Category Archives: Aircraft

COMAC C919 high-altitude variant completes maiden test flight

29 Wednesday Jul 2026

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The C919 on the tarmac at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Wednesday. Photo: COMAC.

SHANGHAI – A shorter high-altitude variant of China’s COMAC C919 single-aisle airliner completed its maiden test flight Wednesday, the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China said.

The state-owned manufacturer said the flight lasted 1 hour and 59 minutes and completed all scheduled test objectives. The aircraft took off from and landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

“This marks a significant step forward in the C919 series development,” the company said in a statement posted on its website. “Based on the basic model, the C919 high-altitude prototype incorporates targeted design features such as a shorter fuselage and enhanced system functions to meet the requirements of high-altitude operations.”

The first C919 entered commercial service in March 2023, nearly seven years after the aircraft’s maiden flight. The narrowbody jet can accommodate up to 190 passengers.

As of December, COMAC had secured 1,005 orders for the aircraft, along with 120 purchase options.

The C919 is scheduled to begin its first international service next month when Air China launches regular flights between Beijing and the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

COMAC models on display at the Farnborough International Airshow. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

COMAC also produces the C909 regional jet, formerly known as the ARJ21, which seats up to 105 passengers.

The aircraft entered commercial service in June 2016. Earlier this month, Air Cambodia ordered 20 C909s.

A business jet variant of the C909 entered service in June with Chinese private jet operator Deer Jet.

COMAC showcased its family of aircraft at last week’s Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.

Global aviation groups launch runway safety initiative

28 Tuesday Jul 2026

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The initiative will focus on safety reporting, strengthening teams and sharing best practices. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

GENEVA – Three major aviation industry groups are joining forces to reduce runway incursions through a new global safety initiative.

The program, launched by the International Air Transport Association, Airports Council International and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, focuses on improving safety reporting, strengthening local runway safety teams and expanding the sharing of best practices.

The organizations said Tuesday the effort will improve the collection and sharing of safety data, including incident reports, near misses and observations from frontline personnel, while encouraging closer coordination among airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and regulators.

It also builds on existing global runway safety programs through the use of risk assessments, runway safety checklists and support for local runway safety teams.

A runway incursion occurs when an aircraft, vehicle or person is incorrectly present on a runway or its protected area. Although relatively uncommon, incursions can have serious consequences, and several recent incidents have been fatal, according to IATA.

Image: IATA

Nick Careen, the association’s senior vice president for operations, safety and security, said the initiative is intended to help aviation stakeholders identify runway risks earlier and take coordinated action to maintain aviation’s strong safety record.

“Flying is the safest form of long-distance travel,” Careen said. “Maintaining that record requires a relentless focus on continuous improvement, supported by global standards, safety data and collaboration.”

Eve, FDOT explore integrating advanced air mobility into Florida’s transportation system

25 Saturday Jul 2026

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The Eve 100 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

FARNBOROUGH, London – Eve Air Mobility is partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to support research and testing for advanced air mobility at the department’s SunTrax Air hub in Auburndale.

The initiative, announced during the Farnborough International Airshow, will combine Eve’s expertise in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, operations and services with SunTrax Air’s capabilities, the company said Wednesday.

The effort will examine the infrastructure, operational procedures and airspace navigation needed to integrate advanced air mobility into Florida’s transportation system.

Eve and FDOT will use the site to study infrastructure readiness, operational concepts, passenger experience and other requirements associated with introducing eVTOL aircraft into the transportation network.

The research is intended to support the safe integration of advanced air mobility in Florida and inform future planning.

“This partnership is another step of forward progress being made in Florida toward achieving the implementation of advanced air mobility,” FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue said in a statement. “The unique resources and infrastructure found only at SunTrax will play a key role in Eve’s research and testing needed to ensure the safe integration of advanced air mobility into our transportation system.”

Photo: Abdul Latheef.

The announcement expands an existing relationship between Eve and FDOT.

The Embraer-backed company said the partners will work to position Florida as a national leader in advanced air mobility.

Earlier in the week, Eve announced two milestones in the certification process for its Eve 100 eVTOL aircraft.

The company said Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency opened a sectoral consultation process on updated airworthiness criteria for the aircraft, while Eve applied to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to begin its type certificate validation process.

