Ask the Captain: Two engines over the Atlantic
Q: Recently, it has been rumored that some airlines are considering using the Airbus A321-LR for trans-Atlantic flights. Do you think narrow-body aircraft will be the future for international travel? Will that open up international travel for budget airlines?
— Submitted by reader Korey, New York
A: It is possible that several airlines could begin flying A321LRs on trans-Atlantic routes. The airplane has the range to make the flight. The Boeing 757 has been used on less-traveled trans-Atlantic routes for many years. Both are single-aisle airplanes, also known as narrow-body aircraft.
As the service to secondary cities continues to increase, the ability to fly non-stop instead of connecting in a hub to a wide-body aircraft will be very appealing. The planes will not replace the wide-body aircraft flown between the large cities.
There is growing discussion about low-cost trans-Atlantic airline service. In the past, it was not successful; however, there are several budget international airlines entering the market or interested in doing so.
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Q: Emirates Airlines is soon to launch the longest commercial flight, Dubai to Panama, using a B777-200LR, a twin-engine aircraft. This flight must cross the Atlantic Ocean, and I don’t see any crossing point of less than six hours. Aren’t twin-engine regulations being violated on this flight?
— Daniel Wambisa, Nairobi, Kenya
A: Airplanes such as the B777 have been granted extended operations authority, allowing them to fly such routes. They are not in violation of the regulations. The system redundancy of the modern twin jets such as the 777, 787 and A350 are remarkable, allowing them to fly over very remote parts of the planet safely.
Ask the Captain: Flying over remote oceans
Q: If a twin-engine plane has one engine that fails midway over the Atlantic, what options do the pilots have?
— S. Reginald Pratt, Monrovia, Liberia
A: The pilots will divert to the nearest suitable airport. On overwater flights, the en route diversion airports are planned before departure. If there is a need to divert — for an engine problem or any other issue (e.g. passenger medical, weather) — the pilots have the plan in place.
Q: Regarding the Dreamliner that landed and took off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: Wouldn’t it be a game changer to fly from DCA to LHR?
— Gabriel, Norfolk, Va.
A: A Boeing 787 has landed at Reagan Washington National Airport. However, it was a demonstration flight and not a commercial one. Considering the runway length, capacity control and distance limits on flights from DCA, I do not think there will be any trans-Atlantic flight from there in the foreseeable future.
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