Simple Flying - Exclusives

Why The Airbus A350 Will Be The Flagship Of Air India’s Fleet

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 15:38:15 GMT

For many years, Airbus has led the Indian market on the narrowbody side, with approximately a 70% market share. The pendulum has begun to swing more recently, with new entrant Akasa picking Boeing’s 737 MAX family for its fleet.

Why Icelandair Isn’t Worried About Low-Cost Competition

Sumit Singh — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 20:01:17 GMT

As the flag carrier of Iceland, Icelandair has long been a national entity within its country. It has stood the test of time and shows no signs of slowing down. Still, it has been met with homegrown competition over the years. The most recent airline to make a name for itself in the Nordic island is PLAY. Despite the low-cost carrier's (LCC) strong start, Icelandair’s leadership isn’t too concerned about its addition.

SriLankan Airlines Witnesses Rise In Demand Across Network

Gaurav Joshi — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 04:00:16 GMT

SriLankan Airlines is steadily moving towards post-pandemic passenger recovery, with many of its flights to key markets witnessing impressive occupancy. India remains its number one international market, despite figures still not reaching pre-COVID levels, while Australia has bounced back strongly, surpassing the levels seen in 2019.

In Conversation: How Fyve By Is Using A.I To Protect Aircraft From Damage On The Ground

Sumit Singh — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 08:30:15 GMT

Benjamin Youngstrom is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fyve By, a company that seeks to reduce the number of aircraft incidents by providing precise real-time visual locations of planes, cargo, tools, and people. Simple Flying recently spoke with the innovator to find out more about how his firm is solving challenges on the ground.

Photo Tour: Inside Icelandair’s Flight Training Center

Sumit Singh — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 12:10:07 GMT

At the tail end of last month, Simple Flying had the opportunity to visit Icelandair’s training center in Hafnarfjordur, Iceland, which is located 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport. There was plenty to see at the facility, with the Icelandic flag carrier covering all angles to prepare its crew.

When Will Passengers Be Able To Fly Without Passports?

Sumit Singh — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 12:10:32 GMT

By 2025, 69% of airports plan to use biometrics at security checkpoints. This shift toward biometric passenger processing will eventually enable a completely digital travel experience with your face acting as your passport.

Why Loyalty Programs Remain Vital To Airline Business Models

Sumit Singh — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 08:31:17 GMT

As the proud owner of Avios, IAG Loyalty engages with over 40 million currency collectors and over 125 partners. There have been plenty of twists and turns in the loyalty market during the company's three-decade history. Still, the industry remains an integral part of the travel ecosystem.

Breaking: Airbus & Qatar Airways Settle Airbus A350 Legal Drama

Tom Boon — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 16:57:30 GMT

Qatar Airways and Airbus have come to an amicable settlement to their ongoing legal drama regarding Airbus A350 paint degradation. The dispute has been bubbling up for almost two years, ending up in the High Court in London.

This Is It: Boeing Hands Over The Last 747 To Atlas Air

Lukas Souza — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 22:22:32 GMT

Today, Boeing delivered the final 747 ever made, a 747-8F (freighter), to Atlas Air, the world's largest operator of 747s, with 51. The delivery closes the door on more than five decades of Boeing's history.

Chocks Away As Bonza Launches New Era In Australian Aviation

Michael Doran — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 13:36:16 GMT

Today Australian aviation history was made on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. New entrant Bonza, a true low-cost carrier, operated its first commercial flight and, in doing so, became the first Australian airline to fly the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Why Icelandair Is Still Mulling Over Airbus & Boeing Options To Replace The 757

Sumit Singh — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 12:00:15 GMT

Last fall, we highlighted how Icelandair was nearing a decision on how the airline would replace its aging Boeing 757 aircraft. Some months have now passed by, but the flag carrier of Iceland is yet to make an official announcement about its future fleet. Nonetheless, Simple Flying met with Icelandair President & CEO Bogi Nils Bogason to learn more about the decision-making process.

Now's Your Chance To Own A Piece Of Air Tahiti Nui's Airbus A340

Tom Boon — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 08:30:16 GMT

EXCLUSIVE: Over the past few years, it has been out with the old and in with the new at Air Tahiti Nui. The airline retired its last Airbus A340s in September 2019 and has since switched to the more fuel-efficient Boeing 787. Since retirement, these Airbus A340s have been scrapped, and parts of one have now been upcycled into key tags.

Happy Birthday! Experimental Aircraft Association Celebrates 70 Years

Joanna Bailey — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 21:00:16 GMT

Seven decades ago, on this very day, a group of aviation enthusiasts met for the first time in the basement of a private home in Wisconsin. Today, that organization is home to more than 270,000 members across 900 different chapters and from 100 different countries around the world.

Lufthansa Reveals Tentative Airbus A380 Destinations & Training Plans

Tom Boon — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 17:16:16 GMT

A Lufthansa spokesperson has revealed to Simple Flying that the airline has tentatively planned to operate the Airbus A380 on up to three routes, all to the United States, upon its return this summer. The giant of the skies could fly to New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), or Los Angeles (LAX), though the tentative nature of these plans means they are subject to change.

