• Billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes said he has a "deep internal conflict" over buying a private jet.
• The Atlassian founder cited personal security and more time to see his family while running a company.
• And he said flying private gave him more options to offset his carbon output.

An Australian billionaire known for his efforts to combat the climate crisis has defended buying a private jet.

Mike Cannon-Brookes, the CEO of software firm Atlassian and a minority owner of Utah Jazz, explained his purchase in a Thursday LinkedIn post.

"I'm not denying I have a deep internal conflict on this," he wrote.

Cannon-Brookes said personal security was the primary reason, as well as time management. The 45-year-old said owning a private jet would let him "run a global business from Australia, and still be a constantly present dad."

Time constraints are often cited as a key motivator for flying private, as passengers aren't bound by scheduled flight times and don't need to spend much time waiting at airports.

As Jimmy Caroll of the luxury travel firm Pelorus said at a media event last year: "No matter how hard you work and how much money you have, you cannot buy more time."

Atlassian, Cannon-Brookes' firm, has a market cap of $54 billion — giving the CEO a net worth of $12.5 billion, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

He has invested chunks of his wealth in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Cannon-Brookes is the biggest shareholder in AGL Energy, Australia's largest electricity generator, and convinced the company to close its coal-fired power plants a decade earlier than planned.

He has also pledged to donate and invest 1.5 billion Australian dollars ($945 million) on climate projects by 2030.

"Although private aviation is far from a big contributor to global emissions, it is a carbon-intensive way to travel," Cannon-Brookes wrote on LinkedIn.

Aviation as a whole accounts for 2% of the world's CO2 emissions.

The billionaire said he has "an extremely rigorous carbon regime for all my flying," referencing "direct air capture and sustainable fuels."

"These options aren't practical for commercial flights — but are viable privately," he added.

Sustainable aviation fuel is one of the ways the industry is trying to reduce its carbon impact. While airlines like Virgin Atlantic and Emirates have operated flights using it, it is expensive and challenging to acquire on a mass scale.

Australian media reported that Cannon-Brookes bought a Bombardier Global 7500 — which typically costs around $75 million.

It has a maximum range of 8,860 miles and a top cruise speed of Mach 0.925 — capable of connecting New York and Los Angeles in three and a half hours. It can seat up to 19 passengers.

The Global 7500's largest operator, charter firm VistaJet, offers amenities like a double bed. However, the layout and features of Cannon-Brookes' jet are unclear.

"My commitment to climate is as strong as ever," Cannon-Brookes said. "I'm still pretty damn focused on making an impact at a large scale, removing huge volumes of emissions through active investments and philanthropy."

• Jeniffer Castro faced online criticism after she refused to give up her airline seat for a child.
• A video of the incident was viewed millions of times and reposted across platforms including TikTok.
• Castro said she was suing GOL Airlines and the passenger who filmed her.

A woman said she is suing an airline and a fellow passenger after an on-board incident went viral late last year.

Jeniffer Castro, 29, was working in a bank in Belo Horizonte, Brazil when she boarded a GOL Airlines flight in December.

Castro said a child was sitting in her designated window seat. when she boarded. She said she waited for him to move and then took her seat in comments reported by outlets including DailyMail.com.

Another passenger then started filming Castro, who can be seen wearing AirPods and closing her eyes.

The video was viewed millions of times, reposted across TikTok, and picked up by multiple international outlets.

"What surprised me was the fact that a person who had nothing to do with the situation started filming me without permission, insulting me, and trying to publicly embarrass me simply because I didn't want to change seats," Castro said. "Since that incident, my life has taken a turn I could never have imagined."

On the one hand, she found online fame and now has some 2 million followers on Instagram, where she posts about lifestyle and travel.

However, the incident had other ramifications. "What should have been just an ordinary flight turned into an extremely embarrassing situation, exposing me unfairly and causing consequences that affected both my personal and professional life," Castro said.

Castro said she had filed a lawsuit against GOL Airlines and the passenger who filmed her, seeking compensation for distress, but did not reveal further details about the legal action.

GOL Airlines declined to comment.

• An American Eagle passenger has been charged with assault following an incident on a flight last week.
• Asterius Rulamka is accused of hitting another traveler and swinging at a flight attendant.
• He said he traveled to Washington, DC, to speak to Trump, the affidavit said.

