Air China (Beijing) will commence the nonstop Beijing – Newark route starting on October 26. The new route will be operated four days a week with Boeing 777-300 ERs per Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-39L B-2036 (msn 38676) taxies to the gate at Heathrow Airport in London.
Air China aircraft slide show:ย 
Swiss International Air Lines (Zurich)ย will usher-in a new era in the history of its long-haul aircraft fleet next January with the arrival of the first of its nine new Boeing 777-300 ERs. The new Swiss twinjets will seat 340 passengers, include three-classes of service, and offer wireless internet connectivity. The ‘Triple Sevens’ will be deployed on routes to and from the US west coast, South America, and Asia from the 2016 summer schedule onwards.
The new type will be initially introduced on the Zurich – New York (JFK) route on February 21, 2016 with four weekly flights. It will operate to JFK until March 25, 2016.
Zurich – Montreal (Trudeau) will follow on March 27, 2016, Zurich – Hong Kong on April 10, 2016 and Zurich – Los Angeles on June 9, 2016 per Airline Route.
The new aircraft will be deployed primarily on services to Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Bangkok (staring on July 8, 2016). San Francisco (staring on September 1, 2016), Sรฃo Paulo (starting August 1, 2016) and Tel Aviv will also receive Boeing 777 service several times a week.
As a part of its ‘Next-Generation Airline of Switzerland’ strategy, Swiss will begin the renewal of its long-haul aircraft fleet in 2016. A total of nine new Boeing 777-300 ERs (Extended Range) will be gradually assimilated into the fleet from the beginning of next year. This will result in the creation of 360 new cabin crew jobs in the future.
In Swiss configuration, the Boeing 777-300 ER will offer 340 seats: eight in First Class, 62 in Business Class, and 270 in Economy. The redesigned cabin interior of the new Swiss flagship will provide comfort and aesthetics to meet the most discerning of demands in all three seating classes.
The Swiss First seat can be transformed into one’s own private suite and includes a 32-inch screen, the largest in the industry. Swiss First guests will also enjoy electrically-adjustable window blinds and their own personal wardrobe.
SWISS Business–more privacy and personal space (PRNewsFoto/Swiss International Air Lines)
The Swiss Business seating (above) offers optimum privacy and freedom of movement, while the seat cushion’s firmness can be individually regulated. The seats can be easily converted into a lie-flat bed that reclines into more than six- feet long in length (@6’7″).
Swiss Economy customers can also look forward to a new air travel experience with new seat-cushion technology and further innovations that include a large personal touchscreen. In addition to the regular cabin service, all SWISS Economy guests will be able to make use of a self-service kiosk offering a wide range of drinks and snacks.
All nine Boeing 777-300 ERs will also feature wireless internet via a broadband connection, enabling passengers to surf or send emails on their laptop, tablet or smartphone device.
The first delivery of six of the new Boeing 777-300 ERs will replace six Swiss Airbus A340-300s that will be returned to the lessor. Between 2017 and 2018, Swiss will receive an additional three Boeing 777-300 ERs. These new aircraft will replace three other A340-300s which will enter the fleet of Swiss’ sister carrier Edelweiss.
Swiss International Air Lines is Switzerland’s national airline, serving 106 destinations in 49 countries from Zurich and Geneva and carrying over 16 million passengers a year with its 95-aircraft fleet.
Video: Swiss.
Swiss aircraft slide show:ย
Air China (Beijing) officials and China-bound passengers at Tom Bradley International Terminal welcomed the arrival of the inaugural flight of the airlineโs third daily nonstop service from Beijing (flight CA 887) at 9 a.m. PDT yesterday (July 1). Chinaโs national flag carrier is also celebrated the first day of the relocation of its airport operations from Terminal 2 to the Los Angeles International Airportโs (LAX) bigger and newly renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal.
All of Air Chinaโs three Los Angeles (LAX)-Beijing (PEK) daily nonstop services are operated by the ย Boeing 777-300 ER. Air China is the only airline with a nonstop service between these two cities.
Air China offers nonstop services to Beijing from its seven gateways in North America: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu and Vancouver. In addition to Los Angeles, Air China is also the only airline with nonstop services to Beijing from New York and Houston. If offers double daily services from New Yorkโs JFK International; daily services from Houston, Vancouver and San Francisco; four times weekly service from Washington Dulles and three times weekly from Honolulu to Beijing.
