Virgin Orbit completed the first test flight of it’s modified Boeing 747-400 carrying the 70 foot long LauncherOne rocket. Richard Branson’s small satellite launch company is proving the feasibility of using the modified 747 to launch its carbon-fiber two-stage rocket. The company uses the fifth engine pod mount built in on the 747 to carry the rocket. The aircraft is …
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GE retires it’s 747-100 testbed, world’s oldest active 747
Engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) has completed the final flight of it’s original 747-100 flying testbed. The aircraft N747GE was the oldest active 747 in the world. It was the 25th 747 to roll off the line in October 1969 and was delivered to PanAm in March 1970 as Clipper Ocean Spray. GE acquired the aircraft in 1992 when it …
Read More »Inflight review: British Airways Boeing 777-200: Club World: London to Bangalore
Once we got back to the gate after leaving the lounge, boarding had already begun. When we boarded approximately quarter of the aircraft was remaining for boarding. London Heathrow (LHR) to Bangalore Kempegowda International BA119. STD 14.20 STA 04.45 +1. All times local. 9-May-2018. Boeing 777-200ER. Seat 2K. Upon boarding the aircraft, I was pointed to my seat. Unfortunately because …
Read More »Burundi blocks an international flight over ‘No’ business class
In an incredulous move, it is being reported that the government of Burundi has blocked an Kenyan low cost carrier from flying to their country because their aircrafts are not equipped with a business class. Jambojet is the low-cost subsidiary of Kenya Airways – the flag carrier of Kenya. The airline operates regional flights with a fleet of five Bombardier …
Read More »Lounge Review: British Airways Galleries Terminal 5B Lounge London Heathrow
We got to the terminal only about 90 minutes before our flight to Bangalore. Since we had no check in bags and already had our boarding cards we had decided to skip the lounge and head directly to the plane. After clearing security and dawdling through duty free we went down to the train to the C concourse from which …
Read More »Air New Zealand rap’s it’s newest safety video
For a few years many airline’s have been putting effort into making unique safety videos. Producing an innovative safety video gives the airline an opportunity to differentiate themselves in one of their most routine tasks while also providing a viral marketing opportunity. It also allows the airline to promote their product and partnerships. For example the below safety video from …
Read More »Inflight review: American Airlines Boeing 787-8: Business: Chicago to London
We left the lounge for a second time at around midnight when the lounge agents told us the aircraft would be boarding. The aircraft started boarding at around 15 minutes past midnight around three hours behind schedule. Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to London Heathrow (LHR). AA 98. STD 22.10 STA 12.05 +1. All times local. 7-May-2018. Boeing 787-8. Seat 5A. When …
Read More »Lion Air #JT610 Boeing 737 MAX crashes into the sea
A Boeing 737 MAX 8 of Indonesian carrier Lion Air has reportedly crashed into the waters of the Java Sea after the airline confirmed that it has lost contact with the aircraft. The flight JT-610 was operating from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang. The aircraft was PK-LQP a two month old Boeing 737 MAX 8 having been delivered to the airline …
Read More »Lounge Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge Chicago O’Hare
On our flight back from the US, we were connecting through Chicago O’Hare airport. Chicago is one of the airports which feature American Airlines new flagship lounges. The lounge was located very close to the gate we arrived at and we were quickly at the lounge entrance. After getting our boarding passes scanned at the concourse level, we went up …
Read More »Jet Airways to begin Pune – Singapore flights, increases Delhi – Singapore
Full service carrier Jet Airways will begin flights from Pune to Singapore from 1st December 2018. This will be the airline’s fourth destination to Singapore after Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. (Read our review of Jet Airways’ Bangalore – Singapore flight.) Jet Airways’ Timetable from Pune to Singapore Flight Number Origin Destination STD STA 9W22 Pune Singapore 05.10 13.15 9W21 Singapore …
Read More »Inflight review: American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER: Business: London to Dallas
Inflight review: British Airways Boeing 787-8: Club World: Chennai to London Inflight review: American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER: Business: London to Dallas Lounge Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge Chicago O’Hare Inflight review: American Airlines Boeing 787-8: Business: Chicago to London Inflight review: British Airways Boeing 777-200: Club World: London to Bangalore ——————————————————————————————————————————– After our short stopover in London (or technically our …
Read More »Pictures and Video: China Airlines Airbus A350 with joint Airbus livery
Taiwanese carrier China Airlines has taken delivery of its newest A350-900. The aircraft registered B-18918 features a unique joint livery that ‘combines the airline’s distinctive plum blossom logo with Airbus’ exclusive A350 XWB carbon fibre pattern’. This aircraft is the 14th Airbus A350 in China Airlines fleet. The airline mainly operates the A350 from Taipei to Europe and North America. …
Read More »Air India Express IX611 hits compound wall at Trichy
An Air India Express flight operating flight IX611 from Tiruchirapalli to Dubai hit the compound wall of the airport during takeoff today. The flight was being operated by VT-AYD a nine year old Boeing 737-800. The aircraft took off from Trichy airport at around 01.20 today morning. It is being reported that the plane first hit a localizer antenna following …
Read More »Air Italy delays and scales down India launch
Air Italy is an Italian airline in which Qatar airways has a major stake. Qatar bought a 49% stake in the airline which was formerly Meridiana and rebranded it earlier this year. The middle eastern carrier intendeds to use Air Italy to bolster it’s operations to the US and in Europe. The airline is also undergoing a rapid expansion of …
Read More »The Emirates order which saved the A380 could fall through
Earlier this year Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 36 Airbus A380s – 20 firm order with 16 options. The deal which was worth $16 billion (before discounts) was widely seen as an extension of life for the A380 program. It’s safe to say Emirates loves it’s A380s. With 105 aircraft in it’s fleet and another …
Read More »Jet Airways upgrade vouchers to go digital
Full service carrier Jet Airways has been making small changes to it’s frequent flyer program JetPrivilege (JP) over the past few months. In May the carrier announced that frequent flier miles would no longer expire as long as the account had one activity every 18 months. Now the carrier is digitizing it’s upgrade voucher process. Upgrade vouchers are issued to …
Read More »Air India to begin Bangalore – London flight, cancels London – Newark
Air India will begin thrice a week flights from Bangalore to London Heathrow from 17th November 2018. The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-8 which features the airline’s newest cabin product. With this flight Bangalore will be the fourth destination from which Air India flies to London after Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Read our review of Air India’s …
Read More »Video: Two Antonov aircraft collide on runway at Khartoum Airport
AirLive.net is reporting that an Antonov An-30 and An-32 have been destroyed in a ground collision on the runway at Khartoum International Airport, Sudan. In the video it appears that at around 10.10 today morning, The An-32 was landing on the runway while the other aircraft was on the same runway at a slower speed. There is currently no information …
Read More »Details of “The House” lounge revealed after Etihad exit’s it’s London lounge
Middle eastern carrier Etihad Airways is in the middle of a massive cost cutting spree. The airline has gone from spending money like there was no tomorrow to pinching every possible penny. In the last year we have seen the airline cut down routes, reduce passenger benefits like the chauffeur drive, catering and beverage quality in first and business, etc. …
Read More »Video: Water cannon salute for Saudi Airlines goes wrong
It’s always a fantastic sight to see a special flight get a water cannon salute at an airport. A few weeks back (Not sure how I missed it then, but saw a retweet today) Dubai Airport to celebrate the 88th national day of Saudi Arabia performed a water cannon salute for an arriving Saudi Airlines Airbus A320. At the start …
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