Aerotime

OCTOBER 28, 2024

LATAM Airlines Group has placed an order for 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with an option to purchase a further five more of the wide-body aircraft. News of the purchase was announced on October 28, 2024, by Boeing along with confirmation that LATAM aims to grow its 787 fleet to 52 aircraft by the end of the decade. LATAM currently operates 37 787-8s and 787-9s and is the largest operator of the aircraft type in South America.

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Wide-Body Aircraft Airline Airlines 317

Cranky Flier

OCTOBER 29, 2024

The Department of Transportation (DOT) in late April finalized rules requiring airlines to automatically issue refunds if there’s a disruption and no acceptable alternative exists. It sounds great in theory, but as airlines put it into effect this week, we find there is a dark side to this change. Several airlines are using this ruling to their full advantage and are now denying refunds to a slew of travelers who would have previously qualified for one.

Airline 299

Airline Airlines 299

Simple Flying

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Those booked on Air Indias nonstop flight between Delhi and New York JFK will now get to fly the route on the carriers brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The ultra-long-haul flight is one of the carriers most popular and prestigious international routes and passengers can now expect new onboard products across all cabins on the A350.

Airline 131

Airline Airlines 131

AV Web

OCTOBER 27, 2024

A Canadian paraglider pilot has a heck of a Himalayan adventure story to tell even though he was unconscious for a lot of it. Ben Lewis, who was five hours into a cross country flight in the Himalayas in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh, was sucked up into a storm and spit out at more than 24,000 feet. According to Cross Country Magazine , the publication that chronicles such pursuits, Lewis posted earlier this month on its XContest site that he passed out from the G forces of being spun up

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Weather Pilot 133

Aerotime

OCTOBER 29, 2024

French hydrogen aviation startup Beyond Aero has closed a €20 million Series A funding round co-led by VC firm Giant Ventures and public investment bank Bpifrance. The investment is being channeled through the Deeptech 2030 fund, which operates under the umbrella of the “France 2030” initiative. This is a French government project that aims to channel hundreds of millions of euros to support the country’s technology startup ecosystem.

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One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Saudi Arabia is in the process of launching an ambitious new airline, which is expected to launch operations in the coming year, and then grow at a very fast pace. While I’ve covered a lot of the individual announcements from Riyadh Air in recent times, in this post I wanted to take a big picture look at what we can expect from the airline, and everything we know as of now.

Airline 124

Airline Airlines Narrow-Body Aircraft Wide-Body Aircraft 124

Simple Flying

OCTOBER 28, 2024

The US military is quite dependent on space-based capabilities for nearly every aspect of its operations. While these capabilities are amazing assets, they also present a weakness that can be seized upon to possibly cripple American military operations. The author will first explore US dependency on is space-based operations, Chinas moves to counter US space assets and finally how the US is preparing (has prepared) for military engagements in space.

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Aerotime

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Iberia has officially taken delivery of the world’s first commercial ready Airbus A321XLR as the carrier prepares to welcome fee-paying passengers in November 2024. In a statement on October 30, 2024, Airbus said that the A321XLR will initially operate on Iberia’s European network before going global with transatlantic flights between Madrid and Boston.

Jet 306

Jet Pilot Airline Airlines 306

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 28, 2024

In several months, Lufthansa will be operating one of its longest flights ever, and it’s a pretty special route! Lufthansa’s charter flight to the Falkland Islands In March 2025, Lufthansa will be operating what’s easily one of the coolest charter flights we’ve seen. Specifically, Lufthansa will be flying between Munich (MUC) and Mount Pleasant (MPN) in the Falkland Islands.

Pilot 126

Pilot Airline Airlines 126

Simple Flying

OCTOBER 30, 2024

In recent reporting by investigative journalism firm Hunterbrook, supported by The Air Current and Military.com reporting, Universal Stainless' failure to provide quality gears for V-22 Osprey parts cost the lives of at least eight United States Air Force service members. For a military transport in the V-22 that relies on gears to operate correctly and on contractors and subcontractors to have the highest integrity many systems failed Americas servicemembers and military families, with concerns

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AV Web

OCTOBER 28, 2024

eVTOL start-up Lilium has filed for bankruptcy days after the German federal government and the Free State of Bavaria have failed to guarantee $108 million in loans the company needs to stay in operation. In a Form 6-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Lilium said it’s out of cash and can’t pay its bills so it’s filing for a “debtor-in-possession” form of insolvency that will give it creditor protection while it scrambles to find more money.

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Lift Jet 124

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Following months of delays, the first Lufthansa A350-900 to be fitted with the highly anticipated Allegris First Class suite is ready to fly from November 2024. Lufthansa has confirmed that the A350-900, complete with two individual suites and the unique Suite Plus, which offers a double seat and bed, will depart from Munich International Airport (MUC) for Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) on November 9, 2024.

