Airplane Coverage

New airline rules give cash, more benefits to flyers

New rules unveiled by the state Department of Transportation Wednesday mandate automatic, transparent cash refunds for travelers met with flight disruptions, along with other benefits, ahead of the busy summer travel season.

Doctors take to the air to care for North Carolinians

Doctors with Triangle-area medical networks can leave UNC's Hoarce Williams Airport and travel throughout the state to bring expert medical care to patients.

Flight reports smoke in cabin upon takeoff, returns to Charlotte airport

No injuries were reported after a plane returned to Charlotte after reporting an issue upon departure Monday morning.

Boeing whistleblower speaks with NBC News ahead of Capitol Hill testimony

A Boeing engineer will testify Wednesday on Capitol Hill. He claims the 787 Dreamliner has a production flaw that could cause it to break apart.

Boeing put under Senate scrutiny during back-to-back hearings on aircraft maker's safety culture

An engineer at Boeing said Wednesday that the aircraft company, in rushing to produce as many planes as possible, is taking manufacturing shortcuts that could lead to jetliners breaking apart.

By DAVID KOENIG, AP Airlines Writer

Engine cover falls off of Southwest plane during takeoff

A Southwest Airlines jet returned to Denver Sunday morning after the engine cover fell off and struck the wing flap during takeoff, the FAA said.

FAA begins investigation into emergency plane landing on highway in Chatham County

On Friday, crews will work to remove a plane that made an emergency landing on the side of a highway in Chatham County.

Tar Heel Traveler, plane graveyard at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport

This week's Tar Heel Traveler is the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, where many old airplanes, like the 747s and 737s, are parked. Once impressive passenger planes, now mere skeletons of their past lives, cannibalized for their parts.

Two dead in Naples, Florida plane crash

Two passengers are dead after a plane crashed in Naples, Florida on Friday. The plane was in communication with the radio control tower when they lost one of the engines on the plane.

2 people dead after small plane attempts emergency landing on southwest Florida interstate

Two people have died after a small plane attempted to make an emergency landing on Interstate 75 in southwest Florida on Friday afternoon, colliding with a vehicle and bringing traffic to a halt as a massive plume of black smoke rose into the air.

RDU travelers can soon fly to Panama City

Copa Airlines is the latest international airline to join RDU, and travelers will soon be able to fly to Panama City.

Lora Lavigne, WRAL anchor/reporter

New problems found on Boeing 737 Max planes

Boeing reported another problem with fuselages on its 737 jets after an employee of the supplier of the fuselages discovered that two holes might have not been drilled according to specifications.

On cam: Plane crashes into mobile home park, multiple people dead in FL

Multiple people are dead after a small airplane crashed into a mobile home park in Florida.

Amelia Earhart's plane may have been found

The founder of an ocean exploration company believes he may have solved the mystery of Amelia Earhart's disappearance, which happened almost 90 years ago.

FAA halts Boeing 737 Max production expansion

Federal regulators have approved an inspection process that will let airlines resume flying their Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners, which have been grounded since a side panel blew out of a plane in midflight earlier this month. Hoewver, the FAA would not agree to any Boeing request to expand production of Max planes until the agency is satisfied that quality-control concerns have been addressed.

Boeing fighting to restore reputation after Max 9 blow out

The CEO of Boeing is promising to find out where quality control broke down as the NTSB and FAA investigate the mid-air explosion involving a Boeing max-9 last Friday.

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is better?

If you travel often, TSA PreCheck, Global Entry are great benefits that can save you time and money -- but how do they differ?

Kaila Curry, Audience Engagement Producer

Reducing the carbon footprint of air travel

Thursday is one of the busiest days to fly in 2023, according to TSA. It may be the fastest way to get from point-a to point-b, but it's also the least sustainable. WRAL climate change reporter Liz McLaughlin has more on how air travel is impacting climate change, and ways you can make your trip more eco-friendly.

Tips for family travel this holiday season

Whether traveling by car or by air, I've gathered the best tips to make trips with your littlest travelers more bearable.

Jennifer Zelek, WRAL contributor

Air France flight canceled after plane clips electric tower at RDU

The incident occurred on the ground and there were no passenger injuries, according to Air France.

WRAL Staff

Plane pull in Raleigh raises money for N.C. Special Olympics

Making a difference sometimes is a step-by-step process. At a plane competition at RDU International Airport, as Eric Miller explains, it was inch-by-inch.

Texas pilot thankful to be alive after emergency landing in parking lot

Uzziel "Uzi" Salinas plans to become an airline pilot and just got his pilot's license in May through training with Aviator Air Flight School in Grand Prairie, Texas. He's lucky to be alive after a close call during an emergency landing.

North Carolina teen finds hidden camera in airplane bathroom

A North Carolina couple says their teenage daughter found a hidden camera inside a bathroom on an airplane.

South Korea tests AI pilots

Researchers in South Korea are pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence technology. They said their robot pilot can fully operate a plane from taxiing, taking off, flying, and landing.

Pilot uninjured after plane makes hard landing in Pitt County

A small plane made an emergency landing in a field after the pilot realized he wasn't gaining enough altitude. No one was injured.

WITN Web Team