Qatar Airways plans to move their headquarters to the newest Doha developing area in 2025. Qatar corporate employees will soon work in a state-of-the-art building that’s closer to the airline’s hub airport making it easier for employees to access the headquarters.
The airline made this announcement as part of a signing ceremony that addressed members of the media on Tuesday. Personnel will gradually be moving out of three buildings in the Old Airport area.
Qatar Moves into Msheireb
Executives from Qatar Airways and Msheireb Properties signed an agreement publicly last Tuesday that will relocate Qatar’s global headquarters. The airline will soon move into developing area Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) on Al Nakheel Street.
Qatar’s new offices will be located inside four state-of-the-art towers within the developing area. Each tower is connected to one another. Tower A is 20 stories high, making it the tallest tower in MDD. Qatar will have a total gross area of 51,602 square feet in this space.
More importantly for some employees, the new headquarters is closer to Hamad International Airport, Qatar’s global hub and operations center.
Qatar employees will be able to take a short walking distance to Msheirab Metro Station, where they can take a rapid transit line to the airport or another location within downtown Doha.
Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and Msheireb Properties CEO Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari met last week to make the signing official. Msheireb Vice Chairperson Saad Al Muhannadi was also present.
Al-Meer had these thoughts on the upcoming Qatar Airways moves to Doha at the signing:
“As Qatar Airways continues to grow, we believe in investing in our greatest resource: our employees. By enhancing and elevating our work environment, we aim to not only create a more enjoyable, modern and collaborative working environment for our people, but also advance the airline’s role as an employer of choice in the region.”
Al Kuwari also had kudos to Qatar Airways and its commitment to maintaining sustainability:
“Msheireb Downtown Doha is rapidly growing into Qatar’s tech, tourism and creativity hub, attracting partners and collaborators who share our and Qatar Airways’ vision for a connected, future-ready city. We are eager to welcome Qatar Airways into the Msheireb Downtown Doha family, sharing a commitment to sustainable development and a desire to build a human-centric community in Qatar.”
MDD is the first-ever sustainable and smart city district with Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The complex has also obtained a SmartScore certification for smart buildings.
Qatar will officially start to relocate to MDD in 2025.
Canada is the latest country to adopt seamless face recognition technology thanks to Air Canada. This technology will make its way to Vancouver airport, with other airports in Canada following in the future.
The airline also provides easy instructions for how users can set up their Canada face recognition. All domestic travelers only need a smartphone to start.
Air Canada’s Face Recognition Coming Soon
Air Canada issued a press release touting the launch of its Digital Identification (ID) program. Use of Digital IDs for travelers begins at Vancouver International Airport on 3 December.
Digital IDs will serve as an alternative to passports. Passengers will simply need to scan their faces in order to confirm their identities with the airline. This process will accelerate check-in times and reduce waiting and congestion at the airport.
The Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Café at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will also accept these Digital IDs for entry.
Air Canada has also posted a video demonstrating how users can register for face scanning and check in at the airport with a Digital ID.
The airline has also posted simple instructions online. Basically, users will need to download and run the Air Canada mobile app.
More On Passport-less Face Recognition
Canada is far from the only nation to utilize this technology. Other airports and airlines scan users’ faces to save them in a database. This allows the system to easily match the ID with each time you visit the check-in gate. In the case of Air Canada, however, the system will scan your passport photo for registration in addition to being used for travel.
Air Canada Vice President of Canadian Airports and Customer Experience Tom Steven had these remarks to share in the latest press release:
“We are thrilled to take a leadership position with the Vancouver Airport Authority in using technology to simplify and transform boarding of almost all our YVR-departing domestic flights. Digital identification is readily used to streamline numerous daily activities.”
“…Bringing this technology to the gate enhances the travel experience, making boarding flights convenient and effortless. The feedback from customers, notably our frequent flyers, during the pilot phase was very positive. We look forward to expanding this technology to additional airports.”
There currently is no timetable for when the technology will be installed at other Canadian airports. Travelers will still need to carry their physical passports, even with a Digital ID.
British Airways will design a new first class cabin for some of its aircraft on international routes. The airline hopes to impress with a new blend of luxury and comfort.
The remodeled first class cabin will be first available some time in the middle of 2026. This remodeling will take place on select Airbus A380s.
Get Cozy with the British Airways First Class Cabin
British Airways has unveiled a new first class suite for certain Airbus A380 aircraft. This remodeling is part of a £7 billion reconstruction plan that aims to update cabins, seating, technology, and lounges where customers spend their time during travels.
The first of the A380s are expected to be remodeled in mid-2026. Currently, A380s are used on routes that connect London, England with Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. A screenshot from British however also suggests the A380 may also fly to New York in the future.
Those that purchase first class seating also have access to the First Wing lounge at Heathrow Airport.
In the new first class cabin, each customer will get his or her own private space featuring a 36.5-inch wide leather seat made with materials from Europe’s finest suppliers. The seat also converts into a 79-inch flat bed for sleeping.
Each seat has a tablet with options where customers can order meals, ask for service, adjust the window blinds, or toggle on the new ‘do not disturb’ functionality. The seat features a 32-inch screen with 4K resolution.
A divider separates adjacent first class spaces. If you are traveling with a companion, you can slide down the dividers and fold out a table to create a dining environment.
If you prefer total privacy, the space also includes a ‘cocooned’ 60-inch wall that can enclose the space.
Luxury the British Way
The interior of the new first class cabin is said to be very sleek and relaxing. Elements of textured brown imitate wood to invoke comfort and relaxation. The dark gray furnishings provide the space with timelessness and modernity.
The new British Airways first class cabin also includes the following amenities:
Mood lightning with different settings for dining, movie-watching, and relaxing.
A phone holder to keep your smartphone secured, within reach, and charged using a wireless charger.
