The Most Important Flights of 2024: A Year in Aviation

Japan Airlines Flight 516 Collision

On January 2, 2024, Japan Airlines Flight 516 collided with a Japanese Coast Guard Dash 8 aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The Airbus A350-900, carrying 367 passengers and 12 crew members, struck the military aircraft as it landed, resulting in the deaths of five of the six Coast Guard members aboard. This marked the first hull loss for the A350 aircraft type.

While the Airbus was cleared for landing, the Coast Guard plane appeared to have taxied onto the runway without permission. The incident sparked concerns about flight safety, with Google searches for the term peaking for the first time since 2014. However, data shows that runway incursions in the US actually decreased in 2024 compared to 2023, with the number of incursions per million takeoffs and landings being the second-lowest in a decade.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Door Plug Incident

Just three days after the Japan Airlines collision, on January 5, a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 during Flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California. The incident occurred at 16,000 feet and resulted in only three minor injuries, but its repercussions have been far-reaching.

The immediate aftermath saw the grounding of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9s worldwide for three weeks as they underwent inspections. Investigations revealed systemic production quality issues within Boeing that prioritized speed over safety. This has had significant financial implications for the company:

• Production on the 737 line has slowed
• The target of producing 42 737 MAXs per month has been pushed from September 2024 to March 2025
• Boeing's stock has remained down about 30% since the incident

As the United States' largest exporter, Boeing's troubles have wider economic implications, affecting more than 5 million jobs and contributing over $1 trillion to the US economy.

Taylor Swift's Tokyo to Las Vegas Flight

In a testament to the intersection of pop culture and aviation, Taylor Swift's journey from Tokyo to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl became a closely watched event. On February 10, Swift took a chartered Bombardier Global 6000 Vistajet flight from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to LAX, covering 5,473 miles. This flight, nicknamed "the Football Era," landed at LAX at 3:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.

From there, Swift boarded her own 19-passenger Dassault Falcon 7X for the final leg to Las Vegas. The intense public interest in Swift's travel plans highlighted the growing scrutiny of celebrity private jet usage. In response to privacy concerns, Congress introduced a provision in the FAA reauthorization bill allowing private jet owners to hide their ownership upon request.

Lynx Air Ceases Operations

On February 25, Canadian airline Lynx Air took its final flight from Calgary to Toronto, marking the end of its operations due to financial difficulties. Lynx had begun flying in April 2022 with nine Boeing 737 Max 8s, serving destinations across North America. Despite carrying over two million passengers, the airline couldn't overcome the challenges of operating a budget airline in Canada.

The closure of Lynx Air highlights the unique challenges faced by low-cost carriers in the Canadian market:

• Canadian airports operate as non-profits owned by the government
• Airports receive no federal subsidies and are managed by local authorities
• Canadian airports pay substantial rents to the federal government
• Landing fees and airport infrastructure costs in Canada are among the highest in the world

These factors make it difficult for low-cost carriers to compete, leaving Canada's domestic air market dominated by Air Canada and WestJet.

United Airlines Tire Incident and FAA Probe

On March 7, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 ER lost a tire on takeoff from San Francisco, leading to an emergency diversion to LAX. The incident prompted media scrutiny of United's safety practices, leading to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety probe into the airline's work processes, manuals, and facilities.

The probe paused FAA certification for United, preventing the airline from starting planned new routes to Faro, Portugal, and Cebu, Philippines. However, the investigation concluded in November with the FAA identifying no internal safety issues at United Airlines.

SpaceX Starship Test Flight

On March 14, SpaceX conducted the third test flight of its Starship spacecraft. This marked a significant milestone in the development of the massive, two-stage, fully reusable launch vehicle. Key points of the test flight include:

• The spacecraft remained in flight for 49 minutes
• All 33 engines successfully ignited
• The spacecraft successfully separated from its booster
• A filter blockage caused six engines to fail, leading to the destruction of the booster mid-flight
• This was the first test flight deemed a success, as Starship reached its targeted suborbital velocity

The successful test brings SpaceX closer to its goal of dramatically lowering the cost of space access and potentially reaching Mars.

Boom Supersonic XB-1 Test Flight

On March 22, Boom Supersonic conducted the first successful test flight of their XB-1 demonstrator aircraft. The flight lasted 12 minutes and reached a top speed of 273 miles (439 kilometers) per hour. This marked the first instance of a non-military supersonic aircraft flying in US airspace in 20 years.

