A New Pacific (formerly Northern Pacific) Boeing 757. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
New Pacific Airlines, an Anchorage-based carrier that began operations in 2023, is cutting all of its scheduled flights. The airline’s inaugural flight was from Ontario, Calif. to Las Vegas before eventually operating to cities including Reno and Nashville. At its peak, the carrier only operated four scheduled routes.
The carrier ended scheduled service with only one route from Ontario to Nashville. Other routes such as Ontario to Las Vegas were suspended earlier this year.
New Agreement
Last week, Elevate Aviation Group and New Pacific Airlines signed an agreement to bring the carrier more opportunities in the private aviation space. The airline’s new agreement with Elevate Aviation Group is planned to allow the carrier to operate more charter flights.
The company specializes in chartering artists, sports teams, public figures, and more. “At New Pacific Airlines, we are dedicated to redefining the standards of aviation services. Our partnership with Elevate Aviation Group is a testament to our commitment to providing unparalleled travel experiences. Together, we will set new benchmarks for excellence in the private aviation sector,” New Pacific chief Rob McKinney said in a press release.
Future Plans
While the carrier has no firm plans to continue scheduled flights, a spokesperson said it is not off the table. Plans to operate scheduled flights may return in the future, they shared.
Jeremy is an aspiring pilot currently undergoing training, backed by nearly five years of proficient writing experience. Having lived in three countries and attending an aeronautical university, Jeremy boasts extensive exposure to the field of aviation. His journalistic proficiency and fascination for flying equips him to make meaningful contributions to the aviation community.
Boeing’s Top Brass Ousted in Management Shake-Up
Multiple Boeing leaders are out of a job, including CEO Dave Calhoun and Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal, following sweeping top-level changes.
A Boeing 777X testplane taxis out for its first flight. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
Multiple Boeing leaders are out of a job, including CEO Dave Calhoun and Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal. The company announced sweeping leadership changes early Monday morning.
Dave Calhoun, who was appointed as President and CEO of Boeing in 2020, was originally hired to fix Boeing’s ongoing manufacturing woes. His appointment followed back-to-back fatal accidents involving the 737 MAX. Before taking the helm at Boeing, Calhoun had been on the company’s board of directors since 2009.
According to Boeing, Calhoun will step down by the end of 2024 to “complete the critical work underway to stabilize and position the company for the future.” No replacement was named for his position.
“As we begin this period of transition, I want to assure you, we will remain squarely focused on completing the work we have done together to return our company to stability after the extraordinary challenges of the past five years, with safety and quality at the forefront of everything that we do,” Calhoun said in a letter to employees.
Joining Calhoun, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Stan Deal also plans to leave the company. Holding the position since October 2019, Deal’s departure becomes effective immediately on Monday.
Replacing Deal will be Boeing’s Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Pope, who was appointed to the role from leading Boeing Global Services in January 2024.
Board Changes
Boeing’s announcement also includes changes on the board of directors level. Long-time board appointee Larry Kellner will not stand for re-election as chair.
Kellner has been on Boeing’s board for 13 years. IN 2019, he was appointed as independent chair. Steve Mollenkopf will fill Kellner’s position having been appointed to the company’s board in 2020.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Wizz Air will operate its A320 family aircraft on new Abu Dhabi flights.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Aron Mester)
Travelers looking to fly to the Maldives through one of the Middle Eastern gateways might notice one strange disadvantage to flying to their destination with Wizz Air. The carrier seems to be taking longer than its competitors to fly the route.
Not All Aircraft Are Made The Same
While Wizz Air flies only their Airbus A321neo aircraft on the route, Etihad Airways is flying a mix of Boeing 787s and its A321ceos. At first glance, the aircraft advantage might be on the Wizz Air side. The A321neo version of the type is newer, thus usually the aircraft operated by Wizz Air will be a few years younger than its counterpart.
The reality is, the flight time of Wizz Air is listed as 5:20, while Etihad flying the same route has it at 4:20 or 4:25 depending on the aircraft. The difference is significant, and the actual flight times prove its existence.
Abu Dhabi to Malé flight schedule (Photo: Google Flights)
The Flightpath Solves The Mystery
The source of the difference becomes apparent when looking at the flight path of the aircraft. While Etihad, or even low-cost Flydubai for that matter, fly an almost direct route over the Arabian Sea, Wizz Air makes quite a detour along the coast of the Indian subcontinent.
Visiting India is definitely not part of the ticket sold by Wizz Air. A longer flight also means more fuel, crew, and other costs for the carrier.
