New Measures Aim to Ensure Safety in Face of Increased Turbulence on Flights

Korean Air is ending its cabin service earlier on medium and long-haul flights due to increased concerns about turbulence. This decision comes after Singapore Airlines made changes to their protocols following a tragic incident in May involving severe turbulence. Korean Air stated that the number of turbulence incidents has doubled over the past five years, with the rise in turbulence attributed to climate change.

Starting Monday, Korean Air will finish cabin service 20 minutes earlier, meaning that cabin service will now end 40 minutes before landing. The airline hopes that this change will allow inflight services to conclude before the aircraft starts its descent. Korean Air is one of only 10 airlines rated five stars by Skytrax, and its decision could set a precedent for other carriers to make similar adjustments.

Singapore Airlines, another five-star carrier, recently announced changes to its cabin service protocols after a turbulence incident led to the death of a passenger and injuries to others. The airline will no longer serve meals when the seatbelt light is on and has made other adjustments to ensure passenger safety during turbulent conditions. Recent studies have shown that turbulence is becoming more common, especially around jet streams where clear air turbulence is prevalent, with the warming climate being believed as contributing factor.

Korean Air mentioned that temperature differences between altitudes are causing more frequent turbulence as planes descend, which makes it increasingly difficult for pilots to predict and avoid them. The airline’s decision may set an example for other carriers who face similar challenges and could help improve overall safety standards in aviation.

In conclusion, Korean Air’s decision to end its cabin service earlier on medium and long-haul flights due to increased concerns about turbulence highlights the growing problem of severe weather events caused by climate change. It also shows how airlines are adapting their protocols to ensure passenger safety during these conditions while still providing inflight services before descending into landing zones.

It remains unclear if other carriers will follow suit but it’s possible that this trend will continue as climate change continues to impact our world in various ways.