Qantas steals the Dallas show

08 Thursday May 2014

Posted by in A380, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Boeing, Business, Dallas/Fort Worth, Emirates, Qantas, Transport, Travel

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The Qantas A380. Qantas photo.

The Qantas A380. Qantas photo.

Qantas Airways has stolen the thunder from its partner Emirates by announcing that it will launch an Airbus A380 service to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) a couple of days before the world’s largest operator of the superjumbo does.

“Qantas customers travelling on the popular Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth route will soon be able to enjoy the world’s largest passenger aircraft on the world’s longest route,” the Australian carrier said Wednesday.

The A380 will replace a Qantas Boeing 747 as of Sept. 29.

Models of the Emirates and Qantas A380s.

Models of the Emirates and Qantas A380s.

Emirates, which operate 47 superjumbos, announced early last month that its A380 service will begin Oct. 1.

That was supposed to be the first scheduled A380 service to the airport, where the airline had been operating a daily service since 2012, using a Boeing 777.

“On Oct. 1, the world’s largest passenger aircraft will touch down at DFW with a daily service between Dallas/Fort Worth, the world’s fourth busiest airport, and the city of Dubai (DXB),” the airline said in announcing the service.

“Dallas/Fort Worth will become the 28th international destination to which Emirates operates the aircraft, joining New York and Los Angeles which are already served by the A380.” Emirates also operates an A380 to Toronto, three times a week.

Qantas has been flying to the United States since 1954, when it operated a Super Constellation from Sydney to San Francisco, and to Dallas/Fort Worth since 2011. dfw

“It is the hub for our partner American Airlines and offers more than 30 destinations beyond the west coast of the United States as well as parts of Canada and Mexico on their network,” said CEO Alan Joyce.

“When you combine the A380 with the onward connections available from Dallas, this is a great example of the right aircraft on the right route.”

Qantas will offer six flights a week to Dallas.

 

Etihad takes luxury travel to new heights

04 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in A380, Abu Dhabi, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dreamliner, Eithad Airways, Luxury Travel, News, Transport, Travel

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Etihad

The Residence

The Residence

Two weeks ago, the buzz in the airline industry was the launch of a private branded airplane by the Toronto-based luxury hotel chain Four Seasons.

Today, it’s Etihad Airways announcing the launch of hotel-style rooms on its aircraft to lure wealthy passengers.

The UAE carrier says The Residence on its Airbus A380 will be the world’s most luxurious living space in the air.

“Accommodating single or double occupancy, it features a living room, separate double bedroom and en suite shower room. Guests in The Residence will also have a personal Butler” the airline said Sunday.

The Residence

The Residence

For those who can’t afford The Residence, Etihad will offer private suites called First Apartments, which will have a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed, as well as a mini-bar, personal vanity unit and wardrobe.

On its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the attraction will be the so-called First Suite. Etihad says each First Suite will be fitted with a personal wardrobe, drinks cabinet and space that allows you to entertain another guest.

The First Apartment

The First Apartment

“These new living spaces will raise inflight product and service standards to their highest level yet in commercial aviation and alter air travellers’ expectations of inflight comfort and luxury forever,” said James Hogan, Etihad president and CEO.

“Etihad Airways’ A380 and B787 will deliver the most advanced airline cabins in the industry, while meeting all weight, range and cost targets at our desired seat count.”

The interiors of the two aircraft were designed by the Etihad Design Consortium, established in 2008.

The airline said EDC brought together three top design companies, Acumen, Factorydesign and Honour Branding, to develop cabin and seat designs for the new fleets.

Etihad has ordered 71 Dreamliners, 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s. It also has ordered 10 A380s, with an option for another five superjumbos.

The airline is expected to take delivery of the new aircraft, starting this fall.

All images are courtesy of Etihad.

 

Lufthansa gets its 75th Boeing 747

02 Friday May 2014

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 747, Business, Lufthansa, News, Transport, Travel

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The new Lufthansa 747-8. Boeing photo.

The new Lufthansa 747-8. Boeing photo.

Lufthansa has taken delivery of its 75th Boeing 747, 44 years after the German arline received its first Jumbo Jet.

The launch customer of the Boeing 747-8, the airplane delivered on Wednesday was the arline’s 13th. Six more 747s are on order.

