Pegasus Airlines orders 75 A320-family neos

Pegasus Airlines has ordered 75 A320-family neos. They have an option of 25 more A320 neos or A321 neos. Pegasus Airlines has ordered 58 A320 neos and 17 A321 neos. The cost for all 75 planes is about $12 billion. There A320 neos will have 180 seats and there A321 neos will have 220 seats. This airlines has 37 Boeing 737-800s and only 2 737-400s in there current fleet.

British Airways A380 and 787 seating configuration

British Airways has revealed to the public the seating configuration of their A380s. The A380 will have 4-classes. They will have 212 seats in the upper deck and 257 on the lower deck. Their 787-8s will have 3 classes made up of 214 seats. British Airways has not revealed the routes for those aircraft's. British Airways hopes to reveal its destinations around the spring of 2013. British Airways will receive 4 787-8s next year. The first 787-8s for British Airways will arrive in May. There A380 will arrive in July and with 2 more arriving in August and October. The new aircraft's will have a new in-flight entertainment. British Airways has ordered 12 A380s and 24 787s, 8 of those 24 787s will 787-8s and 16 of them will be 787-9s.

The first flying prototype for the A350 rolls out of the assembly line

Airbus has finally completed the assembly of the primary structure for the first A350-900. The A350 was transported to its testing station next to the assembly line in Toulouse. The A350 has finally moved under its own undercarriage for the first time. The aircraft has yet to be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB power plants (engines). Airbus is hoping to perform its first maiden flight of the A350 around mid-2013. MSN1 is currently the first of five flight-test frames which will be constructed. The A350 will undergo hydraulic testing in Toulouse. The A350 has already completed its electrical power-on tests. The electrical tests were done for the fuselage and wings at the assembly line. After the aircraft has finished those tests. The aircraft will move on to certification and development testing. Then have its power plants (engines) installed.

VistaJet orders 142 jets making the largest order of Bombardier business jets

VistaJet is a Swiss luxury business airline. They have placed the largest order of Bombardier business jets. They have order 142 Bombardier business jets. The total cost of this order for those jets is $7.8 billion. VistaJet ordered 25 Global 5000s, 25 Global 6000s, and 6 Global 8000s. They put an option of 40 Global 5000s, 40 Global 6000s, and 6 Global 8000s. Bombardier will begin delivering those jets to VistaJet in 2014. This order is a significant key part in its expansion plans and ambitions of making business aviation more accessible to emerging markets.

Airbus offering 3 new wieght variants for the A380

Airbus is now offering a new higher and lower weight variants for the A380. The 3 additional weight variants are designated for WV006, WV007, WV008. WV008 can take-off with a maximum weight of 575t. This is the highest weight offered by Airbus. WV008 has a maximum landing weight of 394t. Airbus has developed an A380 that has a range of 8,500nm. This type of A380 will enter into service in 2013. WV007 has a maximum take-off weight of 573t. The maximum landing weight of WV007 is 373t. Airbus also offers a lower weight version. The maximum take-off weight of WV006 is 490t. Airbus wants to make a noise free A380. Airbus currently offers 9 weight variants on the A380.

Airbus launches a new enhanced version of ACJ318

Airbus is currently offering a new enhanced version of the ACJ318. This aircraft now has enhanced  domed ceilings, window-shades throughout the cabin, LED lighting, and new restyled passenger seats, a media lounge, high-definition entertainment system. There is an option of a shower in the back of the aircraft.  Airbus is now giving an option of having wing sharklets. This can enhance distance to the $68 million aircraft. The aircraft can go 150nm farther with the winglets. There are a lot of options that Airbus is offering. They are even offering an optional of Ipod and Ipad interfaces, wireless network, better soundproofing plus a humidifier.

Bombardier talks with Russia on local production

Bombardier is talking with Russia in starting a possible local production. Bombardier has not confirmed the aircraft that would be manufactured in Russia. The Russian government is in a discussion with the Canadian air framer that they should manufacturer the Q400 Turboprop. Plus they should build more aircraft than the Q400 Turboprop in Russia. Bombardier already manufacturers planes in Canada, Northern Ireland, Mexico, Morocco and the USA. Earlier this year the Q400 was certified in Russia after they had a lengthy tour in that country. Russia hope's that the Q400 will have more orders than the Antonov An-140, IIyushin II-114, and Antonov An-24. These aircraft's failed to generated orders. Bombarider's market predicts that all Russian carriers will order around 460 70-seat airliners for the next 18 years. Bombardier faces a market competitor ATR-72, which the operator in Russia is UTair. In August, Yakutia Airlines had ordered 4 Q400s and 10 Q300s

American Airlines delays its 777-300ER launch

American Airlines has delayed there commercial launch of its 777-300ER from December 13 to January 31, 2012. This delay that is happening is because of production issues with the first class suites for the aircraft. The company that is manufacturing the first class seats is also manufacturing seats for American's business class. American Airlines will us the 777-300ER to fly from Dallas to Sao Paulo. They will start service using this aircraft on January 31, 2012. For now they will us the 777-200 to fly from Dallas to Sao Paulo. American Airlines will use this aircraft to fly from Dallas, Sao Paulo, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, and New York's John F. Kennedy. American has orders for 14 777-300ERs

This Day in Aviation History: A380

This day in aviation history Singapore Airlines was the first customer to have the A380 entered into service. The A380 for Singapore Airlines is registered as 9V-SKA. Singapore Airlines first flight was from Singapore to Sydney. The flight number of this flight was SQ380. Before the first inaugural flight with the A380 the passengers bought seats in a charity online auction. The price for the tickets were from $560 up to $100,380.

