Tag Archives: 777-300

EVA Air arrives in Houston with the latest Hello Kitty Boeing 777-300 logo jet

EVA Air (Taipei) yesterday (June 19) as planned, inaugurated the Taipei (Taoyuan) – Houston (Bush Intercontinental) route with the pictured Boeing 777-36N ER B-16722 (msn 42107) (above) painted in the latest Hello Kitty livery named “Shining Star”.

The Houston Airport System issued this statement:

EVA Air Chairman KW Chang served as captain in charge of the inaugural Taipei- Houston flight for a brand-new specially painted Boeing 777-300 ER on June 19. The airline tailored its new plane for Texas and named it the EVA Air Hello Kitty “Shining Star” Jet.

With its excellent services, top safety rankings, exceptional route system and co-share alliances, EVA gives travelers from Houston and the Southwest comfortable options for travel worldwide. From North America gateways that include Los Angeles, New York (JFK), San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Toronto and Vancouver in addition to Houston, EVA operates more flights from North America with one-stop connections to more destinations throughout Asia than any other airline. Houston passengers can connect onward from Taipei via 86 flights to 10 cities in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar. With subsidiary UNI Air, EVA operates an additional 131 weekly flights to 29 destinations in Mainland China and also flies to Guam, Korea, 10 major cities in Japan and more. It also makes flying more than just transportation.

“I initiated our Hello Kitty Jet concept (above) to make flying fun. Travelers’ responses in Asia, Europe and the United States tell us we are succeeding,” said EVA Air Chairman KW Chang. “The support we have received from the City of Houston, Houston Airport Systems and Texas makes us feel welcome. By flying our latest Hello Kitty Jet and offering convenient one-stop connections to cities throughout Asia, we believe our new service will be a Texas-sized success.”

EVA worked with Sanrio to tailor a Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet livery and theme especially for Houston. The cast of colorful, Texas-sized characters painted along the length of the plane includes Little Twin Stars Kiki and Lala, flying through the skies with their pet teddy bear while Hello Kitty and My Melody happily ride along on stars. Each of EVA’s exclusive Hello Kitty Jets has its own unique livery and theme. The new EVA Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet is the airline’s seventh specially painted aircraft and its second using a long-range Boeing 777-300ER. It currently flies its other six Hello Kitty Jets from Taiwan to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Guam and Paris.

EVA is launching its passenger route between Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airports with three flights a week and adding a fourth, using a Boeing 777-300 ER with standard EVA livery, on July 8, 2015.

EVA is extending its Houston Hello Kitty Jet service by also flying the new aircraft between Taipei and Singapore, starting June 21, 2015. Singapore-bound BR215 departs Taipei at 09:25 a.m. and BR216 returns at 3:10 pm (15:10). Consistent with the Houston schedule, EVA operates Hello Kitty Jet service to Singapore on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and will up the schedule to four flights a week, starting July 1, 2015.

The airline equipped the plane with all of the latest comforts and conveniences, including inflight Wi-Fi, global roaming and state-of-the-art entertainment systems in every seat. It configured the aircraft with 333 seats, 39 in Royal Laurel Class business, 56 in Elite premium economy and 238 in Economy.

Above Photo: The first departure flight from Houston was just after midnight on June 20.

All photos by Bush Intercontinental Airport and EVA Air.

Video: The painting of B-16722 (in Chinese):

EVA Air aircraft slide show:

Turkish Airlines is coming to Atlanta

Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) on May 16, 2016 will add Atlanta and the nonstop Istanbul (Ataturk) – Atlanta route. The new route will be operate on a daily basis with Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft per Airline Route.

Turkish Airlines aircraft slide show:

Korean Air signs MOU for 20 Boeing 737 MAXs and two additional 777-300 ERs

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) and Korean Air (Seoul) today announced the airline’s intent to purchase 30 737 MAXs and two additional 777-300 ER (Extended Range) jetliners, with options for an additional 20 737 MAXs. The agreement is valued at approximately $3.9 billion at current list prices. Boeing will work with Korean Air to finalize the order, at which time the order will be posted to the Orders & Deliveries website.

With this commitment Korean Air is poised to become a new 737 MAX customer when this order, which includes MAX 8s and substitution rights for MAX 9s, is finalized. With this commitment, the Korean flag carrier will increase the size of its unfilled orders with Boeing to 69 airplanes.

