Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The brand-new first Airbus A321XLR destined for launch customer Iberia has been spotted at the planemakers’ Hamburg facility, conducting a rejected takeoff test (RTO) ahead of the aircraft type’s global roll-out. Pictures of the Airbus A321XLR dressed in the Iberia livery were captured on September 30, 2024, by aviation photojournalist Dick Grothe, who noted the aircraft registration as EC-OIL.

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Cockpit Thrust Runway Pilot 301

Cranky Flier

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Southwest revealed the full details of its plan — called Southwest. Even Better. — to fix itself at investor day last week. Despite the lame name, it does seem like a thoughtful and feasible plan. But what it seems like isn’t really what matters. Southwest has to hit its numbers if its management team wants to stay employed. So now, we wait and watch.

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Airplanes Airlines Airline Runway 208

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Air Serbia has started up a new nonstop route linking Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), in southern China. This new service, launched on September 30, 2024, will operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, with flights departing Belgrade shortly after midnight. The return flight to Europe will depart Guangzhou on the same day at 22.10 local time.

Airlines 301

Airlines Airline 301

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways are taking their existing partnership to the next level with the announcement that the Middle East carrier intends to acquire a minority stake in the Aussie airline. If successfully concluded, the deal will see Virgin Australia operate widebody jets once again and offer more connecting options to Australian travelers to several global destinations, among other benefits.

Jet 124

Jet Airlines Airline 124

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Thai Airways and Gulf Air have moved to strengthen their partnership by expanding their codeshare agreement to include more destinations and routes. On September 29, 2024, the flag carriers for Bahrain and Thailand confirmed that they would offer passengers more options for travel under their codeshare agreement across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

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Airlines Airline 293

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Washington State's Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is one of the busiest hubs on the West Coast and continues to expand dramatically despite being one of the most space-constrained mega hubs in the nation. Simple Flying sat down with Airport Managing Director Lance Lycett to talk about the ongoing improvements, new routes, and plans for the future.

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Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

An Airbus A320 operated by German airline Condor will be adorned with pink and white stripes to help raise awareness of breast cancer prevention. On October 1, 2024, the Condor FlyPink Airbus A320 will depart from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) for Lanzarote dressed in its new livery to bring attention to the issues surrounding breast cancer. As well as the pink strikes, the Airbus A320’s cabin will feature pink headrest covers and special safety cards, which contain detailed information on the topic

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Airlines Airline Pilot 284

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Sydney Airport (SYD) has announced that it is soon to welcome a flagship showroom for Chinese smart electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng at the airport’s domestic precinct. From November 2024, the 3,000sqm flagship showroom will offer customers an immersive experience with the opportunity to test drive vehicles from XPeng’s extensive range. The showroom will be located on the corner of Sir Reginald Ansett Drive and Joyce Drive, at the entry to Sydney Airport’s domestic precinct.

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Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

An Etihad Airways Airbus A350-1000 was forced to cancel a flight from Chicago, the United States, to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, and later had to divert to London, the United Kingdom, as it reportedly encountered engine issues on the way back to the airlines hub.

Airlines 122

Airlines Airline 122

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Qantas has launched its inaugural Airbus A380 flight to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). QF 63, which departed Sydney 09:58 local time on September 30, 2024, is the first time the national carrier has operated the Superjumbo to Africa. The A380 is expected to arrive in Johannesburg at approximately 16:23 local time, after a flight time of 14 hours and 25 minutes.

Airlines 274

Airlines Airline 274

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Given that British Airways does not plan to operate the Airbus A380 to Boston or Dallas/Fort Worth next summer (this might change), I wondered how its network would adapt. Now we have more information.

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Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Three people have lost their lives as a helicopter collided with high-voltage power lines in the Monte Picayo area of Puçol, Valencia, Spain. The helicopter was a Bell 206B JetRanger III belonging to the Spanish operator Bigas Grup Helicopters. It was inspecting power lines for i-DE, the electricity distribution company of the Iberdrola group. At around 10:00 a.m. local time on September 29, 2024, the helicopter struck a high-voltage cable and crashed into a nearby orchard.

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Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

United Airlines has announced a new addition to its international route network. From February 15th, 2025, the Star Alliance carrier will fly from its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) in Dominica.

Airlines 118

Airlines Airline 118

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

In the fast-paced aviation industry, flexibility is paramount, and Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) leasing companies are stepping up with unmatched adaptability. These providers have the unique ability to modify and customize aircraft to meet the specific needs of any airline, often achieving what might initially seem impossible. Whether it’s installing specialized equipment like jungle kits or making bespoke in-cabin adjustments, ACMI leasing is about versatility and del

Airlines 254

Airlines Airline Cargo Approach 254

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a Delta Air Lines flight was illuminated by a laser during its approach in Boston on Sunday. The incident reportedly occurred around nine miles away from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) just after 22:00.

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Approach 117

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

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Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Movies about plane crashes can be a delicate subject regarding inflight entertainment. While airlines offer a wide variety of content to cater to passengers' tastes, certain films featuring plane crashes or aviation disasters are often avoided or edited due to their potentially unsettling nature.

Airlines 115

Airlines Airline 115

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

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Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Two airports across Los Angeles are nearing completion of a project that will see firefighting foam removed from their entire fleet of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicles.

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AV Web

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The NTSB has followed up an oddly timed urgent safety recommendation with a harsh rebuke of the FAA alleging the agency didn’t act on a flaw in Boeing 737 NG and MAX models until the NTSB raised the alarm. As a result, the board says as many as 288 aircraft, most of them flying for about 40 different international airlines, still have an improperly assembled rudder actuator that can cause the rudder to freeze stuck in cold weather.

