Russian leisure airline Nordwind Airlines has resumed flights to Cuba on a limited basis.
For the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February, Nordwind is operating limited flights between Moscow and the Cuban resort destinations of Cayo Coco and Varadero. The resumption of flights is significant as it marks the first time Cuba and Russia have been connected since the invasion of Ukraine in late February.
Two Cuban Cities Welcome Back Nordwind’s Boeing 777s
A Nordwind Airlines Boeing 777 at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | IMAGE: @pekyiran via Twitter
With Russian websites blocked from the West due to sanctions, a schedule for Nordwind flights is inaccessible at this time. However, flight tracking websites offer insight into how often the flights operate.
Nordwind operated a flight between Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport (VRA) in Varadero, Cuba, on 04 October. The flight back to Moscow departed the next day.
The carrier also operated a flight between Moscow and Jardines del Rey Airport (CCC) on the island of Cayo Coco, Cuba – also on 04 October. That flight made the return trip to Moscow on 05 October. Nordwind also operated a flight from Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) to Cayo Coco on 14 October, returning the next day to SVO. Vnukovo – the third busiest of Moscow’s four major airports – is not served by Nordwind, and it is unclear why the flight to Cayo Coco originated there.
According to FlightAware, Varadero flights are operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, while Cayo Coco flights are operated by a 777-200. Both types feature a single-class configuration with either 440 (777-200) or 486 seats (777-300ER).
Getting to Cuba from Russia isn’t as Easy as it Once Was
The routing of a recent Nordwind Airlines flight from Moscow to Varadero, Cuba | IMAGE: FlightAware
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 33 countries blocked Russian aircraft from their airspace, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Albania, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and all 27 countries of the European Union (EU).
During peacetime, flights to Cuba from Moscow typically use European airspace as they travel toward the Atlantic Ocean. Since the war began, however, that routing is no longer an option. So Nordwind — and other Russian airlines — had to figure out a new way to get around the closed airspace.
According to data from FlightAware, Cuba flights now take off in a northerly direction towards the Barents Sea. The route then takes flights off the northern coast of Norway and then southwest between Greenland and Iceland. From there, flights stay far off the coast of North America before traversing the southern Bahamas as they begin their approach to either Varadero or Caya Coco, both on Cuba’s northern coast. The return trip follows roughly the same course, except for flying to the east of Iceland.
The new routing comes at a cost, however. Flying to the north and west of Europe adds just over 1,000 miles to the journey. A recent trip from SVO to VRA took 13 hours and 21 minutes, while the return trip to SVO took 12 hours and 55 minutes.
A Risky Move
A Nordwind Airlines Boeing 777 | IMAGE: Nordwind Airlines on Facebook
With most of the 7,000 mile flight over water and far offshore from airspace that is unavailable to them, Nordwind’s Boeing 777s can easily handle the journey — so long as no problems arise. It would certainly be interesting to see what would happen if there was ever a need for a diversion.
If a problem required a diversion to Europe, Canada, or the United States, the aircraft would be at risk of seizure by authorities. Additionally, maintenance on the aircraft would be impossible to perform due to sanctions.
The diversion of a Cuba-bound Russian flight to the United States is not unprecedented, however. In January 2018, an Azur Air Boeing 767 developed an engine fuel leak over the Atlantic Ocean while en route to Cuba. The flight made an immediate diversion to Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in New Jersey. Azur Air flew in a replacement aircraft to take the passengers to their original destination.
Nordwind Airlines Once Served 98 Cities
A Nordwind Airlines Boeing 777 | IMAGE: @TTabaoshab via Twitter
Founded in 2008, Nordwind Airlines has its main hub and headquarters at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. Initially a Boeing 757 operator, the carrier now operates a fleet of 28 aircraft.
Of the 28, only 21 are currently in service, including four Airbus A321-200s, two A321neos, one Airbus A330-200, ten Boeing 737-800s, two 777-200s, and two 777-300ERs. The airline is a subsidiary of parent company Pegas Touristik, a Russian tour operator.
At one point, Nordwind served 98 cities in 28 countries, including 23 cities in Europe. It also served five cities in Cuba via seasonal charters.
Reports indicate that additional Russian airlines will relaunch Cuba service in the weeks and months ahead. For Cuba, the flights – and the tourist revenue they bring – will be most welcome. Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Information estimated that more than 146,000 Russian citizens visited Cuba in 2021.
The 2022 Edwards AFB airshow was spectacular with quite a lineup. The show featured almost every aircraft in the US Air Force inventory along with aircraft from NASA, the Thunderbirds , and other well-known performers. There were many highlights. Ones that we’ll be sharing with you in the next few days in a series of recaps. One particularly stood out. A B-1B Bone went inverted and followed through with a roll after an airshow flyby as part of their routine. Our friends at AirShowStuff caught the moment.
Now a B-1 roll isn’t unprecedented. It’s been done before, particularly at previous Edwards AFB air shows. However, it’s still a unique sight to see. One that definitely wow’d the crowds who saw it live.
