Simple Flying - Editor's Picks

Cathay Pacific Flies 1 Million Monthly Passengers For The First Time In 3 Years

Gaurav Joshi — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 04:25:16 GMT

Cathay Pacific’s latest figures for January showed a massive increase in passenger numbers compared to the previous year as it continues to rebuild and restore connectivity at the Hong Kong international aviation hub. Cargo saw a slight decline compared to the previous month, but the airline is confident of positive growth in the passenger segment in the coming months.

One More Buyer: LATAM Reveals Interest In Viva Colombia

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 19:00:17 GMT

I want Viva Air... you want Viva Air... they want Viva Air... we all want Viva Air! Or at least, that’s what it looks like. On Tuesday, LATAM Airlines Colombia expressed its interest in initiating negotiations to acquire Viva Air, joining JetSMART and Avianca in their bidding efforts to purchase the ultra-low-cost carrier.

The Wrong Sydney: American Airlines Passenger Ends Up In Montana Instead Of Australia

Chris Loh — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 18:00:18 GMT

Booking a flight to the wrong city or airport. It's not something that happens too often, but when it does, can be embarrassing and costly. It's what happened to a New York resident who thought that he had booked a trip to Sydney, Australia, only to find himself in Sidney, Montana.

Was The Air India Deal The Biggest Aircraft Order Of All Time?

Luke Peters — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:00:18 GMT

This week's announcement by Air India detailing its massive order for 470 new Boeing and Airbus-built aircraft was valued at $68 billion. But is this the largest order for new commercial aircraft ever, or has there been an even larger order?

JetBlue Wants To Fly To Amsterdam But Is Struggling To Get Slots

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

JetBlue changed the game on transatlantic connectivity when it launched flights from New York and Boston to London in 2021. The 'hybrid' airline would like to take its narrowbody intercontinental services one step further with flights to Amsterdam Schiphol. However, with the government's plans to restrict the European mega hub's capacity, slots are proving particularly hard to come by - even those vacated by banned Russian flag carrier Aeroflot and the UK's folded Flybe.

Did You Know: KLM Operated Every Douglas Aircraft From The DC-2 To The DC-10

Justin Hayward — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:30:16 GMT

KLM's last MD-11 flight in 2014 was a significant event for the airline. Not only was it the retirement of a popular aircraft type, but it also marked the end of an 80-year relationship between Douglas and KLM. The airline introduced the DC-2 back in 1934 and stuck with Douglas right through all its subsequent developments.

Breaking: Frankfurt Airport Closed To Arrivals Amid Lufthansa IT Chaos

Tom Boon — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:31:48 GMT

The Lufthansa Group is facing delays and cancelations across its network. The reason for the interrupted operations is an IT failure affecting the entire airline group. This is having a knock-on effect on other airlines, as Frankfurt Airport is now entirely closed for arrivals. According to data from FlightRadar24.com, 69% of all Frankfurt Airport departures are delayed by an average of 24 minutes, while 5% have been canceled at the time of writing.

"Don't Travel" Warning As Major German Airports Face Huge Friday Strikes

Jake Hardiman — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Air travel in and out of some of Germany's busiest airports is set to face significant disruption on Friday due to a one-day strike. Called by trade union Ver.di, this will see public sector, aviation security and ground handling workers walk out in the early hours of February 17th, with the industrial action ending that evening.

Navigational Fixes: What Are They & How Do Pilots Use Them?

Ryan Goodwin — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:00:16 GMT

If you have ever tracked a commercial airline flight on FlightAware, Flightradar24, or a similar service, you likely noticed that pilots do not navigate in a straight line from airport to airport. Since the sky lacks roads and bridges to follow, why do they not fly straight toward the destination? Because the sky is full of invisible navigational fix points, and a collection of those navigational fixes makes up a defined flight plan route filed with and approved by air traffic control for the pilot to navigate from takeoff to landing.

Viva Air's Holder Of Voting Rights Has Not Received An Offer By JetSMART

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 22:00:17 GMT

The ongoing drama in the merger between Avianca and Viva Air following the signal of interest from Chilean ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART continues this week. On Monday, Castlesouth, the holder of the voting rights of Viva Colombia, said it has not received any purchase offer.

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.

Breaking: Air India Becomes A 777X Customer With Huge 470 Boeing & Airbus Order

Joanna Bailey — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:30:16 GMT

After months of speculation, Air India has finally confirmed its massive airplane order and revealed details of its planned future fleet. Totaling 470 aircraft and split between both Boeing and Airbus models, the order includes a placement for 10 Boeing 777X widebodies. This makes Air India the 11th named customer for the brand-new, yet-to-be-certified Boeing aircraft.