The XB-1 test flight is a crucial step in Boom's goal of introducing its 80-seat commercial supersonic aircraft, Overture, by 2029. The company has already secured the first-ever Special Flight Authorization to Exceed Mach 1 from the FAA, paving the way for future supersonic test flights.

Iranian President Helicopter Crash

On May 19, a Bell 212 helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed near the town of Uzi, Iran, killing all eight passengers aboard, including three additional dignitaries. The helicopter encountered heavy fog and clouds while en route from a hydroelectric dam opening ceremony to the city of Tariz.

The search and recovery efforts were hampered by weather conditions, taking 17 hours to locate the crash site. Notably, a Turkish Bayraktar Akinci uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) was used in the search efforts, with its flight tracked by nearly 3 million people on Flightradar24.

Singapore Airlines Flight 321 Turbulence Incident

On May 20, Singapore Airlines Flight 321 experienced severe clear-air turbulence over Myanmar, resulting in injuries to 70 passengers and one fatality. This marked the first death directly attributed to turbulence since 1997. The Boeing 777 dropped 187 feet (62 meters) during the incident, prompting an emergency landing in Bangkok.

The incident highlights the increasing prevalence of turbulence due to climate change:

• A study found that severe turbulence increased 55% between 1979 and 2020 on a typical North Atlantic route
• Clear-air turbulence, the type experienced by this flight, is particularly challenging as it's almost invisible and difficult for pilots to predict

Inaugural Flight Between Iqaluit and Nuuk

On June 26, a 37-seat Dash 8 plane completed the first commercial flight connecting Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, since 2014. This route significantly reduces travel time between the two Arctic capitals, which previously required at least 28 hours and multiple connections.

The flight is part of an inter-governmental agreement between Greenland and Nunavut to strengthen their relationship and develop cooperation in travel, tourism, and culture. Air Greenland, the operator of the flights, reported an average load factor of 70% for the June-to-October season, exceeding their initial goal of 50%.

Qantas Perth to Paris Nonstop Flight

On July 12, Qantas launched its inaugural 17-hour nonstop flight from Perth to Paris, marking the first direct connection between the French capital and the Australian continent. This flight represents the latest evolution in Qantas' strategy to serve its European market:

• It follows the success of the Perth to London nonstop route launched in 2018
• The flight is part of Qantas' Project Sunrise initiative, which aims to launch nonstop flights from Australia's east coast to Europe and New York
• It marks a return to Qantas' expansion of its European network, which had been scaled back due to competition from Middle Eastern carriers

Regional Express (REX) Ends 737 Operations

On July 30, Australia's Regional Express (REX) flew its last 737 flight from Sydney to Melbourne, marking the end of its mainline operations. This decision reflects the challenges faced by smaller carriers in Australia's aviation market:

• REX's 737 operations, spanning eight routes, lost the airline $1 million per week over four years
• The airline failed to differentiate itself sufficiently from competitors Qantas and Virgin Australia
• REX will continue its regional operations using Saab 340 aircraft

The failure of REX's mainline operations, along with the collapse of low-cost carrier Bonza in April, highlights the difficulties of competing with Australia's aviation duopoly of Qantas and Virgin Australia.

US-Russia Prisoner Exchange

On August 1, a complex prisoner exchange between the US and Russia took place, involving seven planes from various countries converging on Ankara Esenboga Airport in Turkey. This marked the largest such exchange since the fall of the Soviet Union. Key points include:

• The exchange freed European and American civilians imprisoned in Russia
• It involved a coordination of private air carriers and government aircraft
• Notable releases included Evan Gershkovitch, an American reporter charged with espionage, and Vadim Krasikov, a Russian hitman convicted of murder in Germany

While the exchange eased tensions, it also highlighted the ongoing practice of hostage diplomacy by countries like Russia, China, and Iran.

Voepass Flight 2283 Crash

On August 9, Voepass Flight 2283 crashed while traveling from Cascavel to Sao Paulo, Brazil, resulting in the deaths of all 62 passengers and crew aboard. The ATR-72 aircraft experienced significant ice buildup during its descent towards Sao Paulo. Key details of the incident include:

• The plane had suffered structural damage from a tail strike in March
• Passengers had complained about non-functioning air conditioning a month before the crash
• The pilots lost control of the plane two minutes after activating the de-icing system

Brazil's Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aviation Accidents (CENIPA) is conducting a year-long investigation into the crash.

