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Photos: Delta’s First Airbus A350-900XWB Rolls Out of the Toulouse Paint Shop
On Wednesday, Delta’s first Airbus A350-900XWB emerged from the paint shop near the manufacturer’s facility in Toulouse, France dawning the carrier’s paint scheme. This is the first of 25 frames that the Atlanta-based airline currently has on order. Delta’s “flagship” A350 will feature the carrier’s highly-anticipated Delta One Suites in addition to a new premium […]
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Photos: American Rolls out New AstroJet-Themed Boeing 737-800
American’s AstroJet retro paint scheme has been a long-enduring staple of the airline’s fleet. It is beloved among aviation enthusiasts and airline employees alike while still being recognizable by seasoned passengers. The original livery was painted on N951AA (ship 3CF), the carrier’s 50th Boeing 737 aircraft which was delivered in 2000. Last month, that aircraft […]
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United Debuts Refreshed Transcontinental Product, Adds Premium Boston to San Francisco Flight
On Wednesday, Chicago-based United Airlines outlined new enhancements for the airline’s transcontinental product between Boston and San Francisco along with flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Newark. Starting on July 1, the carrier will add premium cross-country service between Boston and San Francisco in addition to its current premium transcontinental service, which it […]
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Russia’s MC-21-300 Jet Quietly Completes Maiden Flight
The MC-21-300 commercial jet took off on its first flight from Irkut’s manufacturing facility in Irkutsk, Russia on Sunday. This unannounced first flight is a milestone for the program as the manufacturer aims to compete with Boeing and Airbus for narrowbody aircraft development. The initial flight lasted approximately 30 minutes while maintaining an altitude of […]
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How to Catch a Ride on One of the Few Remaining U.S. Based 747s
The iconic Boeing 747 has become a dying breed in the U.S. While airlines around the world, including British Airways and Lufthansa, will continue to operate the aircraft in the foreseeable future, U.S. airlines are saying goodbye to the “Queen of the Skies.” Delta and United remain the only carriers in the U.S. that still maintain diminishing fleets of […]
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WestJet Inks Deal With Boeing for up to 20 787-9 Dreamliners
Calgary-based low-cost carrier WestJet announced Tuesday a definitive purchase agreement for up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The agreement includes commitments for 10 of the stretched Dreamliner variants to be delivered from the first quarter of 2019 to December 2021. The airline also has options for 10 additional 787 aircraft with delivery expected between 2020 […]
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Virgin America Becomes World’s First Airbus A321neo Operator
On Thursday, Virgin America took delivery of their first Airbus A321neo aircraft, becoming the initial operator for the Airbus narrow-body airplane. The New Engine Option (NEO) aircraft is powered by CFM International’s LEAP-1A power plants, which reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 15 percent. The engines also provide a 50 percent cut in overall […]
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Documenting History: An Interview with Veteran Boeing Corporate Photographer Bob Ferguson
Photographing airplanes for a manufacturer like Boeing serves as a way of documenting history in one sense. Numerous aircraft have changed the way in which the world moves, including Boeing’s emblematic 747 or 707. While veteran Boeing corporate photographer Bob Ferguson was not hired to take pictures of these 1950s and 1960s unveilings, he has […]
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Southwest Outlines New 737 MAX 8 Routes, Announces 737-300 Retirement Date
Southwest has announced initial routes for its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft following the opening of the carrier’s Fall 2017 schedule. Also, with the addition of the 737 MAX, the Dallas-based airline is retiring their 737-300 fleet. The 737 MAX 8 will join Southwest’s schedule on Oct. 1, 2017, operating between Dallas to Houston (flight […]
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The Ultimate Planespotter: An Interview With Airbus Corporate Photographer Alexandre Doumenjou
Everyone has their own way of taking pictures of airplanes; some use an iPhone or a basic digital camera, while others might purchase professional camera equipment. Many planespotters don’t receive monetary compensation for braving the elements to photograph airplanes. But for many, it isn’t about the compensation, but rather about a passion for aviation. For […]