That Makes 3: Edward The Bald Eagle Joins Frontier Airlines For Black History Month

Riley Pickett — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:15:16 GMT

Frontier Airlines has revealed the latest unique aircraft to join its fleet. The Airbus A321neo has a special livery featuring a bald eagle on the airplane's tail = a nod to its partnership with Pratt & Whitney. The eagle on the aircraft has been named "Edward the Eagle" after historic aviator Edward Hall.

United Airlines Will Fly Super Bowl Winners Kansas City Chiefs Home On A Boeing 777

Riley Pickett — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:30:16 GMT

After defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs will return victorious to Kansas City. The Super Bowl Champs will be flown back on a United Airlines Boeing 777 this afternoon. The flight will leave at 13:21 MT and arrive at 16:23 CT. The flight is one of many that the sports team has taken with United as the airline regularly flies many NFL teams around the country and occasionally overseas.

Steep Dive: United Airlines Boeing 777 Descends To 775 Feet Above Pacific Ocean

Sumit Singh — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 12:12:34 GMT

It's been a busy few weeks of reports regarding close calls and unexpected incidents for US airlines. Even though this event occurred on December 18th, it has now been revealed that a United Airlines Boeing 777 flying from Maui, Hawaii, to San Francisco, California, took a steep dive and came within 800 ft of the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

Embraer Bandeirante Celebrates 50 Years Of Connecting Communities

Michael Doran — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 01:00:17 GMT

On February 9th, 1973, the first Embraer EMB 110 was delivered to the Brazilian Air Force. Fifty years later, the EMB 110 is still going strong, and Embraer has developed into one of the major aircraft manufacturers of both civil and military aircraft in the world today.

Tip: Fly Premium Economy On Air India's Boeing 777s For A Nominal Fee

Pranjal Pande — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 14:00:17 GMT

Air India's fleet is currently undergoing a metamorphosis, from a crumbling offering to an order for up to 500 brand-new jets very soon. In between, the carrier has been inducting several leased aircraft, including 11 Boeing 777s to expand long-haul routes to North America. One of the perks of the leased aircraft is the addition of premium economy, but this cabin isn't on sale officially yet, meaning you can still snag it as a regular economy seat by selecting it earlier. Here's our guide on how to get a far more comfortable journey on your next ultra-long-haul flight with Air India.

Comparing “Paper Airplanes:” The 777X Freighter Vs The A350F

Chris Loh — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 11:01:15 GMT

The next few years should be interesting when it comes to the new widebody freighters being offered by the two big planemakers. In the summer of 2021, Airbus announced the launch of its A350 freighter program (A350F). Likely having developed the idea for a few months, Boeing responded by announcing the launch of a 777X freighter program at the end of January 2022. With lower demand among customers for freighters when compared to their passenger equivalents, the market has been, and will continue to be competitive. So which next-generation widebody freighter is the better choice? Let's try to answer this question in this article.

Still Not Canceled: United Airlines' Airbus A350 Order

Chris Loh — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 06:00:16 GMT

Near the middle of December 2022, United Airlines secured a firm order for 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, boosting its current order backlog to roughly 700 aircraft. Alongside the firm order for 100, the carrier also placed options for 100 more 787s. With variants left unspecified in the announcement -8, -9, and -10 are all possibilities. With this order ending months of rumors and speculation, what exactly is going on with the airline's longstanding Airbus A350 order? And why hasn't it been officially canceled yet?

Review: Hong Kong To Kuala Lumpur In Business Class On Cathay Pacific's Airbus A330

Justin Hayward — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 00:31:16 GMT

Cathay Pacific operates regional flights using a mixed Airbus narrowbody and widebody fleet. Many short and medium-haul flights on the Airbus A330 and A350 are operated with decent long-haul style business seating. Simple Flying’s Justin Hayward tried this out on an A330-300 flight from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur.

Qantas' 57 International Routes Analyzed

James Pearson — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 18:00:17 GMT

Qantas has international flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin. Based on examining its full February to September schedule, it has international service to 32 airports worldwide. Its network sees flights to 23 countries in Australasia, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, and Europe. It has 57 international routes in this period, including Melbourne-Jakarta taking off in April and the brand-new Sydney-Auckland-New York JFK in June.

Alaska Airlines' Superbowl Adverts Focus On "Care & Value" For Guests

Luke Bodell — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:18:40 GMT

Alaska Airlines has unveiled a sneak peek of its upcoming Superbowl commercials featuring Tan France, Nick Cho and several airline employees. The ads will begin airing on February 12th before the big game later that day.

