Tag Archives: BFI

Crystal AirCruises takes delivery of this luxury Boeing 777-200 ER

Crystal AirCruises on August 1, 2017 welcomed the newest member of its expanding fleet, Crystal Skye, during an official handover ceremony held at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington.

The exquisitely outfitted Boeing 777-200 LR was delivered to Crystal’s CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez from Greenpoint Technologies. Crystal Skye is the largest privately owned tour jet in the world and is deployed for chartered service, accommodating some of the world’s most discriminating groups and travelers.Crystal Skye will be christened in Las Vegas on August 12.

With a spacious design for up to 88 guests, Crystal Skye is appointed with features rarely found in even the most luxurious private jets. She has the highest crew to passenger ratio of any twin-aisle aircraft and a non-stop range of 19.5 hours, allowing travelers to explore the far reaches of the earth while enjoying the personalized service for which Crystal is renowned worldwide. Bespoke Crystal Exclusive Class™ seats are designed for maximum personal space and ergonomic comfort, and convert to 180-degree lie-flat beds. The expansive social lounge with stand-up bar fosters friendly camaraderie among luxury travelers. Cuisine will be prepared by an executive chef, in two state-of-the-art galleys and paired with an elegant premium wine list from the CrystalSkyeCellar.

Crystal collaborated with Greenpoint Technologies for the extremely specialized development of Crystal Skye, as the company is renowned for its innovation and leadership in the creation of superior aircraft design. Greenpoint Technologies worked alongside Crystal’s own experts to conceive the standard of excellence and luxury required to ensure the unparalleled guest experience aboard a Crystal vessel, then brought the vision to life. The interior installation of Crystal Skye began in August 2016 at Greenpoint’s Moses Lake facility in Washington, focusing on exclusive features such as a 24-seat lounge with a central bar, sofas, custom coved ceilings, the largest wine cellar in the sky and ample space to socialize. Stone veneers, colored LED lighting and other premium details adorn the extraordinary interior.

Bret Neely, Executive Vice President at Greenpoint Technologies says, “Our goal for this program was to create a luxurious interior showcasing the elegant brand Crystal has established with their cruise ships, yachts, and riverboats. Greenpoint is a company built on Teamwork. Both internally and externally with our customers. It was amazing to see the combined core team come together to focus on Crystal’s guest experience, resulting in the beautiful and functional interior we see today.”

Boeing 777 Crystal Skye is operated for Crystal AirCruises by Comlux Aruba NV.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. This former Air Austral 777-29M LR, P4-XTL (msn 40955) is pictured at Boeing Field on the handover ceremony. This Triple Seven had spent nearly two years at Moses Lake having the interior installed and having flight test done.

Crystal AirCruises Boeing 777-29M LR P4-XTL (msn 40955) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 938889.

Batik Malaysia takes delivery of the first Boeing 737 MAX 8

Boeing on May 16, 2017 marked the first delivery of the new 737 MAX. The airplane, a 737 MAX 8, was handed over to Batik Malaysia (Malindo Air) at the Seattle Delivery Center. The Malaysia-based airline will be the first to put the 737 MAX into commercial service.

Every airplane will feature the new Boeing Sky Interior, highlighted by modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing’s history. To date, Boeing has received almost 3,700 orders from 87 customers across the world.

Top Copyright Photo: Batik Malaysia Boeing 737 MAX 8 9M-LRC (msn 42985) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 937790.

Bottom Photo: Boeing.

Iran Aseman Airlines signs MOA for 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

Boeing confirms the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Iran Aseman Airlines, expressing the airline’s intent to purchase 30 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes with a list price value of $3 billion. The agreement also provides the airline with purchase rights for 30 additional 737 MAXs.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, an aerospace sale of this magnitude creates or sustains approximately 18,000 jobs in the United States. Deliveries would be scheduled to start in 2022.

Boeing negotiated the MOA under authorizations from the U.S. government following a determination that Iran had met its obligations under the nuclear accord signed in 2015. Boeing will look to the Office of Foreign Assets Control for approval to perform under this transaction. Boeing continues to follow the lead of the U.S. government with regards to working with Iran’s airlines, and any and all contracts with Iran’s airlines are contingent upon U.S. government approval.

