Flight from India to London crashes with 244 on board, officials say
Officials said an Air India flight bound for London's Gatwick Airport crashed around 1:38 p.m. local time.
The Boeing 787 was carrying 244 passengers and crew before it plummeted to the ground.
The crash sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky as stunned bystanders gathered at the scene.
Local emergency responders rushed to the area, but details about survivors or casualties remain unclear as rescue operations are underway.
Channel 9 is actively monitoring developments and will bring you the latest updates on Eyewitness News.
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Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Is This Is The Most Dangerous Seat On A The Plane?
Is this the most dangerous seat on a plane? getty Every time I board a flight, I think about safety. But am I worrying about the wrong thing? By "safety" I mean: Is my plane going to collide with a helicopter or flip over and burst into flames when it lands? (It hasn't exactly been a banner year for aviation safety, right?) Also, am I sitting in the right seat? Who can forget the story of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the Air India crash that killed 241 passengers and crew. He was in seat 11A on a Boeing 787. Should I try for 11A for good luck? But that's wrong, say experts. Statistically, planes are still the safest form of mass transportation. Instead, I should be considering the safety of the individual seat and what could make it problematic for me . "Modern passenger travel can be an incredibly unpleasant experience — especially this summer," says Sebastian Camus, a customer satisfaction representative for a tour operator in Auckland, New Zealand. "Let's face it, who would like to spend up to 16 hours trapped in a tin can thousands of feet in the air?" He ought to know. Every international flight from Auckland is a long haul, unless you're visiting your cousin in Sydney. The real dangers are the ones you deal with every time you fly — getting whacked by a meal cart, inhaling lavatory fumes, or being trapped in a seat that leaves you with aching knees and a stiff back. So what are the real problem seats? Specifically, should you choose a window or aisle seat? Front or back? Are there some seats on a plane that are safer than others? Airplane interiors are small and cramped — and potentially dangerous to your health. getty It starts even before you get to your seat, according to passengers like Dave Dzurick, a retired broadcast engineer from Tucson, Ariz. "During boarding, so many folks are wearing backpacks and they really don't manage them well," he says. "I've been whacked many times as a passenger goes by and turns to see what row they are in. When they turn their bodies — whack!" He makes a fair point. You can get into trouble no matter where you decide to sit, so always be on your guard. Specifically, watch for passengers trying to stuff too much luggage into the overhead bin; that extra stuff can easily fall on your head. I once interviewed someone who got bonked by a bowling ball. Seriously. Ouch! OK, but let's talk about the seats. Passengers boarding and aircraft. Beware of falling luggage, say experts. getty No, exit row and bulkhead aren't always that great Let's start with the seats everyone thinks are a win: exit rows and bulkheads. Sure, they offer extra legroom, but they come with hidden risks. 'Exit row seats are great until you realize you've lost all your under-seat storage,' says Charlie Neville, marketing director at JayWay Travel. 'And if you're not prepared to handle the responsibility of an emergency exit, you're better off skipping them.' Not to put too fine a point on what he's saying, but if you're in an exit row and something goes wrong, you may need to open the door, and you could get trampled by other passengers trying to get out. Bulkhead seats, meanwhile, might seem like a luxury — until you realize you're in prime baby bassinet territory. Camus learned this the hard way on a recent long-haul flight to Europe. 'I thought I'd scored with the extra legroom,' he recalls. 'But then a baby started crying, and didn't stop for hours. Add in the constant foot traffic from the lavatory line, and I didn't sleep a wink.' And don't even get me started on middle seats. Being sandwiched between two other passengers can be dangerous to your mental health. Aisle seats are desirable, but they could also be dangerous in some cases, according to travel experts. getty The aisle seat: a magnet for mishaps If you think the aisle seat is your safe haven, think again. For some air travelers, it could be the most dangerous seat on the plane. It's the meal carts. As a guy with long legs, I often have no choice but to lean into the aisle a little. And for some reason — I'm not sure why — flight attendants always seem to say "excuse me" after they've slammed into my knees with the meal cart. Aren't you supposed to say that before you plow into someone? "And don't even get me started on the people who use my headrest to steady themselves on their way back from the lavatory,' says Marelle Kuo, an author from Detroit. OK, I won't. But that's yet another hazard of the aisle seat. The worst part is that everyone wants your seat. Your travel companion asks if you want to trade (no). The guy in the middle seat across the airline wants to know if he can sit next to his wife because they're on their honeymoon (no). The nervous mom says she has to sit next to her teenage daughter (sorry, no). But really, you don't have the opportunity to explain that the aisle seat is kinda dangerous when you think about it. The meal cart seems to be aiming for your knees. It's a magnet for mishaps. How about the back of the plane? Statistically, the back of the plane is the safest place to be during an accident. But is it the best place for you otherwise? It is for someone like Brandon Barron, a communications consultant for a timeshare exit company who recently flew from Atlanta to Orlando with his four young children. 