LOT Polish Tells Musician To Check $5 Million Stradivarius Violin

Jonathan E. Hendry — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 03:06:28 GMT

One of the world's most prominent violinists carrying an original Stradivarius violin was denied boarding on a LOT Polish Airlines flight after he declined to check the 337-year-old violin in the luggage hold.

The FAA's Next Big Challenge: Keeping Airspace Clear Amid Record Rocket Launches

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:00:18 GMT

Launching a rocket to space has become an enterprise that can be funded by private companies, such as SpaceX. This led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to manage a record-breaking 92 space missions from the US airspace in 2022, a 33% increase from the year prior, and poses a new challenge for the entity; how to keep the airspace clear?

What Happened To British Airways' Boeing 757s?

Joanna Bailey — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:45:51 GMT

Although Eastern Air Lines had the honor of operating the very first Boeing 757 flight, the first to operate it in Europe was British Airways. On this day 40 years ago - February 9th, 1983 - the British flag carrier launched its first flight with the Boeing narrowbody, using it first for its London to Belfast shuttle service, usurping the Hawker Siddeley Trident from the route.

Comair Sues Boeing Over 737 MAX Purchases

Tatenda Karuwa — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 11:30:58 GMT

Comair, the defunct South African airline, has sued Boeing for fraud over its agreement to buy eight 737 MAX planes and is seeking damages of at least $83 million.

Air New Zealand Hosts Special Flight For Children With Disabilities

Aaron Bailey — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:31:16 GMT

On Saturday, February 4th, Air New Zealand took off from Invercargill Airport with 30 children onboard as the carrier chartered a special flight as part of Koru Care Southland. The charitable trust works with children suffering from various illnesses and disabilities and organizes various activities and outings for the children, and this time, the children got airborne.

Pegasus Airlines Operates Free Relief Flights To Assist Turkey's Earthquake-Affected Zones

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:16 GMT

The Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines has announced it is carrying out relief flights to support the earthquake-affected zones throughout Turkey. On February 6, a powerful 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and western Syria, which has led to over 12,000 deaths in total.

MH17 Investigation Suspended As Limit Is Reached

Steven Walker — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 17:30:18 GMT

The investigation into the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 has been suspended. Investigators decided to pause proceedings as they did not have enough evidence to prosecute any further suspects.

Flybe's Administrators Have Applied For Another Operating License

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

On Wednesday, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that collapsed airline Flybe's administrators had applied for a temporary air operator certificate (AOC). If successful, this does not mean that the twice-folded airline's flights would resume right away.

Details Emerge Regarding Recent Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Sudden Descent Incident

Jake Hardiman — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 10:00:17 GMT

* Updated 10:50 UTC 08/02/2023 with a statement from Qatar Airways *

Hawaiian Airlines Grounds Two Airbus A321neos Due To Engine Issues

Steven Walker — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 07:00:18 GMT

Hawaiian Airlines has been forced to ground two of its Airbus A321neos due to ongoing engine maintenance issues. The Honolulu-based carrier has cited supply chain problems as the reason behind the delays in maintenance, which have led to the aircraft being unable to operate.

JetSMART Announces Intentions To Acquire Viva Air

Jonathan E. Hendry — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 23:27:41 GMT

Ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART Airlines of Chile has announced its intentions to acquire Colombian carrier Viva Air Colombia. The carrier today notified Viva Air of its interest in making an offer for 100% of the shares of the airline and its subsidiaries.

Mitsubishi Discontinues Development Of 'SpaceJet' Regional Airliner

Jake Hardiman — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:00:16 GMT

Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi has officially announced the discontinuation of its 'SpaceJet' regional airliner series. It had hoped to produce twin-engine regional jets similar to those offered by Embraer, but the initiative never reached commercial production. After initially being paused, it has now been terminated.

Dublin Airport Suspends Flights For Third Day In A Row Because Of Drone

Channing Reid — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 07:00:16 GMT

Several inbound flights at Dublin Airport were diverted or suspended Monday evening due to drone activity in the airport’s airspace. The latest incident is the third to occur at the airport in the last three days. Flight operations at the airport were suspended for nearly an hour due to the disruption.

Qantas CEO Says Perth Airport Is Holding Back Direct Flights Into Asia

Michael Doran — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:06:15 GMT

Last week, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce took to the airwaves, using a radio interview on station 6PR to blast Perth Airport on a number of fronts. Joyce said that the airport's lack of space and facilities prevents the nation's flag carrier from adding more long-haul direct flights from Perth.