The B-1 bomber is highly maneuverable with the ability to conduct both low-level operations and high-altitude bombing campaigns. All crew members sit on an ejection seat too. Unfortunately, sights like these will become more rare over the next decade.
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The B-1’s days are limited. As the B-21 Raider comes online later this decade, the jet will be phased out leaving the B-21, B-2, and B-52 BUFF as America’s primary bomber force.
When most people travel to Honolulu, the aircraft or airline they are flying on is typically last thing on their mind. They’re more interested in their tropical vacation and can’t get away from the airport fast enough. That’s not the case for us avgeeks though! And when I recently flew to Honolulu, I had only one goal in mind, and it didn’t involve leaving the airport. I wanted to fly All Nippon Airways’ Airbus A380–the Flying Honu.
A Journey On The Mighty A380 Flying Honu
ANA’s Flying Honu–One of three A80s configured for Hawaii to Japan operations. (SkyliTE Productions)
It’s often forgotten that All Nippon even operates the A380. After all, they were the smallest A380 customer, having ordered only three examples. They were also the last airline to take delivery of the type, not accepting their first A380 until 2019. Also, since the three aircraft were ordered specifically for their Tokyo to Honolulu route, which effectively saw a 100% passenger decline at the onset of the pandemic, they sat mostly idle for an extended period of time.
ANA only flies the A380 on one scheduled route. (SkyliTE Productions)
the “Flying Honu”, as All Nippon calls them, were recently re-introduced on the Tokyo to Honolulu route. I had my eyes set on flying one of them! First, before we get to the flight, I should explain why they’re called “Flying Honu.”
An A380 towers above a Hawaiian Airlines A330 at Honolulu International Airport (Skylight Productions)
ANA Specially Painted The Jets For Hawaiian Market
Since All Nippon intended to use these aircraft specifically on their Tokyo to Honolulu route, they chose to paint the aircraft in special sea turtle inspired liveries. Honu is the Hawaiian word for turtle and is more generally used to describe sea turtles. The three liveries are mostly identical with the only major difference being the primary colors used. Those three colors being blue, green, and orange.
My journey to Japan
Honolulu’s airport features outdoor gardens which offer respite from the busy international airport. (SkyliTE Productions)
On September 9, 2022, after arriving at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport onboard a United Airlines Boeing 777-200/ER, I made my way through the open-air corridors that Honolulu’s airport is famous for. Getting to a viewpoint overlooking the ramp just in time to see JA381A arrive at one of only two gates capable of handling the A380 at Honolulu.
Despite usually looking up what exact aircraft is scheduled to operate my flights, I had intentionally not looked to see which of the three A380’s would be operating this flight. So, this was the first time I was seeing the aircraft that would take me to Tokyo. JA381A is the blue Flying Honu and the first A380 delivered to All Nippon.
Enjoying the ANA Service In Row 67K!
View of the main cabin on the massive ANA A380 (SkylitE Productions)
Boarding commenced on time, and I made my way to seat 67K. An economy seat, directly behind the wing, on the main deck of the aircraft. I never heard how full the flight was, but I estimate it was around 50% full. There was no one in the middle seat next to me and there were quite a few open seats throughout the section of cabin I was seated in. It’s worth mentioning, that at the time, All Nippon was only operating the A380 on the route two days per week. According to online scheduling that appears to have increased to three days per week now and it appears to increase again in December to five days per week.
ANA Economy Meal Service was excellent. (Skylite Productions)
The onboard service from the flight attendants was excellent. the seat was very comfortable, and the food was great for an economy offering. Having never flown All Nippon before this flight, I now understand why they are consistently ranked as one of the top airlines in the world. Also, this flight reinforced that the A380 continues to be the most comfortable, passenger friendly aircraft to fly on. Nothing is more iconic than the 747, but even the 747 can’t beat the A380 in terms of passenger experience.
Avgeek Bucket List Item Checked–The ANA Airbus A380 Flying Honu
7 hours and 39 minutes after the door closed in Honolulu, and far too quickly for my liking, we slammed down in Tokyo. If you so choose, you can watch the entire flight from start to finish in the video accompanying this article and there you can see exactly what I mean by “slammed” down in Tokyo. Let’s just say, it wasn’t the most graceful landing of all time.
Landing in Tokyo on the A380 (Skylite Productions)
With Japan reopening to tourists soon, and there begin considerably less red tape than when I took this flight, maybe I’ll attempt to take this flight again in the future to try to catch the green or orange Flying Honu.
If you live in southern California and love aviation, this is the weekend for you! Edwards Air Force Base is hosting their first public air show in 13 years. As we profiled the lineup in an earlier story, this airshow will be a very unique, must-see event. Notably, Top Gun’s Mach 10+ Darkstar aircraft that was specially built by Lockheed Martin for the hit movie will be on display. It is the first time that the public will be able to see the aircraft.
