• A passenger tried to open an emergency exit on a flight from Madrid to Venezuela.
• One of the flight attendants fractured his leg while intervening, the airline told Business Insider.
• The passenger was handed over to authorities on landing in Caracas, it added.

After a passenger tried to open an emergency exit in midair, a flight attendant who intervened is off work for weeks with a fractured leg.

Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas Flight 701 was traveling from Madrid to Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday when a passenger began disturbing other travelers.

An airline spokesperson told Business Insider the man was slapping and shouting at the person asleep next to him.

"The crew acted quickly, calming the situation between the two," they said, adding that the disruptive passenger was moved to another seat.

Moments later, he tried to open one of the plane's emergency exits, the airline said.

A video shared on social media appears to show cabin crew scrambling toward the man to restrain him while concerned passengers look on.

During the incident, one of the flight attendants suffered a partial fracture of his fibula, a lower leg bone, the Plus Ultra spokesperson said. He has been treated, but the injury will keep him off work for a few weeks, they added.

The unruly passenger was subdued in the back of the plane, accompanied by two crew members, until they reached Caracas, where he was handed over to local authorities, the airline said.

It wasn't clear how far into the eight-and-a-half-hour flight the incident occurred. Data from FlightRadar24 shows the flight landed in Caracas around 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

"In no case was the safety of the flight or those on board compromised," the spokesperson said.

While somebody reaching for an emergency exit is frightening, it is effectively impossible to open one midflight.

To prevent problems like hypoxia or altitude sickness, planes are pressurized to an altitude of 8,000 feet or below. That means the cabin's pressure is much higher than outside, producing huge forces that keep the doors sealed shut.

Passengers attempting to open plane doors are rare but not unheard of. Last month, an Iberia passenger was accused of assaulting a flight attendant and opening an emergency exit before jumping onto the taxiway while a flight was preparing to take off.

In 2023, four South Korean airlines signed up for a program that prioritizes exit row seats for uniformed personnel, including soldiers and airline workers. Passengers would also be warned in the pre-flight briefing not to try to open the emergency exit.

The measures were introduced after an Asiana Airlines passenger opened a door at an altitude of 700 feet as the plane came in to land.

Nobody was seriously injured, but nine people were taken to hospital after suffering from suspected hyperventilation, and a 33-year-old passenger was arrested, The Guardian reported.

• Russian negotiators asked the US to consider restoring direct flights between the two countries.
• The aviation industry was shaken up by air space bans after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
• Emirates and Turkish Airlines are among the carriers that continued flying to Russia after the invasion.

Russia is growing tired of not being able to fly directly to the US.

During a meeting in Istanbul, Russian negotiators asked the US to consider restoring direct air service between the two countries, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday.

Air links were singled out by the ministry as a way of improving relations between the two powers.

The statement also said that both sides "meticulously explored avenues to overcome numerous irritants inherited from previous US administrations."

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the US, Canada, and most of Europe banned Russian aircraft from their airspace.

The move shook up the aviation industry as Russia retaliated by similarly barring North American and European airlines.

Aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus also stopped doing business with Russia.

This meant some customers, such as Air India, benefited as they received aircraft previously set to be delivered to Russian airlines.

Meanwhile, Russian carriers were left scrambling for spare parts — going as far as cannibalizing older jets or relying on the black market.

Aeroflot, Russia's flag carrier, still carries tens of millions of passengers a year.

Istanbul is the most popular international destination from Moscow, with more than 133,000 seats scheduled on such flights this month, according to data from Cirium.

Turkish Airlines' Airbus A330s are scheduled to fly back and forth six times a day.

The top 10 routes also include flights to the Turkish capital operated by Aeroflot and budget carrier Pegasus Airlines.

Istanbul is closely followed by Dubai, which also has more than 100,000 seats scheduled on flights out of Moscow this month.

While Emirates offers half as many flights as Turkish Airlines between its hub and Moscow, the Dubai-based carrier uses the far bigger Airbus A380.

Qatar Airways also operates one flight a day, equal to nearly 11,000 seats this month.

These airlines operate hub-and-spoke models — taking advantage of their geography as a stopover point to link cities around the world. They would be the main options for Russians to fly to the US, or vice-versa.

Two of Aeroflot's highest-capacity international routes are to Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand — both popular tourist destinations.

Tens of thousands of seats are also scheduled from Moscow to Egyptian Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada this month.

Many flights also operate to the capitals of former Soviet republics, such as Yerevan, Armenia; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Baku, Azerbaijan.

Minsk and Beijing also feature in the top 10 cities by number of seats scheduled for this month.

• A Frontier passenger started punching the seat in front of him and a window, an FBI affidavit stated.
• Raul Ramos Tamayo was restrained by crew and other passengers on the flight from Dever to Houston.
• Police met the flight when it landed and he could face a prison sentence or fine if convicted.

A Frontier Airlines passenger could be given a prison sentence after being restrained midflight by other travelers last month.

Raul Ramos Tamayo, 31, was on Frontier flight 4856 from Denver to Houston, per an affidavit from an FBI special agent.

About 30 minutes after takeoff, he started punching the seat in front of him, witnesses are said to have told the FBI.

After crew members approached him, Tamayo is alleged to have started punching a window, resulting in damage.

The affidavit stated that the cabin crew then asked for help from any law enforcement officers or able-bodied passengers, several of whom helped restrain Tamayo with flex cuffs around his wrists and ankles.

Tamayo was then put back into a seat and surrounded by the passengers who subdued him for the rest of the 2½-hour flight, it added.

Officers from the Houston Police Department met the flight at the gate at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Tamayo was charged with destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence and a fine of up to $250,000.

The FBI affidavit cited an internal airline report that said the damage included a cracked window, broken window shade, and broken outer lining of the window. The total cost of the damage was estimated at $1,546.

"Based on my experience as a Special Agent, I know that a passenger on an aircraft must not cause damage to the aircraft, especially when the aircraft is in flight," the affidavit read.

While cases of unruly passengers remain above pre-pandemic levels, it isn't clear that they always result in prosecutions.

Some airlines are taking more legal actions themselves. Ryanair, Europe's biggest airline, said in January it was suing a passenger for about $15,500 because the individual caused a flight to divert.

"When the public flies, they need to feel confident that they are doing so under safe conditions," said Nicholas J. Ganjei, US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.

"Given the fact that greater Houston has two major international airports, with tens of millions of travelers a year, the Southern District of Texas is always ready to prosecute those that endanger the safety of passengers."