KLM Flight Attendants’ Periodic Safety Training: An Insider’s Account

Dr. Omar Memon — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 17:30:16 GMT

The members of the flight crew go through extensive training in different areas of flight. Whether it is flight operability, safety, or first-aid training, all flying crew (pilots and cabin crew) must pass the necessary training. Additionally, periodic training is required to keep their licenses valid for flying.

airBaltic Will Be Forced To Wet Lease Aircraft This Summer Amid Airbus A220 MRO Delays

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 08:01:16 GMT

As the world’s only all-Airbus A220 operator, airBaltic is operating a crowd-pleasing service. But when something goes wrong with the A220, it suffers the impact more acutely than most. In an interview with Simple Flying, airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss noted one particular problem that caused headaches last summer, and will again this year.

Netflix In Flight For Free: Inside airBaltic’s SpaceX Starlink Partnership

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:00:16 GMT

The evolution of the low-Earth orbit market has been spearheaded by SpaceX and its ever-growing Starlink constellation. The firm aims to eventually launch more than 30,000 small satellites into orbit, with more than 3,300 already in orbit around the Earth. In January alone, SpaceX has seven launches planned, each one lofting around 40 - 50 new satellites into orbit.

SITA Asia-Pacifc President Sumesh Patel Says Stakeholder Collaboration Is Key

Michael Doran — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 21:00:16 GMT

One interesting aside from the COVID pandemic is that technologies talked about for years suddenly began to be implemented. Airports and airlines who had procrastinated around self-check-in kiosks, automated bag drops and biometric boarding, found themselves sucked into the vortex of COVID's impact on air travel, floundering to guide passengers through the multi-level processes imposed by governments and health authorities.

Flighty: The App That Can Tell Passengers About Diversions Before Airlines Do

Jake Hardiman — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 21:30:16 GMT

While diversions are a rare occurrence in the world of commercial aviation, they do still happen. This can prompt rebooking scrambles for those who are not expecting the diversion, making passengers' onward journeys to their final destinations a more stressful affair. However, there are ways to get ahead of the game.

In Conversation: How AI Matching Can Reconnect Passengers With Lost Items

Sumit Singh — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 12:12:45 GMT

Boomerang, a leading lost and found platform that reconnects people with their items, this week announced that the United States' Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and Syracuse Hancock International Airport are now using the company's services. The airports are keen to utilize Boomerang's AI matching technology to help boost operational efficiency and customer experience.

How Emirates Flight Attendants Are Trained To Deal With Medical Emergencies

Sumit Singh — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 09:30:15 GMT

This week, we reported how a doctor saved a passenger's life on an Air India flight. The professional spent five hours monitoring the traveler who suffers cardiac arrest twice while flying from London to Mumbai.

Turning An Old British Airways Boeing 747 Into A Working Flight Simulator

Justin Hayward — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 16:18:55 GMT

With the number of 747s in the sky continuing to decrease, it is always good to hear of more being preserved. One of the last British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft was partly saved from scrap during 2022. The upper deck and cockpit sections have been preserved and are now in use in Manchester as an events space and working flight simulator. Simple Flying takes a look at how this was achieved.

Why 2023 Is Set To Be Porter Airline’s Biggest Year

Sumit Singh — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 17:03:00 GMT

Porter Airlines recently went all-in with its press announcements. From new aircraft arrivals to new destinations, the Canadian carrier is covering great ground across the board to set up a strong start to 2023.

What Is French bee’s Priority For 2023?

Sumit Singh — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:35:15 GMT

French bee has had an eventful 2022. The low-cost carrier began flying to two popular United States destinations and received the second of its Airbus A350-1000s. Heading into the new year, the airline's CEO, Marc Rochet, spoke with Simple Flying about his company’s plans for 2023.

Another Addition: How The Airbus A350-1000 Complements French bee's Fleet

Sumit Singh — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 16:30:22 GMT

French bee is a massive fan of the Airbus A350, solely operating this type within its fleet. The aircraft are split between four A350-900s and a pair of A350-1000s, with the most recent -1000 only joining the fold this month.

How Montreal’s Aviation Industry Is Collaborating To Introduce Greener Air Travel

Sumit Singh — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 16:00:16 GMT

Greater Montréal hosts a plethora of aviation powerhouses. It is home to 35,000 jobs and 200 firms across the aerospace sector. Thus, one in every 65 individuals in the metropolitan area works in the field.

Is This Offshore Advanced Air Mobility Concept The Small Airport Of The Future?

Linnea Ahlgren — Sun, 18 Dec 2022 13:22:29 GMT

The worldwide Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market is expected to reach $16.8 billion by 2025 and $110 billion by 2035. The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle sector has exploded with new hopeful manufacturers over the past decade, along with contributions from more established OEMs. About 500 different variations of urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles are currently under development across the globe.

