Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#1

Post by devy » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 5:21 PM UTC

Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home
flightradar24.com

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#2

Post by sixdimensional » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 5:56 PM UTC

Wow, this is really incredible. The flight path out of Puerto Rico is nearly perfectly optimal to avoid the weather.

I wonder, is this a good (and incredibly positive) example of what quality real-time/near-real-time data can do for decision-making?

Bravo.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#3

Post by nxsynonym » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 5:58 PM UTC

As easy of a target as airlines are for the usual criticism, this is an heroic feat. I applaud the efforts of everyone involved.

I can't image what it must be like to fly into a storm system like that. Nerves of steel.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#4

Post by Cshelton » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 5:58 PM UTC

Other than a very bumpy ride and lots of nerves, I would think a 737 (and many other commercial jets) would have no problem flying through a hurricane. Landing on the other hand...

Anyone with knowledge of this?

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#5

Post by otec » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 5:59 PM UTC

Why? What's the point of this worthless risk?

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#6

Post by pjmlp » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:00 PM UTC

Oh man, that is really amazing.

I guess a mix of heroes and craziness.

Congratulation to everyone involved and thankfully everything went alright.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#7

Post by hapless » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:01 PM UTC

The best part is that the hurricane's tailwind shaved 40-odd minutes off the itinerary.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#8

Post by stepik777 » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:01 PM UTC

Why can't they use some sane colormaps instead of this garbage?

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#9

Post by joemi » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:01 PM UTC

That's pretty awesome. Does anyone know more about this type of pre-hurricane flight? Is that a common thing airlines do, to try to squeeze one last flight in? Are there rushes before other types of bad weather? And do they increase (or lower?) prices in these cases?

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#10

Post by mikeash » Thu, Sep 07, 2017, 6:02 PM UTC

Cshelton wrote: post #4

Other than a very bumpy ride and lots of nerves, I would think a 737 (and many other commercial jets) would have no problem flying through a hurricane. Landing on the other hand... Anyone with knowledge of this?

I'd think that flying through one would be pretty doable. I don't think the "hurricane hunter" planes are anything special in terms of their ability to withstand turbulence. You may need to avoid the parts with the most severe convection. Airliners don't necessarily fare well in the middle of violent non-hurricane thunderstorms either.

Landing and taking off in one, however, would be really bad once the winds pick up.