Korean Air has recently made the decision to end cabin service earlier on its medium and long-haul flights due to increased concerns about turbulence incidents. This move comes in response to a similar protocol change made by Singapore Airlines after a fatal turbulence incident in May.
The new cabin service protocol at Korean Air means that inflight services will now end 40 minutes before landing as opposed to the previous 20 minutes before landing. This adjustment allows for a smoother descent and landing process, which Korean Air hopes will help mitigate the risks associated with turbulence incidents.
In recent years, turbulence has become an increasingly prevalent issue for airlines, with the number of incidents doubling over the past five years. Korean Air attributes this rise in turbulence to the changing climate, which has led to larger temperature differences between altitudes and an increase in air friction. This has been particularly noticeable around jet streams, where clear air turbulence is common.
Researchers have found that turbulence is becoming more frequent and severe, especially over the North Atlantic near the north polar jet stream. The warming climate has resulted in an increase in the most severe type of clear air turbulence by 55% between 1979 and 2020. Airlines like Korean Air are taking proactive measures to address these challenges and ensure the safety and comfort of their passengers.
Korean Air, known for its five-star rating by Skytrax, is committed to providing a safe flying experience for its passengers. The new cabin service protocol is just one of many steps that Korean Air is taking to address the growing concerns around turbulence incidents on medium and long-haul flights.
Overall, it’s important for airlines like Korean Air to take proactive measures to address these challenges and ensure that their passengers can travel safely and comfortably even during potentially rough weather conditions.
