A routine Dreamliner flight changed into a nightmare for a number of households put up the Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad.
Individuals have not nonetheless recovered from the horrific incident the place 241 passengers, together with a complete household of 5 have been worn out in seconds, and Information channels are already flashing reviews of two India-bound flights compelled to return to their ports of departure as a result of technical points.
All these incidents have solely begun making folks rethink the security requirements of the Boeing flagship plane that has come underneath intense scrutiny.
Air journey has at all times been about comfort and luxury, however given the latest occasions, it is exhausting to not ignore the chance of travelling in a poorly maintained plane that is in all probability prioritizing pace over security. Questions are also being raised over Boeing’s security requirements and upkeep. With renewed consideration being given to airline security, frequent flyers do not feel that assured about travelling by Boeing anymore.
Shikha Shah, a journey author, says, “The Ahmedabad incident was terrifying and as a frequent flyer it makes me so numb. It’s completely heart-breaking and I’m petrified to get on to my subsequent flight. I’ve by no means been a kind of travellers who will get scared to fly, however now the thought does make me nervous.
“I’ve a number of journeys deliberate till September 2025, and after the incident I went again and checked which aircrafts I’m going to fly. I’m tense as a few of them are Boeing. I plan on cancelling these flights and reserving an Airbus as a substitute, even when which means I have to take an extended route. However, sure, I might select an Airbus over a Boeing contemplating their historical past of crashes.”
For Vijay Thomas, a tech entrepreneur, who takes 50 fights yearly, the Boeing 787 was a most popular plane till now. The perfect nonetheless was Airbus A350. “I believe I’ll make an effort to attempt to keep away from Air India if potential,” he says. “I’ll not less than for the subsequent foreseeable future fly Indigo inside India.”
Serena Paes advices flyers to be extra selective about their airline bookings. “Low-cost isn’t at all times well worth the threat,” she says. |
Serena Paes, GM, Advertising and Branding, Viceroy Properties, says, “I’ve positively turn into extra aware in regards to the plane I’m flying on. Whereas earlier, I might look over the mannequin, now I’ll make a aware effort to verify whether or not it’s an Airbus or Boeing. Personally, I’ve been leaning towards Airbus recently – it simply offers me a bit extra peace of thoughts, particularly after the incident.”
Value positively performs an enormous position, particularly for worldwide journey the place prices can add up rapidly. However now, it isn’t nearly discovering the most cost effective ticket.
“Journey is not nearly comfort anymore,” says Serena. “It’s about calculated, aware decision-making. Identical to you wouldn’t compromise on the standard of meals or medical care, the identical precept ought to apply to air journey.”
“I at all times search for a steadiness between value and security,” she provides. “I do verify the plane mannequin, the airline’s status, and the way effectively they deal with long-haul flights. If it’s a budget-friendly fare on a dependable airline with a superb security report and newer plane, that’s best. Consolation, layover period, and customer support additionally issue into my determination.”
Serena has been flying regularly with Vistara, Emirates, Singapore Airways and Etihad. For home journey, IndiGo is her go-to for comfort and punctuality.
As a frequent flyer, Vijay additionally checks on the plane earlier than reserving the tickets. “However it isn’t the first decision-making issue. I favor large our bodies over slender ones. I additionally search for the timing of the flights and try to keep away from early morning or late-night flights.” Vijay has off late been selecting newer planes over older ones not only for the upkeep issue, but in addition as a result of the interiors are higher together with the know-how and seats, and these planes additionally include “greater baggage bins.”
“Frequent flyers used to favor exit row seats for the additional leg house and airways used to cost extra for it, however now with the 11A miracle, I believe the exit row will turn into much more standard. I already go for these seats and can attempt to go for these much more,” he provides.
Vijay who as soon as travelled by way of Hong Kong to Toronto simply to keep away from flying by Boeing (Cathy Pacific flew A350s at the moment), feels that if “increasingly more folks begin selecting aircrafts primarily based on the age of the planes, it could ultimately pressure airways to get newer fleets.”
“Pay a premium for flights to really feel safer and to have an general nice expertise,” says Melroy Noronha. |
Melroy Noronha, Senior Supervisor, Worldwide Media Gross sales, who takes 75 flights a yr primarily for work, feels that one ought to “fly with an airline that has a superb security and repair report like Emirates and purchase good worth journey insurance coverage.”
Melroy chooses to fly in an airways with outstanding security and repair data. “I purchase good worth journey insurance coverage, however over and above that I really feel there are not any extra precautions one can take.”
For Priyanka Sharma (identify modified on request), “plane mannequin, airline security rankings, shortest journey time, and dependable transit” are all going to be necessary components to be thought-about whereas reserving flight tickets going ahead.
“Undoubtedly, I might be extra explicit now,” she says. “I actively favor Airbus over Boeing – it’s about peace of thoughts whenever you fly as typically as I do.”
Earlier than the AI crash, Priyanka would “decide whichever airline provided the most effective timings and route – consolation was a bonus.”
However now, journey is a calculated determination for her. “I’m okay spending extra if it means flying safer and feeling safe,” says the advertising and marketing skilled who flies 20–25 occasions a yr. Explaining how she plans to journey within the close to future, Priyanka shares, “I plan to search for the plane mannequin, evaluation the airline’s security historical past, keep away from tight connections, and share my itinerary and stay location with somebody again residence, largely my brother. I will even make an observation on the seat choice on the emergency exit when on board.”
Sharing ideas for travellers, Serena says, “Maintain your ID, telephone, and charger inside straightforward attain, and pay extra consideration to the security directions onboard. Journey insurance coverage must also be a should now. Don’t take security as a right. Do your homework, even when it provides a number of further steps. Spend slightly extra for peace of thoughts – it’s well worth the effort. And at all times belief your instincts. If one thing feels off, it in all probability is.”
Shikha Shah who’s extra alert after the incident, would fairly journey by a trusted airways than “save a couple of dollars and threat her life”. |
Shikha has by no means flown overseas and not using a journey insurance coverage. “I’ve an annual journey insurance coverage and wouldn’t board a global flight with out it. I’m travelling virtually each month. I’ve my subsequent flight on June 18 and am travelling to central Europe by way of three flights (Surat to Delhi, Delhi to Istanbul, and Istanbul to Prague).”
However for the very first time, this journey author just isn’t assured to board an airplane. “I do plan to be extra alert when the airline crew offers out the emergency briefing. Often, folks don’t take note of it as we predict what’s going to occur within the worst-case state of affairs. Nonetheless, the 11A seat survivor makes one rethink in regards to the slightest likelihood of surviving one thing as unhealthy because the AI aircraft crash solely by being alert.”