Volaris Begins 2023 With 22% Passenger Increase Over 2022

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 22:00:16 GMT

Following a record year in 2022, when it carried over 30 million passengers for the first time in its history, the Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Volaris continued with a solid performance. Volaris carried 21.8% more passengers in January 2023 compared to January 2022.

Airport Of The Month: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Joanna Bailey — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 18:00:17 GMT

Simple Flying is delighted to introduce a brand-new feature for 2023 - Airport Of The Month. Each month, we will celebrate an airport that has gone above and beyond in providing exceptional passenger experience, and is investing to make our time spent in transit even better in the future.

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.

A Single Person Filed 23,000 Complaints About Dublin Airport Last Year

Channing Reid — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 07:00:17 GMT

Some airports depending on where they are located, receive complaints due to noise levels, if not other reasons. Typically, the dissatisfactions are filed by several people throughout a calendar year, but this was not the case at an airport in Ireland last year.

Named After An Interwar Transatlantic Odyssey: The Story Of Air Lituanica

Vyte Klisauskaite — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 22:15:17 GMT

Air Lituanica was founded following the bankruptcy of Lithuania’s first national carrier, flyLAL. While Air Lituanica created a sense of optimism that the country would finally have its viable airline, the carrier, however, operated only for a short period of time. So, what happened to the airline? Let’s take a look at the history Air Lituanica.

How Do Hand Luggage Allowances Compare Across Major Australian Carriers?

Nicole Kylie — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 15:30:16 GMT

As airlines and airports struggle to keep up with the increased demand for air travel, hand luggage is gaining popularity over checked baggage due to passengers’ worries of delayed, damaged, and lost checked-in bags. While some airlines are generous with their hand-carry allowances, others are not so. How do Australian carriers compare?

State Of The Union: The Air France-KLM Group In 2023

Chris Loh — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 11:00:16 GMT

In 2004 Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines joined forces to become the Air France-KLM Group (AF-KLM). With the two historic airlines' fleets and operations combined, the conglomerate has become one of the largest European airline groups along with Lufthansa Group, IAG, and Ryanair. In its nearly two decades of existence, the partnership hasn't always been smooth - and the two airlines still have their differences, despite cooperating quite closely. Today, we examine the state of Air France-KLM, and what the future holds for the two main parts of this group.

Viva Air Colombia Cancels Several Routes As It Faces Financial Struggles

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 19:00:16 GMT

On Friday, the Colombian ultra-low-cost carrier Viva Colombia announced it would temporarily close three direct routes from Cali International Airport (CLO). The airline cited a complex reality it is facing, including external macroeconomic factors, the lack of an expected investment on behalf of an investor, and the not-yet-approved merger with Avianca.

The Hidden Safety Features That Can be Found On Airliners

Justin Surette — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 15:30:16 GMT

It’s well known that airplanes are the safest mode of transportation and, fortunately, the industry makes continuous strides to be as safe as possible. Between changes in situational training and aircraft system enhancements, we can rest assured that even in an emergency, we’ll be okay. But today, we will look at a few safety features you may not know about that play an essential role in passenger safety.

Replaced By The A220: Where airBaltic's Dash-8 Turboprops Are Flying Now

Chris Loh — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 08:00:17 GMT

In 2016, airBaltic took delivery of its very first Airbus A220-300. Of course, at the time it was the Bombardier CS300. Nonetheless, the delivery of this jet was meant to begin the slow phase-out of the Latvian carrier's existing aircraft. This process would ultimately see airBaltic become an all-A220 operator. The pandemic expedited this process, and all older jets were removed in 2020. So where are the airline's former Dash 8-400s flying now? Let's find out.

The Battle Of The Regional Aircraft - What Aircraft Is Best?

Justin Hayward — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 23:00:15 GMT

The regional jet market has seen plenty of change in recent years. Airbus has paid more attention to it, but it remains dominated by other manufacturers, and Boeing was briefly interested when it thought to acquire Embraer. This article looks at both turboprops and regional jets and the choices airlines currently have for each of them. Both of these markets are dominated by a couple of leading manufacturers. But with fewer entry barriers than large jet manufacturing, there are several smaller and newer competitors.

Lufthansa Cargo Is Now Flying A Boeing 777F With Shark Skin Sustainability Technology

Linnea Ahlgren — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

Sharks in the sky? Well, fish and aviation may not feel like the most natural of associations, but the truth is that aerodynamic engineers can learn a lot from these aquatic creatures and how they glide through the water. On Friday, February 3, the first Boeing 777 freighter belonging to Lufthansa Cargo and equipped with AeroSHARK took off from Frankfurt.

