Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
Malaysia Airlines has confirmed it is exercising options for an additional 20 Airbus A330neo jets, doubling the size of its A330 commitment with Airbus. The agreement was announced in Paris during a visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, building on MH's initial order for 20 airframes placed in 2022.
Flying Magazine
JULY 5, 2025
A 19-year-old U.S. pilot was detained by Chilean authorities in Antarctica after he altered his flight plan without approval. Prosecutors allege that Ethan Guo, 19, an American influencer and pilot, violated national and international regulations when he changed his flight plan and landed on Antarctic territory claimed by Chile, according to a CNN report.
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Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
Alaska Airlines has reportedly exercised purchase options for an additional five Boeing 787 Dreamliners from Hawaiian Airlines’ order book. The news comes as the carrier, following its recent merger with Hawaiian Airlines, aims to expand its long-haul capabilities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Aerotime
JULY 5, 2025
France has officially inaugurated its first-ever military space air base, a landmark step in the country’s effort to assert sovereignty in an increasingly contested domain. Air Base 101 Toulouse, now reactivated as a Base Aérienne à Vocation Spatiale (BAVS), will serve as the operational hub of France’s military space activities. The ceremony took place on July 2, 2025, in Toulouse’s Place du Capitole, the symbolic heart of the city and the epicenter of French aerospace and space research.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
When most aviation enthusiasts hear "Seattle," their thoughts often drift toward Boeing's sprawling factories in Everett or Renton, not Airbus jets. Yet in an ironic twist, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has become a stronghold for one of Boeing 777's most significant competitors: the Airbus A330. Despite the airport's Boeing roots, the Airbus A330 has established a dominant presence in SEA's long-haul network, thanks to its operational flexibility, broad operator base, and transoceanic ca
Aviation News
JULY 5, 2025
Aviation News 5 July 2025 – Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, has finalized a purchase agreement with Airbus for an.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
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Aviator Connection brings together the best content for aviator professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
How much does an Airbus A330 cost in 2025? The answer depends on the type and generation of A330, whether it's being purchased outright or leased, and a range of other factors. The cost of widebody aircraft has increased significantly in the last few years as the industry has been forced to hold onto older aircraft because the need for capacity has risen.
Vintage Aviation News
JULY 5, 2025
On this day in aviation history, 108 years ago (July 5, 1917), the Fokker Dr.I took to the skies for the first time. The flight was made by the Fokker Flugzeugwerke GmbH V.5 prototype, which paved the way for the iconic German triplane. Featuring three stacked wings, the Dr.I’s unique design provided exceptional maneuverability, particularly in tight turns and steep climbs.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
EVA Air will launch direct flights from its primary hub at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) starting this October. Initially, the Taiwanese airline had planned to operate three weekly flights but later changed the schedule to daily flights, according to the aviation analytics company Cirium.
Vintage Aviation News
JULY 5, 2025
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend Airliners International 2025 , held at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. As the world’s largest annual airline history conference and collectibles show, the event attracted aviation enthusiasts, collectors, and historians from around the globe. The WAHS (World Airline Historical Society) has organized the Airliners International convention annually since its inception in 1977, when founders Paul and Pat Collins launched the event in Cincin
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is today one of the world's largest airports. Serving as a major connecting hub for Star Alliance carrier Lufthansa and multiple of its partners across the globe, the airport today sees millions of passengers pass through its doors each year. However, in decades prior, the airport had a very different history when it came to airline hubs.
World Airline News
JULY 5, 2025
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, touched down at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on July 2, 2025, marking the launch of its first-ever nonstop serv … British Airways is suspending its London Heathrow–Zagreb route for the entire Winter 2025–26 season, from October 26, 2025 to March 28, 2026, marking the first full winter pause since the ro … For the Winter 2025–26 season, Air Canada is suspending six U.S. transborder routes in response to wea
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines , will cut its Airbus A380 flights to New York JFK, according to data from Cirium , an online aviation analytics company. The move brings forward the suspension of the double-decker on the route by a month. This summer was the first time Asiana had operated the A380 to New York, after a six-year hiatus.