First Video Walk Through Of The Hypersonic Movie Prop
Our very own Mike Killian is on the ground at Edwards AFB reporting on the events this weekend. Darkstar is parked next to its other fast flying Lockheed cousin, the venerable SR-71. He was able to walk around the very realistic looking movie prop and shared it in an exclusive Avgeekery.com video.
While the Darkstar looks like a realistic hypersonic jet, it is really just an expensive non-flying movie prop for the mega-successful movie Top Gun: Maverick.
Top Gun: Maverick’s Darkstar as seen at Edwards Air Force Base. The movie prop is on display next to an SR-71 as part of the base’s first airshow in 13 years. Image: Mike Killian/Avgeekery
The aircraft was designed in partnership with Lockheed Martin. Without giving away spoilers, the jet flies at Mach 10+ in the movie. In reality, this prop will never fly but it does have a functional cockpit that was used as part of filming the movie. Lockheed Martin profiled their work in the video released last summer. You can see it below.
Even More Action Packed Events At Edwards AFB
The show will feature the first supersonic airshow in the US in over 13 years. Due to the location and mission of Edwards Air Force Base, sonic booms are authorized at this location. The Thunderbirds will be in attendance. It will also be your last chance to see NASA’s SOFIA Boeing 747SP flying before it is parked and retired (we’ll have more on this next week).
The world’s only flying Lockheed L-1011, Northrop’s Stargazer, will be on static display. Every tactical fighter in the USAF inventory will be present. B-1 and B-52 bombers will be part of the show.
Gregory “WIRED” Colyer from Ace Maker Airshows will be flying his famous T-33 demo.
The event is free to the public on both Saturday Oct 15th and Sunday October 16th. Gates will open at 8:30am on both days. The base will close when it hits capacity of 50,000 people. Premium VIP viewing options are available to purchase.
Along with military charters, sports teams are some of the most prolific users of large airline-sized charters in the industry. The teams use them to move the players, coaches, staff, and sometimes media for out of town events. Football (both American and Soccer), basketball, baseball, car racing, hockey, and other teams require the ability to move around the globe in rapid time, outside of the limitations of traditional airline schedules. Being able to travel privately also limits media and fan attention allowing players to focus on their performance without distractions.
Who Flies Sports Charters?
While a few teams have their own aircraft, most teams often rely on airlines to handle the chartering. It is also common for universities to charter aircraft for both the team and the fans, sometimes even offering discounted flights for students to attend out-of-town games.
I have seen Allegiant, American, Atlas, Delta, Sun Country, United, and other airlines run these charters. Some airlines have specially retrofitted aircraft cabins designed for sports charters. This is particularly common with the NBA and NFL. Some teams like the New England Patriots even have their own aircraft owned by the team and operated by a charter airline. Other teams like the Detroit Tigers operate one of the only still-flying MD-81s.
Global X A320 Image: Global X website
Airlines like Sun Country, Atlas Air, SwiftAir, and GlobalX also operate charters for college and professional sports teams.
What makes these charters unique?
Below is a video of very unique sub-fleet of Delta 757 that have been configured as a VIP transport with lots of comfort and room. Perfect for big and tall NBA and NFL players.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNsi50YrP14
The World of F1 Sports Charters
I am lucky enough to live in a city that has a Formula One (F1) track and in October we see a massive influx of aviation traffic. First, it starts with the cargo transports (747s) containing the F1 cars, tires and other gear. Next, the crew and drivers come in on commercial aviation or bizjets, followed by fans from all around the world, including one-off charters that bring interesting planes in (such as an Iberia A340). This is one of my favorite times of the year in Austin for plane spotting. We also have College Sports and a NASCAR race held here that brings in teams and fans. Some of these racing teams have multiple aircraft that are mostly in the bizjet family.
I will break down a list of sports and the known aircraft assigned to each of them.
NFL Football
Arizona Cardinals – 2002 Boeing 777-232(ER) N867DA (img)
New England Patriots – 1991 Boeing 767-323(ER) N36NE (img)
New England Patriots – 1991 Boeing 737-323(ER) N225NE (img)
Indianapolis Colts – 1999 Boeing 737-72U N101TD (img)
Stewart-Haas Racing (Car Racing) Bombardier CRJ-200LR N141SH (image), N60GH (image)
Penske Racing(Car Racing) N500PRRichard Childress Racing (Car Racing) N3RC (image)
College Sports
Alabama Crimson Tide Foundation N1UA
Aggies (Texas A&M University) N12AM
Arkansas Razorbacks (University of Arkansas) N41UA
Auburn Tigers (Auburn University) N10AU, N20AU
Clemson Tigers (University of Clemson) N934CT
Florida Gators (University of Florida) N100FG, N101FG
Gamecocks (University of South Carolina) N454GC
Ole Miss (University of Mississippi) N1UM
Vols (University of Tennessee Knoxville) N865UT, N794UT
Other Sports
Dallas Mavericks – 1992 Boeing 757-256 N801DM (img)
Houston Rockets – 1992 Boeing 767-322(ER) N625HR (img)
Las Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) – 2009 Gulfstream IV N622GK (img)
WWE – 2007 Bombardier BD-700 Global 5000 N247WE (img)
The data above is not exhaustive but does cover many aircraft used in sports aviation. There are planes as large as 767s and as small as (twin-engine turboprops) Beech 300s owned by these organizations.