Russia Says It Can Keep Operating Foreign Aircraft Until 2030

Linnea Ahlgren — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 09:42:13 GMT

In an interview with Russian media outlet RBK published on Wednesday, the head of Rosaviatsia (Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency), Alexander Neradko, said he was convinced that Airbus and Boeing planes will keep flying safely until the end of the decade. He is adamant that sanctions imposed on the supply of spare parts and maintenance have not affected flight safety in Russia.

Rex Returns Highest Profit Since COVID As Domestic Services Shine

Michael Doran — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 01:01:16 GMT

Australia's independent regional and domestic airline, Regional Express (Rex), has continued its upward momentum by reporting another profitable month in December. The entire Rex Group, which includes domestic jet, regional turboprop and subsidiary operations, showed an operational profit for the third consecutive month.

PSA Extends Hiring Incentives For New Pilots

Pranjal Pande — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:17:17 GMT

PSA Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines, is extending pilot hiring incentives through March 31st. Moreover, premium pay packages will be locked in until 2026, giving pilots a long runway to enjoy the perks of flying with the Bombardier CRJ operator. Let's find out more about the benefits and why PSA is offering them.

Ryanair Passengers Leave Baby At Check-In When Told To Buy An Extra Seat

Linnea Ahlgren — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:06:58 GMT

Occasionally, we come across an aviation story that makes us do a double take. Not from delight but due to the sheer absurdity of the conduct of some airline passengers. We will never forget the array of mask-inspired rage and rudeness that arose during the pandemic. And while arguing with airline staff that is only trying to keep everyone safe is no laughing matter, leaving your ticketless baby behind at the check-in counter may be one of the oddest airport behaviors we have ever come across.

The Qatar Airbus A350 Paint Conflict: A Timeline Of Events

Tom Boon — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:30:16 GMT

After two years it seems as though the legal drama between Qatar Airways and Airbus has finally ended. On February 1st, 2023, both parties issued statements revealing,

India Reduces Aviation Budget But Promises Better Connectivity

Gaurav Joshi — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 09:15:38 GMT

On February 1st, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the next financial year. For 2023-24, the budget allocated for the aviation sector has reduced sharply, mainly due to reduced liabilities of Air India following its privatization. But the country's regional connectivity scheme's allocation was increased, and Sitharaman announced the revival of more airports for better aviation reach.

Ukraine's SkyUp Enlists Imagine Dragons To Record Inflight Announcement

Steven Walker — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:30:16 GMT

SkyUp Airlines has teamed up with US rock band Imagine Dragons to record an inflight announcement in support of the UNITED24 foundation. Having sold more than 75 million records worldwide, the group from Las Vegas is now working in partnership with SkyUp Airlines and UNITED24 in aid of Ukraine.

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.

The Man Who Lives Inside A Boeing 727

Linnea Ahlgren — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:00:16 GMT

The Boeing 727 entered into service on this day in 1964, so we are giving the iconic trijet some extra attention here at Simple Flying. Although, perhaps we do not take it as far as 73-year-old Bruce Campbell. The Portland, Oregon, native and electrical engineer has made his home in one.

US Senators Hope To Strengthen Passenger Protections

Jonathan E. Hendry — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 03:37:05 GMT

A group of United States senators has introduced a pair of new bills to expand protections for air travelers. The effort is led by Senators Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights and the Forbidding Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous (FAIR) Fees Act seek to ensure customers are protected following mass cancellations over the busy Christmas travel period due in part to severe weather.

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.

How To Watch The Final Boeing 747 Delivery

Jake Hardiman — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 10:00:16 GMT

January 31st, 2023 has been a date that many avgeeks will surely not have wanted to come. Today, Boeing will officially deliver its final ever production aircraft from its legendary 747 family. The recipient will be Atlas Air, and the plane will be a cargo-carrying Boeing 747-8F. Let's take a look at how you can watch the ceremony.

ANA's 'Flying Honu' Airbus A380 Is Heading Back To Hawaii

Gaurav Joshi — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 09:18:49 GMT

Recovery in air travel has made All Nippon Airways revise its schedule for the financial year 2023. Looking at the strong demand, the airline has made some changes to its international services that will continue to reflect in the months following March, including bringing back the Airbus A380 to Honolulu after three years. While its operation rate will continue to be significantly less than the pre-COVID levels until March this year, ANA will be flexible in further adjusting according to demand.