Embraer backlog hits record US$34.5 billion in second quarter

24 Friday Jul 2026

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Embraer showcased the E195-E2 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

SÃO PAULO, Brazil – Embraer on Friday reported a record backlog of US$34.5 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 7% from the previous quarter and 16% from a year earlier, marking the seventh consecutive quarterly increase.

The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer said its Commercial Aviation backlog totaled $15.1 billion, a 15% increase from the second quarter of 2025. The increase was driven by Florida-based lessor Azorra‘s order for 15 E195-E2 aircraft, pushing the E2 program above 500 firm orders.

During the just-concluded Farnborough International Airshow, Embraer identified Fuji Dream Airlines as the customer behind a previously undisclosed order for two E175 aircraft that had already been included in the backlog.

Executive Aviation reported a backlog of $7.8 billion, up 5% from a year earlier. During the quarter, the Praetor 600E and Praetor 500E received certification from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The business unit reported a 1.1 book-to-bill ratio.

Defense and Security backlog rose 42% from a year earlier to $6.1 billion, reflecting an agreement with the United Arab Emirates for 10 C-390 Millennium aircraft and options for 10 more. The division reported a 2.6 book-to-bill ratio over the past 12 months.

The KC-390 Millennium was also on display at Farnborough. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

Services and Support backlog reached a record $5.5 billion, up 12% from a year earlier. During the quarter, Embraer announced a long-term support agreement with Jazz Aviation, making the Canadian carrier the first customer in Canada to join the company’s Collaborative Inventory Planning program.

The company also signed a support agreement covering the Brazilian Air Force’s KC-390 Millennium fleet. The business unit reported a 1.3 book-to-bill ratio over the past 12 months.

GE Aerospace’s flying lab generates huge airshow interest

23 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by in Aircraft, Aviation, GE Aerospace, Technology

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The Boeing 747-400 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

FARNBOROUGH, England – Interest in GE Aerospace‘s flying testbed was so high at the Farnborough International Airshow this week that the company had to turn down many requests for tours.

GE Aerospace acquired the Boeing 747-400 from Japan Airlines in 2010 and converted it into an airborne laboratory to test and validate the safety and reliability of new engine technologies.

Nate Kamps, director Flight Test Operations. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

The aircraft, based in Victorville, Calif., primarily conducts test flights over the Sierra Nevada mountain range but also operates in other parts of the world when required, according to Nate Kamps, principal engineer and director of Flight Test Operations at GE Aerospace. Kamps’ team comprises 55 full-time employees.

Experimental engines are mounted on the aircraft’s wings for rigorous flight testing. Since entering service as a flying testbed, the 747-400 has logged more than 1,500 flight hours. Its predecessor, a Boeing 747-100, was retired in 2018 after 24 years of service.

The two test labs have supported the certification of 12 engine models and multiple variants for CFM International and GE Aerospace, including the CFM LEAP and GE9X.

The Open Fan technology demonstrator. Photo. Abdul Latheef.

CFM International is jointly owned by GE Aerospace and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines.

The aircraft is also supporting the CFM RISE technology demonstrator program, which aims to improve fuel efficiency by more than 20%.

A key element of the effort is the Open Fan engine architecture, which uses unshrouded fan blades instead of enclosing them within a nacelle.

In late 2024, the 747-400 served as a flight platform for the Contrail Optical Depth Experiment (CODEX), a project studying how aircraft contrails form.

Contrails, or condensation trails, are the bright white streaks left behind by high-flying aircraft. Although they are not pollutants themselves, they can trap heat radiating from the Earth’s surface, contributing to atmospheric warming.

GE Aerospace said the CODEX tests, conducted in collaboration with NASA, were intended to establish a baseline for future engine testing under the RISE program.

Engines are mounted on the wings of the flying testbed. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

A leading provider of aircraft propulsion, services and systems, GE Aerospace has an installed base of about 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines worldwide.

Farnborough Airshow takes off with big aircraft orders from SMBC

20 Monday Jul 2026

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An A320neo model marking 25 years of partnership between Airbus and SMBC Aviation Capital. Photo: Airbus

FARNBOROUGH, England – SMBC Aviation Capital emerged as the biggest customer on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, placing orders for a combined 200 single-aisle aircraft split evenly between Airbus and Boeing, as Riyadh Air and Philippine Airlines also announced fleet expansion plans.