Miami Bound: Why The Airbus A350 Is Perfect For French bee’s US Expansion

Sumit Singh — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 17:06:07 GMT

French bee yesterday kicked off flights between Miami and Paris Orly. The low-cost, long-haul carrier is deploying its Airbus A350-900 on the transoceanic route, adding to the airline's ever-growing United States network.

How Commercial Aviation Could Benefit From Airbus' Space Program

Linnea Ahlgren — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 12:14:03 GMT

Most of Simple Flying's readers know Airbus mostly as a commercial airplane manufacturer. Meanwhile, the European aerospace giant is, well, precisely that - an aerospace company. Airbus (including its predecessors) has a long history in telecommunications, launch vehicles, and other spacecraft. With the new era of the space race picking up momentum, NASA's ongoing Artemis mission, and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hercules mission under development, humanity is heading back to the moon. But how can lunar exploration benefit the evolution of more atmospheric-bound commercial aviation?

Why British Airways & Iberia Are Changing How Frequent Flyers Earn Points

Sumit Singh — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 12:00:15 GMT

Last month, it was announced that British Airways and Iberia would change the way their frequent flyer schemes work. Rather than earning Avios points based on distance flown, the new scheme rewards passengers based on money spent.

Exclusive: Big Plans For New Dominican Republic Flag Carrier Arajet

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 19:00:16 GMT

To create a flag carrier, help is needed both from abroad and at home. The Dominican carrier Arajet is the perfect example of multiculturalism. Born to fill the gap left by Dominicana de Aviación over twenty years ago, Arajet was launched by a Dominican entrepreneur but has brought talent from neighbors Panama, Barbados, Venezuela and faraway places like Portugal and Russia. All along the focus has been clear: creating a Caribbean carrying looking to bring the joy and hopefulness that characterizes the local culture thirty thousand feet in the sky.

Modern Solution: Why Porter Airlines Is Expanding With The Embraer E195-E2

Sumit Singh — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 17:30:16 GMT

With Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal confirmed as the initial destinations for Porter Airlines' Embraer E195-E2 aircraft next year, Simple Flying spoke with the Canadian carrier’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Kevin Jackson, to hear more about the advantages of the twinjet’s upcoming arrival.

Porter Airlines To Introduce New 'All-Inclusive' Economy Fares On Embraer E195-E2 Aircraft

Sumit Singh — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 14:30:15 GMT

Ahead of the arrival of Porter Airlines' first Embraer E195-E2, the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport-based airline today announced a new cabin experience for its passengers. With the introduction of the aircraft, the airline is providing free WiFi, extra legroom, and fresh meals on board amid a new all-inclusive economy offering.

In Conversation: An Interview With Emirates Captain Adrian Dando

Sumit Singh — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 16:26:23 GMT

Along with the commencement of the upgrading of the cabins of 67 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s, Emirates is actively recruiting first officers. Amid these initiatives, Simple Flying recently caught up with Adrian Dando, one of the Dubai-based carrier's captains, to learn more.

Photo Tour: Inside TAP Air Portugal’s Lisbon Maintenance & Engineering Facility

Sumit Singh — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:30:17 GMT

As the Portuguese flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal is a familiar name for readers of Simple Flying. While the airline has a strong presence across commercial passenger operations, it is also a powerhouse when it comes to the behind the scenes maintenance and engineering. Simple Flying had the opportunity to have a look at the firm's facilities in Lisbon to find out more about its activity in this field.

Photos: British Airways Boeing 747 'Negus' Is Now A Winter Wonderland

Joanna Bailey — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 18:36:52 GMT

What do you do with an enormous jumbo jet when it's reached the end of its useful service life? For some, it's a long rest in the desert; for others, it's a future of repurposing into keyrings and trinkets. But some airliners are a bit too special to be either abandoned to rust or to chop up into pieces. Such is the case with the four retro-liveried British Airways Boeing 747s, which were withdrawn from service at the onset of the pandemic.

How Flight Simulators Are Addressing Challenges With Severe Weather Conditions

Sumit Singh — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 11:30:15 GMT

This year, severe weather has accounted for approximately 10% of aircraft accidents. Even though pilots can't control the weather, they can be safely prepared to fly through tough conditions. Thus, Simple Flying recently spoke with Ryan Binns, Chief Architect at simulation software developer at (Bohemia Interactive Simulations) BISim, to find out more about how his company simulates accurate fog, rain levels, and storm clouds.

TAP Air Portugal CEO: The Airbus A321LR Is Fantastic But It Brings New Challenges

Sumit Singh — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 12:05:42 GMT

TAP Air Portugal is joined by the likes of JetBlue and Aer Lingus as regulars flying the Airbus A321LR across the Atlantic Ocean. The airline welcomed its first unit in April 2019 and now has 10 units in its fleet, at an average age of just two years. Together, they provide the capacity for 1,710 passengers.