Mary Wells Changed the Look of Commercial Aviation
Editors note: Mary Wells passed away on 11 May 2024. We remember her life and her industry changing designs in this article.
It was referred to as the most dramatic image overhaul in the history of commercial aviation and it was the brainchild of one woman. In 1965, Braniff International unveiled its ‘End of the Plain Plane’ campaign and introduced Braniff’s Flying Colors across the fleet. The industry would never be the same again.
Braniff’s History
Braniff Airways was founded in 1930 by brothers Tom and Paul Braniff. The airline grew first via an air mail contract granted by the Post Office Department in 1934, then through route awards made to it by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
PASSENGERS DISEMBARK FROM A BRANIFF DC-4 IN THIS 1950 PUBLICITY PHOTO. PROCTOR/lIVESEY/THOMAS COLLECTION
After World War Two, Braniff added ‘International’ to the company name once it was granted approval for service to South America . By 1950, Dallas-based Braniff’s system stretched from Chicago to Buenos Aires.
In 1952, the airline grew even bigger when it absorbed Mid-Continent Airlines through merger and, later in the decade, began transporting customers in the lucrative market between the major cities of Texas and Washington, DC, and New York.
BRANIFF’S LIVERY PRIOR TO 1965, DISPLAYED on A Boeing 707, was typical of airline paint schemes at the time. BOEING COMPANY PHOTO FROM THE PROCTOR/LIVESEY/THOMAS COLLECTION
But Braniff was probably the biggest airline that no one out of its service area had never heard of. Its name did not carry the cachet of Pan Am, TWA, United, or American. The term ‘stodgy’ would not have been inappropriate when describing Braniff’s image. It was a conservative and profitable company flying modern aircraft emblazoned in traditional colors – red, white, and blue – with a livery typical of the day. The company name was written in full – Braniff International Airways – across the white crown of the fuselage while the words ‘Fly Braniff’ graced the aircraft tail.
A Change in Management For Braniff
In 1964, Greatamerica Corporation acquired 58% of Braniff’s outstanding stock. Troy Post, President of Greatamerica, recruited 44-year-old Harding Lawrence to run his newly purchased airline and, on April 5, 1965, Lawrence became Braniff’s new president.
Harding Lawrence had been a valuable asset to Robert Six, the president of Continental Air Lines, his former employer. When Troy Post brought him to Braniff, the idea was for Lawrence to shake things up and change the airline’s image from drab to eye-catching. The intention of the new management was to make Braniff’s name familiar around the world with an “imaginative approach to marketing”.
Mary Wells, the advertising executive behind Braniff’s makeover. PHOTO Copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.
While he was at Continental, Harding Lawrence had met Mary Georgene Berg Wells, an advertising executive with the Jack Tinker and Partners Agency, who had been brought in to help Continental promote its planned purchase of Supersonic Transports. Continental’s SSTs never became a reality, but Mary Wells impressed Harding Lawrence. After moving to Braniff, he hired her and her agency to introduce “color, flair and surprise to air travel.”
BRaniff’s new look was referred to as the ‘End of the Plain Plane’ campaign. Brochure from David H. stringer CollectionALEXANDER GIRARD was responsible for selecting the colors which would grace the aircraft in Braniff’s fleet. Here is a BAC ONE-ELEVEN wearing Girard’s orange Livery. Photo copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.Lockheed L-188 Electra N9704c wears a Sky Blue version of the Girard livery. Mel Lawrence photo from the Proctor/Livesey/Thomas CollectionElectra N9709C displays a red paint scheme in this photo taken at Kansas City (MKC). Photo copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Birth of Braniff’s Flying Colors Because of Mary Wells
Braniff’s corporate identity was not unlike that of most other air carriers at the time – conventional, and some might say dull. But that was about to change.
The most famous transformation of an airline’s image ever to occur resulted from Wells’ collaboration with architect and artist Alexander Girard, and with fashion designer Emilio Pucci. The ‘new look’ that they created together for Braniff included elements never before seen in an airline’s portfolio.
On Point 1960s Fashion
Aircraft were painted in bright Easter egg colors. Flight attendants dressed in uniforms that incorporated a plastic space bubble hat called the RainDome. The same uniform included several layers that could be removed in flight, which Braniff cleverly advertised as the ‘Air Strip’. Ground equipment and facilities were given a new look and even the mechanics donned redesigned uniforms.
Braniff’s new look included flight attendant uniforms designed by Emilio Pucci. Photo courtesy of Airways MagazineThe flight attendant uniform included a space bubble hat, called the Raindome, to protect against inclement weather. Photo courtesy of Airways MagazineThe flight attendant uniform included several layers that could be removed during flight, which Braniff cleverly referred to as the ‘Air Strip’. Seen here is the two-piece Gemini IV Raspberry Greeting Suit with Velveteen hat. Photo copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.