Throwback: The JetBlue Flight Attendant That Quit Their Job Via The Emergency Slide

Charlotte Seet — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 23:30:16 GMT

As glamorous as being a cabin crew might seem when flying to new destinations around the world, the reward of travel does come with one of the heavier prices in the service industry. From having to deal with screaming babies and drunk passengers at 35,000 feet in the air to collecting trash and cleaning lavatories at lightning speed during quick turnarounds - these are just a few of the struggles cabin crews must endure every flight.

Flight Review: The Last Dash 8 Q400 Revenue Flight For Alaska Airlines

Joe Kunzler — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 18:31:17 GMT

On January 26, 2023 – the 22-year anniversary of Horizon Air’s first revenue flight with the Bombardier Q400, now the de Haviland of Canada Dash 8-400 – the author was invited to go along for what would be the last revenue flight for the regional subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. Of course, after planespotting to watch the mighty Q400 take off to Wenatchee, the author would race ahead and watch the penultimate revenue landing at Spokane International Airport (GEG).

British Airways Is Bringing The Boeing 777 & 787 To Frankfurt

Tom Boon — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:31:16 GMT

British Airways will fly its Boeing widebodies to Frankfurt Airport on several rotations over the coming months. The British flag carrier is likely scheduling the widebodies on the routes due to increased cargo demand. This demand has previously seen the giant Airbus A380 hopping between the two European airports.

Flyr Is Unsuccessful In Its Attempt To Raise Capital

Luke Peters — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 13:01:14 GMT

Flyr, the low-cost Norwegian airline, is again seeking new financing to bankroll its operation through the spring and summer of 2023. Without an urgent cash injection, the future looks uncertain for the airline.

Australia's Answer To Ryanair: What To Expect From Bonza

Aaron Bailey — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 02:00:16 GMT

Flying in Australia is about to get interesting. The nation's newest low-cost airline, Bonza, is set to take off tomorrow, so we decided to look at what to expect when traveling on Shazza, Bazza, or Shiela (the names of the airline's first three Boeing 737-800s).

Thailand Approves $250 Million For New Presidential Plane To Replace Airbus A340

Jonathan E. Hendry — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 01:01:15 GMT

The Thai Royal Family and visiting dignitaries might soon have a new aircraft. The Cabinet of Thailand has approved a budget totaling 8.78 billion baht ($276 million) spread over four years to replace the existing Airbus A340-500. The aircraft will be used to transport members of the royal family, cabinet ministers, members of the privy council, and guests of the Thai government.

Flying Is Cheap: How Airline Yields Have Fallen In Five Decades

Steven Walker — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 09:00:15 GMT

According to the latest data from IATA, airlines have seen a six-fold reduction in real passenger yields over the past 50 years. While individual events, such as financial crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, may temporarily push up yields, the overall trend over the past five decades has been a significant decline in real passenger yields.

Thailand Will Begin Building $9 Billion 'Aviation City' This Year

Charlotte Seet — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 01:46:16 GMT

Smaller aviation cities are growing in popularity, such as Saudi Arabia's NEOM City in the Middle East, and now Asia could soon have an aviation city too. Slated to begin construction soon, Thailand is investing nearly 300 billion baht ($8.82 billion) in its aviation city project, known as U-Tapao 'Eastern Aviation City.' This is one of the country's largest megastructure projects.

Flybe Rescue Fares And Passenger Refunds: What You Need To Know

Joanna Bailey — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 11:33:36 GMT

With the news that Flybe has gone into administration and ceased flying with immediate effect, hundreds of passengers are arriving at airports only to find flights canceled and travel plans disrupted.

Air Canada Passengers Discover 'Lost Baggage' Donated To Charity

Chris Loh — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 08:00:15 GMT

Once upon a time, before checked-in belongings could be tracked by passengers, we would simply have to trust an airline when they told us a piece of baggage was lost and unrecoverable. However, a number of recent incidents have exposed interesting airline action (or inaction) after a missing baggage claim is filed by passengers. Let's look at a recent case where passengers tracked their 'lost' baggage to a storage facility destined for charity.

Flybe Placed Into Administration And All Operations Ceased

Charlotte Seet — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 05:00:17 GMT

On January 27th, British regional carrier Flybe announced that it had entered administration and would cease operations, less than a year since commencing flight services. All previously and future scheduled flight services have since been canceled, and the airline emphasized in its announcement that they will not be rescheduled.

Future Flying Webinar: In Conversation With Tina Hanley, CCO Of Ravn Alaska

Joanna Bailey — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 19:30:16 GMT

Simple Flying is pleased to invite you to the next Future Flying webinar, where we will sit down with Tina Hanley, CCO of Ravn Alaska, to chat through the past, present and future of this growing regional airline. We'll be going live on February 1st at 17:00 London time (GMT), for a relaxed and informal conversation that is free and open for everyone to enjoy.

Airport Of The Month: Denver International Airport

Joanna Bailey — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:01:16 GMT

Air France-KLM CEO Unhappy With Schiphol Slot Cuts

Steven Walker — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 15:30:16 GMT

The CEO of Air France-KLM has hit out at plans to cap the number of slots at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) later this year. In June 2022, the Dutch Government announced that flights would be limited to 440,000 per year, down 11% from the 500,000 seen in 2019, with the reduction due to be applied from November 2023.

Cool: KLM Airbus A330 Pilot Captures Inflight Footage Of Falcon Heavy Rocket Launch

Luke Peters — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 12:29:18 GMT

Recently, a KLM crew heading to the United States enjoyed a unique sight as they approached their destination. Not only did they view the spectacle for themselves, but the first officer on the flight managed to capture the moment on video and has shared the footage on his social media for others to enjoy.

Wizz Air Cuts 8 More Routes From London Gatwick & Luton

James Pearson — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 11:00:16 GMT

Wizz Air will end a further eight London routes: Gatwick to Chania, Funchal (Madeira), Tenerife South, and Luton to Keflavik, Malaga, Ohrid, Olsztyn-Mazury (which serves the fantastic thousand lakes area of Poland), and Palanga.

Collins Aerospace To Head High Voltage Electric Propulsion Project HECATE

Linnea Ahlgren — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 10:14:53 GMT

The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking is the innovation and research program of the European Union aimed at advancing the sustainability and decarbonization of air transport. Net zero may be a worthy target, but it is never going to be achieved without painstaking and meticulous research into every single little piece of technology that will be needed to get there.

It's Happening Today! The Wait Is Over As Bonza Starts Selling Seats

Michael Doran — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 02:30:16 GMT

Today is a day that may well change the face of commercial aviation in Australia for many years to come. Australia's newest low-cost airline Bonza has passed all the hurdles put in its way and started selling tickets for flights to 12 destinations on 15 routes.

Which Airports Have Flights From All 6 Habitable Continents?

Chris Loh — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 22:30:16 GMT

Aviation has long brought the world together, allowing travel from one end to the other in under a day now. However, not all airports and airlines can boast of having connections to all six habitable continents on earth. While some like Darwin saw their first flight from South America due to a Qantas repatriation from Buenos Aries, it does not regularly host such flights. Today, we'll take a look at which airlines and airport host flights from all six.

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.

Boom Supersonic Begins Construction On Overture Superfactory

Daniel Martínez Garbuno — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 19:00:16 GMT

Boom Supersonic has kicked off construction of its Overture Superfactory today in Greensboro, North Carolina. This manufacturing facility will house the final assembly line, as well as a test facility and customer delivery center for the company’s flagship supersonic airliner, the Overture.

Frankfurt In Focus: The Challenges Of Photographing A City From 6,000 Feet

Tom Boon — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 07:00:16 GMT

In March 2022, the city of Frankfurt enlisted the help of a Cessna 404 aircraft to take aerial photographs of the entire city and neighboring areas for the 23rd year in a row. Late last year, these images were made available to the public, but what exactly goes into collecting these images? Simple Flying decided to find out!

Vistara Expands International Reach To Dammam

Gaurav Joshi — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 04:42:11 GMT

India’s full-service airline, Vistara, continues its international expansion, adding Dammam in Saudi Arabia to its network. The airline has introduced many new connections in the Middle East lately, accounting for a significant increase in its overall international operations last year.

3 Years Since The 1st Flight: What's Happening With The Boeing 777X?

Luke Bodell — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 13:21:44 GMT

Today marks three years since the launch flight of the Boeing 777X - following several program setbacks, Boeing hopes to receive certification by late 2024 and have the first 777Xs arriving to customers in 2025. Let's see what's the latest with the Boeing 777X below.

How Active Have Boeing's 777X Test Aircraft Been In the Last Year?

Charlotte Seet — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 12:30:16 GMT

Following an inspection last October, Boeing had to suspend flight testing of its newest twin-engined jet after a technical issue occurred during the GE9X post-certification engineering test. The problem was resolved, and the aircraft manufacturer resumed flight testing last month, but how active have its Boeing 777X test aircraft been lately as Boeing races to deliver by 2025?

Vistara And Air India Moving Swiftly With Merger Process

Gaurav Joshi — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 06:22:15 GMT

Merging the businesses of two national-level airlines such as Vistara and Air India sure requires a lot of work. Indeed, the two airlines have given themselves more than a year to complete the process, and a new report suggests that work is progressing swiftly, as there’s plenty to be done.

Garuda Indonesia Celebrates Its 74th Anniversary

Jonathan E. Hendry — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 06:17:00 GMT

The flag carrier of Indonesia is celebrating its 74th anniversary. Garuda Indonesia was ranked the most punctual in the world for 2022 and celebrated the end of the year by exiting its restructuring proceedings.

Southwest Airlines' Day-Long Multi-Leg Flights Have Up To 6 Stops

James Pearson — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:01:15 GMT

Southwest is well known for multi-leg, long, same-plane flights using identical flight numbers. It is a way its aircraft are flown country-wide around its system, often helped by the time zone changes, although passengers can't book day-long through tickets. In this article, I've examined Southwest's 13 flight numbers with six or seven sectors in February.

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.

The World's Most Diverse Airbus A380 Airports

Tom Boon — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 17:00:15 GMT

Eight airlines are flying the Airbus A380 during January 2023. Over the past year, London Heathrow has hosted the most A380 operators. Now Sydney Airport has joined London Heathrow in the top spot, with each airport welcoming the giant of the skies from five carriers.

Tony Douglas Former Etihad CEO Has Reportedly Already Left Saudi Startup RIA

Luke Bodell — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 12:19:25 GMT

Etihad Airways' former CEO Tony Douglas has quit his role as CEO of Saudi Arabian airline RIA just two months into his new position. The publicly-backed startup is expected to launch operations within the next few months and will now be searching for a new CEO.

How Would A Cargo Airbus A380 Be Loaded?

Pranjal Pande — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 09:59:22 GMT

The Airbus A380 could potentially be an excellent cargo aircraft. It's big, it flies a long way, and has plenty of onboard space for pallets. Indeed, Airbus was all set to build the A380F (freighter) and saw orders from some cargo giants. But how would it actually be loaded?

Major Chinese Carriers Bound Back To Melbourne

Michael Doran — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 05:30:16 GMT

Before the COVID pandemic turned Melbourne Airport into a virtual ghost town, around 70 flights arrived from mainland China weekly. Throughout the pandemic, just one Chinese airline, Xiamen Airlines, has maintained continuous service from China to Melbourne, but that changed today.

IndiGo’s One-Stop Service From Thiruvananthapuram To Kolkata Saves Time

Gaurav Joshi — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 04:17:59 GMT

IndiGo's ability to identify market demand is second to none. Its extensive network provides convenient connections, and sometimes its flights are the only ones between certain destinations. The airline now also connects the South Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram with Kolkata in East India with a one-stop connection via Chennai, significantly reducing travel time.

Joe Sutter Decal Applied To Boeing's Very Last 747

Giacomo Amati — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 20:00:16 GMT

The name Joe Sutter might ring a bell for those who have been in love with civil aviation for some time now. Joe is indeed considered to be the father of one of the most iconic commercial aircraft of all time, the Boeing 747. Sadly enough, last December marked the end of an era as the very last Boeing 747 rolled out of Boeing's production line in Everett, Washington.

Pilot Suspended: The Latest With Air India’s Pee-Gate

Pranjal Pande — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 14:30:16 GMT

The story of the shocking incident on Air India flight AI102 from New York to Mumbai continues to develop. India's aviation watchdog, the DGCA, has fined the carrier ₹3,000,000 ($37,000) for its handling of the incident, imposed a ₹300,000 ($3,700) fine on Air India's head of inflight service, and suspended the pilot-in-command of the flight for three months. However, the punishment on the crew has not gone down well after fresh information was revealed in recent days.

Not Again: Another Qantas Service Turns Back Mid-Flight

Luke Bodell — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 13:20:07 GMT

Yet another Qantas flight has been diverted after suffering an in-flight problem. The flight from Fiji to Sydney, operated by a Boeing 737, had to return to its departure airport due to fumes in the cabin. Let's take a closer look.

Malaysia Airlines Joins The UN Global Compact Initiative - What Does It Mean?

Linnea Ahlgren — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 12:00:16 GMT

On Tuesday this week, Malaysia Airlines announced that, as part of the carrier's sustainability work, it had joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative as the first aviation company in Malaysia. Meanwhile, when doing so, it joined a whole host of other airlines globally. Let's take a closer look at what the UN Global Compact is and why it matters for airline sustainability.