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.

 

Etihad raises funds for eco residence

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Andy Cairns of First Abu Dhabi Bank, Khaled Khalfan Al Suwaidi of Abu Dhabi Global Market and Adam Boukadida of Etihad Aviation Group at the signing ceremony.

Etihad Airways has raised 100 million euros to support the expansion of its eco residence in Abu Dhabi, a sustainable residential complex for the airline’s cabin crew.

In doing so, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates has become the first airline to secure funding for a project based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the company said Sunday.

First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Global Market will finance the project.

“We are proud to be the first airline globally, and one of the first companies in the UAE, to obtain commercial funding based on our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations,” said Adam Boukadida, senior vice-president, treasury, tax and finance at Etihad Aviation Group.

He said the process to secure the loan hinged on a detailed international verification of the airline’s sustainability credentials.

“This assessment will enable us to fund long-term leases of the new eco residence complex, located in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City innovation precinct, and will serve as the foundation for Etihad to fund future sustainable initiatives.”

Financing for these type projects must be linked to one or more of the goals, and the Etihad project met two, the company said.

To support the financing, Etihad established a framework.

The airline then engaged Sustainalytics to review the framework, and confirm alignment with the Sustainability Bond Principles of the International Capital Markets Association.

The company issued a Second Party Opinion verifying Etihad’s sustainability credentials, a key condition to raising capital, Etihad said.

Images are courtesy of Etihad.

 

Etihad takes luxury travel to new heights

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The Residence

Two weeks ago, the buzz in the airline industry was the launch of a private branded airplane by the Toronto-based luxury hotel chain Four Seasons.

Today, it’s Etihad Airways announcing the launch of hotel-style rooms on its aircraft to lure wealthy passengers.

The UAE carrier says The Residence on its Airbus A380 will be the world’s most luxurious living space in the air.

“Accommodating single or double occupancy, it features a living room, separate double bedroom and en suite shower room. Guests in The Residence will also have a personal Butler” the airline said Sunday.

The Residence

For those who can’t afford The Residence, Etihad will offer private suites called First Apartments, which will have a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed, as well as a mini-bar, personal vanity unit and wardrobe.

On its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the attraction will be the so-called First Suite. Etihad says each First Suite will be fitted with a personal wardrobe, drinks cabinet and space that allows you to entertain another guest.

The First Apartment

“These new living spaces will raise inflight product and service standards to their highest level yet in commercial aviation and alter air travellers’ expectations of inflight comfort and luxury forever,” said James Hogan, Etihad president and CEO.

“Etihad Airways’ A380 and B787 will deliver the most advanced airline cabins in the industry, while meeting all weight, range and cost targets at our desired seat count.”

The interiors of the two aircraft were designed by the Etihad Design Consortium, established in 2008.

The airline said EDC brought together three top design companies, Acumen, Factorydesign and Honour Branding, to develop cabin and seat designs for the new fleets.

Etihad has ordered 71 Dreamliners, 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s. It also has ordered 10 A380s, with an option for another five superjumbos.

The airline is expected to take delivery of the new aircraft, starting this fall.

All images are courtesy of Etihad.

 

Abu Dhabi to produce aviation biofuel

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An artist’s impression of Masdar City. Masdar City photo.

Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s largest oil producers, is also a leader in environmental initiatives.

Its most ambitious project is the solar-powered Masdar City, which is being built about 20 kilometres east of the United Arab Emirates capital.

One of the institutes behind the project, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, is now joining state-owned Etihad Airways, U.S. aircraft maker Boeing and French oil giant Total to produce aviation biofuel in the UAE.

Oil refiner Takreer will also be a partner in BIOjet Abu Dhabi.

“BIOjet Abu Dhabi will engage a broad range of stakeholders to develop a comprehensive framework for a UAE biofuel supply chain, including research and development and expanded investment in feedstock production and refining capability in the UAE and globally,” the companies said Sunday.

A day earlier, an Etihad Boeing 777 took off on a 45-minute demonstration flight, powered in part by biofuel produced in Abu Dhabi.

“Our goal is to support and help drive the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel in Abu Dhabi, the region and also globally,” said James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad.

The BIOjet Abu Dhabi initiative comes just days after Boeing said it was awaiting regulatory approvals to use green diesel on its airplanes.

“Boeing works with partners around the world to advance sustainable biofuel development and sees great opportunity for BIOjet Abu Dhabi to have a positive impact in the UAE and globally,” said Jeffrey Johnson, president, Boeing Middle East.