Hidden storage compartments that neatly store luggage bags, coats, and other belongings.
Sound-dampening acoustic panels to suppress noises from outside the space.
British Airways CCO Calum Laming gave his remarks in the press release regarding the upcoming first class offerings:
“We’re incredibly proud to launch the next era of First that pushes the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity, taking into consideration customer preferences and expectations to the finest detail…We truly believe we offer a winning combination in delivering an extraordinary experience for our customers.”
The press release states that customer feedback was a vital part in many decisions made in the new A380 first class space.
Recently, we visited the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell AFB for an up-close look at America’s newest tanker, the KC-46 Pegasus. This past summer, one of their crews flew the first-ever nonstop Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight. We teamed up with Forbes journalist Jim Clash and sat down with Col Brent Toth for a chat about it, the commander who led the record 45-hour flight around the world.
The mission, Project Magellan, was flown from McConnell from 29 June to 1 July 2024 and took months to plan.
Watch our interview with Col Brent Toth above!
The airmen at McConnell are writing the book on the KC-46. They are the plane’s main operating base number one, tasked with developing and advancing KC-46 capabilities.
Why fly a Pegasus 45 straight hours non-stop around the world?
America’s refueling tankers are the backbone of our global air superiority and dominance, and the “Maximum Endurance Operation” Toth led proved the Pegasus can surge personnel, supplies and planes for the Joint Force, anywhere in the world at any time.
Col Brent Toth and the KC-46 Pegasus he commanded on the record 45-hour flight with Project Magellan. (Mike Killian photo of Col Toth left, USAF photo of the KC-46 refueling on the right)
“We proved that we could take off and go anywhere in the world on a complex combat mission, refueling a variety of aircraft along the way – other tankers, cargo planes, fighter jets and bombers,” said Toth. “45 hours is the longest anyone from Air Mobility Command has been on a plane.”
As they flew non-stop around the world, Toth and his Pegasus crew refueled B-2 stealth bombers, C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, another KC-46, and even F-15E Strike Eagles over the Middle East who were flying combat sorties over Iraq.
A KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft connects with an F-15 Strike Eagle test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, California. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt Michael Jackson).
Max-Endurance Operations
“It was a max-endurance operation which allowed for two intermittent air crews on one plane functioning for 48 hours. Flying for 45, we got pretty close to that max. We also collected a lot of the medical data about the crew we can study for future flights.“
Previously, 3 pilots could fly as an ‘augmented’ crew for up to 24 hours. Moving forward, AMC is looking to have a crew of 4 pilots operating for up to 48 hours. Project Magellan proved it can be done with the Pegasus.
The US Air Force KC-46 Pegasus from McConnell Air Force Base’s 22nd Air Refueling Wing, during Project Magellan, a 45-hour-long max endurance mission, circumnavigated the globe nonstop. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Devin Rumbaugh)
As Toth stated, recording data on the health of the crew during the mission was a high priority.
“Goals for this flight were to see the combined capabilities of a modern tanker and augmented crews, pushing the brink of human performance,” said Capt. Jacob Heyrend, 349th Air Refueling Squadron flight surgeon who was on the mission. “The final goal I had for the flight was to maintain crew, flight and mission safety and health as the aeromedical element.”
Watch our exclusive tour of the KC-46 at McConnell AFB! Video by Mike Killian / AvGeekery
“We showcased not only the unmatched endurance of the KC-46 aircraft, but also the incredible resilience and professionalism of our aircrew,” said Col. Cory Damon, 22nd ARW commander, who was onboard the final tanker refueling the KC-46.
USAF is buying 179 KC-46s, and will soon decide which base will be the hub
“This mission was a true test of our capabilities and a shining example of the critical role our tankers play in providing fuel and support to the Joint Force. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s achievement in pushing the boundaries of what our tankers and their crews can do, and I have no doubt that this historic mission will serve as a foundation for future maximum endurance operations and further solidify our position as a key enabler of global power projection.”
The Project Magellan crew exits a KC-46A at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, July 1, 2024. The aircraft executed the world’s first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Paula Arce)
The Air Force intends to buy 179 of the tankers from Boeing, under a $4.9 billion contract. They are currently considering 7 bases to be the hub for the KC-46.
The USAF will make that decision by 2027, and the first of 8 aircraft are scheduled to arrive in 2031.
Ancient Airlines: A look at unique and quirky airlines throughout aviation history
American Trans Air, also known as ATA, was highly successful in its heyday, taking passengers to destinations all around the world. It operated as the largest charter airline on the continent and transported more U.S. troops than any other commercial airline. It seemed like it had a great business model of connecting business passengers through major markets, offering discount travel to vacationers, and steady income with troop movements. We take a look at the rise and fall of ATA.
The Start of Greatness
American Trans Air started as Ambassadair originally, in 1973, when it was founded as a charter flight provider. For over a decade, it took its passengers all over the world, using an impressive fleet of Boeing 720, 707 and 727 aircraft. It didn’t start its regularly scheduled commercial service until 1986, when it offered American Trans Air service between Indianapolis and Fort Myers.
Once commercial service started, so did the expansion. Within a few years, ATA had begun service to other U.S. destinations, as well as service to Belfast and even Latvia (the Latvia service wasn’t a hit and was discontinued).
During the Gulf War, ATA also transported troops for the U.S. Military and U.S. Department of Defense, transporting more than 100,000 personnel for nearly 500 missions. The service also included the chartering of Lockheed L-1011 TriStar wide-body jetliners to the Department of Defense, for use transporting personnel between overseas air bases and Philadelphia.
Further into the mid-90s, ATA turned its commercial attention to leisure travelers, with flights to the Caribbean, Latin America and Hawai’i, as well as flights to the United Kingdom (though even then, many of the seats on these routes to the United Kingdom were filled with military personnel). At this time, the famous moniker, “On ATA, you’re on vacation” was plastered on billboards and TV spots.