Mentour Pilot – From Cockpit To YouTube, A Journey Uncovered

Joanna Bailey — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 16:21:34 GMT

Most aviation fans will be familiar with the lilting tones of Petter Hörnfeldt, better known to his followers as Mentour Pilot. Petter has been making YouTube videos answering some of the biggest questions in aviation since 2015 or thereabouts, and has been in the cockpit of aircraft for much longer.

Alaska Airlines' Horizon Air Unveils Stunning Embraer E175 Retrojet

Joe Kunzler — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:45:40 GMT

On November 18, Embraer delivered to Horizon Air, the regional subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, its first new Embraer ERJ-175 (E175) since 2019. This is to continue the renewal of Horizon Air’s fleet and bring it closer to becoming a single type operator.

What Doha Airports Can Learn From Saudi Arabia’s Handling Of Hajj Flights

Joanna Bailey — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 11:22:29 GMT

Doha is gearing up to welcome an estimated 1.7 million arrivals as the World Cup prepares to kick off this weekend. Qatar Airways alone is expecting to fly some 20,000 people a day into the city, and FIFA estimates there could be 500,000 visitors in the country on the busiest days.

How Aviation Could Learn From Formula One - Radical Innovation At The World's Oldest Airline

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:18:22 GMT

As the aviation industry faces one of its greatest challenges to date in its bid to decarbonize operations, the rapid deployment of innovative and new technology is more crucial than ever before. A little while ago, during the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam, Simple Flying was fortunate to sit down for a conversation with KLM's Senior Manager for Radical Innovation, Arlette van der Veer. We talked about how culturally conditioned aversion to risk-taking is hampering innovation cycles, what aviation could learn from top race car engineers, and how an ecosystem approach is shaping innovation at the Dutch flag carrier.

Vistara's Single-Class A320neos: A Look At The Strategy

Pranjal Pande — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 12:51:02 GMT

While Vistara is best known for its premium cabin offerings across the fleet, less is said about its one-class Airbus A320neos. However, the carrier has been steadily adding these in recent years, with 8 of 41 narrowbodies now featuring 180 economy seats. In an exclusive interview with Simple Flying, Vistara CCO Deepak Rajawat walked us through the plans for these jets.

Virgin Atlantic Training Captain Says Be Nice To Airline And Airport Workers

Joanna Bailey — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 13:45:15 GMT

Captain Chris Pohl is a senior training captain with the much-loved airline Virgin Atlantic. From humble beginnings flying the Fokker F27 around Australia’s east coast, Chris has risen through the ranks, joining Virgin in 1993. Initially flying the Airbus A340, he moved on to the A350 and, most recently, the newest addition to the Virgin fleet, the Airbus A330neo.

SriLankan Airlines Excited About Reinstating Full China Network

Sumit Singh — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 12:00:14 GMT

China was the first country to implement travel restrictions following the initial COVID-19 outbreak before most of the world followed suit amid the rise of the pandemic. Around three years later, the country still has strict requirements on international travel, while its neighbors have opened their doors.

Exclusive: Vistara To Operate Leased 787-9 For 2-3 Years

Pranjal Pande — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 17:29:20 GMT

In an exclusive interview with Simple Flying, Vistara CCO Deepak Rajawat spoke about his airline's leased Boeing 787-9 and the plans for it. The Dreamliner entered service today, on domestic rotations, before being deployed on long-haul routes to Frankfurt and Paris. Let's find out more.

SriLankan Airlines Keen To Maximize Colombo Hub

Sumit Singh — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:00:14 GMT

Bandaranaike International Airport, more commonly known as Colombo International Airport (CMB), serves as the hub for SriLankan Airlines. There were initial concerns that the ongoing restrictions of the pandemic could see SriLankan revise its approach at the site. With international traffic downturn lasting for years, the airline may have been forced to move away from a hub model and concentrate on point-to-point opportunities.

SriLankan Airlines Has No plans For Large Scale Aircraft Order

Sumit Singh — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 16:47:02 GMT

Sri Lankan Airlines last year shared that it is considering the Airbus A330neo and A350 as options to join its facilities as part of its fleet modernization process. Yet, heading into 2023, there are currently no plans for a major aircraft order. Simple Flying this week caught up with SriLankan Airlines chairman Ashok Pathirage to find out more about the overall fleet strategy.

Close To Home: Malaysia Airlines' Climate Action And Adaptation

Linnea Ahlgren — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 12:09:24 GMT

How does an airline operating in one of the parts of the world already feeling the effects of climate change all too acutely approach the topic of sustainability? Simple Flying recently sat down for a conversation with Philip See, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Malaysia Airlines (and CEO of MAG's low-cost regional subsidiary Firefly), to talk about the carrier's commitments.

How To Create An Airline Net-Zero Roadmap - easyJet Edition

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 10:37:12 GMT

It is no secret that the aviation industry is on a hopeful trajectory to decarbonize operations by mid-century. Even an otherwise motley ICAO Assembly declared a “long-term aspirational goal,” or LTAG, at the beginning of October. However, if you do not take practical steps (and put your money where your mouth is) to get there, even the most ambitious intentions will all come to naught.