A man was charged with assault after hurting a flight attendant and another traveler on a flight last week.

Asterius Rulamka was a passenger on American Eagle Flight 5574 from Wichita to Washington, DC on March 5, an FBI special agent said in an affidavit.

As the flight was on its final descent, Rulamka went to the rear of the aircraft and started talking to one of the flight attendants, per the affidavit.

It adds that he started yelling at the crew member and threatened to "fuck him up" — as several passengers began filming the altercation on their phones.

Rulamka is then said to have noticed this, grabbing a passenger's arms and saying he was "going to fuck him up" as well.

The affidavit alleges he then took the passenger's hat and glasses before repeatedly hitting him, leaving him with bruising and a bloodshot eye.

It adds that the flight attendant got up to help and asked several passengers to get involved too, while another cabin crew member also provided assistance.

At one point, Rulamka swung at the flight attendant, but he managed to dodge him — although he suffered a small cut to his finger and a broken fingernail, per the affidavit.

It says Rulamka then started running up and down the cabin until three passengers and the flight attendants were able to restrain him in a seat for landing.

After the flight arrived at Washington Reagan National Airport, Rulamka said he had come to the capital to speak to President Donald Trump because he was "mad."

The defendant also has pending immigration proceedings.

He was charged with assault by striking, beating, or wounding. If found guilty, he could face a fine or a sentence of up to one year.

Law enforcement responded to "a disruptive customer" when the flight arrived at Regan National, an American Airlines spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "We do not tolerate violence, and thank our team members for their professionalism."

• An Air India flight returned to Chicago in a nine-hour ordeal for passengers last week.
• The airline said bags, rags, and clothes had been flushed down toilets and got stuck in the plumbing.
• The Boeing 777 couldn't land in Europe due to night restrictions at most airports.

Air India passengers were left with a nine-hour flight to nowhere after most of the plane's bathrooms stopped working.

Data from Flightradar24 shows that last Wednesday's flight from Chicago to New Delhi U-turned over the Atlantic Ocean — about four hours into the 14-hour journey.

"About an hour and forty-five minutes into the flight, the crew reported some of the lavatories in business and economy class to be unserviceable," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

"Subsequently, eight of the 12 lavatories in the aircraft became unserviceable, causing discomfort to all on board," they added.

Images on social media appeared to show that clothes had clogged pipes on the plane.

The airline spokesperson said that its investigation found "polythene bags, rags, and clothes that had been flushed down and stuck in the plumbing."

The Boeing 777 landed back in Chicago around 9 p.m. local time, per Flightradar24.

So-called flights to nowhere are more common when an airline departs from one of its hub airports, where it's easier to make repair and re-route passengers.

Air India diverted Flight 126 back to the US due to restrictions on night operations at most European airports, the airline spokesperson said.

The decision to return to Chicago "was taken entirely in the interest of passenger comfort and safety," they added.

Upon arrival, passengers were given hotel accommodation and alternative flight options to New Delhi.

It's not the first time a flight has turned around due to plumbing problems.

Eight of the nine bathrooms stopped working on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles in February 2024. The Boeing 787 U-turned over the Atlantic Ocean and returned to the Netherlands.

Air India has previously found blankets, diapers, and other waste flushed down the toilets on other flights.

"We take this opportunity to urge passengers to use lavatories only for the purposes that they are meant for," the statement said.

• Southwest Airlines is set to charge passengers to check bags for the first time.
• The new policy takes effect from May 28, and is the latest fundraising move from the airline.
• As recently as September 2024, the airline said it wouldn't make customers pay for checked bags.

Southwest Airlines announced Tuesday that it will start charging passengers to check bags for the first time.

The offer of checking two bags for free has long been a popular foundation for the airline. "Two bags fly free" is listed as a registered trademark on Southwest's website.

But from May 28, passengers who aren't part of a loyalty program or traveling on its most expensive fare, Business Select, will have to pay to check a bag.

Frequent flyers with "A-List Preferred" status will still get two bags, while A-List level members and Southwest credit card holders will get one free checked bag.

The airline said the move was intended to "deepen and reward loyalty" for its "most engaged customers."

It added that it would also introduce a basic economy fare, with additional options for assigned seating and extra legroom.

