Month: February 2008

KLM receives first 777-300ER

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 777-300ER (Extended Range) (777-306/ER / PH-BVA (cn 35671/694)). The airplane joins KLM’s fleet of 15 Boeing 777-200ERs when it arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol airport on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
The fuel-efficient 777-300ER is the world’s largest long-range twin-engine airplane. In KLM’s configuration, the airplane is capable of carrying 425 passengers in a two-class configuration with a maximum range of 14,685 kilometers (7,930 nautical miles) at a cruising speed of 0.84 Mach.

KLM Boeing 777-300ER

Source & Photo Credit: Boeing

New orders for Airbus ACJ and Airbus A350 XWB Prestige

Airbus announced that an Asian customer has placed a firm order for an Airbus A350 XWB Prestige, in what is the second commitment for the newest member of the Airbus corporate jetliner family (building on an earlier commitment from another customer that was announced during the Dubai airshow).

The A350-900 will feature a luxurious VIP interior, and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The choice of cabin-outfitter has yet to be announced.

BAA Jet Management of Hong Kong has been chosen to manage the A350 XWB Prestige, the VIP version of the A350 XWB, on behalf of the customer, and will base the aircraft in Hong Kong.

Besides this A350 XWB firm order, Airbus also announced, that a new Asian customer has placed a firm order for an Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ).

The aircraft will feature a luxurious VIP interior, and will be powered by CFM International CFM56-5B7/P engines. The choice of cabin-outfitter has yet to be announced.

The aircraft will also be managed by BAA Jet Management and based in Hong Kong.

Source: Airbus

Synergy Aerospace to acquire 10 A350 XWB

Airbus S.A.S. LogoSynergy Aerospace, a Latin-American consortium, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for ten A350-800s and ten options. This further commitment comes in addition to the 47 A320 Family aircraft and ten A330-200s that its subsidiaries already have on order, making it a key customer for Airbus in Latin America.
Synergy Aerospace, is a shareholder of Avianca and SAM in Colombia, Oceanair in Brazil and VIP in Ecuador.

Source: Airbus

Safety Report – 02/14/2008


Date & Time: 02/13/2008 21:35
Location: Boston, MA
Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-223 Registration: N631AA
Operator: American Airlines Flight: 222
Phase: Taxi
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: While taxiing to the gate, struck a jet bridge with the number one engine – damage to be determined

Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.

Video – In-Flight Panic Attack

I found this video on YouTube, showing a man, obviously having a panic attack, on an Air Canada flight to London. It’s quite astonishing how professionally this situation was handled and everybody stayed calm.

The publisher of this video added some notes to describe the situation:
#2 We kept filming this because we were concerned for the man re: recent Vancouver airport incident
#3 He is not a prisoner being deported. Where he is in the video isn’t his original seat. He was brought to the middle aisle so that he could be better restrained by the man sitting on each side of him. Several plastic cuffs were brought out by the flight attendants almost as soon as the man started yelling
#4 Yes it was scary at times, but the crew and a couple of fellow passengers did an excellent job and I commend them, I also commend the calm nature of my fellow passengers despite the unsettling circumstances.
#5 I was awoken by his screaming, so I’m not positive if he was set off by anyone. I do know that a large white British man would walk by him and antagonize him. This was equally annoying, because it was usually when the man had quieted down.
#6 This man is likely Indian decent, he mentions Muslims, but its not exactly complimentary, HOWEVER I could really care less about this – didn’t matter to me who was screaming – white, Chinese, innu – it would have been equally unnerving.”

Safety Report – 02/07/2008


Date & Time: 02/06/2008 22:40
Location: New York, NY
Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-232 Registration: N635JB
Operator: JetBlue Airways
Phase: Other
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: While parked at the gate, the jetbridge collapsed onto the aircraft – at LaGuardia Airport, NY

Date & Time: 02/06/2008 21:20
Location: Buffalo, NY
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-800 Registration: Unknown
Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: DAL 155
Phase: Cruise
Damage: None
Injuries & Fatalities: 1 minor injury
Description: Delta Air Lines flight 155 experienced moderate turbulence – one flight attendant sustained minor injuries – near Buffalo

Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.

Cathay Pacific Airways Celebrate 777-300ER Delivery

Yay! My favorite airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, last week celebrated the delivery of the airline’s newest 777-300ER. The airplane is painted in the unique “Asia’s world city” livery that will help promote the awesome city of Hong Kong as the aircraft flies around the world.

Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER in “Asia’s world city” livery
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER in “Asia’s world city” livery
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER in “Asia’s world city” livery



The airplane, the sixth of 30 777-300ERs for delivery to Cathay Pacific, was unveiled at a pre-flight ceremony at the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Everett, Wash. Among the attendees were Cathay Pacific Chairman Chris Pratt and senior airline executives, Hong Kong Legislative Council members, Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department executives and Hong Kong Tourism Board members.
The Boeing 777-300ER is the backbone of Cathay Pacific’s long-haul fleet and is enabling the airline to operate more direct, nonstop flights to key destinations in North America.
Cathay Pacific Airways’ new 777-300ER carries on its fuselage a small flying-dragon logo, complemented by the Hong Kong brand line “Asia’s world city”. The flying dragon, which symbolizes the spirit of Hong Kong and its people, is seen soaring over green waves, which depict the lands and oceans of the world.

Source/Photo Credit: Boeing

Romanian carrier Blue Air orders 737

On tuesday, Boeing announced an order from Romanian low-cost airline Blue Air Transport Aerian for two Next-Generation 737-800s and purchase rights for two more. The airplanes will join the airline’s all-Boeing fleet to provide extra capacity in a fast-growing market.

Blue Air Next-Generation 737-800

Blue Air will begin operating a Boeing 737-800, acquired through a lease agreement, later in 2008.
Blue Air started operations in December 2004 as the first Romanian low-cost carrier. It operates from Bucharest’s Baneasa International airport offering service to European destinations. Blue Air operates an all-Boeing fleet of five 737 Classics.

Source/Photo Credit: Boeing

Hawaiian Airlines signs firm order for 12 Airbus widebodies

Hawaiian Airlines Inc., Hawaii’s largest airline, today has signed a firm order for six A350 XWB-800s and six A330-200s. This deal finalises a Memorandum of Understanding announced in November 2007. The airline will begin receiving their new A330s in 2012, and will take delivery of their first A350 in 2017. Both models will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines.

This is Hawaiian’s first order for an Airbus aircraft, and is the first step in the airline’s plan to replace its current widebody fleet. The A330 and A350 will allow the airline to expand its long-range fleet, opening new non-stop routes on more distant markets from Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines’ A350 XWB-800s will seat 322 passengers in a two-class configuration and the A330-200 will transport 305 passengers in two classes.

Source: Airbus

Pic of the Day – Airbus A380 Cockpit Panorama

Today’s picture of the day features an awesome interactive 360° panorama shot of the Airbus A380 cockpit.
This super-cool photo gives you an idea of the workspace of an A380 pilot and enables you to experience an interactive walk through the inside of a A380 cockpit. Don’t miss it!

Airbus A380 Cockpit
Click on the image to open the A380 Cockpit Panorama Shot