Sichuan Airlines has announced it will open the Chengdu – Copenhagen route on December 10, 2018.
The new route will operate two days a week with Airbus A330-300 aircraft.
Copyright Photo (all others by Sichuan Airlines):ย Sichuan Airlines Airbus A330-343 B-5960 (msn 1579) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 943617.
Sichuan Airlines aircraft slide show:
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airBaltic on September 22, 2018 in Riga welcomed its twelfth Airbus A220-300 jet, registered as YL-CSN.
By the end of 2018, airBaltic plans to have a total of 14 Airbus A220-300 aircraft in its fleet.
Photo: airBaltic.
Airbus delivered the first A350-941 Ultra Long Range (ULR) (9V-SGA) aircraft to launch customer Singapore Airlines (SIA) on September 22, 2018. The aircraft has departed Toulouse for Singapore.
The latest variant of the best-selling A350 XWB is capable of flying further in commercial service than any other aircraft, with a range of up to 9,700 nautical miles, or over 20 hours nonstop.
Altogether, SIA has ordered seven A350-900 ULR aircraft, configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats.
SIA will begin operating the A350-900 ULR on October 11, 2018, when it will launch nonstop services between Singapore and Newark. With an average flying time of 18 hours and 45 minutes, these will be the worldโs longest commercial flights. Following New York, the aircraft will enter service with SIA on two more non-stop transpacific routes, to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The A350-900 ULR is a development of the A350-900. The main change over the standard aircraft is a modified fuel system, enabling the fuel carrying capacity to be increased by 24,000 litres to 165,000 litres. This extends the range of the aircraft without the need for additional fuel tanks. In addition, the aircraft features a number of aerodynamic enhancements, including extended winglets, which are now being applied to all in-production A350-900 aircraft.
The A350 XWB is the newest and most modern widebody aircraft family, incorporating ย the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs.
The A350 XWB features the Airspace by Airbus cabin, which is designed to enhance comfort and well-being on long flights. The aircraft has the quietest cabin of any twin aisle widebody and features the latest air conditioning, temperature management and mood lighting systems, with an optimised cabin altitude and higher humidity levels. The aircraft also features the latest in-flight entertainment and WiFi systems, with full connectivity throughout.
As at the end of August 2018, Airbus had recorded a total of 890 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 46 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever. Almost 200 A350 XWB aircraft have already been delivered and are in service with 21 airlines, flying primarily on long range services.
Singapore Airlines is one of the largest customers for the A350 XWB Family, having ordered a total of 67 A350-900s, including the seven Ultra Long Range models. Including todayโs delivery, the airlineโs A350 XWB fleet now stands at 22 aircraft.
Singapore Airlines issued this statement:
Singapore Airlines (SIA) on September 22 took delivery of the worldโs first Airbus A350-900 ULR (ultra long range) aircraft from Airbus. It is the first of seven A350-900 ULRs on firm order and will enter service on October 11, 2018 – operating the worldโs longest commercial flight between Singapore and Newark Liberty International Airport.
SIA is the launch customer for the new A350-900 ULR, which is capable of flying up to 9,700 nautical miles (nm), or over 20 hours nonstop. The flight to Newark will cover a distance of approximately 9,000 nm (16,700 km), with traveling time of up to 18 hours 45 minutes. The aircraft is configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats.
The A350-900ULR is designed for a more comfortable travelling experience with features such as higher ceilings, larger windows, an extra wide body, quieter cabins and lighting designed to reduce jetlag. Its carbon composite airframe also allows for improved air quality due to a more optimised cabin altitude and humidity levels.
The first two A350-900 ULRs will be used for the launch of Singapore-Newark services while subsequent aircraft will be used for Singapore-Los Angeles services commencing on November 2, 2018, as well as to increase frequency on the existing Singapore-San Francisco route. By the end of 2018, SIA will link Singapore and the United States with 27 weekly nonstop flights.
