Tag Archives: Boeing 777-300 ER

Emirates to expand mainland China operations, resumes passenger services to Shanghai and Beijing, doubles services to Brisbane

Emirates will ramp up its operations in China ahead of the New Lunar Year and in response to strong travel demand, boosting connectivity to its gateways; Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing as the country reopens its borders and eases its COVID-related entry restrictions.

Shanghai – service resumption from January 20, 2023 with twice weekly service, gradually increasing to daily service from March 1, 2023.

Emirates will resume passenger services to Shanghai starting with two weekly flights operated by an Airbus A380 aircraft from January 20, 2023, with EK302 departing from Dubai to Shanghai non-stop and EK303 making a short stop in Bangkok before returning to Dubai. This service will ramp up in frequency to four weekly flights operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from February 2, 2023.

During this period, Emirates’ flight EK302 will depart Dubai at 03:45hrs and arrive in Shanghai at 15:40hrs. The return flight EK303 will depart Shanghai at 17:40hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 21:45hrs before taking off from the Thai capital at 23:20hrs and arriving in Dubai at 03:20hrs the next day.*

Emirates will further boost its Dubai-Shanghai route from March 1, 2023 with a daily non-stop service. Emirates’ flight EK304 will depart Dubai at 09:15hrs and arrive in Shanghai at 21:05hrs. The return flight EK303 will leave Shanghai at 23:00hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:20hrs the next day.*

Guangzhou – daily nonstop from February 1, 2023

Emirates currently operates a non-stop flight from Dubai to Guangzhou as EK362, and a return flight from Guangzhou to Dubai via Bangkok as EK363, four times a week.

Starting from February 1, 2023, the airline will increase services between Dubai and Guangzhou with EK362/EK363 operating as daily non-stop flights with the flagship Emirates A380. Emirates’ flight EK362 will leave Dubai at 10:45hrs and arrive in Guangzhou at 21:45hrs. The return flight EK363 will depart Guangzhou at 00:15hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:15hrs.*

Beijing – service resumption from March 15, 2023

Operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Emirates’ flight EK308/ EK307 will return to China’s capital city Beijing with a daily nonstop service from Dubai, starting from March 15, 2023. Emirates’ flight EK308 will leave Dubai at 10:50hrs and arrive in Beijing at 22:20hrs. The return flight EK307 will depart Beijing at 00:40hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:00hrs.*

This will bring the airline’s operations in the market up to 21 weekly flights, providing increased choice and flexibility for both business and leisure travellers, and contributing to China’s tourism recovery.

Emirates has been serving China for nearly two decades and has established its presence in the Chinese market through strategic partnerships and a continued commitment to the local community throughout the pandemic. Emirates offers travellers increased connectivity to 24 domestic points via Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai, as well as 6 regional points via Guangzhou through its partnership with China Southern Airlines, while simultaneously providing its partner-airline’s customers access to 6 destinations within the Middle East and Africa regions. Travellers can also benefit from Emirates’ existing interline agreements with Air China, China Eastern and Cathay Pacific to access even more domestic Chinese cities.

From left to right: Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation; Dean Cleaver, Regional Sales Manager, Emirates and Acting Premier of Queensland, Steven Miles shortly after the announcement of Emirates’ second daily service to Brisbane, starting 1 June.

In other news, Emirates is continuing its restoration of operations in Australia with the introduction of an additional daily service to Brisbane. This comes as the airline proudly celebrates 20 years of serving Brisbane, one of Emirates’ four Australian gateways in its global network.

Starting on June 1, 2023, Emirates will operate the second daily flight to and from Brisbane with a Boeing 777-300ER. Emirates flight EK 430 takes off from Dubai at 0230hrs, arriving in Brisbane at 2220hrs. The return flight, EK 431, departs Brisbane at 0250hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1100hrs local time. The airline currently serves Brisbane with a daily A380 flight.

The additional service means Emirates will be back to operating at pre-pandemic levels to Brisbane. The expansion will boost capacity through Brisbane by more than a quarter of a million seats per year both ways.

With the additional frequency starting in Brisbane on June 1, 2023, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to Australia, supporting the revival of tourism and bolstering trade and business opportunities by providing travellers with even more access to and from Australia.