Serene Air takes delivery of its first Boeing 737-800

Serene Air (Islamabad) is a new airline in Pakistan. On November 19, 2016 the upstart took delivery of the pictured Boeing 737-86X AP-BNA (msn 61352) on November 19, 2016.

The new carrier is planning to launch domestic flights in December 2016 with three Boeing 737-800s.

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Alaska Airlines unveils its new “Honoring Those Who Serve” veterans logo jet

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Alaska Airlines has introduced a new logo jet honoring the country’s veterans. The airline also made this announcement:

Alaska Airlines is flying 23 military veterans and their guardians from the state of Alaska to Washington, D.C., to view their war memorials. Veterans on today’s Honor Flight fought in World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Veterans from Anchorage, Ketchikan and Fort Yukon will be treated to a four-night, five-day trip, courtesy of Alaska Airlines and the Last Frontier Honor Flight. From Anchorage, the group will connect in Portland, Oregon, before continuing on to Washington Reagan National Airport.

This is the second Honor Flight departing the state of Alaska this year. Since 2012, Alaska Airlines has donated over $250,000 in free air travel and discounted companion travel to the Last Frontier Honor Flight program. Alaska Airlines is the only airline to operate Honor Flights for veterans in the state of Alaska and also operates Honor Flights for veterans in Washington and Oregon.

Veterans will return to a hero’s welcome on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. A public reception is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Alaska time at the airport near TSA before security.

Honor Flight Network is a national organization working to transport America’s veterans to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C.

On October 26, 2016 Alaska Airlines issued this statement about this new patriotic them logo jet:

In anticipation of Veterans Day, Alaska Airlines today unveiled the newest aircraft in its fleet featuring a patriotic special paint theme titled “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The 737-900ER is dedicated to the brave men and women of the U.S. military, as well as veterans of the armed forces and their families. Its unique exterior paint scheme, conceived by a small group of Alaska maintenance technicians, was designed to symbolize remembrance, pride, and appreciation.

More than 250 airline employees were joined by veterans and current members of the military for a special dedication of the airplane in Alaska’s Seattle maintenance hangar on October 26, 2016. In the days leading up to Veterans Day, the plane will fly to cities near military bases, including Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska; San Diego, and Washington D.C.

About the new plane

What first started as an idea on a napkin with a small group of passionate Alaska maintenance employees three years ago, has now become a tribute in the sky.

The key elements of the design include:

A red stripe and blue body of the aircraft incorporate elements of the American flag.
The phrase “Honoring Those Who Serve,” boldly displayed on the fuselage as a symbol of remembrance, pride and appreciation.
A symbolic crest representing the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program to the right of the cargo door. The program ensures a fallen soldiers remains are treated with respect and dignity while being transported on company aircraft.
An “Alaska Airlines Salutes” medallion, featured on the right of the boarding door, near the nose of the aircraft. The medallion has five stars representing the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
A President Calvin Coolidge quote to the left of the rear cargo door reads, “No person was ever honored for what they received. Honor has been the reward for what they gave.”
The special livery was created in partnership with Boeing, which shares an appreciation for the value that military personnel bring to the workplace. The companies collaborated throughout the painting and delivery process.

Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-990 ER WL N265AK (msn 62682) (Honoring Those Who Serve) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 935223.

Geostar’s first Boeing 737-700

Copyright Photo: Geostar (China Entrepreneur Flying Club) (Sino Jet Management) Boeing 737-7CG WL P4-SJM (msn 30751) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 934986.

Belavia introduces a new brand with the delivery of EW-455PA

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The pictured EW-455PA was delivered on August 13, 2016.

According to Boeing:

“The new livery is the result of a collaborative effort between Belavia, Boeing and the design firm Teague. Before creative concepts were drawn, Boeing’s Airline Partnership Marketing team and Teague provided guidance and training through a series of brand workshops.

The logo was inspired by the cornflower (“Valoshka” in Belarussian), which is a national symbol of Belarus– representing beauty, friendship and prosperity.

The airplane’s interior combines a blend of cornflower blue, light grey and white with the Boeing Sky Interior lighting.”

