Seems to be some GPS error. It’s quite funny though. 🙂
Found via Flickr – Photo by dimitridf
Month: December 2007
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Production Progress (Photo)
The Boeing production line is full for the 787 Dreamliner, as work continues on the first flight-test airplane and two airplanes to be used for static and fatigue testing.
These photos shows Airplane #1 in the third position, where final structure and systems installations are completed. Behind it, the static-test airplane is in the second position, where it will receive landing gear, engines, and any required interior installations. The fatigue airplane entered final body join Nov. 30
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
China Airlines chooses Airbus A350 XWB for their future long-haul fleet
China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest carrier, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Airbus for the acquisition of 14 A350-900 plus an additional six on option. The new generation medium capacity long-haul aircraft has been selected as part of their future fleet modernisation programme.
China Airlines intends to start using the A350 XWB from 2015. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines.
The A350 XWB will primarily be deployed on the airline’s long-haul routes to Europe, Australia and the United States.
Source: Airbus
Saudi Arabian Airlines signs firm contract for Airbus A320
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for 22 A320 aircraft, as part of its fleet modernisation plan. This follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the 10th Dubai Airshow in November 2007. The agreement allows Saudia to increase the order by eight further A320s.
The contract marks the first time Saudi Arabian Airlines has placed an order with Airbus in more than two decades. Previously, Saudi Arabian Airlines was the launch customer for the A300-600, which was first delivered to Saudia in 1984.
The firm contract reflects a period of rapid expansion of the aviation market in the region, with Saudia experiencing unprecedented demand for air travel.
Source: Airbus
Libyan carriers order 10 A350s, 4 A330s and 7 A320
Airbus recently announced orders by 2 Libyan carriers for a total of 21 new Airbus aircraft.
Afriqiyah Airways orders six A350-800s
Afriqiyah Airways has signed a firm contract with Airbus for the purchase of six A350-800s for its long-term expansion plan. This comes in addition to the 14 A320 Family aircraft and three A330-200s this young airline from Libya already has on order.
With deliveries to Afriqiyah commencing in 2017, the A350 XWBs will allow Afriqiyah Airways to expand its long-haul operations in the longer term.
Libyan Airlines orders 15 Airbus aircraft including A350s, A330s and A320s
Libyan Airlines has signed a firm contract for the purchase of 15 Airbus aircraft, including four A350-800s, four A330-200s and seven A320s, thus confirming its initial agreement signed in June this year. The Libyan flag carrier will use the new aircraft to replace and expand its existing fleet.
The A330-200s respond to mid term fleet requirements for new international routes to Asian destinations. The new A320s will be put into service on Libyan Airlines’ growing network, both domestically and in Europe and the Middle East. With deliveries commencing in 2017, the A350 XWBs will allow the Libyan carrier to further develop its long haul operations in the longer term.
Source: Airbus
KLM & Northwest with new service between London Heathrow and Detroit, Minneapolis and Seattle
Northwest Airlines in cooperation with its joint venture partner, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, today announced an expansion of its Trans-Atlantic route network with three new daily nonstop flights from London Heathrow Airport to Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Seattle.
Scheduled to begin in the spring of 2008, KLM Northwest’s new nonstop services will conveniently connect London Heathrow with more than 250 destinations throughout the United States for customers travelling via Northwest’s Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul hubs, and Seattle gateway.
Daily Service from London Heathrow – Terminal 4:
- To Detroit – Flight Number: 101 – Departs: 8:50 a.m. – Arrives: 12:30 p.m. — Effective: 2 May, 2008
- To Minneapolis/St. Paul – Flight Number: 103 – Departs: 2:25 p.m. – Arrives: 5:25 p.m. — Effective: 30 Mar, 2008
- To Seattle – Flight Number: 105 – Departs: 6:30 p.m. – Arrives: 8:55 p.m. — Effective: 2 June, 2008
Daily Service to London Heathrow – Terminal 4:
- From Detroit – Flight Number: 102 – Departs: 5:50 p.m. – Arrives: 7:05 a.m +1 — Effective: 1 May, 2008
- From Minneapolis/St. Paul – Flight Number: 104 – Departs: 9:45 p.m. – Arrives: 12:15 p.m. +1 — Effective: 29 Mar, 2008
- From Seattle – Flight Number: 106 – Departs: 10:20 p.m. – Arrives:4:15 p.m. +1 — Effective: 1 June, 2008
In addition to the London Heathrow service, Northwest will also continue to operate daily round-trip flights between London Gatwick and Detroit.
