after Australia.”

For those hoping to follow in his footsteps, Mateusz’s advice is straightforward: “Language skills. It’s one of the key elements if you want to work in this profession.

“You must also be 18, have a high school diploma, be able to swim in case of a water landing, and you can’t have tattoos in visible places.”

Have you got a travel story to share? Email us at [email protected]

Josh Reekie was due to fly to Phuket, Thailand, with wife Eden for their honeymoon but the electrician encountered an issue at Manchester Airport around his passport

A groom was “absolutely gutted” to be banned from boarding a flight to Thailand for his £2,000 honeymoon — due to a problem with his passport.

Staff at the Etihad Airways check-in desk inspected Josh Reekie’s passport and, reportedly after 30 minutes, he was told he would be unable to catch his flight due to damage on the document. The faint smudge, from on a 2019 travel stamp, was deemed water damage and sufficient for staff at Manchester Airport to deny Josh travel.

But Josh and Eden, whose passport was fine, had forked out £2,400 on flights and accommodation for their two-week TUI package holiday to celebrate tying the knot. Furious with the experience, Josh, 31, said today: “They said there was a stamp that had smudged slightly from Thailand 2019.

“Fair enough there’s a smudged stamp, but who’s to say that didn’t happen when they stamped it and closed the passport. I can’t think of a time where it’s come into contact with water, the picture page was perfectly fine.

“They said I couldn’t fly because it was damaged. We went and stood outside and just didn’t know what to do. It’s a very surreal feeling walking into an airport then walking out the departure lounge. We were stressed because of all the money we’d spent.”

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Josh, who is an industrial electrician, claims he has travelled with the same passport 12 times in the last year with no issue. Nevertheless, he frantically applied for a new document after leaving the airport to try and make the rest of their holiday.

But Josh, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, says holiday provider TUI cancelled the return flight and accommodation in Thailand after the couple were unable to board their outbound flight. Devastated, the couple forked out for a last-minute getaway to Cyprus, but claim Etihad Airways and TUI should now refund them.

Josh said: “We were really looking forward to it. I hadn’t long flown with that passport so I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. I travelled 12 times in 11 months with that passport and had no issues.

“We arrived at the Etihad Airways check-in and we got to the desk and he looked at both our passports and said they were both water-damaged.

“The duty manager started checking them and taking photos of them. Half an hour passed and I kept asking what was happening. No one told us anything about what was happening, she just turned around and said ‘I’m really sorry but you can’t fly’.”

The electrician, who was eventually able to get a new passport within two days, has complained to TUI and Etihad Airways and is demanding compensation. He added: “I felt really disappointed because there was no empathy or remorse from Etihad Airways.

“I know they probably see it daily but people save up all year to go on holiday. For someone on the check-in desk to just say ‘you’re not going’, I can’t understand how someone can have that authority to refuse you and not be able to get a second opinion.

“If it was the picture page, I could understand it, but the fact it was the stamp page just annoyed me. We were absolutely gutted, it was soul-destroying. I just hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else. We’d like our money back. We’ve had no help from TUI or Etihad.”

An Etihad spokesperson said: “A passenger flying from Manchester to Phuket on 7 October was denied boarding due to visible water damage in their passport at the time of check-in.

“Etihad consulted Thailand’s immigration authorities who advised the airline not to board the passenger based on the passport’s condition.

“Check-in staff therefore did not allow the passenger to board in compliance with regulatory guidance and destination entry requirements based on the condition of the passport at the time of travel.

“British passports must be machine-readable and fully intact, with no torn pages, water damage, delamination or illegible details, to comply with Thailand’s immigration policy.”

The Mirror has contacted TUI for comment.

Images show that a large tiltrotor drone called the R6000, being developed by United Aircraft in China, has now entered flight testing. The design notably features swiveling rotors that are extremely similar to the ones found on Bell’s V-280 Valor. United Aircraft says it is working on uncrewed and crewed versions of the R6000, primarily for civilian applications, but that also have clear military potential.

