Tag Archives: A330

Eurowings’ Airbus A330-203 D-AXGA arrives in Palma de Mallorca without its left engine panel

Eurowings (Dusseldorf) first Airbus A330-203 D-AXGA (msn 530), operated on behalf of Germanwings (2nd) (Cologne/Bonn) and performing flight 4U592 from Cologne/Bonn (Germany) to Palma de Mallorca (Spain) with 169 passengers and 13 crew, departed Cologne’s runway 14L when the engine access doors of the left hand engine (CF6) opened, separated and came to rest in the first third of the runway. The crew continued the flight and in absence of abnormal indications landed in Palma Mallorca without further incident about 2 hours later.

The airline confirmed that parts of the engine cowling separated, there were no abnormal indications, the crew received information when the aircraft was over southern France and continued the flight to Palma Mallorca. Lufthansa Technik as well as Germany’s BFU are investigating as to why the parts separated.

Germany’s BFU confirmed they were informed about the separation of parts of the cowling of the left hand engine and are currently undertaking a technical examination in coordination with Spain’s CIAIAC.

The Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), Germany’s ATC provider, reported that tower did not observe parts separating from the engine, the parts were later reported by another crew, collected in a runway inspection and identified, which took about 45 minutes. The crew was informed about the parts of engine cowling having been found when the aircraft was over southern France about one hour after departure.

Assistant Editor Javier Rodriguez reporting from Palma de Mallorca.

Hawaiian announces a cabin redesign of its Airbus A330 fleet with lie-flat seating, reports 3Q adjusted net income of $78.4 million

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced it plans to introduce new luxury design elements and enhanced service options in its Airbus A330 premium cabins, including the addition of 180-degree lie-flat seats. The airline has developed its new seats in partnership with Optimares, an Italian manufacturer focused on traveler-centric design.

The airline continued:

The 180-degree seats will use an innovative seat platform to fold into 76-inch beds, maximizing living space for travelers while providing options for both privacy and a shared flight experience. They will also feature an advanced in-flight entertainment experience powered by the next generation of large-format tablets and equipped with a telescoping tablet arm that adjusts to optimize viewing angle and comfort.

Hawaiian Airlines Announces Premium Cabin Redesign of its Airbus A330 Fleet with Lie-Flat Seating (PRNewsFoto/Hawaiian Airlines)

Hawaiian worked with West Coast-based brand and design consultancy PaulWylde to translate the airline’s signature design language, rooted in the natural colors and forms of the island landscape, into the cabin experience. The cabin design will incorporate flowing curves evocative of the winds and ocean, while marrying organic textures, pops of bright saturated color, and luxury materials like leather from Poltrona Frau.

Hawaiian, PaulWylde and Optimares collaborated intensively to ensure the seat and cabins are uniquely tailored to the needs of the Hawaii traveler. The seats will be installed in a 2-2-2 configuration ideally suited for couples and families traveling to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

The first newly outfitted aircraft is expected to enter Hawaiian’s long-haul network in the second quarter of 2016. The airline will begin installing lie-flat seats in the remaining 22 A330 aircraft in September of 2016 through 2017.

As part of the cabin redesign, Hawaiian also announced it will add 28 additional Extra Comfort seats on each A330 aircraft in response to growing demand for its popular premium economy service. The Extra Comfort option features 36 inches of seat pitch; priority boarding at the gate; complimentary on-demand in-seat entertainment; and a personal power outlet.

Today, Hawaiian’s wide-body, twin-aisle Airbus 330-200 aircraft seat 294 passengers, with 18 in Business/First Class, 40 in Extra Comfort and 236 in the Main Cabin. In the new configuration, the aircraft will seat 278 passengers, with 18 in Business/First Class, 68 in Extra Comfort and 192 in the Main Cabin. Seat pitch in the Main Cabin will remain a roomy 31 inches.

Hawaiian operates its A330 aircraft on the majority of its North American and international routes. Amenities include personal on-demand entertainment system, comfortable legroom, and a roomy interior.

On the financial side, Hawaiian reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2015:

GAAP net income of $70.0 million or $1.15 per diluted share.
Adjusted net income of $78.4 million or $1.29 per diluted share, an increase of $28.9 million or $0.50 cents per diluted share year-over-year.
Adjusted pre-tax margin of 20.0% compared to 12.6% in the prior year period.
Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $611 million.
Achieved leverage target at 3.1x.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 N375HA (msn 1606) carries special Oakland Raiders logo at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air China to start Beijing – Kuala Lumpur flights, will also fly to Pakistan

Air China (Beijing) will start Beijing-Kuala Lumpur nonstop service on October 25, 2015.

The flights, CA871/872, are operated four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 16:45 Beijing time and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 23:00 local time. The return flight departs from Kuala Lumpur at 00:20 and arrives in Beijing at 06:45. The flights are to be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

Air China will follow the launch of Beijing-Kuala Lumpur service with the introduction of Beijing-Mumbai, Beijing-Colombo and Beijing- Islamabad-Karachi routes. These new routes to be started will bring the number of destinations in the Asia Pacific region that the carrier serves up to 19.