On September 29, 2015, Air China will launch the three times weekly nonstop service between Beijing and Montreal (Trudeau). It will be the first transpacific direct link between these two cities. The new Montreal service will bring Air Chinaโs number of gateways in North America to a total of eight.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-39L B-2088 (msn 38668) approaches the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
Air China aircraft slide show:ย
United Airlines (Chicago) and Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras (Azul Brazilian Airlines) (Sao Paulo) today (June 26) announced a new strategic partnership in which United will acquire an approximate 5 percent stake in Azul,ย Brazil’s third-largest airline, paving the way for the carriers to cooperate on a range of customer benefits including codesharing of flights (subject to government approval), expanded connection opportunities on routes between the United States and Brazil, in addition to other points in North and South America, and joint loyalty-program participation.
Through a wholly owned subsidiary, United will invest $100 million for its economic stake in Azul, which includes one seat on Azul’s board of directors.
As a result of the partnership, United and Azul will expand their frequent flyer loyalty agreement.
Copyright Photo Above: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. The announcement ceremony in Sao Paulo today.
United began serving Brazil in 1992, with flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The airline currently operates five daily flights to Brazil from its Chicago (O’Hare), Houston (Bush Intercontinental),ย Newark and Washington (Dulles) hubs.
Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. United Airlines’ Boeing 777-222 ER N229UA (msn 30557) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.
United Airlines aircraft slide show:ย
Azul aircraft slide show:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/AirlinersGallery.com. ATR 727-202 PR-AZS (msn 523) arrives at the Viracopos International Airport (Campinas) base serving the Campinas area near Sao Paulo.
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has inked a new three-year deal with Chelsea Football Club as the club’s official airline sponsor, again bringing together two major international brands.
Delta and Chelsea FC, the English Premier League and Capital One Cup champions, first joined forces in 2012 and since then have worked together to bring the airline’s 170 million annual passengers closer to the club. Chelsea players have joined Delta customers and employees in numerous events around the world showcasing Delta’s products and services and shared global scope.
Delta is the exclusively designated “Official Airline Partner of Chelsea FC” and the agreement gives Delta LED exposure at each home game and on the Chelsea FC website. The Delta logo will also be included on media backboards for interviews conducted at Chelsea’s stadium around Premier League home matches. The Delta 360ห Lounge will also remain at Stamford Bridge.
Delta is synonymous with sport in the United States where the airline is the official airline sponsor of sixteen leading U.S. sports teams including baseball’s New York Yankees, hockey’s Los Angeles Kings, American football’s Minnesota Vikings as well as Super Bowl winners Seattle Seahawks. This summer, Delta will welcome the Chelsea team as they tour the United States, playing matches in New Jersey, Charlotte and Washington D.C.
Delta flies to 335 destinations across six continents, and alongside partner Virgin Atlantic, operates up to 39 flights a day from the U.K. to North America.
Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-232 LR (Longer Range) N709DN (msn 40559) departs from London’s Heathrow Airport.
Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) and Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (Bangkok) celebrated the Thailand flag carrier’s 25th direct 777 delivery, a 777-300 ER (Extended Range) (HS-TKY), from the Boeing delivery center in Everett, Washington.
Thai has operated nearly every model of the 777 over the last two decades and also currently operates five 787 Dreamliners. Thai Cargo was the first carrier in Southeast Asia to utilize the 777 Freighter and in January the two companies celebrated the airline’s 75th direct delivery from Boeing.
The Bangkok-based airline has one additional 777-300 ER on order.
Photo Above. Boeing. The pictured Boeing 777-3D7 ER HS-TKY (msn 42114) was handed over on June 23 and airliner is pictured departing Paine Field on the same day bound for Bangkok.
Thai aircraft slide show:ย
Virgin Australia Airlines (Brisbane) has unveiled a major redesign of the Premium Economy cabin featured on board its Boeing 777-300 fleet, which will launch in November 2015.
According to the airline, the new Premium Economy cabin will feature:
An exclusive and intimate cabin size of 24 seats;
A seat pitch of 41 inches, with more legroom than any other Australian airline;
A plated meal service inspired by business class, tailored to the guest and accompanied by a selection of wines from our Business Class cellar;
A Premium Larder for self-service food and beverages for the exclusive use of Premium Economy guests;
Crew trained in Premium service; and
Dedicated check-in, Priority Boarding and Priority baggage (up to 64kg of baggage), enabling guests to speed through airport formalities.
Photo above: Virgin Australia Airlines.
Guests will be able to choose different variations of their meals, with different garnishes, along with the time and speed of service.
The new Premium Larder exclusively for Premium Economy guests will be replenished throughout the flight, stocked with an assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, light meal options and snacks.
Top Copyright Photo: Roy Lock/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-3ZG VH-VOZ (msn 35302) taxies to the gate at Los Angeles International Airport.
Virgin Australia aircraft slide show:ย
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 Airย 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:ย
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.
Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-35R VT-JEM (msn 35162) climbs away from London’s Heathrow Airport.
Turkish Airlines aircraft slide show:ย
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:ย
You must be logged in to post a comment.