Photographic Logbook
JULY 5, 2025
I recently received an email from a friend whom I had not spoken with recently. He noted that I did not seem to be posting much in 2025 and thoughtfully wondered if I was OK. In fact, I had suspended my flying for a time in the first half of 2025 due to a medical issue. This post is about what happened, what I did about it, and how it's going. [Disclaimer: I am neither a physician nor an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
The General Electric GE9X is the largest aircraft engine ever built. The engine is based on the GE90, which is currently found on the Boeing 777. The GE9X will be used to power the mighty Boeing 777X when it eventually enters commercial service.
AV Web
JULY 5, 2025
Eighteen passengers were injured in an unusual evacuation of a Ryan Air Boeing 737-800 following a false fire alarm at Palma, Spain on Friday. Most of the injuries were minor and included cuts, bruises and sprains after some of the passengers jumped from the wings. Video of the incident shows that evacuation slides had not been deployed, at least not initially, and those hurt came from the over-wing emergency exits.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
The Fly Party is Italy’s premier annual gathering for serious aviation enthusiasts, held at Bagnoli di Sopra airfield (Padua) by the Historical Aircraft Group (HAG ). Typically staged over a weekend in late June, it features vintage warbirds, aerobatic displays, and historic reenactments. More than a show, it’s a community-centric event prioritizing camaraderie, rare aircraft operations, and peer-to-peer learning.
One Mile at a Time
JULY 5, 2025
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far, and to those in the United States, happy July 4th! There’s no travel for me at the moment, as I’m spending time with our 11 day old son and my mom, but I hope to start traveling again later this month. On the points & travel front, this week Air France-KLM announced it would acquire a majority stake in SAS, Oman Air joined the oneworld alliance, Qantas took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, the Park Hyatt Johannesburg opened, American rest
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
From its home at London Heathrow Airport , British Airways continues to operate a fleet of 12 Airbus A380s, supporting its extensive international network, operating flights to the United States, Africa, and Asia. BA continues to operate the Airbus A380 due to ongoing delivery delays for replacement aircraft such as the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777X.
One Mile at a Time
JULY 5, 2025
While not the highest value promotion in the world, here’s an easy opportunity to earn some extra rewards on your next Hilton stay… Stay at a Hilton, earn 750 Qatar Airways Avios Sometimes we see hotels and airlines partner to offer extra rewards, so here’s such an example. At the moment, you can earn 750 Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios for completing one Hilton hotel stay.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
To get straight to the point, the Lockheed C-5M Galaxy is the bigger of the two premier jet transports in the United States Air Force. It’s not only bigger than its fellow heavyweight, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, but the C-5 is also bigger than every other military aircraft on earth except a tiny handful of other flying giants. The C-5 was also introduced over two decades before the C-17 entered active service.
Vintage Aviation News
JULY 5, 2025
The Imperial War Museums will host the IWM History Festival at IWM Duxford on Saturday, 30 August and Sunday, 31 August 2025, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. Set within a large marquee on Duxford’s historic airfield, the two-day festival promises an engaging mix of speaker sessions, living-history reenactments, static displays of military vehicles and aircraft, book signings, and a relaxed outdoor setting complete with a beer garden and various stalls.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
Airbus is trialing a new type of airport tug. Aircraft tugs are ground vehicles that tow and push back aircraft, usually controlled by a driver and powered by an internal combustion engine. Now, as part of Europe's HERON (Highly Efficient gReen OperatioNs) initiative, Airbus is working on what it calls the Taxibot. This new type of tug is being deployed at airports throughout the world, and Airbus is saying that the concept is proving successful.