As ATA continued to grow with the turn of the millennium, its fleet grew in turn, with new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. ATA was even the North American launch customer for the Boeing 757-300 aircraft.
ATA was a market leader in innovation even as a smaller airline. The airline had foot rests in coach. They offered flat screen TVs (brand new back in the late ’90s) and leather seats on their new 737 and 757 aircraft. And the airline offered flexible e-tickets, now industry standard.
Before the airline began its descent from airline greatness, it would launch a regional service in 2000, called ATA Connection, linking Midwestern hubs such as Chicago and Indianapolis.
The Downward Spiral
Photo: Ed Groenendijk
The first hard hit ATA took was in 2001, when the Sept. 11 attacks heavily impacted the air travel industry. The decline in air travel and the recent purchase of new aircraft spelled disaster for ATA and, in 2004, it filed for bankruptcy. ATA transferred most of its gates at Chicago Midway to Southwest.
Southwest starts its first-ever codeshare with ATA
As part of the agreement for the gates and coveted East Coast slots, Southwest commenced its first major code share with an airline. The goal was for ATA to fly routes where Southwest didn’t (like Washington Reagan, DFW Airport, and Hawaii) while Southwest used the new gates to cement its position as a market leader. Overall, ATA drastically reduced flights and cut routes. It focused on cutting routes where it would face direct competition from Southwest or other low cost rivals like Frontier or JetBlue. ATA Connection shuttered too.
In 2006, though, ATA did make an effort to return to profitability. It began new service between Houston and New York City and additional routes between California and Hawaii in line with the Southwest partnership.
The airline realized that even with bankruptcy, the expensive leases from their newer fleet and the high costs of operating the L1011 were a consistent drag on the bottom line. It purchased some used DC-10 aircraft from Northwest’s retired fleet with the intent to replace its aging fleet of L1011. They also purchased a few used classic 737s in an effort to save costs as they returned the more expensive 737-800s.
New flights were added to the Chicago Midway hub in 2007, largely eliminating service from Indianapolis. However, later in 2007, ATA once again abruptly announced the termination of several of these routes. The airline seemed to have lost its way.
ATA’s loss is Southwest’s gain
In 2008, ATA declared bankruptcy a second time, at which point all operations stopped. When ATA shut down, it was serving 13 destinations with 29 aircraft. Southwest bought ATA’s remaining assets. ATA, on its end, was just a shell of the former airline that it had been 8 years earlier.
The cost of operating, especially jet fuel, combined with the abrupt cancellation of ATA’s military charter contract, meant the end. However, aggressive expansion, a poor economy, and high-cost aircraft definitely didn’t help. After ATA ceased service, Southwest replaced much of the service lost from the code share by launching new routes on its own metal.
One notable exception was Hawaii. It wasn’t until 2018 that Southwest finally launched service to the 50th state. Southwest almost treated American Trans Air as a proof of concept for new service and aircraft. By partnering with the flailing airline, they were able to vet new routes, larger 737-800 aircraft, and grow their Midway focus city into the near fortress hub that it is today.
If you just can’t live without being connected, most airlines now offer Wi-fi onboard for a fee. The fee at some airlines for service can be quite high though. We’ve seen charges for Wi-Fi on a flight as high as $25 recently.
Fortunately, the market for Wi-Fi on flights is changing. Some airlines are now beginning to offer free internet as part of their service offering. This is expected to become more common in 2025 as airlines begin to roll out upgraded Wi-Fi focused products.
Here are five airlines that operate in America that currently or will soon offer free Wi-Fi onboard as part of their product.
Hawaiian Airlines With Starlink
Photo: Hawaiian Airlines
All passengers that book fares on Hawaiian’s Airbus fleet have access to free Wi-Fi. This Wi-Fi comes courtesy of Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Hawaiian became the first US airline to reach a deal with Starlink in 2022, and as of September 2024, the high-speed Wi-Fi has been successfully installed on all Airbus aircraft. Hawaiian also plans to install Starlink on its two Boeing 787-9 planes.
Though Hawaiian has merged with Alaska, Alaska still charges for its Wi-Fi courtesy of Wi-Fi Onboard as of this writing. Wi-Fi Onboard sells passes for one hour, a day, a month, or for an entire year.
While JetBlue currently doesn’t offer satellite Wi-Fi, the free offerings from the Boston-based airline are very robust, nonetheless. JetBlue was the first major airline to provide free Wi-Fi for customers in every class.
Viasat is the company that provides the Wi-Fi on JetBlue flights. While it’s not as capable as Starlink, passengers are still free to browse, text, and stream once connected.
JetBlue has also reached a deal with Peacock, allowing passengers to stream from a select catalog of movies and TV shows. TrueBlue members can receive 1,000 points when they sign up for a subscription. Mosaic members can also score a free annual Peacock subscription.
Delta Air Lines
formulanone from Huntsville, United States [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]
There are currently two ways customers can get free Wi-Fi on a Delta flight. Firstly, long-haul international flights will have free Wi-Fi for all passengers. The companies that make this possible are Viasat and T-Mobile.
For domestic flights, Wi-Fi is only free for SkyMiles members. Fortunately, it’s free to sign up for SkyMiles to claim the free Wi-Fi offer. Upon becoming a SkyMiles member, you get free 24-hour access to Paramount Plus, which you can enjoy anywhere you’re streaming.
Without SkyMiles, it costs $10 to use Wi-Fi during a Delta flight.
International Carriers With Service To the US:
Air New Zealand
Image via Air New Zealand
One of the first international airlines to reach a deal with Starlink is Air New Zealand. This airline flies to and from a handful of major US cities such as New York and Los Angeles.
