Flightlines

Facing the front of an aircraft. It has four prop engines, two on each wing

A side view of the same aircraft. You can see two of its props on the left of the imagine. It is a metallic body with two red stripes running down the middle and “TWA” written in red near the nose

TWA Constellation on display at Pima

30: Privatized Air Traffic Control The pros and cons of a privately operated air traffic control network. Could this model work in America?

Read the latest Flightlines for our review of the current state of ATC privatization:

AI could shrink those gate delays. FAA notes weather costs billions yearly. Journal of Air Transport Management found 30% delay cuts in simulations.

AI isn’t perfect, Google data shows 5% prediction errors.

Still FAA trials cut weather incidents 20% per NASA.

AI is revolutionizing ATC, predicting weather to cut delays.

FAA says weather causes 70% of delays, AI could slash that by 30% per studies.

American Airlines Appeals JetBlue Alliance Ban At US Supreme Court With a change in administrations, American Airlines is once again trying to revive its joint venture with JetBlue.

American Airlines is asking the Supreme Court to review the ruling that ended its Northeast Alliance with JetBlue.

But even if the court takes the case, JetBlue’s priorities have shifted post-Spirit merger collapse. A win for American might not mean a return of the NEA.

The push to privatize US air traffic control has returned—this time with real momentum.

Could it actually happen?

www.flightlines.co/p/30-privati...

A view of all general aviation flights in the air as seen on Flightradar24

We are tracking just over 2,000 general aviation aircraft in the sky right now.

30: Privatized Air Traffic Control The pros and cons of a privately operated air traffic control network. Could this model work in America?

We analyze the positions of major stakeholders and what privatization could mean for American aviation's future.

How would this transition affect the world's most complex airspace? Read the full analysis in our latest issue.

This week we examine the growing debate around privatizing America's air traffic control system.

With recent aviation incidents and pressure to reduce government spending, is now the time to follow Canada and Europe's lead?

A reminder of how important it is to keep improving safety and communication

NTSB is investigating a mid-air collision between Cessna 172S and Lancair 360 MK II near Marana, Arizona.

Damage to the side of the Delta CRJ-900 at Toronto Pearson Airport

Damage to the side of the Delta CRJ-900 at Toronto Pearson Airport

No lives lost, but a harrowing scene. The plane flipped after a hard landing in snowy, windy conditions. Thanks to quick action, all 80 passengers and crew survived.

The quick evacuation was thanks to the plane’s design and fast action from first responders.

Runways 05/23 and 06/24 are closed as investigators look into the cause.

The investigation is focused on weather and possible mechanical issues.

Delta flight 4819 from Minneapolis crashed at Toronto Pearson Airport on Feb 17, 2025.

The plane flipped over on the runway after a hard landing in strong winds and snow.

18 passengers were injured, but all 80 people on board survived.

Air Canada has live exterior cameras on their A321s.

Learn something new every day…

28: On The Probability of Collision How we might leverage a data-driven analysis of aircraft separation for improving safety in critical airspace.

The tragedy of AA5342 makes stark the risks of operating in complex, busy airspace.

In this week’s Flightlines, I explore how we might analyze approach corridors to identify potential safety improvements.

Full breakdown with visuals:

Figure 1 in the preliminary report showing photographs of the wreckage in Muan from various angles, including an aerial overview.

South Korean investigators have released their preliminary report on the crash of #7C2216.

🔵 Both engines showed evidence of bird strike

🔵 FDR and CVR stopped recording at 08:58:50 local time. Last 4:07 not recorded

Read the full report: www.flightradar24.com/blog/jeju-ai...

Runway at Gibraltar Airport

Gibraltar Airport’s runway crosses the city’s main road.

Built during WWII, this setup works like a railway crossing, with traffic stopped for planes to land and take off.

It’s a rare but efficient design that connects Gibraltar to the UK.

SAS is the latest airline to introduce Starlink’s high-speed free inflight wi-fi. Coming to flights beginning in late 2025. #paxex

27: Squawk 7700 The most common general emergencies in commercial aviation and how pilots manage them to ensure a safe landing.

When emergencies arise, just 0.005% of flights, pilots and controllers rely on precise protocols and teamwork to keep passengers safe.

Learn how they manage the unexpected in this weeks issue of Flightlines:

Qatar Airways's caviar strategy: a deep dive The Gulf airline’s caviar service is a terrible idea, extremely well implemented

Qatar Airways’ caviar service might sound like a risky move, but Oliver Ranson breaks down how it’s been carefully designed to drive demand across their network.

A bold idea turned into a winning strategy.

26: Aviation Timekeeping The role of precision timing for pilots and the timepieces that made it possible.

Read more about the role of precision timing for pilots and the timepieces that made it possible in Flightlines 26:

https://buff.ly/40CNlbT

In 1925, Longines introduced their Zulu Time watch - the first wristwatch to display a second time zone.

Its dial featured the Z flag, representing what pilots know as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

May 1930: Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.

Her 19-day, 11,000-mile journey was completed with a Longines.

Four years later, Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon achieved another first: a non-stop transpacific flight.

Their 41-hour, 5,500-mile journey from Japan to Washington State relied on Longines timekeeping.

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis carried a Longines chronograph across the Atlantic.

His successful flight marked just the beginning of Longines' partnership with aviation pioneers.

26: Aviation Timekeeping The role of precision timing for pilots and the timepieces that made it possible.

Explore how timekeeping transformed aviation in this week's Flightlines:

https://buff.ly/40CNlbT

Today, these space-tested chronographs help collectors reconnect with aviation's golden age.

In 1962, a Breitling Navitimer accompanied Aurora 7 into orbit.