Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Tracking Turbulence in Real Time

Flying through choppy air isn't just uncomfortable for passengers - it also increases fuel consumption for airlines. That's why carriers are investing heavily in technology to track and avoid turbulence in real time.

Using a network of aircraft sensors, radar data, and weather models, airlines can now see areas of turbulence up to an hour before planes reach them. Pilots receive alerts on their navigation displays showing turbulence like a weather radar would show a storm. They're then able to make small adjustments to the flight path to skirt around the bumpy air.

Delta has been a leader in real-time turbulence tracking. Their Flight Weather Viewer app provides pilots with a detailed map of current and forecasted turbulence. Before takeoff, pilots create an optimized route to avoid turbulence hotspots. And if new areas of choppy air pop up mid-flight, the app enables last-minute course corrections.

Delta says the system has helped reduce turbulence-related injuries by around 95%. And by avoiding turbulence, their aircraft burn less fuel too. On a single Boeing 777 flight from Seoul to Detroit, the tech saved 2,500 pounds of fuel and $1,000 in costs.

Other carriers are now racing to implement similar systems. At American Airlines, a program called Turbulence Detection uses AI to monitor dozens of data points to find patterns that indicate turbulence. When areas of potential roughness are identified, pilots get a "moderate" or "severe" turbulence alert so they can adjust the flight path or request a new altitude.

The FAA is even testing transmitting real-time turbulence data directly into cockpits. Through the System Wide Information Management system, aircraft flying in close proximity will share turbulence encounters with each other. Pilots will have a better picture of ride conditions across the entire sky.

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Optimizing Flight Paths Down to the Foot

Shaving just a few extra miles off a flight path can add up to major fuel savings for airlines. That's why carriers are optimizing routes down to the foot using advanced flight planning software.

The days of drawing flight plans by hand on a chart are long gone. Today's flight plans tap into gigantic databases, crunch millions of calculations, and create the most efficient route possible.

Take United Airlines, for example. Their flight planning system pulls in data on winds, weather, and air traffic to build the optimal path between two airports. It looks at options like flying further north to take advantage of jet stream tailwinds. Or adding a couple extra miles to avoid thunderstorms.

United's dispatchers then take the computer-generated route and refine it even further. They tweak waypoints based on their deep knowledge of airports and airspace. Tiny adjustments are made to avoid noise restrictions or congested skies near takeoff and landing. Nothing is left to chance.

The difference between an optimized flight plan versus just pointing the plane in the right direction can be significant. On a long-haul flight between San Francisco and Singapore, optimal routing can save over 1,000 miles.

Across United's entire operation, flight plan optimization saves around 65,000 hours of flying time per year. That's equivalent to taking 85 Boeing 737 aircraft out of service for an entire 12 months. The fuel and cost savings are massive.

Of course, winds and weather are always changing. So airlines use real-time updates to continuously refine flight plans enroute. If headwinds pick up, the route may be altered to find more favorable winds. Or if a storm pops up, pilots can request a new path around it.

Delta says their active flight plan monitoring has reduced average flight times by 8-12 minutes. Shorter flights mean less fuel burned. On a Boeing 757, just one minute of flying time saved translates to around 50-100 pounds of fuel.

One emerging area of interest is personalized flight plans optimized for each aircraft. Because even two planes of the same model can have slightly different fuel burn rates and optimum speeds.

GE Aviation has developed flight planning software that takes into account the unique performance profile of each jet. It looks at variables like engine wear and recent maintenance. The system then creates a tailored route to maximize fuel efficiency.

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Knowing When to Descend Early

Timing a descent just right is an art form for pilots. Descend too early and you waste fuel staying aloft. Descend too late and you risk being delayed waiting for clearance or being forced into a steep, gas-guzzling plunge. With airline margins razor thin, nailing the descent sweet spot saves real money.

Some carriers now use optimization algorithms to calculate the perfect time to begin letting down. Software crunches data on winds, runway configurations, and traffic flows to determine the ideal altitude and location to start the descent. Pilots receive alerts on their flight displays indicating when to begin dropping.

Of course, automation can only go so far. Experienced pilots know there are tricks to greasing into an airport smoothly. Captain John Cox, an aviation expert with over 50 years and 25,000 flight hours, shared his strategy in a recent interview.

The key is balancing efficiency with flexibility. Cox likes to arrive high on descent, before the final approach fix. This gives him room to lose extra altitude gradually if needed. "It's always easier to lose altitude than gain it," Cox explains.

Being high also allows adjusting speed as necessary. Slowing to delay or speeding up to make a slot if air traffic control requests it. According to Cox, "altitude is the best way to manage your energy."