Braniff dropped the word ‘Airways’ from the company’s informal title. The airline began marketing itself simply as Braniff International, or BI.
The entire makeover, introduced in November 1965, was referred to as the ‘End of the Plain Plane’ campaign. It served its purpose as Braniff’s name recognition increased worldwide. Even today, casual airline observers remember Braniff’s Flying Colors livery and fashion.
Braniff’s colorful makeover even included the company’s timetables. The word ‘Airways’ was dropped from public use and the company referred to itself simply as Braniff International, or B.I. Timetables: David H. Stringer Collection
Rapid Growth at Braniff
Braniff Airways had grown from a small Midwestern operation into one of America’s largest airlines but, before the end of the 1960s, the company would grow even bigger by absorbing its former rival on South American routes, Pan American-Grace Airways – PANAGRA.
Mary Wells Started an Ad Agency In the ‘Mad Men’ Era
Mary Wells started her own ad agency – Wells, Rich & Greene – in 1966, at the height of the male-dominated ‘Mad Men’ era of advertising firms. And, in fairy tale fashion, Harding Lawrence wound up marrying Mary Wells in 1967. Referred to as America’s corporate sweethearts, Lawrence and Wells stayed together until his death in 2002.
Harding Lawrence, President of Braniff, married Mary Wells in 1967, the year after she started her own advertising agency. Photo copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.
Mary Wells Lawrence, now retired and in her nineties, left her mark on an industry where airline liveries and corporate identities would never be the same again. In 2020, she was awarded the Lion of St. Mark, a prize given to one person each year by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for outstanding contribution to the creative community.
A Braniff advertisement introducing the ‘End of the Plain Plane’. This photo was taken at Dallas Love Field in the summer of 1965, several months prior to the official unveiling of the company’s new look. Photo copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.
Airline Deregulation and Braniff’s Demise
In 1982, Braniff International became the first significant casualty of airline deregulation when bankruptcy followed over-expansion and the company was forced to shut down. Two subsequent smaller incarnations of the airline both ended in similar failure over the next decade.
A group of Braniff Boeing 720s, wearing new look Easter egg colors, was photographed at Dallas Love Field. Note the Lockheed Electra and BAC One-Eleven at upper left still wearing the airline’s old livery. Photo copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.Braniff added Boeing 727s to the fleet in 1966. This 727-027C wears a Sky Blue livery. Photo copyright Braniff Airways, Inc. All rights reserved.
A Note on Photo Credits and the Status of Braniff Today
The author wishes to thank Braniff Airways, Inc., for providing some of the images used in this article.
Braniff Airways, Incorporated, still exists today as a tour firm and hotelier, and manages a portfolio of licensing agreements worldwide that includes aircraft models, posters, high end furniture, textiles, etc.
The company operates its lucrative Braniff Boutique Online Retail store, braniffboutique.com, along with three brick and mortar stores. Braniff also administers its original Employee/Retiree Airline Pass Benefits Program, which offers current and former employees discount travel on partner airlines, cruise lines and hotels. Moreover, The company still assists former employees with pension matters. They also provide aid to Veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
Braniff Airways supports Braniff Airways Foundation, which is the official repository for Braniff’s historical corporate and employee records, photographs and negatives, and memorabilia. Over 20 million pages (more than half are now digitized) of Braniff corporate documents and 40,000 historical items are included in the Foundation’s Braniff International Heritage Archives, which are housed at three locations in Dallas, Texas.
Braniff Airways has created an endowment at The University of Texas at Dallas to support the Space Sciences Department. An additional endowment has been created to support the administration of Braniff International Heritage Archives.
Airbus needs a purdy new livery for their A350F cargo freighter, and they are inviting the public to design it.
And it’s open to anyone in the world too, not just professional designers. If you have an idea, and any creative talent at all, then Airbus wants to see what you got. But you only have until Nov 28, 2022 to submit your design.
A350F (image: Airbus)
Guidelines for creating the new livery design
“It can be simple or detailed, hand drawn, painted or created using any medium you choose,” says Airbus. “Your creation should consider how this new generation, advanced, modern aircraft can benefit air freight operators and airlines from around the globe. It can be completely abstract or realistic, submitted in 1 or many colours.”
“If your idea is chosen, our design experts will work with you to produce the final livery design, perfectly adapted for the A350F,” adds the company. “It will be seen for the first time in the air on its first flight planned for 2024 and will be used to showcase the aircraft to operators and airlines around the world.”
The winning design will be unveiled at the 2023 Le Bourget Paris Airshow. The winner will get a scale model of the plane with the design, and be invited on a private factory tour to see their design come to life. And of course, to see it takeoff on its maiden voyage.
A350F topside render (image: Airbus)
Airbus does have a list of guidelines for artists to follow, in order for their design to be considered. You can go over that information on their website HERE.
