In for the Long Haul

Overview

As engines developed over time, airplanes were able to engage in longer flights. Traditionally, regulators had insisted that all passenger aircraft be powered by at least three engines. But the development of more sophisticated airplanes eventually made twin-engine, long-distance travel feasible. A new standard was introduced, known as Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards, or ETOPS. Although some scares during the 1980s prompted people to question their capabilities, the long haul flight eventually became a time and cost-efficient reality.