The reason is quite technical. The International Civil Aviation Organization requires a very specific certification to allow for flights over large bodies of water or other remote areas. Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards, ETOPS in short, is the technical term used for flights where the flight paths take the aircraft more than 60 minutes away from a suitable diversion airport, and it has been developed to ensure that if a twin-engine aircraft encounters any trouble on the way it can safely make it to a diversion airport with only one engine running.
The Wizz Air AUH-MLE flight path (Photo: flightradar24.com)
A Plane Is Not Enough
The ETOPS certification is not purely granted based on the aircraft type and configuration. This is only a prerequisite. The next step is certifying the airline to actually perform the ETOPS flights. The operator has to prove to its home country’s aviation regulatory body that it is capable of ETOPS flights as an organization. This includes compliance with additional special engineering and flight crew procedures in addition to the normal ones.
Although the carrier does not explicitly mention the reason for the lack of ETOPS certification, it is speculated that this is merely a cost-saving measure. The lack of the certificate has no impact on the safety of passengers when flying the route.
A passionate aviation enthusiast that started off his career as an aerospace engineer, but found his true calling on the commercial side of the airline business. Now as a finance guy among avgeeks and an avgeek among finance guys, he has experience working in the Revenue Divisions of three airlines. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, but admittedly sometimes is more about the journey than the destination.
Delta A350 Spotted in Toulouse With Special Livery
A Delta Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft caught the attention of planespotters in Toulouse, France this weekend sporting a special livery.
A Delta A350-900XWB in Los Angeles. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ryan Ewing)
A Delta Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft caught the attention of plane spotters in Toulouse, France this weekend. The aircraft – registered as N522DZ – sported a special livery featuring elements associated with the 2028 Olympic Games.
The special livery would be the first on Delta’s A350 fleet. While the aircraft has not yet been delivered, it features ‘LA28’ designs along the fuselage. The 2028 Olympics are set to take place in Los Angeles which is a Delta hub.
The carrier is a major sponsor of the Olympics, having partnered with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) for several years. Previously, Delta has supported the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.
The aircraft is awaiting engines at Airbus’ Toulouse manufacturing facility.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Terminal D at DFW Airport (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has embarked on a review of data collection and protection policies of the 10 largest carriers in the U.S. The aim of the review is to better understand how airlines are handling personal passenger data, according to the agency.
From these findings, the DOT says it will be able to implement best practices and more effective regulations for data protection.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, “Airline passengers should have confidence that their personal information is not being shared improperly with third parties or mishandled by employees.”
Secretary Buttigieg further expressed that “This review of airline practices is the beginning of a new initiative by DOT to ensure airlines are being good stewards of sensitive passenger data.”
What Will the DOT Gather?
The DOT says it will gather intel based on three categories:
Policies and procedures relating to the collection, maintenance, handling, and use of airlines’ personal information, including policies and procedures relating to monetization of passenger data, targeted advertising, and prevention of data breaches.
Complaints alleging that airline employees or contractors mishandled personal information or otherwise alleging that an airline violated an individual’s privacy.
Information regarding privacy training, including materials used for training, types of personnel that receive the training, and the frequency of the training.
The transport agency has also requested responses from the 10 largest carriers in the nation. These airlines include:
Allegiant
Alaska
American
Delta
Frontier
Hawaiian
JetBlue
Southwest
Spirit
United
Furthermore, the department in a statement said, “As DOT finds evidence of problematic practices, the Department will take action, which could mean investigations, enforcement actions, guidance, or rulemaking.”
When a passenger books a flight on these airlines, they share information such as names, home addresses, and birthdates. During in-flight services, the carrier collects data on seating preferences, meal preferences, and inflight entertainment choices. This information can potentially be shared with third parties to enhance their market reach.
Based in Kingston, Jamaica, Tarik grew up being fascinated with the daily operations of airports and airlines. Overtime his interest turned into the economics surrounding the aviation industry and how the industry facilitates growth in local sectors and promotes connectivity with regional neighbors.
Allegiant Secures New Tentative Agreement For Flight Attendants
Allegiant and the Transport Workers Union local 577 have reached a consensus on a new tentative agreement for the carrier's flight attendants.
An Allegiant A319 in Pittsburgh.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Allegiant recently reached a new tentative agreement (TA) with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) chapter 577 which represents the flight attendants who work for the Las Vegas-based ultra-low-cost carrier. This new agreement is for the successor of the respective parties’ first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that was amendable on Dec. 31, 2022.