Emirates has been serving Australia for more than 25 years, transporting over 40 million passengers to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and other destinations via its Dubai hub since 1996. The airline takes tremendous pride in enhancing travel options for customers travelling to and from Australia, strengthening the global reach of local businesses through its expansive network, and benefiting thriving travel and tourism industries by drawing in visitors.

Top Copyright Photo: Emirates Airline Boeing 777-300 ER A6-EQE (msn 42350) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 959892.

Emirates aircraft photo gallery:

Swiss deploys the AeroSHARK technology to its Boeing 777-300ER fuselages

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has become the first airline in the world to deploy the carbon-efficient AeroSHARK film technology on its passenger services.

SWISS’s first Boeing 777-300ER to be equipped with the new film – registration HB-JNH – carried its first revenue passengers on Friday, October 14, departing from Zurich for Miami at 13:39.

SWISS’s AeroSHARK program is also supported by the Swiss Confederation via the latter’s special funding for environmental projects.

“Our adoption of AeroSHARK is an excellent example of how we can use innovative technologies to make air travel more sustainable,” says SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx. “Our aircraft fleet is already one of the most advanced and most carbon-efficient in Europe. Thanks to AeroSHARK, we can enhance these credentials even further in a field where every saving counts. We are proud to be the first passenger airline in the world to adopt this new technology. And we will continue to consistently invest in such sustainable solutions.”

AeroSHARK is a special film which has been jointly developed by Lufthansa Technik and chemicals and coatings manufacturer BASF. The film features tiny 50-micrometre riblets that reduce aerodynamic drag during flight. SWISS and Lufthansa Technik have applied the technology – which draws its inspiration from the skin of sharks – to a first aircraft within the SWISS Boeing 777-300ER fleet, and have trialled the innovation for its inflight performance together with external specialists over the past few weeks. All twelve of SWISS’s Boeing 777s should now be gradually equipped with the new AeroSHARK film. This video provides further interesting insights into the topic.

Carbon-neutral air travel through innovative technologies

AeroSHARK is just one of the ways SWISS is striving to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and make air travel more sustainable. Its further actions here include investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is manufactured from biogenic waste and presently produces some 80 per cent less carbon dioxide than conventional kerosene. SWISS already uses SAF, and is promoting and supporting further research and trials in the field together with the Lufthansa Group. SWISS has set itself the goals of halving its net carbon dioxide emissions from their 2019 levels by 2030 and being entirely carbon-neutral by 2050.

Top Copyright Photo: Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300 ER HB-JNH (msn 62753) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 944987.

Swiss aircraft photo gallery:

United to add 30 new or resumed flights in eight weeks

United has kicked off the launch of its largest transatlantic expansion in its history, in anticipation of a strong recovery in European summer travel. In total, United will launch or resume 30 Transatlantic flights from mid-April through early June. This includes adding new nonstop flights to five distinctive leisure destinations no other North American airline serves including Amman, Jordan; Bergen, Norway; Azores, Portugal; Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands. The airline is also launching five new nonstop flights to some of Europe’s most popular business and tourist hubs including London, Milan, Zurich, Munich and Nice. United is also resuming fourteen Atlantic routes the airline has historically served and adding frequencies in six others.

United’s transatlantic route network will be more than 25% larger than it was in 2019. With this expansion, United will serve more transatlantic destinations than every other U.S. carrier combined and will be the largest airline across the Atlantic for the first time in history.

Amman, Jordan
United will begin new capital to capital service between Washington, D.C./Dulles and Amman, Jordan on May 5. Customers will be able to explore the numerous historical sites in and around Amman, as well as visit Jordan’s other top destinations including Petra, the Dead Sea and the Wadi Rum desert. United is the first airline to offer nonstop service between Amman and Washington D.C./Dulles and will be the only North American carrier flying to Amman with three times weekly service on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
United will add a third Portuguese destination to its global network with brand new flights between New York/Newark and Ponta Delgada in the Azores beginning May 13. The carrier will offer more flights between the U.S. and Portugal than any other North American airline and will be the only North American airline to fly to the Azores. This joins United’s existing flights between New York/Newark and Porto, and its flights between Washington Dulles, New York/Newark and Lisbon. United will fly a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that features United’s new signature interior with enhanced seat back entertainment, Bluetooth connectivity and overhead bin space for every customer.

