The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an investigation after the cabin crew onboard a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines flight reported symptoms of mild hypoxia in-flight.
Virgin Australia and United Airlines have jointly filed for approval from the US Department of Transportation for their previously-announced upcoming codeshare agreement.
Flight AA73 departed from LAX at 11:02pm on Tuesday 4 January local time, as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner began its 14.5 hour journey across the Pacific ocean for the first time in 128 days.
The route, Central 1 Route, was previously serviced by regional rival Qantaslink, before Rex snagged the Queensland Government contract in November 2021, and commenced operations on the route on 1 January.
Qantas has flagged concerns that a number of its pilots are now making errors in routine operations, and seem to require more time to complete standard procedures, following months of stand-downs and heavily reduced flight schedules.
As of 1 January, the New Zealand flag carrier will no longer offer passengers a complimentary snack on board its domestic flights, so that customers will continue to wear their face mask and minimise possible infection of others.