“We are encouraged the negotiating teams for both Allegiant and the TWU have come to a tentative agreement,” Allegiant President Gregory C. Anderson said in a press release. “Our cabin crew take care of our customers as our ambassadors in the sky. This contract is structured to meaningfully improve their experience and better recognize their vital role as part of Team Allegiant. We look forward to the next step in the process.”
The TWU local 577 represents over 1,800 flight attendants at the carrier across more than 24 bases in the route network. The new TA includes 25% pay increases and other quality of life improvements. Now, the union’s full membership will need to decide and vote in order for it to be ratified.
Benjamin has had a love for aviation since a young age, growing up in Tampa with a strong interest in airplane models and playing with them. When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, Benjamin took part in aviation photography for a couple of years at Gravelly Point and Dulles Airport, before dedicating planespotting to only when he traveled to the other airports. He is an avid, world traveler, having been able to reach 32 countries, yearning to explore and understand more cultures soon. Currently, Benjamin is an Air Transporation Management student at Arizona State University. He hopes to enter the airline industry to improve the passenger experience and loyalty programs while keeping up to how technology is being integrated into airports.
Insights: Number of Female U.S. Pilots at All Time High
The number of female airline transport pilots (ATPs) in the U.S. exceeded 5% for the first time in 2023, setting a new record.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 supersonic jet demonstrator takes off from the runway on its maiden flight on Friday, March 22. (Photo: Boom Supersonic)
More than two decades ago, Concorde, the only successful supersonic airliner, was retired for good. But Friday, at Mojave Air & Space Port (KMHV) in California—where the Bell X-1 broke the sound barrier for the first time in 1947—another supersonic aircraft made its maiden voyage.
Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 jet demonstrator did not reach supersonic speeds during the test flight. But the inaugural flight of the aircraft—a precursor to Boom’s supersonic, sustainable aviation fuel-powered Overture—marks a key milestone nonetheless.
“When I last flew Concorde in 2003, I knew that this day would come,” said Captain Mike Bannister, former chief Concorde pilot for British Airways. “The first flight of the XB-1 supersonic demonstrator is a significant achievement toward making sustainable supersonic flight a reality.”
The XB-1, which Boom says is the world’s first independently developed civil supersonic jet, combines carbon fiber composites, advanced avionics, digitally optimized aerodynamics, and an advanced supersonic propulsion system. These technologies will also be present on Overture, which is being developed to carry 64-80 at twice the speed of subsonic airliners.
The demonstrator is 62.6 feet long with a 21-foot wingspan. Its three GE J85-15 engines produce a combined max thrust of 12,300 pounds of force. Boom chief test pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker took it off the runway at Mojave Air & Space Port, flying in the same airspace that has hosted many historic first flights.
The XB-1 gears up for takeoff from the runway at Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, California, on Friday, March 22. (Photo: Boom Supersonic)
“I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding Boom in 2014, and it marks the most significant milestone yet on our path to bring supersonic travel to passengers worldwide,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic.
A T-38 chase aircraft monitored the XB-1 in the air, verifying factors such as altitude, airspeed, and airworthiness during flight. The company performed an initial assessment of the XB-1’s handling qualities, including airspeed checks with the chase aircraft, and assessed its stability in the landing attitude at a high angle of attack.
According to Boom, the aircraft met all of its test objectives. These included achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds up to 238 knots (273 mph).
The test flight is meant to validate the XB-1’s key technologies, such as an augmented reality vision system comprising two nose-mounted cameras that feed a high-resolution pilot display.
Another crucial component tested was the engine, which converts kinetic energy to pressure energy with supersonic intakes that slow supersonic air to subsonic speeds. Boom says this will allow conventional jet engines to power Overture from takeoff through supersonic flight.
A look at the XB-1’s high-resolution pilot display. (Photo: Boom Supersonic)
The next step for the engineering team will be expanding the flight envelope for the XB-1. That will allow it to validate its performance and handling qualities through and beyond Mach 1, speeds Overture is expected to reach.
Boom intends for Overture to fly at Mach 1.7, or just over 1,300 mph. For comparison, Concorde flew at Mach 2. But unlike Concorde, Overture is designed to run on 100 percent SAF.
Leonardo is the engineering lead for the Overture’s fuselage structural components integration and will manufacture the aircraft’s composite structure. Other parts that will come from suppliers include wings designed by Aernnova, nacelles manufactured by Collins Aerospace, and Honeywell’s Anthem flight deck.