Bergen, Norway
Beginning May 20, United will become the only U.S. carrier to fly to Norway with flights launching between New York/Newark and Bergen. United will offer three times weekly service on a Boeing 757-200, allowing customers to experience Bergen’s surrounding mountainous landscape and breathtaking fjords. United will offer the only nonstop service between Bergen and the U.S.

Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
United is expanding its Spanish beach getaway destinations with three times weekly flights between New York/Newark and Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, launching June 2 with a Boeing 767-300ER. Mallorca is home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches and inspired dining and nightlife options. This will be the first and only nonstop flight between the U.S. and Mallorca and will add to United’s existing services to Madridand Barcelona.

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Travelers looking for an additional new beach destination can enjoy the stunning black and white sand beaches of Spain’s Canary Islands with United’s new flight from New York/Newark to Tenerife. United will be the only airline to fly nonstop between the Canary Islands and North Americawith three-times weekly service launching June 9 on a Boeing 757-200 aircraft. Along with the new service to Palma de Mallorca, United will fly to more Spanish destinations from North America than any other airline.

Expanded European Service
In light of the increased demand for European travel, United is also launching new service to some of Europe’s most iconic cities, including:

New daily flights between Boston and London Heathrow, which began on April 14, and is United’s only trans-oceanic point-to-point flight from Boston. This flight complements United’s nonstop service to London Heathrow from all seven of United’s hubs.
New daily flights between Denver and Munich, which began April 23 and joins existing service from Denver to Frankfurt and London. United is the only U.S. airline to offer transatlantic service from Denver.
New daily flights between Chicago and Zurich, which began April 23. United now offers more nonstop service between Switzerland and the U.S. than any other U.S. airline, and is the only U.S. airline with nonstop service to Geneva.
New daily flights between Newark and Nice, beginning April 29. United will offer more premium seats to Nice than any other U.S. carrier.
New daily flights between Chicago and Milan, beginning May 6, joining existing seasonal flights between Chicago and Rome. United will be the only airline to offer nonstop service between Chicago and Milan, adding to its existing service between New York/Newark and Milan.

In addition to these new flights, United is increasing service to popular European travel destinations, including:

Second daily flights between Newark and Dublin, which began April 23.
Second daily flights between Denver and London Heathrow, beginning May 7.
Second daily flight between Newark and Frankfurt, beginning May 26.
Second flight between Newark and Rome five times weekly, beginning May 27.
Adding a third daily flight between San Francisco and London Heathrow and increasing service between Newark and London Heathrow to seven daily flights, beginning May 28. With this additional service, United will offer 22 daily nonstop flights from the U.S. to London Heathrow.

To help generate excitement about these new routes, earlier this month United launched two unique out of home campaigns, including digital billboards in downtown Boston to highlight the airline’s new Boston-London Heathrow service. United also teamed up with Saks Fifth Avenue for a series of window displays featuring fashion inspired by United’s five unique transatlantic routes.

In addition to these European routes, United is also growing its presence in Africa as part of this transatlantic expansion. On May 8, United will increase its service to offer daily flights between Washington/Dulles and Accra, Ghana. The airline will also extend its existing seasonal service to Cape Town to year-round, with nonstop flights from New York/Newark resuming June 5, subject to government approval.

Top Copyright Photo: United Airlines Boeing 777-300 ER N2352U (msn 66592) NUE (Gunter Mayer). Image: 957010.

United aircraft slide show (Boeing):

United aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):

Is Korean Air planning to change its livery?

Korean Air is rumored to be preparing to rebrand for the planed Asiana merger. The company has reportedly applied for a new simplified logo trademark which implies a reduction of fuselage colors in a new livery.

The current powder blue top and silver livery (Taegeuk design) (top) was introduced on March 1, 1984 when the airline name was formally changed from Korean Air Lines to Korean Air.

The 1984 livery was initially introduced on its MD-80s and Boeing 747-300s. It was designed with the help of Boeing.

Since then the easily-recognized livery has helped the flag carrier grow around the world.

The red and blue spiral logo represents the opposing forces of nature.

Top Copyright Photo: Korean Air Boeing 777-300 ER HL7205 (msn 60379) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 956577.

