Tag: first (Page 30 of 30)

Delta’s First A330-900neo Rolls Out of Paint Shop

January 25, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Delta’s first A330-900neo left the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, France, this weekend, sporting its signature Delta livery. Though at first glance, the aircraft might look ready for takeoff – a closer look reveals something major still missing: the plane’s engines, which will be painted separately and mounted in the coming days.

Once the finishing touches are complete, the A330-900neo will take to the skies for testing before being delivered to Delta later this year.

Delta will be the first North American operator of the A330-900neo, which will offer the latest in innovative design and technology for customers. Delta’s A330-900neo will feature all four branded seat products – Delta One suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin – a move Delta is making across its widebody fleet to give customers greater choice than ever before.

The jet will also feature memory foam cushions throughout the aircraft and will be the first Delta widebody to feature the new wireless IFE system developed by Delta Flight Products, the airline’s wholly owned cabin interiors start up.

This aircraft is the first of 35 next-generation A330-900neos on order by Delta and is expected to begin service later in 2019.

Story from http://www.delta.com Images from http://www.airbus.com

Cathay Pacific Again Sells First-class Tickets at Economy Rates

January 14, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

From BBC News

A group of lucky Cathay Pacific customers have scored first-class seats at economy prices, in the second fare blunder by the airline this month.

Tickets on trips from Hong Kong to Portugal were sold on the airline’s website for $1,512, instead of $16,000 usually charged for a similar journey.

The carrier said it would honour the tickets as it investigates the cause of the error.

It extends a recent run of blows to the firm including a huge data breach.

The mispriced fares were available on Cathay Pacific’s website on Sunday.

First-class flights from Lisbon to Hong Kong – via London with a connecting flight – were offered for $1,512 (£1,177), according to the South China Morning Post.

A similar first-class journey through Frankfurt would cost $16,000.

In a statement, the Hong Kong carrier said it would honour the tickets.

“We are looking into the root cause of this incident both internally and externally with our vendors,” it said.

“For the very small number of customers who have purchased these tickets, we look forward to welcoming you on board to enjoy our premium services.”

Just two weeks ago the airline made the same blunder.

Lucky flyers made off with business-class seats on flights from Vietnam to New York for about $675 return. They should have cost $16,000.

At the time, the carrier acknowledged its “mistake” and again, said it would welcome the passengers onboard.

Cathay Pacific to honour $16,000 fares sold for $675

Airlines have a mixed history of honouring tickets sold in error.

Singapore Airlines, for example, honoured tickets sold for less than half price in 2014. But United Airlines cancelled transatlantic tickets sold for less than $100 by a “third party software provider” the following year.

A challenging year

The latest stumble extends a bad run for Cathay Pacific.

In October, the firm was the subject of a data breach in its IT systems, jeopardising the personal information of up to 9.4 million passengers.

Huge data hack hits Cathay Pacific

A month earlier, it had to send one of its planes back to the paint shop after spelling the airline’s name “Cathay Paciic” on the side of a jet.

Those missteps come as the airline tries to return to profitability after posting its first ever back-to-back annual loss in March.

Cathay Pacific has struggled against competition, particularly from low-cost Chinese carriers covering Hong Kong, mainland China and South East Asia.

Image from http://www.cathaypacific.com

Boeing Delivers First 737 MAX for Cayman & Fiji Airways

December 3, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

SEATTLE, Nov. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Air Lease Corp. [NYSE: AL; “ALC”] today delivered the first 737 MAX 8 for Cayman Airways. The first 737 MAX to enter service in the Caribbean marks the beginning of the airline’s plans to modernize its fleet and expand its network.

“Cayman Airways is able to achieve the highest levels of efficiency with the 737 MAX 8, along with unparalleled levels of reliability and comfort,” said Cayman Airways President and CEO Fabian Whorms. “In addition, the MAX’s incredible range opens up the potential for several new markets within the Americas.”

Cayman Airways plans to take delivery of four MAX 8 airplanes to replace its fleet of 737 Classics.

