Tag Archives: Nick Dean

Azerbaijan Airlines changes its order for one Boeing 767-300 and two 767-300Fs

Azerbaijan Airlines (Baku) has signed an agreement with Boeing to substitute two Next-Generation 737 airplanes for one 767-300 ER (Extended Range) and two 767-300F Freighters, a new model type for the airline.

With this change, Azerbaijan now has a total of eight Boeing airplanes on order: two 767-300 ERs, two 767-300F Freighters, two Next-Generation 737s and two 787-8s.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 767-32L ER 4K-BAKU-1 (msn 40342) climbs away from Paine Field in Everett.

Boeing, CAAC and Air China celebrate the 800th Boeing jet for China

Air China (Beijing), Boeing and CAAC yesterday (July 20) celebrated the 800th delivery of a Boeing to China.

Please click on the photo for the full story.

In other news, Air China has ordered Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets for 30 Boeing Next Generation 737 aircraft which will be delivered beginning in 2011.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. The 800th delivery is this Boeing 737-89L B-5518 (msn 36754) with Blended Winglets for Air China at Everett (Paine Field).

Emirates Airline is expected to announce an order for 20 more Boeing 777s

Emirates Airline (Dubai) is expected to announce an order (via Boeing) for 20 additional Boeing 777s at the Farnborough Air Show according to this Reuters report.

Read the report:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 777-31H ER N5017V (msn 38984) departs from Everett (Paine Field) before it became A6-EGA.

Continental Airlines reaches 25 aircraft with new flat-bed Business seats

Continental Airlines’ (Houston) 25th aircraft with new flat-bed BusinessFirst seats and additional upgraded amenities took to the skies this week.

The carrier’s flat-bed seats made their operational debut in November 2009 and are being installed on aircraft used on long-haul international routes. Currently the seats are being installed on Continental’s Boeing 777 and 757-200 fleets, with 11 777s and 14 757-200s completed. In addition, Continental will take delivery of two new Boeing 777 aircraft outfitted with the flat-bed seats by the end of July. The seats will also be installed on many of Continental’s Boeing 767-400 aircraft starting in 2011 and on the Boeing 787 fleet as the new aircraft are delivered to the company.

The BusinessFirst flat-bed seat reclines 180 degrees and provides 6 feet 6 inches of sleeping space in the fully extended position on the Boeing 777 (6 feet 4 inches on the Boeing 757-200). It is one of the widest business-class seats in the air, measuring up to 27 inches (25 inches on the 757-200). Laptop power, headset and USB plugs are conveniently tucked above the customer’s shoulder. iPod connectivity allows each customer to view their personal videos and enjoy their music while their iPod is charging. The new seats feature 15.4-inch video monitors for customers to enjoy on-demand movies, music and games.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. One of the two new Boeing 777-224 ERs is N77022 (msn 39777). This spectacular picture shows N77022 making a planned missed approach at Everett (Paine Field) on July 14. Both of the two new Triple Sevens will be in the Star Alliance color scheme.

Will the first 787 Dreamliner delivery to ANA be delayed to early 2011?

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) has stated delivery of its new 787 aircraft to ANA (All Nippon Airways) could be delayed into early 2011. Boeing is still hoping it can deliver the new type to ANA by year’s end.

Read the full report in the WSJ:

CLICK HERE

In other news, Boeing has chosen North Charleston, SC, as the location for its new 787 Dreamlinerย interiors fabrication facility. Boeing will purchase land from Stone Mountain Industrial Park Inc. BRPH will design the facility, and Pattillo Construction will provide construction services. Employees at the facility will manufacture and assemble airplane interior parts.

The new fabrication factory will be 10 miles (16 km) from Boeing’s 787 final assembly and delivery site in North Charleston (CHS). The close proximity of the two facilities will help improve the efficiency of the final assembly and delivery process inย South Carolina. Charleston International Airport (CHS) will become the second 787 assembly plant in 2011 behind Everett (Paine Field) (PAE).

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) is pictured at Everett (Paine Field) in ANA colors.

British Airways takes delivery of its first Boeing 777-336 ER (G-STBA)

British Airways (London) today (July 9) took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300 ER.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 777-336 ER G-STBA (msn 40542) arrives back at Everett after a test flight.

IAM files for union elections at Delta Air Lines

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today (July 1) is filing applications with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for rulings that will lead to union representation elections for more than 30,000 employees at mostly non-union Delta Air Lines (Atlanta).

The IAM is requesting separate โ€œsingle carrierโ€ rulings from the NMB with respect to the carrierโ€™s fleet service and passenger service classifications. These rulings would establish that Delta and Northwest Airlines are operating as one carrier for representational purposes in each of these classifications, clearing the way for elections to be scheduled for each of these combined work groups. The Machinists Union is still investigating the single carrier status of stock clerks and office & clerical employees.

Following the NMBโ€™s single carrier ruling, the IAM will have 14 days to provide evidence that sufficient interest exists in that employee classification to warrant an election. Proof of interest is demonstrated by a combination of the IAMโ€™s current pre-merger Northwest membership plus signed election request cards from pre-merger Delta employees totaling at least 35 percent of eligible employees in each classification.

Read the full press release:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 777-232 LR (Longer Range) N710DN (msn 40560) climbs away from Everett (Paine Field).

China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines are pushing consolidation of their cargo subsidiaries

China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Shanghai Airlines (Shanghai) are now pushing for consolidation of their cargo subsidiaries according to this published report.

China Eastern’s China Cargo Airlines and Shanghai Airlines’ Shanghai Cargo Airlines would be merged if parent China Eastern can reach agreement with some of the external stockholders of both subsidiaries. China Eastern needs to consult with those shareholders to agree on any restructuring.

Read the full report:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. China Cargo Airlines’ brand new Boeing 777-F6N B-2077 (msn 37713) departs from Everett (Paine Field).

Boeing 747-8 Freighter Receives Expanded Type Inspection Authorization

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) received expanded type inspection authorization (TIA) from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the 747-8 Freighter on June 11. This authorization clears the way for FAA personnel to participate in test flights and collect required data.

With the issuance of TIA, the 747 program is beginning expanded certification testing. During this phase of testing, the extremes of the flight envelope are explored. Testing conditions include operations in hot and cold weather as well as takeoffs and landings at high-altitude airports. In addition, over-speed conditions, hard landings and engine-out conditions are tested.

The entire flight-test program calls for a total of about 3,700 hours of ground and air testing. The first 747-8 Freighter delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year. The first customer is Cargolux.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. The third 747-8F test aircraft, Boeing 747-8KZF N5017Q (msn 36136) is seen at Everett (Paine Field).

ANA to start flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner overseas in March

ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) expects to take delivery of the first Boeing 787-881 Dreamliner in November. The new type will first enter revenue service on domestic routes in Japan followed by the first international service in March 2011.

Read the full report in Bloomberg/Businessweek:

CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. The first Dreamliner to receive an airline livery is this 787-881 registered N787EX (msn 34488) in ANA’ colors at Everett (Paine Field).