Ahead of its delivery at the end of September, United Airlines' initial Boeing 787 has completed its first production flight. The aircraft took off from Boeing's Paine Field in Everett, Washington on Sunday 19 August. The flight tested the 787's onboard systems at high and medium altitudes. They also checked back-up and safety elements, including cabin pressurisation, avionics, navigation and communications systems.
Credit: United Airlines
Ahead of its arrival at next week's Farnborough air show - and planned flying displays - is this pic from Qatar Airways of its shiny new Boeing 787 fresh out of the paint hangar. The carrier is due to take delivery of five of the type this year.
Credit: Qatar Airways
Fresh out the box at Boeing's Everett plant is global parcel behemoth UPS's 50th 767-300 Freighter. According to Boeing's order figures it's still got another nine of the type to arrive. Meanwhile its great rival, FedEx, has 27 of the cargo aircraft on order.
Credit: Boeing
And there I was thinking the aircraft orders might start calming down before Christmas... still, it's only a $19 billion order for a total of 208 aircraft and is the first firm order for the 737 Max and the largest firm order in Boeing's history... not much happening really.... still, here's how the 737 Max will look in Southwest's livery.
Credit: Boeing
Flybe has taken delivery of the first two Embraer 175s from a 35 unit order dating from July 2010 - registrations G-FBJA and G-FBJC. They are pictured enjoying the traditional water arc welcome at Exeter airport last week. The aircraft are currently being positioned to start revenue service from 7 December at Manchester and Birmingham airports.
Credit: Flybe
Deals done in Dubai? Airbus A320neo for Arab and American airlines? Qatar's carrier chooses up to 80 Neos? Spirit selects 45 Neos? Lovely. (Just don't mention the A330 freighter conversions).
Credit: Airbus (both images)
Airbus is celebrating today after Russian carrier Transaero signed an MOU for four 700-seat A380s. It follows the airframer's first display of the superjumbo in Russia at the MAKS air show in August. Assuming the order is firmed up, here's how the aircraft will probably look.
Credit: Airbus
Given that commitments for Boeing's 747-8 Intercontinental have been rarer than hen's teeth - Korean and kings of the new aircraft type, Lufthansa, being the only airlines to order thus far - it's probably a welcome relief for Boeing that another carrier, Nigeria's Arik Air, has decided to join the party. OK, it's only for two aircraft (and not the potential five that Arik once promised) but orders is orders...
Credit: Boeing
Today's news that the Franco-Dutch carrier is to order 25 A350-900s (and 25 Boeing 787s) was probably one of the worst kept secrets of the year. However, it has provided us with a couple of nicely rendered images of the aircraft in their respective liveries. Nice to see that both background images are virtually identical, just cropped slightly differently.
Credit: Airbus
Virgin America will become the launch customer after committing to 30 of Airbus's re-engined A320neo (new engine option)," says Airbus, although it says no engine selection has been made.
Virgin America chief executive David Cush disclosed the agreement yesterday in Toulouse.
It covers 60 A320 aircraft in total, 30 of which are the A320neo.
In December 2010 Airbus launched the A320neo for entry into service in 2016.
Airlines will have a choice between the CFM International LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G powerplants.
The A320neo will also incorporate "sharklet" wing-tips that help to save fuel, says the airframer.
"The A320neo will not only deliver significant fuel savings of up to 15%, which represents up to 3,600t of CO2 savings annually per A320neo. In addition, A320neo customers will benefit from a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions, reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500nm (950 km) more range or two tonnes more payload," adds the EADS subsidiary.
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