Aerotime

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Neptune Aviation Services plans to convert Airbus A319 aircraft into water bombers to enhance its aerial firefighting capabilities. The Montana-based operator has partnered with French company Aerotec & Concept to convert the Airbus A319 into a water bomber, marking the first time the aircraft has been modified for firefighting purposes. The initial conversion is slated for completion by 2027.

Pilot 332

Pilot 332

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Look, I’d like to think that I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but this sure makes you wonder… Pilots report object in sky “jogging back and forth” VASAviation is an awesome YouTube channel that shares interesting air traffic control audio. The channel has just uploaded a video based on a conversation that an airline pilot was having with air traffic control while on approach to Dallas Fort-Worth Airport (DFW).

Air Traffic Control 145

Air Traffic Control Pilot Approach Airline 145

AV Web

DECEMBER 1, 2024

The Air Line Pilots Association says Airbus is proposing adding a toilet to the flight deck of its aircraft to eliminate the need for relief pilots and pave the way for single pilot operations or Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO). According to paddleyourowncanoe.com, the planemaker wants to put the open potty behind the captain’s seat and perhaps install a radio console beside it so the otherwise indisposed can stay in contact with the outside world.

Flight Deck 131

Flight Deck Pilot 131

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 3, 2024

An aircraft hangar can hold many secrets. Stories yearn to be told if only “passer-bys” would stop and listen. Tucked alongside the wall of the “big” hangar at the National Warplane Museum (NWM), in Geneseo, New York is one such example of a tale that deserves to be written and subsequently read. Unassuming, out of the way of the normal museum volunteer and visitor traffic, a rather rare bomber from World War II lies in wait, eagerly anticipating the day she can once agai

Hangar 124

Hangar Payload Tail 124

Aerotime

DECEMBER 6, 2024

A federal judge in the US has rejected Boeings plea deal seeking to absolve the Chicago-based planemaker from any criminal liability and avoid prosecution following two accidents that overshadowed the entry into service of its 737 MAX aircraft. The ruling effectively means that the potential for corporate criminal conviction still hangs over the company, marking a final twist in what has been a grueling year for the US aircraft manufacturer.

Airplanes 286

Airplanes Airline Airlines 286

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 1, 2024

In November 2020, plans were announced for a massive airline merger, between Korea’s two largest airlines. This has been one of the most drawn out airline mergers ever, as over four years later, the deal still hasn’t been finalized. However, that’s expected to change soon, and it will have major implications for aviation in Asia and beyond. Basics of Korean Air’s plan to acquire Asiana Airlines Shortly after the start of the pandemic, SkyTeam’s Korean Air announced plans to acquire Star Alliance

Airline 133

Airline Airlines Cargo 133

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 6, 2024

London Stansted Airport (STN) has been in the news for all the right reasons of late, having recently broken the record for the busiest day in its history. While this represents part of a wider trend of post-pandemic growth at the airport, its one-runway setup could be seen as an obstacle to further development. However, the facility's latest plans outline how growth can continue in this configuration.

Runway 116

Runway 116

Aerotime

DECEMBER 5, 2024

French electric and hybrid aircraft startup AURA AERO announced that on December 3, 2024, it had successfully performed the first flight of its fully electric INTEGRAL E aircraft. The maiden flight took place at Toulouse-Francazal Airport, France, where AURA AERO is based. The INTEGRAL E is a two-seater light aircraft designed for training, acrobatics and recreational flight.

Airline 278

Airline Airlines 278

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 2, 2024

While we’ll see if this materializes, United Airlines wants to launch another route to China, and expand its long haul presence in Los Angeles. United wants to add new route to Beijing as of May 2025 United has filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT), requesting permission to launch three weekly flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Beijing (PEK).

Approach 126

Approach Airline Airlines 126

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 6, 2024

You will know by now that Etihad Airways plans to take delivery of its first Airbus A321LRs next year, with the variant expected to enter service in August. It eventually aims to have 30-40 LRs.

137

137

AV Web

DECEMBER 2, 2024

A New Zealand controller is being celebrated five months after she talked a panicked international student pilot on a solo flight to a safe landing at Dunedin Airport. Airways New Zealand, the country’s private airspace management company, presented Kate Lindsey with an award for keeping her cool as the student screamed in terror. “I knew there was a problem as the pilot sounded very panicked and asked to fly directly to the airport,” Lindsey told Stuff.

Pilot 105

Pilot 105

Aerotime

DECEMBER 2, 2024

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has developed a fire-resistant storage bag that can prevent fires in aircraft cabins caused by overheated batteries in electronic devices. The Japanese airline jointly developed the special bag along with Kikuchi Sheet Industries (Kikuchi Sheet), and TOPPAN Corporation. Portable electronics brought onboard aircraft can be a fire hazard due to faulty or damaged batteries, worn insulation, or damaged wiring.