However, Cox cautions against descending too early either. "You don't want to be high and slow trying to make the runway," he says. That leads to flying leveled off and dirty, with gear and flaps extended. A gas-guzzling configuration.

So what cues does Cox look for to begin his descent? First, listening carefully to ATIS reports. These indicate runway configuration and arrival bottlenecks. Next, checking with air traffic control on any restrictions. And finally, factoring in winds. A headwind on arrival allows descending later. A tailwind, earlier.

Of course, not all pilots have the luxury of Cox's flight hours. That's why Alaska Airlines has focused on descent education for their pilots. Training focuses on techniques like "surfing" arrival flows and maintaining extra speed during descent. These allow easier adjustments if needed.

The training is paying off. Alaska Airlines estimates it has reduced excess level flight time on arrival by 35-40%. This both improves efficiency and reduces workload for pilots. The optimization means aircraft can fly their optimum profile without last-minute manoeuvring.

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Predictive Modeling to Avoid Delays

Airlines live and die by their on-time performance. A single delay can cascade into missed connections, frustrated passengers, and cascading costs. That’s why carriers are getting proactive using predictive analytics to foresee and sidestep delays before they happen.

For example, Delta Airlines feeds dozens of data points into a machine learning model including weather, traffic at the departure and arrival airports, crew availability, and aircraft mechanical issues. The model looks for patterns that tend to precede delays. It then assigns a risk score from 1 to 100.

If the risk score spikes above 85, the airline can take preventative action like swapping aircraft or crews. Since launching the system in 2017, Delta has seen a 20% drop in the number of flights delayed due to controllable factors.

Meanwhile, GE Aviation has developed predictive analytics software that crunches 14 million data points a day from across an airline’s operation. It looks at everything from catering truck availability to deicing operations. The goal is flagging choke points early.

Southwest Airlines takes a similar approach with their “Operational Performance Dividend” initiative. Combining real-time data and predictive models, Southwest control centers proactively identify flights at risk of delays. The airline pushes to fix emerging issues before it’s too late.

The next frontier is personalized predictive models. With enough data, airlines can build customized models for each aircraft tail number. Factors like engine performance and maintenance history are analyzed to calculate delay probability for that specific jet. This micro-level insight lets maintenance crews get even more targeted with their interventions.

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Analyzing Turnaround Times at Gates

Shaving just minutes off the time planes spend at the gate can have a huge impact on reducing delays across an airline’s network. That’s why carriers meticulously analyze turnaround data looking for efficiencies.

The turnaround process involves everything from cleaning the cabin, catering, fueling, loading bags, and boarding passengers. Seemingly small inefficiencies add up, especially on busy routes with multiple daily flights. Just a few extra minutes per turn can throw the whole day off schedule.

That’s why airlines like Delta have dedicated analytics teams poring over turnaround data. Every second of the process is scrutinized. How long did catering take to arrive? How quickly were the lavatories serviced? Where were the bottlenecks that slowed things down?

By understanding where they are bleeding time, airlines can fine tune processes to shave off precious seconds. United Airlines implemented an automated reporting tool to track turn performance. Data is rounded up from dozens of airport sources to spot problem areas.

As a result, United identified that prematurely pulling up boarding ramps was leading to aircraft pushback delays. By keeping ramps in place longer, planes now back away from the gate faster. Just tweaking this one step saved nearly 7,000 hours of ramp delays per year.

Another focus area is reducing fueling times. American Airlines uses statistical analysis to calculate the “fueling sweet spot” that maximizes efficiency. Too slow, and the plane wastes time at the gate. Too fast, and fuel has to be dumped prior to takeoff. Finding the optimal flow rate leads to faster turns.

Data also helps airlines provide gate crews with better situational awareness. Alaska Airlines developed a mobile app that gives ramp agents real-time turn status updates. Crews know if they are ahead or behind schedule, letting them adjust work priorities.

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Monitoring Engine Performance Mid-Flight

Aircraft engines are complex machines with thousands of moving parts. To keep flights running smoothly, airlines closely track engine performance metrics in real-time during flights. Dips or spikes in measurements can indicate emerging issues needing attention.

One critical data point is EGT, or Exhaust Gas Temperature. EGT provides insight into combustion efficiency and should remain steady. American Airlines has sensors to monitor EGT across their 737, 777, and 787 fleets. If EGT starts to shift on a given engine, maintenance teams are notified upon landing.

Southwest Airlines takes engine monitoring a step further. Their Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) transmits real-time engine performance data to ground stations via satellite. Southwest’s maintenance control centers review the data remotely. If any measurement seems off, they can radio pilots in-flight to confirm readings.