• I traveled on the Caledonian Sleeper train for $360 on a trip from London to Edinburgh.
• My highlight was the club car, with friendly staff and tasty food.
• The ensuite room was modern and comfortable, but I barely slept as the train was too noisy and shaky.

The Caledonian Sleeper is the UK's most famous overnight train, with similar London-to-Scotland services dating back to 1873.

I had the chance to try it out on a work trip to Edinburgh, where I toured Emirates' new Airbus A350.

Business Insider paid £285 (about $360) for a Club en-suite room, which includes a free breakfast plus access to the lounge and club car.

In addition to the convenience of waking up in the city center, I thought its luxurious offerings elevated it well above the typical train journey.

The food was delicious, the club car was relaxing, and the staff were welcoming.

The train benefits from modern sleeper cars with neat tartan designs and comfortable beds — but I struggled to get more than a couple hours of sleep.

Here's what my journey was like.

I traveled to Edinburgh, but there are several Caledonian Sleeper routes throughout Scotland.

Going to Glasgow, the train splits at the junction town of Carstairs, while all the other routes split at Edinburgh. (That includes the Fort William route, which then goes through a different station in Glasgow.)

Unless you've booked a seat instead of a room, you won't need to move during these splits — but you might wake up.

My journey started at Euston — arguably the worst of London's train stations.

Euston has 16 platforms and is often very congested — but it was much quieter when I arrived around 9:30 p.m.

If you're traveling further north than Edinburgh, you can board an hour earlier than this.

Thankfully, I didn't have to hang around and could go straight to Platform 1.

The Caledonian Sleeper differs from most British passenger trains in using a locomotive similar to Amtrak.

It's supposed to make the journey smoother for passengers, but I still struggled with the shakiness.

With a Club en-suite room, I was able to spend some time in the guest lounge.

The staff member at the desk was friendly and welcoming as he gave me the keycard for my room.

There were some complimentary drinks and snacks, or you could also buy meals.

I watched the news on TV and had a can of Irn-Bru, a soda that outsells Coca-Cola in Scotland.

Passengers to Edinburgh were called to board about 10:15 p.m.

The Caledonian Sleeper uses British Rail Mark 5 passenger carriages, which entered service in 2019, so they're pretty modern.

My room wasn't spacious — but was comfier than I expected.

Prices for a room start at £200 (about $250), but can be more expensive depending on when and where you're traveling.

If you're looking for more space, there is a double-bed en-suite option — but you'll need to book well in advance.

Families could also book rooms with an interconnecting door. Tickets for children under 16 are slightly cheaper.

Ticket	One adult	Two adults
Seat	£54 / $68	£108 / $137
Classic	£200 / $252	£270 / $341
Club en-suite	£260 / $329	£340 / $430
Caledonian Double	£380 / $481	£445 / $563

I was able to fit my duffel bag under the bed, but couples might struggle with more luggage.

The operator says each guest can have one piece of hand luggage and two larger items no bigger than 30cm x 70cm x 90cm.

Amenities, menus, chocolate, and a form for ordering breakfast were laid out on the bottom bunk.

After filling out the breakfast order form and choosing a time to eat, you hang it outside your door.

The amenity packs include a sleep mask and earplugs.

After briefly unpacking, I thought I'd check out the rest of the train.

It wasn't easy to keep my balance in the tight corridors when the train started moving.

The club car was the highlight of my journey.

It's reserved for those who booked a Club ensuite or Double room, but if there's enough space, you might still be allowed in.

I was impressed with the staff, who were both friendly and laid-back.

I chose a seat facing the window and perused the menu.

I ordered a beer and the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, neeps, and tatties.

Haggis is made from sheep's organs — but is tastier than it sounds!

I got back to my room around 11:15 p.m. and had a shower before getting into bed.

I'd never showered on a moving vehicle before, but I didn't have any trouble doing my ablutions as the sleeper train slowly pulled away from Euston.

Charging outlets were plentiful, and there were convenient controls next to the beds.

The temperature control came in handy at night, while the host-call button, connected to a speaker above the window, can be used to order room service.

The upper bunk also has a light switch and one USB-A outlet.

I got into bed shortly after midnight — but was awake much longer.

The mattress and comforter were good quality, but I think I should've chosen the top bunk as this might've been less susceptible to vibrations and shakiness.

My noise-canceling headphones were helpful, but it was still a shaky journey.

Throughout the night, my attempts to sleep were disturbed at the four stations we stopped at, and I couldn't help opening my eyes.

Once the train started again, the shakiness made me slide down or sideways in bed. Although headphones helped me block out the worst of the vibrations, they were still noticeable.

I don't think I really fell asleep until around 4 a.m. Then, I woke up again as the train divided at Carstairs.

I got out of bed about 6:30 a.m. when breakfast arrived.

Like my dinner the previous night, my culinary expectations were exceeded — I thought it was a first-rate bacon roll.

I also got a carton of orange juice and sachets of ketchup and brown sauce.

There is supposed to be a table that folds out from underneath the sink. However, mine was missing.

I didn't have to leave the train until nearly an hour after arriving in Edinburgh.

I had plenty of time to get dressed and pack my bag.

After arriving in Edinburgh about 7 a.m., almost an hour passed before a member of staff knocked on my door, shortly followed by an announcement asking passengers to leave.

Unlike air travel, I arrived right in the city center.

Edinburgh Waverley station is on the city's main thoroughfare, Princes Street.

With a couple of spare hours, I was able to take in the view from Calton Hill, visit Greyfriars' Kirkyard, and spit for good luck on the Heart of Midlothian mosaic on the Royal Mile.

I might not have had than a couple hours of sleep, but I found a second wind of energy from the beauty of the city — or maybe it was just the cold weather and pending work ahead.

• A couple said they had to share a row with a dead body after a passenger died on their flight.
• One former flight attendant told BI how crew are trained to deal with medical emergencies.
• An airline trade organization has guidelines for dealing with deaths in the air.

Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were heading to Venice when another passenger died on their flight from Melbourne to Doha.

Ring told Australia's Nine News he spent the last four hours of the 14-hour Qatar Airways flight sharing a row with the woman's dead body.

After the passenger collapsed in the aisle near their row, Ring said, "They did everything they could, but unfortunately the lady couldn't be saved, which was pretty heartbreaking to watch."

"They tried to wheel her up toward business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldn't get her through the aisle."