One thing to be wary of is the use of video call apps. Currently, New Zealand has banned video calling on commercial planes due to the potential ‘interference with the aircraft’s systems’. While you can still browse the web and send texts, apps like FaceTime will be off limits.
China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern 777-300ER, Image: Anna Zvereva
Like Air New Zealand, China Eastern offers free Wi-Fi for American passengers on flights to and from select major cities such as San Francisco and Chicago. Also like Air New Zealand, there’s one key thing to watch out for.
Their free service comes with a weird catch though. The Wi-Fi has a limit of 100 passengers per flight. You won’t be able to connect if the capacity on the server is full.
The airline uses jets on international flights. China Eastern’s fleet includes the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 787-9, and Boeing 777-300ER.
On 23 November 2024, Russian Cosmonauts noticed an unusual odor when they opened the hatch to the Soyuz 29 capsule after it docked to their Poisk Module on the International Space Station (ISS). They immediately closed the hatch leading from the Poisk to the rest of the Russian section in the ISS and reported the situation to ground control.
View of International Space Station showing docking locations. | image: nasa blogs
International Space Station Safe According to NASA
Several hours later, NASA released a statement to CNN, reporting that ground controllers “activated air scrubbing equipment as part of normal procedures. The crew reported the odor dissipated quickly and cargo transfer operations are proceeding on schedule.”
Later, Kelly O. Humphries, news chief at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, reported, “There are no concerns for the crew.”
Russian progress 29 spacecraft, named “Progress 90” for resupply mission to international space station. | image: nasa
NASA also posted a statement on social media on 24 November confirming that the situation on the International Space Station was resolved: “Air scrubbers and contaminant sensors” confirmed that “air quality inside the space station (was) at normal levels.”
ISS Resupply Mission Almost Flawless
The unmanned Russian Progress 29 spacecraft was named “Progress 90” by NASA for the mission. It launched on a Soyuz-2 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on 21 November, arriving at the ISS two days later. The spacecraft successfully docked with the Russian Poisk module.
Launch on 21 November 2004 of Russian soyuz rocket carrying unmanned progress 29 spacecraft. the rocket launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. | image: roscosmos
NASA covered the approach and docking on its YouTube channel. During the docking procedure, the NASA spokesman narrating the video said the flight to the International Space Station was, “a perfect ride from launch to docking.” He continued, calling the mission “flawless” and “a great ride.” Everything had gone well until the Cosmonauts opened the hatch to the Progress 29.
Cosmonauts React to Unexpected Odor from Progress 29 Spacecraft
The Cosmonauts reported the smell from the Progress 29 was “toxic” and that they immediately closed its hatch. They also reported seeing droplets of an unknown liquid floating in the air when they opened the Progress 29. An Astronaut in the U.S. Segment of the ISS, also reported a “spray paint-like” smell at the time of the docking, but it was not clear if it came from the Progress 29.
NASA Claims Outgassing Probable Cause of Odor on Spacecraft
NASA officials told CNN the “unexpected” odor probably came from a process called “outgassing” from the cargo on the Progress 29. Outgassing is the release of gasses from cargo and other materials carried on spacecraft.
Outgassing refers to the release of gases or compounds from materials and items transported on spacecraft. Things made of materials like plastics, adhesives, rubbers, and some fabrics may have air pockets or gases they may have absorbed. When these materials encounter the vacuum of space, they can release the gases.
Progress 29 Spacecraft in hangar prior to “progress 90” resupply mission to international Space station. | image roscosmos.
NASA tries to reduce the chance of outgassing by testing items like food, clothing, and equipment. Some of the substances that result from outgassing can be irritating or even toxic which can certainly become a serious issue for crews in space.
Russian Cite Cause of Leaks on Other Missions to International Space Station
This is not the first time Russian spacecraft have had unknown leaks. During the December 2022 mission of the Russian Soyuz-22 to the International Space Station, Cosmonauts saw something leaking outside the spacecraft. They investigated and discovered a coolant leak and noticed a drop in pressure in the coolant system.
soyuz ms-22 leaking coolant while docked to the international space station during 2023 mission. | image: nasa
At the time of the leak, Cosmonauts were about to perform a spacewalk outside the International Space Station but cancelled it. Russian authorities later stated that micrometeoroids or other space debris may have caused the leak. Micrometeoroids are small bits of rock usually weighing less than a gram and measuring less than a millimeter. There have been no suggestions of this causing the strange smell on the Progress 29.
Some Odors Not Mysterious on International Space Station
The concept of odors on the ISS is not new, but often the crew knows the cause. They live close together in a confined space, sometimes for months. U.S. Astronaut Christina Koch experienced this during the 328 days she spent onboard the International Space Station from 14 March 2019 to 6 February 2020.
Astronauts (From left to right) christina koch and jessica meir working and living in tight spaces on the international space station. | image: nasa
“To be honest, there is nothing on the space station that smells pleasant, other than maybe veggie science,” said Koch. “Yes, the ISS smells like a lab, a gym, a house that six people live in together for months at a time. There is the unique smell of space. Scented lotions/soaps/shampoos are prohibited because they contain chemicals that affect the systems that clean our air. And, of course, an open flame is a bad idea, so no candles.”
Beyond the obvious danger of an unidentified odor on a spacecraft, the Progress 90 mission was critically important. The spacecraft carried about 5,500 pounds of cargo to the ISS. This included fuel, drinking water, compressed nitrogen, food, and clothing, all essential for long-term survival in space.
Lockheed’s XF-90 Prototypes Were Underpowered and Overbuilt, But They Sure Were Easy On The Eyes
Almost immediately after the end of World War II, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) requested a long-range jet-powered penetration/bomber escort. Lockheed’s designers, including the famous Kelly Johnson and his Skunk Works team, submitted their XF-90 design. As with almost every jet-powered aircraft of that time, the XF-90 was to be powered by an engine that either didn’t live up to its potential or didn’t even exist yet (in this case, two of them)- the Lockheed L-1000 (J37) axial flow turbojet engine.