Imagery of what is said to be the first tethered hover test of the R6000 first began circulating on social media yesterday, but when exactly the milestone was reached is unknown. Just over a year ago, a picture emerged showing the first completed prototype at the Wuhu United Aircraft Production Workshop in the Wuhu Aviation Industrial Park in China’s eastern Anhui province. United Aircraft unveiled the design, also referred to as the UR6000 and Zhang Ying (or Steel Shadow), at the 2024 Singapore Airshow.

The images of the hover test show various parts of the aircraft stripped down, as well as it lashed to the ground at four points. Tethered hover testing is a common element of initial flight envelope expansion for vertical takeoff and landing designs, especially larger uncrewed ones. Doing so to start offers an additional margin of safety.

The tilting rotor assemblies are notably exposed, but also blurred out in the newly emerged imagery. As mentioned, the design of the R6000’s swiveling rotors looks to be heavily inspired by, if not copied directly from the V-280. The U.S. Army’s future MV-75A tiltrotor, also known as the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), is a derivative of the V-280. When Bell first showed the V-280 demonstrator, it also blurred out parts of the rotor assemblies.

Bell has also shown renderings of other tiltrotor concepts in recent years with somewhat similarly configured rotors and nacelles, where only a portion actually pivots up and down. This is distinct from most other tiltrotor concepts, including the U.S. V-22 Osprey, with nacelles that rotate as a complete unit, or even have fully articulating wings.

The rotor and nacelle arrangement seen on the V-280 and now the R6000 is said to offer benefits in terms of reduced complexity and increased reliability, as well as a boost in general performance. Tiltrotor designs are famously complicated, and the V-22’s checkered record is a testament to the challenges this can present. At the same time, tiltrotors offer similar point-to-point flexibility to traditional helicopters, but with the range and speed of a fixed-wing turboprop.

United Aircraft’s website does provide dimensions and other specifications for the R6000, putting it at just under 39 feet long and with a total width (including the wings and rotors) of around 57 feet. The expected maximum takeoff weight is near 13,450 pounds, and it is designed to be able to cruise at just under 297 knots. A maximum range of around 2,485 miles and a mission radius (with an unspecified load) of 932 miles are also projected.

However, it is unclear whether the specifications apply to the uncrewed or crewed version of the design, or both. The specifications do describe a design, broadly speaking, in the same category as the crewed AW609 tiltrotor being developed by Leonardo in Italy, and in a class below the V-22.

United Aircraft has been presenting the R6000’s crewed and uncrewed variations as ideal for moving commercial cargo and as VIP transports, among other non-military roles. A design like this could be well-suited for aeromedical evacuation, especially if it features a pressurized main cabin, and aerial firefighting tasks, as well.

As TWZ discussed in earlier reporting on the R6000, the design also has clear military potential. A tiltrotor design, crewed or uncrewed, that can fly at approaching 300 knots and with a combat radius nearing 1,000 miles would offer a new way to support People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces at far-flung locations that have limited access via conventional airstrips. For years now, Chinese aviation companies have been pushing ahead with the development of a growing number of fixed-wing logistics drones, which are dependent on at least some form of runway. The PLA has a particularly significant requirement to move cargo and personnel around a constellation of island outposts in the South China Sea. Militarized versions of the R6000 could also support day-to-day operations in other parts of the Pacific, as well as remote locales within China, especially near disputed border areas.

R6000s could also support a variety of PLA expeditionary operational scenarios, including regional ones like an intervention against Taiwan, or missions further from the country’s shores. The design’s payload capacity would open the door to configurations capable of missions beyond logistics, including surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, signal relay, or even potentially kinetic strike. Tiltotors like the R6000 would also be especially well-suited to operations from the PLA Navy’s growing fleets of big-deck amphibious assault ships. This includes the Sichuan, so far the only example of the super-sized Type 076 design, which just completed its first three-day sea trial.