Compared to the 737-300, the MAX 8 offers 30 percent greater seat capacity, and a more than 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency per seat. The MAX achieves the higher levels of performance with the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, and other airframe enhancements.

“ALC is pleased to announce this new Boeing 737 MAX 8 delivery with Cayman Airways today,” said Steven F. Udvar-Hἁzy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “With this new MAX 8 and the additional three aircraft set to deliver from ALC, Cayman Airways is successfully modernizing its fleet with the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient aircraft to enhance the airline’s overall operations, maximize customer comfort and bring a new standard of excellence for travelers to and from the Cayman Islands.”

“We are delighted to open a new chapter in our partnership with Cayman Airways and ALC, and bring the 737 MAX to the Caribbean,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company. “The 737 MAX will help Cayman achieve significant improvement in performance and operating costs, while providing an even better flying experience for their passengers.”

To prepare for their new 737 MAX, Cayman Airways will train pilots at Boeing Global Services’ Miami training campus. Under this agreement, Cayman will use Boeing simulators for its entire 737 fleet including 737 Classics and Next-Generation 737s.

The 737 MAX family is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating about 4,800 orders from more than 100 customers worldwide. Boeing has delivered more than 200 737 MAX airplanes since May 2017.

Story from www.boeing.com Image from www.caymanairways.com

SEATTLE, Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first 737 MAX for Fiji Airways, which plans to use the fuel-efficient, longer-range version of the popular 737 jet to expand and modernize its single-aisle fleet.

“We are thrilled to take delivery of our very first 737 MAX 8, named Island of Kadavu,” said Andre Viljoen, Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways. “The introduction of the 737 MAX is the beginning of a new chapter for Fiji Airways and we look forward to taking advantage of the airplane’s superior performance and economics. These new airplanes will enable us to offer a world-class customer experience through the new Boeing Sky Interior cabins with in-seat entertainment for all guests.”

Fiji Airways plans to take delivery of five MAX 8 airplanes, which will build on the success of its fleet of Next-Generations 737s. The MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, and other airframe enhancements to improve performance and reduce operating costs.

Compared to the previous 737 model, the MAX 8 can fly 600 nautical miles farther, while providing 14 percent better fuel efficiency. The MAX 8 can seat up to 178 passengers in a standard two-class configuration and fly 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 kilometers).

“We are delighted to welcome Fiji Airways to the MAX family of operators and we are thrilled they will be the first 737 MAX operator in the Pacific Islands,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company. “We are honored by their continued partnership and confidence in Boeing products. The market-leading efficiency of the MAX will pay immediate dividends for Fiji Airways and will help them improve their operation and route network.”

Based at Nadi International Airport, Fiji Airways serves 13 countries and 31 destinations/cities including Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands (Oceania), the United States, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. It also has an extended network of 108 international destinations through its codeshare partners.

In addition to modernizing its fleet, Fiji Airways will use Boeing Global Services to enhance its operations. These services include Airplane Health Management, which generates real-time, predictive service alerts, and Software Distribution Tools, which empowers airlines to securely manage digital ground-based data and efficiently manage software parts.

Story from www.boeing.com Image from www.fijisun.com.fj

Discounts Soar With French La Compagnie Airlines-Video

November 19, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Looking to get away for the holidays? La Compagnie offers business class flights between New York and Paris for rates 30-50% less than the competition. Yahoo Finance’s Adam Shapiro, Julie Hyman, and Pras Subramanian speak with Jean-Charles Perino, the co-founder and executive Vice President of sales and marketing at La Compagnie.

You can watch the video at the link below!

Discounts Soar With La Compagnie

In other La Compagnie news, the airline will update its fleet from the existing Boeing 757 to the all-new Airbus A321neo beginning in April of 2019!

https://www.lacompagnie.com/

First A330-800 Takes To The Skies Over Toulouse, France

November 6, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, 06 November 2018 – The first A330-800 took off this morning at Blagnac in Toulouse, France at 10:31am local time, for its maiden flight taking place over south-western France. The aircraft, MSN1888, will perform the dedicated flight-physics tests required for this variant.