“Lufthansa is proud to share this milestone with Boeing,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice- president of Lufthansa Group Fleet Management.

“The 747 is an amazing airplane and will continue to delight our passengers for many years to come, and provide them with the ultimate in comfort and efficiency.”

Lufthansa received its first 747-8 two years ago and its first Jumbo Jet,  a 747-100, in 1970, a year after the wide-body airplane’s maiden flight.

As of this spring, nearly 1,500 747s are in service around the world.

The 747-8 is the newest member of the family. It has won 120 orders for passenger and cargo versions, 68 of which have been delivered, Boeing said on Friday.

 

A380 set to join Qatar Airways fleet

28 Monday Apr 2014

Posted by in A380, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Doha, Emirates, Life, Qatar Airways, Transport, Travel

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The Qatar A380 (from my collection.)

A model of the Qatar Airways  A380 (from my collection.)

The first of 13 Airbus A380s Qatar Airways ordered will join its fleet on June 17, the state-owned carrier announced today.

It will operate on the Doha-London (DOH-LHR) route.

“These aircraft, with their customized cabins, will set a new level of comfort for our passengers, who will also benefit from a smooth and pleasant passenger experience at the world’s newest airport, Hamad International Airport, the soon to be opened new home of Qatar Airways,” said CEO Akbar Al Baker.

The A380 is the world’s largest passenger aircraft.

Emirates, based in neighbouring Dubai, is the largest operator of A380s with 47 aircraft in service and another 93 on order. It flies to more than 20 cities, including Toronto.

With a fleet of 131 various aircraft, Qatar Airways flies to 137 destinations.

 

Montreal welcomes Tunisian airline

25 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Canada, Montreal, Montreal-Trudeau, News, Syphax, Tourism, Transport, Travel, Tunisia

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MontrealMontreal today became the first North American city to be connected to the Tunisian capital Tunis by direct flight when the private airline Syphax launched its service.

SyphaxSyphax, which began operations just two years ago, will use an Airbus 330-200 for the flight to Tunis–Carthage (TUN), which departs Friday evenings.

“Following the recent announcements of the arrival of Turkish Airlines and Copa Airlines, this third addition for 2014 clearly illustrates Montreal–Trudeau airport’s (YUL) vitality as it seeks to strengthen its positioning as a hub connecting Europe/North Africa/the Middle East with the Americas,” said airport president and CEO James Cherry.

Montreal–Trudeau currently serves about 130 destinations by direct flight.

Syphax is based at Sfax Thyna airport in Tunisia. Its network includes Paris, Rome, Brussels, Belgrade, Istanbul, Jeddah, Benghazi and Tripoli.

Airport image courtsey: Montreal-Trudeau.

Boeing marks a 737 milestone

16 Wednesday Apr 2014

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Boeing made history today by delivering the 8,000th 737 — the first commercial airplane to reach that milestone.

The airplane, a Next-Generation 737-900ER featuring a special logo, was delivered to the United Airlines.

“The 737 program continues to innovate with new features and technology, meeting the needs of our customers now and into the future,” said Beverly Wyse, vice-president and general manager of the 737 program.

The special logo

The special logo

“Boeing has a long and treasured history with United Airlines, and we’re proud they’re taking delivery of this milestone airplane.”

The company recalled that United was the first airline to order and take delivery of the 737-200.

“Since 1965, United has taken delivery of more than 550 737s and operated nearly every model,” it said.

Boeing says the 737 program has a backlog with more than 3,700 airplanes on order, including 1,934 orders for the new 737 MAX.

Images are courtesy of Boeing.

 

Sorry, Business Class only…

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Doha, London Heathrow, Luxury Travel, News, Qatar Airways, Transport, Travel

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Qatar Airways Business Class. Qatar Airways Photo.

The A319 cabin. Qatar Airways Photo.

All-business class flights have been operating in several parts of the world for years.

Now Qatar Airways is set to become the first airline in the Middle East to offer the service.

The airline says it will operate a daily business-class only flight from its hub in Doha (DOH) to London Heathrow (LHR) this spring.

“The new service will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, commencing from 15 May 2014, with an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with an all-business class, single aisle, 2–2 seating configuration offering 40 seats,” the airline said Tuesday.

Q2Qatar Airways already operates five daily flights to Heathrow.