The R6000 is also just one of several tiltrotor designs, crewed and uncrewed, not in development in China. Just today, a picture said to show another, smaller uncrewed design from United Aircraft emerged online, details about which are currently scant. Pictures showing flight testing of another crewed tiltrotor design, possibly being developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), also appeared on social media earlier this year. There are some broad parallels here to recent tiltrotor developments in the United States, which go beyond Bell’s aforementioned V-280 and the V-22.

If nothing else, the start of R6000 flight testing is another example of the continued push by Chinese companies to enter the tiltrotor market space with designs that could be attractive for various military and non-military roles.

Contact the author: [email protected]

Porsha Williams of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” appears to have gotten a mouthful from a woman on her flight back to Georgia from Las Vegas on Sunday night, her lawyer says.

The Atlanta Police Department said Tuesday that it had investigated the incident, then handed off victim and witness statements to the FBI. It didn’t identify Williams specifically.

“Upon arrival, officers made contact with two females who may have been involved in the dispute,” the department said in a statement on its website. “Preliminary investigation indicated that both parties may have been involved in a verbal dispute that reportedly escalated into a physical dispute during an inbound flight to Atlanta.”

Now, the real housewife’s attorney, Joe Habachy, did identify his client specifically, saying in a statement, “Ms. Williams was verbally assaulted by an irate and unhinged passenger without provocation. The passenger then proceeded to make false allegations that were in direct conflict with observations from several eyewitnesses.”

The women were separated “on the scene,” according to police, and both parties were interviewed by officers.

Williams had been at the BravoCon 2025 fan fest in Las Vegas before she was videotaped walking with the officers who met her at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. TMZ posted the video Monday. A Delta spokesperson told that site that both women had been spoken to on the plane as well as at the airport.

“FBI Atlanta is aware of the incident on the flight,” a representative for that office said in a statement Tuesday. “It is unknown at this time if federal charges will apply.”

But attorney Habachy said that’s par for the course when something happens on a plane. “[F]ederal authorities are required to conduct an investigation involving all parties to determine what, if any, offenses occurred,” he said, adding that Williams intended to cooperate with law enforcement “to whatever extent necessary.”

She is confident the other passenger ultimately will be charged, he said.

Nov. 17 (UPI) — The Trump administration on Monday ended a Biden-era policy that forced airlines to reimburse travelers for issues such as long flight delays.

The White House pulled the proposal by then-U.S. President Joe Biden from the Federal Register, arguing the move was part of President Donald Trump‘s plan to scrap perceivably wasteful federal regulations.

It required airlines to, among other things, compensate its customers with meals, hotels, transportation, or rebooking fees after significant domestic flight delays.

The department announced in September it intended to ditch the policy implemented by Biden and then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

On Monday, the Transportation Department said it would “continue to allow airlines to compete on the services and compensation that they provide to passengers.”

“Rather than imposing new minimum requirements for these services and compensation through regulation, which would impose significant costs on airlines and potentially consumers,” it added.

On Friday, Trump Transportation officials claimed the passenger protection rule created “unnecessary regulatory burdens.”

Officials added Monday that the Transportation Department was “not convinced that a new regulatory regime that includes passenger compensation requirements would yield meaningful improvements in airline flight performance.”

But it was “just the latest example of [the Trump administration] siding with corporations and against customers,” Buttigieg, a rumored 2028 presidential candidate, stated in September on X.

The air carrier trade group Airlines for America previously praised the action.

Meanwhile, the senate’s leading consumer advocate criticized Trump’s move, saying it lets airlines “off the hook.”

“Who does this policy help aside from the CEOs at major airlines?” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said on social media. “If this is Trump’s idea of lowering costs, then we’re in a lot of hot water.”

A man asked ‘what would you do’ if you were faced with this situation, and many admitted they would be thrilled to find themselves sitting in this seat…

It’s always nice to have pleasant seatmates when travelling by plane. You’re in a tight space at 35,000 feet in the air, so someone polite, perhaps even sweet, is the ideal situation – especially if you’ve drawn the short straw and you’re sitting in the middle seat.