He added that the flight attendants saw there were two vacant seats in Ring and Colin's row of four. They then asked Ring to move over and placed the body in the seat where he had been sitting.

Ring said that the cabin crew didn't offer the couple different seats to move to.

While another passenger in the row behind offered one to his wife, Ring told Nine News he spent the rest of the flight in the same row as the dead body.

He added that he was told to stay seated after the plane landed, as medical crews boarded the plane and removed blankets covering the body.

"Our thoughts are with the family members of the passenger who sadly passed away on board a recent Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne, Australia," the airline said in a statement.

"The safety and comfort of all our passengers is of paramount importance to us."

Qatar said it had contacted the affected passengers to address their concerns.

Deaths on airplanes are not unheard of, though they are comparatively rare. A 2013 study found that medical emergencies happen once in every 604 flights. Deaths are even rarer, resulting from 0.3% of such incidents.

How crew are trained to deal with dead passengers

What actually happens when someone dies on a plane? Airlines have protocols in place, and staff are trained to deal with medical emergencies. The International Air Transport Association, an airline trade group, has guidelines for dealing with a death on board.

"We were told to be as compassionate and understanding as possible, especially if the passenger was traveling with people," Pierre-Yves Monnerville, who spent 17 years as a flight attendant at carriers including British Airways, told Business Insider.

Ideally, he said, there would be an empty row to place the body. In the Qatar Airways case, Monnerville said he suspected that the flight would've been very busy.

He said that he was trained to "find a way to make them as inconspicuous as possible." For example, not putting a blanket over their head and keeping them upright as much as possible.

While Monnerville didn't deal with a passenger's death during his time as a flight attendant, he said he used to do first aid with the French Red Cross — where he experienced how difficult it can be to move a body.

"Somebody unconscious already is quite hard to deal with in a regular house, but you can imagine in such a confined space [as a plane]," he told BI.

Monnerville added that it would be an extra challenge on newer planes as the aisles are narrower to fit in more seats.

Qatar Airways said in a Friday statement shared with BBC News that the crew's handling of the woman's death was "in line with training and industry standard practice."

In 2021, a flight attendant went viral on TikTok as she explained procedures if a passenger dies on a plane.

"If they have a heart attack and die, and there is nothing we can do about it, and we can't start CPR, we are just going to wait until we get to our final destination," Sheena Marie said.

She also said that, despite a myth of bodies being put in airplane bathrooms, this isn't possible as a body can't be safely strapped in.

In the past, some planes even had specific compartments reserved for bodies.

In 2004, Singapore Airlines began operating Airbus A340-500s with a locker that could store a body, which became known as a "corpse cupboard." The airline retired its A340-500s in 2013.

Under the IATA's more formal guidelines, the first thing flight crews should do is notify the captain, who should then inform authorities at the destination airport. The deceased should then be moved to a seat with few passengers around.

If the flight is full, the body should be put in its original seat or one that doesn't obstruct an aisle or exit. "Be aware of the difficulty of the situation for companions and onlookers," the guidelines say.

The IATA also recommends using a body bag, if available, and zipping it up to the neck or using a blanket. Close the eyes, and secure the body with a seatbelt, it adds.

Other passengers should be disembarked first, while any family members should stay with the body.

• A new search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is being launched, Malaysia's transport minister said.
• It's being conducted by Ocean Infinity, a robotics company that previously led a search in 2018.
• It will receive $70 million if the wreckage of the 2014 disappearance is found within 18 months.

A new search is being launched for MH370, the Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared in March 2014.

Malaysia's transport minister, Anthony Loke, told a Tuesday press conference that Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics firm, is conducting the search. He added that the contracts were still being finalized.

Ocean Infinity, which is based in the US and UK, previously conducted a search for the missing Boeing 777 in 2018.

It took place over an area measuring 25,000 square kilometers, or around 9,600 square miles, while Loke has said the new search would cover 15,000 square kilometers.

In a December press conference, when the Malaysian government agreed to resume the search, Loke said that Ocean Infinity would receive $70 million if the wreckage was located within 18 months.

Oliver Plunket, the CEO of Ocean Infinity, told the New Straits Times last March: "This search is arguably the most challenging, and indeed the most pertinent one out there."

He added that innovations in robotics and other technologies had further advanced its search capabilities.

Grace Nathan, a 36-year-old Malaysian whose mother was on board the plane, told Agence France-Presse: "We're very relieved and pleased that the search is resuming once again after such a long hiatus."

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, when it changed course from its scheduled path. It is still unknown what led to the plane's disappearance.

The jet, with 239 people on board, had entered Vietnamese airspace when its transponder was turned off, meaning air traffic controllers could no longer track it.

Military radar showed it then flew back across northern Malaysia, before turning south over the Indian Ocean.

For around six hours, it continued to ping an Inmarsat satellite, which helped to determine a search area.

The first searches continued until 2017, focusing on vast areas of the Indian Ocean. Debris was found on beaches in Réunion and Madagascar.

• A Chinese navy flotilla conducted a live-fire exercise off the Australian coast on Friday.
• A Virgin Australia pilot informed air traffic control after hearing a radio broadcast.
• The warning triggered 49 flights to divert as a hazard alert commenced.

Dozens of flights were forced to divert after a pilot warned air traffic control about a Chinese navy live-firing exercise off the Australian coast.

Authorities were unaware of the exercise until a pilot raised the alarm on Friday.

Rob Sharp, the CEO of Airservices Australia, the government agency responsible for air safety, gave evidence to a Senate hearing in Canberra on Monday. "It was, in fact, a Virgin Australia aircraft that advised one of our air traffic controllers that a foreign warship was broadcasting that they were conducting live firing 300 nautical miles off our coast," he said.

Task Group 107 of the People's Liberation Army Navy was operating off the New South Wales coast in the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand. It consisted of a frigate, a cruiser, and a replenishment vessel.

The Virgin Australia pilot heard one of the vessels broadcasting on the international guard frequency on Friday morning, said Peter Curran, Airservices Australia's deputy CEO.

He told the hearing that the government agency then commenced a hazard alert to warn all flights in the area.

It then advised the Department of Defence's Headquarters Joint Operations Command. "Bearing in mind at that stage, we didn't know if it was a hoax or real," Curran said.

Twenty minutes after the Virgin pilot's warning, an Emirates aircraft also made contact with the Chinese flotilla. It heard the radio broadcast advising that live firing was taking place between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time.