“Today’s announcement reaffirms Qatar Airways’ determination to continue its expansion drive by improving an already superior in-flight product,” said CEO Akbar Al Baker.

‘Most beautiful safety video’ released

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Air New Zealand, Airlines, Aviation, Business, News, Safety Videos, Sports Illustrated, Tourism, Travel

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Air New Zealand has released what is being billed as the world’s most beautiful safety video.

“Safety in Paradise” was produced in collaboration with Sports Illustrated.

The video, shot in the Cook Islands, features several top models.

A trailer was posted on YouTube last week, generating a lot of buzz.

“The behind the scenes video has generated much conversation around the world about our brand and the Cook Islands as a destination since it was released last week,” said Jodi Williams, the airline’s head of global brand development.

“It’s exciting for us to release the full video today and we hope it will encourage many viewers to consider a trip to the Cook Islands.”

Cook Islands is about four hours by air from Auckland, and is a key destination for Air New Zealand.

Boeing: Asia-Pacific needs 12,820 new airplanes in 20 years

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Business, News, Singapore, Singapore Airshow, Transport, Travel

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ForecastBoeing estimates airlines in the Asia-Pacific region’s will need 12,820 new airplanes valued at US$1.9 trillion over the next 20 years.

The American aircraft manufacturer’s forecast came on the eve of the opening of the Singapore Airshow.

“Over the next 20 years, nearly half of the world’s air traffic growth will be driven by travel to, from or within the region,” Randy Tinseth of Boeing Commercial Airplanes told a media briefing.

“The Asia Pacific fleet will nearly triple, from 5,090 airplanes in 2012 to 14,750 airplanes in 2032, to support the increased demand.”

Boeing also projected that airlines in the region will rely primarily on single-aisle airplanes, representing 69 per cent of the new airplanes in the region.

Boeing said new low-cost carriers and demand for intra-Asia travel had spurred a substantial increase in single-aisle airplanes.

It added that this trend will continue as single-aisle airplanes gain an increasing percentage of the region’s traffic.

The A350 in Singapore. Airbus Photo.

The A350 in Singapore. Airbus Photo.

Boeing’s European rival, Airbus, is showcasing its new wide-body aircraft, A350 XWB, at the show.

On its way to Singapore, the test aircraft passed the 1,000 flight-hour milestone, Airbus said Monday.

“Overall the five A350 test aircraft will fly 2,500 flight hours in just over 12 months,” Airbus said.

“This achievement is further demonstration of the steady progress the program is making on its way to type certification in the third quarter of 2014.”

The six-day Singapore Airshow, which has attracted nearly 900 companies from 50 countries, opens Tuesday.

Air New Zealand to release safety video

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by in Air New Zealand, Airlines, Culture, New Zealand, News, Safety Videos, Social, Sports Illustrated, Tourism, Travel

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Coming soon, to a screen near you: “Safety in Paradise.”

That’s a video produced by Air New Zealand in partnership with Sports Illustrated.

The video was shot in the Cook Islands and features several top models.

“Safety in Paradise” will be released on Feb. 12.

A trailer of what is billed as “the world’s most beautiful safety video” has been posted on YouTube.

Al Baker: A350 program well on track

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Business, News, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airshow, Transport, Travel

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Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker with Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and Didier Evrard, Executive Vice -President of A350 XWB program. Airbus Photo.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker with Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Bregier and Didier Evrard, Executive Vice-President of the A350 XWB program. Airbus Photo.

With an order for 80 Airbus A350s, Qatar Airways is the top customer of the new extra wide body aircraft.

The airline’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, was in Toulouse, France, this week to witness the production of the airplane.

“I am pleased with what I have seen during my visit,” Al Baker said.

“It gives me every confidence that the program is well on track for our first delivery in 2014.”

The European manufacturer also marked his visit by unveiling the newest A350 flight test aircraft, called MSN4, in Qatar Airways livery. It will soon join the rest of the A350 test fleet.

The A350 in Qatar Airways livery. Airbus Photo.

The A350 in Qatar Airways livery. Airbus Photo.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways said in a release that an A350 will fly to the airline’s home base of Doha on Wednesday for a grand welcome at the new Hamad International Airport.  A test aircrft will also go on display at next week’s Singapore Airshow. 

The A350 features an extra wide cabin with a non-stop flying capability of more than 15,000 kilometres.