Korean Air aircraft slide show:

Korean Air aircraft photo gallery:

British Airways continues its roll out of its newest business class seat, Club Suite

British Airways is continuing with the roll out of its newest business class seat, Club Suite, as it continues to retrofit the seat across its Boeing 777 fleet, with the roll out expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

The airline already has retrofitted a number of its Boeing 777 aircraft with the latest seat and will be working with Collins Aerospace to ensure the rest of the airline’s 777 aircraft are fitted with the new cabin.

The airline’s sophisticated Club Suite was first rolled out in July 2019 on the first A350 and since then has been installed on the Boeing 787-10 aircraft. The seat offers direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Boasting 40 per cent more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming and PC / USB power; every aspect of British Airways’ Club Suite has been designed for today’s customer.

As part of its commitment to the North Atlantic, all British Airways flights to JFK will be operated by an aircraft that has the airline’s Club Suite product.

As part of the upgrade, the airline’s Club Kitchen is also getting a makeover with new Club chillers and built-in storage for snacks, drinks and other refreshments, allowing customers in Club World to help themselves to refreshments at their leisure.

The latest generation of the First cabin including the introduction of the First suite door will also continue to be rolled out across the airline’s Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The First suites were meticulously designed based on our customers’ feedback, the cabin puts comfort at the heart of the experience and makes the very best use of the generous space designed for just a few customers at a time. The suite includes a fixed 23-inch high definition inflight entertainment screen that can be controlled with an integrated handset.

Top Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 777-300 ER G-STBP (msn 66585) JFK (Fred Freketic). Image: 955700.

British Airways aircraft slide show (Boeing):

British Airways aircraft photo gallery:

Philippine Airlines files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization

Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) has announced it has entered into a series of agreements with substantially all of the Company’s lenders, lessors, and aircraft and engine suppliers, as well as its majority shareholder, to allow the Company to successfully restructure and reorganize its finances to navigate the COVID-19 crisis and emerge as a leaner and better-capitalized airline.

The restructuring plan, which is subject to court approval, provides over US$2.0 Billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from existing creditors and allows the airline to consensually contract fleet capacity by 25% and includes US$505 Million in long-term equity and debt financing from PAL’s majority shareholder and US$150 Million of additional debt financing from new investors.

As part of the agreements with key stakeholders, the Company has voluntarily filed for a pre-arranged restructuring under the U.S. Chapter 11 process in the Southern District of New York to implement the consensual restructuring plan. PAL will also complete a parallel filing for recognition in the Philippines under the Financial Insolvency and Rehabilitation (FRIA) Act of 2010.

Top Copyright Photo: Philippines (Philippine Airlines) Boeing 777-300 ER RP-C7782 (msn 61735) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 940281.

PAL aircraft slide show:

KLM expands its intercontinental network this winter, adding six new destinations

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines made this announcement:

After the previously announced expansions in Europe for summer 2021, KLM will also be adding new destinations to its intercontinental network on commencement of its winter schedule (October 31, 2021 to March 26, 2022). This ties in with KLM’s strategy of first expanding its network where recovery will be quickest, offering customers the broadest possible choice of destinations. The new destinations include Mombasa, Orlando, Cancun, Bridgetown, Port of Spain and Phuket.

The Kenyan beach destination of Mombasa will be served twice a week, operating Boeing 787-9 equipment. This aircraft type will also be used to operate flights to Orlando in Florida (four times a week) and to the Mexican beach resort of Cancun (three times a week). The Airbus A330 will fly customers to Bridgetown (Barbados, three times a week) and Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago, three times a week). The Thai island of Phuket will be served with four flights a week, operating Boeing 777-300 equipment.

Network strategy

During the Covid-19 pandemic, KLM has done everything possible to maintain its network of destinations in order to continue carrying cargo and enabling passengers to travel when necessary – of course, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by both the Dutch government and local authorities. KLM will continue to work closely with the Dutch government to uphold effective and proportionate measures tailored to the situation in the Netherlands and abroad.

This strategy has served KLM well throughout the Covid-19 crisis. With the general situation and outlook now improving, network expansion is back on the agenda, especially within and to regions where recovery will be quickest. The six new destinations fit the bill.