Charging for luggage is the latest move in the budget carrier's shake-up of its business model — as it has faced pressure from the activist investing firm Elliott Management. Just six months ago, the airline said it would not start charging for bags.

Last July, Southwest ended its long-standing open-seating model, which allowed passengers to choose their seats upon boarding. It also announced plans to let customers pay for seats with extra legroom.

But "two bags fly free" appeared to be an untouchable perk.

In an earnings call the same month, CEO Bob Jordan told analysts the airline wasn't planning "at this point" to start charging for checked bags.

"After fare and schedule, bags fly free is cited as the No. 1 issue in terms of why customers choose Southwest," he added.

The airline also stood firm on the policy as it outlined a three-year plan last September.

It said research showed this set Southwest apart from its competition, and removing it would reduce demand and "far outweigh any revenue gains created by imposing and collecting bag fees."

Like its previous moves, introducing checked bag fees brings Southwest in line with its competitors.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, US airlines made $5.5 billion from baggage fees in the first three quarters of 2024.

• The CEO of United Airlines took to LinkedIn to suggest ways to improve air traffic control.
• He called for more funding for staffing, technology, and facilities.
• His post followed tensions between Elon Musk and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

United Airlines' CEO has suggested three ways to fix the air traffic control system — and cut delays for passengers.

In a 750-word LinkedIn post on Monday, Scott Kirby said that improving the Federal Aviation Administration is "the most important change the government can make for the American traveling public."

He added that air traffic control restrictions were responsible for 68% of delays at United, the world's biggest airline.

Kirby said air travel could be "dramatically" improved by investing in staffing, technology, and facilities.

He pointed to statistics that more than three-quarters of critical air traffic control facilities are understaffed — and called on the FAA to increase capacity at its academy plus expand the option of training at private colleges and universities.

Air traffic control safety has been in the spotlight in recent months, following a string of major incidents, most notably a crash between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane in Washington, DC in January, which killed more than 60 people.

Kirby's post came three days after The New York Times reported on an argument between Elon Musk and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about ATC staffing.

Musk denied Duffy's claim that the Department of Government Efficiency had asked him to fire air traffic controllers, the Times reported.

In Monday's post, Kirby praised Duffy's plan to "supercharge" hiring air traffic controllers by accelerating the process and boosting pay.

Modern tech and long-term thinking

The United chief executive also suggested that ATC systems need to be upgraded with new technology.

He referenced a 2024 report that said some systems can't be maintained because their parts are no longer manufactured or key technicians have retired.

"Canada started using electronic flight strips 25 years ago, while we have been unsuccessfully trying to replace our antiquated paper strips at towers since 1983," Kirby wrote.

Lastly, he said that the FAA spends over 90% of its facilities and equipment budget on repairs — calling for that proportion to instead be spent on upgrades and modernization.

Kirby said it "makes no sense" that FAA funding is designated year-to-year. He wants its facilities-and-equipment account to instead be designated as mandatory spending to provide long-term stability.

"To be clear, our ATC system is safe," he concluded. "But now is the time to give the greatest country in the world what its citizens deserve — the best air traffic control system in the world."

• It's a bad day to try to take a flight to or from Germany.
• A mass strike has caused huge disruption at the country's airports on Monday.
• 94% of flights were canceled at Frankfurt Airport, the country's busiest, a German news agency said.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers are facing disruption due to a strike in Germany, which has led to almost all flights at the country's busiest airports being canceled Monday.

The 24-hour walkout began at midnight on Monday and immediately caused mass disruption.

At Frankfurt Airport, the country's busiest, 94% of the day's 1,116 scheduled takeoffs and landings have been canceled, the German news agency dpa reported.

"There will be massive disruptions at Frankfurt Airport all day today," its website says, adding that passengers should not travel to the airport.

Munich Airport expected operations to be "severely disrupted," while Berlin Brandenburg Airport said it will have no regular flights.

According to data from Cirium, 108 flights are scheduled between Germany and the US on Monday, accounting for over 31,000 seats.

On Friday, the service workers union ver.di called on public-sector employees and ground and security staff to go on strike.

It also targeted airports in Hamburg, Bremen, Hanover, Düsseldorf, Weeze, Dortmund, Cologne/Bonn, Leipzig/Halle, Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden.