Engine vibration is another essential metric. Too much vibration over time leads to structural fatigue. Delta has invested in cutting-edge sensor technology to detect vibrations. Their Aircraft Vibration Monitoring system provides vibration signatures for each engine. Patterns outside the norm trigger maintenance alerts.

Oil consumption is also tracked during flights. Oil is sampled after takeoff to check for contamination. Consumption levels are then checked periodically enroute. Unusually high consumption could indicate an engine issue.

With reams of data flowing in constantly, analytics software helps airlines stay on top of everything. United Airlines uses customized analytics tools to monitor engine performance measurements. The system automatically flags any outliers from expected ranges. United says the technology has reduced unscheduled engine removals by 10-15%.

The newest innovation is streaming in-flight engine data to the cloud. GE Aviation’s FlightPulse sends real-time engine metrics via satellite to the AWS cloud. Data is then crunched using AI to spot deviations. If an issue surfaces, customers get a head start troubleshooting before the plane even lands.

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Personalizing the In-Flight Experience

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all inflight service. Today's savvy carriers are getting personal, using data mining and predictive analytics to tailor offerings to the unique tastes of each passenger. The goal - happier customers and more ancillary revenue.

Singapore Airlines is leading the charge. The airline developed a specialized software suite called KrisFlyer that crunches data from past flights, loyalty programs, and customer feedback surveys. If a passenger enjoyed a certain wine on a previous trip, KrisFlyer will note this and ensure the same vintage is offered on their next flight. Food allergies, special meal requests, even preferred snack choices - all catalogued for VIP treatment every time.

The system gets granular. If a customer binge watched Book of Mormon on their last flight, the inflight entertainment system will automatically cue up other Broadway shows as suggested viewing. If they streamed jazz during mealtime, a Miles Davis track will start playing when dinner is served. No more guessing what entertainment or refreshments passengers might enjoy.

The personalized service extends to ground interactions as well. When a valued customer calls Singapore's service center, the agent is armed with their travel history and preferences via KrisFlyer. No need to reexplain dietary needs or seating choices - it's all there. A consistent, personalized experience.

Cathay Pacific has jumped aboard too. Their FLY Well program uses an algorithm to assess over 30 aspects of each passenger's booking and travel history to predict their needs. Those who indulge in duty free shopping might get coupons for onboard sales. A nervous flyer could have their favorite soothing playlist ready at their seat. Top tier elites receive a handwritten note at boarding welcoming them back.

Cathay is also experimenting with wearable technology. In their lounges, First Class flyers can opt-in to having their food and beverage choices tracked via a smart wristband. Items are automatically served inflight without the passenger having to order.

Of course, personalized service hinges on customers opting in to data sharing. Finnair's Nordic Sky platform provides flyers transparent options to control what personal data they share. Customers decide if they want their food, beverage and entertainment preferences tracked. If they permit sharing loyalty or social media profiles. Finnair promises not to retain or sell data to third parties.

Flying the Friendly Skies: How Airlines Use Data to Shave Minutes and Save Fuel - Giving Passengers Control with Apps

In the era of smartphones, travelers expect information and options at their fingertips. Airlines are responding by developing robust mobile apps that put more control directly in the hands of passengers. From rebooking flights to upgrading seats, today's apps allow flyers to customize their journey.

A prime example is Delta's Fly Delta app. The app provides a snapshot of your entire trip with updates on flight times, gate changes, and boarding status. You can view seat options, change or upgrade seats right in the app, and receive alerts if an earlier flight becomes available for rebooking. Delta also offers real-time baggage tracking via the app - no more wondering if your bag made it on the plane.

Other carriers like Lufthansa even allow booking flights through their app. Search, select your seats, enter passport details, and pay - all without picking up the phone. The United Airlines app takes it to the next level by pulling in your upcoming reservations from your calendar. If you receive a Google calendar invite for a business trip, the United app will automatically alert you to book travel.

Apps are also streamlining the airport experience. American Airlines lets you view TSA wait times at your airport in real-time. See a long line? Get an alert so you can arrive later. Alaska Airlines offers virtual queuing. Add yourself to the upgrade list via app and you'll get a push notification when space is available. No more hovering around the gate podium.

Inflight, JetBlue provides flyers real-time access to amenities via seatback screens and apps. Running low on snacks or drinks? Use the app to order more anytime from your seat. The app even lets you browse duty-free items and make purchases inflight to collect upon landing.

Apps allow passengers to report issues more easily too. On Emirates, rate your inflight meal or wine with just a few taps. Garuda Indonesia's app has a chat feature to message crew. And Singapore Airlines encourages travelers to snap and submit photos of any cabin problems, from broken seats to spills. Empowering customers to provide instant feedback improves service recovery.