Official US Air Force photograph
Yet Another Design Let Down by Engine Tech
Unfortunately for Lockheed and for the XF-90, the L-1000 never got off the ground. General Electric J35 engines were to be used initially instead but Westinghouse J34s powered the prototypes. The XP-90 was an aesthetically pleasing design that featured a pair of 35-degree swept wings with leading-edge slats, a swept empennage, a pointed nose, a bubble canopy over a pressurized cockpit with an ejector seat, and tricycle landing gear.
The jet also had a variable-position vertical stabilizer capable of moving forward and aft. In fact, one could look at Lockheed’s P-80 Shooting Star and see design influences, especially the engine intakes, low-mounted wings, and tail geometry.
Official US Air Force photograph
Extra Strength Just in Case
Lockheed built only two XF-90 prototypes (46-687 and 46-688), having been awarded a contract by the Army Air Force to build them in June of 1946. At first, a delta wing was considered for the jet, but swept wings were deemed a better solution and incorporated into the revised design. Because sustained supersonic flight was still mysterious and it was believed might result in unpredictable airframe stresses at the time, Johnson and the Skunk Works engineers built extra strength into the XF-90 airframes.
Official US Air Force photograph
Built Like a Tank
In fact, the aircraft were built like tanks, with higher-strength 7075 aluminum alloy used for the majority of the structure rather than the 2024 alloy that was commonly used in aircraft structures. Throw in a large number of forgings and machined parts used to construct the jets, and the end result was a pair of gorgeous and shapely fighters that tipped the scales at just over 50% more than either of the competitors- North American’s F-86 Sabre-derived YF-93 and McDonnell’s XP-88A Voodoo. Lockheed’s chief test pilot, Tony LeVier, flew the redesignated XF-90 for the first time on 3 June 1949.
Official US Air Force photograph
A Little Help From RATO Required
In order to carry enough fuel to meet the range requirement, the XF-90s would utilize wingtip fuel tanks. The two engines were mounted side by side in the rear fuselage. Once it became obvious the L-1000 was a non-starter, XF-90 687 employed non-afterburning J34-WE-11 engines. However, even two of these engines couldn’t push out enough thrust to get 687 off the ground! Rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO) was required for many of the initial test flights unless the aircraft was flown with a reduced fuel load.
Official US Air Force photograph
Finally a Propulsion Solution
688’s engines were augmented by afterburners (J34-WE-15 in this configuration), but even with reheat, the jet was and always would be underpowered. Designed to mount six 20 millimeter cannon internally, the XF-90 was legitimately fast even when underpowered. XF-90A 688 was the first United States Air Force (USAF) jet-powered aircraft with an afterburner. It was also the first Lockheed aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound and did so some 15 times during testing, although never in level flight.
Official US Air Force photograph
Losing Out to the Voodoo Prototype and In the Blast Zone
On 15 August 1950, the Air Force announced that McDonnell’s XF-88A Voodoo won the competition. The two XF-90 prototypes were never even given Star– names like the other Lockheed jets of the time.
687 ended up at the NACA laboratory in Cleveland, where its stout structure was subjected to a battery of beatings and batterings until all that was left were small bits and pieces. 688 became a test article and was deposited in the blast zones of at least three atomic bomb detonations at the Nevada Test Site.
When even abuse via atomic bomb didn’t destroy the airframe, it ended up at the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, where its decontaminated fuselage is stored, perhaps one day to be displayed as an exhibit.
Official US Air Force photograph
The Usual Lament of the Times
So, primarily for want of more powerful jet engines, the XF-90 was relegated to the trivia section. The aircraft weighed more than a Douglas C-47 airlifter and was stress-rated for 12 Gs. If only turbojet engines had been slightly more advanced…well, if indeed. Lockheed continued to build F-80 fighters and T-33 trainers, Shooting Stars, and went on to build the F-94 Starfire interceptor and later the F-104 Starfighter, among other iconic designs. And the Voodoo? The Air Force bought more Republic F-84 Thunderjets instead of F-88 Voodoos. McDonnell’s Voodoo ended up being shelved for a few years and was reincarnated as the redesigned F-101 Voodoo.
Elon Musk has attacked many organizations over the last decade that he believes waste billions of taxpayer dollars. This week, his attacks turned to the F-35 program, even saying all jets requiring pilots in jets are now obsolete and only still exist to help them get laid.
It’s no secret the F-35 program is far from perfect. It’s $180 billion over budget and has been plagued with delays and technical issues, and some have even crashed.
Musk Attacks F-35, Says Modern Jets Only Help Pilots Get Laid 37
Declassified Pentagon report cites numerous problems, even though the jet has been flying for 18 years
A recently released declassified Pentagon report on the F-35 program noted many ongoing problems. They include guns that don’t shoot straight, stealth skin that doesn’t stay on, cybersecurity concerns and maintenance problems, among others. Even after flying for nearly 20 years.
Some more of Musk’s comments on his X platform below. He sees remotely-controlled aircraft and drones as the future, for far less money and risk.
Musk Attacks F-35, Says Modern Jets Only Help Pilots Get Laid 38
Question is, is this just rhetoric from Musk? Or will a Trump administration take action on his recommendations? Trump has previously said it’s the best jet in the world, but even during his last campaign for President raised questions about costs. He even wants all the manufacturing done in America, rather than different parts being made overseas and assembled in America.
Usaf f-35 at nellis afb, nevada (mike killian photography)
Musk has a track record of going after established legacy contractors, and winning
It’s no secret to voters and taxpayers that many federal programs are just money-grabs for long-established legacy contractors. Musk has a track record of going after those contractors, and winning. Or, at least changing the game.