'With four small bladders, being close to the restroom is a must,' Barron says. 'Plus, it puts us in the back of the plane, which statistically has a higher survival rate in crashes.' But for solo travelers, the back of the plane can feel like purgatory. The overhead bins will be full by the time you reach your seat, you'll feel every bump of turbulence, and you'll wait the longest to deplane. Also, it's noisy, because that's where the families often go. So you have to ask yourself, just who is the back of the plane safe for? Is there a better seat on the plane? I checked in with Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection, to find out where to sit on a plane. "I always prefer an aisle seat within three rows of an exit because being close significantly increases the chances of a swift evacuation in an emergency," he told me. "In a crisis, every second counts, and I want to be in a position where I can move quickly if needed." The aisle seat is a compromise. You have to mind your arms and legs — it's those meal carts — and you have to tolerate people using your headrest as support. But you also have quick access to the aisle in case of an emergency, or if you just need to use the restroom. 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Stay away from high-traffic areas Steer clear of the seats near the galley or bathrooms if you want a little peace and quiet. Move if you're in a bad seat You're allowed to move within your class of service the moment the cabin doors close. Just make sure you follow the instructions of the crew. The most dangerous seat on the plane isn't the one with the lowest survival rate in a crash. It's the one that turns your flight into an endurance test. Whether it's a cramped middle seat, a noisy bulkhead, or an aisle seat in the line of fire, the real risks are the ones you deal with every time you fly. Next time you book a flight, take a closer look at that seat map. Your knees — and your sanity — will thank you.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Air India flight to London aborts takeoff due to technical issue
An Air India flight from Delhi to London was forced to abandon take-off just minutes before it was due to depart on Thursday. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner exited the runway due to a suspected technical issue, according to local reports. In a statement to PTI, an airline spokesperson said: 'Flight AI2017, operating from Delhi to London on July 31, returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue." 'The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks.' Alternative travel arrangements were made for the passengers, with the airline dispatching another aircraft to fulfil the scheduled flight. Ground staff were also on hand to provide support to passengers. Another Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operated by United Airlines, was forced to make an emergency landing after the plane's turbine stopped working earlier this week. This year has seen multiple plane-related incidents making headlines worldwide, including the tragic Air India plane crash in June. Air India has found itself in hot water following the tragedy, with an aviation watchdog finding 51 safety-related faults at the company during its annual audit. Plane-related incidents in 2025 have included a plane crash in Washington DC which saw 67 die, an aviation disaster in Philadelphia in January, and incidents in Toronto, Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Chicago. On July 13, a plane crash took place at London's Southend airport, though no casualties were reported. The latest crash in Bangladesh saw 19 people lose their lives when an air force training plane crashed into a school campus in capital Dhaka. There is no sign that air travel is becoming more dangerous, with experts maintaining that air travel is still safer than travel by car. The National Safety Council in the US said Americans have a one in 93 chance of dying in a motor accident, while deaths on planes are too rare to calculate.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
Southwest's New Policy Change Sparks Backlash—'Money Grab'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Southwest Airlines has announced a major policy change that brings to an end the carrier's decades-long open seating system, sparking backlash and a claim that it is a "money grab." The new assigned seating model, which allows passengers to pay in advance to select their seats, will roll out from January 27, 2026. It will apply to flights booked under the airline's updated fare bundles, which are already available for purchase. One financial newspaper editorial labeled the shift "a money grab," while social media has been filled with criticism. Newsweek contacted Southwest Airlines for comment and specific pricing information via email on Friday outside of usual working hours. Why It Matters The airline's open-seating model and "bags fly free" policy have long been cornerstones of its brand loyalty. Many loyal customers view the shift as a betrayal of the airline's founding identity and are publicly threatening to switch carriers. The seating fees follow Southwest's May 2025 decision to end its free-checked-bag policy, introducing new baggage fees of $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second. A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 airplane prepares to takeoff at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on July 10, 2025. A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 airplane prepares to takeoff at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on July 10, 2025. SAUL LOEB/AFP viaWhat To Know Travelers can now pay to select their Southwest seats in advance on flights departing from January 27, 2026, including options for extra-legroom seating. Passengers who do not select a seat will be assigned one automatically at check-in. Seat selection fees are expected to vary depending on the seat type and route. "Southwest® Customers will be able to choose from various fare bundles, some that offer the opportunity to select a seat during the booking process, as well as access to the different seat types—Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard. Customers will also be able to purchase a seat upgrade to elevate their travel experience," Southwest announced in a news release. Some major airlines, such as American Airlines, still allow passengers to choose their seat for free when they book or, in the case of American Airlines, buy a Preferred Seat in a more favorable location or a Main Cabin Extra seat with more benefits. United Airlines offers assigned seating, with Basic Economy advance seat assignments starting at $15 per flight per person, similar to Delta. While airlines argue the changes provide more options and clarity for customers, critics say it signals a shift toward profit-driven complexity and added passenger costs. "If I am paying extra for all these things, I might as well fly a premium airline like Delta," said one traveler, cited by The U.S. Sun. Some see the decision as abandoning what made the airline unique. A Wall Street Journal (WSJ) editorial labeled the shift "a money grab," while social media has been filled with criticism from travelers who feel the airline is no longer a budget-friendly option. Industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, as per Visa Verge, stated: "This is how you destroy a brand. This is how you destroy customer loyalty. And this, I think, is going to send Southwest into a financial tailspin." A recent Senate report revealed that the five largest U.S. airlines collected $12.4 billion in seat selection fees between 2018 and 2023. In some cases, revenue from seat fees has surpassed what airlines earn from checked baggage. The report found that airlines are increasingly using algorithms and customer data to personalize pricing and maximize revenue. This is especially true for seat selection fees, which can vary widely depending on the route, demand, and from customer to customer. Southwest CEO Bob Jordan defended the decision, as reported by The New York Times, calling it "exciting" and saying it aligns with customer demand for more certainty and family-friendly seating. The airline estimates the changes will generate $1.5 billion in annual seat revenue and contribute to a $4.3 billion increase in overall operating profit by 2026. What People Are Saying Dawn Gilbertson, Travel Columnist, WSJ: "This is a money grab, and it will no doubt succeed. Southwest was criticized for years by Wall Street for leaving fee money on the table. Now it will get its share. The airline's executives said last week that they already have seen evidence of travelers trading up for tickets with more perks." Southwest Airlines in an emailed statement to Newsweek on Friday: "Our new fare bundles are out for sale for travel beginning Jan. 27, 2026, and beyond. On that date, we'll move to assigned seating and sunset our open seating model. As for pricing, that's a regulated topic that we cannot discuss publicly outside our required reporting to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Searching around on would return only anecdotal results as route, stage length, demand, date of travel, date of booking, etc, can all affect fares." Former Southwest Board Chairman Rakesh Gangwal, in a statement announcing new Board Chair Doug Brookes: "In a short period of one year, Southwest implemented a massive overhaul of its business model that will serve it well for years to come. Not many companies have the courage and conviction to fundamentally change ingrained aspects of their business model for the benefit of all their stakeholders. The transformation of Southwest Airlines is well underway." Tony Roach, Executive Vice President Customer & Brand, at Southwest Airlines, in a statement: "Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience … Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers—including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats—and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin. This is an important step in our evolution, and we're excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary Customer Service." Southwest CEO Bob Jordan in an interview with The New York Times: "You have to keep talking because sometimes people don't understand what you're doing. What I find is that once folks know where we're headed, they're very excited. I think you just have to play through this period of change because change is hard. Our employees are excited about the changes." What Happens Next The seat assignment option is now available for bookings, but the new boarding and seating systems won't take effect until flights departing January 27, 2026. Passengers who hold Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards or A-list status may continue to access certain seats for free, depending on the timing of their booking, according to the new guidelines.