The crew in the cockpit comprise: Experimental Test Pilots Malcolm RIDLEY and François BARRE and Test-Flight Engineer Ludovic GIRARD. Meanwhile, monitoring the aircraft systems and performance in real-time at the flight-test-engineer’s (FTE) station are Catherine SCHNEIDER and Jose CORUGEDO BERMEJO. The A330-800’s certification development programme itself will last around 300 flight-test hours, paving the way for certification in 2019. Its sibling, the larger A330-900 family member, recently completed its development testing and certification programme which validated the A330neo Family’s common engines, systems, cabin and flight & ground operations.

Launched in July 2014, the latest generation of Airbus’ widebody family, the A330neo builds on the A330ceo’s proven economics, versatility and reliability while reducing fuel consumption by a further 14 per cent per seat. The NEO’s two versions – the A330-800 and A330-900 – will accommodate 257 and 287 passengers respectively in a three-class seating layout, are powered by the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, offer new “Airspace” cabin amenities and feature a new larger span wing with Sharklet wingtip devices.

The A330 is one of the most popular widebody families ever, having received over 1,700 orders from 120 customers. More than 1,400 A330s are flying with over 120 operators worldwide. The A330neo is the latest addition to the leading Airbus widebody family, which also includes the A350 XWB and the A380, all featuring unmatched space and comfort combined with unprecedented efficiency levels and unrivalled range capability.

#A330neoFF

Story and image from www.airbus.com

Boeing, Air Lease Corp., Deliver First Air Tahiti Nui 787-9 Dreamliner

October 9, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Boeing Press Release:

Boeing, Air Lease Corp., and Air Tahiti Nui celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner, via lease from ALC. This is the first Boeing airplane to join the Tahitian airline, which plans to use the longest-range Dreamliner to replace aging A340s and connect its home base in the South Pacific with world capitals such as Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles.

Air Tahiti Nui joins other carriers in the Pacific who operate long-distance routes in switching to the super-efficient and long-range 787-9. The airplane can fly up to 7,635 nautical miles (14,140 km), while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20 to 25 percent compared to older airplanes.

Air Tahiti Nui configured its new Dreamliner to seat 294 passengers in three classes. The cabin features a new business class equipped with 30 full lie-flat seats, along with 32 premium economy seats.

“Our dream has finally become reality with the arrival of Air Tahiti Nui’s first 787-9 Dreamliner,” said Michel Monvoisin, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Air Tahiti Nui. “The Tahitian Dreamliner will make flying to one of the world’s treasures an unforgettable experience, as we introduce new seats and a culturally inspired cabin on the 787. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, the 787 Dreamliner will guide us towards another successful 20 years and beyond.”

The airline announced in 2015 it would lease two 787s through ALC and purchase two 787s directly from Boeing as part of its plan to upgrade its fleet for the future.

French Polynesia President Edouard Fritch and other government dignitaries joined the airline in celebrating the milestone delivery at Boeing’s South Carolina Delivery Center.

“We are pleased to deliver ALC’s first aircraft to Air Tahiti Nui,” said Marc Baer, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation. “The capabilities of the 787 will help enhance Air Tahiti Nui’s commercial operations and will significantly increase the efficiency of its future fleet.”

“We are honored to welcome Air Tahiti Nui as a new Boeing customer and the latest member of the 787 Dreamliner family. We are confident the airplane’s market-leading efficiency and unmatched passenger comforts will transform the airline’s operation,” said Ihssane Mounir, Vice President, Commercial Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This delivery opens a new partnership between Boeing and Air Tahiti Nui, and demonstrates the strength of our partnership with ALC.”

Image from: www.boeing.com

First Boeing 777 Finds New Home In Tucson

September 19, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) – Aviation history was made Tuesday morning when the very first Boeing 777 ever flown made its final landing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

The former Cathay Pacific airliner was donated by the company to the Pima Air & Space Museum. Built in 1994, the massive aircraft was a test plane before becoming a part of Cathay Pacific’s commercial fleet in 2000, operating more than 20,000 flights across the globe over 18 years.

I’ll have to go check it out this Saturday!

Click the link below for the full story and video!

First Boeing 777 Finds New Home