Virgin Orbit completed the first test flight of it’s modified Boeing 747-400 carrying the 70 foot long LauncherOne rocket. Richard Branson’s small satellite launch company is proving the feasibility of using the modified 747 to launch its carbon-fiber two-stage rocket. The company uses the fifth engine pod mount built in on the 747 to carry the rocket. The aircraft is …

The first ACJ320neo (Airbus corporate jet) has successfully completed it’s maiden flight at Airbus’ Finkenwerder plant in Hamburg. The aircraft performed the two hour and 40 minute flight on Friday. It is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. Derived from the Airbus A320neo, the ACJ version includes features such as extra fuel-tanks in the cargo-hold that will deliver for increased range, …

Engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) has completed the final flight of it’s original 747-100 flying testbed. The aircraft N747GE was the oldest active 747 in the world. It was the 25th 747 to roll off the line in October 1969 and was delivered to PanAm in March 1970 as Clipper Ocean Spray. GE acquired the aircraft in 1992 when it …

SpiceJet, reported its second quarter results of the fiscal year 2018-19 (FY19) yesterday. Much like the results of other listed airlines, it was a loss for the quarter. SpiceJet Q2FY19 snapshot: Revenues ₹1,9104 crores (up 4%) Costs ₹2,299 crores (up 25%) EBITDAR (₹32.7) crores Profit before tax (PBT): loss of (₹396 crores) Revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) ₹3.73 Cost per …

China Southern Airlines has officially conformed that it will leave SkyTeam at the end of the year. The airline which is Asia’s largest, posted the below notice to it’s shareholders and investors. There have been rumors of China Southern leaving SkyTeam and going OneWorld for some time now. The airline has had a second rate status in SkyTeam due to …

Bangalore airport has become the first airport in India to introduce automated bag drop machines. The 16 new self bag drop counters will allow passengers to check in their baggage without having to interact any ground agent. Using the self bag drop involves a two-step approach. A passenger will first print a boarding pass and an eezee-tag (bag tag) at …

Once we got back to the gate after leaving the lounge, boarding had already begun. When we boarded approximately quarter of the aircraft was remaining for boarding. London Heathrow (LHR) to Bangalore Kempegowda International BA119. STD 14.20 STA 04.45 +1. All times local. 9-May-2018. Boeing 777-200ER. Seat 2K. Upon boarding the aircraft, I was pointed to my seat. Unfortunately because …

Jet Airways reported its second quarter (Q2FY19) results this Tuesday.  With a loss of 1261 crores, the results were better than analyst expectations – highlighting how low the market sentiment has become. Jet finds itself in a challenging spot with increasing cost pressures, onslaught of low cost carriers in the domestic market and liquidity pressures towards servicing debt. Bangalore Aviation …

European airframer Airbus has delivered it’s first A321LR ‘Long Range” to Israeli carrier ARKIA Israeli Airlines. The aircraft bearing the registration 4X-AGH is powered by two CFM LEAP-1A engines and is configured in a single class layout with 220 seats. The A321LR is a modified version of the Airbus A321neo has a range of 4,000nm (7,400km).

In an incredulous move, it is being reported that the government of Burundi has blocked an Kenyan low cost carrier from flying to their country because their aircrafts are not equipped with a business class. Jambojet is the low-cost subsidiary of Kenya Airways – the flag carrier of Kenya. The airline operates regional flights with a fleet of five Bombardier …

For a few years many airline’s have been putting effort into making unique safety videos. Producing an innovative safety video gives the airline an opportunity to differentiate themselves in one of their most routine tasks while also providing a viral marketing opportunity. It also allows the airline to promote their product and partnerships. For example the below safety video from …

Airbus has sucessfully completed the first flight of it’s A330-800 aircraft. The aircraft MSN1888 took off from Toulouse-Blagnac airport at around 10.30AM and landed after about four hours. The A330-800 is the smaller version of the re-engined A330neo series. The A330neo program was announced in 2014 and the first aircraft of the series – the A330-900 had it’s first flight …

Low cost carrier GoAir has announced that it will begin flights from Bangalore to Phuket and Male from 9th December 2018. The airline recently began it’s international operations with flights to the two destinations from Mumbai and Delhi. GoAir will operate flights from Bangalore three times a week to Phuket and twice weekly to Male. The airline has announced introductory …

Jet Airways has announced three new from Bangalore, Vadodara, Delhi and Coimbatore. The airline is launching daily flights between Bangalore and Vadodara, Delhi and Vadodara and Delhi and Coimbatore. Timetable of Jet Airways’s new routes Sector Flight No. Starting from Days of Operation STD STA Vadodara – Bengaluru 9W 319 28th October Daily 20:35 22:35 Bengaluru -Vadodara 9W 320 28th …

Kempegowda International Airport has planned an increase of 17% international Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) over the coming winter schedule. An ATM is defined as either a take off or landing at an airport. The airport has released the following ATM numbers: At the start of Winter 2018, the BLR Airport is expected to achieve Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) of about …

A Boeing 737 MAX 8 of Indonesian carrier Lion Air has reportedly crashed into the waters of the Java Sea after the airline confirmed that it has lost contact with the aircraft. The flight JT-610 was operating from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang. The aircraft was PK-LQP a two month old Boeing 737 MAX 8 having been delivered to the airline …

On our flight back from the US, we were connecting through Chicago O’Hare airport. Chicago is one of the airports which feature American Airlines new flagship lounges. The lounge was located very close to the gate we arrived at and we were quickly at the lounge entrance. After getting our boarding passes scanned at the concourse level, we went up …

Full service carrier Jet Airways will begin flights from Pune to Singapore from 1st December 2018. This will be the airline’s fourth destination to Singapore after Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. (Read our review of Jet Airways’ Bangalore – Singapore flight.) Jet Airways’ Timetable from Pune to Singapore Flight Number Origin Destination STD STA 9W22 Pune Singapore 05.10 13.15 9W21 Singapore …