Before its eventual merger with Northwest Airlines in the late 2000s, Delta Air Lines had only flown one type of Airbus aircraft, the A310. These aircraft came from Pan Am when Delta acquired the airline's transatlantic routes in 1991. The planes had a relatively short spell at Delta Air Lines that lasted until just 1995.

After the fourth Arab-Israeli war, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) sought to deploy oil as a political and economic weapon. They were on a mission to stop oil supply to any country assisting Israel. Notably, the United States supplied Israel with weapons and equipment. As a result, OAPEC replied with a total oil embargo against the US in October 1973, cutting the country’s oil supply by two million barrels a day and causing a crisis for the aviation industry.

Performing its first flight on January 27th, 1959, the Convair 880 was produced with a narrow and short fuselage. This build helped it become the fastest commercial quadjet until the Boeing 747’s arrival.

In July 2020, Qantas final Boeing 747 left Australia, marking the end of a 49-year relationship between the Australian flag carrier and the Queen of the Skies. The two entities had a rich history together, with several twists and turns along the way.The airline first looked at ordering the 747 to replace the operations of its Boeing 707 aircraft in 1967. Four 747s then arrived in 1971, with the carrier initially preferring the Boeing 747-200B variant. The model was bigger than the 707 and could reach greater distancing, boosting the profits for the operator.

It has been well over a century since William Robinson Clarke became the first Black pilot to fly for the United Kingdom. He joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), a predecessor to the Royal Air Force (RAF), on July 26th, 1915, and went on to make history.

The Northrop N-9M was a scaled-down model aircraft used to develop the Northrop XB-35 and YB-35 flying wings. With a wingspan of 60 feet (18 meters), the N-9 stood at one-third of the full-sized 172-foot (52-meter) long-range heavy bombers. The aircraft first took off on December 27, 1942 – and, nearly 77 years later, tragically flew for the last time.

This month marks a significant milestone for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as it celebrates its 65th anniversary. Since its establishment on August 23, 1958, the FAA has played a pivotal role in shaping and regulating the aviation industry in the United States. As the agency responsible for the safety and efficiency of civil aviation, it oversees a broad range of responsibilities essential to the nation's airspace and airports.

August 23rd marks 33 years since the Boeing VC-25 was introduced by the United States Air Force (USAF). The aircraft would go on to serve the President of the United States to this day.

The Boeing 747 is a legendary aircraft that has created countless memorable moments over the last 53 years since entering service with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). Elsewhere in the US, Delta Air Lines also first operated the Queen of the Skies in 1970, the same year it was introduced. However, the Atlanta-based carrier and the plane took a thirty-year break before reconnecting.

Before we talk about how an American B-52 Stratofortress lost its tail while flying over New Mexico but still managed to land safely, let's first look at the heavy bomber and see how it came to be. In late 1945 the United States Air Force (USAF) sought a long-range heavy bomber that could fly missions from the United States and not rely on forward operating bases.In the spring of 1946, the Air Force invited aircraft manufacturers to submit their proposals. By the summer, the Air Force had approved Boeing's Model 462, powered by six Wright T35 turboprop engines. A year later, it was obvious to the Air Force that by the time the plane would be ready for delivery, it would already be outdated as jet engines began to replace turboprops.Now wanting a plane that could carry nuclear weapons, the USAF upped its requirements for an aircraft with a range of 8,000 miles and a top speed of 500 mph. After several back and forths with the Air Force, Boeing eventually developed a jet-powered plane called the "B-52." The aircraft made its maiden flight on April 15, 1952. Over the next three years, the aircraft was improved and entered service with the USAF in 1955. Now nearly 70 years later, the aircraft remains in service and is a crucial part of America's nuclear deterrent.

Did you know that Lufthansa used to fly the Boeing 767? While the twin-engine widebody was hardly the German flag carrier's most numerous aircraft type in years gone by, it did still operate three examples of the 767-300ER model. Let's take a look back in time to examine the Star Alliance member's relationship with the 767.

Madeira Airport (FNC), also known informally as Funchal Airport and formally as the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, is the only airport serving the Portuguese island of Madeira. It is located in a difficult area, surrounded by mountains and the sea, making both the flying approach and airport construction difficult. There have been two major runway extensions, though, as airport use has increased - the most recent involving an impressive bridge-based extension.

Before we talk about the belly landing of Air Nostrum flight IB 8665 in Barcelona involving a Canadair CRJ-200, let's first look at the airline and see how it came to be. Based at Valencia Manises Airport (VLC), Air Nostrum was founded on May 23, 1994, and began operations seven months later on December 15, 1994.Legally incorporated Air Nostrum Líneas Aéreas del Mediterráneo, S.A. Air Nostrum provides regional feeder flights for Spanish national carrier Iberia and is an affiliate member of the oneworld airline alliance. As an Iberia franchisee, Air Nostrum flies to 51 domestic and international destinations using a fleet of 45 aircraft. According to the aviation statistics and data website ch-aviation, Air Nostrums fleet is made up of the following aircraft:

Did you know that Air New Zealand used to operate the three-engined McDonnell Douglas DC-10 widebody? The carrier has been flying under its current name for almost six decades, so the trijet's nine-year spell at New Zealand's national airline could easily be forgotten. With this in mind, let's see where these aircraft ended up.

In a world where jetliners dominate the commercial aviation industry, it can be easy to forget just how far such aircraft have come over the years. Jet engines have powered countless airliner designs since the Second World War, but this revolution had to start somewhere, and it did so with the de Havilland Comet. This week marks 74 years since this pioneering aircraft made its first flight.