In the space industry, his primary attacks were against United Launch Alliance (ULA). The launch company is a merger between Boeing and Lockheed, and basically had a monopoly to launch payloads for the DOD and NASA.
A ula atlas v rocket (left), and spacex falcon 9 (right). Mike killian photography
He not only attacked ULA for ripping taxpayers off, but also created a PR nightmare for them for using Russian engines on the Atlas V rocket to launch national security missions. Musk also attacked politicians who allowed all of it, including those who made it difficult for SpaceX to compete for those contracts.
That attack worked, forcing ULA to restructure and even make a new rocket with American-made engines to compete with SpaceX and the incoming Blue Origin. Taxpayers heard Musk and demanded better of the elected officials in bed with ULA, to allow SpaceX to compete against them.
Lockheed, the Pentagon, and pilots of the F-35 absolutely love the fighter
Usaf f-35a posing for mike killian photography
Officially, the Air Force and Pentagon paint the F-35 as exactly what they wanted. A lethal allied command-and-control platform killer or defender that will strike the adversary down at distance, without the victim even knowing the F-35 was there.
There’s no doubt the F-35 gets the job done, even having a 20:1 kill ratio in realistic training and simulations. Simply put, the software-driven jet will obliterate any adversary aircraft beyond visual range. if the adversary can get within visual range, it becomes an old school dogfight, which is what the F-35 wants to avoid in the first place.
”We have combat capable aircraft in operation today and they perform exceptionally well against the threat for which they were designed,” says the Pentagon’s F-35 program office. “Pilots continually emphasize that this is the fighter they want to take to war if called upon.”
Lockheed’s f-35 production facility (lockheed martin photo)
The total cost over the life of the F-35 program is estimated to be $1.8 trillion, according to the DOD’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation. The majority of the cost – $1.27 trillion – isn’t for the cost of buying the jets, but the costs to keep them flying. The US government wants them operational into the 2080s.
Currently, Lockheed plans to produce 2,500-3,000 F-35s, at over $80 million a piece. So far, 1,000 have been delivered to the US Navy, Air Force, and Marines, as well as allied nations.
Bottles and decanters that celebrate the best in aviation history. Plus, win some amazing prizes through our exclusive Avgeekery contest.
Several years ago, Special Tribute Spirits (STS) began producing “select batch distilled liquors uniquely bottled to celebrate our rich aviation heritage.” Spend some time with the staff at Special Tribute Spirits, and it becomes clear that this venture as not as much about their customized bottles or the premium liquors. It is all about them sharing their passion for aviation.
Special Tribute Spirits offers series of bottles with features that celebrate aviation from the past and today. They create each bottle by hand, fitting them with custom details like aircraft-skin type metal labels, signatures of pilots, images from the featured aircraft, and filling them with premier liquors.
Special Tribute Spirits bottle honoring the berlin airlift with an actual piece of the B-25 “berlin Express” | image: special tribute spirits
Avgeekery.com Contest to Promote Special Tribute Spirits
Avgeekery.com is joining with Special Tribute Spirits in a contest as they launch their new Instagram account to share their work. To enter, participants in the contest must: 1.) Follow the @SpecialTributeSpiritsUSA Instagram account and follow @Avgeekery_news 2.) Tag two friends on the @Avgeekery_news CONTEST post to be eligible to win. We’ll select a winner and the two friends that he or she tagged as winners on Dec 13th. No purchase is necessary to win.
Winners will receive the following: 1st Place: An Aviation Heritage Collection ICONIC Label Decanter 2nd Place: A Special Tribute Spirits Set of Glassware with Huie Lamb Artwork 3rd Place: A Huie Lamb Label Vinyl Sticker.
Customers of Special Tribute Spirits Have Choice of Several Series
Bottle featuring the p-40 warhawk | image: special tribute spirits
The bottles make up their Aviation Heritage Collection. They come in the ICONIC Series, the PILOT SIGNATURE Series, and the CUSTOM Legacy Creations Series. In 2025, they will launch a Private Owners collection.
The ICONIC Series features well-known aircraft like the B-17 Bomber, P-51 Mustang, and the P-40 Warhawk. For the PILOT SIGNATURE Series, Special Tribute Spirits has arranged with some of the heroes that flew these historic aircraft to sign the bottles. These come in “wet” and dry” versions, with pilots physically signing the “wet” bottles.
Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen
Custom bottle honoring Lt. Col. harry t. stewart | image: special tribute spirits
The people at Special Tribute Sprits love to talk about pilots and aircraft. One special aviator is Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart. He was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen who flew the P-51D Red Tail Mustang during WWII. STS is honoring Col. Stewart with aviation aluminum and glass decanter filled with a 5-year-old limited-edition bourbon. It features the name of his P-51, “Little Coquette.”
Actual Aircraft Materials Imbedded in Custom Labels
limited-edition bottle with metal from Pitts S-1 Special N58J Red devil | image: special tribute spirits
They also produce limited-edition PREMIER Aviation Heritage bottles – rare bottles that include a piece of the material from the actual featured aircraft in each bottle label. These are roughly 5 cm square pieces of metal.
For the CUSTOM Legacy Creations series, customers can work with CTS to create their own bottles to commemorate a unique and personal aviation experience. They can also choose to embed a piece of aircraft material in the bottle design. These include the choice of scotch, rum, vodka, or bourbon.