The Dublin-based lessor ordered 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, comprising 65 A321s and 35 A320s, while separately committing to acquire 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets, including 60 737-10s and 40 737-8s.

Elsewhere, Riyadh Air expanded orders with both manufacturers, adding 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and six Airbus A350-1000s, while Philippine Airlines committed to acquire up to 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

SMBC said its Airbus order will provide airline customers with a continuous pipeline of A320neo family aircraft into the mid-2030s, reflecting confidence in long-term demand for the type and strengthening its 25-year partnership with Airbus.

“This significant new order will give our airline customers access to a continuous delivery pipeline of the latest technology A320neo family aircraft into the mid-2030s,” Chief Executive Peter Barrett said.

“We are pleased to build on the deep partnership we have established with Airbus over the last 25 years, and this latest order reflects our confidence in the long-term demand for the A320neo family.”

SMBC is already among Airbus’ largest A320 family customers and, together with its parent company Sumitomo Corp., now accounts for more than 900 direct Airbus aircraft commitments across all Airbus programs.

Photo: Boeing

The Boeing order marks SMBC’s first purchase of the 737-10, the largest member of the MAX family, and increases its owned, managed and committed 737 MAX portfolio to 450 aircraft.

The lessor said the aircraft will help meet growing airline demand for larger, more fuel-efficient narrowbody jets.

Separately, Riyadh Air exercised options for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including converting 20 aircraft to the larger 787-10 variant and incorporating a previously undisclosed purchase of 11 aircraft.

Once the remaining 17 aircraft are finalized, the Saudi carrier’s firm Dreamliner order book will total 67 aircraft.

The airline also firmed up an order for six additional Airbus A350-1000s, increasing its firm commitment for the type to 31 aircraft as it pursues plans to serve more than 100 international destinations by 2030.

Photo: Boeing

Boeing also announced that Philippine Airlines committed to order up to 20 787 Dreamliners. The proposed agreement covers 15 787-10 aircraft, with options for five more, supporting the flag carrier’s fleet modernization and long-haul expansion strategy.

No financial details were disclosed for any of the agreements.

eVTOL momentum builds at Farnborough as Eve announces major deals

19 Sunday Jul 2026

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Eve aircraft in Moov Airways livery. Photo: Eve Air Mobility

FARNBOROUGH, England – Ahead of the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow on Monday, Eve Air Mobility announced commercial agreements covering up to 46 eVTOLs and highlighted a key regulatory milestone in the certification of its Eve 100 aircraft.

The Embraer-backed company said Sunday it had signed separate letters of intent with Swiss startup Moov Airways and aviation finance firm Shearwater Global Capital, expanding its commercial pipeline and plans for future operations.

Moov Airways signed a letter of intent for up to 30 Eve 100 eVTOLs to support development of its planned “Atlantic Gateway” network in Cabo Verde. The companies will evaluate the use of eVTOLs for inter-island transportation, airport-to-resort transfers and sightseeing services connecting São Vicente, Santo Antão, Sal, Praia and Boa Vista.

Shearwater Global Capital signed a letter of intent for up to 16 Eve 100 eVTOLs as it expands its aviation finance platform into emerging asset classes. Eve said the partnership will offer leasing solutions designed to reduce barriers to entry for operators and support faster fleet deployment.

The announcements come as Eve advances the certification of its aircraft. Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) has published proposed noise certification criteria for the Eve 100, opening a public consultation through Aug. 8.

Eve said the proposal represents an important step toward establishing the environmental certification framework for eVTOL aircraft and advances the company’s type certification program. The proposed standards were developed through collaboration with ANAC and adapt existing aviation noise regulations to the operational and acoustic characteristics of electric aircraft.

Photo: Eve Air Mobility

The company said it continues to work with regulators and industry stakeholders on internationally harmonized certification standards for advanced air mobility as it moves toward commercial service.

The announcements come as the eVTOL sector moves closer to commercial operations, with manufacturers including Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation and Vertical Aerospace advancing aircraft development, certification programs and early market strategies.