Jens Ritter, the CEO of flag carrier Lufthansa, said in a Sunday LinkedIn post that he was "stunned and really worried."

"What Verdi calls a 'warning' strike is again bringing air traffic to a halt," he added, and called for "cooperation instead of confrontation."

A warning strike is a common tactic in German labor negotiations. Monday's action relates to two separate disputes — one for airport security workers and a wider one for public-sector employees.

Ver.di said negotiations for the more than 2.5 million federal and local government employees across Germany will continue on Friday.

It is calling for an 8% pay increase with a minimum increase of 350 euros ($380) a month, plus higher bonuses for stressful shift work and three more days off.

For aviation security workers, the union wants better occupational health and safety, 30 days of holiday, an annual bonus increase, and other bonuses.

Ver.di also wants restrictions on fixed-term contracts, saying that most aviation security specialists are hired on 24-month contracts, many of whom are then replaced by newly trained employees.

"Public employers should know that we are assertive. This will be made clear again in the coming days," said ver.di chairman Frank Werneke on Monday.

• Virgin Atlantic passengers spent eight hours on a flight that returned to the UK.
• The flight turned around about 330 miles off the coast of Canada.
• A Manchester Airport spokesperson said the Airbus A350 may have had a problem with its hydraulics.

A Virgin Atlantic flight had almost reached North America before it turned back to the UK in an eight-hour ordeal for passengers.

Flight 3 was heading from London Heathrow Airport to New York's JFK Airport on Thursday.

Nearly four hours after departing, it was about 330 miles off the Canadian coast when it U-turned over the Atlantic, per data from Flightradar24. It then squawked 7700, an emergency signal.

The Airbus A350 landed in Manchester, in northern England, about eight hours after taking off from London.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said in a statement that the flight returned "as a precautionary measure," citing a "technical issue."

Images shared on social media showed the A350 landing at Manchester with its landing-gear doors open — a sign of a problem with the plane's hydraulics.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport told Business Insider they understood that the aircraft had a hydraulics issue.

They added that the flight was met by the airport fire service, which was protocol for a technical issue and "very much precautionary in this instance."

Flights turning back over such long distances can be highly irritating for passengers and costly for airlines — with knock-on effects on flight schedules.

However, it's typically easier for airlines to reroute passengers and repair planes at a hub airport. Manchester is Virgin Atlantic's secondary hub, after Heathrow.

BI understands that Flight 3 requested a priority landing at Heathrow, but that did not happen for unknown reasons.

Passengers were given overnight accommodation in Manchester and scheduled on alternative flights on Friday.

"The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority and our teams are working hard to ensure our customers can continue on their journey as soon as possible," the Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said.

"We sincerely apologize for the delay and any inconvenience caused."

• Police are investigating after a 17-year-old boarded a plane with a shotgun in Australia.
• Passengers told local radio he was dressed like an airport worker.
• The teenager was detained by crew and passengers on the flight.

A 17-year-old with a loaded shotgun boarded a flight after breaching airport security, police in Australia said.

The incident occurred on Thursday at Avalon Airport, near Melbourne, which has flights operated by the Qantas-owned budget carrier Jetstar.

Victoria Police said the teenager was detained by crew and passengers on the flight. Officers also located two bags and a vehicle belonging to the suspect.

Images obtained by Australia's ABC News showed him wearing a high-vis jacket similar to airport ground crew, and being held down in the cabin.

The broadcaster reported that Superintendent Michael Reid said the teenager had acted alone and entered the airport through a hole in a security fence.

Reid said the teen then made his way to the plane but was overpowered by several passengers after boarding it.

Barry Clark, a passenger on the flight, told ABC Radio Melbourne he noticed the 17-year-old as he was being questioned by a flight attendant.

"He was dressed up as a worker and he got agitated and before we knew, it there was a gun — shotgun appeared — and I was worried about there being shots so all I could do was get the gun out of the way, threw it down the stairs … and then put him in a hold and throw him to the ground til the police come," Clark said.

Asked what was going through his mind when he tackled the young man, Clark said: "You don't think, you act."

Reid also told reporters: "No doubt this would have been a very terrifying incident for the passengers of that plane and Victoria Police really commend the bravery of the passengers who were able to overpower that male."

