Aerotime

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Air traffic has been steadily picking up since the pandemic disruption, with ACI reporting that it finally exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2024. Connections that were abandoned in 2020 have been bouncing back, and the worlds busiest flight routes are returning to expected volumes. Global travel data company OAG has released its analysis of the busiest international flight routes of 2024, and there have been some changes.

Airline 268

Airline Airlines Clearance Lift 268

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The largest airline in India, indigo , is allegedly close to signing a big contract with Norse Atlantic Airways to wet-lease six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The deal, mentioned by The Economic Times and other industry sources , is anticipated to be finalized shortly and would help IndiGo achieve its lofty goals of starting long-haul international service as early as 2025 to major European cities, including London and Paris.

Airline 136

Airline Airlines 136

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 25, 2024

While certainly niche, heres an interesting thing I just learned, thanks to OMAAT reader Hiro. Did you know theres an airline that offers lounge access to all economy passengers on one specific flight? Neither did I (Im not talking about Bangkok Airways, which offers lounge access to all passengers, but in reality lounges are just the gate area with some free drinks and snacks) Japan Airlines economy lounge access for one flight Japan Airlines has among the more generous lounge access policies o

Airline 118

Airline Airlines 118

AV Web

DECEMBER 25, 2024

A new bill introduced in Congress aims to digitalize pilot certificateseliminating the need for pilots to carry physical copies of their medical and airman certificates. Congressman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) introduced the Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act earlier this month, aiming to improve efficiency by allowing pilots to store these documents on electronic devices or cloud platforms.

Pilot 119

Pilot 119

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Passengers aboard Flight EK823 from Dubai to Dammam , Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday were in for a special treat. What is usually a Boeing 777-operated service was swapped for Emirates ' first-ever Airbus A350-900 , marking a pivotal moment in the airlines fleet transformation and the expansion of its global network. This flight not only showcased the A350's cutting-edge technology but also symbolized a significant step in Emirates' commitment to enhancing passenger experience and operational effici

Airline 137

Airline Airlines 137

AV Web

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Investigators found multiple human errors to be the primary cause of the fatal collision between a Japan Airlines jet and a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) aircraft at Tokyos Haneda Airport earlier this year. In a preliminary report released Wednesday, the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) identified crew confusion as the primary cause of the incident, noting that the JCG crew mistakenly believed they had clearance to enter the runway before being struck by Japan Airlines jetliner at Tokyos Haneda Air

Air Traffic Control 108

Air Traffic Control Runway Clearance Jet 108

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

IAG-owned Iberia has suspended its Airbus A321XLR winter schedule between Madrid and Washington, DC, the United States. The news comes more than a month after the Spanish carrier operated the world's first A321XLR flight.

137

137

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The Taiwanese carrier announced the order, disclosed in a stock exchange filing on December 19th.

Airline 136

Airline Airlines 136

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 25, 2024

For the home stretch of my quick trip to Japan & Korea , it was time to fly Japan Airlines Airbus A350-1000 business class from Tokyo (HND) to New York (JFK). Prior to my flight, I visited the Japan Airlines Sakura Business Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport, which is Japan Airlines primary lounge at its biggest hub. I found this to be a solid lounge, with comfortable seating, beautiful views, tasty food and drinks, and friendly service.

Airline 113

Airline Airlines Runway 113

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

A tragic incident unfolded at Mauis Kahului Airport on Christmas Eve, when the body of an unidentified man was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines aircraft, according to Hawaii News Now. The Boeing 787-10 , which had arrived from Chicago, landed safely in Hawaii before the grim discovery was made.

Airline 135

Airline Airlines 135

AV Web

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Almost half the people aboard an Azerbaijan Airlines E190 survived when the plane crashed on what appears to be the infield or an area outside of an airport in Aktau, Kazakhstan on Christmas Day. Remarkable cell phone footage of the entire sequence on The Print shows the plane in a climb before it drops in a rapid but controlled descent before crash landing on a turf area.

Descent 98

Descent Airline Airlines 98

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Is machine weaponry on fighter jets becoming obsolete? Perhapsat least the trend has been against them for a long time. That said, they are not going anywhere for a long time yet. In fact, United States Air Force fighter jets have been observed being fired in anger multiple times in 2024. While time will tell if the sixth-generation NGAD fighter (currently being developed) will feature traditional arms, all US fighters in service today have guns (or can be fitted with external pods).

Jet 111

Jet 111

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 25, 2024

I received a question about whether you have to pay extra for things once youre inside an airport lounge. The answer to this is probably obvious to most OMAAT readers, but theres also a bit of nuance and grey area, so perhaps its not that straightforward, and is worth discussing in a post. Once youre in an airport lounge, stuff is mostly free If youve accessed airport lounges before, you know that theres huge variance in terms of the quality of lounges, ranging from first class lounges , to busi

Airline 108

Airline Airlines 108

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Which country has the world's best fighter jets ? Short answer and spoiler alert, it's the country with the most F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. That said the best fighter jet for a particular country depends on its needs (e.g., the F-35 is likely excessive for the needs of a small country like Slovakia - F-16s are better suited). Note that little is known about the performance of the new Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon so that jet will not be considered here (it may prove to be a great jet).

Jet 135

Jet 135

Airline Geeks

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The jet was bound for Grozny Airport on Christmas Day. Reports indicate that five crew members and 62 passengers were onboard.

Jet 108

Jet 108

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Airline group IAG is in talks with satellite internet provider Starlink to equip its aircraft with the company's inflight WiFi product. IAG is also considering alternatives, including Amazon's Kuiper Systems.

Airline 124

Airline Airlines 124

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 25, 2024

By James Kightly, Commissioning Editor The Shepherd is a 2023 British short film developed for Disney+. It is directed and written by Iain Softley and is based on the 1975 novella of the same name, by bestselling novelist Frederick Forsyth. It is online for streaming currently, here , or via your preferred local service. A Vampire film star, just as fantastic as the mythical variety.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Altimeter Runway Pilot 98

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

After being fired for breaking Hawaiian Airlines ' tattoo policy, Tracy Sialega-Fili, a Samoan-American customer care representative, is advocating for increased cultural understanding and acceptance of traditional tattoos. After nearly four years of employment with Hawaiian Airlines in Seattle, Sialega-Fili lost her job in early December when the company found out she had a traditional Samoan hand tattoo called a tualima.

Airline 122

Airline Airlines 122

Altitudes Magazine

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The post EVE AIR MOBILITYS EVTOL: THE REAL DEAL appeared first on Altitudes.

52

52

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Amazon Air, also previously known as Prime Air, is a cargo airline that solely transports packages for Amazon. Prior to January 2021, the airline used wetleased aircraft from other operators but now plans to have their own fleet of aircraft. However, they will still rely on other operators, even if they have their own aircraft, for CMI (Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) leases.

Cargo 119

Cargo Airline Airlines 119

The Aviationist

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The Panavia Tornado is a multinational European supersonic twin-engined multirole combat aircraft that employs distinctive variable-sweep wings and entered service at the height of the Cold War, during the late 70s and early 80s. The Panavia Tornado is a multirole combat jet airplane capable of supersonic flight and developed by a multinational European consortium backed […] The post Panavia Tornado appeared first on The Aviationist.

Airplanes 16

Airplanes Jet 16

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Air Canada is a powerhouse of North American aviation, with a diverse fleet serving an interesting range of destinations. However, the Canadian flag carrier is far more than just the sum of its mainline operations, with the airline also currently having several different subsidiary airlines to its name, as well as several others from years gone by. Let's take a closer look at each of these operators.

Airline 119

Airline Airlines 119

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Commercial aviation is incredibly safe, and there are often long periods of time where we dont see any fatal accidents. Well, unfortunately today isnt one of those days, as an Azerbaijan Airlines jet bound for Russia diverted to Kazakhstan, where it crashed, killing dozens. Azerbaijan Airlines E190 crashes after weather diversion This incident happened today (Wednesday, December 25, 2024), and involves Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243, scheduled to operate from Baku, Azerbaijan (GYD), to Grozny

Jet 126

Jet Descent Airline Airlines 126

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The B-2 Spirit is the world's only operational strategic stealth aircraft able to carry out penetration missions around the world (providing the United States Air Force with a capability no other force possesses). B-2 Spirits have been repeatedly used in combat - including (as of the time of writing) just weeks ago, in October 2024, to strike targets in Yemen.

116

116

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 25, 2024

On this day in aviation history, December 25, 1958, a Soviet interceptor made its first flightthe Sukhoi Su-11. Developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau under Pavel Sukhoi, the Su-11 promised to be an improved version of the Su-9 interceptor, but despite a small production, it was overshadowed by later aircraft and remains a little-known aircraft of the Cold War.