First Look: The Northern Pacific Navigators Lounge At Alaska’s Anchorage Airport

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:37:46 GMT

As part of its recent demonstration tour, Northern Pacific Airways took its Boeing 757 on its first visit to its future home in Anchorage, Alaska. The long-term plan is to set Alaska up as the next Iceland-like stopover point, for flyers heading from the US to Asia. As such, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport could be handling far more passengers than it is currently used to, and facilitating a new connection experience for long haul travelers.

Climate Technology Revolution - How United Airlines Is Leading The Way To Net Zero

Linnea Ahlgren — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 18:53:48 GMT

Airlines globally have committed themselves to, at the very least, aim for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, some are more willing than others to make the investments and commitments needed to scale decarbonization technologies and not just sit and wait around for other parts of the value chain to solve the problem.

Boeing 737 MAX Vs Airbus A321LR: Icelandair Nears 757 Fleet Replacement Decision

Sumit Singh — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 16:30:15 GMT

It's no secret that Icelandair has been contemplating its options to replace its Boeing 757 aircraft. After all, with the type holding an average age of approximately 25 years, it's only natural that the airline is interested in continuing its fleet modernization process.

How AI Is Helping Azul Improve Profitability

Sumit Singh — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 12:25:22 GMT

Azul Airlines recently announced a partnership with artificial intelligence (AI) outfit Fetcherr to pilot a demand prediction and algorithm pricing platform. The Brazilian carrier is looking to increase revenue, optimize workflows and streamline operations with this approach. Amid the move, Simple Flying caught up with André Américo, Director of Network & Strategic Planning, Revenue Management and Alliances at Azul, to find out more.

Transatlantic Trips: Why The Airbus A321LR Is The Perfect Fit For Aer Lingus

Sumit Singh — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 07:31:15 GMT

The Airbus A321LR first joined Aer Lingus' facilities in July 2019. With the aircraft heavily active across the skies, Simple Flying recently caught up with the flag carrier of Ireland's chief customer officer, Susanne Carberry, to talk about the advantages of holding this twinjet.

Low-Cost Playground: How Wizz Is Competing At London Gatwick

Sumit Singh — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 20:00:15 GMT

While Wizz Air UK last week celebrated carrying 15 million passengers from London Luton, another British airport is proving to be valuable for the low-cost carrier (LCC). London Gatwick is providing several opportunities for Wizz in this recovery period as it competes with other low-cost operations.

Saudi Arabia To Have 250+ International Destinations By 2030

James Pearson — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:00:14 GMT

Saudi Arabia's Air Connectivity Program (ACP) will play a vital role in achieving the country's highly ambitious Vision 2030. By incentivizing airlines to add many new routes and destinations, de-risking the opportunity for operators, it'll grow passenger volume and economic benefits, diversifying its economy away from oil. I spoke to Khalil Lamrabet, CEO of the ACP.

That Time Sam Chui Had A Bomb Threat On An Ilyushin Il-86

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 01:00:15 GMT

Aviation vlogger Sam Chui has had some incredible experiences in his lifetime. From traveling on Concorde to taking trips on rare and unusual aircraft, his flying adventures have taken him to places most of us can only dream about.

Digital Twins And Energy Independence - Behind The Scenes Of DFW's Sustainability Strategy

Linnea Ahlgren — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 18:14:50 GMT

While the aviation emissions that need combating are, first and foremost, the greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from aircraft burning fossil fuel traversing the sky, airports have a major role to play when it comes to advancing sustainability in the industry. In 2016, Dallas-Fort Worth International was named the first North American carbon-neutral airport. And it has had no intention of resting on its laurels, being recognized for its renewable gas initiative at COP26 last year in Glasgow.

Revealed: Does Sam Chui Get Paid To Fly?

Joanna Bailey — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 16:00:15 GMT

Well-known aviation vlogger Sam Chui always seems to be jetting off somewhere cool. Whether it’s enjoying business class on an ultra-long-haul trip, bush flying in Africa or checking out the flashiest private planes in the world, it’s a lifestyle most avgeeks can only dream about.

From Planespotter To Top Vlogger - The Story Of Sam Chui’s Success

Joanna Bailey — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 18:31:15 GMT

Aviation blogger, vlogger, author and photographer Sam Chui is well known for his YouTube success. Anyone who enjoys watching videos of other people flying about will inevitably have come across his channel, and will undoubtedly have been hooked.

1 Year On: Inside Aer Lingus' Transatlantic Manchester Airbus A321LR Operations

Sumit Singh — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 12:31:59 GMT

It has now been a year since Aer Lingus launched transatlantic service from Manchester, United Kingdom. The initial flight took off for Bridgetown, Barbados, on October 20th, 2021, with trips to New York JFK & Orlando International following that December. To mark the anniversary, Simple Flying caught up with Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer Susanne Carberry to find out how these operations are performing.