Cabin Crew 286

Cabin Crew Airline Airlines 286

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The Amex Membership Rewards program has just introduced its latest transfer bonus, valid for the next several weeks. With a specific use in mind, this has the potential to be a phenomenal deal. Transfer points to Flying Club with a 40% bonus The American Express Membership Rewards program in the United States is offering a 40% bonus on points transfers to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Airline 119

Airline Airlines 119

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 1, 2024

Delta Air Lines is just over two weeks away from inaugurating its newest route. The airline will begin service between its hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Miami International Airport (MIA) with its sleek Airbus A321neo.

Airline 136

Airline Airlines 136

AV Web

DECEMBER 1, 2024

The family of a notorious early 20th Century bon vivant draft dodger are laying claim to a priceless Wright Model B airplane that has been at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute for most of the last century. According to the New Yor k Times, the descendents of Grover Bergdoll say the museum’s account of how it came into the lofty piece of American history doesn’t add up and they’ve concluded, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that their fast-living dear old dad co

Airplanes 124

Airplanes 124

Aerotime

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Alaska Airlines has been forced to issue an apology to thousands of its customers after the launch of a ‘Cyber Monday’ online seat sale caused IT issues that impacted departing flights. The Seattle-based carrier acknowledged that demand for its sale had overwhelmed its IT systems which had subsequently knocked on to cause “significant operational disruption”, issuing public apologies through its website and social media platforms.

Airline 277

Airline Airlines 277

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 5, 2024

In mid-2023, British Airways’ CEO announced that the airline planned to update the interiors of its Airbus A380s. The airline has slowly been revealing details about what we can expect. With British Airways having recently unveiled its new first class suite , I wanted to take an updated look at what we can expect from the A380s. British Airways A380s getting new first & business class At the start of the pandemic, British Airways grounded its Airbus A380 fleet, as several airlines did.

Jet 116

Jet Airline Airlines 116

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 4, 2024

On Tuesday, Icelandair took delivery of its first-ever Airbus aircraft: an Airbus A321LR registered TF-IAA. Previously a committed exclusively Boeing operator, Icelandair’s new aircraft will allow it to replace its existing Boeing 757 fleet and grow its network. The carrier devotes much attention to its strategy to attract transit traffic, with the new aircraft helping to encourage passengers traveling between Europe and North America to opt for Icelandair via Reykjavik.

128

128

Airline Geeks

DECEMBER 3, 2024

The long-time all-Boeing operator has four leased A321LRs on order along with 13 longer-range A321XLRs set for delivery in 2029.

129

129

Aerotime

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) found that October 2024 traffic figures showed robust travel growth. According to the association’s latest report, the progress was fuelled mainly by leisure and corporate travel demands. International air cargo markets also saw significant growth, supported by businesses restocking inventories in preparation for the year-end holiday season and major online sale promotions.

Cargo 286

Cargo Airline Airlines 286

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Several weeks ago, Qatar Airways Privilege Club launched “My Reward Seat Finder,” a new tool that’s supposed to efficiently show Qatar Airways award availability across an entire year, on your choice of routes. It’s a huge value-add when airlines make it easy to search award availability, so I was excited when I saw this. Unfortunately the execution leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Airline 113

Airline Airlines 113

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The F-22 Raptor is the longest-serving 5th-generation air superiority fighter in the US Air Force , and the world. The debut of Lockheed Martin ’s Raptor, was a milestone in military aviation that marked the dawn of an era in fighter technology. When the decision to end its production in 2011 was made, only 186 units had been produced. Since the shuttering of F-22 manufacturing, there has been an ongoing debate about the strategic wisdom of closing down the line.

119

119

Cranky Flier

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Though it’s true that the transaction hasn’t officially closed just yet — and may not until the new year — the acquisition by Lufthansa of 41 percent of ITA is all but done now that the European Commission has given its final sign-off. It wasn’t certain this would actually get done, and not just because ITA is the worst airline ever.

Airplanes 130

Airplanes Airline Airlines 130

Aerotime

DECEMBER 2, 2024

On December 1, 2024, Thai Airways International (‘Thai’) operated its first scheduled passenger flight between its primary hub in Bangkok and Brussels in Belgium. The new service signals a return to the route by Thailand’s national carrier after previous operations on the route were put on an indefinite hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic. The new service will operate daily using the carrier’s six-strong fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and is currently the only direct link between the two c

Cargo 285

Cargo Airline Airlines 285

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Air Canada has announced plans to make its basic economy fares more restrictive as of 2025, and it will have major implications for passengers. Air Canada basic fares lose carry-ons, seat changes Air Canada’s basic fares will have two new restrictions as of 2025. These changes apply specifically to flights within North America, as well as to flights to sun destinations, which include the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.