The aim is to offer KLM’s customers the biggest network possible. Network planning must be flexible, enabling KLM to respond quickly to market opportunities. With this expansion, the network of destinations will almost reach its pre-Covid-19 level, only utilising less capacity, and fewer frequencies and aircraft. Once demand increases, we will operate more flights and/or deploy larger aircraft.

Flight schedules

Mombasa will be combined with Nairobi on the return journey to Amsterdam. This also applies to Orlando and Miami. Phuket will be served both to and from Amsterdam via Kuala Lumpur. Bridgetown and Port of Spain will be combined and Cancun will be a non-stop connection.

The flight schedules will be as follows for the six new destinations:

*Flight number*	*From/to*	*Days of the week*	*Departure time*	*Arrival time*
Mombasa
KL0563	Amsterdam-Mombasa	Thurs/Sun	10:10	20:50
KL0563	Mombasa-Nairobi	Thurs/Sun	21:40	22:50
KL0563	Nairobi-Amsterdam	Thurs/Sun	23:59	06:25*
Orlando
KL0625	Amsterdam-Orlando	Mon/Sat	11:15	15:00
KL0625	Orlando-Miami	Mon/Sat	16:45	17:50
KL0625	Miami-Amsterdam	Mon/Sat	18:50	09:15*
KL0629	Amsterdam-Miami	Thurs/Fri	10:40	14:40
KL0629	Miami-Orlando	Thurs/Fri	16:30	17:35
KL0629	Orlando-Amsterdam	Thurs/Fri	18:35	08:40*
Cancun
KL0689	Amsterdam-Cancun	Tue/Thurs/Sat	10:40	15:40
KL0690	Cancun-Amsterdam	Tue/Thurs/Sat	17:40	08:50*
Bridgetown and Port of Spain
KL0781	Amsterdam-Bridgetown	Mon/Thurs/Sat	12:25	16:45
KL0781	Bridgetown-Port of Spain	Mon/Thurs/Sat	17:50	19:00
KL0781	Port of Spain-Amsterdam	Mon/Thurs/Sat	20:35	10:30*
Phuket
KL0801	Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur	Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat	20:50	15:45*
KL0801	Kuala Lumpur-Phuket	Tue/Thurs/Sat/Sun	17:05	17:35
KL0802	Phuket-Kuala Lumpur	Tue/Thurs/Sat/Sun	20:00	22:30
KL0802	Kuala Lumpur-Amsterdam	Tue/Thurs/Sat/Sun	23:50	05:55*

(*) Arrives the next day

All times are local. Flight schedules are subject to change.

Top Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-300 ER N5514J (PH-BVV) (msn 66888) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 952537.

KLM aircraft slide show:

British Airways launches “Green List” flights, wants the USA added to the Green List

British Airways has made this announcement:

British Airways’ first flight to a green list country was its BA492 service to Gibraltar which departed this morning at 07:10am
The airline is operating 70 departures on May 17, including six services to ‘green list’ countries
Following the first ‘green list’ flight to Gibraltar British Airways hosted a joint press conference with Heathrow, featuring both companies’ CEOs, live-streamed on LinkedIn

This morning (May 17) British Airways’ BA492 flight from London Heathrow to Gibraltar took off at 07:10 am, the airline’s first flight to a ‘green list’ destination.

The airline is operating a number of flights throughout the day (May 17) to other destinations on the UK’s ‘green list’. These include a flight to Lisbon, three flights to Faro and one flight to Funchal in Madeira. The airline has suspended flights to Tel Aviv.

On May 17 in 2019, the airline operated hundreds of flights, compared to just 70 departures* that it plans to operate today, highlighting the devastating impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the airline industry.

This morning British Airways and Heathrow Airport Limited hosted a virtual conference from British Airways’ home at Terminal 5 with its CEOs, Sean Doyle and John Holland-Kaye.

Speaking during the conference, Sean Doyle, British Airways Chairman and CEO, said: “Today, the first day of a return to international travel, is a special day for many people, because for so long now families have been separated, business has suffered, and we know that our customers haven’t been able to take the breaks abroad that they’ve wanted. After more than a year of limited flying, we’re pleased to be back in the skies – albeit with a very small number of flights.”