Some 49 aircraft were diverted over the course of Friday, Curran said.

That included some that were already in the air when the hazard alert was issued, but were flights later in the day that adjusted their route to avoid the airspace.

Flight plans continued to divert throughout the weekend as a matter of precaution, he added.

The incident sparked diplomatic tensions over the weekend.

A spokesperson for Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, told Guardian Australia: "The Australian Government has raised its concern with the lack of notice on the live fire activity from the Chinese Government, including through appropriate channels in Canberra and Beijing."

Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said in a statement that the drill would not impact aviation safety.

He added that it took place in international waters and safety notices were issued in advance.

"Australia has unjustly criticized China and deliberately exaggerated the issue," Wu said.

Reuters reported that New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the live-fire exercise complied with international law, adding: "The issue for us is … we'd appreciate a little bit more advance notice, particularly on what is a busy air route."

Australia's Department of Defence said it was continuing to monitor Task Group 107 as it re-entered Australia's exclusive economic zone early on Tuesday.

• A Delta flight made an emergency landing just 10 minutes after takeoff.
• In air traffic control audio, one of the flight's pilots can be heard saying there is smoke in the cabin.
• Footage and images shared on social media showed passengers evacuating onto the tarmac.

A Delta Air Lines flight was evacuated after the pilot reported smoke in the cabin on Monday morning.

The Boeing 717 was set to fly from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Columbia, South Carolina, operating as Flight 876.

But data from Flightradar24 shows it started to turn back around five minutes after taking off from the world's busiest airport. In total, it was in the air for just over 10 minutes.

In communications published by LiveATC.net, one of the pilots can be heard declaring an emergency after ascending to 3,000 feet.

"Got smoke in the cabin and need to plan a return back," he says. "Have the fire trucks roll for us, please."

He added that there were 99 people on board.

Images shared on social media appear to show passengers evacuating after landing safely, with people standing on the wings and a slide deployed from the 717's tail.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane returned safely "after the crew reported possible smoke in the flight deck."

It added that the FAA will investigate the incident.

"The flight crew followed procedures to return to Atlanta when a haze inside the aircraft was observed after departure," Delta said in a statement shared with a number of media outlets.

"Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize to our customers for the experience," the airline said.

Delta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• A mid-flight bomb hoax led Italy's air force to scramble jets to escort an American Airlines plane.
• The Boeing 787 was flying from New York to Delhi when the threat occurred.
• Italy's Aeronautica Militare released a series of photos of the incident unfolding.

American Airlines passengers had a whirlwind journey after a bomb threat saw their flight turn around, and fighter jets scrambled to escort the plane.

The airline said the "possible security concern" was later found to be "non-credible."

Saturday evening's Flight 292 from New York to India's capital, New Delhi, U-turned over the Caspian Sea — more than 10 hours after taking off, according to data from Flightradar24.

It then spent around four hours going back toward Italy, where the country's air force scrambled two Eurofighter jets.

In a press release, the Aeronautica Militare said it escorted the Boeing 787 to Rome Fiumicino Airport after a "bomb alert."

It also shared images of the Eurofighters following the airliner, as well as a video.

American Airlines said the flight landed safely in Rome, and "law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart."

"Safety and security are our top priorities and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," it added.

The Boeing 787 landed in Rome around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. The same plane is scheduled to fly from Rome to New Delhi at 6 a.m. ET on Tuesday, per Flightradar24.

A senior official briefed on the matter told ABC News a bomb threat was received by email.

Protocol at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport required an inspection before the plane could land there, American Airlines said.

The incident is the latest in a string of bomb threats on planes flying to or in India in recent months.

India's deputy civil aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol, said that as of mid-November, there had been 999 hoax bomb threats in the country in 2024.

More than 500 of those were received across two weeks, and 12 people were arrested.

Last October, Singapore's Air Force scrambled two F-15s to escort an Air India Express flight, which landed safely.

The same month, an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago made an emergency landing in Canada's Nunavut territory after another bomb threat.

Were you a passenger on this flight? Get in touch with this reporter at [email protected].

• Tim Clark helped set up Emirates in 1985 and has been its president since 2003.
• The airline flies from Dubai to 12 US airports as well as dozens of cities globally.
• Clark says if a business "recognizes and respects" its workers, "they look after you" in return.

Dubai's population has grown about 10-fold since Emirates was founded 40 years ago. Among the airline's founding team was Tim Clark, who has been its president for more than two decades.

At the beginning, the nascent carrier wasn't "taken very seriously," he told Business Insider in a wide-ranging interview last month.

That began to change once competitors and aircraft manufacturers realized Dubai was ideally positioned roughly halfway between Europe and the Middle East — and that Emirates was determined to shake up long-haul aviation.

"We were considered to be lunatics, but we did manage to persuade the powers that be in both Airbus and Boeing that we were deadly serious," Clark says.

As well as aircraft that could fly non-stop from Dubai to the likes of Los Angeles, Sydney and Auckland, he wanted cabins that were closer to private jets.

That led to innovations such as first-class suites with sliding doors in the late 1990s that are now "de rigueur everywhere. And I wish I had a patent on those, but we never did. And now they're in business class as well. So you see our footprints everywhere."

The rise of Emirates as a global aviation force mirrors the rise of Dubai, which Clark calls a "global metropolis." It's become "a great place for doing business" as well as serving the rest of the Middle East and North Africa region, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Its 96 flights a week from 12 US airports to Dubai has also made it easier for Americans to get to destinations such as Zanzibar, Mauritius or the Seychelles. Clark thinks there's a lot more growth to come in North America: "We have only really just started. We now have multiple points there, but there are so many more coming."

Emirates' expansion has been constrained to some degree by the availability of new aircraft. Delivery delays for Boeing's new 777X has prompted the airline to spend $4.5 billion "gutting all the old 777s and retrofitting them," Clark says. To maintain its fleet of about 250 passenger jets "you've got to retrofit," he adds.

It's also upgrading many of its A380s, which it first took delivery of in 2008. Later to the premium economy party than other airlines, it only made its Emirates debut in August 2022.

Business class, however, has always accounted for a considerable part of the double-decker Airbus — even if Clark dislikes the name.

When corporate travel budgets were slashed after the 2008 financial crisis, he says older customers in particular started flying in business "in a manner that we just couldn't believe."

People "want to go and see and enjoy … that's why I remain optimistic that demand will continue at the pace it has, constrained by all these we've talked about in regards to supply."