The industry is working with aviation regulators worldwide to establish the standards and infrastructure needed to support the introduction of electric aircraft into commercial service.

More eVTOL sales agreements are expected at the five-day FIA2026.

Embraer forecasts demand for 8,500 new jets through 2045

18 Saturday Jul 2026

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The Embraer E-195 E2 at the 2021 Dubai Airshow. Photo: Abdul Latheef

SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS, Brazil – Embraer expects global demand for 8,500 new commercial airplanes in the sub-150-seat category, worth $650 billion, over the next 20 years, the aircraft manufacturer said in its 2026 Market Outlook released Saturday.

The forecast, published ahead of next week’s Farnborough International Airshow, projects global passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), will grow at an average annual rate of 3.7% through 2045.

China is expected to record the fastest annual RPK growth at 5.2%, followed by the Middle East at 4.6%, Africa at 4.4%, Latin America and the Caribbean at 4.3%, Asia Pacific at 4.1%, Europe at 2.7% and North America at 2.0%.

By 2045, Asia Pacific and China are projected to account for 40% of global passenger traffic, while Europe and North America are expected to represent a combined 37%, according to the report.

North America is forecast to receive the largest share of new aircraft deliveries, with 2,670 jets, or 31% of the total. Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States are projected to receive 1,870 aircraft (22%), followed by China with 1,470 (17%), Asia Pacific with 1,050 (13%), Latin America with 740 (9%), Africa with 370 (4%) and the Middle East with 330 (4%).

The report also examines global economic and aviation trends affecting aircraft demand across seven regions and includes an analysis of the standard-body cargo aircraft segment for aircraft weighing less than 40 metric tons.

Embraer will showcase the E195-E2, the largest member of its E2 narrow-body family, and the KC-390 Millennium tactical transport and multi-mission aircraft at the five-day Farnborough Airshow.

Boeing: Global commercial aircraft fleet will exceed 50,000 by 2045

17 Friday Jul 2026

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An image from the 2021 Dubai Airshow. Photo: Abdul Latheef

FARNBOROUGH, England – Boeing projects the global commercial fleet will exceed 50,000 airplanes by 2045 as passenger traffic doubles over the next 20 years, according to the company’s 2026 Commercial Market Outlook released late Thursday ahead of next week’s opening of the Farnborough International Airshow.

Boeing projects airlines will take delivery of nearly 44,000 new airplanes through 2045 to support fleet growth and replace older aircraft. About half of those deliveries are expected to replace previous-generation airplanes with more fuel-efficient models.

The company projects the global commercial aviation support and services market will total $4.9 trillion over the next 20 years.

Boeing also expects the industry will need more than 2.4 million new aviation personnel through 2045, including 674,000 pilots, 728,000 maintenance technicians and 1.02 million cabin crew members. It said about two-thirds of that workforce demand will replace retiring employees, while the remainder will support fleet growth.

The company said near-term disruptions are not expected to alter long-term aviation growth, with passenger traffic projected to increase about 4% annually between 2026 and 2045. Boeing said demand will be supported by tourism, business travel, expanding air networks and growth in emerging markets.

The projected airplane deliveries include about 33,500 single-aisle jets, 7,700 widebody aircraft, 1,400 regional airplanes and 930 freighters. Boeing said single-aisle fleets are expected to account for much of the growth, with the global fleet nearly doubling by 2045.

Boeing said airlines have added nearly 5,500 airport connections since 2015, contributing to network expansion and increased point-to-point travel. The company also said air cargo demand is expected to grow about 3.7% annually through 2045, supported by demand for time-sensitive goods, supply chain needs and cross-border commerce.

The five-day Farnborough International Airshow opens Monday. Boeing and other aircraft manufactures will showcase their products at the event.

Airbus Canada says operations contributed $8.4B to GDP from 2023 to 2025

16 Thursday Jul 2026

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Canada is where Airbus has the most significant presence outside Europe. Airbus photo.

MIRABEL, Que. – Airbus Canada on Thursday released a report saying its operations generated an estimated C$8.4 billion in Canadian gross domestic product between 2023 and 2025 and supported nearly 60,000 job-years over the period.

