Mateen Kontoravdis

News

Spirit Announces New Destination, Faces Tough Competition

November 16, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Just two days after announcing Jacksonville, Florida as its next destination, Spirit Airlines added a 70th city to its route network on Thursday. The airline held an employee conference at its headquarters in Miami to

Planes

Stuck in Cyprus: GECAS Unable to Repossess Cobalt Planes

October 26, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Cyprus’ Cobalt Air suspended operations indefinitely on Oct. 18, 2018, just days after it was reported that the airline was struggling financially. The 2017 Center for Aviation Start-up of the Year recipient left approximately 200

News

Another European Airline in Financial Trouble?

October 13, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Trade war tensions with China are rising in the U.S. as President Donald Trump creates new barriers for Chinese trade. While this has been occurring, Cyprus has kept its doors wide open to Chinese investment

Airports

Lufthansa Enters and Condor Exits Austin Market

October 10, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Buried deep in a press release sent on Sept. 27, Lufthansa gave a glimpse of hope for its shrinking Frankfurt hub which keeps seeing capacity reduction and international flights being transferred to the nearby Munich

Planes

United to Initially Fly 787-10 Dreamliner on Transcon Routes

September 30, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

This year has already been a busy one for United Airlines, which debuted the first 737 MAX 9 in the U.S. in early June from its Houston Intercontinental hub. The Chicago-based airline will also be

Planes

Etihad, United 787-10s Make First Appearances as Boeing Moves Dreamliners from Charleston Plant to Everett

September 12, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Hurricane Florence is quickly approaching the U.S. East Coast, with initial landfall expected to be made on Thursday along the coast of North and South Carolina. Millions of people are preparing their homes and businesses

News

Philippine Airlines Continues A340 Fleet Replacement with Second A350 Delivery

August 15, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

A second A350-900 for Philippine Airlines (PAL) will land in Manila on Wednesday, less than one month after the airline took delivery of its first of the aircraft type on July 17. With three more

Photos

Inside United’s Latest Polaris Lounge in Houston

July 2, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

On Friday, United opened the doors to its latest Polaris Lounge at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Located inside United’s Terminal E, near gate E12 and the United Club, two sliding glass doors lead

Planes

Delta’s Refurbished 777 is a Win For Passengers

June 23, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Earlier this month, Delta unveiled its first refurbished Boeing 777-200 featuring the carrier’s new business and premium economy classes. The airline operates a fleet of 18 Boeing 777-200s, with ten Long Range (LR) variants and

Top Story

ViaAir Continues Rapid Expansion at Largest Hub

June 21, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

On Tuesday, just over one year after commencing its first nonstop flight from Austin Bergstrom International Airport, ViaAir announced its eighth destination from the airport’s new South Terminal. The Orlando-based carrier will connect Austin with

Top Story

First A320neo Delivered in the Middle East

June 12, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

The first Airbus A320neo has officially been delivered in the Middle East after Jazeera Airways took delivery of its first of the type on Sunday. The aircraft, 9K-CAQ, first arrived in the Middle East on

Planes

Photos: A First Look as United Kicks Off 737 MAX 9 Flights

June 9, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

On Thursday, just minutes before 8:00 a.m., UA686 took to the skies from Houston (IAH) for Orlando, marking the first ever revenue Boeing 737 MAX 9 flight in North America. Just about two hours later,

Top Story

Singapore Details Restart of World’s Longest Flight

May 30, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

After initially announcing its intentions to restart non-stop flights to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) from Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) in 2015, Singapore Airlines confirmed today that the world’s longest flight will once again commence

Planes

XiamenAir Takes Delivery of 200th Jet and New Aircraft Type Following Recent Success

May 30, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

On Sunday, XiamenAir took delivery of its newest aircraft, marking the 200th delivery to the airline since it began flying in 1984. The occasion is cause for double celebration, as the Fujian Province-based airline is

Exclusive

Exclusive: Last Commercially Operating Boeing 747SP Flown to Retirement in Iran

May 25, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Iran’s history of turbulent relations with Western nations has greatly impacted its aviation industry and forced aging aircraft to continue flying as newer replacements were unobtainable. As a result, aviation enthusiasts from around the world

Top Story

Norwegian Rejects Two Buyout Offers From IAG

May 4, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Norwegian Air Shuttle confirmed on Friday that it has rejected two separate offers from International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling. The news comes just weeks after

News

A Look at Southwest’s Upcoming Hawaii Flights

May 4, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Last October, Southwest Airlines confirmed its intentions to begin flights to Hawaii in the future, following years of speculation. Last week during an earnings call, the airline released more information with Southwest’s chairman and CEO

Top Story

Qantas Announces 747 Retirement and Adds More Dreamliners

May 1, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

The Boeing 747’s final days at Qantas is quickly looming after the carrier announced an official retirement for the remaining aircraft in its fleet. Right now, the airline is still flying four 747-400s and six

Top Story

Virgin America’s Final Flight Takes Off into the Night Sky

April 25, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

On Tuesday tonight, Virgin America’s last ever flight departed, marking the end of an era for Richard Branson’s San Francisco-based startup carrier. VX1948 is the airline’s last revenue departure, from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Planes

As Times Change for the 747, KLM Still Holds the Rare Key to One of the Queen’s Gems

April 20, 2018 Mateen Kontoravdis

Since its first flight in 1988, the Boeing 747-400 has seen five different versions produced. One of the unique versions was the 747-400M, more affectionately known as the ‘Combi.’ The unique mixed-use aircraft flew its

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Articles by Mateen Kontoravdis

Spirit Announces New Destination, Faces Tough Competition

Stuck in Cyprus: GECAS Unable to Repossess Cobalt Planes

Another European Airline in Financial Trouble?

Lufthansa Enters and Condor Exits Austin Market

United to Initially Fly 787-10 Dreamliner on Transcon Routes

Etihad, United 787-10s Make First Appearances as Boeing Moves Dreamliners from Charleston Plant to Everett

Philippine Airlines Continues A340 Fleet Replacement with Second A350 Delivery

Inside United’s Latest Polaris Lounge in Houston

Delta’s Refurbished 777 is a Win For Passengers

ViaAir Continues Rapid Expansion at Largest Hub

First A320neo Delivered in the Middle East

Photos: A First Look as United Kicks Off 737 MAX 9 Flights

Singapore Details Restart of World’s Longest Flight

XiamenAir Takes Delivery of 200th Jet and New Aircraft Type Following Recent Success

Exclusive: Last Commercially Operating Boeing 747SP Flown to Retirement in Iran

Norwegian Rejects Two Buyout Offers From IAG

A Look at Southwest’s Upcoming Hawaii Flights

Qantas Announces 747 Retirement and Adds More Dreamliners

Virgin America’s Final Flight Takes Off into the Night Sky

As Times Change for the 747, KLM Still Holds the Rare Key to One of the Queen’s Gems

Picking Up the Pieces: Libyan Carriers Find Their Postwar Footing

LATAM Adds New Routes from Lima Hub Despite Airport Congestion

Delta Tacks on More Airbus A330neo Orders to Support International Growth Strategy

Nigeria’s Aging Aircraft Struggle Continues as Government Seeks Increased Control

Brexit Draft Document Continues Uncertainty for Future of U.K-E.U. Aviation