Boeing 777-X Certification Test Flight Issue

On August 16, Boeing conducted an FAA certification test flight for its new 777-X model. While the flight itself was successful, a post-flight inspection revealed a severed thrust link - a critical component that mounts the engine to the aircraft. Similar failures were found on other test airframes, indicating a systemic issue.

This setback has led to further delays in the 777-X program:

• First deliveries have been pushed back to 2026
• The delay affects over a dozen airlines with orders for the aircraft
• Emirates, with 205 777-Xs on order, has publicly criticized Boeing for the repeated delays

These issues compound Boeing's ongoing challenges, including a recent strike by 33,000 employees and significant financial losses.

Boeing Starliner Uncrewed Return

In September, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully landed at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico after an extended stay at the International Space Station. However, the landing was uncrewed, despite originally being planned as a crewed mission. Key points:

• The mission was intended to be a 10-day trip for astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore
• Helium leaks and issues with the reaction control thrusters were discovered as the spacecraft approached the ISS
• NASA opted to send the Starliner back uncrewed due to safety concerns
• Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth on a SpaceX Crew-9 spacecraft in February, extending their stay by nine months

This incident adds to the mounting concerns about Boeing's space program capabilities.

Air India Emergency Landing in Iqaluit

In October, Air India flight 127 made an emergency landing in Iqaluit, Canada's northernmost city, following a bomb threat. The incident highlighted several challenges:

• The small town of 7,000 people lacked resources to support 211 stranded passengers
• Iqaluit didn't have an explosives detection unit to quickly search the plane
• The passengers were eventually transported to Chicago by a Royal Canadian Air Force Airbus A330

This incident was part of a larger wave of bomb threats targeting Indian flights in October, with over 500 threats reported that month.

Last Czech Airlines Flight

On October 26, Czech Airlines operated its final flight from Paris to Prague, bringing an end to the century-old airline. Key points about Czech Airlines' history and closure:

• Founded in 1923, it was the fifth-oldest airline in the world still operating
• The airline expanded to long-haul flights in the 1970s
• Financial troubles in the 1990s and 2000s led to its gradual decline
• Smartwings purchased 98% of Czech Airlines' shares in 2018
• In its final years, the airline only operated the Prague-Paris route

While Czech Airlines-branded Airbuses will continue to fly under Smartwings' name, this marks the end of an era for one of Europe's oldest airlines.

First Commercial Airbus A321XLR Flight

On November 14, the world's first commercially operated Airbus A321XLR completed its inaugural transatlantic flight from Madrid to Boston. Operated by Iberia Airlines, this flight marked a significant milestone in aviation:

• The A321XLR is the largest single-aisle jet currently in production
• It has a maximum range of 5,400 miles (8,700 kilometers) or 11 hours non-stop
• The aircraft fills a market gap previously served by the Boeing 757 and larger wide-body aircraft
• Over 500 orders have been placed for the A321XLR by various airlines

This new aircraft model is expected to enable more transatlantic nonstop flights between destinations previously considered too low-demand for long-haul services.

End of Air Greenland A330 Flights to Kangerlussuaq

On November 26, Air Greenland operated its last regular A330 flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland. This marked the end of an era for Greenland's air travel:

• Kangerlussuaq Airport, originally built as a U.S. air base during World War II, had been Greenland's primary international gateway
• International flights have now shifted to Nuuk, Greenland's capital, following the opening of its new airport on November 28
• The change is part of a broader investment in Greenland's tourism infrastructure by the Danish government

While Kangerlussuaq will no longer serve as the main international airport, it will continue to be an important cruise port for tourists visiting Greenland.

Conclusion

2024 was a year of significant events and changes in the aviation industry. From major incidents like the Japan Airlines collision and the Alaska Airlines door plug failure to milestone flights such as the first commercial A321XLR transatlantic journey, the year saw a mix of challenges and innovations. The ongoing issues at Boeing, the closure of long-standing airlines like Czech Airlines, and the opening of new air routes in the Arctic all point to an industry in flux. As we move forward, these events will likely shape the future of air travel, influencing everything from aircraft design and safety protocols to route planning and airline business models.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyemWfUZ2lo