Air Facts
JANUARY 20, 2025
A Night Flying Experience I’ll Never Forget Air Facts Journal When I earned my Private license, specific training in night flying was required if the new pilot planned to fly at night. Otherwise, the license was endorsed as Night Flying Prohibited. I wanted the license without restrictions, as well as the flexibility of flying after sunset so I arranged for the necessary training flights.
Aerotime
JANUARY 24, 2025
US-based flight developer Boom Supersonic has begun the final countdown to its first attempt at breaking the sound barrier with its XB-1 demonstrator. On January 25, 2025, Boom Supersonic declared the start of a five-day countdown to the historic flight, following 11 tests and 22 months of rigorous testing. Announcing XB-1’s first supersonic flight, Boom wrote: 3, 2, 1 Boom The countdown is on.
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Cranky Flier
JANUARY 23, 2025
It’s hard to fathom just how vital air service is to some of the more remote communities in the US, and possibly none have suffered quite as much as Molokai and Lnai in the Hawaiian Islands. Last week, the islands were cut off from the rest of the world for the second time in a year when flights operated by Mokulele (actually Southern Airways Express under the Mokulele name) 9-seat Cessna Grand Caravans were suspended due to maintenance concerns.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 20, 2025
After the cancellation of the Airbus A380 , the Airbus A350 is now Airbus' flagship widebody airliner. Not only does it boast the world's longest range for any commercial passenger jet, but it also has the world's highest ETOPS 370 rating. As the Airbus A350 turns 10 , we look at the airlines that operate most of this widebody aircraft. Here are the ten (eleven) largest operators of the A350 as of January 2025, according to information gathered by ch-aviation.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 23, 2025
United Airlines recently revealed its impressive financial performance for 2024, whereby the company reported record revenue and very healthy profits, with an even more positive outlook for 2025. Contractually, flight attendants are entitled to profit sharing based on a formula. However, many flight attendants are finding themselves quite disappointed.
Aerotime
JANUARY 24, 2025
Boeing has announced that it expects a $4 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2024, due to a challenging year marked by a seven-week labor strike by US Coast factory workers and extra charges within the defense segment. In a statement released on January 23, 2025, Boeing announced that it will recognize impacts to its financial results related to the IAM work stoppage, charges for certain Defense, Space & Security programs and costs associated with workforce reductions when it reports its
Cranky Flier
JANUARY 21, 2025
JetBlue has been a lot of things over the years, but most of all it’s been a point-to-point airline. It loves to fly people nonstop where they’re going, and if you want to connect, well, that’s a you problem. Connecting fares have never been very good, and flights weren’t timed for connections. But wait, things appear to be changing, at least a little.
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One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 20, 2025
In late 2023, Lufthansa Group announced a narrow body fleet modernization , whereby the airline group ordered Airbus A220s and Boeing 737 MAXs. When placing aircraft orders, Lufthansa Group often doesnt initially reveal which specific airline an aircraft is intended for. So along those lines, theres now an interesting update. Eurowings replacing Airbus A320s with Boeing 737 MAXs Lufthansa Group plans to modernize the fleet of Eurowings with Boeing 737 MAXs.
Aerotime
JANUARY 23, 2025
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $270 million contract by the US Air Force to integrate next-generation infrared defensive sensors on the F-22 Raptor. Under the agreement, the F-22 will be equipped with a distributed set of embedded TacIRST sensors, collectively known as the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS). These sensors are designed to bolster the Raptor’s ability to detect, track, and counter adversarial threats in the infrared spectrum.
Vintage Aviation News
JANUARY 21, 2025
The week of Oshkosh provides a unique opportunity not only to admire some of the most remarkable aircraft, particularly vintage airplanes but also for publishers and enthusiasts alike to connect with the people dedicated to preserving and operating these historic machines. Among these individuals is Eric Trueblood, co-founder of AirCorps Aviation. During EAA AirVenture 2024, Trueblood shared insights into AirCorps Aviation and the broader warbird industry.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 21, 2025
Today marks a special anniversary in the history of worldwide commercial aviation, with it now having been exactly 49 years since the legendary Anglo-French supersonic airliner Concorde entered service. The delta-winged jet would go on to fly (albeit with a brief hiatus at the turn of the century) until 2003, inspiring both avgeeks and the general public around the world for a span of 27 years.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 23, 2025
Lufthansa is currently trying to update its long haul hard product, with the introduction of the Allegris cabin concept. The execution there has left a bit to be desired , to put it mildly. However, as it turns out, Lufthansa is also working on completely overhauling its soft product on long haul flights, which is long overdue (thanks to aeroTELEGRAPH for reporting this).
