This really doesn’t look too nice! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Katie! it was nice to see you and Ricardo here at Monterrey!, well this article is amazing, how can an airline try to arrange a wing with tape, that is totally unacceptable, well thanks for this information, i´ll never fly with vivaaerobus again, i´ll let you know how my trip with Volaris goes in two weeks from now, hope to see you guys soon, take care, bye

It is probably speed tape, it is different than duct tape. Unlike duct tape it is approved for use until permanent repairs can be made. Next time make sure you know, if it actually duct tape then you have the right to complain, but if it isn’t and you start complaining before you know…that is just ignorant. And it may cause people who are retarded to become fearful. And as we all know stupid people with fear can lead to some bad things.

It’s an enclosure for the mechanism that drives and holds the flaps. It’s probably fiberglass anyway and it is mostly to make the wing more aerodynamic and efficient. Not saying they should tape it, but it in itself is nothing to worry about.

Flying is a miracle. People should pay more for plane tickets so governments can stop airline subsidies.

I think it’s a fuel tank actually.

You get what you pay for pal.

No, it really is speed tape (it’s made out of a very thick aluminum foil) and is very safe. It’s used on US Air Force jets all of the time, and they have the best safety record there is. This is also not a flight surface, so the whole cover could fall off and you would fly just fine.

as DJcheezynutz wrote, yes this is speed tape and is common practice to use it in temporary repairs for this kind of covers there is no risk at all

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has commented on this post! It’s great to get input from people who are knowledgeable in this industry. I’m a seasoned airline passenger who has NEVER seen anything like this before, so it’s nice to get additional information regarding mechanics, safety, tape, etc. People not in the airline industry don’t know anything about speed tape, so it’s unsettling to be a passenger and see something like this directly outside your window. Duct tape or speed tape? Regardless, price does bring up the question of safety. What is sacrificed in the name of low cost fare? Keep this in mind before traveling.

Hi again, the low cost model is based on take out of the ticket cost all “fancy” stuff of the travel, as you provable saw the operation normally is in low cost terminals where available to reduce the cost of using terminals with marble floor and fancy carpets, no usage of jetways or buses for boarding,so most of the boardins is walking to the plane, if you want to drink or eat something you buy it onboard, in legacy airlines the food is already charged in your ticket even if you dont want to take it. another big saving is that their crew does not overnight outsaide of their home base, so no cost on hotel and meals for crew and there are many other examples on how the low cost airlines reduces cost not safety.
I actully work in a low cost airliene “sister” of vivaaerobus in asia, that is why i know the model

UPDATE from airline via Twitter: “Hi, thats is speed tape (very thick aluminum foil) and it is very safe and FAA approved.”

Again, thanks for all the great comments today! It has been great hearing from everyone and turning this into a dialog. I’ve learned a lot today and I think many other people have as well.

Thanks: DJcheesynuts…I appreciate your strong feelings on the subject. The observer…your airline work experience is VERY insightful and interesting. James & Benstu & nonpilot…airplane part input. Darkstar, Dr. Villarreal, & Selig…thanks for reading and commenting! And to VivaAeroBus on Twitter (I hope it’s really you!)for their comment!

That does look scary. Good thing it’s safe.

It seems the economic down turn is visable at airlines!

DJcheezynutz –

This looks exactly like Duct tape and how many times have the airlines told people about “speed tape”? That is not everyday knowledge, and frankly, as a successful software engineer, I don’t have time to explore every single technology of every single field. As such, seeing something that looks just like duct tape holding together something on an airplane looks frightening, and thinking such by no means makes somebody “stupid”. Frankly, if the airlines are going to use something that so obviously looks like a patch-job, then it is their responsibility to warn people that it is not what it appears to be.

THANK YOU another reader! I completely agree. I would really prefer airlines do more than brief patch jobs, I wouldn’t mind my flight being delayed in the name of safety.