Today’s agreement, which also includes two additional 777-300 ERs (above) for Korean Air, comes on the heels of the airline’s order for five 777 Freighters earlier this year, raising Korean Air’s total orders and commitments with Boeing in the first six months of 2015 to 37 airplanes.

Korean Air currently operates a fleet of 87 Boeing passenger airplanes that consist of 737, 747 and 777 airplanes. The airline also operates an all-Boeing cargo fleet of 27 747-400, 747-8 and 777 Freighters.

Korean Air’s Aerospace Division is a key Boeing partner on both the 747-8 and 787 programs, supplying the distinctive raked wing-tips for each model. They are also one of two suppliers producing the new 737 MAX Advanced Technology (AT) Winglet.

Korean Air, with a fleet of 159 aircraft, is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, and operates more than 430 flights per day to 129 cities in 46 countries. It is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, which together with its 20 members, offers its 612 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 16,000 daily flights covering 1,052 destinations in 177 countries.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-3B5 HL8217 (msn 37648) approaches the runway in Las Vegas.

Korean Air aircraft slide show:

ANA inaugurates the Houston – Tokyo Narita route

ANA – All Nippon Airways (Tokyo) today launched its new Houston (Bush Intercontinental) route to Tokyo (Narita). The airport issued this statement:

Following a ribbon cutting and sake ceremony, the inaugural flight of All Nippon Airway’s (ANA) newest route bound for Tokyo Narita Airport, departed Houston George Bush International Airport this morning (June 12) – underscoring the global importance of the city of Houston.

A member of the Star Alliance and joint venture partner with United Airlines, ANA expanded its nonstop service to Houston, providing passengers with additional daily flights between Houston and Tokyo. Star Alliance members can now choose a morning or afternoon departure in each direction, providing greater flexibility for travelers, especially those taking advantage of ANA’s expanded service to other Asian and American destinations beyond Houston or Tokyo.

The Boeing 777-300 ER used for today’s flight was welcomed to the gate with an official water turret salute. The 250-seat passenger plane includes eight first class and 52 business class seats to accommodate travelers.

Today’s ceremony began with a Taiko Japanese drum performance by local group, Kaminari Taiko. Diaz and Shinobe each addressed the attendees, and they were joined by additional remarks from Jim Compton, United Airlines Vice Chairman and Chief Revenue Officer, and the Honorable Nozomu Takaoka, Consul-General of Japan in Houston and Bob Pertierra, SVP and Chief Economic Development Officer, Greater Houston Partnership. Also in attendance from the office of the Governor of Texas was Oliver Yang, there to present Shinobe with a proclamation. In a gift exchange honoring Texas and Japanese culture, Diaz presented Shinobe with a Stetson cowboy hat and Shinobe reciprocated with an ANA Boeing 777 model plane.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-381 ER JA778A (msn 32651) arrives at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT).

ANA aircraft slide show:

Cathay Pacific adds three additional weekly nonstop flights to and from San Francisco

Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) this week added three weekly nonstop flight from San Francisco International Airport to Hong Kong, bringing the total number of nonstop weekly flights from San Francisco to 17. San Francisco was the airline’s first destination for nonstop service to the USA which launched on July 1, 1986 (below) (Photo: Cathay Pacific Airways).

The added frequencies from San Francisco arrive on the heels of Cathay Pacific’s new four-times-weekly service from Boston to Hong Kong, which launched on May 3, 2015.

Flight CX893 from San Francisco to Hong Kong departs every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 1:30 am, arriving in Hong Kong the following day at 6:40 am. This early morning arrival was strategically coordinated to allow passengers to connect with every Cathay Pacific flight across Asia – including Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and over 22 gateways in mainland China – without a lengthy layover in Hong Kong. The return flight, CX892, will depart Hong Kong at 6:45 pm (local time) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in San Francisco at 4:30 pm (same day).

All of Cathay Pacific’s 17 flights from San Francisco are operated by Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft. Flight CX893 offers a three-class cabin configuration on Wednesdays and Fridays: the award-winning Business Class, the newest cabin, Premium Economy, and the new long-haul Economy Class; Sunday departures also include First Class for a four-cabin configuration.