But one man asked, “What would you do” if you were flying and your seatmates were his three adorable cats.

“Sponge Cake, Donut, and Buttercream all love chin scratches!” he wrote as the caption to the adorable video, which had people desperately wanting to meet the threesome. “What would you do if you were stuck with three furbabies on a flight to Paris?” he penned over the top of the clip, which amassed almost 20,000 likes.

Then, the camera panned to Sponge Cake, Donut, and Buttercream, who were all wearing the most adorable French costumes, complete with berets and striped shirts.

One of the cats was gazing out of the window, probably wondering when their next meal was, and then the next shot saw two of the cats grooming each other, politely sitting in their seat.

In the comments, the cats were showered with praise. One woman wrote: “These sweet guys on planes are always so cute. People who get to ride with them are blessed. What fun that would be. I love them”.

Another wrote: “They are so beautiful and well-behaved. They need their own private jet”.

“I’d pay extra to sit next to them,” a cat lover admitted, and many others likely feel the same.

Somebody pointed out that they’re all “dressed beautifully,” with one Instagram user saying: “That’s the best thing ever! I’d be happy to sit next to them!”

There are different rules for different airlines as to whether you’re allowed to travel with dogs or cats in the cabin.

On the Flight Centre UK website, they explain that cats and dogs are usually the only types of animals allowed to travel on airlines, and most others are required to be shipped or freighted by road.

Usually, they warn that your pet will be placed in the cargo hold under the main cabin seating or sometimes in the front or rear of the plane, depending on the aircraft.

However, if you have a small pet, you may be able to take it on board as carry-on.

They write: “While there are currently no airlines from the UK that offer this service, it is possible on some flights in the United States and Europe, depending on the airline”.

They also note that pets are supposed to stay in their carrier at all times, but it’s important that you speak to a travel consultant beforehand so you can figure out the best course of action for you and your pets.

Nov. 14 (UPI) — Federal authorities on Friday lowered the mandatory flight reductions at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports to 3% as of Saturday morning.

The Transportation Department and Federal Aviation Administration announced the change on Friday and after lowering the mandatory flight reductions to 6% at the same airports because the federal shutdown has ended and more airports are sufficiently staffed.

“The decision reflects improvements in air traffic controller staffing levels and a continued decline in staffing-trigger events across the National Airspace System,” the DOT and FAA said Friday in a news release.

The 3% staffing reduction will remain in effect while the FAA monitors the national air traffic system through the weekend and determines whether normal operations can resume as early as Monday.

The FAA reported only three staffing triggers on Friday, which is down from a record high of 81 on Nov. 8.

A staffing trigger refers to airports that have fewer air. traffic controllers available to safely conduct normal operations.

The staffing triggers compel the FAA to reduce flights at respective airports or impose other restrictions to help ensure safety.

Many air traffic controllers called in sick or quit and accepted other jobs as the record 43-day federal government shutdown prevented them from being paid.

The new 3% flight reductions at the 40 airports take effect. at 6 a.m. local time.

The reduction in mandatory flight cuts at the nation’s busiest airports raises the potential for no flight reductions when the Thanksgiving holiday approaches on Nov. 27.

Thanksgiving traditionally is the busiest travel holiday, but mandated flight reductions due to the government shutdown raised the potential for chaotic holiday travel.

Nov. 11 (UPI) — Flight cancellations in the United States reached nearly 1,200 early Tuesday as the Federal Aviation Administration further reduced flights amid the record-breaking government shutdown.

The flight reductions increased from the 5% imposed Friday to 6% Tuesday. Those figures were expected to further increase to 8% on Thursday and 10% on Friday, according to The Hill.

Flight tracking website FlightAware said there were 1,194 cancellations within, into or out of the United States as of 11 a.m. EST. There were slightly more delays — 1,239.