A Jetstar representative told Business Insider the airline was working with police and airport authorities to investigate the incident.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority and we can confirm there were no reported injuries," they said.

"We know this would have been a very distressing situation and we are sincerely grateful to the customers who assisted our crew to safely manage the situation."

• Four Seasons' latest private-jet experience capitalizes on being featured in The White Lotus.
• Prices for the 20-day, around-the-world itinerary start from $188,000.
• The latest season of the TV show has already seen a surge in interest in its Koh Samui resort.

Four Seasons is taking advantage of being featured in HBO's "The White Lotus."

The upscale hotel and resort company has opened bookings for its latest private jet experience, centered on locations from the show.

In a 20-day itinerary, passengers stop off at eight locations over four continents.

That includes the three hotels and resorts from "The White Lotus" — Maui, from season one; Taormina in Sicily, Italy, from season two; and Koh Samui in Thailand, from the latest season that launched earlier this month.

Prices start from $188,000, with the trip scheduled for May 2026.

"We've experienced firsthand how 'The White Lotus' has fuelled the set-jetting trend, inspiring travelers to explore the breathtaking Four Seasons properties that served as backdrops for this beloved series," said Marc Speichert, Four Seasons' chief commercial officer.

While guests will get to experience the luxurious locations and five-star treatment seen in the show, they — hopefully — won't get caught up in the murder mysteries that define the HBO hit show.

Four Seasons Koh Samui has already seen a surge in interest since the third season of the hit TV show began airing.

A spokesperson previously told Business Insider's Jordan Hart the resort was seeing a rise "in terms of availability checks, searches, and bookings."

"There is also increased interest in Thailand itself as a travel destination, and the Director of Thailand's Tourism Authority has said they expect about 20% rise in tourism as a result of the show," they added.

Guests have the opportunity to snorkel with guidance from a marine biologist and take part in Muay Thai training at the property's boxing ring set in the hills.

Similarly, searches for hotels and flights to Sicily from the US increased by over 50% while season two was airing, according to travel booking site Hopper.

Last year, Four Seasons offered its private jet for charter — at a cost of $115,000 a day.

The company's Airbus A321neoLR has a lounge on board and 48 seats which can all lie flat.

Four Seasons CEO Alejandro Reynal told BI's Brittany Chang that private jet tours help create a "halo effect" for the brand — complementing its core business and creating more opportunities for maintaining relationships with loyal customers.

The firm also plans to debut a 95-suite cruise ship in 2026. Cabins start at $17,300 for a five-night round-trip voyage starting in Miami.

• Ryanair said it phase out paper boarding passes from the start of November.
• The move is also set to end the European airline's $59 airport check-in fee.
• It's unclear how Ryanair passengers without smartphones would board after the change takes effect.

Europe's biggest airline plans to eradicate paper boarding passes.

Ryanair said Wednesday that passengers would only be able to board using digital passes issued through its app from November 3.

It's a delay from the May target announced in a press conference last October by CEO Michael O'Leary.

While many airlines encourage passengers to use digital boarding passes, Ryanair would be the first airline to fully abandon paper.

The Irish airline said 80% of its 200 million annual passengers already use digital boarding passes.

It added that the move should improve customer experience and encourage adoption of its in-app features, such as disruption updates and alternative flight options.

As a budget carrier, Ryanair's business model relies on add-ons. As well as baggage fees and selling drinks and duty-free items on board, Ryanair typically charges 55 euros (about $59) to check in at the airport and receive a paper boarding pass.

It expects to "eliminate almost all airport check-in fees" with the change.

On its website, Ryanair also says that paper boarding passes are necessary for passengers departing from airports in Morocco or from Tirana, Albania, to the UK.

This is due to local regulations, so it is unclear what this will mean when Ryanair's paperless boarding takes effect in November.

It is also unclear how passengers without smartphones would board.

If a passenger's phone runs out of battery at the airport, O'Leary has said that there are already protocols in place at boarding gates, per The Telegraph.

In Wednesday's announcement, Dara Brady, Ryanair's chief marketing officer, cited the "massive switch to using mobile" in other ticket industries such as concerts and sports.

"It is time to transition the remaining passengers to digital, which will see them reduce their carbon footprint and receive a smoother and enhanced travel experience," he added.

Ryanair said the move would save more than 300 tons of paper waste a year.

• 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].