Tue.Jun 18, 2024

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New Boeing whistleblower claims released as CEO prepares to give testimony

Aerotime

Claims about worrying practices at Boeing have been released just hours before CEO Dave Calhoun is due to give testimony in front of the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations in Washington DC to answer questions on the company’s “broken safety culture”. According to ABC News , Senator Richard Blumenthal, who serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Investigations, revealed details of the new whistleblower claims on June 18, 2024, in a memo from his office.

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Embraer Reaches Record $21.1 Billion Order Backlog

Simple Flying

The Brazil-based aircraft manufacturer Embraer has recently enjoyed strong demand for its aircraft, driving up the company's stock. This year, American Airlines confirmed an order for 85 Airbus A321neos, 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, and 90 Embraer E175s (with the option of a total of 133 Embraers). It's not just orders: it's also deliveries. Embraer E2 deliveries more than doubled in 2023.

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Trending Sources

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Boeing CEO search ongoing as talks with Spirit boss on hold and GE head declines

Aerotime

Boeing’s search to replace its CEO Dave Calhoun is ongoing as the field of potential candidates narrows, according to the Wall Street Journal. On June 17, 2024, the newspaper reported that GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp declined to be considered for one of the most challenging roles in aviation. Another candidate is thought to be Spirit AeroSystems boss Pat Shanahan, who previously spent 30 years at Boeing in various roles.

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Embraer Shuts Down Narrowbody Rumors But Remains The 'Best Option' For Airlines To Rapidly Add Capacity

Simple Flying

Over the past few weeks, the rumors regarding a new narrowbody from Embraer have ramped up significantly. Reporting from the likes of the Wall Street Journal and Forbes , suggested something was being cooked up imminently. Brazil Journal went so far as to say a plan would be revealed as soon as next year.

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FAA to amend chartered flight operations to enhance safety, flexibility options

Aerotime

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it intends to make two specific changes to the way chartered flights are operated to increase safety and flexibility options. The administration said that public charter flights have rapidly expanded “in frequency and complexity” in recent years, adding that some services appear to operate like scheduled airlines but under less-rigorous safety regulations.

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Delta One “Premium Lounges” Coming To JFK, LAX, BOS, In 2024

One Mile at a Time

Note : It’s rumored that the Delta One Lounge JFK will open on June 26, 2024. I’ve updated this post from earlier in the year to reflect that, plus all we know so far about these upcoming lounges. While Delta is by many metrics considered the most premium airline in the United States, one area where the airline has lagged the competition is when it comes to premium lounges dedicated to international passengers.

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Air India under scrutiny after passenger finds metal blade in in-flight meal

Aerotime

Air India is facing scrutiny over its food safety practices after a passenger found a metal blade in his in-flight meal. Journalist Mathures Paul was traveling on flight AI 175 from Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on June 9, 2024 when the incident took place. During the flight, Paul was horrified to discover that his meal contained what appeared to be a sharp metal blade.

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Boom Supersonic completes construction of Overture Superfactory

Aerotime

Boom Supersonic marked the completion of the Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina. Located at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), this facility is the first supersonic airliner factory in the United States. The Overture Superfactory will produce Boom’s Overture supersonic passenger jet, which is designed to seat between 64 and 80 passengers and fly up to 4,250 nautical miles (7,867 kilometers) at a cruising speed of Mach 1.7.

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15 Years After Start: B-52 Bomber With Rolls-Royce Engines Wont Fly Until 2033

Simple Flying

While "old but gold" is a moniker that could very appropriately describe the B-52 Superfortress , the venerable bomber is not without its issues. Instead of retiring the B-52s, the US Air Force plans to keep the old birds flying for many more years. To keep them flying, they are to be re-engined and upgraded. However, according to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the program will be delayed by another three years.

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Archer signs deal with Signature securing eVTOL flight access in key US cities

Aerotime

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Archer Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Signature Aviation to electrify and access its network of over 200 private airport terminals. The agreement announced on June 17, 2024, gives Archer access to takeoff and landing sites in major metropolitan areas across the US and globally, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and Texas.

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Outgoing CEO To Address Congress On Boeing's Safety Culture And Quality Issues

Simple Flying

Boeing's Chief Executive Officer is set to testify before a Senate committee tomorrow in Washington. David Calhoun, who will depart the company later this year, will testify that Boeing's safety culture is lacking but changing.

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From the pitch to the skies: the impact of major football events on travel

Aerotime

Football’s influence transcends the field, impacting economies, communities, and industries globally. Major events like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship drive substantial economic boosts, increased aviation activity, and profound social impacts. Football tournaments significantly stimulate local economies. For instance, the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar attracted millions of fans and generated substantial revenue for local businesses.

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You Can Now Renew US Passports Online

Simple Flying

The US State Department has revealed a new online passport renewal system, which will save travelers the hassle of mailing in paper passport renewal applications.