Airbus flies its first sharklet-equipped A321

Airbus has performed its first flight of the sharklet-equipped A321 as it begins its test campaign of the wing-tip modification on the A321. The A321 is the largest member of its narrow-body family. The aircraft performed its first ferry flight from Airbus's Hamburg facility to its main plant in Toulouse on October 23. Flight testing on the modified A320 has been completed. In November, Airbus will begin its tests on the CFM International CFM56-powered variant certified by EASA. Airbus will begin its test on the International Aero Engines V2500-powered A320 in December. The air framer expects certification of the fuel-saving modification on the A321 in mid-2013, with the smaller A319 following later next year. The approximate cost of the A321 will be around U.S.$113.3 million. The launch customer of the plane will be ILFC.

Bombardier starts its final assembly on the Cseries

Bombardier is staring the final assembly on the first Cseries flight test vehicle. Plus they are starting to put the wings to the static air frame.The Cseries program is getting closer in achieving its first flight with only 12 weeks left in 2012. After completing assembly of the CAST it will allow the flight test vehicle to enter the wing-to-body join position. Bombardier also intends to complete assembly of the 4 remaining flight test vehicle in 1 month intervals. Bombardier has reported that its is continuing to perform tests on what they call Aircraft 0. This is a ground-based rig for integrated systems and certification testing. This rig also includes the same fly-by-wire controls, hydraulics power, flight deck and landing gear as the flight test aircraft. This allows Bombardier to perform simulated flights for which it hopes to receive certification credit.

Qatar Airways gets its first 787

Qatar Airways has finally accepted its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as A7-BCB on October. This is the first of 30 General Electric GEnx- powered 787's that are on firm order. Qatar Airways has an additional 30 options and intends to operate the 787-8's and the 787-9's. The 787 has at least another month before it arrives at Doha. Qatar expected its first 787 to be delivered in August right after the Farnborough Airshow in July. The 787 had some unspecified technical issues before its delivery. The configuration of the 787 for Qatar is 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. 

Gol orders 60 737 Max 8

Gol airlines, a Brazilian low-cost carrier has placed an order of 60 737 Max 8 aircraft. These aircraft should be delivered from 2018. The new aircraft will help the airline renew its whole entire fleet. Gol will be the launch costumer in South America for the 737 Max. Gol is currently an all-operator of the 737. This order of the 737 Max will sustain Gol's competitive advantage in the future. This decision to order the 737 Max is to keep the fleet in a modern and safe fleet for the future. The new aircraft will have one of the best cost-benefit ratio in the whole entire market. Gol which has no relationship with Boeing is currently working with the air framer to launch a 737 Max short field performance aircraft. This airline has previously worked with Boeing to develop a 737-800NG to operate in short runways. In 2006, Gol was the first to receive the 737-800NG. Gol currently has 130 aircraft in there fleet with 60 orders on the 737 Max and  88 in the 737-800NG.

United takes first 787

On September 22, United Airlines took ownership of its first Boeing 787-822 Dreamliner, which was registered N20904. United is the first US-based airlines to operate the Dreamliner. United is the 6th global airline to receive the 787 and will be placed into domestic service starting in November 4  before rolling out to international service on December 4 . United has announced it will initially use the 787 on international routes to Africa, Asia and Europe. The airline will conduct temporary domestic flights before transitioning its 787 fleet to international service. United will take delivery of 1 more 787 in Octobers, 2 in Novmeber and 1 more in December. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. In addition to providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs, the 787 features a lot of new technologies that greatly enhance the passenger experince. This delivery marks the first of 50 Dreamliners that United has on order. The airline's 787 cabin is configured with 36 seats in United First Business Class, 72 seats in United Economy Plus Class and 111 seats in United Economy Class. Customers will be more comfortable with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitiude and enhanced ventilation systmes, among other features. United's first Dreamliner is expected to arrive in Houston later this week to begin a month-long training and certification program including non-commercial flights to each of United's domestic hubs.

 

Bombardier CSeries completes asssembly of the 1st fuselage

Bombardier confirms that the final section of the Bombardier CSeries structural test aircraft should be done by the end of September, and the final assembly should be almost completed by the end of October. The flight test vehicle (FTV-1) should take its first flight at the end of its production. Finishing the first complete airframe static test (CAST) aircraft should be a critical step reaching the first flight of the Bombardier CSeries in less than 103 days. The CSeries manufacturing team has completed the assembly of the CAST fuselage 50% faster than what was expected. The entry-into-service date most of the time is about 12 months after its first flight. Bombardier has invested a lot in their ground simulation systems that could shorten the time to achieve airworthiness certification.

'Throwback Thursday' Concorde

In March 2, 1969 the first Concorde took flight. Then on January 21, 1976 the first Concorde was delivered British Airways. The price for the Concorde in 1977 was £23 million. Then in November 26, 2003 the Concorde made its last flight.

LAN receives first 787

 LAN Airlines has received their first 787-816 Dreamliner registered as CC-BBA, becoming the first operator of the 787 in the Americas. LAN is currently the fourth airline to  receive the 787. LAN's first 787 is configured with 30 business class seats and 217 economy class seats. The cabin interior, which will feature a full lie-flat seat in business class, which will be featured on LAN's new 767-316ER deliveries. LAN will be the first 787 operator to offer an in-flight entertainment solution. The touch-screen monitor will allow passengers to stream their content from their personal devices onto the screen. LAN has orders for 32 787s, comprising 21 787-8s and 10 787-9s with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. LAN plans to operate the aircraft to Buenos Aires, Lima, Los Angeles, Madrid and Frankfurt.

'Throwback Thursday' 747

In February 9, 1969 the first Boeing 747-100 did its first flight. Then on January 22, 1970 the first Boeing 747-100 was delivered to Pan Am. The price of that first Boeing 747-100 generation was 24 million dollars.