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Ceiling Airline Airlines 294

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Air France has just revealed plans to launch a new route to the United States, and I don’t think this addition will shock anyone. Air France adds Paris to Orlando route As of May 21, 2025, Air France will launch a new year-round flight between Paris (CDG) and Orlando (MCO). The flight will operate 4x weekly with the following schedule: AF96 Paris to Orlando departing 5:05PM arriving 8:45PM AF97 Orlando to Paris departing 11:00PM arriving 1:30PM (+1 day) Air France will fly from Paris to Orlando

Weather 122

Weather Airline Airlines 122

Simple Flying

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

A United Airlines customer has been charged with assault after a sleeping man was attacked during a Monday trip on flight UA2247 from San Francisco International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. A witness said that the victim of the attack was deaf and nonverbal.

Airline 124

Airline Airlines 124

Inspire

OCTOBER 31, 2024

By Brian Hart, EAA 1457879 The Old Man was not always old; he had once been young and dreamed of flight. And when he was young, he had an Old Man of his own that dreamed of flight before him. That Old Man, the first of his line to reach boyhood in the aviation age, […] The post The Old Man and The Kid first appeared on Hangar Flying.

Hangar 115

Hangar 115

Aerotime

OCTOBER 27, 2024

A Qantas pilot has been named as one of three victims to have been killed in a mid-air plane crash between two light aircraft near Sydney in Australia. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), a Jabiru and Cessna 182 were involved in a mid-air collision on October 26, 2024, in which there were no survivors. In a report by 9News Australia , it said an off-duty Qantas pilot named Gary Criddle, 72, was instructing a second individual in the Cessna 182 when the light planes coll

Pilot 306

Pilot 306

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 28, 2024

PYOK has the scoop on how British Airways flight attendants have reportedly attended a mandatory training day over the past year at the carrier’s Global Learning Academy near Heathrow Airport (LHR), where they were “taught” some interesting things. Let’s cover two of the unusual aspects of this training. British Airways tells flight attendants to say “sorry” less There are many aspects of the British Airways experience that leave a lot to be desired, especially for an airline that often charges

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Cabin Crew Airline Airlines 124

Simple Flying

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Icelandair has retired the Boeing 757-300 , with the last revenue-generating services on October 28. It came one day earlier than the previously scheduled end.

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Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 26, 2024

PRESS RELEASE Delve into WWII History with unique exhibits, docent-led lectures, and exclusive tours at The Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum’s November 2024 events, bringing WWII history to life with exclusive exhibits and activities. The museum will be closed for Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served our country.

Jet 122

Jet 122

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Air India has completed its first Airbus A350 transatlantic flight by successfully landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. The Air India Airbus A350-900 left Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) on November 1, 2024, at 02:49 local time, and landed in New York around 15 hours later at 07:47 local time. The journey comes in the wake of Air India’s first ever A350-900 flight leaving Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) for Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport (BO

Airline 286

Airline Airlines 286

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 31, 2024

The United Kingdom has what’s known as the Air Passenger Duty (APD) , which is the highest passenger tax on air travel anywhere in the world (this is in addition to the carrier imposed surcharges that airlines like British Airways are known for). We tend to see annual adjustments to this, typically around April, to reflect inflation. We’ve already known that the UK APD would be increasing as of April 1, 2025.

Airline 117

Airline Airlines 117

Simple Flying

OCTOBER 31, 2024

The Air Force recently caused a stir online after it announced it had used B-2 Spirit bombers to drop the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) on underground Houthi targets in northern Yemen. The move put both the bomb and the B-2 Spirit Bomber in the spotlight. But what aircraft can carry the United States Air Force's Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) - designed to penetrate and destroy the deepest of military targets hidden underground?

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AV Web

OCTOBER 29, 2024

The first retail sale of General Aviation Modifications’ (GAMI’s) G100UL unleaded high octane fuel will likely take place today (Oct. 30) at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, California. The airport, operated by Santa Clara County, received 7500 gallons of the STC-approved replacement for 100LL on Monday and employees loaded it into one of two fuel trucks operated by the county.

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General Aviation 115

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Details have emerged of an incident involving a Flair Airlines flight in Canada on October 24, 2024. The captain of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft sustained minor injuries following a birdstrike immediately after take-off from Toronto which resulted in a shattered port-side front windscreen panel. Flair Airlines flight F8641 was departing on a routine scheduled flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) heading to Winnipeg-Richardson International Airport (YWG).