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Cathay Pacific Trials Free Wi-Fi In Business Class

One Mile at a Time

Cathay Pacific is moving in the direction of introducing free Wi-Fi in business class, which is a generally exciting development. Cathay Pacific’s free business class Wi-Fi plans Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific revealed that it planned to introduce free Wi-Fi in business class at some point in 2024. More specifically, the airline has revealed that it plans to trial free Wi-Fi in business class starting in the summer of 2024.

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History: 5 Heads Of State Killed In Plane Crashes

Simple Flying

Recently, the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, died after his helicopter crashed into a mountain during thick fog. A few weeks later, the Vice-President of the southern African nation of Malawai also died in a plane crash. Both of these incidents appear to be caused by mechanical malfunctions or pilot errors. However, just as with the John F. Kennedy assassination, the deaths of heads of state in plane crashes frequently spark conspiracy theories and debates about malicious activity.

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Beond Airlines Keeps Canceling Flights, Has Unreliable Schedule

One Mile at a Time

I’ve written about Beond Airlines , which bills itself as the world’s first premium leisure airline. The airline has an all-business class Airbus A319 that it operates on routes to and from the Maldives. The company has some lofty goals (to put it politely), and eventually wants to operate dozens of planes to destinations around the globe. As much as I’d love for this concept to be successful, I’ve been skeptical about the viability of this since the beginning.

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Portland Airport Puts Call Out For Dress Rehearsal Of Popular Classic Carpet

Simple Flying

Portland International Airport (PDX) is inviting the public for a dress rehearsal to trial the new main terminal before its scheduled opening this year. Volunteers will be asked to act out real travel scenarios to ensure the terminals new systems and processes are up to standard.

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Cadet Air Corps Museum AT-10 Restoration Report – Spring 2024

Vintage Aviation News

Periodically, we have presented reports from Chuck Cravens detailing the restoration of an ultra-rare Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita WWII advanced, multi-engine trainer. As mentioned in previous articles , the project belongs to the Cadet Air Corps Museum and comprises the remains of several airframes, but is primarily focused upon Wichita 41-27322. The restoration is taking place at world-renowned AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota, and here is their latest update on progress with the Wichita as

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Top 5: The Best Airborne Early Warning And Control (AEW&C) Aircraft

Simple Flying

Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft are some of the most expensive and valuable aircraft in any air force's inventory (they are also called Airborne Warning and Control Systems or AWACS). While they spy on the enemy, they are not intended to remain unseen unlike true spy planes. These aircraft carry powerful airborne radars to detect ships, other aircraft, missiles, and other targets and threats at great distances.

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Former United Airlines President Downgraded On KLM On $10K+ Ticket

One Mile at a Time

Christopher Elliott has the story of how a couple traveling from Florida to Tanzania were downgraded from business class to economy while on some very expensive business class tickets (thanks to Dennis for flagging this). Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this story is who these people were… Couple downgraded from KLM business class on long haul flight Fran and John Edwardson recently took a trip to go on safari in Tanzania, which was described as “the trip of a lifetime.

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5 Strategic Uses Of The B-1B Lancer Bomber For The US Air Force

Simple Flying

The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a variable-sweep supersonic bomber designed for the United States Air Force. One of three strategic bombers, alongside the B-2 Spirit and B-52 Superfortress, the B-1 performed its maiden flight in December 1974 and entered service with the ISAF in 1986. This article explores some strategic uses of the heaviest US bomber.

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Alaska Airlines launches seasonal, daily flight between Portland and New Orleans 

Alaska Air

Alaska Airlines is continuing to expand the destinations it flies from Portland with the launch of the first nonstop flight to New Orleans beginning this January. Our daily service will operate until next spring, including during Mardi Gras—New Orleans’ largest annual celebration. The post Alaska Airlines launches seasonal, daily flight between Portland and New Orleans appeared first on Alaska Airlines News.

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Clyde Cessna's First Aircraft: A Look At The Cessna Silverwing

Simple Flying

Cessna is one of the most prominent manufacturers in general aviation today. From the infamous Skyhawk, which helped many pilots pass their PPL over the past decades, to the highly luxurious Cessna Citation Latitudes, its portfolio responds to the needs of every owner. But its origins were very humble. Today, we will look at the Silverwing, the first-ever Cessna plane, and the man who invented it: Clyde Cessna.

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JetBlue Adds Free Carry-On Bags To Blue Basic Fares

One Mile at a Time

JetBlue is improving the value proposition of its basic economy fares, without taking anything away. We sure have seen some positive changes from airlines lately, so this is a breath of fresh air… JetBlue improves basic economy fares Blue Basic is the name of JetBlue’s basic economy fare product. As it currently stands, Blue Basic fares have the following restrictions: They don’t allow a full size carry-on bag, but rather only a personal item They offer limited points earning, as you earn 2x poi

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Analysis: Why Honeywell Thinks Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft Could Be Near

Simple Flying

The path to clean aviation transport is seen as hydrogen (although there may also be a place for other technologies like electric aircraft). Reducing the world's carbon footprint with the eventual goal of net zero is an effort targeting every industry. Aviation accounts for around 2% of the world's CO2 emissions (and around 2.5%-3% of greenhouse gas emissions).

