The Time Lufthansa Flew the Boeing 767

DALLAS – Many may not remember that Lufthansa (LH) operated three Boeing 767 aircraft back in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, the airline operated the type for a short lease period to meet the travel demand. The Boeing 767 operated under LH for seven years from 1998 to 2005 with flights from both …

Jet Fuel Prices Hit Unprecedented High

Alaska Airlines’ biofuels, an alternative to Jet-A fuels. Photo: Alaska Airlines Jet Fuel Prices by Region (US) The report also notes how the locations seeing the higher prices are noteworthy in this unprecedented market. Traditionally jet fuel prices are higher in the Eastern US, but as of early May, Jet-A prices were running 2% higher …

5/05/1947: First Flight of Alitalia

DALLAS – Today in Aviation, the first Alitalia-Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali (AZ) flight took off bound for its domestic destination in 1947. On May 5, a three-engine Fiat G-12C Alcione bearing registration I-DALH lined up at Turin-Aeritalia Airport’s (TRN) runway. The Fiat G-121CA aircraft, on loan from the Italian Air Force since April 17, 1947, is …

In major shakeup Qantas to buy Alliance Aviation

Qantas has reached an agreement to fully acquire Australian-based operator, Alliance Aviation Services Ltd enabling it to better serve the growing resources sector. The agreement, which is subject to a vote from Alliance shareholders and competition clearance, would see Alliance become a wholly-owned part of the Qantas Group. Alliance has a fleet of 70, 100-seat …

Alaska Airlines reveals Star Wars themed 737

Alaska Airlines has joined forces with Disneyland Resort, to unveil a new, one-of-its-kind Star Wars-themed aircraft that even Chewbacca would be proud of. The 737 painted space black with the iconic Millennium Falcon emblazoned on the tail chased by TIE fighters, celebrates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newest land of adventure inside Disneyland park. For …

Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737s on Journey to Net Zero

DALLAS – Four new Boeing 737-8 aircraft and a set of Boeing 737-700s are heading to Australia. Virgin Australia Group (VA) has revealed the first phase of its fleet growth program, which is an important step in the airline’s commitment toward Net-Zero. Retired as part of this program will be the airline’s F100s which the …

Alaska Airlines Unveils Boeing 737 Star Wars Livery

DALLAS – Alaska Airlines (AS) introduces its Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge liveried Boeing 737-890, N538AS, the last AS aircraft in the old livery. N538AS was ferried from Spokane to the Seattle/Tacoma hub last night. After the big reveal and celebration at the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The plane made its inaugural flight today, …

5/4/1979: Air Europe Commenced Operations

DALLAS – Today in Aviation, London Gatwick-based (LGW) Air Europe (AE) operated its maiden flight in 1979. Flight AE1004, operated by Boeing 737-200 (G-BMHG), departed LGW bound for Palma (PMI). The airline was established in 1978 by two former Dan-Air (DAA) executives, Errol Cossey and Martin O’Regan. The pair approached UK Inclusive Tour (IT) operator Intasun …

Fabulous colour video of flying in the Golden Age of travel

This fabulous colour video brings to life flying in the Golden Age of travel. The video is 30 minutes in length and was produced by Shell one of the leading suppliers of aviation fuel. READ: Qantas 11 weeks from bankruptcy in 2020. So make a cup of tea or coffee sit back and enjoy some …

Qantas brings back Perth-London nonstop earlier than planned

Qantas has brought forward the resumption of its Perth-London nonstop due to increasing demand for its direct service, which is the airline’s most popular. The service – QF9/10- was scheduled to return on June 19 and will not re-start on May 23. One of the factors contributing to the earlier resumption has been the current …

Airways Top 10 College Aviation Programs

DALLAS – The aviation industry is the lifeblood of the world’s transportation system, and piloting planes is an important part of keeping the world running. Even though the pandemic has affected the amount of commercial air travel and the number of flight crews available, once the pandemic ends, travel by air is expected to rebound. …

New Delhi Airport: World’s Second Busiest

DALLAS – New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) has been ranked as the second busiest airport globally for March 2022 in terms of seat capacity and frequency of domestic and international flights, by the Official Airline Guide (OAG). The airport catered to 3,611,181 seats for the month, only second to Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International …

Avolon Reports US$304m Impairment on Russia

DALLAS – Avolon has recorded a US$304m loss on aircraft leased to Russian customers who are now subject to international sanctions. The recognition reduces the carrying value of 10 aircraft to zero, according to the lessor’s Q1 results update on May 3. Avolon had 14 planes placed with Russian customers prior to Russia’s invasion of …

5/03/1976: Pan Am’s round-the-world Record-setting Flight

DALLAS – Today in Aviation, Pan Am’s Boeing 747SP–21 ‘Clipper Liberty Bell’ completed a record-setting flight around the world in 1976. On May 1, N533PA took off from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on a world-record-breaking round-the-world flight. The flight crew included co-pilots Albert A. Frink and Lyman G. Watt, as well as …