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Cockpit Airline Airlines Flight Deck 286

One Mile at a Time

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

In 2023, the Finnair Plus program adopted Avios as its rewards currency. I’d consider this to be a positive development, given the ability to transfer Avios between the various “flavors” of the rewards, with programs like British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. When Finnair adopted Avios as its rewards currency, the airline also introduced an award seat guarantee , whereby the oneworld carrier guarantees a certain number of award seats per flight when the schedule first

Airline 111

Airline Airlines 111

Simple Flying

OCTOBER 31, 2024

The US Department of the Navy ( US Navy ) and the noise agitation group Citizens of Ebeys Reserve (COER) have appealed lower court decisions about the future of NAS Whidbey Island to the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. In mediation questionnaires filed with the Court of Appeals regarding case #24-6357, the Navy desires to reverse the lower courts decisions.

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AV Web

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Four military aircraft, apparently returning from a flyover of Los Angeles’s Dodger Stadium for Game One of the Major League Baseball World Series, had a close call with a civilian aircraft. After an overhead break at Long Beach Airport (KLGB) in California, one of three U.S. Navy F/A-18s based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in Nevada (accompanied by a USAF F-16) came dangerously close to a Cessna 152 taking off from an intersecting runway.

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Air Traffic Control Runway Approach Airplanes 111

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Advanced air mobility firm BETA Technologies announced on October 31, 2024, that it had closed a $318 million Series C funding round. The round, which was priced higher than its predecessors, was led by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. Some current shareholders, such as Fidelity Management and TPG Rise Climate, took the opportunity to increase their participation in the venture as well.

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Aviation Technology 286

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 28, 2024

There really is no limit to how low some hotels in the United States will go when it comes to nickel-and-diming guests. Holiday Inn Express Elko charges two ridiculous fees The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Elko, Nevada , is getting some attention on FlyerTalk for the fees that it’s charging (thanks to View from the Wing for flagging this).

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Simple Flying

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Koch Industries is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, flipping spots for the largest overall with Cargill. The company is very involved in the manufacturing and refining of various petroleum elements and chemicals. It was first founded in 1940 by Fred Koch in Wichita , Kansas. The company began in the oil industry, as Fred Koch developed an innovative way to refine crude oil.

Jet 124

Jet 124

AV Web

OCTOBER 31, 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an airworthiness directive (AD) on Thursday targeting specific Lycoming engines that are equipped with certain connecting rod assemblies. The AD was issued in response to multiple reports of connecting rod failures that led to serious engine issues and in-flight shutdowns. According to the agency, the AD requires regular oil inspections to check for bronze metal particles, and if any are found, further checks of the connecting rod bushings for dam

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Aerotime

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

After weeks of strikes, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has urged Boeing workers to accept a new contract proposal. The IAM Union District 751, which represents 33,000 Boeing staff members in the Seattle area, said on October 31, 2024, that negotiators had “extracted everything” that they can during “bargaining”.

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One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 29, 2024

United Airlines is closing its secret restaurant at Newark Airport (EWR), and it’s probably good news for premium customers, as flagged by Sean Cudahy. The basics of Classified Restaurant Newark Airport For some background, in 2017, United Airlines opened Classified Restaurant at Newark Airport. The concept of an airline operating any invitation-only restaurant might sound a bit strange, and to be honest, it kind of is.

Airline 117

Airline Airlines 117

Simple Flying

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Few celestial endeavors have captured the world's imagination quite like SpaceX' s Starship program. From its towering stature on the Boca Chica launch pad in Texas to its gleaming stainless-steel exterior, Starship embodies the future of interplanetary transport. Here's what you need to know about SpaceX's groundbreaking program.

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Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 28, 2024

By Commissioning Editor James Kightly. Photos by Nigel Hitchman and James Kightly As the northern hemisphere’s airshow season wraps up, in Australia, the Temora Aviation Museum put on a dedicated warbird show at their home base in rural New South Wales. Warbirds Downunder (WDU) returns for the first time since 2018, the long gap caused by the Covid pandemic.

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Pilot Weather Hangar Jet 116

Aerotime

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo took another step forward towards its hybridization with the arrival of the first aircraft fitted with its new IndiGoStretch product. IndiGoStretch is a, much anticipated , business class-like product that will be deployed on some of the airlines trunk domestic routes in India with a large number of business travelers, such as those linking the capital city, Delhi (DEL), to Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA) and Bengaluru (BLR).

Airline 286

Airline Airlines 286

One Mile at a Time

OCTOBER 27, 2024

I rank Emirates’ new first class as one of the world’s best first class products. Readers often have questions about whether a particular flight is scheduled to feature the new first class, so in this post I wanted to cover that in a bit more detail, and provide an update on which routes are currently scheduled to have the new product. This coincides with the launch of the IATA winter 2024-2025 schedule, which applies for flights between late October and late March.

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Ceiling Airline Airlines Approach 117