Airline 123

Airline Airlines 123

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 1, 2024

AirAsia Group's medium-haul airline, AirAsia X, has returned excellent financial and performance numbers for the three months ending September 30, 2024 (3Q24). Compared to the third quarter of 2023, the low-cost carrier increased revenue by 23%, boosted ancillary revenue by 40%, carried 34% more passengers, and with capacity increasing by just 27%, the passenger load factor climbed to an impressive 84%.

Airline 111

Airline Airlines 111

AV Web

DECEMBER 1, 2024

Aviation YouTuber Trent Palmer says far too many tailwheel airplanes get wrecked in ground loops because new pilots don’t have the basic rudder and brake feel to keep them rolling straight on the runway. He’s designed a tailwheel ground simulator to help impart that essential skill without risking expensive hardware. The post Best Of The Web: Taildragger Sim appeared first on AVweb.

Rudder 116

Rudder Runway Airplanes Pilot 116

Aerotime

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Two LATAM Airlines aircraft have sustained damage after being involved in a ground collision at Sao Paulo’s Congonhas Airport (CGH) in Brazil. The wingtip of one of the carrier’s A320neos was damaged in the incident while the other aircraft, an Airbus A319, saw impact damage to its tail cone structure. The collision reportedly occurred when the wingtip of the Airbus A320neo struck the tail of the A319 as the aircraft taxied past.

Tail 294

Tail Air Traffic Control Airplanes Airline 294

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 4, 2024

JetBlue is currently working on returning to profitability, and part of that strategy involves the airline optimizing its network by cutting unprofitable flying (fair enough, eh?). For example, so far this year, the airline has redeployed about 20% of its flying to focus on profitable markets , with the focus being on East Coast leisure flying. JetBlue has just internally revealed its latest set of route changes, as reported by @xJonNYC.

Airline 126

Airline Airlines 126

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 1, 2024

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines recently retired two of its beloved Boeing 757-200 airframes. It comes as the US legacy carrier has been gradually phasing out the jet, along with the 767-300ER , which are the two oldest aircraft types in its fleet.

Jet 130

Jet Airlines Airline 130

Airline Geeks

DECEMBER 4, 2024

In an internal memo sent to employees on Wednesday, the carrier said it is “focused on building the best East Coast leisure network.

127

127

Aerotime

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Air New Zealand is having to make further cuts to its domestic network over the coming months over what the airline is referring to as a softening in economic conditions in the market. The move comes as the airline also continues to struggle with engine shortages affecting its short-haul Airbus A320 and A321 fleets which are largely deployed on its domestic network.

Airline 286

Airline Airlines 286

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 5, 2024

As I covered in a separate post, American Airlines and Citi have announced an expansion of their partnership. Citi will become the exclusive issuer of AAdvantage co-branded credit cards in the United States, meaning that American is dumping Barclays. As I mentioned, though, this development goes beyond just American’s co-branded credit cards, and I wanted to talk about that in a bit more detail in this post.

Airline 121

Airline Airlines 121

Simple Flying

DECEMBER 2, 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines faced some of the most challenging market conditions they had ever encountered throughout the entire near century-long history of the commercial aviation industry in the United States. Faced with the lowest levels of passenger demand seen since the slowdown in global air travel following the September 11th terrorist attacks, many airlines had to make difficult decisions about the future of their fleets and operations, some of which significantly reduced the

Airline 116

Airline Airlines 116

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 4, 2024

As most of our readers will know, Avro Lancaster B.VII NX611 Just Jane is under restoration to airworthy condition with the Lincoln Aviation Heritage Center at former RAF East Kirkby in Lincolnshire, England. The group has made magnificent progress, even during the pandemic, and we thought that our readers might like to see a recent (edited) restoration update, reproduced here with permission.

Lift 126

Lift 126

Aerotime

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Qatar Airways Cargo and Japan Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will allow the two carriers to provide an enhanced product offering to their respective cargo customers. Qatar Airways Cargo and Japan Airlines’ freighter division, JALCARGO , will look to streamline the transfer of cargo between the two carriers and optimize their networks to work more seamlessly.

Cargo 278

Cargo Airline Airlines 278

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 2, 2024

In late 2021, Air India was privatized , as Tata Group, which was Air India’s initial owner when the company was first founded, took control of the airline again. Since then, executives at the company have been working hard to transform the airline. Suffice it to say that this is no small task, given the state of Air India’s fleet. Fortunately a lot will be changing over time.

Jet 112

Jet Airline Airlines 112