A new cargo freighter for a new generation
The A350F is leveraging all the benefits of the A350, with up to 40% improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. It’s a lot lighter too, with an airframe made of over 70% composites, titanium and modern aluminium alloys.
The company says it will also be more resistant to corrosion, and require much less maintenance. Considering all of the above, Airbus expects the A350F to save operators up to 40% on costs.
Image: Airbus
The A350F will have a range of 4,700 nm and be able to carry 109 tonnes of cargo, with 8 temperature zones to haul anything from live animals to pharmaceuticals and refrigerated / frozen goods and more.
The company also expects seamless integration by operators of other Airbus models. The A350F is same type rating as the A350 and common type rating with the A330 family.
United Airlines will add three international destinations to its 2023 summer schedule, the carrier announced Wednesday.
In addition, United will add six more flights to existing European destinations. Citing a 20 percent increase in demand for European travel this past summer compared to 2019, the airline says it will continue to focus on beefing up its transatlantic network.
United Expands in Europe and the Middle East
A United Airlines Boeing 777 | IMAGE: United Airlines
Summer 2023 will see United expand its service to three new destinations, including Málaga, Spain (AGP), Stockholm, Sweden (ARN), and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB).
Málaga service will mark the first time United has flown to the resort city on Spain’s Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the sixth-largest city in Spain.
Stockholm and Dubai will not be “new” destinations, per se. Rather, United will resume service in each city after an extended absence.
Last month, United announced plans to return to Dubai after a seven-year absence. The carrier last flew to Dubai from Washington Dulles (IAD) in 2016. The announcement was made in correlation with a new codeshare agreement between United and Emirates that will enable customers to have seamless access to each carrier’s network on a single ticket.
United is returning to Stockholm for the first time since 2019. Plans to return to the Swedish capital in 2021 were scuttled before flights even began.
Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global planning and alliances, says the airline is gearing up for another busy summer.
“Next summer United is offering the best of both worlds: we’re making it easier for our customers to visit the most popular cities in Europe, but we’re also expanding our reach to give travelers access to new places they haven’t yet experienced,” said Quayle. “We expect another busy summer for international travel and are proud to build on our industry-leading global network to offer our customers the widest range of destinations and most convenient travel options.”
Seasonal Flights to Europe Will Also Resume
A United Airlines Boeing 777 Departs Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) | IMAGE: United Airlines
In addition to new service, United will expand its offerings to Rome, Italy (FCO), Paris, France (CDG), Barcelona, Spain (BCN), London Heathrow (LHR), Berlin, Germany (BER), and Shannon, Ireland (SNN). It will also resume nine seasonal routes flown last summer, including Newark (EWR) to Nice, France (NCE), Denver (DEN) to Munich, Germany (MUC), Boston (BOS) to Heathrow, and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to both Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) and Milan, Italy (MXP).
United says it will continue seasonal service to four destinations not served by any other North American airline, including Tenerife, Spain (TFN), Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI), Amman, Jordan (AMM), and Ponta Delgada Airport in the Azores, Portugal (PDL).
A Rundown of New Flights Offered by United in Summer 2023
EWR-AGP Begins: 31 May Equipment: Boeing 757-200 Frequency: 3x/week
EWR-DXB Begins: 25 March Equipment: Boeing 777-200ER Frequency: Daily
EWR-ARN Begins: 27 May Equipment: Boeing 757-200 Frequency: Daily
SFO – FCO Begins: 25 May Equipment: Boeing 777-200ER Frequency: Daily
ORD – SNN Begins: 25 May Equipment: Boeing 757-200 Frequency: Daily Notes: United offers seasonal service to SNN from EWR
IAD – BER Begins: 25 May Equipment: Boeing 767-400ER Frequency: Daily Notes: United also serves BER from EWR
ORD – BCN Begins: 25 May Equipment: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Frequency: Daily Notes: United already serves BCN from EWR and IAD
United will also add additional frequencies to London Heathrow (LHR) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
LAX – LHR Second Daily Flight Begins: 25 May Equipment: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Frequency: 2x daily Notes: United provides service to LHR from EWR, SFO, DEN, and BOS
IAD – CDG Second Daily Flight Begins: 02 June Equipment: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Frequency: 2x daily Notes: United provides service to CDG from EWR, IAD, ORD, and SFO
Delta Air Lines on Tuesday announced a $60 million equity investment in eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft that – if realized – will transform home-to-airport transportation.
Delta will partner with Joby Aviation, a California-based company developing eVTOL aircraft designed to function as air taxis. Delta’s initial investment for the venture is $60 million but will expand the investment to $200 million as the partnership reaches significant milestones.
The Atlanta-based carrier now joins a growing list of airlines that have invested in eVTOL technology, including American and United.
Delta’s eVTOL Service Will Launch in New York and Los Angeles
Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt and Delta CEO Ed Bastian pose for a photo on 10 October 2022 | IMAGE: Delta Air Lines
Customers who book a flight with Delta will soon be able to reserve an air taxi that will take them from the city to the airport. The service, billed by Joby as “electric aerial ridesharing,” will initially launch in New York and Los Angeles.