Aerotime
JANUARY 23, 2025
The national air navigation control service provider of Azerbaijan, Azeraeronavigation (AZANS), has announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with NATS , the UKs leading provider of air traffic management services. The deal, announced on January 23, 2025, will see the partners combine to modernize air traffic control services in Azerbaijan airspace as the country bids to become a major player in the global aviation scene, sitting as it does at a key crossroad between east and west.
Airline Geeks
JANUARY 23, 2025
United leadership is still betting on the 737 MAX 10 variant despite ongoing manufacturing and delivery delays at Boeing.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 20, 2025
A key lesson for all airlines from the pandemic is that they must be agile and able to switch routes and aircraft quickly when demand changes, either due to seasonality or destination popularity. Long before COVID-19, Air Astana was already an agile airline, and this week, it used that flexibility by announcing the launch of a new route in China and a change of destination in Vietnam.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 24, 2025
For the first segment of my quick trip to Paris and Cairo , I flew Emirates Airbus A380 business class on the 7hr10min overnight flight from New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP). This is one of the carriers more useful fifth freedom flights , and a fantastic way to travel between the United States and Europe. While Ive flown Emirates first class a countless number of times over the years, this was my first time in roughly a decade flying the carriers A380 business class.
Aerotime
JANUARY 20, 2025
Qantas officially opened its Engineering Academy in Brisbane on January 20, 2025, and welcomed the first batch of 30 students. The Qantas Group said the Academy will train the next generation of aircraft engineers through a training program developed by Qantas and Aviation Australia. The program is designed to increase the number of apprentices that can betrained each year to 150 students.
Vintage Aviation News
JANUARY 20, 2025
Via Defence. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) recently unveiled the newly restored Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune A89-280, which has served as a gate guardian at RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland, since 2012. This iconic maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft has a storied history, having operated out of Townsville with 10 Squadron from 1962 until the late 1970s.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 18, 2025
As demand for international travel continues to rise and new aircraft deliveries are delayed, Korean Air has decided to prolong the life of its Airbus A380 , according to South Korea-based media, the Asia Business Daily. The airline is now choosing to perform significant maintenance on the A380 fleet, indicating its desire to maintain the superjumbo in operation far past the 2026 retirement date that was originally intended.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 20, 2025
Hawaiian Airlines will finally start operating its brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners on a route long enough so that the experience can be properly enjoyed. Hawaiian Airlines replaces A330 with 787 on JFK route Hawaiian Airlines operates a daily flight between Honolulu (HNL) and New York (JFK), which is the carriers second longest route, after Boston (BOS).
Aerotime
JANUARY 24, 2025
Japan Airlines (JAL) is set to apply riblet-shaped coating on its B787-9 aircraft bound for long-haul international flights. Along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), industrial paint company O-Well, and Nikon, JAL has been conducting flight tests for the world’s first riblet-shape applied over exterior paint since 2022. Riblets are fine groove structures inspired by the shape of shark skin which reduce water resistance.
Airline Geeks
JANUARY 24, 2025
Flight 613 returned to Lagos where four passengers and two flight attendants were evaluated for minor injuries, the airline said.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 20, 2025
Most travelers have plenty of experience of boarding aircraft using stairs from the ground. This is obvious when parked at a remote stand or a stand with no jet bridge linked to the terminal. But it is also often the case even when there is a working jet bridge in place. Passengers simply walk (or get taken by bus) around the jet bridge to board using stairs.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 19, 2025
There are of course lots of amazing airlines out there , ranging from Qatar Airways to Singapore Airlines. However, Id argue that no airline has built a brand quite in the way that Emirates Airline has. Emirates is one of the most talked about airline in the world, and I think the carrier has tapped into something that no other airline has, at least to the same level.
Aerotime
JANUARY 22, 2025
United Airlines finished 2024 in a strong position after experiencing a better than average performance during the final quarter and over the festive holidays. The worlds largest carrier (based on fleet size) posted its results and outlook for the year ahead on January 22, 2025, with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby predicting double-digit pre-tax margins in 2025.