It will be built in three versions – A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000. In all, Airbus has received 812 orders from 39 customers worldwide.

The A350 is currently at an advanced phase of flight tests and is due to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Last week, a test aircraft was in Canada’s Arctic city of Iqaluit for cold weather trials.

DXB: 66M passengers and counting!

29 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Dubai, Emirates, flydubai, News, Tourism, Travel

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Dubai International Airport. Emirates Photo.

Dubai International. Dubai Airports Photo.

Another year, another record for Dubai International (DXB)!

Almost nine million more passengers used Dubai’s main airport last year than in 2012, data released by Dubai Airports showed Wednesday.

Passenger traffic topped 66.4 million, up from 57.7 million in 2012. That included a record six million plus passengers in December alone.

Only London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), with 72.3 million passengers  in 2013, is ahead of Dubai International, a lead many believe Dubai will breach this year.

DXB“Dubai International continues to benefit from the efficiencies offered by the large number of wide-body jets that operate into it with the average number of passengers per aircraft movement rising to 198 in 2013, up 4.5 per cent from the 189 recorded in 2012,” Dubai Airports said.

It said aircraft movements in 2013 reached 369,953, compared to 344,245 in 2012.

The operator also noted that 28 new destinations were added last year, bringing the total passenger destinations served by Dubai International to 239.

Once again, India was Dubai’s single largest destination country with 8.4 million passengers.

The airport is the home base of Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates and the discount airline flydubai.

Last year it opened a new custom-built concourse for Emirates’ large fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos.

Another Dubai airport, known as Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central, began operations last fall.

A350 XWB to make airshow debut

23 Thursday Jan 2014

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High-altitude testing of the A350 in Bolivia.

High-altitude testing of the A350 in Bolivia. Airbus photo.

Airbus is taking its newest aircraft, the A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body), to next month’s Singapore Airshow.

The European aircraft manufacturer says a test aircraft will be on both static and flying displays from Feb. 11 through Feb. 12.

The Singapore debut is crucial for Airbus because airlines in the Asia-Pacific region have ordered 244 A350s, representing 30 per cent of the total orders.

In all, Airbus has received 812 orders from 39 customers worldwide.

The A350 is currently at an advanced phase of flight tests and is due to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The crew of MSN003. Airbus photo.

The crew of MSN003. Airbus photo.

Three aircraft, MSN001, MSN003 and MSN002, are now involved in the test program.

“The A350 XWB will set new standards in the mid-size category and will consolidate our position as the provider of the world’s most modern, comprehensive and efficient widebody product line,” Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Bregier said Thursday.

The aircraft features an extra-wide cabin with a non-stop flying capability of more than 15,000 kilometres. It will be built in three versions – A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000.

Abu Dhabi to produce aviation biofuel

19 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by in Abu Dhabi, Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Biofuel, Boeing, Business, Eithad Airways, Environment, Masdar City, News, Oil & Gas, Technology, Transport

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An artist's impression of Masdar City. Masdar City photo.
An artist’s impression of Masdar City. Masdar City photo.

Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s largest oil producers, is also a leader in environmental initiatives.

Its most ambitious project is the solar-powered Masdar City, which is being built about 20 kilometres east of the United Arab Emirates capital.

One of the institutes behind the project, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, is now joining state-owned Etihad Airways, U.S. aircraft maker Boeing and French oil giant Total to produce aviation biofuel in the UAE.

Oil refiner Takreer will also be a partner in BIOjet Abu Dhabi.

“BIOjet Abu Dhabi will engage a broad range of stakeholders to develop a comprehensive framework for a UAE biofuel supply chain, including research and development and expanded investment in feedstock production and refining capability in the UAE and globally,” the companies said Sunday.

EtihadA day earlier, an Etihad Boeing 777 took off on a 45-minute demonstration flight, powered in part by biofuel produced in Abu Dhabi.

“Our goal is to support and help drive the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel in Abu Dhabi, the region and also globally,” said James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad.

The BIOjet Abu Dhabi initiative comes just days after Boeing said it was awaiting regulatory approvals to use green diesel on its airplanes.

“Boeing works with partners around the world to advance sustainable biofuel development and sees great opportunity for BIOjet Abu Dhabi to have a positive impact in the UAE and globally,” said Jeffrey Johnson, president, Boeing Middle East.