The decision to launch the service in the two cities comes as Delta touts years of investments, including multi-billion dollar terminal upgrades at New York LaGuardia (LGA) and Los Angeles International (LAX). Delta officials say its eVTOL service will eventually expand to other markets in the United States and abroad.
The carrier says customers will be able to reserve seats on the Joby aircraft when booking their travel. The service will provide a seamless, premium experience that saves time and simplifies commuting.
“Delta always looks forward and embraces opportunities to lead the future, and we’ve found in Joby a partner that shares our pioneering spirit and commitment to delivering innovative, seamless experiences that are better for our customers, their journeys, and our world,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “This is a groundbreaking opportunity for Delta to deliver a time-saving, uniquely premium home-to-airport solution for customers in key markets we’ve been investing and innovating in for many years.”
The partnership between Delta and Joby will be mutually exclusive for at least five years after commercial service begins. The option exists for the mutual agreement to be extended.
We’ve partnered with @Delta – the world's leading airline – to deliver a seamless, differentiated experience for Delta customers traveling to and from the airport, alongside our standard airport service. [1/2] pic.twitter.com/5g1WKnY0tX
A Joby Aviation eVTOL aircraft | IMAGE: Joby Aviation
The climate-friendly Joby eVTOL aircraft is powered by six ultra-quiet electric motors. It will carry one pilot and four passengers up to 150 miles on a single charge at a top speed of 200 mph. Joby estimates that customers will be able to fly from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in just seven minutes while avoiding congestion that typically plagues the hourlong journey by car. The aircraft will produce zero operating emissions.
The aircraft is nearly silent during flight and is reportedly 100 times quieter than a helicopter during takeoff and landing.
Having completed over 1,000 test flights over ten years, Joby has received a G-1 (Stage 4) Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – the first eVTOL company granted such a certification. Additionally, in May, Joby received a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA.
What’s Next for Joby Aviation
Joby Aviation’s eVTOL | IMAGE: JOBY AVIATION
Joby says its eVTOL could begin commercial service sometime in 2024. However, the company will not commit to a launch date. Much depends on the eventual certification of the aircraft and other factors beyond Joby’s control.
Joby Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt says his company is excited to partner with Delta.
“We share Delta’s unwavering commitment to delivering seamless and sustainable journeys to customers,” said Bevirt. “Their history of innovation, along with their vast operational expertise and leadership on climate change, make them incredible partners for Joby, and it’s an honor to be working alongside them.”
Founded in 2009, Joby is based in Santa Cruz, Calif., and has offices in San Carlos and Marina, Calif., Washington, DC, and Munich, Germany. The first full-scale eVTOL prototype first took to the skies in 2017. The company has partnered with NASA, Toyota, Garmin, and Uber. Additionally, in December 2020, Joby became the first eVTOL company to be granted airworthiness approval from the U.S. Air Force as part of its Agility Prime program.
A Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter operated by Atlas Air lost a wheel from its main landing gear on takeoff today from Taranto, Italy. And plane spotters along the route captured imagery of the takeoff, flight, and landing.
The heavy lifter was taking off for Boeing’s 787 production facility in Charleston, South Carolina when its wheel began smoking and fell to the ground. The plane is used to haul 787 parts.
Plane continued on after wheel fell off
In the video the gear appears to have retracted properly, so the crew pushed on to their destination and probably dumped some fuel along the way to lighten up for landing with a wheel missing. Tho we’re unable to confirm that.
Photo via ITaliavola
Fortunately, nobody was hurt on the ground as the wheel fell from the sky. Airport personnel recovered the separated tire.
Twitter user @rjsphoto even captured the plane as it flew over Boston, en route to Charleston.
The plane landed without incident in Charleston, SC after its ocean crossing. Twitter user @stephen_bozek was there to capture the landing. The incident is under investigation. There’s no info available at this time about what caused the tire to separate from the gear’s bogey.
It’s not the first time an airliner has lost wheels, and it certainly won’t be the last. A Virgin Atlantic 747-400 landed safely at LGW in London back in 2014 after suffering a failure of its right outer main gear.
A Westjet 767 also lost a wheel on takeoff from Calgary back in 2017. That plane too landed safely back at the airport, after circling for 45 minutes. The tire was found embedded in a runway sign.
More than a dozen websites for American airports were knocked offline Monday morning by an apparent cyberattack originating in Russia, according to a report from the Associated Press.
The incident, which is being described as a “coordinated distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack,” did not disrupt any airport operations such as air traffic control, airlines, or security,, officials said.
Who is Behind the DDoS Attack
A Delta jet takes off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) | IMAGE: Facebook
Investigators say Monday’s DDoS attack was the work of a group called “Killnet,” a pro-Russia “hacktivist” group. The group has repeatedly targeted government institutions and private companies around the world since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March.
The bark is worse than the bite, however. DDoS attacks aim to disrupt the traffic flow to a targeted server, service, or network by flooding them with fake requests. In turn, this renders websites inaccessible to regular users. Although psychologically concerning, DDoS attacks are typically superficial and do not leave any lasting damage.
