A Boeing 787-10 is towed in North Charleston. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Chuyi Chuang)
U.S.-based Boeing released its second-quarter earnings report on Wednesday morning, reporting revenue of $16.7 billion, down 2 percent from its second-quarter earnings one year prior and $0.89 billion lower than analysts’ expectations.
Boeing recorded GAAP earnings per share of $0.32 and a loss per share of $0.37 (non-GAAP), thus exceeding analysts’ prediction of a loss of 14 cents per share. The aircraft manufacturer is on track for a positive cash flow by year’s end, recording a cash-flow surplus of $0.1 billion this quarter. In the second quarter of 2021, Boeing had burned through $483 million in cash flow
“We made important progress across key programs in the second quarter and are building momentum in our turnaround,” stated Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer, Dave Calhoun in a press release.
The second quarter results can largely be contributed to the unfavorable performance and significantly lower volume in its defense sector. However, this was partially offset by its increased performance in its commercial airplane sector. The company’s deliveries of commercial aircraft rose to 121, up 42 from last year’s 79 deliveries in the second quarter. This resulted in a revenue hike of $6.2 billion, three percent greater than 2021.
The recovery of its 737 MAX has had a significant impact on the company’s performance recently. The manufacturer is slowly, but surely reviving the reputation of the aircraft, producing an average of 31 per month. Since late 2020, the aircraft has also racked up a total of 1.5 million flight hours.
“Even with demand high, we won’t chase production rates or push our system too fast,” Calhoun stated in a staff note Wednesday. “With safety and quality at the forefront, we will prioritize stability and predictability.”
The Boeing Company has had a stent of rough goings the few years. As the company seemed to have found its legs following the 737 MAX issues, new complications had arisen with its 787 Dreamliner production.
Following a delivery hiatus of the 787 Dreamliner extending more than a year due to many production flaws, the return of aircraft production and deliveries looks to be on the horizon as it nears the final stages of works with the FAA. The company’s quarterly revenue was most certainly offset by the large decrease in 787 deliveries.
Earlier this year, Boeing had stated that the Dreamliner problems would cost the company $5.5 billion, including $2 billion in irregular manufacturing costs as it slowed production to avoid a large backlog of inventory.
The return of 787 deliveries is vital for the U.S. manufacturer as customers pay the bulk of an aircraft’s price when they take delivery of the planes.
As the company continues to work through its issues, they were still able to secure a large number of Commercial Airplanes orders. The company received 169 737 MAX orders along with 13 freighters, including seven 777-8 Freighters from Lufthansa Group.
Boeing’s backlog includes over 4,200 airplanes valued at $297 billion.
Chase Hagl grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho. His love and passion for Aviation landed him in Orem, Utah where he obtained a B.S. in Aviation Management with a minor in Business Management from Utah Valley University. Chase currently works as a flight attendant in Charleston, SC and is also the primary Inflight ASAP ERC representative for startup airline, Breeze Airways. His experience in the aviation industry spans back four years, working in areas including agriculture application, customer service, maintenance, and flight ops. In his free time, Chase enjoys road biking, astronomy, and flying.
Grottaglie Spaceport in Southern Italy to be Dubbed ‘Cryptaliae Spaceport’
Artists concept of a Skykraft satellite carrier in orbit. Image: Skykraft
The Grottaglie airport in Apulia (Southern Italy), has already a strategic role within the aerospace world. It is part of the international program for the on-site production of the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” fuselages, but is currently interested in its further development as a strategic infrastructure for Europe for the growth of the aerospace and aeronautics sector, as confirmed by the identification of the same as the first Italian spaceport intended to host suborbital flights.
The spaceport is a complex of facilities, physical and technological, suitable for launching missile launchers for scientific and military purposes, able to follow the first phases of flight. On July 25, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Apulia Region, the Italian aviation authority (ENAC) and the company that manages airports in Apulia (Aeroporti di Puglia), to begin with public or private applications from the aerospace sector and give the chance to kick off the first partnerships.
Grottaglie Airport has long since shown considerable interest in aerospace. In May 2019, the Apulian airport hosted the International Conference “Grottaglie Spaceport for Europe,” which brought together leaders of European aerospace players from both institutions and commercial sectors to exchange and share their views on plans for the Grottaglie spaceport.
A significant role within the new space economy sector has commercial suborbital transportation, which, by taking advantage of emerging technologies, will allow flight operations for research and experimentation activities in microgravity and, in the future, for launching satellites into orbit. Grottaglie Airport has been identified as a site to develop a regulatory development project to enable commercial suborbital transport operations and support the development of this particular sector.
The concept of space tourism also continues to grow in popularity, and there are a growing number of companies engaged in activities in this emerging field, such as Virgin Galactic, SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Grottaglie Airport will not only be a Spaceport for the European strategic development of autonomous access to Space (suborbital flights and re-entries to the base of space operations, etc.), but also an aeronautical test bed for the development, testing and certification of industrial and scientific research projects in the aeronautical/aerospace field.
The Grottaglie airport will be the first spaceport in Italy, as well as the first in Western Europe.
Vincenzo graduated in 2019 in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical curriculum, focusing his thesis on Human Factors in aircraft maintenance. In 2022 he pursued his master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy. He combines his journalistic activities with his work as a Reliability Engineer at Zetalab.
A Comac C919 conducting high-speed taxiing (Photo: COMAC)
According to a social media post by The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China(COMAC) on July 23, the COMAC C919 has completed all flight test tasks and is in the final certification phase.
The completion marks a significant milestone for the program and could mean certification in the coming months.For reference, the country’s first home-grown passenger jet, COMAC ARJ21, received its certification a month after completing flight tests.
While the first ARJ21 delivery happened two years after certification, COMAC anticipates delivering the first C919s merely months following certification. China Eastern Airlines is the launch customer for the type and expects to receive three airplanes in 2022.
— ChinaAviationReview (@ChinaAvReview) July 24, 2022
The Chinese manufacturer released a video of its test airplanes performing an elephant walk to celebrate this accomplishment. In the meantime, the first production C919 is performing route simulation tests across the country.
The Airplane
C919 is a narrowbody airplane with 150 seats, directly competing with the Boeing 737 family and Airbus A320 family. While the type currently has 169 firm orders, all are from domestic airlines or lessors. The plane bears the country’s ambition to challenge Boeing and Airbus’s duopoly in this segment.
The airplane’s main structure uses aluminum alloys, similar to the construction of the A320 and 737. In addition, it also uses the CFM-Leap engines as its primary powerplant. Despite the similar designs, the airplane only has a range of 2200 nm to 3300nm, well below that of its competitors. The airplane’s main structure uses aluminum alloys, similar to the construction of the A320 and 737. In addition, it also uses the CFM-Leap engines as its primary powerplant. Despite the similar designs, the airplane only has a range of 2200 nm to 3300nm, well below that of its competitors. However, the specification strikes an outstanding balance between cost and performance since the aircraft primarily targets the domestic market, whose longest route is only 2100nm.
Uncertain Future
Like any major technological uptake, the C919 is developed with much international collaboration, especially since COMAC started the project at the peak of globalization in the late 2000s. Therefore, it selected many western suppliers for critical components, such as avionics and engines to lower the development cost and reach a global market.
However, the situation has changed, and events like the U.S.-China trade war cast great uncertainty on the plane’s future. For instance, the country’s latest turboprop project, MA700, suffered significant delays, because it lost its engine supplier, Pratt & Whitney. Similarly, both Russian commercial airplane programs ground to a halt and had to redesign for domestic alternatives due to western sanctions. The Chinese government views that as another cautionary tale about its reliance on the west.
Russia’s MC-21 with its domestically developed PD-14 engine. (Photo: Irkut Corporation)
In addition to distancing itself from Russia to avoid more sanctions, China is also accelerating the development of domestic alternatives. However, critical replacements, such as the engine are likely still years away from commercial introduction. Not to mention, the engine is only one of the few roadblocks C919 would face should the country and the west’s relationship fall apart.
Timeline
2008 – The C919 program was launched with a targeted first flight time in 2014.
2015 – The Shanghai-based company unveiled the first airplane at its factory in Shanghai during a roll-out ceremony following several delays.
2017 – C919 made its maiden flight on May 5, with its planned entry into service slipping into 2020.
2018 – The state-owned manufacturer grounded its test fleet for modifications, further pushing the first delivery into 2021.
2022 – The company announced the completion of its flight test campaign on July 23.
Fangzhong grew up near an OEM airport in northeastern China, where he developed his enthusiasm for aviation. Taking upon his passion, he's now working as an aircraft interior design engineer. Besides working in the aerospace industry, Fangzhong enjoys trying out different types of airplanes and seeing how airplane interiors have evolved. So far, he's flown on over 80 types of aircraft. He also planespots in his spare time. His rarest catches included the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and AN-225.
Australia’s Regional Express Moves to Electrify Turboprop Aircraft
A Regional Express Saab 340B (Photo: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 AU , via Wikimedia Commons)
Australian airline Regional Express announced on July 21, 2022, it will be forming a partnership with Dovetail Electric Aviation in an effort to lead the way in converting turboprop aircraft to full electric propulsion.
Collaborating together, and operating under the Dovetail brand, the two will work to develop and certify the retrofitting of regional and general aviation aircraft, with Rex providing both a test bed and its resources for that development. The move is well suited for Rex, with its regional airline base an ideal starting point for commercial electric aviation.
According to the airline’s Deputy Chairman, John Sharp, the collaboration means Rex will be “at the forefront of developments in sustainable regional aviation,” adding that it will play a part in helping “national efforts in achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2050.”
Short Sectors To Be Electrified First
Given the fact that first-generation electric aircraft will have short-range capabilities, Rex and Dovetail’s owner Sydney Aviation Holdings are well situated for early adoption of electric propulsion systems. In addition to Rex’s regional routes, Sydney Aviation Holdings’ sightseeing company Sydney Seaplanes will also offer opportunities for electric aircraft.
Speaking of the possibilities the new partnership offers, Sharp stated: “Australia, with its very high utilisation of regional aviation and large number of aircraft capable of conversion, is a perfect incubator for the electric aviation industry. Significantly lower operating costs of electric aircraft will also help to stimulate regional aviation services between communities not currently served by scheduled flights.”
In contrast to the concept, design and implementation of brand new electric aircraft, Dovetail believes the conversion of turbine aircraft to electric propulsion systems offers faster certification, along with improved costs. With this efficiency, Dovetail estimates converted aircraft can achieve certification in four years, compared to an estimated eight to ten years for brand new aircraft.
Dovetail will convert aircraft with MagniX propulsion systems, operating with battery packs and hydrogen fuel cells. Founded in Australia in 2005, MagniX propulsion systems are designed with redundancy in mind, with an allowance for failure of at least one section of its 3-phase architecture. Additionally, the flat torque curve of electric motors means high torque can be produced at low RPM, eliminating the need for gearboxes and, in turn, removing the costs usually associated with their maintenance.
The conversions are estimated by Dovetail to reduce noise by 30-40%, as well as reduced operating costs by approximately 40%.
Sharp concluded: “We are delighted to partner with Sydney Seaplanes and Dante Aeronautical (also owned by Sydney Aviation Holdings) in Dovetail Electric Aviation and to lend our aviation and engineering expertise to advance its progress, while also accelerating Rex’s journey to a zero emissions future.”
Australia’s Best Performing Domestic Airline
The month of June saw Rex continue its reign of reliability among domestic airlines, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE). Having lowered its cancellation rates from May’s 1.4% to just 0.7%, Rex has improved its departure and arrival reliability with 82.7% of departures on time and 80.0% of arrivals on time, an additional improvement when compared to the month of May.
The statistics continue to paint a damning picture of Qantas – the Flying Kangaroo – with its group’s reliability dropping to 58.7% for departures and 59.4% for arrivals. In terms of cancellations, Qantas crept up to 7.5%.
Mike’s love affair with flight and mechanical objects in the sky began at an early age, fascinated by space documentaries and the vintage Flight Simulator ’95. He currently works as an instructor for UAVs and is training to receive his Private Pilot Licence with the goal of working in manned flight instruction. An avid reader of all things aviation and manned space flight, Mike stays close to developments in aerospace while reminiscing and sharing the rich history of flight with others. He loves writing, engineering and science.
A Virgin Atlantic 787-9 departing London Heathrow. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Kenya Airways and Virgin Atlantic have announced an interline agreement, aiming to provide convenient connections for customers between Africa and Europe.
The interline agreement will allow passengers to connect travel with a single ticket between points of the networks of both carriers.
Under the agreement, Kenya Airways will extend its reach in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Israel via London. Customers flying to London will be able to connect with Virgin Atlantic-operated flights to Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Austin, Miami, Orlando, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Antigua, Barbados, and the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, and Tel Aviv among others.
On the other hand, the agreement enables Virgin Atlantic passengers to book a through ticket to Nairobi and enjoy seamless connections to Kenya Airways destinations across Africa including Tanzania, Uganda, Seychelles, Mauritius, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar among other destinations served by KQ.
Kenya Airways’ 787 Dreamliner arrives at JFK. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Tom Pallini)
Kenya Airways Chief Commercial & Customer Officer, Julius Thairu said in a press release, “We’re incredibly excited to announce this new partnership with Virgin Atlantic. We also see opportunities beyond the continent and look forward to expanding our relationship even further to serve destinations across the Middle East, the US, and the Caribbean. This agreement will advance our strategy to strengthen our major African hubs with connecting traffic and offer new growth opportunities for both carriers. Additionally, this alliance has a substantial economic impact by enhancing trade and promoting travel across the continent.”
The partnership with Virgin Atlantic is another milestone and has been added to the list of the Kenyan carrier’s strategic agreements that includes global airlines such as South African Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, British Airways, and Africa World Airlines among others.
Improved Balance Sheet
As the Kenyan carrier forges new partnerships to expand its reach, the SkyTeam Alliance carrier recently reported a net loss of $130.5 million (Ksh15.8 billion) for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2021.
This indicates a 56.58% decrease when compared to the net loss of $313.2 million (Ksh36.2 billion) which the airline reported during the comparable period in 2020.
The company explained that it was able to reduce its annual net loss by implementing various cost containment measures, whilst preserving and diversifying its revenue. Specifically, operating expenses were cut by 3.62%.
The airline noted it carried 2.2 million passengers in 2021, with an average seat load factor of 60.8% as demand peaked during the December holiday period.
It also operated 16% more frequencies in 2021 compared to 2020, with 25% more passenger traffic than the previous year, while achieving an impressive On-Time Performance (OTP) of 84%, an improvement of 13 percentage points over 2020.
Cargo operations meanwhile continued to outperform expectations, as revenue stood at Kshs. 13,433 million ($113,646) showing a marked improvement of 49% compared to 2020.
This improved cargo performance was supported by high global demand and increased cargo uplift capacity following the second 787 freighter repurposing in February 2021 that saw a monthly KQ Cargo increment of 500 Metric.
Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.
An Air Serbia Airbus A330-200 on approach to JFK in New York City (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Joey Gerardi)
Air Serbia — the Serbian national airline —with a hub in Belgrade, Serbia has announced plans to increase service to the United States, one aspect of which will include a new destination on its route map.
In a press release from the airline which was posted to their website, they announced they will increase service to the current airport they serve in the United States, JFK in New York City, from two weekly flights to three weekly flights, starting this coming winter season. Flights between the Serbian capital and New York City will now operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Boško Rupić, the General Manager of Commercial and Strategy at Air Serbia did have something to say about this increase in flights to New York, “The addition of another weekly flight to New York during the winter season is a clear indicator that our flight over the Atlantic is working out well and that it represents one of Air Serbia’s strongest routes.”
The airline also announced they would be adding flights to Chicago O’Hare, giving the first link between the two cities in over 30 years. Flights to Chicago will operate on a twice-weekly basis similar to how flights to New York began six years ago. While they have announced the flights will operate twice a week, they didn’t mention which days of the week the service would operate.
Although there is not an exact start date yet for the Chicago flights, the airline did mention in its press release that they would start the new Chicago flights in April of 2023. Boško Rupić also had some comments regarding the new destination in the United States, “With one of the biggest diasporas from Serbia and other countries in the region, for a long time now, and for us, it [Chicago] is a route of exceptional strategic importance. We expect great passenger demand for the new flights with Chicago as their final destination, as well as those using the city as a layover for further destinations.”
The airline only has a single long-haul aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, which features famous Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla on the tail of the aircraft. Before the flights begin to Chicago next spring, the airline will need to and has plans to introduce another Airbus A330-200 to its fleet which is set to arrive at the airline sometime this fall.
Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.
El Al Reintroduces Boeing 777 Commercial Passenger Flights to Meet Rising Demand
An El Al 777 (Photo: Sourcr: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland Derivative:MathKnight, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
El Al — the Israeli flag carrier — has announced it will bring back its Boeing 777s, as demand for travel continues to rise. The airline had said earlier in the year that it would refit the fleet, with the airline’s new cabin product, in order for them to be ready should they be needed for the summer travel demand.
Most of El Al’s Boeing 777s are over 20 years old, and while it is unclear how many have been refitted, it is clear that El Al — like almost every other major airline — needs more capacity and needs it fast.
The airline said the aircraft would be deployed on routes to Phuket, Thailand; Dubai, The United Arab Emirates; Athens, Greece and Bangkok. Flightradar24 showed 4X-ECD, a 20 -year-old 777, en-route from Tel Aviv to Paris, after what looked to be months of test flights within Israel.
El Al’s Boeing 747 fleet had been retired since November of 2019, as El Al had finally expanded its long haul fleet and network with 15 new Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners. This was, at last, offering a hard product that could stack up to its competition.
It seemed logical to think that El Al would have little reason to refurbish 20-year-old 777s, given that the fleet will most likely age out in the coming years, but if there is one thing that can be learned from El Al’s Boeing 747 operation, it is that these aircraft will be flown, until they are just no longer up to passenger standards. Many of the carrier’s 747s had reached the 24-25 year service mark by the time they were scrapped. For comparison, United Airlines operated many of its 747’s for about 19 to 20 years on average. United also had a considerably larger number of aircraft on hand ready to replace the Queen of the Skies.
The Airline’s Scramble to Meet Demand
El Al’s need for added capacity does not come as a shock to anyone with the mayhem and travel surge that has occurred for the summer of 2022. The airline had said it would suffer millions in damages if the airline’s 777s do not operate and fly when travel demand is at its highest peaks.
El Al has seen a significant spike in demand through Tel Aviv this year and has sold tickets on its website, with the 777 being listed as the operating aircraft.
El Al has found itself in a scramble on the labor side of things recently. The airline recently settled with Histradut — Israel’s largest labor union representing El Al pilots.
The new agreement will have all El Al pilots earning pre-COVID 19 salaries. Looming mass cancellations such as what occurred with SAS last month meant that El Al needed to act quickly. The airline has not published plans for reintroducing the aircraft to crews, though it says proper testing and training has been done.
Ezra Gollan is a student, photographer and aviation enthusiast based in New York, New York. He has spent over half a decade around New York City’s airports as a photographer.
With the Designer: Virgin Atlantic Shows Off Innovative A330neo Cabins
Virgin Atlantic presented a mockup of its upcoming A330neo in London. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
Virgin Atlantic’s first Airbus A330neo is preparing to touch down in the U.K. this September. The arrival of the first aircraft will mark a major milestone in the carrier’s fleet transformation over the past five years. The airline placed a firm order for up to 16 A330-900s in 2019, making up 6% of all A330-900s on order as of July 2022. The new aircraft is 11% more fuel efficient compared to the current A330-300 fleet and will replace the 10 current A330-300s that Virgin Atlantic operates. The aircraft will also assist with future capacity growth.
With a distinct and unique cabin on board each of its fleet types, Virgin Atlantic spent over five years researching and developing the right cabin for its upcoming A330neo. Last week, AirlineGeeks had the opportunity to tour mockups of the cabin with Henry Buckley, Design Manager at Virgin Atlantic, at an event in London that showcased the fascinating final products that will fly onboard the new aircraft.
Adding Virgin Atlantic’s Unique Touch to Each Jet
Buckley and his team had been hard at work over the past few years. After delivering brand new cabins for the airline’s flagship Airbus A350-1000, the team pivoted all attention towards the A330-900 to ensure the airline can create a unique experience that fits the profile of the new aircraft.
An overhead view of the new social space that will be featured onboard Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
When boarding the new aircraft, frequent flyers will immediately notice that they are onboard a new jet. Virgin Atlantic’s signature social space, The Loft, has been upgraded on the A330neo. Upper Class passengers have access to this space throughout the flight.
Every Virgin Atlantic fleet offers a unique social space for Upper Class passengers. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
The new Loft on the A330neo features space for up to eight passengers to relax with four seats. The space features dual 27-inch touchscreen monitors with access to Virgin Atlantic’s inflight entertainment. Up to eight Bluetooth headsets can connect to the screens, enabling passengers the option to view content together. The Loft also has seat belts so that passengers can continue to utilize the space when there is turbulence.
Buckley pointed out some of the unique characteristics of the space such as the elevated seating arrangement. This enables passengers to be able to easily converse with the cabin crew and other passengers that may prefer standing. Buckley’s team also included four types of charging options to ensure passengers have the option also to stay digitally connected while enjoying the space.
The mini fridge/freezer will be fully stocked with snacks and drinks for passengers to enjoy throughout their flight. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
The Loft also features a self-service fridge and freezer that will be stocked with snacks, ice cream, and drinks throughout the flight. From the distinctive lighting to various unique features, The Loft is an amenity that other airlines competing with Virgin Atlantic don’t offer for their premium passengers.
A New Cabin for All Passengers
In the front of the cabin, Virgin Atlantic is introducing two brand new, extra spacious Retreat Suites. Buckley’s team was determined to create an exclusive space that builds on the Upper Class experience. The two suites feature plenty of additional space, large lockable storage lockers, customizable mood lighting, electronic privacy dividers, and larger 27-inch IFE screens. The fully flat bed measures out to 6 feet, 7-inches. The suite also includes a wireless charging station, AC, USB-A, and USB-C ports.
The two new Retreat Suites offer additional space and added amenities for customers. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
The airline selected the Thompson Aero VantageFirst for its Retreat Suite. The two suites are positioned together in the middle section of the first row of the Upper Class cabin. Virgin Atlantic is the only airline flying between London and the U.S. with a seat that allows passengers to create their own, private social and dining space for up to four people.
The Retreat Suite offers the potential to dine with up to four people. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
The new Retreat Suites will be sold as a $240 premium for passengers traveling in the Upper Class cabin. Passengers flying on board an A330neo will have the opportunity to upgrade from Upper Class to the Retreat Suite beginning two weeks prior to a flight. This concept is similar to the JetBlue Mint Studio, which offers more space than the Mint Suite and can be purchased for an additional sum before your flight.
Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class focuses on creating a flexible space that caters to various passengers’ needs. Buckley selected the Thompson Aero Vantage XL seat for the new 30-seat Upper Class cabin featuring sliding doors for added privacy. This is the same seat that Delta Air Lines uses for its business class cabin on board its A330neo fleet. Atlanta-based Delta owns a 49% share of Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin Atlantic’s brand new Upper Class seat onboard its A330neo fleet. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
The new Upper Class seat has a 17.3-inch IFE screen and the bed length measures 6-feet 4-inches. Similar to the Retreat Suite, the Upper Class seats also have a lockable storage compartment, customizable mood lighting, and a wireless charging station.
The seat includes a large tray table that can easily be used as a workstation with space for a laptop and notepad. The back of the seat also has a unique cushion-like texture that makes it comfortable to relax against when the seat is in the lie-flat position.
The new Upper Class product also features a sliding door for added privacy. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
While Virgin Atlantic already boasts a competitive transatlantic product with its A350 Upper Class, the A330neo seat takes it a step further with a spacious layout that includes multiple passenger-oriented innovations.
In Premium Economy, the airline is installing 46 Collins MIQ seats, each with 38-inches of legroom. This is the same seat used by other airlines around the world for international premium economy and domestic first class. These seats will offer a calf rest and a wireless charging station. The IFE screen will be 13.3 inches and there will also be AC and USB-A ports on each seat.
The A330neo will feature 46 Premium Economy seats. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
Economy will feature 184 seats designed with a new, eco-friendly fabric. The Economy Delight seats will feature 34-inches of legroom while the standard seats will have 31-inches. Similar to Premium Economy, each seat will have a 13.3-inch IFE screen. Each seat will also have direct access to AC and USB-A ports.
Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo economy seats are made up of lighter material to reduce cabin weight and aircraft fuel burn. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
New Innovations from Nose to Tail
In addition to the new physical product, tech-focused upgrades are improving the passenger experience throughout the entire cabin. All IFE screens will be Bluetooth compatible, allowing passengers to connect personal headsets to their screens. Passengers can also connect their personal devices to the IFE screen in every seat. This allows passengers to browse the IFE library, control their seat (in the premium cabins), and activate the call bell and reading light all from their own device.
Henry Buckley, Design Manager at Virgin Atlantic, worked with his team for over five years to develop the new A330neo cabins. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
Each A330neo will also be equipped with Viasat WiFi. Passengers can purchase a 1-hour pass for $7.20 or a full flight pass for $22.80. The airline is also using faux leather throughout the cabin to boast a more sustainable interior. By using faux leather, the airline estimates that it will save about 3,000 cows across its entire A330neo fleet.
Preparing for a NEO Fleet Member
In 2019, Virgin Atlantic became the only U.K. airline to announce firm order for the A330neo. The order is worth $4.7 billion at the list price. The A330neo fleet will have 262 seats, while the airline’s 787-9 fleet flies with 264 seats onboard each jet.
Virgin Atlantic is currently preparing for the delivery of the first A330neo which is expected this September. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Mateen Kontoravdis)
The A330neo, however, has a higher premium seat density with one additional Upper Class seat and 11 extra Premium Economy seats. On the other hand, the aircraft will have 14 fewer economy seats than the airline’s Dreamliners.
Following the delivery of G-VJAZ in September, Virgin Atlantic expects to take delivery of three additional A330neos by February 2023. The final new aircraft is expected by 2026. Boston will receive the inaugural A330neo flight in October and the airline’s next U.S. destination, Tampa, will see the aircraft by November. With the introduction of A330neo flights across the Atlantic, Virgin Atlantic will continue to position itself as a top player amongst the various carriers that connect the U.K. with North America.
Stay tuned for additional exclusive coverage of Virgin Atlantic’s 24/7 Maintenance Operation at Heathrow and an in-depth look at the airline’s newest route to Austin, Texas.
Mateen has been interested in aviation from a very young age. He loves learning about different aspects of the industry. Mateen has been an editor for the website since early 2017. Most recently, Mateen is additionally the website’s overall strategist. In addition to writing for AirlineGeeks, Mateen is a sophomore at the University of Texas studying Human Dimensions of Organizations. You can also find him on Instagram (@Plane.Photos) where he enjoys sharing his aviation photography with thousands of people on a daily basis.
TAP Air Portugal Makes First Flight Using Sustainable Fuel
A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A321NEO climbs out of Munich.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)
TAP Air Portugal, Galp and ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, SA have formalized a strategic alliance for the development, production and supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), made from waste, recycled used oils and other sustainable raw materials.
The first flight in Portugal powered by SAF was performed on the Lisbon (LIS) – Ponta Delgada route operated in an Airbus A321neo, with 39% renewable source (HEFA), with lower total carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels
(Photo: TAP Air Portugal)
The emissions reduction on this flight was 7.1 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, representing a 35% reduction in total CO2 emissions.
This alliance, formally signed at a ceremony attended by TAP CEO Cristinine Ourmieres-Widener, Galp CEO Andy Brown and ANA CEO Thierry Ligonniere, is part of the European Commission’s Fit for 55 climate package, which incorporates the «RefuelUE Aviation» legislative initiative aimed at increasing the supply and demand for and use of UAS in the European Union by 2% by 2025, 5% by 2030 and 63% by 2050.
This move is a strategy for the positive mobility of ANA and VINCI Airports to significantly reduce their emissions (scopes 1 and 2) and the emission reductions of their partners (scope 3), working together to achieve net zero emissions (NetZero) by 2030.
Nine of ANA’s 10 airports have achieved Level 4 airport carbon accreditation from the Airports Council International this year, an accreditation that confirms the high performance of these airports on the journey towards carbon neutrality.
This story was originally published by Rainer Nieves Dolande on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.
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.
An Alaska Airlines E-175 operated by Horizon Air at Paine Field. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
Alaska Air Group has announced an order for eight new E175 aircraft and options for 13 more. The E175 aircraft will fly exclusively for Alaska Airlines under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with Horizon Air. The contract value, including options, is $1.12 billion based on list price.
The new 76-seat Horizon aircraft in this order will be delivered in Alaska’s livery and three-class configuration over the next four years, beginning in the second quarter of 2023. The aircraft features 12 seats in First Class, 12 in Premium Class and 52 in the Main Cabin.
Onboard services include free entertainment with more than 1,000 movies and television programs. In addition, customers seated in First Class enjoy 110-volt electricity at all seats according to the airline.
Mark Neely, vice president of Americas at Embraer Commercial Aviation, said in a press release, “The E175 is the backbone of the U.S. regional network, powering airport hubs across the country, as well as producing the connectivity that all communities need to thrive, both economically and socially.”
The new Embraer aircraft are set to gradually replace the company’s thirty-two DHC-8-Q400.
According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, currently, 39.3% of Horizon Air’s Embraer operations are from Seattle (SEA), 14.5% from Portland (PDX) and San Francisco with 13.4%.
This story was originally published by Gaston Sena on Aviacionline in syndication with AirlineGeeks.
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.