With the delivery of the first A350-900 ULR, Singapore Airlines now has 22 A350-900 aircraft in its fleet, with 45 more on order including the six additional ULR variants.
Singapore Airlines currently operates 40 flights per week to the US cities of Houston, Newark, Los Angeles and San Francisco. With the new ULR flights, total US flight frequency will increase to 53 per week by December.
As previously announced,ย Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Canyon Ranch, the worldโs premiere integrative wellness brand, have forged a partnership to re-invent ultra-long-haul travel with a focus on wellness cuisines, rest and relaxation, and general well-being on the worldโs longest flights.
The Canyon Ranch team of experts from integrative medicine, exercise, nutrition and other disciplines โ collectively known as Canyon Ranch Wellness Architectsโข, including the 17th U.S. Surgeon General โ has developed science-based strategies for improved sleep, exercise and stretching, as well as new, nutrition-focused menus, applied specifically to SIAโs 18 hour 45 minutes non-stop service launching on October 11, 2018 between Singapore and New York (Newark), the worldโs longest commercial flight. The program will also extend to Singapore-US nonstop services to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
โSIA is firmly committed to continually elevating our customersโ experience to be the number one in the industry. Our new partnership with Canyon Ranch builds on that commitment, as well as our strong legacy of service, tapping into their deep expertise and science-based recommendations and strategies to deliver an even more comfortable journey for our customers,โ said Singapore Airlines Acting Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Mr Yeoh Phee Teik.
The partnership focuses on the following components:
โAs a trailblazer in integrative wellness for four decades, collaborating with the worldโs most awarded airline that has ushered customers globally for more than 70 years, our affiliation is testimony to heritage brands that continue to innovate. We are fortunate to provide transformative wellness to guests on land, at sea and now โ in the air, with a partner that is equally committed to their guestsโ experience as we are,โ said CEO of Canyon Ranch, Ms. Susan E. Docherty.
SIA will be the first airline in the world to operate the A350-900 ULR, with seven on firm order with Airbus. This ultra-long-range aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats. SIAโs existing A350-900s feature a three-class layout with 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy Class and 187 Economy Class seats.
Photos: Airbus and Singapore Airlines.
Myway Airlines (Tbilisi) will start a new route from Tbilisi to Budapest starting on October 28, 2018 with Boeing 737-800s.
The new route will be operated two days a week (Thursdays and Sundays).
Previously the new airline announced a new route from Tbilisi to Kiev starting on October 5, 2018.
All images by the airline.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has announced the delivery of its first 90-seat Q400 aircraft.
The aircraft was handed over to Indiaโs SpiceJet Limited, the launch operator for the extra-capacity, 90-seat aircraft.
โWe are excited to induct the 90-seat Q400 aircraft into our fleet,โ said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet. โThe additional seats and performance improvements will result in substantial reduction in unit costs and also we will be able to address our market needs in the regional space.โ
โThis is a very important milestone for the Q400 aircraft program because the 90-seat option demonstrates the increased profitability potential that this unique turboprop has to offer,โ said
Colin Bole, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. โThe increased passenger capacity allows 15 per cent reduction of seat cost compared to the previous standard Q400 aircraft and provides an enormous benefit for airlines. We are thrilled that SpiceJet will be the first operator to showcase the unique capabilities and unbeatable productivity of our turboprops.โ
All images by Bombardier and SpiceJet.
Air France temporarily assigned the 516-seat Airbus A380 to the Paris (CDG) – Atlanta route in December 2017. The short-lived service is coming back as a regular flight.
Starting on March 31, 2019, AF will upgrade one of its daily Boeing 777 flights on the route to the larger A380.
AF currently operates the A380 Abidjan, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New York (JFK), San Francisco, Shanghai and Washington (IAD) from CDG.
Top Copyright Photo (all others by Air France):ย Air France Airbus A380-861 F-HPJJ (msn 117) (Paris-Candidate City 2024 Olympic Games) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 943611.