Austrian Airlines CEO On Getting The Basics Right

Linnea Ahlgren — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:50:46 GMT

Austrian Airlines turned 65 years old on September 30 this year. On March 1, the flag carrier gained its first female Chief Executive Officer in Annette Mann. Simple Flying was fortunate enough to sit down with the Austrian CEO during the recent World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam to talk about the importance of trust in industry partnerships and systems, SAF blending mandates, and what's driving the trends in premium leisure travel.

How Ukrainian Neo-Airline DRCT Customizes Ticket Sales Using Data

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 17:09:55 GMT

There is plenty of innovation in aviation technology right now - and not just when it comes to hardware and new propulsion architecture. Airlines are finally beginning to wrap their head around what to do with all the data it has had splashing around on servers not being put to good use.

82% of Alaska Airlines Pilots Ratify Industry-Leading Contract

Joe Kunzler — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:51:44 GMT

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) chapter representing Alaska Airlines pilots ratified on October 17th a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) contract, with 82% of the 96.37% eligible pilots voting in favor. The new contract addresses critical issues for the pilots – such as scope and catching up in pay versus the airline’s competitors.

First Outing: Northern Pacific's Boeing 757 Sets Off On Multi-Stop Tour

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:01:11 GMT

US startup airline Northern Pacific has commenced a demonstration tour to show off its refurbished airplane. The airline will take one of its Boeing 757s on a four-city, multi-state tour, to show off its onboard product to customers, partners and team members. The tour will take in California, Hawaii, and the Northern Marinas Islands before returning to the airline’s home base in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Interaction Group: From Pioneer To World-Leading Safety Card Manufacturer

Lukas Souza — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 21:32:30 GMT

A few weeks ago, Simple Flying had the chance to chat with Trisha Ferguson, CEO of The Interaction Group, one of the world's largest producers of safety cards. The Interaction Group has worked with over 600 airlines and has over 50 years of experience.

Startups, MAXs And Tech - The Synergies Of 777 Partners

Linnea Ahlgren — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:00:15 GMT

Avid readers of Simple Flying and overall aviation news consumers might recognize the name 777 Partners from when the company placed another significant order for Boeing 737 MAX jets this summer. Or perhaps you have heard of their startup ultra-low-cost carriers, Australia's Bonza and Canada's Flair. Meanwhile, the Miami-based private investment firm is a significant player in the aviation industry beyond leasing planes and starting up airlines (as if that wasn't enough).

Trisha Ferguson: The Journey Of A Female CEO In The Aviation Industry

Lukas Souza — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 22:08:27 GMT

Simple Flying recently had the chance to speak with Trisha Ferguson, CEO of The Interaction Group, one of the world's largest designers of safety cards. Trisha has worked with safety card design and production for almost 30 years and is one of the few female CEOs in the aviation industry.

In Conversation: An Interview With Jonathan Ayache, CEO of Lift

Joanna Bailey — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 09:00:14 GMT

Simple Flying recently sat down with Jon Ayache, CEO of South African airline Lift. Jon founded the airline in collaboration with experienced airline CEO Gidon Novick, and has led it through a turbulent but successful first 18 months. Below is the transcript of our conversation.

Starting An Airline In 90 Days: How Lift Succeeded

Joanna Bailey — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:31:26 GMT

Starting an airline is not an easy task. Most airline startups are two, three, or more years in the making before they take that momentous inaugural flight. For Lift, a startup airline in South Africa, waiting was not an option. From the moment the founders met and discussed starting an airline to the takeoff of the first flight, just 90 days passed.

Golden Triangle – Why Lift Chose Durban As Its Next Destination

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 16:09:25 GMT

South African newcomer Lift has been flying one of the world’s busiest routes since its launch in December 2020 – Cape Town to Johannesburg. Pre-pandemic, the route saw some five million passengers a year and was served each day by five or more airlines. It’s an unusual strategy for a startup; most have pitched to fly unserved or underserved routes, but Lift wasn’t afraid to compete.

Wizz Air's Vision - The Airline's President On Its Current And Future Strategy

Linnea Ahlgren — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 17:51:01 GMT

During the pandemic, most airlines contracted operations, buckled down, and waited for it to be over. Meanwhile, Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air did anything but. It opened base after base across Europe, and markets previously unfamiliar with the bright fuchsia and white-liveried planes gained a new low-cost alternative.

JetBlue Ventures - How Technology Will Shape The Future Of Travel

Linnea Ahlgren — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 12:53:25 GMT

The airline industry is notorious in innovation circles for being somewhat of a slow-moving ship. And for good reason. Safety is, after all, paramount and the first guiding principle of air travel. However, there are many startups in the aviation ecosystem that could contribute to the evolution of airlines, airframes, operations, and propulsion systems in many different ways. Some airlines may be content in sitting back and waiting for the technology to mature on its own and come to them.