Northwest is launching the new Heathrow service with the business traveller in mind. In addition to preferring the Heathrow airport for its convenient proximity to London’s business and financial district, business travellers also prefer the comfort and amenities of NWA’s world business class service, a prominent feature of the A330 aircraft that NWA will be using to operate the new route.
The A330s are equipped with up to 34 World Business Class seats (176 degree lie-flat seats with a privacy canopy) and 264 economy class seats, which feature more personal space than any other aircraft in the fleet.
World Business Class travellers also enjoy an array of features including 60 inches of space between seats, 110-volt personal laptop power port, cycling lumbar support, a six-way adjustable headrest and four seat-back storage pockets.
An on demand in-flight entertainment (IFE) system is available in both cabins. The interactive IFE system offers travelers a choice of 40 movies, four short-subject video programs, 56 different audio selections, six games, shopping and in-flight information, allowing customers the freedom and flexibility to start, pause or stop their selection at any time.
In World Business Class, customers are able to view any of these features on a 10.4 inch/26.4 centimetre video screen. Customers traveling in economy class are able to view these features on a personal video screen in the seatback in front of them.
KLM Northwest’s new London Heathrow flights are now available for sale.
BBAM orders 20 Next-Generation 737-800s
Boeing and Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management (BBAM) today announced that BBAM, in conjunction with its long-term business partner, Nomura Babcock & Brown, has placed an order for 20 Next-Generation 737-800s.
The order, valued at $1.5 billion at list prices, was previously listed on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries Web site and attributed to an unidentified customer.
“Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management has experienced great success in placing the Boeing Next-Generation 737 with airline operators around the world and we look forward to taking delivery of these aircraft from Boeing, which will bring our fleet of Next-Generation 737s to more than 125 aircraft,” said Steven Zissis, president, BBAM.
Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management’s aircraft leasing portfolio is the world’s fifth largest, managing 245 leased commercial jets with a total value in excess of $6.5 billion. The fleet, which is currently 100 percent utilized and leased to 72 customers, has an average age weighted by value of 7.6 years.
Source: Boeing
Cathay Pacific orders 8 more A330-300s
Actually this news was already announced a few days ago, but I’m posting it anyway to keep the “Orders & Deliveries” category up-to-date. Aside from that, I just love to post news about my favorite airline. 😉
Cathay Pacific Airways has signed a contract with Airbus to further expand its A330 widebody fleet with the addition of eight A330-300s. The new planes, powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines, are scheduled for delivery before the end of 2012.
The Hong Kong based carrier, together with sister airline Dragonair, is currently the largest operator of A330 in the world with a fleet of 45 A330-300s currently in service across its combined international route network. Together with three leased A330-300s scheduled for delivery in 2008, this latest order will bring the airlines’ combined A330-300 fleet to a total of 56 by 2012.
Source: Airbus
Pic of the Day – Kamov Ka-26
I just found a pretty nice photo at airliners.net.
What an awesome shot out of an Aviootryad Varna Kamov Ka-26! Great scenery, colors and angle. Makes a nice desktop wallpaper. 🙂
JetBlue offers free in-flight e-mail and instant messaging
JetBlue Airways will start offering limited e-mail and instant messaging services for free on one of its planes next week as airlines renew efforts to offer in-flight Internet access. The JetBlue system is scheduled to make its debut Tuesday on Flight 641 from New York to San Francisco. The aircraft, an Airbus A320, is specially designated “BetaBlue” as it is used to test new entertainment services offered through JetBlue’s subsidiary, LiveTV.
General Web surfing and e-mail attachments won’t be permitted because of bandwidth constraints, and services on laptops and handhelds with Wi-Fi wireless access will be limited to e-mail and messaging from Yahoo.
Passengers can check other personal and work e-mail – but only on two BlackBerry models – the 8820 and the Curve 8320 – that have Wi-Fi wireless capabilities, under a deal with the BlackBerry maker. Use of laptops and BlackBerry devices will still be barred during takeoff and landing. And the cellular portion of the permitted BlackBerry devices must be turned off during the flight.
American Airlines is among the carriers planning to test broader, fee-based in-flight Internet services in coming months.
Continue at source: http://www.siliconvalley.com/news/ci_7653229?nclick_check=1