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Monthly Archives: June 2014

Boeing 747 makes widebody history

28 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by Abdul Latheef in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 747, Business, Germany, Lufthansa, News

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747, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Germany, Lufthansa, News, Transport, Travel

The 747-8 Intercontinental,  during a test flight. Boeing photo.

The 747-8 Intercontinental during a test flight.

The Boeing 747 has become the first widebody airplane to reach the 1,500-delivery milestone, the U.S. aircraft manufacturer said today .

The 747-8 Intercontinental was delivered to Lufthansa at a ceremony in Everett, Wash.  A special logo commemorating the 1,500th airplane was also revealed at the event.

“Reaching this milestone delivery is a testament to the capabilities of the airplane and our commitment to continuous innovation,” said Eric Lindblad, vice-president at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“The new 747-8 is delivering on its promise to our customers, and we continue to look at ways to make it even more efficient in the future.”

The German airline was the launch customer of the Intercontinental and the new airplane is its 14th.  Lufthansa took delivery of its first 747-8 in 2012 and has 19 Intercontinentals on order.

“Lufthansa is honoured that the 1,500th 747 will fly with the Lufthansa livery,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice-president at Lufthansa Group Fleet Management.

“Lufthansa is an important partner and a valued adviser in developing new commercial airplanes with exceptional economical and ecological performance such as the 747-8,” he added.

“The commemorative logo will be a reminder of our relationship with Boeing, now and into the future.”

The image is courtesy of Boeing.

 

Billionaires ‘prefer Airbus business jets’

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by Abdul Latheef in A380, Airbus, Airbus Corporate Jets, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dubai, Flying Palace, France, Luxury Travel, News, Technology

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Airbus, Airbus Corporate Jets, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Flying Palace, Luxury Travel, News, Technology, Transport, Travel

The new ACJ319 Elegance

The new ACJ319 Elegance

Airbus is predicting that it will sell 10 corporate jets this year as more billionaires are eager to take their lifestyles into the air.

“In the airline market, the customer is interested in economy. In the corporate jet market, that is not an issue for the customer,” said David Velupillai, marketing director at the European aircraft manufacturer’s corporate jet division.

Speaking from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, he said that a recent study commissioned by the company had provided some new insights into the billionaire lifestyle.

David Velupillai, marketing director at Airbus Corporate Jets

David Velupillai on board an ACJ318

Velupillai said a key finding was that billionaires in the Middle East love to travel with an entourage such as those looking after them and advising them on the ground.

That means they need a larger aircraft that will enable them to travel in comfort, which at present Airbus is best placed to provide, he said.

Airbus business jets can carry groups of between 19 and 50 people. Then, of course, there is the corporate version of the A380 superjumbo, which can carry 100 or more people.

A bedroom on the ACJ319 Elegance

A bedroom on the ACJ319 Elegance

Fly-by-wire is standard on all Airbus corporate jets, which are based on the modern family of Airbus aircraft and include the ACJ318, ACJ319, ACJ320 and ACJ321.

At the same time, Velupillai said, fly-by-wire is non-existent on many competitors’ jets.

“Recently I flew with a billionaire on an Airbus Corporate Jet and he was quite surprised by how comfortable the airplane was,” he said.

“He had never experienced such comfort and freedom of movement on an airplane before.”

Velupillai says that is because Airbus business jets are the widest and tallest in the market.

A new addition to the company’s product line is the new ACJ319 Elegance, an airplane which Velupillai said is easier and faster to outfit and which has generated a lot of buzz since its launch this April.

The Lounge on the ACJ319 Elegance

The lounge on the ACJ319 Elegance

The Elegance offers many innovations, including a modular approach which lets the customer choose from a wide range of seating and socializing options.

More than 170 Airbus business jets are currently in service around the world.

With the number of billionaires forecast to grow in Asia and the Middle East, Airbus is hopeful that the demand for its business jets will remain robust in the next few years.

By the way, if you want to buy one of these aircraft, it could take up to 20 months from order to delivery.

So be patient!

 

Flying Palace claims just ‘speculation’

Prince Alwaleed signs the order for the A380 superjumbo in 2007.

Flashback: Alwaleed signs the A380 deal in 2007

Remember, the “Flying Palace” ordered in 2007 by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal?

The A380, scheduled for delivery next year, was purported to undergo $200 million worth of cabin outfitting featuring multiple bedrooms, a theatre, a turkish bath and a garage for Rolls Royce cars.

“All these claims are speculation, with the airplane yet to be outfitted,” said Velupillai.

Alwaleed resold his superjumbo in late 2012 to an unidentified customer.

“That’s true, but I can’t reveal the identity of the buyer,” said Velupillai.

All images are courtesy of Airbus.

 

 

A350 flies in real airline environment

02 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Abdul Latheef in A350XWB, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, News, Qatar Airways, Transport, Travel

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A350XWB, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, News, Transport, Travel

The boarding pass for the first A350 flight.

The boarding pass for the first A350 flight.

The Airbus A350 extra-wide body jet has taken to the skies again, this time in a real airline environment with cabin crew and passengers.

The airplane took off on one of two Early Long Flights from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) this morning, the European manufacturer said.

The test flights are being operated with Air France and Lufthansa cabin crew.

Also on board were some 250 passengers comprising Airbus employees and dozens of cabin experts, the company said.

“The Early Long Flights are not part of the technical certification program but remain an important step towards the A350’s maturity at entry into service,” Airbus added.

The A350XWB is due to enter service with Qatar Airways in the fourth quarter of this year.

The A350 takes off on its first Early Long Flight.

The A350 takes off on its first Early Long Flight.

The airliner features an extra wide cabin with a non-stop flying capability of more than 15,000 kilometres.

It will be built in three versions – A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000. Qatar Airways, with an order for 80 A350s, is the top customer.

In all, Airbus has received 812 orders from 39 customers.

Images are courtesy of Airbus.

Air New Zealand revamps fleet

01 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by Abdul Latheef in A320neo, Air New Zealand, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, New Zealand, News, Transport, Travel

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Air New Zealand, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Business, New Zealand, News, Transport, Travel

The Airbus A321neo in Air New Zealand livery. Airbus photo.

The Airbus A321neo in Air New Zealand livery. Airbus photo.

Air New Zealand has announced a major fleet revamp with an order for 14 Airbus jets at a list price worth more than US$1.2 billion.

As of now, the order is for 10 A320neo (new engine option) aircraft, three A321neos and one A320ceo (current engine option) jet.

But the airline stressed that the exact mix of the aircraft will be confirmed later.

The deal was announced at the International Air Transport Association’s Annual General Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today.

Delivery of the A320neos is expected to begin in late 2017, but the airline expects to receive the A320ceo early next year.

The fuel-efficient A320neos will be used on Air New Zealand’s Tasman and Pacific Island routes.

“These aircraft will help to ensure we continue to operate one of the world’s youngest jet fleets,” said CEO Christopher Luxon.

“This new fleet will further enhance the experience for our customers and will drive fuel efficiency enabling us to minimise our carbon footprint by saving around 3,600 tonnes of CO2 per aircraft per year.”

Airbus says it has some 2,700 orders for A320neo models from 50 customers.

 

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