Life As A Startup - ITA Airways' CEO On The First Year Of Operations

Linnea Ahlgren — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 14:00:14 GMT

After close to 74 years of operations, Italy's national airline Alitalia handed over the baton to its successor, ITA Airways, on October 15, 2021. The rebranded flag carrier commenced operations with a domestic flight from Milan Linate to Bari, and kicked off long-haul international service from Rome Fiumicino to New York JFK at the start of November. Simple Flying was fortunate enough to sit down with the Chief Executive Officer of ITA Airways, Fabio Lazzerini, during the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam last week to talk about the airline's first year of operations.

Network Control: Inside The Emirates Operations Nerve Center

Tom Boon — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 05:00:14 GMT

When looking at an airline's operations, most passengers don't see beyond the airport staff and flight crew. However, behind every successful airline, there is a team that monitors every single flight, ready to respond if anything unexpected happens.

Touchdown: Air Tahiti Nui Operates Its 1st Flight To Seattle

Joe Kunzler — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 19:16:15 GMT

On October 5, Air Tahiti Nui launched its first route in 15 years connecting Faa'a International Airport (IATA: PPT, ICAO: NTAA), Papeete, Tahiti with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with a press conference and plenty of fanfare. For an airline that services only five cities worldwide now, this was a historic event.

What's Next For All-Electric Eviation Alice Following Successful First Flight?

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:13:25 GMT

Last week, a groundbreaking new airplane took to the skies for the first time. Alice is a nine-seat commuter plane developed by Eviation, designed to fly on 100% electricity. It performed a perfect first flight, airborne for around nine minutes in the skies above Moses Lake.

How Boom Supersonic Plans To Introduce Sustainable Supersonic Travel

Sumit Singh — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 12:28:40 GMT

This summer, American Airlines became the second US carrier to place an order for Boom Supersonic's Overture. The operator followed United Airlines' 50-unit-deal with an order of 60. While there are clear speed benefits to be had with the supersonic airliner, Boom is intent on ushering in an age of sustainable high-speed travel.

What Will Happen To NASA’s SOFIA Boeing 747 Now?

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 22:00:15 GMT

Between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, NASA operated the last flight of the Boeing 747-SP carrying a reflecting telescope for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). This flight marked the end of an era, and now there’s the question of what will happen with this iconic aircraft. Simple Flying spoke with Paul Hertz, senior advisor for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, former Astrophysics Division director, and former SOFIA program scientist. This is what he told us.

Rex Ready To Rattle Regional Resource Routes

Michael Doran — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:05:14 GMT

Australia's regional and domestic specialist Rex announced today it had finalized the purchase of National Jet Express, the regional services arm of Cobham Aviation Services Australia.

End Of An Era: NASA's SOFIA Boeing 747 Has Taken Its Last Ever Flight

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 19:01:14 GMT

On Wednesday, September 28, at around 20:45 local time (03:18 UTC of Thursday), the Boeing 747SP, registration N747NA, owned by NASA and modified to carry a reflecting telescope for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), operated its last flight ever. The flight lasted seven hours and 58 minutes, departing from Palmdale Airport (PMD), and flying around the North Pacific Ocean.

The 737 MAX Is Almost Certainly In Avelo Airlines' Future

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 14:00:14 GMT

Right now, Avelo Airlines flies an 11-airplane strong fleet of Boeing 737 NG aircraft. It has six 737-700s with one more on the way soon, and five 737-800s. These are not new planes. The average fleet age is just over 15 years, according to ch-aviation, and while some of its -800s are as young as ten years old, a couple of the -700s are pushing 19 years in service.

Avelo Plans To Introduce A Loyalty Program In 2023

Joanna Bailey — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 22:00:14 GMT

Avelo has flown more than a million happy customers since its launch in April 2021. Priding itself on simple, excellent service and low fares, the airline has won the hearts of many new passengers, something that’s not easy for a startup airline to do.

Avelo Eyes International Expansion With Mexico, Canada, & Caribbean On The Cards

Joanna Bailey — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 19:00:15 GMT

Avelo Airlines has been rapidly building its presence in the US domestic market. Its network of more than 30 destinations on both the east and west coasts, often flying into underserved airports, has seen it expand its footprint massively over the past year and a half.

Why Avelo Isn't In A Rush To Fly Transcontinental

Joanna Bailey — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 16:31:14 GMT

Avelo launched in April 2021 with a base in Burbank, California. From there, it connected 11 unserved destinations with this small, easily navigable airport, and rapidly began building quite a presence on the west coast. But just a month into its journey, Avelo made a rather surprising announcement – the opening of its second base, in Tweed New Haven, Connecticut, on the opposite side of the United States.

How This Component Creates A Protective Air Barrier Between Each Passenger Seat

Sumit Singh — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:15:14 GMT

The pandemic saw airlines tout the benefits of HEPA air filters and how they can capture more than 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. The volume of cabin air is exchanged every two to three minutes with these systems. Yet, with the recovery period seeing load factors to the brim and mask mandates dropping, airlines are still keen to provide clean air for each passenger during the duration of the flight.

How Door To Door Tracking Can Help Ease The Baggage Crisis

Sumit Singh — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 10:30:14 GMT

It was an undisputedly hectic summer across the aviation spectrum. Cancellations and diversions were in abundance. Yet, one phenomenon that has been at the forefront of the disruptions this year is delayed and lost baggage.