The site’s so-called MiseryMap shows the greatest numbers of flight disruptions at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Boston Logan International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Chicago-area airports faced extra complications this week after heavy snowfall led to some cancellations Monday. Light snow continued early Tuesday, ABC News reported.

The FAA ordered dozens of airports to reduce both private and commercial flights to accommodate for a growing number of air traffic controllers missing work amid the government shutdown and lack of pay.

The shutdown, which reached its 42nd day Tuesday, could be on its way to a resolution after the Senate approved bipartisan legislation to temporarily fund the government Monday. The House must now vote on the legislation before it can be sent to President Donald Trump‘s desk for a signature.

TRAVELLERS will soon be able to fly between a popular town in Cornwall and a major London airport once again.

The previously suspended route operated by Eastern Airways, which fell into administration earlier this month, is being reinstated in a matter of days.

Eastern Airways had operated flights between the seaside town of Newquay in Cornwall and London Gatwick seven times per week.

But in early November when the regional airline fell into administration, the route was temporarily cancelled.

Now, Cornwall Council has secured a temporary agreement with Skybus to take on the route on a short-term contract, with flights resuming on November 23.

The Skybus service will operate daily with plans to increase to twice-daily flights on weekdays from 14 February 2026.

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Skybus will operate the route on its ATR72 aircraft, which has room for 70 passengers. The average flight time is around one hour and 20 minutes.

Leader of Cornwall Council, Councillor Leigh Frost said: “We’re pleased Skybus has worked with us so closely to get this over the line as quickly as possible to ensure that lack of service wasn’t prolonged.

“We know the train line into Cornwall is not great and other routes of transport are really difficult so we need that secure route so Cornwall can access the rest of the world.”

Skybus will operate the route initially until mid-2026 as Cornwall Council is seeking a permanent airline to take on a four-year tender.

Previously, the route has been operated by FlyBe and after that, British Airways.

Eastern Airways took over operations in 2020 until its collapse earlier this month.

Eastern Airways launched in 1997 and had been one of the UK’s remaining regional airlines, with services across England and Scotland.

Regional routes across the UK included Wick and Aberdeen in Scotland, and then Humberside, Teesside International, London Gatwick and Newquay.

For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million, which was £4.8million higher than 2023.

While Skybus is taking on the new route between Cornwall and the capital, it’s no stranger to Newquay airport having been flying from there to the Isles of Scilly for over 30 years.

Skybus runs services to the Isles of Scilly, with flights from Newquay, Land’s End and Exeter.

The airline’s owner, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (ISSC) also operates boats to the islands.

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Plus, here are the pretty twin beach villages in the ‘forgotten corner’ of Cornwall.

For alternatives to Cornwall, one travel writer would encourage Brits to head to her county instead.

Check out these attractions in Newquay…

One writer visited Newquay during the summer and revealed their highlights…

“The open-air tropical room is a big highlight of Newquay Zoo. Birds fly completely freely among visitors and the lack of cages makes for a different experience than that of a traditional zoo.

“Here we watched a penguin feed on krill, saw a roaming peacock take up residence atop a bin and were charmed by the little squirrel monkeys swinging from ropes.

“We were staying at the Newquay Beach Hotel, which perfectly blends solid hotel basics with convenient extras like the Abangamba play room — a kids’ club with toys and games — and decorative flair.

“If you’re after food with a view, then the Stables pizza restaurant on Fistral beach might be the most beautifully placed UK restaurant I have ever enjoyed.

“And Newquay is surrounded by pretty beaches, no matter which direction you potter in. Towan Beach, slightly to the west of Newquay’s main hub, is a great spot for lounging, cave exploring and taking a paddle.

“And overlooking this lively stretch is the Blue Reef Aquarium, a must for anyone with little ones.