Emirates consistently ranks as one of the world's best airlines, though last year, rival Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways was crowned the world's best airline by Skytrax. Qatar pushed Singapore Airlines into second place, while Emirates ranked third.

One of Emirates' advantages over most competitors is being able to recruit its 23,000 cabin crew from anywhere in the world. "That is part of the essence of our model," as Clark puts it.

He describes Dubai as a "really popular city to be in" for many workers — and doubtless the tax-free salaries, generous bonuses and accommodation offer are part of the attraction for some too.

While its training program is "very, very demanding" and being "refreshed all the time," Clark adds: "We try to think that by delivering a fairly innovative stack of products, which we try to change out regularly, that the kids are actually really interested in what they're doing. And they like what they're doing," he says. "We look after them. We care for their welfare."

Asked about where Boeing lost its way, his advice to CEO Kelly Ortberg is to treat workers better. Clark said that if a company "recognizes and respects" its people, "they look after you. I promise you, they'll be doing much more than you asked them to do, simply because they're so proud of being in a company that looks after them."

Clark has been in the airline business for more than half a century, starting off at British Caledonian in 1972 before moving to Gulf Air in Bahrain for a decade. So why is he still working at the age of 75?

He says he considered stepping down during the pandemic but adds: "I just couldn't leave it. I was determined to get the business back on track and be profitable again, and eventually hand it over to the team of people I'm working with. These guys I've been working with 20 years, some of them.

"Frankly, will the business be successful with this team of people working? Of course it will … so I'll find a balance at some point, but I will go."

The airline posted a pre-tax profit of $2.6 billion for the six months to September, up 2%, on revenues of almost $17 billion, and Clark expects "another very good year" in 2025 but notes: "Anything can happen. Well, airlines are an unpredictable business, aren't they?"

• Canada announced an investment of $2.75 billion into a new high-speed rail network.
• It would be faster than any other train in North America but slower than those in Europe and Asia.
• The announcement comes as the Trump administration criticized California's High-Speed Rail project.

Canada plans to spend billions of dollars on a high-speed railway from Toronto to Quebec City, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday.

It's set to reach speeds of up to 186 miles per hour, which would make it faster than any train currently operating in North America. Amtrak's Acela travels up to 150 miles per hour.

The Canadian government said the new rail service, called Alto, will halve journey times. Montreal to Toronto, a journey of roughly 300 miles, would take three hours, it added.

Other stops along the route include Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.

The new train line could make train travel more competitive with flying. A flight between Montreal and Toronto takes around an hour and a half. Factoring in airport security and earlier arrival times, the train could be more convenient for many passengers.

Alto will be developed by a consortium of companies, including Air Canada and SNCF, France's state-owned railway company.

The Canadian government is investing 3.9 billion Canadian dollars, around $2.75 billion, over six years — in addition to the roughly $262 million provided in its 2024 budget.

It says construction will create 51,000 jobs, and the new rail network could boost GDP annually by up to 35 billion Canadian dollars, around $25 billion.

Trudeau said Alto "will transform our economy — drastically shortening commute times for millions of Canadians, turbocharging economic growth, creating thousands of good-paying jobs, improving productivity, and reducing emissions."

"Montreal to Toronto in three hours — you can't beat that," he added.

North America would still lag behind other high-speed railway projects around the world.

Italy's Frecciarossa 1000 has a maximum speed of 249 miles per hour, while France's TGV Lyria — operated by SNCF — can reach 199 miles per hour.

Japan's Shinkansen, or bullet train, operates up to 200 miles per hour. The world's fastest train, the Shanghai Maglev, can reach speeds of up to 285 miles per hour on its short journeys between the city and its airport.

Canada's announcement comes as President Donald Trump has criticized plans for a high-speed railway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The project targeted connecting the two cities in under three hours at speeds of 220 miles per hour — but has suffered from delays and overspending. Initially set to be complete by 2020 for $33 billion, costs are now estimated to be as high as $128 billion.

Earlier this month, Trump called it "the worst managed project I think I've ever seen," — and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday that federal funding for the project is going to be reviewed, NBC Bay Area reported.

• Aircraft manufacturing could go "from a duopoly to a potential triopoly," the Airbus CEO said.
• Guillaume Faury was asked about the prospect of China's Comac becoming a serious competitor.
• Comac is ramping up production of its C919 jet, similar to the A320 family and Boeing 737 Max.

The CEO of Airbus said Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac could disrupt the dominance of his company and Boeing.

At a press conference on Thursday after announcing Airbus' annual results, Guillaume Faury said the sector could go "from a duopoly to a potential triopoly."

He was asked about Comac's plans to increase production of its C919 jet — a single-aisle aircraft similar to the best-selling Airbus A320 family and Boeing's 737 Max.

"Other aircraft manufacturers have tried to enter into this very competitive space in the past from other countries, not necessarily successfully, but I believe Comac is more likely to succeed," Faury said.

He pointed to its "privileged access" to the Chinese market, which he said accounted for a fifth of global aircraft demand.

Faury added that this will also "probably give them the room" to export to other countries "when the product is mature."

"They have to do a certain ramp-up first — in the current supply environment, ramp-up is not an easy task — but we take them seriously," the Airbus CEO said. "We consider this is one more competitor in this space."

Data from ch-aviation shows there are 13 Comac C919s in service, operated by Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern.

There are more than 1,000 planes on order, Comac chairman He Dongfeng said in 2023, Chinese media reported.

Comac has also held discussions with Saudi officials and Brazil's Total Linhas Aereas, Reuters reported.

The C919 is yet to be certified by regulators in the US or Europe. Comac hoped to win EU approval this year, Aviation Week reported last May.

Meanwhile, Airbus is planning to increase its A320-family production capacity in China. Faury said the planemaker hopes the second final assembly line at its Tianjin plant will come online this year.

Airbus reported a 6% increase in revenue for 2024 of 69.2 billion euros ($72.2 billion). Earnings per share rose 12% to 5.36 euros ($5.60).

Its consolidated order book valued at 629 billion euros at the end of 2024, up from 554 billion euros.

Airbus aims to deliver around 820 commercial aircraft in 2025, up by 54 from last year.

Shares fell almost 1% in Paris but have gained 15% over the past 12 months, in contrast to Boeing's 8.5% decline.