First Look: Egypt’s Boeing 747-8 VIP Aircraft Leaves The Paintshop

Joanna Bailey — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:14:31 GMT

The Boeing 747-8, destined to be a VIP transport for the Egyptian government, has emerged from the paintshop at Shannon, Ireland, and has taken its first flight in its new colors to Hamburg in Germany. The aircraft had arrived in Ireland on August 26th, so it has taken expert airplane painters IAC just 26 days to repaint this mega aircraft – not bad going.

Lufthansa's Miles & More Simplification Now Expected In Early 2024

Tom Boon — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 09:34:59 GMT

Lufthansa's Miles & More program simplification is now expected to go live in early 2024. Speaking at the Altitude 22 industry conference hosted by Amadeus in Dubai, Gerald Schloegl, VP of Digital Channel Solutions & Commerce at the Lufthansa Group, revealed the timeline, adding that full details of the upcoming changes would likely be announced in December.

Review: A Connecting European Itinerary In KLM Cityhopper's Economy Comfort Seats

Jake Hardiman — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 19:30:14 GMT

Bremen (BRE) in northern Germany and Norwich (NWI) in the UK's East Anglia region are two airports where passengers rely heavily on KLM Cityhopper services to Amsterdam (AMS) to enable longer onward connections. However, despite both having multiple flights a day to and from AMS, traffic between the two is limited.

From Luxury Cruises To Regional Travel: The Markets HAV’s Airlander 10 Will Serve

Sumit Singh — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 17:15:14 GMT

Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has had a busy summer with its Airlander 10 program. With momentum gaining with the airship, Simple Flying took the opportunity to catch up with HAV's Commercial Business Development Director, George Land, about the anticipated market for the vehicle.

Etihad Still Reviewing The Business Case For the Airbus A380 ‘Very Frequently’

Joanna Bailey — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:00:14 GMT

Although many airlines have sought to bring back the A380 thanks to surging travel demand, Etihad’s remain parked. Between November 2020 and June 2021, all ten were flown to Europe for deep storage. Four are resting their wings in Tarbes, France, while six are in the Spanish storage site at Teruel.

The Influences That Saw Etihad Achieve Its First Profit In Seven Years

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:00:14 GMT

Etihad has been a loss-making airline for some time now. In 2015, it carried 14.8 million passengers and delivered revenues of $9.02 billion, returning a net profit across the year of $103 million. But that was the last time the airline would be in the black for a very long time.

In Conversation: An Interview With Adam Boukadida - CFO Of Etihad Airways

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 12:30:15 GMT

Simple Flying sat down with Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Etihad Airways, to discuss the airline's recent achievement of a profitable first half to 2022 and much more. Here's the conversation in full.

Sneak Peek: First Look At Orlando’s New South Terminal C

Joanna Bailey — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 20:00:14 GMT

Orlando International Airport has used the great pandemic pause to continue building and expanding its facilities for passengers. During 2021, MCO became the world’s 7th busiest airport, thanks to the changing patterns of travel. It handled some 40.3 million passengers – still far fewer than the 50 million who passed through in 2019, but it has its sights set on being even bigger in the future.

Building A Low-Cost Interlining Empire: Inside connectair By Air Transat

Joanna Bailey — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 16:06:33 GMT

In 2021, Air Transat went all-in with the Dohop-powered solution for easier virtual interlining. The Dohop technology is the power behind other world-leading interlining initiatives, including Worldwide by easyJet and Jetstar Connect. Air Transat launched ‘connectair by Air Transat’ in November last year, partnering initially with British airline easyJet and Colombian airline Avianca.

The Airchive: The World’s Most Comprehensive Online Collection Of Aviation Memorabilia

Joanna Bailey — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 18:34:10 GMT

What if you could access decades of aviation collectibles from the comfort of your own home? How cool would it be to experience the first flight of a particular plane or airline, to review timetables from years gone by, or leaf through the original sales brochure for aviation icons like Concorde? Well, you can, and it’s all down to the hard work and dedication of one man.

Exclusive: Sneak Peek At Northern Pacific Airways’ Boeing 757 Cabin

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 20:45:15 GMT

Northern Pacific Airways, the startup airline that plans to fly one-stop itineraries between the United States and Asia, has moved on a great deal in the past few months. From one Boeing 757, the airline now has three, with more on the way. Even more excitingly, Simple Flying has obtained an exclusive look at the airline’s incredible interiors, all fitted out and ready to go.

Full Cabin: Inside Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A350 London Route Recovery

Sumit Singh — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 12:10:26 GMT

On April 1st, Malaysia reopened its borders for general tourism, and on May 1st, the country no longer required fully vaccinated travelers to take pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 tests. Industry restrictions have continued to relax since, and key routes such as Kuala Lumpur to London have seen rapid growth. With this progress in mind, Simple Flying caught up with Captain Izham Ismail, Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group, to understand how recovery is going.