NZFF

Hmm , the weather around that area can really be lethal, lets hope is it that and not a criminal act, that will really kill the tourism and travel for millions off others.

Ian Warren wrote:

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Dec 28 2014,5:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmm , the weather around that area can really be lethal, lets hope is it that and not a criminal act, that will really kill the tourism and travel for millions off others.

Weather seems to be the focus at the moment Ian . Like you , i hope the result is natural causes .

Two flights I had were divert in this area , always grab the window seat , one we were at cruz alt and clouds were almost chasing us .... very amazing site, .... thing is they are, can get lethal

Been through that region a few times, pax to the UK, feeling very smug at FL370, looking at all the electrical storms from horizon to horizon, and pitying the poor folk who were having to fly up through that stuff...very very scary.

Someone posted on my Facebook saying that with tagging me in, what happened, and led to a news report saying that a flight disappeared off the radar, really the same deal as MH370 there. Not looking good at all and had been a mixed year in aviation.

#PrayforQZ8501

There are reports that they climbed to FL380, which is fairly high up on the envelope.
It can be a difficult choice with respect to significant weather. Try to fly over it by increasing altitude and have a resultant diminished manoeuvring margin (which is not a good place to be if the weather tops are high or building) or detour for many miles to get around it and then perhaps only face more weather once around it.