by Devesh Agarwal The second member of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family, the 787-9 successfully completed its first flight, beginning a comprehensive flight-test program leading to certification and delivery in mid-2014. The aircraft performed a 5-hour, 16-minute flight, taking off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington state, at 11:02 a.m. local time and landing at 4:18 p.m. at Seattle’s Boeing …

by Devesh Agarwal Its Friday, the 13th, and many a frequent flyer will sympathise with the bad-luck of the passengers on Singapore Airlines flight SQ503 from Bangalore to Singapore earlier this morning. The inbound flight SQ502 from Singapore scheduled to arrive at Bangalore around 10pm, was diverted to Chennai due to the runway closure at Bengaluru International Airport following the …

by Devesh Agarwal A montage of photos to create a globe. Image courtesy BA. British Airways has calculated the number of essential people involved in the customer journey in order to fly. It is 96 different roles, across 18 different departments, using over 11 external suppliers in the process. This figures rises to 107 for premium customers, which normally includes …

by Devesh Agarwal IndiGo Airbus A320 VT-IGV at Bengaluru International Airport. Photo copyright Vedant Agarwal. Used with permission. At approximately 20:10 (14:40Z), an IndiGo Airbus A320-232 registration VT-IGV performing flight 6E-125 from New Delhi to Bangalore, with 110 passengers and six crew (two pilots, four cabin crew), veered off the runway 27 while attempting to land at Bengaluru International Airport …

by Devesh Agarwal Through non-official channels a promotional video by Air India of their new Boeing 787. Now that the airline has a new toy to play with, all the 777s procured just a few years ago lie forgotten and rotting on the tarmac. Read my op-ed piece here. You can also see our cabin walk-though pictures and video here.

by BA Staff Doha-based Qatar Airways has announced a frequent flyer programme (FFP) partnership with its oneworld sponsor, British Airways. From October 1 onwards, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members and British Airways Executive Club members can earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights.

by BA Staff Dallas-Fort Worth based American Airlines will soon become the first airline to utilise an Airbus A321 aircraft outfitted with a three-class cabin, including full lie-flat seats in business and first class when it receives Sharklets equipped A321ceo (current engine option) jetliners later this year American Airlines new Airbus A321, first class. Image courtesy Airbus S.A.S. In addition …

by BA Staff The Eurofighter Typhoon, once a contender in the Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMCRA) tender, has now achieved more than 200,000 flying hours since the entry-into-service of its worldwide fleet. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH confirmed the milestone today adding that, with 719 aircraft on contract, 571 aircraft ordered and 378 aircraft delivered, the programme has “never …

by BA Staff Doha-based Qatar Airways will become a full member of oneworld®, the alliance of airlines, from Wednesday 30 October 2013, becoming the first of the GB3 (Gulf Big 3) slated to join any of the global airline alliances. It received clearance to board oneworld after successfully completing a thorough review of its readiness, conducted by British Airways, which …

by BA Staff British Airways’ latest TV advertisement is focussed on the carrier’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The video showcases the airline’s heritage and decades of flying know-how and innovation. The video follows a customer’s journey using a ‘micro to macro’ style of filming. The footage shows close up shots of the intimate details of flying, panning to wide shots …

by BA Staff Finnish national carrier, Finnair, became the launch customer for the new Sharklets equipped A321 by taking delivery of the first of five aircraft on order. The aircraft was officially handed over to Ville Iho, Finnair Chief Operating Officer, during a delivery ceremony at the Airbus facilities in Hamburg, Germany. Image copyright and courtesy Airbus S.A.S. Used under …

by BA Staff Embraer 175. Photo courtesy Air Canada Air Canada has successfully completed the transfer of all 15 of its Embraer 175 regional jets, the smallest jet aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet, to Sky Regional to operate the aircraft on behalf of Air Canada under the capacity purchase agreement between the parties. Sky Regional now operates 20 aircraft on …

by BA Staff Global express shipping giant FedEx Express, has taken delivery of its first 767-300 Freighter. The 767-300F will replace the carrier’s ageing DC-10 freighters. The 767 Freighter is based on the popular 767-300ER (extended range) passenger airplane and is able to carry approximately 52 metric tons of revenue cargo with intercontinental range. The aircraft will give FedEx the …

by BA Staff Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways PJSC, double the frequency of Abu Dhabi Kathmandu service from seven flights per week to a double daily schedule from November 1, 2013. The new services will be operated by narrow body A320 aircraft fitted with 16 business and 120 economy class seats. Since the start of flights to Kathmandu in 2007, Etihad …

by BA Staff Etihad Airways has introduced ‘Flying Nanny’ service, a dedicated in-flight child care assistance program for families, on its long-haul flights, Identified by a bright orange apron, the Flying Nanny provides a ‘helping hand’ to families and unaccompanied minors. Video below the fold During the past two months 300 Etihad Airways cabin crew members have completed enhanced training …

by BA Staff China’s Hainan Airlines commenced non-stop service from Chicago to Beijing, opening the airline’s newest American gateway. Currently the flight operates twice a week using an Airbus A340-600 seating 288 passengers in a three class configuration. The airline is hoping to obtain government approval to change equipment to a two class Boeing 787 Dreamliner in November, and to …

by BA Staff Delta Air Lines is building on its successful investments at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport terminal 4 and terminals C and D at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and is launching a new chef-driven food and beverage program at JFK Terminal 2. In May, Delta opened the new terminal 4 expansion as the first phase of a …

by BA Staff Doha-based Qatar Airways commenced scheduled thrice a week flights to Chengdu, the airline’s 130th destination and sixth in China, after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Chongqing. The airline now operates 41 flights a week to the country. The Chengdu route is operated with an Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration of up to 248 seats in …

by BA Staff An option to substitute high value private jet ownership finally gets addressed today with the launch of Baron Eagle, India’s first “Global Jet Card”. This “By Invitation only” membership program will offer Individuals and Corporates all the benefits of owning a large fleet of Aircraft depending on their mission requirement at a fraction of the ownership cost …

by Devesh Agarwal Some helpful advice from a frequent traveller, which should, hopefully, make your air travel journey more pleasant for the staff, you, and your fellow travellers. Mumbai CSI airport. Domestic departure terminal 1B. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal. Used with permission. 1. Be over smart In the post 9/11, 26/11, 7/7 world, airports and the people working there are …