In other news, Air China will start Beijing-Islamabad-Karachi service on October 26, 2015. The service will make Air China the first Chinese domestic carrier offering an air link between Beijing and Pakistan.

The flights, CA945/6, are operated 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 18:30 Beijing time and arrives in Islamabad at 21:30 local time and in Karachi at 00:50 local time the following day. The return flight departs from Karachi at 02:20 local time and arrives in Beijing at 11:35. The flights are to be operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. The first 242-ton Airbus A330-343 F-WWYC (msn 1658) for Air China became B-5977 when it was handed over on September 29, 2015. The airliner carries a special “50th A330 for Air China” emblem.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Eurowings operates the first Airbus A330-200 revenue flight

Eurowings (Dusseldorf) made its Airbus A330-200 commercial debut on October 14, 2015, initially operating service for Germanwings (2nd) (Cologne/Bonn). The new type entered service operating a flight from Cologne/Bonn to Palma de Mallorca as flight GWI588. The airline will also operate a flight from Hamburg to Palma de Mallorca from October 19. Services from both German cities to Palma will end on October 31.

On November 2, Eurowings will launch intercontinental Airbus A330 service to Veradero, Cuba, followed by the Caribbean destinations of Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. In addition, the airline will offer nonstop service to Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, as well as Dubai.

The airline have two A330s which are wet leased from the Lufthansa-Turkish Airlines joint venture SunExpress. The Eurowings A330s are formerly EVA Air aircraft. The new Eurowings Europe GmbH was launched in Vienna on August 10, 2015.

The Eurowings A330s have 21 premium seats and 289 in economy, including a 46-seat economy “More Comfort” zone. This 310 seat configuration is a major change compared to Lufthansa’s three-class A330s which have 217-221 seats.

Assistant Editor Javier Rodriguez reporting from Palma de Mallorca.

Copyright Photo: Javier Rodriguez/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-203 D-AXGA (msn 530) D-AXGA it pictured on its final approach runway 06L at Palma de Mallorca with the nice autumn light.

Eurowings aircraft slide show:

Finnair extends the Miami route to the summer season, adds frequencies to Chicago for summer 2016

Finnair (Helsinki) has announced, starting in April 2016, it will extend its Miami service to be year-round, and will operate to Miami with three weekly frequencies in summer 2016.

“The Miami route has proven to be popular both for our Northern European customers as well as for Miami based customers, for whom we offer excellent connections to Scandinavia via Helsinki. The new schedule will also enable excellent connections from Miami to our Asian destinations. Our oneworld partner, American Airlines, has a large hub in Miami, which enables good connections further to the Caribbean, Central and South America.”

Finnair also adds frequencies to its Chicago service, increasing the weekly flights from three in summer 2015 to five in summer 2016. This will further improve connectivity beyond Chicago to American Airlines’ extensive network in the Americas. This five-weekly service connects well also to Finnair’s Asian network beyond Helsinki.

Both destinations are served with Finnair Airbus A330 aircraft. The flights to Miami International Airport are operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, and the flights to Chicago O’Hare are operated from Helsinki on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Finnair’s Chicago and Miami services are included in the joint business on transatlantic traffic with fellow oneworld alliance partners British Airways, Iberia, American Airlines and American’s merger partner US Airways. Miami and Chicago are hubs for American, which allows Finnair’s customers quick codeshare connections to destinations throughout the United States, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Miami and Chicago timetables connect well with passengers transferring to and from Finnair destinations in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the Baltics, including Stockholm, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, St Petersburg, Moscow and Warsaw as well as with Finnair’s Asian destinations, including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Seoul, Chongqing, Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi and Bangkok.

In addition to Miami and Chicago, Finnair operates daily to New York JFK and, together with its joint business partners, offers over 120 daily departures over the Atlantic.

Copyright Photo: OSDU/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-302 OH-LTO (msn 1013) in the special Unikko (poppy) color scheme departs from the Helsinki (HEL) hub.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

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SAS launches a new route to Hong Kong today

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) first departure from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Hong Kong takes off today, making it the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. At the same time, SAS is reopening its lounge at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport following extensive refurbishment, which will provide SAS customers with an even better experience.

The new route is SAS’s fourth direct connection between Scandinavia and Asia, and SAS is the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest airports and is the largest in the world in terms of freight.

Timetable Arlanda – Hong Kong

Departures from Arlanda on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK963 at 3 pm (1500), arriving in Hong Kong at 7.20 am (0720) local time.

Departures from Hong Kong on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK964 at 9.05 am (0905) local time, arriving at Arlanda at 2.35 pm (1435).

SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavia to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

During 2016 SAS will open three more routes; Stockholm to Los Angeles, Oslo to Miami and Copenhagen to Miami.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343 LN-RKH (msn 497) departs from the Arlanda hub in this winter view.