Scholl previously told The New York Times that the company’s goal is to fly passengers anywhere in the world within four hours—for only $100. That’s inexpensive compared to most one-way commercial flights, let alone Concorde, which cost passengers thousands of dollars.
Rendering of Boom’s Overture Aircraft. (Photo rendering: Boom)
However, don’t worry about supersonic booms over your backyard. Overture will only fly supersonic on overwater routes, since the FAA has banned it over the continental U.S.
Boom’s order backlog for Overture includes 130 orders and preorders, including 15 aircraft for American Airlines and 20 apiece for United Airlines and Japan Airlines.
The manufacturer’s $60 million U.S. Air Force contract should help speed development of the aircraft, giving it a potential customer as well. Boom is also partnered with Northrop Grumman to design a special mission variant of Overture for potential U.S. military operations, disaster response, and high-speed surveillance.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
An Icelandair Boeing 757-200 in the "Hekla Aurora" northern lights special livery (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is excited to launch our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.
Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.
In 2015, Icelandair unveiled a special livery highlighting one of Iceland’s most famous natural icons. The Boeing 757-200 is adorned with a special paint job that showcases the beauty of the northern lights.
Hekla Aurora: Showcasing a Magnificent Natural Wonder
The bottom portion of the aircraft shows a dark Icelandic winter landscape with snow-covered mountains. Above that is the main portion of the special livery, which shows the beautiful colors of the northern lights, or the aurora borealis. The tail of the aircraft has the standard tail of Icelandair’s pre-2022 livery.
“Hekla” is a traditional Icelandic girl’s name and the name of one of Iceland’s most active and famous volcanoes. The second part of the livery’s name, “Aurora,” is a reference to the northern lights.
Icelandair launched the special livery as part of a campaign to promote free stopovers in Iceland on transatlantic itineraries. To this day, the airline offers stopovers in Iceland at no additional cost to travelers flying between North America and Europe, in an effort to promote tourism in Iceland. Almost a decade after its launch, the special livery also remains in service.
The special livery is painted on a 30-year-old Boeing 757-200 registered as TF-FIU. The aircraft was in service for 10 years with Iberia before Icelandair took delivery of it in 2004. Icelandair’s Boeing 757s are slated to be replaced by Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A321LR/XLR aircraft in the coming years.
Bringing the Northern Lights to the Onboard Experience
Not only does the exterior of the aircraft showcase the northern lights, but Icelandair has also incorporated elements of the natural phenomenon inside the aircraft. The cabin has LED mood lighting installed that displays an aurora borealis light show throughout the interior of the aircraft.
The interior of Icelandair’s “Hekla Aurora” Boeing 757 features LED mood lighting that simulates the northern lights (Photo: Icelandair)
Icelandair brought in renowned Icelandic meteorologist and former Icelandair pilot Birta Lif to celebrate the launch of the livery back in 2015. “Hekla Aurora provides an authentic Aurora Borealis experience to all those who fly on her,” Lif stated. “The on-board light show provides the perfect beginning to any transatlantic flight by showcasing the natural beauty of Iceland’s famous northern lights.”
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
A former American A330-200 in storage (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Once a staple of the US Airways long-haul fleet, few American Airbus A330s remain at an aircraft storage facility in Roswell, N.M. The aircraft joined the American fleet in 2013 as part of the merger with US Airways.
In 2000, US Airways received its first A330. The airline later operated both the A330-200 and -300 variants. Before being retired in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, American had 15 A330-200s and nine A330-300s in its fleet.
Stored former American A330-200s in Roswell, N.M. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
The fleet was largely flown on European routes from the carrier’s Philadelphia and Charlotte hubs. During the winter, it wasn’t uncommon to see the aircraft on a handful of domestic routes as well.
A stored former American A330-200 in the desert (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Despite some 2023 rumors of the fleet’s return to service, that’s not the case. In Roswell, a handful of A330-200s remain intact, which had an average age of just over eight years old before retirement.
A scrapped ex-American A330-300 in Roswell (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
American’s A330s quickly fell victim to industry woes as a result of the pandemic. Except for one aircraft, which is in the later stages of the scrapping process, the older A330-300 fleet has been dismantled with only a few remnants remaining.
Tail of a former American A330-300 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
The A330s joined the carrier’s Boeing 757s/767s and E190s when they were retired due to the pandemic. Now, the airline operates an all-Boeing widebody fleet of 787s and 777s.
Editor’s Note: Photos in this story were taken on March 2, 2024.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
