Skies More Friendly in Asia Than in U.S.
Not so long ago, the U.S. airline industry was a model of efficiency and comfort while airlines in Asia struggled with aging fleets and chaotic airports. Today, it's the reverse.
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ANDREA SEABROOK, host:
NPR's correspondent in Southeast Asia is Michael Sullivan. He's watched the airline troubles from afar and frankly he's pretty happy to be flying in Asia.
MICHAEL SULLIVAN: Hey, remember when you used to dread the thought of flying abroad. The overcrowded, chaotic airports, the ratty aircraft, lost luggage and lost time. I swear that's the way many people in Asia now think about traveling to, and especially in, the U.S.
While American carriers are cutting back on new orders and American airports limp along, Asian carriers and Asian airports are humming. Pulled along in part by the economic engine that is China.
In the States, you fly an airplane that we used to get as hand-me-downs back when American fleets upgraded more often. These days the planes in Asia are some of the youngest and most modern in the world, and we still get free meals and drinks and headphones too. And more often than not, a smile along with them.
A new report by the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation predicts Asia will add one new plane every day for the next five years. And only half that demand is from China. The launch customer for the new 737-900 from the American firm Boeing is an Indonesian carrier, Lion Air, which has about 100 more on order.
The launch customer for Boeing's highly touted and much delayed 787 dreamliner is a Japanese carrier, ANA. The first customer for Airbus's new double-decker A-380, an Asian carrier, Singapore Airlines. Average age of Singapore's fleet, about six years.
My home carrier, Vietnam Airlines, flies planes almost as new and can't keep up with demand. Another Asian country looking firmly to the future.
Many American carriers are wondering, of course, if they even have a future, which helps explain their reluctance to buy new planes. Asian carriers, on the other hand, know that buying new fuel-efficient aircraft will help the bottom line in a future they see as bright.
Asia also seems to have a leg up in terms of infrastructure too. Hong Kong, Kuala-Lumpur, Bangkok, all have spacious new airports with plenty of glass and light and plenty to do, which makes it even harder to get on a plane for the so-called developed world.
I left Singapore's gleaming new terminal last week for the West and quickly stumbled into an air transport trifecta from hell - Frankfurt, JFK and then Newark on the way back - all in various stages of decay or renovation.
Don't get me wrong; it's far from perfect over here. Rapid expansion in Asian aviation has led to questions about safety, maintenance and the lack of experienced pilots. And air travel in Indonesia is definitely not for the faint of heart - Lion Air a possible exception.
Thai Airways is badly in need of a fleet upgrade and there's a Cambodian carrier which flies what could be the world's oldest living 737. But at the end of the day, and especially at the beginning of one, I'd still rather be heading for an Asian airport than an American one. The skies just seem to be a little friendlier over here.
Did I mention you don't have to take your clothes off at security and that the flights seem to take off and land pretty much when they're supposed to? Honestly, you have my sympathy.
SEABROOK: That's NPR's Michael Sullivan flying high in the Philippines.
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SEABROOK: You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.
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Grounded: What's Behind the U.S. Flight Delays?
An American Airlines arrivals list at New York City's LaGuardia Airport on Thursday.
An American Airlines arrivals list at New York City's LaGuardia Airport on Thursday.
American Airlines has canceled thousands of flights since Tuesday, disrupting travel plans for hundreds of thousands of people. Here, a guide to the safety issues involved and how travelers can navigate the disruption.
Why is American canceling so many flights?
American has grounded the flights while it inspects its fleet of MD-80 airplanes to make sure the wiring in the wheel wells is properly protected from chafing. Unprotected wires potentially could result in a short or spark that might ignite, explains Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura J. Brown. "It's a very low-probability risk, but it's an extremely high-consequence issue," she says.
Is this a new safety concern?
No. Brown says the FAA first asked American and other airlines to check the MD-80s in their fleet back in 2006. But the issue took on new urgency in March, when Southwest Airlines got threatened with a penalty of $10 million for continuing to fly while failing to address problems with its fleet of 737s. This prompted the FAA to initiate a check on all U.S. airlines — more than 100 carriers — to ensure that they are complying with the agency's safety directives.
Why are the delays hitting American so hard?
Because it has 300 MD-80s in its fleet — the most by far of any U.S. airline.
Are other airlines canceling flights for safety concerns?
Yes. Alaska, Allegiant Air, Delta and Midwest Airlines also use MD-80s. All of them have canceled flights to check on the wheel-well wiring.
Southwest Airlines previously grounded planes to check on fatigue cracking in its fleet of 737s. The company says it now has no related delays or cancellations. And United voluntarily canceled flights earlier in April to check the fire-suppression system on its 777s.
Are American's canceled flights causing a "domino effect" of delays and cancellations?
No. But a spokesman says Southwest has seen a spike in last-minute bookings — likely from people whose flights were canceled by other carriers.
And even though it filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday, Denver-based Frontier Airlines still expects to operate normally, with no cancellations.
Are flights in other countries also being affected?
"At this point, it doesn't appear to be a widespread problem abroad," says Marisa Thompson, an equity analyst for Morningstar. "The foreign carriers, from what I've seen, have not been dealing with the same types of issues because their fleet is much younger."
If you're planning to fly abroad on a domestic airline, you shouldn't experience the same kind of delays. Thompson says companies like American and United are using younger planes for overseas flights.
What if my flight got canceled?
The vast majority of cancellations have been on American. A notice on American's Web site says travelers whose flights were canceled can request a full refund or rebook. The airline is also allowing customers who were scheduled to fly on any MD-80 flight between April 8 and April 11 to rebook their flight. Passengers must initiate travel by April 17 to avoid paying a fee.
Travelers who had an overnight layover because of a flight cancellation should e-mail American about compensation for hotel stays.
How many travelers have been affected?
At least 250,000 passengers were affected by this week's cancellations on American Airlines alone. The carrier canceled nearly 600 additional flights on Friday, bringing total cancellations for the week to nearly 3,100.
When will the cancellations end?
American said cancellations will continue through Saturday.
Are all these flight delays behind the recent fare increases?
No. A number of airlines increased their fares by substantial margins this week. The fare hikes are an attempt by carriers to pass along more of their costs — especially rising fuel costs — to consumers as they struggle to stay in business.
The higher fares are "unrelated to the main inspections and the grounding of the aircraft," says Chris Mainz, a spokesman for Southwest. "It's a direct result of the record-high fuel costs."
Which airlines raised their fares?
On Friday, American joined the other five major airlines in the U.S. — United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines and U.S. Airways — in raising airfares by up to $30 roundtrip, according to Bestfares.com, a travel Web site that tracks airfares. The most expensive increases are for flights that are coast-to-coast.
Southwest Airlines has raised roundtrip fares $4 and $12.
With reporting by Kathleen Schalch and Joshua Brockman. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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