The report, commissioned by Airbus Canada and prepared by accounting firm PwC Canada, found the European aircraft manufacturer supported an average of about 20,000 jobs annually during the three-year period.

Last year, Airbus spent more than $2.2 billion on its Canadian operations with about 70% of that spending going to domestic suppliers serving both civil and military markets.

The company works with about 1,000 suppliers in Canada, more than half of them small and medium-sized businesses, it said.

“Today, Canada is where Airbus has the most significant presence outside Europe with all its business units — defence and space, helicopters and commercial aircraft — being present,” said Airbus Canada CEO Guillaume Chevasson.

The report also found the average income of an Airbus employee in Canada is about 60% higher than the national average across all industries.

Airbus employs more than 5,300 people in Canada, primarily in Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia, with the company supporting 27% aerospace jobs in Quebec.

Its commercial aircraft business accounted for $5.5 billion of the company’s total GDP contribution between 2023 and 2025, while Airbus Helicopters contributed $237.5 million.

Airbus Defence and Space generated $778.4 million in economic spending over the same period. Subsidiaries Skywise and Airbus Atlantic Canada contributed $184 million and $617 million, respectively, according to the report.

Industry: Return of supersonic flights now ‘inevitable’

02 Thursday Jul 2026

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Boom Supersonic’s demonstrator aircraft, the XB-1.

WASHINGTON – The industry is welcoming a Federal Aviation Administration proposal to lift the ban on supersonic civilian flights in the U.S., with one executive declaring that that “the return of supersonic is inevitable” 23 years after the Concorde flew for the last time.

The FAA move was announced this week by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

He said advances in supersonic technology will allow the next generation of aircraft to fly safely without producing a sonic boom.

“Restoring supersonic flight over land isn’t just about speed, it’s about unleashing American innovation and ushering in a Golden Age of Travel,” Duffy said.

The FAA noted in its proposal that current regulations prohibit civil aircraft from flying faster than the speed of sound over the U.S. unless they receive special authorization from the agency. The restriction is intended to protect the public from sonic booms.

Supersonic flight begins at Mach 1, or about 770 mph (1,240 km/h), significantly faster than the typical cruising speed of commercial airliners, which ranges from about 550 to 600 mph.

The FAA aims to finalize the rule by the middle of next year.

Blake Scholl, the founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, which is developing a supersonic aircraft called Overture, quickly welcomed the government proposal.

Blake Scholl

“It’s time to get excited. The return of supersonic is inevitable,” Scholl wrote on LinkedIn.

Boom’s demonstrator aircraft, the XB-1, made history in January 2025 by becoming the first independently developed civil aircraft to successfully break the sound barrier.

Scholl said the FAA had specifically cited the XB-1’s demonstration of the boomless supersonic flight.

The first Overture commercial flight is scheduled for 2029. Boom has won firm orders or options for the aircraft from United Airlines, American Airlines and Japan Airlines.

The previous supersonic aircraft, the Concorde, was operated by Air France and British Airways during 1976-2003. A British Airways Concorde made the final commercial flight from New York to London on Oct. 24, 2003.

Images are courtesy of Boom Supersonic and FAA.

Airbus unveils concepts for zero-emission aircraft

21 Monday Sep 2020

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Biofuel, Business, Hydrogen, Zero-emission

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Airbus ZEROe

The blended-wing body design for up to 200 passengers.

Toulouse, France — Airbus has revealed three concepts for the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft, which could enter service by 2035.

Each represents a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight, Airbus said Monday.

The three concepts — all codenamed ZEROe for climate-neutral zero-emission commercial aircraft — are:

ZEROe

The turbofan design for up to 200 passengers.

A turbofan design (120-200 passengers) with a range of 2,000+ nautical miles, capable of operating transcontinentally and powered by a modified gas-turbine engine running on hydrogen, rather than jet fuel, through combustion. The liquid hydrogen will be stored and distributed via tanks located behind the rear pressure bulkhead.

A turboprop design  (up to 100 passengers) using a  turboprop engine instead of a turbofan, and also powered by hydrogen combustion in modified gas-turbine engines, which would be capable of traveling more than 1,000 nautical miles, making it a perfect option for short-haul trips.

