Boeing 777X takes to the skies

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The Boeing 777X takes off from Everett, Wash., on Saturday.

SEATTLE, Wash. — “The 777X flew beautifully,” said Capt. Van Chaney after successfully flying Boeing’s newest aircraft Saturday.

“Thank you to all the teams who made today possible. I can’t wait to go fly your airplane again,” added the chief pilot for 777X test and evaluation

With that first flight, the world’s longest and largest twin-engine airliner entered the next phase of its test program.

The 777-9X is based on the popular 777.

The aircraft took off in front of thousands at Paine Field in Everett, Wash., at 10:09 a.m. local time for a three-hour, 51-minute flight over Washington state before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field, the company said.

Chaney called the flight very productive.

The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo checks before resuming testing in the coming days, Boeing said.

“Our Boeing team has taken the most successful twin-aisle jet of all time and made it even more efficient, more capable and more comfortable for all,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Today’s safe first flight of the 777X is a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication from our teammates, our suppliers and our community partners in Washington state and across the globe.”

Boeing has won 340 orders and commitments for the 777X from leading carriers, including Emirates, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.

The first delivery is expected in 2021.

Images are courtesy of Boeing.

 

Qantas tests longest non-stop flight

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The crew celebrates after landing in Sydney.

Ready for departure from New York.

SYDNEY, Australia – Australia’s national carrier has successfully tested the longest non-stop commercial passenger flight.

The Boeing 787-9, carrying 49 passengers and crew, flew from New York to Sydney in 19 hours 16 minutes.

“This is a really significant first for aviation,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.

“Hopefully, it’s a preview of a regular service that will speed up how people travel from one side of the globe to the other.”

The airline said the flight was used to run a series of experiments to assess health and well-being onboard.

“Tests ranged from monitoring pilot brain waves, melatonin levels and alertness, through to exercise classes for passengers.”

Data from the experiments will be used help shape the crew rostering and customer service of Qantas’ ultra long haul flights in future, the airline added.

“We had a lot of interest from air traffic controllers as we crossed through different airspace because of the uniqueness of this flight,” said Capt. Sean Golding, who led the four pilots operating the service.

“We also had a special sign off and welcome home from the control towers in New York and Sydney, which you don’t get every day.”

Qantas has plans for two more research flights – London to Sydney in November, and New York to Sydney in December.

Currently, Singapore Airlines operates the longest commercial flight — from Singapore to New York, which takes 18 hours and 25 minutes.

Air NZ, Singapore Airlines sign deal

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Air New Zealand is returning to Singapore eight years after pulling out of the city.

The resumption of Auckland-Singapore service is part of a major deal announced today by Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines.

The agreement will also enable Singapore Airlines to operate the Airbus A380 superjumbo to Auckland for the first time. The deal also calls for codesharing on several sectors.

Both airlines praised the alliance.

“An alliance with Singapore Airlines clearly fits our business objectives of working with the right partners in the right markets to deliver seamless customer journeys,” said Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong called the deal another example of the carrier’s commitment to the Southwest Pacific market.

“This is a genuine win-win partnership, enabling Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand to work together to provide more flight frequency and enhanced travel options to our customers.”

The Competition Commission of Singapore and the New Zealand Minister of Transport have yet to approve the deal.