More than two days after it going missing in a busy shipping lane, it must be something of a relief that it has at least been found. I, and presumably others, were begging to wonder if it was another MH370. ..... Now it may just be another AF447.

This is from April 2012, but is a very interesting photo history of the B-52.

I always liked that plane. It has quite an impressive service history, hasn't it?

Looking at the weather in the area at the time, I'd say weather may play a big factor in the accident.

Thunderstorms are nasty things.

I was on a flight once from Phoenix to San Diego, and there was a line of thunderstorms along the AZ/CA border, a 1 hour flights turned into a 2 hour flight, we flew north nearly to Oregon and then down the coast to avoid the storms.

I agree. I am not sure what the ocean currents are like in that area, but the maps showing the wreckage appear to show it having been found about 150 miles SE of the last known location, and on the face of it make it look like the flight turned back.

Atlanta Airport Targets International Service With New Program

ATL-LHR on a 787-9 with Virgin? Looking forward to experiencing that...

Delta Strikes Pilot Deal to Keep Jobs From Outsourcing to Virgin - Bloomberg

"Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), working to keep peace with pilots ahead of union contract talks, agreed to retain its own international flights and not outsource trips to partner Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.

One of the deal’s terms is the first of its kind in the industry, an assurance that Delta’s overseas operations always will stay larger than Virgin’s, said Rick Dominguez, executive administrator of the U.S. carrier’s chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association. The accord also ensures that Delta will use its own pilots and planes on trips to London, rather than letting Virgin pilots handle them.

Delta paid $360 million last year for 49 percent of Virgin, the Crawley, England-based airline founded by billionaire Richard Branson. The purchase helped Delta expand service across the North Atlantic, the busiest international travel market -- and stirred union concern that jobs would be threatened if the Atlanta-based carrier let Virgin jets do more flying."

In a consolidating business, we should welcome (the return of) some competition. OK, it's not really a return, but someone bought the rights to the name.

I'll be having a go on one of those a few weeks from now LHR-BOS-LHR.

Not written by me, unfortunately! Thought it was interesting though given there's nothing else like it in commercial aviation.

EXCLUSIVE: Etihad’s "The Residence" Inaugural Trip Report

Two o'these flew over mah hoose this mornin'.

I'll give them a year or less. I don't see them lasting long term. I wouldn't put too much hope in this outfit.

Overall the US still has pretty decent airfares even with the consolidation, there is still a good amount of competition for most airports, although smaller airports certainly do get screwed. But I can't complain about paying 98 each way from Bellingham to San Diego or 104 each way Seattle to Vegas, not sure you can get much cheaper on routes like that.

There was one start up I was hoping would get off the ground out of Carslbad in San Diego, but they never did, regulatory delays and such killed their chances.

Now this one starting as a charter might be a smart thing to do, easier to do then start up a scheduled carrier, but the odds are still against them.

You are obviously unfamiliar with flights within Europe. Prices are much higher in the US. You are correct that the prices you cite probably can't get much lower, but prices on the east coast for similar distances can be easily two or three times as much, or more. Mrs P once found a flight within NC that was priced at $800!

I know about Europe, but we won't see those kinds of prices in the US on a mass scale most likely, but there is Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant for those who want that sort of service.

I personally would rather pay more and have a traditional airline, won't find me on Spirit or Frontier, all their extra charges including carry on bags, ends up costing the same or more vs traditional airlines.

Seattle has a fare war going on with Alaska and Delta right now, so fares have been lower then they traditionally are, how long it will last, I haven't a clue, but Delta keeps adding capacity, so the fares stay way below what they were.

Alaska seems to be holding Delta at bay for now though, hopefully they can, don't want Alaska going away eliminating the only decent west coast carrier.

A photo went viral of a kennel sitting under a wing of a United plane in Houston.

Problem with social media, it allows people who don't know what they are talking about to create a hoopla over nothing.

United Airlines responds after dog photo goes viral | News - Home

This is a pretty standard place to keep a kennel while bags are loaded since kennels need to be loaded last, and under the wing serves several purposes:

1) Keeps the animal out of the sun and weather.

2) Keeps the kennel away from equipment operating in the area.

3) Keeps the kennel in view so its not forgotten. Keeping it in a car increases the risk of being forgotten or not noticed before the plane is closed and off the gate.

If people really realized how miserable it is for the animal to go by air, most probably wouldn't do it.