The planned delivery of three AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters to the Indian Army has taken an unusual turn. The Antonov Airlines An-124 cargo aircraft carrying the rotorcraft to India returned to the United States with the Apaches still onboard, after a long stopover in the United Kingdom. A Boeing spokesperson told TWZ that the company was looking into “logistical issues” that they said had interrupted the transportation.

The unexpected movements were tracked by plane spotter @KiwaSpotter, who noted the heavy-lift An-124 serial UR-82008 arriving at Mesa Gateway Airport, also known as Phoenix–Mesa Airport, in Arizona, on October 30, after a flight from its operating base in Leipzig, Germany.

After being moved from the nearby Boeing facility in Mesa, the Apaches were loaded aboard the An-124, which then departed the United States on November 1 and flew to East Midlands Airport in England. When loaded, the helicopters were already painted in their distinctive Indian Army desert camouflage scheme. At least one of the Apaches could be identified in the photos, as serial IA-7105.

The An-124 and its Apache cargo then remained on the ground at the British airport for eight days before the aircraft departed, not headed toward India but returning over the Atlantic to its original point of departure at Mesa Gateway Airport, where they touched down on November 8.

The Apaches were later seen after being unloaded, now under tow, with their rotors removed.

The Indian Army has already received its first three AH-64Es in July this year, part of a six-aircraft deal worth $796 million that was signed back in February 2020, during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to New Delhi.

The first trio of rotorcraft was flown by Antonov Airlines An-124 to Air Force Station Hindon.

“These … helicopters will enhance the Army Aviation wing’s operational effectiveness, especially in challenging terrains,” Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh said at the time.

#WATCH | The first batch of Apache attack Helicopters for the Indian Army has reached India. The choppers will be deployed in Jodhpur by the Indian Army: Indian Army officials

(Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/zvSC5pXvgZ

— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2025

These AH-64s are currently being used to train crews at Nashik, in Maharashtra state, western India, home of the Indian Army Aviation Training School. Ultimately, the Indian Army Apaches are expected to be stationed at Nagtalao Army Aviation Base, north of Jodhpur, in northwestern India.

The latest batch of three helicopters would have completed the Indian Army deliveries… had they arrived.

TWZ approached Boeing for more information, and a company spokesperson provided the following statement:

“We are currently addressing logistical issues caused by external factors to complete the delivery process for the remaining aircraft. We remain closely engaged with the U.S. government and Indian Army and continue working to execute our contract as expeditiously as possible to meet India’s needs and fleet requirements.”

It remains unclear what the exact nature of the problem was, and whether it was related to the Apaches, the An-124 carrying them, or some other factor in their long aerial transport to India. Potentially, “logistical issues” could involve something technical, relating to any of the aircraft involved, but they might also involve something more mundane, perhaps related to customs or other paperwork. There’s even the potential for some kind of diplomatic or political interference in the transport process, although it would be a little surprising if this wasn’t signaled in advance.

Unusually, New Delhi has ordered AH-64Es for two different armed services.

Previously, 22 Apaches were ordered by the Indian Air Force, and all have been successfully delivered.

The current delay in delivery comes amid New Delhi’s increasing willingness to buy new military aircraft from the United States. Other aircraft acquisitions in this category include the C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, the CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, and the P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft (as the Poseidon is locally known).

At the same time, there have been increasing strains in U.S.-India politics of late. Within India, there have been growing questions about the reliability of the United States as a strategic partner. Tensions worsened after the terrorist attack in India in April and the ensuing India-Pakistan military clashes, after which the Trump administration imposed a 50 percent tariff against India. These penalties also reflected U.S. displeasure about continued Indian purchases of Russian oil.

What is clear is the Indian Armed Forces’ urgent need to bolster its attack helicopter capabilities, especially as it seeks to better counter its increasingly high-tech adversaries — chiefly China and Pakistan.

The same Boeing spokesperson told TWZ that the company plans to complete the delivery of the remaining Apaches on order for the Indian Army as soon as possible. We will continue to track this story and the eventual fate of the three AH-64s that the service is still waiting for.

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