Topic: Air Travel

Airplane Seats Aren't Safe Enough for Fatter Americans

Kevin Dooley, via Flikr

Decades-old safety standards mandate that airplanes seats be designed to accommodate an average passenger weight of 170 pounds — about 25 pounds lighter than the people who are actually sitting in them. 

By Jen Doll

Feb 24, 2012

Will Social Seating Selection Kill the Airplane Meet-Cute?

There are two dueling propositions when boarding any plane nowadays, beyond, obviously, getting to your destination safely and in a reasonable amount of time.

Comments | 2,143 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Feb 17, 2012

Air Australia Goes Under, Cancelling Birthday and Possibly 300 Jobs

Luckily, Priya Sinh was able to contact her 70 guests via Facebook that she wouldn't make to her 18th birthday, but 4,000 other stranded Air Australia passengers and 300 people who work at the now-grounded airline are still trying to figure things out.

Comments | 254 Views

By Dashiell Bennett

Dec 26, 2011

Tests Show That Your Amazon Kindle Isn't Going to Bring Down an Airplane

Tech reporter Nick Bilton continues his one-man war on the FAA regulations that prevent you from turning on your iPads, Kindles, and other electronic devices while taking off and landing in airplanes.

Comments | 9,275 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Oct 21, 2011

Boeing's Dreamliner Could Make Flying Better

On Wednesday the "revolutionary" Boeing Dreamliner will fly its very first commercial flight.

Comments | 8,870 Views

By Adam Martin

Oct 18, 2011

All Those Awful Airline Fees Are Working

Almost all the major airlines, except American, have managed to stay profitable during the economic downturn, thanks to all those terrible little fees for everything from checking a bag to having lunch.

Comments | 1,462 Views

By Ted Mann

Sep 11, 2011

Mid-Air Hijinks in Wartime

This is probably not the club you meant to join

Comments | 2,861 Views

By Rebecca Greenfield

Sep 2, 2011

Newark Is Replacing Its Controversial TSA Machines

The new technology only addresses some of fliers' concerns

Comments | 760 Views

By Ray Gustini

Aug 8, 2011

What the Tweet?

Spies, Flying Machines and Ape-Smarts

Plus: Edgar Allan Poe's house needs a favor

Comments | 316 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Aug 2, 2011

Senate's Failure to Fund the FAA Is Very, Very Expensive

Thousands won't be able to work now that Congress is on recess until September

Comments | 1,548 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Jul 25, 2011

Airlines Are Making Millions from a FAA Shutdown

The agency is losing $30 million day in taxes after Congress failed to pass a funding bill

Comments | 1,899 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Jul 15, 2011

Gingrich Campaign $500,000 in Debt for Private Planes Alone

This won't help dispel Gingrich's new reputation as a jewelry-loving spendthrift

Comments | 1,824 Views

By Erik Hayden

Jul 11, 2011

FBI Investigates Stun Gun's Mysterious Appearance on JetBlue Plane

It wasn't a forgetful air marshal that left the gun in the plane's seat pocket

Comments | 416 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Jul 6, 2011

Comment of the Day: A Way to Screen for Bombs Inside of You

Nothing too invasive, we're sure

Comments | 514 Views

By Caitlin Dickson

Jun 28, 2011

Today's Best

Five Best Tuesday Columns

On violent video games, the TSA's machine-like training, and wacky teen lit

Comments | 825 Views

By Eli Rosenberg

Jun 22, 2011

Chart of the Day

Chart: Tourism Growth Down as Airfares Rise

The silver lining: airlines may be compelled to offer more discounts

Comments | 276 Views

By Caitlin Dickson

Jun 1, 2011

Stat of the Day

Airlines Made $21.5 Billion from Extra Fees Last Year

Baggage, food and other fees now account for nearly a third of the airline industry

Comments | 1,296 Views

By Ujala Sehgal

May 28, 2011

Passengers Stage 'Lord of the Flies' Mutiny on Delayed Plane

Furious fliers fought the crew, raided food, and descended into hysteria

Comments | 48,337 Views

By Adam Martin

May 25, 2011

Skies Clearing of Volcanic Ash in Europe

Latest Iceland eruption doesn't look like a repeat of 2010's Eyjafjallajokull disaster

Comments | 684 Views

  • The Atlantic Wire on Twitter
  • The Atlantic Wire RSS Feed
  • The Atlantic Wire iPhone App