The Humble Beginnings of Gulf Airlines

DALLAS – The Middle East is today’s most prominent connecting hub, shared by a few carriers from the region. Their start to reaching such an ambitious position dates back to a rather interesting allied beginning. The present-day airline, Gulf Air (GF), traces its roots back to the original founding entity, the Gulf Aviation Company, headquartered …

Braniff and the Concorde

DALLAS – One of the often-overlooked chapters of Concorde’s history was Braniff International’s (BN) interchange flights with British Airways (BA) and Air France (AF). Here is the story. Braniff flew the Concorde from Dallas Fort Worth Regional Airport (DFW) to London and Paris via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). This 16-month operation lasted from January …

United Airlines Resumes Nonstop San Francisco-Melbourne Route

DALLAS – United Airlines (UA) has announced a June 2022 reintroduction of its nonstop service between San Francisco and Melbourne. The 3X weekly route relaunch complements UA’s current service between Sydney and the airline’s hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Once the route commences, UA will be the sole U.S. carrier to operate nonstop …

Spirit Rejects jetBlue Offer; jetBlue Sweetens Deal

DALLAS – Spirit Airlines (NK) announced today that its Board of Directors has rejected jetBlue’s (B6) unsolicited acquisition proposal, claiming the proposed transaction is not reasonably capable of being co-financed. After consulting with outside financial and legal advisors, NK’s Board unanimously determined that the unsolicited proposal received from B6 did not constitute a “Superior Proposal” …

5/02/1952: First Commercial Jet Flies to South Africa

DALLAS – Today in Aviation, the first scheduled jet flight bound for Johannesburg, South Africa, left London in 1952 with 36 passengers. The flight was operated by BOAC, the first airline to introduce a passenger jet, the de Havilland Comet, into commercial service.  The Johannesburg-bound Comet, designated G-ALYP by BOAC, flew at 450-500 mph at 35-40,000 feet, …

Geoffrey Thomas on Channel 7’s Sunrise discussing Qantas mega order

Geoffrey Thomas, AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief appeared on Channel 7’s Sunrise to discuss the Qantas mega Airbus order. See the interview here; Domestically, Qantas will start the renewal of its narrow-body jets with firm orders for 20 Airbus A321XLRs and 20 A220-300s as its Boeing 737s and 717s are gradually retired. The first of these aircraft will …

Qantas 11 weeks from declaring bankruptcy in 2020

Qantas was within just 11 weeks of declaring bankruptcy after COVID-19 struck in early 2020. The shock revelation came from Qantas boss Alan Joyce as he announced the airline’s biggest order in its 102-year history for up to 146 aircraft worth $34 billion as revealed by AirlineRatings.com yesterday. “We were 11 weeks from bankruptcy,” Mr …

Qantas Orders Airbus A350-1000s, Sets Eyes on Project Sunrise

DALLAS – Today, Qantas (QF) announced its order for 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to be deployed on ultra-long-haul flights as a part of ‘Project Sunrise’. The airline anticipates the aircraft to be in service from 2025 based in Sydney and lists New York and London as flagship destinations for the A350s. Deliveries are expected to …

Flight Crews at Double Risk of Developing Skin Cancers

Photo: Airbus A Simple Skin Cancer Most people think of Melanoma as simply skin cancer. A mole you have removed and never think about again. We were actually those people back in 2001. My husband had a mole removed from his chest that came back as Stage 1 Melanoma. In 2001, there was no additional …

Boeing 747 captain captures mysterious lights on video over Austria

Boeing 747 captain Christiaan van Heijst has recorded a mysterious light across the sky over Austria. Christiaan explains the encounter. “Now here’s something I’ve never seen before. “Flying north-west over a cloudy Austria, we suddenly noticed a bright light starting to pop up and move in a roughly northerly direction. Judging by the speed, I …

Onboard French Bee’s Inaugural Los Angeles-Paris Service (+Photos)

LOS ANGELES – Today, Airways is onboard French Bee’s (BF) inaugural flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris (ORY), a major step for the low-cost airline’s ambitious plans to expand into the North American market. Follow along as we showcase the inaugural flight celebrations and inflight experience.  French Bee will serve LAX three times weekly, …

Qantas to place largest order in its history

Qantas will place the largest order in its 103-year history this morning signing up for over 150 Airbus jets to take the airline towards its target of net zero emissions by 2050. Last night an Airbus A350-1000, adorned in Qantas colours, with Airbus’s chief commercial officer Christian Scherer aboard, transited Perth Airport on route to Sydney …

Lufthansa Deploys A350 Featuring Improved Business Class

DALLAS – Lufthansa (LH) christened and deployed its newest Airbus A350-900, featuring an updated business class product. D-AIVC, named Munich, first landed in Frankfurt (FRA) on March 10 and completed its first commercial flight, LH494, to Toronto, yesterday. After taking off at 3:45 PM from Munich (MUC), the aircraft landed in Toronto at 6:16 PM …