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Rudder Weather Approach Airlines 111

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

New York JFK Airport will soon offer over 20 new dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences to the thousands of travelers who pass through Terminal 8. The concession brands, which will be powered by 13 local and diverse businesses, come as part of the terminals $125 million commercial redevelopment program.

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AV Web

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is buying two new C-130J hurricane hunter aircraft to replace the modified P-3s its been plowing through the worst weather on the planet for the past 50 years. The shiny new Hercs are being funded in part through a special appropriation in 2023 and they are, of course, much more than just hurricane viewing platforms “NOAA is continuing to make critical investments to help protect lives and property,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.

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Weather Airplanes 110

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), more than 40 foreign aircraft operators of the popular Boeing 737 family of aircraft could potentially operate with unsafe rudder components. The NTSB has now issued urgent safety recommendations for the potential of a jammed rudder control following an incident this past February that involved a United Airlines flight.

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Rudder Airlines Airline 116

One Mile at a Time

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Like many carriers, JetBlue has been struggling with profitability in recent times. The carrier’s management team is undertaking all kinds of initiatives to cut costs and increase revenue , and for the most part, the changes have been pretty sensible. JetBlue has just announced its latest cost cutting initiative, and I imagine this is one that people won’t be a fan of… JetBlue changes transatlantic economy meal service As of October 1, 2024, JetBlue is eliminating hot meals in economy on transat

Jet 116

Jet Airlines Airline 116

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

A tug, towing an American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner caught fire at Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in So Paulo, Brazil. Emergency services quickly extinguished the fire. The aircraft being towed appeared to be undamaged.

Airlines 116

Airlines Airline 116

One Mile at a Time

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The Thompson Palm Springs seems to be the hotel equivalent of Berlin Brandenburg Airport , in terms of its opening timeline. The hotel was supposed to open in 2016, and still hasn’t welcomed its first guest. The good news is that it looks like this project may finally be turning a corner. The Thompson is expected to open on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 (tomorrow), and as of now, is still accepting reservations for stays as of then.

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Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

There has long been a fascination with the concept of establishing collaboration between legacy carriers and low-cost airlines, with industry tycoons eager to try and cash in on the impressive level of market dominance controlling both could create.

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Airlines Airline 115

One Mile at a Time

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Link: Apply now for the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card American Express and Hilton have a suite of four co-branded credit cards. As you’d expect, each card targets a different market segment. In this post, I wanted to compare the mid-range personal and business products, both of which are compelling, though for different reasons.

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Threshold 112

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

After border restrictions were eased in Australia, domestic traffic quickly shot back to around 90% of pre-pandemic levels, but international traffic limped along for months, with little competition and unusually high ticket prices depressing the market. The arrival of Vietjet in April 2023 changed all that, as the Vietnamese carrier committed more than one million dollars to establish a market in Australia.

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One Mile at a Time

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

We’ve seen a trend lately whereby more airlines have made free Wi-Fi available for more passengers. Japanese oneworld carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) is the latest airline to introduce free inflight connectivity , and this comes just shortly after Star Alliance rival All Nippon Airways (ANA) rolled out a similar initiative. JAL adds unlimited free Wi-Fi in business class As of October 1, 2024, Japan Airlines will begin offering free Wi-Fi for business class passengers on international flights.

Airlines 113

Airlines Airline 113

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

While United Airlines , Delta Air Lines , American Airlines , British Airways , and Lufthansa have the most flights between the US and Europe, only one of them features in the top 10 list of longest non-stop routes. That is not surprising: most of the airport pairs are necessarily from the West Coast to destinations relatively deep into Europe and sometimes at the absolute periphery of the continent.

Airlines 114

Airlines Airline 114

One Mile at a Time

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Several months back, we learned that United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is adjusting some of the pricing of its Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP). This is something that was first proposed back in 2020, but it’s finally being implemented. I wanted to post a reminder of this, as the changes take place tomorrow, so this is your last chance to apply at the old cost.

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Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Sports celebrities associated with the National Basketball Association (NBA) are considered some of the top sportspersons in the world. With their tight sports schedules combined with other business commitments and family lives, having a private jet becomes a necessity. This article explores some notable NBA celebrities who own private jets.

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Jet 114

One Mile at a Time

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Qantas has just launched a new Airbus A380 route, which is noteworthy on a couple of levels. Qantas flying A380 from Sydney to Johannesburg Qantas flies between Sydney (SYD) and Johannesburg (JNB) six times per week. Historically, the route has been operated by a Boeing 787-9. However, as of September 30, 2024, the route has been upgraded to an Airbus A380, representing a major capacity increase.

Airlines 108

Airlines Airline 108

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Aahh, gotta love the "special relationship" between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Arguably, the greatest demonstration of that special relationship was during the Second World War, when the two nations pooled their manpower and industrial might as part of the Allies against the Axis of Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy.

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World Airline News

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicks off this October, Condor not only looks pink as part of the “FlyPink” initiative, an initiative founded by QantasLink pilots in 2015, but from now on even wears pink: The Airbus A320 with the registration D-AICS will take off as a ‘FlyPink” plane with pink stripes. “FlyPink” supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and contributes to local breast cancer charities around the world.

Airlines 105

Airlines Airline Pilot 105

Simple Flying

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

On October 10, 2024, NASA's Europa Clipper is scheduled to begin its long voyage from Kennedy Space Center in Florida toward Jupiter, where it will enter the Gas Giant's orbit in April 2030. The spacecraft's intriguing mission is to find out if life could exist on the Jovian moon of Europa. To arrive at its destination roughly 390 million miles away, the Europa Clipper will be launched by SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket.

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