Details of the new flights are included in the schedule below (all times local):

Copyright Photo above: AirlinersGallery.com. Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777-367 ER B-KPY (msn 37899) taxies at London (Heathrow).

Cathay Pacific aircraft slide show:

Qatar Airways to take the Miami route to daily as it celebrates the first anniversary

Qatar Airways (Doha) today celebrates the first anniversary of the Doha – Miami route. The new route has been a success for the carrier. The airline will take the route to daily service on November 18. The company issued this statement:

Today, Qatar Airways, a proud member of the oneworld alliance, celebrates one year of nonstop service between Miami International Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha. Due to a successful first year and an increase in passenger demand, Qatar Airways will increase from five flights per week to daily flights along this route, beginning November 18, 2015.

Qatar Airways is the only carrier to offer a nonstop flight between Miami and the Middle East, connecting South Florida to over 140 destinations around the world via its state-of-the-art hub in Doha.

“Miami and Doha share a vibrant love of art, fashion and music,” said Vice President of the Americas, Gunter Saurwein. “With a kinship for travel, both cities have so much to contribute to one another. The immense demand along this route has exceeded our expectations and we are very pleased to offer daily flights this fall.”

Both Doha and Miami are essential components of the worldwide aviation network. Through Doha’s centralized location and modern services at Hamad International Airport, travelers from Miami can reach cities such as Bangkok, Colombo, Jakarta, and Mumbai in an impressive 20 hours or less through a quick transfer in Doha. Similarly, travelers can connect seamlessly to key destinations in both North and South America from Miami.

Qatar Airways’ Miami to Doha route is operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER in a two-class configuration of 42 seats in Business Class and 293 seats in Economy Class.

While increasing flights in Miami, Qatar Airways also recently announced plans to launch service to new destinations across the United States. The airline plans to commence daily, nonstop flights between Doha and Los Angeles on January 1, Boston on March 16 and Atlanta on July 1 in 2016.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 18 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of over 150 aircraft to 146 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-3DZ ER A7-BAC (msn 3610) climbs away from Heathrow Airport in London.

Qatar Airways aircraft slide show:

American to fly nonstop Los Angeles – Sydney, QANTAS Airways to return to San Francisco

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and QANTAS Airways (Sydney) plan to expand their joint business, providing new opportunities for service between the United States and Australia.

American will return to the Australian market on December 17. QANTAS Airways will return to San Francisco.

American will offer new daily, nonstop flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Sydney Airport (SYD) with its flagship Boeing 777-300 ER, pending regulatory approvals. In early 2016, QANTAS will begin operating service six times per week between SYD and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), adding another key destination for business and leisure customers with more options when traveling across the Pacific.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-323 ER N719AN (msn 41668) prepares to land at Los Angeles International Airport.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

ANA is coming to Brussels

ANA-All Nippon Airways (Tokyo) has announced it will launch the Tokyo (Narita) – Brussels route starting on October 25.

Read the full report from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

In other news, Jetstar Japan launched the Tokyo (Narita) – Hong Kong route today (June 1).

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The aircraft type for the new route was not specified. It is likely to be either the pictured Boeing 777-381 ER or the newer Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. JA780A (msn 34895) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

ANA aircraft slide show:

Emirates is coming to Bologna, its fourth destination in Italy

Emirates (Dubai) has announced plans to start a daily service to Bologna, Italy, from November 3, 2015.

The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna will be Emirates’ fourth Italian destination bringing Emirates’ weekly flights to Italy to 56. The new route will be operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft in a three class configuration.

Emirates’ flight EK 093 will depart Dubai International Airport at 0845 and will arrive at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport at 1220 the same day. The return flight will depart Bologna at 1440 and arrive in Dubai at 2330 the same day.

Emirates aircraft slide show:

Turkish Airlines to return to Miami

Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) is coming back to Miami. The airline has announced it will restore the Istanbul – Miami route on October 25, this with daily Boeing 777-300 ERs flights. Previously the airline operated the route with Airbus A340-300s and dropped the route in 2001.

Bottom Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-3F2 ER TC-JJU (msn 60401) in the special Istanbul-San Francisco livery touches down at London (Heathrow). Will there be a Miami version?

Turkish Airlines aircraft slide show: