https://simpleflying.com Sometimes there is more to the news than meets the eye. Here you will find stories that dig deeper under the surface to analyze what is happening within the industry and the story behind the story. Sun, 27 Aug 2023 21:46:27 GMT en-US hourly 60 If you like the Airbus A350 aircraft as much as we do, Asia is a great place to be. Two of the three largest operators of the A350 are Asian airlines, and there are plenty of routes both within Asia and internationally. In this article, we take a look at the many, and growing, ways to get onboard.

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 01:46:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/airbus-a350-asia/ Airport slots often make the news for their multi-million dollar sale prices at congested airports. But what is a 'slot,' who decides when an airline can fly into a facility, and why can they be so valuable? Let's take a look.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 22:31:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/airline-slot/ Today, we will look at the Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling and discover how it came to be and where it is now. Based at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN), Vueling is the second-largest Spanish airline after Iberia.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 21:46:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/vueling-brief-history/ The world has just over three million non-stop scheduled flights in September. If that sounds a lot, it is because it is. However, they remain down by 6.1% versus September 2019, equivalent to more than 6,000 fewer services daily.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 20:00:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/middle-east-more-flights-september-than-2019/ Global luggage storage company Radical Storage has recently released its findings on which inflight airline snacks and meals are the least expensive on some of the world's most popular airlines. Radical Storage also worked with a nutritionist to determine which inflight food offerings were the healthiest and which you would probably want to avoid.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 19:46:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/cheapest-airline-catering-list/ Saudi Arabia's newest carrier, Riyadh Air, has outlined a rather interesting plan for how the airline will operate once it commences commercial flights in 2025. However, the plan appears to be deviating from the formula of success that was created by fellow Middle Eastern giants Emirates and Qatar Airways.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 19:00:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/difference-riyadh-air-neighbors/ At a quick glance, Europe's three most prominent airline groups have been enjoying a significantly strong summer this year with bolstered capacities across their route networks compared to last summer. But despite these increased efforts, these airlines are still lagging a fair bit compared to pre-pandemic numbers - highlighting how everyone still has some distance to cover before reaching previous levels of flying.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 18:15:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/summer-capacity-iag-lufthansa-air-france-klm/ Before we answer the question of why TAP Air Portugal acquired Portugália Airlines, let's first look at the two airlines' history and discover how they became intertwined.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:45:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/why-tap-air-portugal-acquired-portuglia-airlines/ As the aviation industry, in general, recovers well after the difficulties of the pandemic, airport upgrades and infrastructure improvement projects have followed. With many such projects underway or imminent in the United Kingdom, there are strong signs for the construction industry there.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 11:46:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/uk-airport-developments-construction-industry-advantages/ Simultaneous landings or takeoffs, such as those that can be witnessed at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), can be incredibly beautiful, especially for those onboard who witness another aircraft land right alongside them. Despite the fact that these events are rather marvelous to behold, they are surprisingly rare among US airports.

]]> Sun, 27 Aug 2023 03:45:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/us-airports-with-parallel-runways-for-simultaneous-takeoffs-landings/ With a fleet of nearly 530 aircraft, United Express, the regional subsidiary of legacy carrier United Airlines, provides service primarily to smaller destinations across the United States. Subcontracting services under the scope clause to SkyWest Airlines, Republic Airways, Mesa Airlines, GoJet Airlines, and CommuteAir, the airline flies a variety of regional routes with numerous Embraer and Bombardier jets. In this article, we'll break down the carrier's operations out of United's seven hub airports.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 22:00:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/united-express-hub-operations-analysis/ All Nippon, British Airways, Etihad, EVA Air, KLM, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines use the 787-10, to be joined by Qantas in the future. These are the five longest routes in September.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 21:00:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/five-longest-boeing-787-10-routes-september-2023/ Some 43 US airports have non-stop scheduled passenger flights to Europe in September. While that is two fewer than in September 2019, weekly departing flights are 3.5% higher than they were.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 19:01:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/43-us-airports-europe-non-stops-september-2023/ Some military transport aircraft are immense, capable of carrying tanks, fighter jets, ammunition, and even helicopters. These massive planes drive the capabilities of various armed forces around the globe. But with significant power comes substantial costs and a hefty price tag.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 17:45:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/how-much-do-military-transport-aircraft-cost/ In the age of increasingly innovative technology, society unfortunately has to deal with people using it for the wrong purposes. People are concerned about cameras being everywhere: on mobile phones, laptops, hidden in buildings, and even inside an aircraft. While strict rules and regulations prevent people from doing something suspicious onboard a plane, it would make many anxious to know there are cameras looking out over the cabin passengers.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 14:46:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/cctv-on-airliners-debate-analysis/ Delta Air Lines is one of the largest carriers in the world, operating more than 33,000 weekly flights with a fleet of 964 aircraft. Like all airlines worldwide, the airline is recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its fleet is growing. As of today, Delta has more than 300 aircraft on order.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 09:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/delta-air-lines-fleet-august-2023/ While they are not common, much like go-arounds, aborted take-offs may have to be performed from time to time. An aborted take-off is when an aircraft begins accelerating down the runway in order to take off. However, due to a variety of reasons, the aircraft brakes and comes to a halt before reaching the end of the runway.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 06:00:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/inside-an-aborted-takeoff/ In 2018, low-cost carrier Air Austral rented an Airbus A380 for its Paris to Reunion island route to ferry holidaymakers down the tropical paradise. The A380 was provided by the wet lease company HiFly, which is the first leasing company to have an A380 available for rent.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 03:30:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/a380-low-cost-carrier/ Italy boasts a notable history in aviation, but aviation museums are scarce throughout the country. Despite this, several remarkable Italian Air Force museums offer an extensive collection of military aircraft dating back to the early 1900s. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich aviation history of Italy and witness firsthand the incredible technological advancements that have taken place over the years.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 23:31:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/italy-coolest-aviation-museums-list/ North Korea's state-owned national carrier, Air Koryo is a subject of great curiosity among many avgeeks. From its hub at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (FNJ), the airline flies to a handful of domestic destinations and, after a recent international restart, in neighboring China and Russia. But what aircraft does it operate these services with? Let's take a look and find out.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 22:31:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/air-koryo-fleet/ Porter Airlines launched flights with its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft in February and has since added the aircraft to several routes. Yesterday, the Canadian carrier announced a massive expansion into Florida, serving five cities in the Sunshine State and seven routes.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:00:29 GMT https://simpleflying.com/where-porter-airlines-flying-embraer-e195-e2s-september-2023/ Located 6.9 miles northwest of the university city of Oxford and 62 miles from central London, Oxford Airport (OXF) is a privately owned airfield that caters to business aviation. Home to Leading Edge Aviation, Volare Aviation, and the United Kingdom, home of Airbus Helicopters, London Oxford Airport (OXF) competes with other London airports for private jet charters.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/london-oxford-airport-private-jet-traffic-importance-analysis/ The use of private jets for those who can afford one is not only convenient but also time-effective. Celebrities, business owners, and executives of multi-million dollar companies often travel via private jets. Private jet travel is very different from commercial air travel. This article highlights six ways in which private jet operations differ from commercial airline operations.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:31:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/private-jet-operators-commercial-airlines-differences-list/ If you've ever flown on a major legacy carrier in the US, chances are you've encountered Biscoff cookies as an in-flight snack. These small, rectangular cookies with a caramelized crunch have become one of the most common in-flight-service snacks in the skies. How did a simple Belgian snack manage to earn its place as an iconic inflight indulgence? Let's dive into the story behind the popularity of Biscoff cookies in the skies.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/biscoff-cookies-inflight-snack-popularity-analysis/ Today, we will look at five food and drink items synonymous with modern commercial airlines. Handley Page Transport was the first airline to serve food on flights. Passengers between London and Paris were offered a selection of sandwiches and fresh fruit.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:30:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/food-drink-modern-airline-symbolism-list/ Airlines have crucial strategic decisions to make when it comes to prioritizing capacity or frequency. An excess of either, and the airline is not able to lean too much in one direction, which could damage their value proposition to potential passengers. But which one is more important overall?

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:01:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/airline-frequency-vs-capacity/ SWISS has four Airbus A340-300s. Like other four-engined widebodies in service with airlines worldwide, SWISS' examples are a diminishing part of its fleet. While the carrier's average A340 route length this summer covers more than 4,200 miles (6,759 km), it continues using them on short European routes – always great to see.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:01:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/swiss-airbus-a340-europe-flights/ The differences between flying with an airline and flying aboard a private jet go beyond comfort and convenience, into flight operations themselves. Operational differences often include higher cruising altitudes aboard private jets, which can significantly impact the flying experience. Why is this so?

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:30:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/why-private-jets-usually-fly-higher/ Boom Supersonic is looking to introduce its Overture aircraft as early as 2029. The company is intent on bringing supersonic flight back to the commercial realm for the first time since Concorde’s departure in 2003. Ahead of the plane’s service entry, the Colorado-based firm began constructing a 'Superfactory' in Greensboro, North Carolina, earlier this year.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:00:51 GMT https://simpleflying.com/north-carolina-boom-supersonics-overture-superfactory/ Certain airports around the world are very challenging for pilots to land due to a myriad of factors, including surroundings, structure, altitude, and location, just to name a few. Although some of these airports are completely avoided, others have regularly scheduled passenger service and serve multiple airlines.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 11:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/juneau-airport-alaska-challenging-approach-guide/ Some believe duct tape can fix everything, but they would be mistaken. Indeed, it has various good uses inside and outside the home, but simple duct tape would not last long against the temperatures, forces, and elements that aircraft of all types experience. So, the industry has found another solution, called speed tape.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 10:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/why-airlines-use-speed-tape/ The Bombardier CRJ100/200 series is a popular line of rear-engined regional jets, with the manufacturer having produced more than 1,000 examples between 1991 and 2006. Today, data from ch-aviation.com shows that 309 of these remain active, and they are spread across some 80 operators. But which are the oldest?

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 02:00:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/oldest-active-bombardier-crj100-200-jets/ The Airbus A380 is one of the most iconic aircraft of this century, if not the most iconic. Despite its lack of commercial success among airlines, the European double-decker is a favorite among travelers worldwide.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 02:00:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/best-airbus-a380-airport/ Aeromexico is Mexico’s oldest carrier and the only one operating long-haul flights to destinations in Europe and Asia. Employing a fleet of over 150 aircraft, including 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners (eight -8s and 12 -9s), it has plenty of routes well over 5,000 miles in distance. Which ones are they? Let’s find out.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 22:01:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/aeromexico-ten-longest-routes-august-2023/ Those familiar with United Airlines history may know the airline has a base on Guam, a United States territory. Continental Micronesia had a base on the island, which became a United base after the merger with Continental Airlines. Though a smaller base, Guam is very important for United’s operations in the Pacific Ocean, allowing the carrier to reach countries like Japan and the Philippines.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 20:59:50 GMT https://simpleflying.com/look-united-airlines-operations-far-far-away-guam/ Australia has 1,794 international departing flights in the first week of September, based on the latest OAG data. However, the country's international market has 11% fewer flights than before the pandemic. Predictably, this is especially the case for Hong Kong (-52%) and China (-40%), while there are many more services to India (+163%) and Vietnam (+65%).

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 18:31:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/australia-top-10-international-destinations/ You may think you are an expert in identifying airlines and know all about the aircraft types that make up their fleets. But let's see how good your knowledge really is! Here is the second part of Simple Flying's list of a select range of European-based charter airlines you may be less familiar with (or have never even heard of).

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 17:31:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/10-forgotten-european-charter-airlines-list-part-2/ Etihad Airways has close ties to Manchester City FC. As well as having been the team's kit sponsor since 2009, the Abu Dhabi-based UAE flag carrier's name has also adorned its home ground, the Etihad Stadium, since 2011. In reflection of this longstanding partnership, two Etihad jets have had Manchester City liveries.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 17:41:31 GMT https://simpleflying.com/etihad-airways-manchester-city-livery-story/ Five years ago, Ryanair was a single Irish airline operating flights across Europe. A lot has changed in the years since. Five airlines now fall under the Ryanair Group umbrella, ranging from Buzz and its bumble bee-based livery to Lauda, the only group entity with some Airbus A320 family aircraft. Here's the story of how one huge airline became five large airlines.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:15:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/ryanair-group-subsidiaries/ The Middle Eastern mega-hub Dubai International Airport (DXB) is known worldwide for its facilities and capacity to handle massive passenger traffic. With its geographical location optimal for connecting passengers from and to all over the world, and Dubai being one of the best tourist destinations in the world, here are five fun facts about the airport.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:00:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/dubai-airport-fun-facts-list/ While most of Qatar Airways' 164 passenger destinations from its Doha hub in September are served non-stop, several are served on a one-stop basis. This enables less demanded places to join its network, although aircraft availability and the closeness of airports also may be factors. One-stops often permit more flights than might otherwise be feasible, while improving loads, connectivity, and competitiveness. However, as they have higher costs and complexity, the eventual hope usually is to de-link them.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:00:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/qatar-airways-1-stop-routes/ Recently, Simple Flying highlighted the weight savings of the General Electric GE9X engine as a result of the additive manufacturing (AM) techniques employed by the OEM. The company combined more than 300 engine parts into only seven through Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D Printing software that directs machines to deposit specialized material, layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes. The process repeats until the entire part is created.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:30:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/3d-printing-aviation-advantages/ Antarctica is a continent characterized by its extreme conditions and isolated landscapes. It poses unique challenges for supporting any human activity, and aviation is no exception.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:30:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/antarctica-ice-runway-operations-infrastructure-guide/ One of the big advantages of private jet travel is flexibility. Private aviation travelers have flexibility with where and when to fly, the route to take, and even what aircraft to use. Such aircraft can land at a wide range of airports - from the most prominent commercial airports to those with dedicated private facilities.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:30:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/where-do-private-jets-land/ In an August 22 interview with Simple Flying, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) President Jason Ambrosi discussed issues around pilot supply and pilot safety in the United States. Those issues include crewing, pay and more.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:21:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/a-case-for-maintaining-two-pilots-in-commercial-aircraft-cockpits/ That Indian aviation is slated for massive growth is well-known by now. There have been two record-braking orders by Indian carriers this year alone that will keep new aircraft trickling in steadily for the next ten years. But just how prepared is the Indian airport infrastructure to accommodate the new planes and the demand for primary slots that airlines will increasingly fight for?

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:06:01 GMT https://simpleflying.com/how-prepared-are-indian-airports-for-fleet-growth/ By most metrics, the private and business aviation industry has and still is experiencing continued growth and doesn’t show signs of stopping soon. According to The Guardian, private jet sales (new and pre-owned) are expected to smash records, perhaps not particularly surprising amidst the backdrop of the worldwide fleet more than doubling since 2003. Altogether, business jet sales this year should reach 34.6 billion USD, an increase of $500 million compared to 2022. What exactly does this look like in North America?

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 08:31:23 GMT https://simpleflying.com/how-many-private-jets-in-the-usa/ Have you ever wondered whether aircraft seats are getting smaller or if you're eating too many pies? Chances are it's the seats, despite your pie intake.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 23:30:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/why-airlines-reducing-leg-room-isnt-always-bad/ Currently, around 100,000 daily flights take place in the US alone. As flights increase, so do the challenges associated with making them possible and efficient. Over the past five years, the frequency of flight delays has risen from 17.3% in 2018 to a substantial 21.6% in 2023, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 18:31:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/delay-prone-us-airports-list/ August marks National Dog Month, with this Saturday also being International Dog Day. Our canine friends are a rare sight at airports and on airplanes, but their comfort is an essential factor when they do need to travel by air. With this in mind, let's take a look at what New York City's major airports are doing on this front.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 17:00:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/new-york-airports-dog-assistance/ Today, we will look at some top tips for flying during hot weather. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you will know that this summer has been sweltering in parts of Southern Europe, the Southwest United States, and even parts of China. Last month, Italy, Greece, and Spain saw temperatures exceed 45C (113F). Meanwhile, Phoenix, Arizona, was baking as the temperature exceeded 110F for consecutive days.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:31:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/air-travel-hot-weather-top-tips/ Quadjet widebody aircraft are becoming increasingly rare in passenger operations as airlines prefer much more fuel-efficient twinjets. Nonetheless, a range of airlines still use them.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:00:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/quadjet-widebody-flights-september-2023/ The general understanding of the distinctions between commercial and private flying often focuses on business jets' enhanced comfort and convenience. But there are certainly more contrasts between the two, including differences in the altitude these aircraft operate.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:00:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/how-high-do-private-jets-fly/ Qatar Airways has confirmed that it will cease flying to Philadelphia. While expected, it comes as partner American Airlines adds Philadelphia-Doha. It resulted from its exit from New York JFK-Doha, which meant that Qatar Airways grew JFK flights to triple daily.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:00:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/qatar-airways-drops-philadelphia-american-airlines-takes-over/ Air travel can be stressful enough as it is for anyone, but regardless of in what capacity, traveling with young children is very challenging. Airlines attempt to make things less burdensome for parents with infants by allowing them to hold their babies during the flight. This article examines some of the ins and outs of such an offering.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 08:30:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/when-do-young-children-need-own-flight-tickets/ With American Airlines becoming the latest to pursue legal action again Skiplagged, the topic of skiplagging is in focus again. While the practice was ruled legal when United Airlines attempted to shut down the same website, most airlines have been clear that anyone using hidden city ticketing face strict sanction. But should airlines honor these tickets and what basis do they have to deny passengers?

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 03:46:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/should-airlines-honour-skiplagging/ Passengers are typically seen pulling laptops and other devices out of their carry-on bags as soon as the airplane hits cruising altitude. Especially on long flights, this seems to be a regular occurrence. But not all computer users utilize a portable laptop and instead use a larger desktop computer.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 01:01:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/can-desktop-computers-be-transported-on-airliners/ South Korea's Air Premia has added its next US route: Seoul to Honolulu. While not available to book at the time of writing, it is now in the schedules. The addition comes three months after it inaugurated Seoul to Newark in May 2023. Like all the carrier's routes, Honolulu will entirely rely on point-to-point demand, which can be tricky for long-haul operators.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 23:01:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/air-premia-boeing-787-flights-honolulu-united-states/ With its tricolor tails, British Airways is one of the most easily-recognizable airlines on the world stage. While the carrier's first class cabins aren't universal, the UK flag carrier's widebodies all feature a business class product known as Club World. The size of these cabins varies between aircraft types, as we shall now explore.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 17:30:29 GMT https://simpleflying.com/british-airways-largest-club-world-cabins-list/ Welcome to my 96th weekly routes newsletter! I've covered a few subjectively exciting routes that took off recently. Why not sign up and receive my newsletter in your email inbox every week?

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:01:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/notable-airline-routes-96/ An airline's route network dictates what it has, does, and generates. The following five carriers have the highest number of routes this August-December. Based on the latest information from Cirium and OAG, it includes all scheduled offerings.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:01:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/airlines-most-routes-planned-august-december-2023/ Off the breezy shores of Lake Saimma lies Sulkava, a cozy town in south-eastern Finland. And within this small town is a family farm where a young boy who dreamed of becoming a pilot grew up. Many years later, his dreams would be achieved, and he would also go on to have the ultimate flying Finnair family.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:30:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/finnair-family-relatives-working-together/ What a difference a year makes! Summer 2023 has seen more Americans than ever pack their bags and head to Europe on vacation. Typically, things slow down in September as the kids return to school. Still, September appears to be bucking the trend this year, according to the popular American travel App website Tripit.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:30:27 GMT https://simpleflying.com/september-booking-trends-analysis/ There was no doubt that Go First’s flight resumption plan would be full of challenges. After all, no Indian airline has come back after going bust. But occasional development in the Go First story every other week keeps hope alive. However, with the airline still grounded after nearly four months, it’s getting harder to remain optimistic for its remaining employees, lessors, and even the general public.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:00:14 GMT https://simpleflying.com/go-first-challenges-ahead-of-proposed-return/ Modern-day fighter pilots look mighty impressive in their jumpsuits with expressive squadron badges and pilot wings. Besides the obvious, you may need to realize that much effort is involved in designing today's fighter pilot equipment.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 08:30:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/fighter-pilots-cockpit-clothing-guide/ Qantas will fly the Airbus A380 to Johannesburg from next July as part of a broad array of changes. Replacing the Boeing 787-9 will result in more than double the number of seats per flight. While the equipment swap is not yet reflected in schedules or booking engines, Johannesburg will join a small group of airports to have A380 flights from three or more airlines.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 23:00:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/qantas-sydney-australia-johannesburg-south-africa-airbus-a380-flights/ The world's air forces have constantly attempted to innovate over the years, trying to gain every possible advantage in combat operations through the continued design of new aircraft. However, not all ideas that left the drawing board were successful and became household names. In this article, we'll look into five of the strangest military aircraft you may not have heard of.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 19:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/rare-military-aircraft-list/ KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has something for everyone when it comes to its present fleet, with a wide variety of twin-engine jetliners from various aircraft manufacturers at its disposal. According to ch-aviation.com, the Dutch flag carrier's fleet currently consists of 178 aircraft, and we shall now explore its makeup a little closer.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:01:23 GMT https://simpleflying.com/klm-fleet-guide/ Breaking it down by world regions, we will look at July's figures for airline on-time performance. A carrier's aircraft is considered on time if it parks at the gate within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/july-most-punctual-airlines-by-region/ Depending on the customer's requirements, a private jet can be as large as a Boeing 747-8. Both Airbus and Boeing offer a range of private jets, the sizes of which are based on their commercial transport counterparts. Larger jets can have an operating range of up to 9,700 NM (18,000 km) and cost anywhere between $150 million and $400 million.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:31:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/heres-how-far-private-jets-can-fly/ Norse Atlantic has removed London Gatwick to Kingston from sale more than three months before the first flight. The Jamaican capital was one of four routes the long-haul low-cost carrier introduced to improve winter performance, which is crucial to overall profitability and sustainability.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:00:28 GMT https://simpleflying.com/norse-atlantic-cuts-gatwick-kingston-before-first-flight/ Scotland has had air routes connecting its many inhabited islands to the mainland for a long time. In fact, the route from Kirkwall Airport (KOI) in the Orkney Islands to Inverness Airport (INV) is the longest-running commercial air route in the UK. Ferry routes, of course, are also an option, but there is still an essential need for air links - for several good reasons.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 14:01:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/scotland-islands-air-travel-importance-guide/ Many pilots would agree that nighttime flying is more tranquil than flying during daylight hours. The air is generally smoother, there is less traffic to work around, and fewer voices are heard on the radio. It's also easier to go "direct to" navigational fixes or get the runway assignment nearest to the flight's arrival gate. There are lots of upsides to night flying. One of the few disadvantages is the reality of laser strikes. This article will discuss them and the danger laser strikes pose to flights.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:30:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/lasers-pilots-aircraft-threat-analysis/ Fighter pilots always wear a helmet and mask unit for the entire duration of any flight. This is something we, of course, expect to see in military fighter aircraft – but we never would for civilian flights. Why is this? There are several reasons – and it's not just about air supply.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/why-do-fighter-pilots-wear-masks/ Many readers were saddened to hear the news that the Airbus A380 was to be discontinued. Many airlines fell out of love with the aircraft, claiming it was too expensive to run and hard to fill up. But if Airbus were to redesign the A380, could it be made profitable and attractive to carriers?

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:16:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/a380-profitable-redesign/ The Boeing 777 is a heavyweight of long-haul flying, with the US manufacturer having delivered more than 1,700 examples. There is considerable excitement surrounding the next-generation 777X, which will see the 'triple-seven' remain a familiar sight for years to come, but at the other end of the spectrum, what about the oldest passenger-carrying examples? Let's look at where these can be found.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 10:00:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/oldest-boeing-777s/ Because they are associated with celebrities and the wealthy, it's easy to assume that private jets fly faster than commercial airliners. While generally speaking, some private jets are faster than commercial planes. Many things determine how fast a plane can go.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:31:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/how-fast-do-private-jets-fly/ Traveling fast often becomes a way of life - be that on the ground or in the air. If adding to that, you travel away from home and all over the world for the better part of the year, it makes sense that you would want as efficient a means of transportation as possible. As such, it comes as no surprise that over the years, several Formula One drivers have opted for private jets. With environmental concerns ever more important, ownership is less than it once was, however. Plenty of drivers will charter aircraft to head to races - but currently, only two drivers are known to own private jets.

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 01:46:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/the-private-jets-of-formula-one/ Perhaps you’re moving far away, attending a LAN party, or simply going on a long holiday, and you’re thinking of what to do with your favorite console. Shipping it is one option, though, at the cost of hundreds of dollars, most people would bring it with them to keep an eye on it. As it’s not particularly common, some people are asking themselves, “Can I bring my console onboard a plane?”

]]> Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:46:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/games-consoles-on-airplanes-tips/ La Compagnie, a French all-business airline, has a unique model that works well for them. There are several factors that have led to the success of La Compagnie's model. From switching its fleet to narrowbody aircraft with fuel efficiency in mind to a strong focus on leisure passengers, La Compagnie's model is unique but shows that such an airline can work.

]]> Sun, 20 Aug 2023 22:46:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/la-compagnie-all-business/ The Airbus A220 has quickly emerged as the golden child of the narrowbody family, undertaking regional, short-, medium-, and even some nearly long-haul routes. However, could the plane take on one of the busiest long-haul crossings: across the Atlantic?

]]> Sun, 20 Aug 2023 22:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/airbus-a220-transatlantic-flights/ In September, the US's average 737 MAX route will cover 1,165 miles (1,875 km). Yet 10 non-stop routes fall into the long-haul territory, defined here as 3,000 miles (4,828 km) or more. They include two domestic offerings – and the world's longest MAX service.

]]> Sun, 20 Aug 2023 20:51:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/usa-longest-boeing-737-max-flights-september-2023/ In 2022, ultra-low-cost carrier Viva Air maintained a 16% share of the Colombian domestic aviation market, which is the world's twelfth-largest. Aviation in Colombia has expanded rapidly since the turn of the millennium, and, with over 300,000 flights planned for 2023, the market sits second in South America behind Brazil.

]]> Sun, 20 Aug 2023 18:46:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/winners-colombia-aviation-viva-air-liquidation/ One city pair where you'll find an abundance of Emirates A380s is Dubai to London. In fact, for the month of August 2023, the airline sees six daily A380 services to London Heathrow. This is also bolstered by another three daily services to London Gatwick. With this incredible frequency of service using the world's largest passenger aircraft, we thought it would be interesting to take a deep dive into Emirates' A380 operations to the UK Capital.

]]> Sun, 20 Aug 2023 06:00:23 GMT https://simpleflying.com/emirates-a380-operations-to-london-deep-dive/ Today we will look at a survey published by California-headquartered accounting software financial technology business Tipalti on the world's best airlines for business travel. Tipalti asked questions like which airlines have the best lounges for business travelers, which airline's business class seats are the most comfortable, the best onboard inflight entertainment, and who has the fastest WiFi.

]]> Sun, 20 Aug 2023 02:46:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/best-business-travel-airlines-survey-list/ Once an airport's final flight has taken off, it's hard to imagine what the facilities can be used as. It is rare that a major airport completely shuts down all operations, but when such instances occur, however, the possibilities for how to revitalize such a large space can be endless. In this article, we'll break down five cool ways in which closed airports have been repurposed.

]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2023 21:45:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/cool-airport-repurpose-projects-list/ Asia has more flights in September than any other continent or region, just as it normally does. According to OAG data, there are 229,000 weekly passenger services, with Asia accounting for a third of the world's total. Helped by China, India, Japan, and Indonesia, 82% of Asia's flights are domestic, hugely reflected in the continent's largest airlines.

]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2023 21:00:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/10-asian-airlines-most-flights-september-2023/ A couple of weeks ago, Simple Flying covered a selection of highly-regarded aviation-themed films. We thought it only proper to follow this up with a few well-known examples of theatrical productions related to the industry. Although we won’t be able to touch on every such staged play, as there are dozens, here are six of the most distinguished.

]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:00:23 GMT https://simpleflying.com/notable-aviation-stage-plays-musicals-list/ Following the end of World War II, German aircraft manufacturer Dornier finally returned to Germany in 1954 after spending many years producing planes elsewhere in Europe, notably Spain and Switzerland. One of the first aircraft designed and built upon returning to their homeland was the single-engine STOL-capable utility Dornier Do 27, which operators would eventually take delivery of several hundred examples. But it became apparent that a twin-engine variant could also be quite helpful.

]]> Sat, 19 Aug 2023 11:40:41 GMT https://simpleflying.com/dornier-do-28-history/ Minneapolis will welcome back Aer Lingus next May. In a competitive – and potentially predatory – move, Delta announced Dublin-Minneapolis on precisely the same day Aer Lingus officially unveiled its return. As Minneapolis is a massive Delta hub, the move is designed to protect its fortress hub and turf, even though it would not have launched Dublin but for Aer Lingus.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 23:01:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/minneapolis-record-europe-flights-summer-2024/ Amsterdam-based airline KLM is known the world over, amongst other things, for its iconic blue livery. With its fleet of 100+ aircraft, the Dutch flag carrier flies to cities around the world, serving millions of passengers each year. Looking at data from ch-aviation.com, let's examine the oldest active aircraft in KLM's mainline fleet.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 20:30:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/klm-oldest-planes/ Before we look at Bombardier's blended-wing EcoJet and how it could be the future of sustainable aviation, let's first look at the innovative Canadian aircraft manufacturer and see how it came to be. Headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, Canada, Bombardier was founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in 1942. Initially, Bombardier manufactured snowmobiles before diversifying into public service vehicles and aircraft.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 19:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/bombardier-ecojet-blended-wing-airplane/ Australia, with its vast landscapes and stunning natural beauty, is not only a traveler's paradise but also a hub of aviation innovation and activity. While kangaroos and koalas might be the first things that come to mind when thinking of Australia, the country's aviation scene holds a few surprises of its own. From pioneering achievements to a thriving aviation community, here are five things that might leave you pleasantly surprised about Australian aviation.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 18:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/australian-aviation-surprising-facts-list/ What nationality does a baby born on an international flight take on? The issue can be a complex one, as different countries follow varying principles of nationality.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 17:30:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/babies-born-on-flights-nationality-guide/ Quality of life as pertains to the potential for travel has steadily increased over the past couple of decades for a vast number of people. Much of this can be attributed to the rise of the low-cost carrier, or the LCC.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:05:51 GMT https://simpleflying.com/southwest-vs-jet-blue/ This article was written on August 18th. On this specific day, there are 106,000 scheduled passenger flights worldwide. Of these, about 8,280 – one in every 13 – is by a widebody aircraft (i.e., with twin aisles). More than 150 airlines will use them. Emirates is the largest operator – it only has widebody aircraft – followed by Qatar Airways, All Nippon, United, and Air China.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:00:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/430-airports-widebody-flights-august-18-2023/ Air India has more non-stop India-Europe flights than any other carrier. However, given so many European operators serve the vast country, it has fewer than one in four services – a proportion that has been reducing. Moreover, between January and May 2023, Air India was the fourth-largest operator by passengers – the first three being Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways. All Middle East carriers combined had around 40% of the India-Europe market.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:45:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/air-india-european-flight-operations/ Today we will look at the five busiest domestic air routes in Europe and see how high-speed trains are gradually replacing them. Before we discuss that in more detail, it's worth pointing out that domestic flights that involve travel from the mainland to an island will never be replaced by rail.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:30:24 GMT https://simpleflying.com/europe-busiest-domestic-air-routes-list/ When it comes to private jets, there really are two options. You can buy outright or you can charter a private jet. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but here we look at the costs involved.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:31:25 GMT https://simpleflying.com/how-much-do-private-jets-cost/ For the most part, the Airbus A320neo series has been an unequivocal success story. Revered by both full-service and low-cost carriers, as well as everything in between, the A320neo and A321neo models are set to form the backbone of many airlines' narrowbody fleets for many years to come. However, one notable exception to this trend is the smaller A319neo model, which very few airlines have ordered.

]]> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:00:26 GMT https://simpleflying.com/a319neo-orders/