Sunday Reads: Our Most Notable Stories This Week

Today marks the 78th iteration of Simple Flying's Sunday Reads newsletter, meaning that the weekly digest has now been in existence for a year and a half. The last week has been full of top stories, with some of our favorites listed below.

NBA Abu Dhabi Series Prompts Rare Etihad Boeing 777 Visit To Milwaukee

While Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE) is a sizeable facility, the busiest airport in the US state of Wisconsin sees little in the way of international traffic. Indeed, this typically amounts to a combination of Air Canada Express flights to Toronto and various airlines' seasonal services to Cancún. However, the upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) fixtures in Abu Dhabi prompted a rare visitor.

Shark Skin Technology, Vegan Leather: Meet ANA's Green Jet Boeing 787 Dreamliner

On Wednesday, October 5th, All Nippon Airways (ANA) introduced its Boeing 787 Green Jet on the service between Tokyo Haneda (HND) and San Francisco (SFO). It featured a special livery inspired by the ANA Future Promise program (AFP), launched in 2021. Another aircraft wearing the livery will begin operating on domestic routes in November. You can read more about it here.

The aircraft will test a new surface riblet material. Photo: ANA

Atlas Air Takes The 3rd From Last Boeing 747 As The Final Aircraft Leaves The Production Line

On Wednesday, Atlas Air took delivery of a Boeing 747-8 Freighter. This unit is the second of four new 747-8 Freighters ordered by the company in 2021, which are also the last 747s ever to be produced by Boeing, putting an end to the 'Queen of the Skies' assembly line. You can find out more about this process here.

The remaining two aircraft are expected to be delivered this year. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Virgin Atlantic Stops Offering Flights To Hong Kong

After almost 30 years of flight services to Hong Kong, UK-based Virgin Atlantic has decided to suspend its Heathrow-Hong Kong route indefinitely and will also be closing its Hong Kong office. The route closure will lead to nearly 50 job cuts, including the office staff and Hong Kong-based cabin crew.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Etihad Airways Operates Its 1st London Heathrow Airbus A350 Flight

Etihad Airways recently operated its inaugural Airbus A350 service from London Heathrow, with flight EY12 departing Heathrow's Terminal 4 on September 22nd. The start of regular Airbus A350 services was originally planned for October, but, in July this year, the launch date was brought forward by one month.

London is the latest in a growing range of destinations to welcome the carrier’s Airbus A350. Photo: Etihad Airways

Mexico's Army Wants To Launch An Airline: Here's What We Know

The Mexican army could be interested in launching a new airline, according to recently leaked documents. This carrier would be administrated by the same group currently holding the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), north of Mexico City. You can find out more about this interesting development here.