One Mile at a Time
JULY 5, 2025
In 2017, Hyatt acquired Miraval , as part of Hyatt’s hope of expanding in the luxury wellness sector. In this post, I’d like to take a closer look at the Miraval portfolio, and how to book Miraval properties, whether paying with cash or points. When it comes to World of Hyatt, Miraval works a bit differently than some other brands, so hopefully I can simplify that a bit.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
In terms of fleet size, the United States Air Force (USAF) has almost half the total number of military-spec transport aircraft (fixed-wing) in the world. Breaking down tactical airlift by different mission sets reveals that, although the USAF is the top air mobility force as a whole, it doesn’t have the only high-performing cargo planes.
The Aviationist
JULY 5, 2025
Pilots aboard an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aircraft in an air combat training scenario. In a groundbreaking test which has been defined as “a major leap in human-machine teaming,” the U.S. Air Force recently demonstrated the ability to have multiple autonomous collaborative platforms (ACPs) flying […] The post U.S.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
The Boeing 747 is one of the largest commercial aircraft ever built, eclipsed only by the Airbus A380. The Queen of the Skies entered service in 1970 and has undergone several evolutions since the original 747-100 model, the latest and final variant being the 747-8. Equipped with four engines, the 747 is also one of the most powerful aircraft ever to fly commercially.
The Aviationist
JULY 5, 2025
NAVAIR is planning to acquire Active Expendable Decoys with a 2″x1″x8″ form factor from Leonardo UK, hinting at the system being the BriteCloud 218 countermeasure. The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) will soon negotiate and award a contract to Leonardo UK for up to 6,000 Active Expendable Decoy (AED) to equip the U.S. Navy’s […] The post U.S.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
There are many different ways for travelers to fly on airlines. This includes the cheapest option, typically referred to as economy class, as well as several upgraded seats for a more comfortable travel experience. One of these premium options is called business class. This class of seats typically includes wider and more comfortable seats. Many of these seats often recline significantly or have the ability to transform into lie-flat beds.
Aviation News
JULY 5, 2025
Few fighter jets in aviation history have had the global impact, operational longevity, and widespread adoption of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. First developed in the.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
Being a fighter jet pilot is undoubtedly one of the most demanding roles in aviation, requiring exceptional physical and mental strength, knowledge of technical systems and an astute tactical understanding. It is therefore no surprise that becoming a fighter pilot is one of the more difficult and exclusive career choices, where only a select few have what it takes to succeed.
Defence Blog
JULY 5, 2025
The Swedish Armed Forces have announced the acquisition of the new Yamaha XT 250 motorcycle as part of efforts to enhance communication and logistics capabilities across Army units and the Home Guard. The lightweight and agile XT 250 will replace the older MC 258 and MC 409 models, providing improved off-road performance and versatility in […] The post Swedish Army buys 1,000 XT 250 motorcycles first appeared on Defence Blog.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
13 years ago, Southwest Airlines introduced its first Boeing 737-800 , nicknamed "Warrior One.
Defence Blog
JULY 5, 2025
A Vector unmanned aerial vehicle operated by Ukrainian forces was hit multiple times by small arms fire during a recent combat mission but managed to return safely for repairs, according to Quantum-Systems CEO Dave Sharpin. In a statement posted on social media, Sharpin said the drone “was at a very extended range performing an operation […] The post Vector drone survives 11 shots on mission in Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.
Simple Flying
JULY 5, 2025
Norse Atlantic Airways is reportedly shifting its focus this winter from the North American market to popular destinations in Southeast Asia. The Oslo-based airline will launch five new routes connecting Europe and Thailand.
Defence Blog
JULY 5, 2025
Reports circulating on Pakistani social media indicate that the country has begun deploying Chinese-built Z-10ME attack helicopters, which have been upgraded to meet specific operational requirements of the Pakistan Army. The Z-10ME, a modernized version of China’s Z-10 platform, reportedly features enhancements across multiple systems, including propulsion, protection, electronic warfare, and self-defense suites.
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