The airline has introduced changes to the flying experience to help ensure a frictionless experience, including trials of travel apps to upload documentation and a virtual queuing system, as well as the introduction of pre-flight food ordering for Euro traveller customers and delivery of menu items in the lounges to seats by QR code.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQIbrvWTPus&w=560&h=315%5D

British Airways also recently launched its new advertising campaign, putting its people and its customers at the centre of the story about its return to the skies. Over the coming months those flying with the airline will receive a special welcome back with personalized boarding announcements, cards and chocolates.

Customers traveling with British Airways can do so with peace of mind, as the airline has introduced a range of safety measures to make the travel experience simple and safe during and after the pandemic. Customers can visit the airline’s Covid-19 hub page to find out more information on all of the safety measures in place.

British Airways has consistently championed testing as way to re-open travel safely and has ensured its customers have access to a wide range of discounted Covid-19 pre-departure, return to the UK and arrivals testing options. The airline has a dedicated webpage on ba.com where customers can find the right test to meet the entry requirements for their destination.

Top Copyright Photo: British Airways also wants the United States added to the Green List so it can get its long-range fleet flying. British Airways Boeing 777-300 ER G-STBN (msn 66583) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 951759.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

Swiss to increase its capacity in June

Swiss International Air Lines has made this announcement:

In the coming days and weeks, entry requirements of various European countries will be gradually open. This leads to an increased demand for air travel. Swiss therefore plans to substantially expand its services with the June timetable, in line with the respective entry requirements. “We plan to resume around 15-20% of our original services in June, and are very pleased to be able to offer Switzerland greater connections to the world,” says Swiss CEO Thomas Klühr.

Swiss plans to operate approximately 140 weekly flights from Zurich to 30 destinations in Europe, and approximately 40 weekly flights from Geneva to 14 destinations in Europe. The airline will still serve the three weekly long-haul flights to Newark in the USA, further intercontinental destinations will be added in June. In addition, Swiss and its Swiss WorldCargo division will continue to operate their cargo-only flights to various destinations globally.

The changes and additions to the June timetable will be published shortly in all the booking systems. The expansion of the flight schedules is taking place step by step, following the needs of the customers.

Swiss recommends wearing a mouth-nose face covering on board for protection against SARS CoV2 transmission.

With effect from Monday, May 4, 2020, all Swiss passengers will be asked to bring their own mouth-nose face covering to wear on board all flights. The airline also advises use of a face covering at the airport before or after flights, whenever sufficient social distancing cannot be adequately observed. Despite adjustments to procedures, social distancing is not always possible, and this measure provides an additional layer of protection against SARS CoV2 transmission for everyone.

The recommendation will initially apply until August 31, 2020.

The current rule whereby every second seat in Economy Class is kept vacant will no longer apply as sufficient protection is afforded by mouth-nose face coverings. The likelihood of infection by the coronavirus while traveling by air remains low: there are no known cases of infection on board Swiss flights since the outbreak of the pandemic. All Swiss aircraft are equipped with high-performance air filters to guarantee air quality of the same standard as in an operating theatre and ensure vertical air circulation instead diffusion in the cabin.

Top Copyright Photo: Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300 ER HB-JNG (msn 62752) ZRH (Ton Jochems). Image: 949940.

Swiss aircraft slide show:

KLM orders two additional Boeing 777-300ER jets

Boeing made this announcement:

Boeing and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines have announced that the carrier has ordered two more 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes.

Above Image: Boeing.

The order, valued at $751 million at current list prices, was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.

The 777-300ER can seat up to 396 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,370 nautical miles (13,650 km). The airplane is the world’s most reliable twin aisle with a schedule reliability of 99.5 percent.

Operating out of its home base in Amsterdam, the KLM Group serves a global network of 92 European cities and 70 intercontinental destinations with a fleet of 209 aircraft. The carrier operates 29 777s, including 14 777-300ERs. It also flies 747s and the 787 Dreamliner family.

KLM, the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name, is celebrating its centenary this year. In 2004 it merged with Air France to create Europe’s largest airline group. The Air France-KLM Group is also one of the largest operators of the 777 family with nearly 100 between the combined fleets.

Top Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777-300 ER PH-BVU (msn 61702) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 939290.