Air France aircraft slide show:
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Air Belgium (2nd) has made this announcement:
Air Belgium confirms that it is to temporarily pause its flights ย from Charleroi Airport to Hong Kong during the coming winter period. The interruption will be effective from October 1, 2018 until March 30, 2019.ย
The reason for the pause is the fact that Air Belgium faced the non-respect of contractual terms by its major commercial partner regarding tariffs and load factor. Under these conditions, Air Belgium is unwilling to carry out the winter program as initially planned and to endanger its financial position. In good faith weโve tried to find a solution for our partnerโs defaulting situation to date.
The negotiations went on for several weeks. Because the new season was about to start, and due to the lost confidence in the partner, Air Belgium however did not want to risk having to operate from an even more complex situation.
During the pause Air Belgium will continue operating for other legacy airlines and focus on launching its air service to Mainland China, such as Zhengzhou. We are maintaining our development plans.
The pause will have no consequences on Air Belgiumโs employment level. On the contrary, we ย continue our hiring efforts to meet the market demands and to realize our plans.
We also would like to make clear that our decision to operate scheduled air services from Brussels Charleroi airport is not questioned and will be maintained. Customers satisfaction and the convenience has been validated by massive positive feedback and our strategy to operate from Charleroi is to remain.
Needless to say that passengers holding reservations during the suspension period will be contacted individually and handled personally.
Top Copyright Photo:ย Air Belgium (2nd) Airbus A340-313 OO-ABB (msn 844) LHR (SPA). Image: 943610.
Air Belgium (2nd) aircraft slide show:
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Copa Airlines on September 20, 2018 put its new Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 (above) into revenue service.
The first route from the Panama City hub was to Tampa.
The new type was introduced to San Francisco (pictured top) came the next day on September 21.
The airline issued this statement:
Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S. A., and member of the global Star Alliance network, began its new MAX Era with the first commercial flight of its modern Boeing MAX 9, which departed September 20 from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama to Tampa, United States (below).
The passengers aboard this flight were the first to experience the comfort, convenience and sustainability of the MAX 9, which elevates the airlineโs daily world-class service.
“This first flight marks the beginning of a new era for Copa Airlines. We are very proud to have the latest Boeing technology available to our passengers. The MAX 9 means more efficiency in our operations and greater comfort for our passengers, but, above all, it represents a symbol of development and growth that motivates us to continue innovating and promote Panama as a powerhouse of the industry,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.
The inaugural flight of Copa Airlinesโ MAX 9 was the focus of an event held at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, honoring Copaโs new MAX Era. The celebration featured the participation of company executives as well as government officials.
Flight CM393, which departed Panama at 9:10 a.m. and arrived at the Tampa International Airport at 1:35 p.m. (local time), where the vessel was greeted with a traditional water salute. After a ceremony with airport authorities and Copa Airlines executives, flight CM394 departed from Tampa at 3:24 p.m., arriving at the Tocumen International Airport at 5:48 p.m. (local time).
“The MAX 9 embodies Copa Airlinesโ commitment to continuously improve, seeking to offer our passengers a more comfortable and convenient flight experience. We are proud to have one of the most modern aircraft in the industry as part of our fleet, which will allow us to be more efficient, more environmentally friendly and transport more passengers to our farthest destinations,” said Pedro Herrera, Copa Airlines Director of Flight Operations.
The MAX 9โs first commercial flight allowed its passengers to enjoy for the first time the new and modern Business Class Dreams, with 16 lie-flat seats. Each seat has a 16-inch touch screen with remote control power and USB connectors, and two compartments for storing personal items.
Passengers aboard the new Economy Extra and Economy class enjoyed a renewed experience thanks to newly redesigned modern and stylish Meridian seats, power connectors and USB ports, as well as compartments for storing personal items. In addition, Economy Extra passengers will benefit from more legroom and priority status when boarding their flight.