Special Tribute Spirits Remembers Thrilling Missions of WWII Hero
One of the favorite pilots of Special Tribute Spirits is Huie Lamb. A veteran pilot of 61 combat missions during WWII, Lamb flew the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang. Lamb joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Huie Lamb signing his custom bottle for the pilot signature series. | image: special tribute spirits
Huie Lamb Defeats ME-262 Jet Fighter
In a career filled with memorable moments, he is perhaps most well known as one of the first pilots to shoot down a German Me 262 jet fighter. Now 100 years old, Lamb described the 12 Oct 1944 mission:
I started a steep dive and was indicating about 475 mph and closing very fast. When I closed to about 1,000 yards, he must have seen me, as he started to pick up speed and pulled away a little. I gave my plane full power and water and started to close on him again, but very slowly. As I got within range and started shooting, he started to turn to the left. I easily turned inside of him and kept shooting during the entire turn, noting many strikes.
huie lamb and his P-51 Mustang “ETTA JEANNE II” | image: american air museum
He made a 180-degree turn and then levelled out. He started back and led me over an airfield that had been shooting flak at me as I chased the jet. I saw the intense curtain of flak coming up at me, but followed him and got right on his tail, almost dead astern and noticed more strikes. I felt myself being hit several times, but opened fire on him again, from dead astern, and noticed more strikes. He threw off his canopy and then the plane caught fire. It flipped over on its back and exploded.”
WWII Pilot Huie Lamb Survives Ditching in Frigid North Sea
Another of Lamb’s memorable missions, his first in the then new P-51 Mustang, occurred on 29 December 1944 over the North Sea following a mission over Germany. Lamb’s fighter, which he named the “Etta Jeanne II”, began leaking coolant and the engine cut out. Lamb described the event:
“My first thought was to stretch my glide and try to make it back to the English coast, but I was dropping too fast. Then the nose of my plane burst into flames and I decided to bail out. I couldn’t release the canopy. I finally got the canopy open but was too low to bail out.
The tail hit first. Then a wave caught my right wing and the plane cartwheeled. It was a miracle that I survived the ditching because I had my seat belt and harness unbuckled in anticipation of bailing out. I got out of my seat and out of the plane, pushing away as far as possible to avoid down-suction. The nose plunged under with a burst of steam. The plane sank like a rock. It was gone in thirty seconds.
Huie lamb in the cockpit of his p-51 mustang “Etta Jeanne II” | Image: Huie Lamb.
The water was freezing cold. I pulled the strings to inflate my Mae West and dinghy, but I couldn’t get into the dinghy, so I just hung on for dear life.”
Luckily, Lamb’s wingman, First Officer John C. Childs, saw Lamb’s P-51 hit the water. His own radio was not working, but he was able to land at a nearby airfield and direct a twin-engine Walrus flying boat of the British Air Rescue to Lamb’s location. Lamb was suffering from hypothermia and had a cut lip and broken tooth. He was flying again 10 days later.
Custom Bottle Honors Huie Lamb
Special Tribute Spirits is honoring Lamb with their #2 bottle in their Pilot Signature series, the “Huie Lamb.” It features his P-51 Mustang “Etta Jeanne II.” Lamb has signed several of the bottles.
Special Tribute Spirits Opens Shop
In 2018 helicopter pilot Johan Brand came up with the idea to commemorate aviation with custom bottles and spirits. He began handcrafting the bottles in his UK shop. Special Tribute Spirits still does everything by hand, using aircraft fabrication tools and techniques, in shops in the United States and the United Kingdom.
craftsmen assemble each bottle by hand. | image: special tribute spirits
Once the bottles are complete, Special Tribute Spirits sends them to craft distillers in Scotland and the United States. They fill the bottles with premium liquors: Scotch, Bourbon, Rum, or Vodka.
A Passion for Aviation at Special Tribute Spirits
The people at Special Tribute Spirits share a deep interest and passion in all things related to aviation. They are always talking about aircraft like the iconic B-52 and modern marvels like the C-17. They remember crucial conflicts like WWII and Vietnam and modern missions like flights to Antarctica. Their bottles honor the efforts of pilots like Huie Lamb and Harry Stewart.
photo taken in antarctica commemorating c-17 mission. image: special tribute spirits
With their unique handcrafted bottles of premium spirits, Special Tribute Spirits is preserving aviation history and proudly honoring its people, aircraft, and missions.
At least ten SkyDrive electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will make their way to the Carolinas in the coming years.
Greenville, South Carolina may be one of the first places where Americans can ride in these revolutionary air taxis. Three parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to materialize this deal last Thursday.
Coming to America: SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft
Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive Inc. has issued a press release to document a pivotal order from America. The company inked a deal with private jet charter company SAI Flight and Greenville Downtown Airport in South Carolina.
At least ten air taxis have been placed on order, and have yet to be assembled. According to the press release, the airport plans to use the taxis for transportation, cargo deliveries, and emergency services.
The airport is in talks with local businesses as well as governing bodies about the possibilities for where the taxis can be flown to from the airport. Possible locations so far include Downtown Greenville’s city center and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.
SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa shared his excitement about the collaboration in the press release:
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our efforts to drive business growth in South Carolina, where we have been actively expanding since 2023. It presents a valuable opportunity to accelerate our expansion and bring Advanced Air Mobility solutions to the region.”
“We are deeply grateful to Greenville Downtown Airport and SAI Flight for their support and collaboration. Moving forward, we will continue to deepen our cooperation with local partners, while making strategic preparations to fully realize our innovative business model.”
South Carolina Welcomes eVTOL
President of SAI Flight Hunter Cuthberson III also had positive remarks to share during the announcement:
“By joining forces with SkyDrive and Greenville Downtown Airport, we are positioned to offer cutting-edge, sustainable air travel solutions that complement our existing services. This collaboration not only allows us to expand our range of on-demand transportation options but also aligns with our commitment to advancing sustainable practices in the aviation sector.”
Greenville Downtown Airport Director James D. Stephens added that the airport is ‘honored’ to be leading the forefront in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
State Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey also had high hopes on using the taxis in South Carolina. He envisions the taxis providing convenience to travelers looking for rides to and from South Carolina airports.
