Really glad I've had the privilege of not only photographing these planes but also being able to fly in them several times. Good legroom even in economy, and you gotta love the characteristic whine of those JT8Ds. Plus they look great in AA's bare-metal livery with the red, white and blue stripes.

(Written on 2018年 12月 28日)(Permalink)

For those that think this does not happen all over ther world - might want to check the facts. It DOES in fact happen in quite a few countries. I've boarded planes on rear airstairs at FRA and CDG. Granted, those were big widebody jets (LH and AF respectively) but it does happen, not just at those airports but at many other major European airports. And not just in Europe, but other countries around the world have airports where dual front and rear boarding is carried out on a regular basis. The U.S. is blessed to have airports with a jetway for each aircraft. Not so in other countries, especially at major hubs like FRA and CDG where jetways are at a premium. Even at LHR, some flights are boarded/disembarked via airstairs. Being an aviation enthusiast myself, I would gladly take the offer to board via the stairs at the rear door if available and the weather was fine. No better way to experience ground ops and get a view of other planes (even for just a few seconds as it may be!).

(Written on 2018年 11月 11日)(Permalink)

Eating away? Airbus has only garnered 173 orders for the -1000. Meanwhile, the 777-X has received 326 firm orders for both the -8 and the -9, of which 273 are for the -9.

(Written on 2018年 10月 31日)(Permalink)

Air Baltic just ordered 30 additional CS300s (15 firm, 15 options). In fact, Air Baltic's fleet will be almost all C-Series in a few years according to the airline. And other airlines are seriously considering ordering the aircraft, including BA. Total orders are now at more than 400. And I don't see how Boeing actually won, the whole point of the hoo-hah was to impose an almost 300% levy on the C-Series, thereby preventing sales to U.S. cariers. That fell through when Airbus purchased a 50.01% stake in the C-Series program (just high enough) and will be built at Airbus' Mobile, AL plant, so the C-Series can now be sold to U.S. airlines, in particular Delta, which has a hefty order for the plane.

(Written on 2018年 05月 29日)(Permalink)

BA announced it would be flying 744s between LHR and AUS last year, well before the engine problems came to the surface. It's more due to the higher demand on the route now. BA has been progressively increasing capacity between LHR and AUS, after the 787-8, it upgraded to the 787-9, then a mix of the 772ER/789, then finally this.

(Written on 2018年 05月 18日)(Permalink)

Yeah, it's a rough landing, no doubt about it. You don't have to be a pilot to know that when the main gear slams the runway hard and bounces back up several feet before settling back down is going to feel pretty rough in the cabin. Still, kudos to the pilot flying, looks like there was some decent windshear on short final, especially during the flare.

(Written on 2018年 03月 05日)(Permalink)

You're actually right, the 380 has thrust reversers on the inboard engines only. Airbus made this decision so as to prevent FOD from accidentally striking the aircraft's wings on reverse thrust (Since they hang out so far) on some runways that are 150ft wide instead of the usal 200). Also, the braking system does a pretty good job to make up for the lack of two more reversers.

(Written on 2016年 01月 18日)(Permalink)

Nothing new here, except it is being fitted on the 320NEO. Such operations are routinely done at Santos Dumont with short-field-package-enhanced 737s and 320s.

(Written on 2015年 09月 22日)(Permalink)

Houston did get it first - Lufthansa has been flying the 388 between FRA and IAH for a while now.

(Written on 2014年 04月 03日)(Permalink)