In addition to the comfort and convenience offered by the MAX 9, sustainability is another differentiating factor of this aircraft, thanks to the incorporation of the most advanced and silent engine in the world, the LEAP-1B, and aerodynamically updated AT winglets (located at the ends of wings), which improve fuel consumption by 14% and reduce emission of polluting gases by 50%.
The new MAX 9, officially presented on September 18 in Panama, is the first of the five aircraft of its class that the airline will receive between October and December of this year, which will operate on the airline’s longest routes starting with San Francisco in December 2019.
The pictured HP-9901CMP was delivered on August 31, 2018.
Top Copyright Photo (all others by Copa Airlines):ย Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9901CMP (msn 44161) SFO (Mark Durbin). Image: 943609.
Copa Airlines aircraft slide show:
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Boeing and Shanghai Airlines today (September 21) celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first 787-9 Dreamliner (B-1111).
Photo Above: Boeing.
The airline says it plans to use the super-efficient and passenger-preferred Dreamliner to upgrade its regional and long-range service from its base in China’slargest city.
The new airplane, with a special symbol of “100” on its fuselage, is the 100th airplane for Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines.
The 787-9 is the second member of the Dreamliner family, which offers 20 to 25 percent better fuel efficiency per seat and lower emissions than the airplanes they replace. As the longest-range member of the family, the 787-9 can fly 290 passengers, in a typical two-class configuration, up to 7,635 nautical miles (14,140 km).
Shanghai Airlines is set to receive additional 787-9s in the coming years. The airline plans to fly their initial 787s on popular domestic routes such as Shanghai to Chengdu and Beijing, as well as regional routes from Shanghai to Japan and Korea. As the carrier’s 787 fleet grows, it plans to take advantage of the aircraft’s long range and superior fuel efficiency to open new, international routes.
Since 2013, more than 60 Dreamliners have entered service across China, flying more than 22 million people on more than 75 unique routes while saving an estimated one million tons of fuel compared to other aircraft.
Top Copyright Photo:ย Shanghai Airlines Boeing 787-9 B-1111 (msn 63706) PAE (Royal S. King). Image: 943578.
Shanghai Airlines aircraft slide show:
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The two airlines have jointly announced:
Cathay Pacific Airways and QANTAS Airways customers are set to benefit from a new codeshare agreement that leverages the strengths of each carrierโs regional networks and provides more options for customers traveling between Australia and Asia.
The codeshare agreement will see QANTAS add its code to Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragonโs services within Asia from Hong Kong to 10 cities across India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and on Cathay Pacificโs long-haul services from Hong Kong to Perth and Cairns*.
In turn, Cathay Pacific will add its code to 13 routes on QANTASโ domestic network in Australia*.
Customers of both airlines will also have increased opportunities to earn frequent flyer points through their respective loyalty programs.
QANTAS Frequent Flyer members will be able to earn more QANTAS Points and status credits when traveling on the QANTAS-coded flights. Similarly, Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club members will earn more Club Points when travelling on a Cathay Pacific-coded flight.
Cathay Pacific and QANTAS together operate more than 100 services a week between Hong Kong and Australia. As oneworld alliance partners, eligible customers will continue to enjoy access to both Cathay Pacific and QANTAS lounges in Australia and Hong Kong, as well as other oneworld associated lounges across both airlines broader networks.
Tickets for the codeshare services will be available for sale from October 22, 2018, for travel from October 28, 2018.
*Flights subject to regulatory approval.
Codeshare routes
Qantas codeshare on Cathay Pacific / Cathay Dragon routes
Between Hong Kong and Asia
Between Hong Kong and Australia
Cathay Pacific codeshare on Qantas domestic routes
Top Copyright Photo (all others by the two airlines):ย QANTAS Airways Airbus A330-303 VH-QPJ (msn 712) (Sydney Mardi Gras) SYD (John Adlard). Image: 937063.
QANTAS aircraft slide show:
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