AV Web
JANUARY 20, 2025
Photos of the internal damage caused by a drone strike on the wing of a CL-415 waterbomber in California 10 days ago and they show that even tiny drones pack a punch. The drone, pieces of which were recovered from inside the wing has been identified as weighing less than half a pound. The impact over Pacific Palisades bent the front of a rib and a horizontal leading edge member and the water scooping amphib required significant repairs.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 18, 2025
Inclement weather creates havoc at airports, particularly during peak travel periods. Major snowstorms generally align with holiday travel periods, increasing airport flight disruptions. As a result of a major winter storm, snow, black ice, and slush create major difficulties for aircraft during takeoffs, landings, and low-altitude flying. Ground operations are also severely affected, including fueling, de-icing, servicing, and baggage handling vehicles.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 24, 2025
While exact details of the transition remain to be seen, it would appear that airline pilots and flight attendants may soon have different security screening protocols at airports in the United States. TSA introducing Crewmember Access Point (CMAP) NATA Compliance Services has revealed that as of late November 2025, the Known Crewmember Program (KCM) will be replaced by a new program branded as Crewmember Access Point (CMAP).
Aerotime
JANUARY 20, 2025
Eurowings will replace its fleet of Airbus A319s and older Airbus A320 models with 40 brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets after Lufthansa Group confirmed the allocation. Lufthansa Group placed an order for 40 new Boeing 737 MAX 8s, and options for 60 more, in December 2023, but disclosed on January 20, 2024, that Eurowings would be the owner of the aircraft.
Airline Geeks
JANUARY 21, 2025
Eurowings plans to add Boeing 737 MAX jets in its largest-ever fleet expansion. The carrier made the announcement on Monday.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 18, 2025
In January 2025, there are seven aircraft types that flew between London Heathrow Airport and destinations in the United States. Six of these types were wide-bodied aircraft, and one was narrow-bodied. In all, according to data from Cirium , there were 82,734 flights between Heathrow and the United States, carrying a total of 22.14 million seats. Air traffic has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic and is reaching new heights.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 20, 2025
The SkyTeam alliance has just announced some changes to its lounge access rules, and theyre a mixed bag. SkyTeam lounge access changes, both good and bad The SkyTeam alliance plans to make a series of changes to its lounge access policies for visits as of April 1, 2025. These changes impact first and business class passengers, as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus members.
Aerotime
JANUARY 21, 2025
ATR, the worlds leading regional aircraft manufacturer, has announced that it has successfully completed the certification process with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the introduction of the Starlink high-speed internet connectivity system onboard its ATR72 family of regional turboprop aircraft. Following several successful test flights carried out on ATRs 72-600 testbed aircraft performed from the companys base in Toulouse, France, over recent months, the company announced in a
AV Web
JANUARY 21, 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its final report on the deadly midair collision that killed all four aboard two aircraft over North Las Vegas Airport in July 2022. The report targets pilot error (one aircraft lining up for the wrong runway), controller mistakes, and controller staffing shortages as probable causes in the accident.
Simple Flying
JANUARY 24, 2025
As a full-service network carrier, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines operates a traditional hub-and-spoke model, meaning that they operate thousands of daily flights to and from their major hubs, which are located across the country. If you are looking to fly between two destinations, neither of which is a Delta Air Lines hub, you will likely have to connect somewhere along the way at a Delta hub.
One Mile at a Time
JANUARY 23, 2025
In 2021, we saw the launch of Breeze Airways, a low cost carrier founded by serial airline entrepreneur David Neeleman (also behind JetBlue, WestJet, Azul, and more). While the airline isnt publicly traded, finances shared with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the first couple of years suggested that the airline was hemorrhaging money. When you combine this with the general financial challenges that low cost carriers in the United States have been facing, many wondered if the carrier wo
Aerotime
JANUARY 21, 2025
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Group has announced its traffic figures for December 2024. The figures show impressive increases in both the number of passengers carried and tonnes of cargo transported in the final month of 2024, completing the carriers two-year rebuilding process after its fortunes were decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cathay Pacific carried a total of 2,248,950 passengers in December 2024, an increase of 26.4% compared with December 2023.
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