SAS aircraft slide show:

RwandAir firms up its order for one Airbus A330-200 and one A330-300

RwandAir (Kigali), the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for an A330-200 and a larger A330-300, at a signature ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda. With this order RwandAir becomes a new Airbus customer and is the first East African customer for the long-haul airliner. This agreement firms up a commitment announced earlier this year.
Aircraft deliveries will begin in the second half of 2016, enabling the country’s carrier to deploy its new flagship aircraft on medium and long-haul routes serving destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The two aircraft will feature a three class cabin layouts. The A330-200 will have 244 seats (20 business class, 21 premium and 203 economy class) and the A330-300 will have 274 seats (30 business class, 21 premium and 223 economy class). The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 772B engines.

To date the A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, has attracted more than 1,500 orders and around 1,200 A330s are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.

Image: Airbus.

RwandAir aircraft slide show:

Airbus starts production of the first A330neo

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement:

Airbus’ first A330neo is coming to life one year after the program was launched, with the first ‘cutting of metal’ underway at its production facilities in Toulouse and Nantes. Machining of the first engine pylon started during the summer at Airbus’ facility in Saint-Eloi (Toulouse), while Airbus’ Plant in Nantes began production of the first A330neo center wing box.

The first A330neo Center Wing Box rib 1 (above) produced in Nantes uses an innovative Isogrid design with 330 triangular pockets which enables the part to meet all our rigidity, strength and low weight requirements.

The all-new pylon produced in Saint-Eloi is a key element in the A330neo’s innovative design, attaching the latest generation, fuel-efficient Trent 7000 engines to the wings. Made out of light weight titanium, the A330neo pylon uses cutting-edge aerodynamics, materials and design technologies derived from the A350 XWB. The A330neo pylon will be fitted with a new A350 XWB inspired fairing made from composite materials and titanium for ensuring optimised aerodynamics.

The A330-800neo and the A330-900neo are two new members of the Airbus Widebody Family with first deliveries scheduled to start in Q4 2017. The A330neo incorporates latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features.

Photo: Airbus.

Air China’s first 242-ton Airbus A330-300 and 50th A330 makes its first flight

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement concerning Air China‘s (Beijing) 50th Airbus A330 and also the first 242-ton A330-300:

The 50th A330 to be operated by Air China, which is also China’s first A330-300 with the increased 242 ton maximum take-off-weight (MTOW) capability, has successfully completed its first flight in Toulouse, France.

Displaying a special livery to celebrate the “50th A330 for Air China”, the aircraft will be delivered to the Chinese carrier in September.

Air China is the flag carrier of China, one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets. Air China introduced its first A330 in 2006 and since then has become Air China’s benchmark widebody aircraft, supporting its tremendous growth both on domestic and international routes.

Air China operates a fleet of 169 Airbus aircraft, comprising 120 A320 Family and 49 A330 Family aircraft.

The A330 with the higher, 242 ton MTOW is the platform for the future A330neo, and is a concrete example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy. Thanks to latest engine improvements, and an aerodynamic package reducing aircraft drag, the A330 with 242 ton MTOW offers an extended range of up to 500 nautical miles and up to two percent reduced fuel consumption. The 242 ton A330 is capable of missions from 30 min to 15 hours.

Top Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A330-343 F-WWYC (msn 1658) will become B-5977 on delivery. The 242-ton airliner also carries a special “50th A330 for Air China” logo.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Bottom Photo: Airbus/A. Tchaikovski.

Hawaiian Airlines is the official airline of the Oakland Raiders for the 2015 season

Hawaiian Airlines (Honolulu) has announced the renewed partnership with the NFL Oakland Raiders. The airline has added the Raiders shield logo to an Airbus A330-200. The airline issued this statement:

Hawaiian Airlines is proud to announce it will serve as the Official Airline of The Oakland Raiders for the 2015 National Football League (NFL) season. Hawai‘i’s largest and longest serving carrier has provided its signature ‘Mea Ho‘okipa’ (translation: I am host) in-flight hospitality and charter service for the team’s away games since 2000.

Starting with the Raiders’ September 3 preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Hawaiian’s designated Airbus A330 aircraft featuring the Raiders’ shield will carry players, coaches, trainers, as well as uniforms and equipment, to eight games, including: Seattle, Cleveland, Chicago, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Tennessee and Denver through December.

Hawaiian provides a dedicated catering coordinator to meet the team’s expectations and to handle special requests. Hearty, nutritious meals are provided along with sandwiches and an assortment of healthy snacks that include fresh fruit, protein bars and, at the Raiders’ request, products from Hawai‘i, such as Passion Orange Guava Juice and Hawaiian Iced Tea. For entertainment, Hawaiian offers a wide selection of movies, TV shows and music.

Hawaiian Airlines has served the Oakland market since 2008, and provides daily nonstop flights to both Honolulu and Kahului, Maui. During the peak summer months, travelers can fly nonstop to all four major Hawaiian islands, when the airline adds seasonal service from Oakland to Līhu’e, Kaua’i and Kona, Hawai’i Island, between May and September. Hawaiian also serves the Bay Area with nonstop flights between San Francisco and San Jose to Honolulu.

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines. Airbus A330-243 N375HA (msn 1606) was delivered on February 24, 2015 and is named “Humu”.

Hawaiian Airlines aircraft slide show: