Sat.Aug 24, 2024

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QUICKSINK: How & Why A USAF B-2 Spirit Bomber Took Out A Cargo Vessel In The Gulf Of Mexico

Simple Flying

From advanced electronic warfare in the skies to search and rescue robots on the ground, the modern theater of war is increasingly complex and ever-evolving. However, when it comes to maritime warfare, the US military is putting a new twist on a simple yet effective, old-school tactic - dropping bombs from above.

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The World’s Only All-Club Ritz-Carlton Hotel

One Mile at a Time

Ritz-Carlton is known for its incredible club lounges , featuring five food presentations per day. The catch is that these clubs are typically very exclusive, and often cost hundreds of extra dollars per day over a standard room to book (you don’t get access based on Marriott Bonvoy elite status ). Along those lines, I find it interesting how there’s actually one Ritz-Carlton in the world where all guests get club lounge access.

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Five eVTOL Companies Taking The World By Storm

Simple Flying

An electric vertical take-off and landing ( eVTOL ) aircraft is a variety of VTOL aircraft that uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically. The eVTOL aircraft of today evolved from mere concept models as few as five years ago.

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Weekly Review: August 24, 2024

One Mile at a Time

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far, and is enjoying the end of summer. I’m home for a couple more weeks, and then have multiple review trips I’m in the final stages of planning, so I hope to have a lot of content on that front after Labor Day. On the points & travel front, this week Oman Air announced it would rebrand its first class, All Nippon Airways introduced free Wi-Fi in business class, Hyatt revealed it would acquire Standard Hotels, Qatar Airways invested in South Afric

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5 Ways To Keep Your American Airlines AAdvantage Miles From Expiring

Simple Flying

Inactive American Airlines AAdvantage program members may have received an email this week advising them that, given their lack of activity in the program, their account may be destined for permanent closure. The program's terms and conditions outline that inactivity permits account closure, but it has not been enforced for some time; it is more common to see points expire than your account be destined for closure.

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Comparison: Capital One Spark Miles Vs. Spark Cash Plus

One Mile at a Time

Link: Apply now for the Capital One Spark Miles for Business or Capital One Spark Cash Plus Capital One has a solid selection of business cards. In addition to the Capital One Venture X Business ( review ), there’s also the Capital One Spark Miles for Business ( review ) and Capital One Spark Cash Plus ( review ). In this post, I wanted to compare Capital One’s two popular Spark products, and talk about which represents a better value.

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5 Reasons Why Premium Economy Is Worth The Cost Of Upgrading

Simple Flying

Flying in premium economy offers a significant upgrade from standard economy without the hefty price tag of business class. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, the extra investment in premium economy can enhance your overall travel experience in ways that go beyond just a little more legroom. Heres a look at why premium economy is worth the cost of upgrading.

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NASA Confirms SpaceX Crew Dragon To Take Home Stranded Starliner Astronauts

Simple Flying

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has just confirmed that the pair of stranded astronauts onboard the International Space Station will return to Earth onboard a SpaceX capsule rather than the Boeing Starliner spacecraft the astronauts flew to space in. However, the astronauts will have to wait for a considerable amount of time as their return is not immediate.

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Aeromexico Launching Miami To Cancun Flights

One Mile at a Time

Aeromexico is launching what I’d consider to be an interesting new route to my home airport… Aeromexico will fly between Miami & Cancun As reported by @IshrionA , Aeromexico will be launching a new daily flight between Miami (MIA) and Cancun (CUN). Specifically, the new flight will operate as of December 19, 2024, with the following schedule: AM427 Miami to Cancun departing 7:55AM arriving 9:55AM AM426 Cancun to Miami departing 11:10AM arriving 1:05PM The 531-mile flight is blocked at 2hr we

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How To Book An Emirates Airbus A380 Using Frequent Flyer Miles

Simple Flying

Experience the incredible A380 with Emirates! Passengers can book their next Emirates journey on an A380 using their accumulated Skywards Miles from Emirates or miles from any Emirates airline partner.

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1967 Cessna 172H Skyhawk—Bargains on Aircraft for Sale

Plane and Pilot

Finding a four-place taildragger for under $100,000 is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding one with desirable mods and a low-time engine, even more so. But this week’s bargain bucks those trends and offers our Canadian readers a treat, offering all of these things for $75,000 on Aircraft For Sale. Typically, buyers looking for a four-place Cessna taildragger have two options – the classic 170 or the bigger, more capable 180/185.

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Flying Cruise Ship: How Luxurious Was The Hindenburg's Interior?

Simple Flying

Traveling across the Atlantic on a Zeppelin airship was a luxurious experience reserved only for the richest of the rich. The Hindenburg cost $400 one way in 1936 and $450 in 1937. In comparison, a first class passage on a German oceanliner could cost as little as $157.

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Air Canada Pilots Vote in Favor of a Strike

Airline Geeks

Pilots at Canada’s largest airline could walk off the job next month, after overwhelmingly voting in favor of giving their union a strike mandate. According to the union, the strike vote passed with 98 percent support earlier this week.

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Glitch Causes Kansas City International Airport To Overcharge Several Travelers For Parking

Simple Flying

How do you tell someone they have overstayed their welcome? Kansas City International Airport (MCI) has confirmed that it overcharged drivers, although not on purpose. Instead, a parking glitch resulted in drivers stationed in the economy lot being mischarged. A spokesperson for the airport, Joe McBride, confirmed this information to The Star after over a dozen travelers reported they had been charged the wrong fees.

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Booking Feature Allows Women To Pick Seats Beside Other Women

AV Web

India’s largest budget carrier appears ready to make permanent a trial that allows women to pick seats beside other female passengers. IndiGo officials say they’ve had good feedback on a program that shows women passengers a different seating map than the map accessible to men. Females who book (the airline requires passengers to state their gender to book a flight) see a map that colors available seats pink if they are next to another woman.

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How Do Military Aircraft Adapt To Electromagnetic Pulse Threats?

Simple Flying

As I wrote in an op-ed for 19FortyFive published back on New Year's Day 2023 (and which in turn was an updated and super-condensed version of a research paper I wrote back in 2019 for my Masters in Intelligence Studies online degree program at American Military University [AMU] ), electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack, if successfully employed by our adversaries, comprises an existential threat to the United States of America.

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EVA Air to add AeroSHARK technology to its Boeing 777F fleet

World Airline News

Lufthansa Technik AG has announced EVA Air as the first Asian airline to sign for modifications with its drag-reducing and, hence, fuel-saving AeroSHARK surface technology, jointly developed with BASF. The Taipei-based airline decided to have its entire cargo fleet of nine Boeing 777F long-range freighters modified with the innovative riblet films covering the aircraft’s fuselage and engine nacelles.

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Etihad Airbus A350 Takes UAE Paralympic Team To Paris

Simple Flying

While new aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 have been step changes for airline travelers, perhaps the most significant change in the last two decades has been facilitating travel for people with disabilities. Airlines and Airports have made great progress in this field, and last week, Etihad Airways and Zayed International Airport demonstrated that with UAE Paralympians headed for Paris 2024.

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Delta Continues Austin Expansion

Airline Geeks

Delta is once again expanding its network from Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, adding a new regional route in 2025.

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Daily Boeing 787 Flights: United Airlines Boosts Washington DC-Lagos Service

Simple Flying

United Airlines has announced it will increase its service between Washington Dulles and Nigeria's Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation). United is set to increase its flights from three times per week to the Nigerian city of Lagos to daily flights. These flights are set to begin from December 4, 2024, to February 14, 2025.

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Unique Blackburn Beverley Arrives at Solway Aviation Museum

Vintage Aviation News

By Zac Yates The sole surviving example of the Blackburn Beverley, a British Cold War transport aircraft, has arrived at its new home at the Solway Aviation Museum (SAM) near Carlisle in the UK. As reported by Vintage Aviation News , the SAM launched the campaign to raise £60,000 in February after Beverley XB259’s previous owner offered the unique aircraft for free to anyone who could remove the aircraft from its home of several decades at Fort Paull, near Hull.

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5 Notable Civil/Military Joint-Use Airports In The US

Simple Flying

It can be fun to land at a dual-use civilian/military airport and see different types of military aircraft parked around the airport. Dual-use airports can be found across the country. While many of these dual-use airports are small civilian airports without scheduled commercial flights, they also include a few major airports, like Charleston International Airport and Richmond International Airport.

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Starliner Return Too Risky For Stuck Astronauts

AV Web

As was widely anticipated, NASA has decided it’s too risky to send test pilot astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that took them to the International Space Station in June. Instead, what started as an eight-day shakedown mission for the two veteran astronauts has turned into an eight month odyssey that will see them replace two of the four astronauts that were to travel to the ISS on a SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle in September for a pla

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Which Frequent Flyer Programs Are The Best For Budget Travelers?

Simple Flying

Most major airlines offer frequent flyer programs a benefits program for avid travelers. By remaining loyal to one airline, you can earn back "miles" to spend on future flights while racking up other benefits. So, which US airline's frequent flyer program offers the most affordable miles? We're evaluating the programs of major commercial airlines nationwide to determine which has the most advantages.

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1967 Cessna 172H Skyhawk—Bargains on Aircraft for Sale

Plane and Pilot

Finding a four-place taildragger for under $100,000 is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding one with desirable mods and a low-time engine, even more so. But this week’s bargain bucks those trends and offers our Canadian readers a treat, offering all of these things for $75,000 on Aircraft For Sale. Typically, buyers looking for a four-place Cessna taildragger have two options – the classic 170 or the bigger, more capable 180/185.

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Still Going Strong: What Are The Oldest Active Aircraft At Each Of The 'Big 3' US Airlines?

Simple Flying

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines are often referred to collectively as the 'Big Three' in US aviation. Together, their fleets total a staggering almost 3,000 aircraft, making them the three largest airlines in the world by several measurements, including fleet size, revenue, and brand value.

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Southwest Doubles Down on Redeye Flying

Airline Geeks

Earlier this year, Southwest announced plans to begin overnight flights for the first time in its 53-year history starting in 2025.

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A Closer Look At The Popularity Of Private Aviation Across The World

Simple Flying

Private aviation around the world is still booming with more demand for private jet charter, fractional ownership and private ownership. During the pandemic, when commercial aviation stopped, those who could afford it and may have traveled first class previously, turned to the private jet industry for their travel needs. Once they had discovered the comfort, flexibility and convenience of private jets , they simply never went back to commercial flights.

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USS Lincoln’s Carrier Air Wing Trains as Joint Force with New Simulators at Sea

The Aviationist

USS Abraham Lincoln deployed with the new Simulators at Sea developed by NAWCAD to allow the Carrier Air Wing to continue training as a joint fighting force while deployed. The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) aircraft [.] The post USS Lincoln’s Carrier Air Wing Trains as Joint Force with New Simulators at Sea appeared first on The Aviationist.

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Flights Impacted At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Due To System Outages

Simple Flying

Travelers and flights are affected at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) due to internet and web system outages. The local transportation authorities have urged passengers to check with their respective airlines before heading to the airport. Data from FlightAware identifies that over 69 flights have been delayed, and six have been canceled.

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How To Tell Different Airplanes Apart, From 737s To A380s

One Mile at a Time

The miles & points world has all kinds of different enthusiasts — some people are only interested in miles & points in order to save money on travel, while others are interested in miles & points because they love airplanes. I know there are plenty of people who are very frequent flyers but can barely tell the difference between an Airbus A380 and Boeing 747.

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Next Generation: Here Are The 5 Airlines Operating The Most Flights With The Airbus A330neo

Simple Flying

The Airbus A330 has become a dominant widebody aircraft for long and medium-haul operations. According to Airbus orders and deliveries data, a total of 1,805 A330s have been ordered since production began. Currently, 1,469 A330s, including both older models and the newer generation, are in operation.

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Marriott Cobalt: What Is This Super Secret Status?

One Mile at a Time

Many loyalty programs have invitation-only elite tiers, like American Concierge Key , Delta 360 , United Global Services , and Hyatt Courtesy Card. At least on the airline front, these tiers are typically pretty widely known. What many people don’t realize is that Marriott also has an invitation-only elite tier. It’s possibly the most exclusive invitation-only elite tier of all, because I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone earning it.

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Why The DC-10 Was More Successful Than The Lockheed L-1011 Tristar

Simple Flying

The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was undeniably one of the most advanced aircraft of its time. With modern avionics and increased automation, the aircraft could virtually land itself and could even safely approach runways under zero-visibility conditions. So why did it sell so poorly when compared to the McDonnell Douglas DC-10?

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European Union Phasing Out Passport Stamps, Going Digital

One Mile at a Time

In the coming months, the European Union will be changing its entry process for foreigners, and I imagine people will have mixed feelings about this. European Union replacing passport stamps with biometrics On November 10, 2024, the European Union will be introducing its new electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) for foreign visitors. With this, visitors from most countries will no longer get their passports stamped.

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Fred Noonan: 5 Facts About Amelia Earhart's Navigator

Simple Flying

If you are an AvGeek, chances are you have heard of the legendary Amelia Earhart, who is among the most celebrated aviators in history and the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic. However, a closely related yet lesser-known name is that of Fredrick Joseph Noonan (Fred Noonan), who was Earhart's aerial navigator and quite an expert in his own right.

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Russia to Modernize its Yak-52 Trainers to Shoot Down Ukrainian Kamikaze Drones

The Aviationist

The Yak-52B2 upgrade includes electronic warfare systems and multifunctional displays that will allow it to combat reconnaissance and attack drones. After Ukraine began using its Soviet-era Yak-52 training aircraft to shoot down Russian drones, Russia [.] The post Russia to Modernize its Yak-52 Trainers to Shoot Down Ukrainian Kamikaze Drones appeared first on The Aviationist.

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