Defense and space woes

It was a testing year for Airbus' defense and space division. While its order intake was a record 16.7 billion euros, it reported a loss of 566 million euros — largely due to a 1.3 billion euro charge on its space programs.

"We are in a situation where some US players are disrupting the ecosystem and going at scale on new technologies," Faury said.

He added that Airbus was in discussions with Thales and Leonardo about consolidating the European space sector.

In defense, Airbus also took a charge of 121 million euros on its A400M program. The company said there were "uncertainties" on the number of orders.

• Two Transatlantic flights to Toronto U-turned over the ocean on Monday after a Delta flight crashed.
• More than 40 other flights had to divert when Toronto Pearson International Airport closed.
• Flights to nowhere are a pain for passengers but are often the best option for airlines.

Two transatlantic flights to nowhere were among dozens of planes that diverted due to Monday's Delta plane crash in Toronto.

Toronto Pearson Airport temporarily closed both its runways after a Bombardier CRJ900 flipped over and lost both its wings. There were 80 people on board, 21 of whom were injured with 19 released from hospital, Delta Air Lines said.

A British Airways Boeing 777 was flying from London to Toronto when the incident occurred.

BA Flight 99 had flown for three hours before U-turning over the Atlantic Ocean, according to Flightradar24 data.

It landed back at London Heathrow around midnight local time — six hours after taking off.

The flight to Toronto typically takes around eight hours.

Another Toronto-bound flight, from Lisbon and operated by TAP Air Portugal, appeared to fly around two hours across the Atlantic before starting to change direction, per Flightradar24.

It appeared to be initially set to divert to the Azores — a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic — but ultimately landed back in Lisbon around eight hours after taking off.

TAP and British Airways did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Flightradar24 said it tracked an additional 44 flights that diverted due to Monday's plane crash.

Eleven of those diverted to nearby Montreal, as well as nine to Ottawa, six to Hamilton, and three to each of Chicago O'Hare and Pittsburgh.

As well as being annoying for passengers, diversions can also be costly for airlines — with knock-on effects on their flight schedules.

While flying hundreds or even thousands of miles back over the ocean may look odd, it is relatively common. This is because it is easier for airlines to reroute and accommodate passengers and crew at a hub airport.

In incidents like this, airports closer to the destination may also have limited capacity to handle additional flights.

• President Donald Trump toured a Boeing plane Saturday to highlight delays to the new Air Force One.
• The tour of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet took place at Palm Beach airport.
• Trump renegotiated the new Air Force One deal in his first term, but it may not be ready until 2028.

President Donald Trump is again pressuring Boeing to ensure it promptly delivers the next Air Force One.

On Saturday, he toured a Boeing plane to "check out the new hardware/technology," Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, told Reuters and the Associated Press.

"This highlights the project's failure to deliver a new Air Force One on time as promised," he added.

The tour took place on a Boeing 747 parked at West Palm Beach International Airport. Photos show Trump's motorcade parked next to the jet.

Speeding up the delivery of the presidential jet appears to be a key target for Trump.

Boeing was first tapped in 2015 to deliver two new presidential aircraft, known as the VC-25B — an upgraded, militarized version of the 747-8.

In his first term, Trump renegotiated the contract with Boeing over concerns about escalating costs. He threatened to cancel the program if it exceeded $4 billion.

The president appeared enthusiastic about the new planes, showing ABC his red, white, and blue livery design in 2019.

It was initially set to be delivered in 2024, but the timeframe has been pushed back to 2027 or 2028.

Since returning to office, Trump has continued to signal his passion for the new Air Force One.

At his inaugural ball, Trump cut a cake adorned with a model of the jet in his original livery design.

Last month, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the planemaker was working with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to accelerate the program.

"The president wants the airplane sooner, and so we're working with Elon and the team to figure what can we do to pull up the schedule of that aircraft," Ortberg said.

Boeing has reported losses of more than $2 billion on the program.

The Air Force has said Trump's red, white, and blue design would cause further delays because a thermal study found the dark blue could result in added heat in some environments.

Joe Biden then selected a light-blue color in line with every other presidential jet since the Kennedy era — but Trump appears to continue to prefer his original design.

The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Thousands of flights were delayed as winter storms hit the US and Canada over the holiday weekend.
• That included more than 2,000 at major airports around New York and Washington, DC on Sunday.
• Half of departing flights at the world's busiest airport, Atlanta, were also delayed on Sunday.

Winter storms saw thousands of flights delayed, primarily across the East Coast, over the Presidents Day weekend.

Major airports in New York, Newark, and Washington, DC, saw around 40% of their flights delayed on Sunday — totaling over 2,000, per data from FlightAware. Around 850 flights were canceled.

Nearly half of flights departing Boston and Toronto were also delayed, around 260 at each airport, according to FlightAware.

The National Weather Service warned of wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, while parts of Boston saw six inches of snowfall.

The Midwest was also struck by the polar vortex, with temperatures in the low single digits. Strong winds could also make it feel as low as negative 25 degrees Fahrenheit, CBS Chicago reported.

Around 1,000 flights were delayed at Chicago O'Hare — including half of those departing, FlightAware data showed. Two-thirds of Detroit's departing flights were also delayed.

Bad weather also impacted flights on Saturday, with more than 70% of flights from Denver delayed.

Further south, Florida was hit by thunderstorms over the weekend. The National Weather Service also issued a tornado watch.

Over 1,000 flights were delayed across the state on Sunday, including two in every five at Orlando and a third of those at Miami, per FlightAware.

Its data also showed more than 500 departing flights, or half of those scheduled, were delayed at Atlanta's Hartfield-Jackson — the world's busiest airport and a hub for Delta Air Lines.

In Atlanta, wind gusts peaked at 69 miles per hour and one man died when a tree fell on his home, a local Fox affiliate reported.

Flight delays can be irritating for passengers, but also costly for airlines — with knock-on effects on their schedules.

Delays are continuing into Monday, though as of around 6:00 a.m. ET, they were much less widespread, with only around 20 flights out of Toronto Pearson delayed, and fewer than 10% of flights delayed at most major East Coast airports.

• I toured one of Emirates' new Airbus A350 jets in Edinburgh.
• The sleek new aircraft features 4K screens and electronic window blinds in every class.
• The A350's main competitor, the Boeing 777X, suffers yearslong delays to its launch.

Emirates is building a more diverse fleet, with the Airbus A350 becoming its first new aircraft type since 2008.

Business Insider toured the aircraft earlier this month at Edinburgh Airport. The first route the airline started using the A350 on was Dubai to the Scottish capital, which launched on January 3.

