Boeing studies pilotless planes as it ponders next jetliner
Boeing Co. is looking ahead to a brave new world where jetliners fly without pilots and aims to test some of the technology next year, the world's biggest plane maker said in a briefing ahead of the Paris Airshow. The idea may seem far-fetched but with self-flying drones available for less than $1,000, "the basic building blocks of the technology clearly are available," said Mike Sinnett, Boeing's vice president of product development. Jetliners can already take off, cruise a
Expensive IT "glitch": British Airways could face £100m compensation bill over IT meltdown
IT glitch affected more than 1,000 flights over weekend meaning people missed holidays, lost luggage or were stranded on aircraft Disruption at Heathrow Terminal 5 over the bank holiday weekend. Photograph: Jack Taylor/Getty Images British Airways could face a bill of at least £100m in compensation, additional customer care and lost business resulting from an IT meltdown that affected more than 1,000 flights over the weekend. All the airline’s flights from Heathrow and Gatwic
Understanding “virtual” air-traffic control towers
Some airports are closing their most iconic structures and relocating them far away. ONE of the most symbolic images at any airport is the control tower where, from their lofty vantage point, air-traffic controllers monitor flights taking off, coming in to land and taxiing to and from terminals. Increasingly, though, control towers will be shuttered as airports switch to using remote centres to look after flights. These centres will be housed in ordinary low-rise buildings, s