Currently, SkyDrive gives no timetable for when SAI Flight can receive these eVTOL aircrafts.
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have previously placed orders on Archer Aviation ‘Midnight’ air taxis. Archer is expected to deliver air taxis to United’s hub in Chicago, Illinois at some point in 2025.
During the 1950s and ‘60s, Detroit – then the nation’s fifth largest city – and Cleveland (eighth largest) were both industrial powerhouses. Of course, Detroit was known for its automobile assembly lines (the Motor City), while Cleveland produced everything else: pumps, valves, machinery… anything and everything related to manufacturing.
The highway distance between the two cities, around the edge of Lake Erie, is approximately 168 miles (270 km), but the air distance directly across the lake is only 90 miles (144 km).
TAG advertised itself as “The World’s Busiest” Airline. In 1969, the company was offering 22 flights in each direction on weekdays across Lake Erie between Detroit and Cleveland. Author’s Collection
FIND A NEED AND FILL IT
In 1957, Ross Miller purchased a small company called Taxi Air Group, an outfit that had been in existence since 1955. Using the initials of his new acquisition, T.A.G., Miller inaugurated scheduled service between Downtown Detroit and Downtown Cleveland, operating as TAG Airlines.
In Detroit, TAG’s base was Detroit City Airport (DET), located at Conners and Gratiot Streets, a 15-minute cab ride from the city center. This was far more convenient for businessmen than Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (DTW) or the distant Willow Run (YIP).
In Cleveland, TAG operated out of Lakefront Airport (CEL)—later known as Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL)—which was literally on the edge of downtown. This was much closer to Public Square and the heart of the city than Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE).
This postcard, issued by TAG, with the colorized image of a De Havilland Dove, boasts that flying TAG was the fastest way between Cleveland and Detroit. Author’s Collection
A TRUE COMMUTER AIRLINE
TAG found a niche for itself long before the term “commuter airline” came into widespread use. In a way, TAG invented the commuter airline with its steady operation of a fast “downtown-to-downtown” service in a busy market. Customers could depart from one of the two cities, conduct their business in the other, then fly home in time for dinner.
TAG experimented with other routes over several years. Still, the airline’s consistent bread-and-butter run—and its reason for existence—was to serve the constant flow of traffic between Detroit and Cleveland.
TAG’s 1 May 1961 timetable refers to the small, eight-passenger Doves as “luxurious” executive airliners. Author’s Collection
SMALL PLANES, FREQUENT FLIGHTS
The Company employed a fleet of British-built, eight-passenger DeHavilland DH-104 Doves to operate its impressive flight schedule. At the end of 1969, TAG was operating 22 round-trips per day on weekdays between the two cities with several services on weekends.
TAG’s October 26, 1969 flight schedule lists 22 flights per weekday in both directions. Author’s collection
For years, the Company had unsuccessfully petitioned the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for permission to operate larger aircraft on the route across Lake Erie. Authorization finally came late in 1969 when the Board issued TAG a highly coveted Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, designating it as an integral part of America’s airline system. But the Board’s action came too late to save TAG.
A view of the quiet ramp at Detroit City Airport. The TAG airliner shown is De Havilland Dove N2300H, the aircraft that would dive into Lake Erie in January 1970. Photo copyright David H. Stringer
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
In the late 1960s, Cleveland and Detroit began to see a slow decline from their prominent roles as manufacturing centers. The so-called Steel Belt—a term referring to mid-America’s industrial heartland—was taking on a new name: the Rust Belt. In 1970, Detroit still held its position as fifth-largest city, but Cleveland had slipped to tenth. The transfer of manufacturing jobs to other parts of the country and competition for the American automobile industry from overseas did not help TAG’s revenue stream.
A close-up of N2300H on the ramp at Detroit City Airport (DET). This aircraft would crash into Lake Erie in January 1970. Photo Copyright David H. Stringer
Tragically, TAG’s demise was set in motion before the company could add larger aircraft to its fleet. On 28 January 1970, a DeHavilland Dove, registration number N2300H, operating as Flight 730, a 0730 departure from Cleveland to Detroit, crashed into the frozen waters of Lake Erie 12 minutes after takeoff from Lakefront Airport. The cause of the crash was eventually determined to be the failure of a joint connecting the right wing to the aircraft’s fuselage. It was caused by metal fatigue. All nine people aboard the airliner perished.
Although TAG Airlines was found to be free of fault in the crash, the damage to the carrier’s reputation was fatal. In April 1970, TAG’s operation was down to 10 round-trips per day on weekdays, with no service on weekends. By the end of the year, the company was out of business.
Wright Airlines, formed in 1967 by a former TAG employee, became the sole surviving carrier on the Downtown Detroit—Downtown Cleveland route.
Dad can’t come home without bringing something for the kids: this small (4,50″ x 2.25″ x 1.00″) cardboard suitcase was a giveaway item advertising “The World’s Busiest” airline. Author’s Collection
A SIMILAR INCIDENT
Fifteen months after the TAG accident, an Apache Airlines DeHavilland Dove crashed on a flight from Tucson to Phoenix. The cause was determined to be the same as in the TAG accident: separation of the right wing from the fuselage due to undetected metal fatigue. The Apache aircraft, N4922V, was known as a Carstedt CH-600A, a Dove that had undergone conversion with turboprop engines and a lengthened fuselage in order to accommodate more passengers.
Even though most customers probably traveled with just a briefcase, TAG would check luggage for passengers just like the major carriers. Author’s Collection
EPILOGUE
TAG is just a memory today in the history of commercial aviation. Another airline, Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos in Central America, has now adopted the TAG name.
But there was a time when this little powerhouse of an air carrier served as a vital link in the Industrial Midwest and proudly billed itself as “The World’s Busiest” Airline.