Emirates has also contended with delays to the Boeing 777X — a modernized version of the best-selling wide-body airliner, that competes with the A350.

Emirates president Tim Clark previously told BI the airline is spending $4.5 billion retrofitting older 777s in response to the delays.

The Dubai-based airline previously only operated the Boeing 777 and double-decker Airbus A380.

With sleek interiors, an upgraded entertainment system with Bluetooth, and new window blind tech, take a look around Emirates' newest jet.

From a lounge in Edinburgh Airport, we watched the Emirates Airbus A350 arrive from Dubai.

This A350-900 was delivered to Emirates just two weeks earlier. It's the third of 65 on order.

With room for 312 passengers, it has a maximum range of 7,700 miles — enough to fly from Los Angeles to Sydney.

The airline expects to have 21 A350s by March 2026. The first Boeing 777X isn't expected to be delivered until 2026 — six years later than initially scheduled.

"For Emirates, it's a new era. After COVID, the activity changed significantly, and it was also for us a good moment to change also our fleet, to refurbish and retrofit our aircraft," said Thierry Aucoc, Emirates' senior vice president for commercial (west).

"We consider that Emirates has to maintain a certain standard. We want to be an exceptional airline."

Emirates has announced its first nine planned routes, with five already in operation.

Emirates is using the wide-body aircraft on both long-haul and short-haul routes.

The airline doesn't have any single-aisle aircraft, so even regional flights have amenities like lie-flat seats and in-flight entertainment.

My tour started in the premium economy cabin, which has 21 seats.

Emirates was a late adopter of the premium economy cabin, introducing it in 2022.

In this image, you can also see how the A350 has higher ceilings and larger overhead bins than the previous generation of airliners.

A couple of meals were laid out to show what's on offer to premium-economy passengers.

In premium economy, meals are served on proper crockery rather than the plastic trays of economy. Although, unlike many other airlines, both cabins offer metal cutlery.

The seats, arranged in a 2-3-2 layout, were inspired by the Mercedes Benz S-Class.

Emirates first collaborated with the carmaker in 2014, to inspire its first-class product.

I got to test out the comfortable recline and leg rest.

There were several flight attendants throughout the cabins who explained the various features of the seats and service. They came across as both passionate and friendly.

Emirates' A350 has 259 economy-class seats, arranged in a 3-3-3 layout.

The seats are 18.4 inches wide.

The A350 can be configured in a 10-abreast layout, but this would reduce seat width. It has a narrower cabin than the Boeing 777X, where a 3-4-3 layout would be more common.

Even economy has touches of luxury such as electric window blinds.

Typically, you'll only find electronic blinds in business or first class. One exception is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but even that uses electronically dimmable windows rather than motorized blinds.

The A350's aerBlade technology can be controlled by the cabin crew for takeoff and landing. It is also set to be installed in Emirates' 777X planes.

In economy, there's only a single blind — but premium economy and business class passengers also have the option of a shade.

Emirates also says its TVs offer the best image quality of any aircraft.

Emirates is already known for its broad selection of movies and TV shows on offer, but the 4K screens take the resolution to another level.

It might not be evident in photos, but I was definitely impressed by the crisp colors and resolution.

There are USB-A and USB-C outlets — plus, you can connect your own Bluetooth headphones.

Economy seats also benefit from the same 13.3-inch screen as in premium economy.

I found the legroom was generous, but by the window, the bracket was located a bit awkwardly.

The seat pitch, or distance between the same spot on one seat and the one in front, is 31 to 32 inches.

The seatback table also has a sleek wood finish.

I thought this was a thoughtful touch compared to the typical dull, gray plastic — helping economy feel a little less like cattle class.

The airline also gives out free toys to kids traveling in economy.

The bags include soft toys, blankets, activities, puzzles, and games.

Finally, it was time to explore the cream of the crop in business class.

Below the tree design, there was a countertop with bowls of snacks.

The same Mercedes-Benz seat design added to the feeling of luxury.

The cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout so every seat has direct aisle access — unlike some of Emirates' older planes in a 2-3-2 arrangement, but retrofits are ongoing to update this.

On the console, there's a touchscreen controller and a minibar.

As well as a wireless charging port on the console, there's an international charging outlet, and sockets for USB-C and USB-A cables.

I had a moment to test it and was impressed with the space and large screen.

Business class suites have a seat pitch of 44 inches, while the TV screens are 20 inches.

I also liked that the footwell was a regular shape. Some airlines' are more askew, which can make things a bit uncomfortable when lying down.

The seats lie flat — but don't have sliding doors for privacy.

Sliding doors are becoming more common in business class, but Emirates only has them in first class — which isn't offered on the A350.

I think this is where your seat selection is most important. The business-class layout is staggered, with the console alternating between window-side and aisle-side. Choosing the latter would allow for more privacy, which is especially helpful if you want to sleep.

Central dividers can be fully lowered for a more intimate experience if you're traveling together.

On the left is one of the airline's most popular meal choices: Arabic mezze.

While the Boeing 777X awaits certification, the A350 gives a taste of what it could look like.

More fuel-efficient engines reduce the operating cost for airlines and help the environment. But these newer jets also make the experience more comfortable for passengers, with larger overhead bins and higher ceilings — not to mention the opportunities for new interiors and upgrades.

• The Biden administration opened a review into making airlines pay cash compensation to passengers.
• Airlines for America is asking the Trump administration to end this.
• The lobby group says it wouldn't provide any economic incentive and may increase ticket prices.

A trade group for major airlines called on the Trump administration to end a review into cash compensation for delayed passengers.

Airlines for America (A4A), which represents 10 carriers including Delta, American, and United, wrote to the Department of Transportation on Monday.

The review was set up by the Biden administration and started work in December. It is seeking consumer comments on whether passengers should get cash compensation for disruptions where the airline is at fault.

It suggested airlines should be required to pay $200 to $300 for domestic delays of at least three hours, $375 to $525 for six-hour delays, and $750 to $775 for nine-hour delays. Similar rules are in place in Canada and Europe.

However, A4A is fighting back against the proposed rules.

The lobby group warned that airlines are likely to raise ticket prices and cancel more flights in case of severe delays. "Airlines do not need further incentive to provide quality service," the letter stated.