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How to use ForeFlight to plan a cross-country flight around airspace (video tip)

Flight Training Central

There are many considerations when planning a VFR cross-country flight and a direct course between two airports isn’t always an option. This week’s tip takes a look at how to use the 2D and 3D planning tools in ForeFlight to evaluate both controlled and special-use airspace that might get in the way and how to choose the optimum route and altitude based on these variables.

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How A Grass Runway Led To The First Hull Loss Of An Avro 748

Simple Flying

At smaller airports, runways with grass surfaces are not an uncommon feature. However, they typically only handle smaller aircraft, with larger planes making use of the paved landing strips that have become more common as flying machines have increased in size and weight. Back in 1965, for one Avro 748 turboprop airliner, a grass runway would result in terminal damage.

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Boom Supersonic Opens Overture Superfactory

One Mile at a Time

Boom is an aeronautics company that has been working on bringing back supersonic passenger air travel. Specifically, the company’s main product is the Boom Overture, which you can basically think of as trying to be the modern day Concorde. The company was founded back in 2014, and the goal is that the Boom Overture could be carrying passengers by 2029.

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Analysis: What Are American Airlines' Longest Boeing 777 Routes?

Simple Flying

American Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world, operates a diverse fleet of aircraft that serve destinations across the globe. Among these aircraft, the Boeing 777 is a critical player in American Airlines' long-haul operations.

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$81,950 Fine Proposed For In-Flight Violence

AV Web

A San Antonio woman who was duct taped to a seat after a series of incidents aboard an American Airlines flight in 2021 has earned the highest ever FAA sanction for unruly behavior. Heather Wells, 34, is being sued by the agency for a total of $81,950 after an eventful flight from Dallas to Charlotte on July 7, 2021. She’s been assessed $45,000 for violence against crew and passengers, $27,950 for trying to open a cabin door and $9,000 for interfering with the crew.

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New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 Breaks Down On Prime Minister's Trip To Japan

Simple Flying

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) had an embarrassing mishap as the Boeing 757 carrying the Prime Minister broke down on the way to Japan. Stranded, the New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, had to book a commercial flight to Japan after the Boeing 757-2K2 broke down in Papua New Guinea. New Zealand only has a small air force and has been low on the government's spending priorities for many years.

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Three Injured In Second Lockheed 12A Accident

AV Web

For the second time in three days a relatively rare vintage Lockheed 12A Junior Electra has crashed, this time in Georgia and with no fatalities. Three people aboard the plane were seriously injured when the plane apparently went off the runway and hit a tree at Seven Lakes Airport in Jackson, Georgia. The airport has a 2950-foot turf runway. The accident occurred at about 8 p.m.

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Which Delta Partner Airlines Are Worth Splurging Your SkyMiles On?

Simple Flying

Delta SkyMiles program has a lot of tiers such as the Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion status - all of which are highly sought after by many travelers. This airline offers a few other delightful perks. These include matching your status with other airlines or using miles to fly for free. You can also earn 10,000 bonus SkyMiles on Delta vacations.

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New: Marriott Bonvoy & Starbucks Rewards Partnership

One Mile at a Time

Marriott Bonvoy and Starbucks are launching a partnership, though definitely manage your expectations here, as the value for most people will be quite limited. Details of the Marriott & Starbucks partnership A new partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Starbucks Rewards will provide some benefits to U.S. members who link their accounts. This offers the opportunity to earn bonus Marriott Bonvoy points and bonus Starbucks Rewards Stars.

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New Whistleblower Claims Emerge Just Hours Before Boeing CEO To Appear Before Congress

Simple Flying

Not long before Boeing Company CEO David Calhoun was set to testify before a Congressional committee, reports from another Boeing whistleblower came forward. This time, a current employee said that questionable parts were installed on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

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1960s-Era Dulles Mobile Lounges to Receive $143 Million Facelift

Airline Geeks

Washington Dulles International Airport's iconic mobile lounge vehicles are slated to receive major upgrades in the coming years.

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US Air Force KC-46A Tanker Modernization Delayed By Wing Aerial Refueling Pods

Simple Flying

Findings in a new report by the watchdog US Government Accountability Office (GAO) state that the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus Modernization Program for the Air Force's new aerial tankers is further delayed. It is unclear if this will affect the overall delivery of the tankers (over 80 have already been delivered by Boeing). As more Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tankers are delivered, they are becoming a cornerstone of the Air Force's tanker aircraft fleet.

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