Thrust 98

Thrust Jet 98

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The private aviation industry in the United States is synonymous with luxury, discretion, and top-tier service. Its a high-stakes field where private jet crew members play a pivotal role in ensuring a seamless experience for their affluent clientele. From private jet pilots to cabin attendants and maintenance technicians, the salaries in this exclusive sector often reflect the high standards of skill, experience, and service demanded.

Jet 111

Jet Pilot 111

AV Web

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport (48Y), one of the most unique general aviation airports whose runway spans both Canada and the United States, is permanently closing due to low usage. The airport, situated roughly 20 miles northwest of Roseau, is operated through an international agreement between Minnesota Department Of Transportation and the rural municipality of Piney in Manitoba, Canada.

Runway 105

Runway General Aviation 105

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Denver International Airport (DIA) anticipates a busy week as the holiday travel season gets underway. An estimated 811,000 people will have flown through the airport by Sunday, December 29, which is a significant increase above normal travel. According to Phil Washington, CEO of Denver Airport, the airport is ready to manage the crowds with enhanced amenities and increased efficiency as a result of this increase in tourists.

111

111

AV Web

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Almost half the people aboard an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 survived when the plane crashed on what appears to be the infield or an area outside of an airport in Aktau, Kazakhstan on Christmas Day. The aircraft departed from Baku and was initially en route to Grozny in Russia but diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan. Remarkable cell phone footage of the entire sequence on The Print shows the plane in a climb before it drops in a rapid but controlled descent before crash landing on a turf area. 29

Descent 98

Descent Weather Pilot Airline 98

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Simple Flyings very own Jonathan Hendry was onboard the flight from Copenhagen to Nuuk, and shared his experience in detail.

111

111

The Aviationist

DECEMBER 25, 2024

UAC has delivered six batches of Su-34s and three of Su-57 during 2024, with a total of at least 12 Fullbacks and five Felons. While the Su-34s are the upgraded NVO variants, the Su-57s appear to still be the baseline variants. The RuAF (Russian Aerospace Forces) received new deliveries of the Su-34 NVO Fullback fighter-bomber […] The post Additional Su-34 Fullbacks, Su-57 Felons Delivered to Russian Air Force as Year Draws to a Close appeared first on The Aviationist.

24

24

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

As a region, the Middle East is ripe with widebody-operating airlines, with the likes of Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways being among the first that spring to mind in this regard. However, these are far from the only carriers that fall under this category, with Oman Air also having multiple different types of twin-aisle aircraft at its disposal. These have various different configurations, as we shall now explore.

Airline 111

Airline Airlines 111

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 25, 2024

In the past, Ive written guides about how to redeem points with some major hotel loyalty programs, like Hilton Honors , Marriott Bonvoy , and World of Hyatt. Accor Live Limitless (ALL) is a major hotel program that I dont write about much, and in this post, I thought it would be interesting to talk about redeeming points with the French hotel group.

Airline 112

Airline Airlines 112

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Since the Red Sea Crisis erupted in October 2023, the rebels in northern Yemen have been targeting merchant shipping passing through the narrow Red Sea with drones. They have also launched ballistic missiles at Israel. This has triggered military responses - including air raids - from the United States , the United Kingdom , and Israel. While not a complete list (F-15s and Harriers are two fighter jets not to make the list), here are five types of combat aircraft that have been used in the regio

Jet 111

Jet 111

Aerotime

DECEMBER 25, 2024

As is the case with any year, 2024 was kinder to some companies within the global airline industry than it was to others. We have seen our fair share of casualties over the past twelve months, though, with several major carriers succumbing to a range of internal and external pressures and having to cease operations and shut down as a result. Conversely, the year seems to have created just the right market conditions in which a handful of startup carriers have been able to take to the air for the

Airline 278

Airline Airlines Cargo Jet 278

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

While airline crew are trained to deal with difficult passengers, sometimes the situation can escalate to the point of forcing the flight to divert. Something similar happened with a Delta Air Lines flight within the United States, which had to divert due to an unruly passenger. Such cases have been steadily rising over the last several years, highlighting the growing need to address the issue.

Airline 122

Airline Airlines 122

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Every autumn, the United States Air Force (USAF) sends some of its airlifters to New Zealand to stage airlift support for Antarctica. Considering that Joint Base Lewis-McChords 62nd Airlift Wing, supported by the Air Force Reserves 446th Airlift Wing, has been supporting Operation Deep Freeze for 26 years, its no surprise to see Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs lead the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (304th EAS).

119

119