49 Airports Targeted
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) | IMAGE: Facebook
Word of the upcoming attack came at 0650 ET Monday morning via Killnet’s account on Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging service. One hour later, the websites for Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW) went offline.
Major airports targeted include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Additionally, Killnet mentioned airports in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Missouri. Some of the other affected airports include:
Montgomery Regional Airport, Ala. (MGM)
Long Beach Airport, Calif. (LGB)
Delaware Coastal Airport (GED)
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (BMI)
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, Miss. (JAN)
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
The Killnet Telegram message provided a list of 49 domains in all. By Monday afternoon, service had largely been restored to affected sites.
No Lasting Damage – This Time
Russian Hackers Target US Airport Websites 42
Killnet has stated that one of its aims is to target America’s civilian network sector. It is part of a coordinated campaign to disrupt critical sectors in America and other NATO nations, likely as an act of retaliation to its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.
John Hultquist, Vice President of Threat Intelligence at Mandiant, a Virginia-based company that helps organizations defend against cybercrime, worries that this incident could be a prelude to future – more brazen – attacks.
“DDoS is typically superficial and short-lived but also highly visible,” Hultquist tweeted on Monday. “Their limited aim is to manipulate our perceptions. These are not the serious impacts that have kept us awake. My only concern here is that we may be entering a new phase of increased targeting in the US that might include more serious incidents. Time will tell.”
In addition to US airports, the hacktivist group has recently targeted a US Congress website and multiple state government websites.
Most of us take the gift of vision for granted, and find it hard to imagine life without it. Going blind is a terrifying thought for many people, especially pilots. But for 21-yr old Kaiya Armstrong it’s just another challenge, and she’s piloting a plane cross-country this week to inspire others in their own struggles.
Armstrong is flying a Cessna from Phoenix, Ariz. to Washington, DC as part of an event called Flight for Sight. It’s a “challenge event” by the Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) to raise awareness around vision loss, and inspire everyone to believe in themselves, whether they are blind or not.
No sight? No problem!
Blind 21-year-old Kaiya Armstrong took off from Falcon Field Airport today. She’ll land in Washington, D.C. next week.
— Foundation for Blind Children (@seeitourway) October 7, 2022
“We do a lot of these challenge events to give our kids a chance to prove to the world they can do anything,” said FBC CEO Marc Ashton.
Other FBC students have sailed the Caribbean, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, and rafted the Grand Canyon.
Training to fly blind
She’s spent the last several months attending ground school and in-air flight training to prepare for her mission, using the same devices and tools as a sighted pilot, albeit differently, to accommodate her needs.
Kaiya Learning the layout of her cockpit in braille (photo: FBC)
Most students learning to fly a use a map of the cockpit to study the layout of a plane’s instruments and gauges at home. Armstrong’s map was transcribed in Braille, so she could memorize the layout of the cockpit same as any student pilot.
She identifies levers and buttons in the cockpit by touch. The handles are textured differently to help discern one similar handle from another. On takeoff, the sound or pitch of the plane tells her how high or low she’s flying.
Kaiya pilotIng on a training fliGht (photo: FBC)
And since she can’t see her compass, she’s learned to maintain direction by timing her turns. If, for example, she turns at 3 degrees per second, then she knows when she’s turned 180 degrees. And she’s been able to get it nearly spot on in training.
She also trained with a handsfree headset that magnifies near and far vision called Patriot Viewpoint. For Kaiya’s training it let her see the cockpit and better understand the layout. It even allowed her to see her mom’s face for the first time in years.
Kaiya also logged training time in a FAA certified Cessna simulator at Aerial Engagement in Scottsdale.
Kaiya in The sim (photo: FBC)
Armstrong lost her vision as a young teenager due to an autoimmune disease. She has no peripheral vision and can only see a couple inches in front of her. So she can’t see the plane’s instrument panel, but she says can see her favorite thing about flying; the earth’s colors below.
“This very last time we went, we flew over a little lake. I remember thinking how blue the water was,” she said after a recent training flight.
Co-pilot guide is flying along, with minimal assistance
Tyler Sinclair, a CFI from Leopard Aviation, is her guide flying along with her. He describes what is happening outside of the plane, relays the instrument readings and other key markers and gives her cues, but it’s her at the controls doing the taxing, takeoff, flying and landing.
“While Kaiya is piloting, I just help her navigate, helping her just keep the plane level,” Sinclair said. “She’s actually really good at it, I just give her some small verbal cues, but she does most of the flying herself.”
Kaiya and Tyler took off on their cross-country flight Oct 7, and have since traveled through Colorado Springs and Kansas City. They’ll stop again in Louisville, before pushing on to arrive in DC on Oct 13 for World Sight Day.
“The biggest message I want everyone – both sighted and blind – to take away from this is that the only limits we have are the ones we’ve given ourselves,” says Kaiya. “I want everybody to stop limiting themselves.”