A blended-wing body design (up to 200 passengers) concept in which the wings merge with the main body of the aircraft with a range similar to that of the turbofan concept. The exceptionally wide fuselage opens up multiple options for hydrogen storage and distribution, and for cabin layout.

ZEROe

The turbofan design for up to 100 passengers.

All of these concepts rely on hydrogen as a primary power source, an option which Airbus believes holds exceptional promise as a clean aviation fuel.

“This is a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole and we intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

“I strongly believe that the use of  hydrogen, both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial aircraft, has the potential to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact.”

  • All images are courtesy of Airbus

 

Boeing-Embraer bid to challenge Airbus fizzles

25 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Embraer

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EmbraerBoeingCHICAGO — Boeing announced Saturday that it has terminated its Master Transaction Agreement (MTA) with Embraer.

Under the deal announced in late 2018, the two companies had planned to create a joint venture comprising Embraer’s commercial aviation business.

The $4.2-billion tie-up was mainly aimed at challenging Airbus in the market for midsize planes.

The two companies also planned a second joint venture to develop new markets for the C-390 Millennium military aircraft.

“Under the MTA, April 24, 2020, was the initial termination date, subject to extension by either party if certain conditions were met. Boeing exercised its rights to terminate after Embraer did not satisfy the necessary conditions,” Boeing said in a statement.

“Boeing has worked diligently over more than two years to finalize its transaction with Embraer. Over the past several months, we had productive but ultimately unsuccessful negotiations about unsatisfied MTA conditions.”

The planned partnership had received approval from all regulatory authorities, with the exception of the European Commission, Boeing said.

There was no immediate comment from Embraer.

The image is courtesy of Embraer.

Air New Zealand unveils ‘a game changer’

25 Tuesday Feb 2020

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ANZANZ2AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Air New Zealand has unveiled sleeping pods for longhaul economy passengers, calling it “a game changer”.

The Economy Skynest, which would provide six full length lie-flat sleeping spaces, is the result of three years of research and development, the airline said Wednesday.

The company has filed patent and trademark applications for the Skynest.

Air New Zealand plans to make Skynest available on longhaul flights, but the airline said a decision will only be made after it assesses the success of the upcoming Auckland-New York service. That flight would take 17 hours and 40 minutes.

“We have a tremendous amount of development work underway looking at product innovations we can bring across all cabins of the aircraft,” said chief marketing and customer officer Mike Tod.

“A clear pain point for economy travelers on longhaul flights is the inability to stretch out. The development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to that challenge.”

ANZ 3Customer and cabin crew feedback on the Skynest during its final phase of development has been outstanding, said Nikki Goodman, general manager of customer experience.

“We see a future flying experience where an economy-class customer on longhaul flights would be able to book the Economy Skynest in addition to their economy seat, get some quality rest and arrive at their destination ready to go. This is a game changer on so many levels,” said Goodman.

All images are courtesy of Air New Zealand.

Boeing 777X takes to the skies

26 Sunday Jan 2020

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 777X, Business, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Technology, Travel, UAE

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777X

The Boeing 777X takes off from Everett, Wash., on Saturday.

SEATTLE, Wash. — “The 777X flew beautifully,” said Capt. Van Chaney after successfully flying Boeing’s newest aircraft Saturday.

“Thank you to all the teams who made today possible. I can’t wait to go fly your airplane again,” added the chief pilot for 777X test and evaluation

With that first flight, the world’s longest and largest twin-engine airliner entered the next phase of its test program.

The 777-9X is based on the popular 777.

777XThe aircraft took off in front of thousands at Paine Field in Everett, Wash., at 10:09 a.m. local time for a three-hour, 51-minute flight over Washington state before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field, the company said.

Chaney called the flight very productive.

The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo checks before resuming testing in the coming days, Boeing said.

“Our Boeing team has taken the most successful twin-aisle jet of all time and made it even more efficient, more capable and more comfortable for all,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Today’s safe first flight of the 777X is a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication from our teammates, our suppliers and our community partners in Washington state and across the globe.”

Boeing has won 340 orders and commitments for the 777X from leading carriers, including Emirates, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.

The first delivery is expected in 2021.

Images are courtesy of Boeing.