The group's airlines already give automatic refunds if a passenger chooses not to rebook a flight, the letter said. If passengers do choose to rebook at no additional cost, the airlines provide meals or cash or vouchers for meals, hotel accommodations, and/or ground transportation.

It also said the regulations would go beyond the Department for Transportation's statutory authority.

In December, then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said compensation rules for delays "would change the economic incentive in a way that motivates airlines to do more."

The Biden administration made several efforts to issue new rules it said would give passengers more rights.

Last April, it required airlines to promptly give passengers automatic cash refunds when owed.

And in early January, the DoT fined JetBlue $2 million for operating chronically delayed flights.

In Monday's letter, A4A said a rule requiring cash compensation would be "directly contrary to President Trump's regulatory policies and directives" — noting his policy to remove unnecessary regulations.

The DoT did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

• Prosecutors say an airline passenger threatened fellow travelers, flight attendants, and the captain.
• He also mocked Jewish travelers during the flight from Miami to New Jersey, an affidavit says.
• Luis Vaquero was arrested and charged in a New Jersey court with interfering with a flight crew.

An airline passenger has been criminally charged after being accused of threatening the flight's staff and passengers.

Luis Vaquero, 27, was flying from Miami to Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday when he became abusive toward fellow passengers and staff, per the complaint.

An FBI special agent's affidavit says that during the flight, Vaquero was "making threats of physical violence against a disabled minor" and "mocking a group of Jewish passengers."

The affidavit adds that a flight attendant who observed Vaquero's behavior declined to serve him alcohol after the flight's beverage service had ended. The affidavit says that Vaquero then told the staff member, "You better watch out, shit's gonna happen to you."

The affidavit says Vaquero continued to be disruptive throughout the three-hour flight, prompting the crew to ask that law enforcement be present upon arrival.

"It all culminated in a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck when witnesses say he banged on the cockpit door and confronted the pilot," Terence G. Reilly, the acting head of the FBI's Newark office said in a press release.

After the captain announced over the public address system that a passenger would be removed by law enforcement, Vaquero got up and started banging on the cockpit door while the plane was taxiing, the affidavit says.

"Upon arrival at the gate, the captain emerged from the flight deck, after which Vaquero approached the captain, screaming and threatening him until law enforcement boarded the plane and escorted Vaquero off the plane," the affidavit says.

"While issuing these threats, Vaquero's face was approximately six inches from the captain's face."

In videos obtained by law enforcement, Vauqero is also said to have threatened to break a flight attendant's jaw and used a racial slur.

The charge of interfering with a flight crew carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

"We are committed to keeping the skies safe for flying and will prosecute those who criminally interfere with the professionals responsible for ensuring passenger safety," said Vikas Khanna, the acting US attorney for New Jersey, in the press release.

It is unclear which airline the incident occurred on. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Spirit operate daily flights between Miami and Newark.

None of the three airlines immediately responded to requests for comment.

• A plane operated by a Brazilian airline collided with a vehicle on a runway.
• The Boeing 737 Max was accelerating to takeoff from Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
• The plane was able to brake, and no injuries were reported.

A Boeing 737 Max was taking off when it collided with a vehicle on the runway.

The Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes plane was about to fly from Rio de Janeiro's international airport to Fortaleza in northeastern Brazil on Tuesday.

A video posted on X appears to show the jet accelerating down the runway when a loud noise can be heard.

The jet managed to brake before reaching the end of the runway. The airport has one of the world's longest runways at 4,000 meters (about 13,000 feet or 2.5 miles).

In an air traffic control recording published by the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, the pilots can be heard saying they had aborted the takeoff because a car was in the middle of the runway.

Other clips posted on social media appear to show emergency vehicles surrounding the 737 Max after the collision.

The airline said in a statement that the plane collided with an airport vehicle that was on the runway.

It added that all passengers and crew disembarked safely, with another flight added to Fortaleza for those who wanted to continue their journey.

No injuries were reported.

The airport didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Last month, a United Airlines plane was taking off from Chicago O'Hare Airport when it collided with a coyote on the runway, forcing it to turn back.

But collisions with other planes have become more likely in recent years, with near misses becoming increasingly common.

In December, a Southwest Airlines plane was cleared to land on a runway that was already occupied by a smaller plane — but it managed to slow down in time for both aircraft to taxi away and park.

• Boom Supersonic announced that it can fly faster than the speed of sound without a sonic boom.
• Elon Musk backed the CEO's calls for regulatory changes to allow supersonic flights over land.
• A change in regulations could help the Colorado-based planemaker attract more airline customers.

Commercial flights faster than the speed of sound have taken another step closer to reality.

Boom Supersonic announced Monday that its airliner can fly above Mach 1 without producing a sonic boom audible from the ground.

As Concorde could only fly supersonic over water, this discovery could lead to a change in aviation laws and allow domestic supersonic commercial flights for the first time.

Current regulations prohibit planes from flying supersonic over land due to the risk of sonic booms disturbing people and possibly damaging buildings.

However, Boom CEO Blake Scholl is hopeful that the firm's technology — dubbed Boomless Cruise — can change this.

Elon Musk also voiced his support, replying to Scholl on X: "This administration will get rid of all regulations that make no sense, like this one."

Boomless Cruise is possible thanks to a physics term called Mach cutoff.

If the sound barrier is broken at a high enough altitude, the sound waves can essentially U-turn in the atmosphere before reaching the ground.

Boom first achieved supersonic flight last month when its XB-1 prototype hit Mach 1.12 while flying over the Mojave Desert.

The firm said it placed microphones on the ground along the flight path to confirm that sonic booms didn't reach the ground.

Scholl said it makes use of technology that wasn't available in the era of Concorde, which began commercial service in 1976.

"Boomless Cruise requires engines powerful enough to break the sound barrier at an altitude high enough that the boom has enough altitude to U-turn," he wrote on X. "And real-time weather and powerful algorithms to predict the boom propagation precisely."

Boom decided to build its own engine, called Symphony, after major manufacturers declined to help. It previously had a contract with Rolls-Royce before the latter decided it didn't want to prioritize commercial supersonic flight.

If regulations change, Boom's Overture airliner could make coast-to-coast US flights 90 minutes faster, Scholl said.

However, he added that Boomless Cruise can only work between Mach 1.1 and 1.3 — below Overture's top speed of Mach 1.7.

Nonetheless, Boom's latest breakthrough could bring supersonic flight closer to being a practical choice for more airlines.

The Colorado-based startup has an order book of 130, with customers including American Airlines and United Airlines.