Last week, a JetBlue Airbus A320 declared an emergency shortly after taking off from Barbados. While emergencies happen all the time, there are a few things that make this incident noteworthy.
Continue reading: JetBlue A320 Has Strange Emergency In Barbados
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
This brings back memories of the QF A330 that had a massive computer meltdown that didn't just send bad alerts but the computers kept trying to put the aircraft into a dangerous situation.
Airbus and regulators learned alot in that situation and I believe it is now much easier to disconnect the computers and manually fly an Airbus aircraft if necessary.
In this case, it appeared to be all about warnings and alerts which makes it very different from the QF situation.
The pilots did handle it well but I would bet that Airbus pilots are trained on systems failures specific to their aircraft just as Boeing pilots would be on their aircraft - which are not near as similar as Airbuses.
Anything can break. The real question is whether this was just a "worn out" part or whether something systemic happened which could happen on other aircraft. And there should be questions about whether there were or should be fault signals that the aircraft computers provide before it fails to take action at an earlier stage.
In terms of if this route is profitable, I live in Boston and this route is heavily advertised. I think the government of Barbados is unwriting this route to some degree.
We need to check out an official FAA NTSB website to see if this is actually true. Maybe Boeing wants to write-up Airbus.
Of course not...because they are the galaxy's #1 PREMIUM airline and NEVER do anything wrong!
Definitely think they are. Both the JetBlue route and just Barbados tourism in general are heavily advertised in the NY/Westchester area as well. Ads and events.
you two shouldn't happen on OMAAT or anywhere on the web - but you prove day after day that the only way for you to participate in any discussion is to mock those that meaningfully do contribute.
It would be helpful to know time of day (I had to check FlightAware to see if the plane had stayed overnight in Barbados) and where the plane had originated (came from Boston, apparently without incident).
will you freaks please stop? the one time he doesnt flood the thread with delta stuff, you go and do it
Way too many incidents like this happening all over the place. I suggest might be computer hacking and/or something more sinister like sabotage.
I am a nervous flier and hearing stories like this make it way more likely I won't be flying unless I absolutely must.
To be fair, ATC in Barbados probably doesn't have the same background as someone in ORD or ATL...
There are places where YOU as the pilot tell ATC what you're going to do. Out of inexperience in emergencies, ATC was probably attempting to defer to the pilots.
I don't intend in any way for this to be based on race or creed or whatever, but I once flew JetBlue and most of the passengers smelled like they hadn't washed in weeks. I don't know if it's a cultural thing or not, but when you don't brush your teeth there is this weird sort of cavity decay you can smell even if you're not actively sniffing a person's breath. As I settled into my seat on the flight to Barbados, I immediately noticed something off. A faint, unpleasant odor lingered in the air, gradually growing stronger with each passing minute. Wrinkling my nose, I scanned the cabin, trying to pinpoint the source of the offensive smell. It didn't take long to realize that it was the unmistakable scent of unwashed people. Discreetly covering my nose with my hand, I observed my fellow passengers. Some seemed unfazed, immersed in their books or movies, while others surreptitiously attempted to mask the smell with scarves or magazines. I exchanged incredulous glances with a few nearby travelers, silently acknowledging the uncomfortable truth we all shared. Throughout the flight, the odor persisted, stubbornly refusing to dissipate despite the crew's efforts to improve ventilation. I couldn't understand how so many people could neglect basic hygiene, especially on a long-haul flight like this. As the hours dragged on, I found it increasingly difficult to ignore the unpleasant scent that hung in the air. I tried to distract myself with a book, but it was futile. The smell seemed to permeate every corner of the aircraft, making it impossible to escape. When the pilot finally announced our descent into Barbados, I breathed my own sigh of relief. Stepping off the plane, I eagerly relished the fresh air of the jet bridge, grateful to be free from the suffocating odor that had plagued our journey. As I made my way through the bustling beaches of Barbados, I couldn't help but reflect on the ordeal I had just endured. Despite the discomfort, I realized that even the most memorable journeys could be marred by unpleasant experiences. However, I also found solace in the knowledge that adversity often provided valuable lessons.
With a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures of cleanliness and fresh air, I vowed never to take them for granted again. Exploring the vibrant islands of Barbados, I carried that gratitude with me, cherishing every breath of clean, untainted air. Even my flight on Frontier the previous year smelled better, which was honestly a really big surprise to me.