Prime Air is unveiled in Seattle on August 5, 2016

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On August 5, 2016 Amazon.com Inc. CEO Jeff Bezos unveiled the first Prime Air-branded Boeing 767 at Seattle (Boeing Field) operated by Atlas Air (“1997” is a prime number).

Amazon previously announced in May 2016 it would lease 20 Boeing 767s from Atlas Air. This followed a previous deal announced in March 2016 to lease up to 20 767s from Air Transport Services Group.

Amazon also utilizes FedEx and UPS for its Prime deliveries.

Amazon issued this statement:

Amazon on August 5, 2016 is showcasing its first ever branded air cargo plane during Seafair’s Air Show, an annual community celebration taking place in Amazon’s hometown of Seattle. The Boeing 767-300, operated by Amazon’s air cargo provider Atlas Air, is flying in the Seafair Air Show to thousands of Seattle residents and Amazon employees.

“Creating an air transportation network is expanding our capacity to ensure great delivery speeds for our Prime members for years to come,” said Dave Clark, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide operations. “I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate the inaugural flight than in our hometown at Seafair alongside Amazon employees and Seattle residents.”

The airplane, named Amazon One, is one of 40 that Amazon has agreed to lease through air cargo partners Atlas Air and ATSG. There are currently 11 dedicated airplanes flying for Amazon as of today with additional airplanes rolling out over time. In an ode to its Prime members, Amazon’s first airplane in its dedicated fleet features a tail number made up of a Prime number.

In the last year, Amazon has launched several initiatives to ensure great delivery speeds and supply chain capacity for its customers, including Amazon Flex, the company’s mobile application that allows individuals to sign-up, be vetted and begin delivering for Amazon, a dedicated network of 4,000 trailers to increase trucking capacity and, now, the network of air cargo planes. These efforts join Amazon’s robust worldwide network of more than 125 fulfillment centers and over 20 sortation centers where the company uses high-end algorithms, robotics, machine learning and other technological innovations to increase delivery speeds for customers. Amazon is now bringing the same technological expertise to efforts in the transportation space to increase shipping capacity for its customers.

Alaska Airlines to add additional routes to Newark

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/World-Airline-News/World-Airline-News-July-2016/i-tFqQW5J/A

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion to the New York City area with multiple new routes to Newark Liberty International Airport. The new service comes as the Federal Aviation Administration approved Alaska Airlines’ request to operate four additional daily flights to Newark. New service from Newark, New Jersey to Portland, Oregon and San Diego, California will start in November 2016, with new service to San Jose, California beginning in March 2017. A third daily departure from Seattle, Washington to Newark, New Jersey will be added in May 2017.

Alaska’s new Portland-Newark service continues the airline’s expansion of its Portland hub which includes other recently added destinations such as Minneapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Orlando; Omaha, Nebraska; and Atlanta. The newly added Newark service will be the only daytime nonstop from Portland to the Garden State.

The new San Diego-Newark service is the third East Coast destination from the airline’s Southern California focus city, which will give San Diego travelers access to one of the largest business markets in the world.

The new San Jose-Newark service marks the first nonstop flight between the two cities and provides Silicon Valley customers a convenient new option for travel to the New York City area.

In the spring, the airline will also add a third flight between Seattle and Newark, complementing the two existing daily nonstop flights from the Emerald City.

Alaska will fly the transcontinental routes with fuel-efficient Boeing 737 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-990 ER WL N248AK (msn 62469) (Boeing 100 years strong) BFI (Brandon Farris). Image: 933775.

Boeing delivers the first direct-purchased 737-800 to Biman Bangladesh Airlines

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Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Dhaka) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) yesterday (November 24) celebrated the airline’s first direct-purchased Next-Generation 737-800 as part of the country’s national airline’s fleet modernization plan.

As part of the first phase of its fleet modernization plan, the airline currently operates a total of six Boeing 777s and two Next-Generation 737-800s. With this delivery, Biman Bangladesh Airlines adds one additional 737-800 and has four 787 Dreamliners on order.

Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8E9 S2-AHO 9msn 40334) taxies to the runway at Seattle’s Boeing Field (King County).

Biman Bangladesh Airlines aircraft slide show: