Navigating an airport can be a complicated task. Image: David Parker Brown
This story was written by Steven Paduchak for AirlineReporter.com
As I sit in front of the podium just past airport security every weekend wearing my ’œInformation’ uniform, I watch as passengers make their way through; stopping by and looking at the monitors of all flight information, asking about what’s available to eat, where the lavatories are located, etc’¦
While I pursue my degree in Aviation Management, I take advantage of any opportunity possible to immense myself in the airport environment. What many people aren’t aware of today is that airports throughout the nation are city or county-owned. The airport represents the first essence of the city looking to bring in potential business.
As a result of this, airports have formed these volunteer-based initiatives in order to give off the best first impression and to ensure a positive experience. As I have observed the world of airport management the past few years through various experiences, I can say with certainty that customer service is vital to an airport and region’s economic success. People could sit down for days and talk about the poor customer service they get while traveling.
The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the flight line at Paine Field (KPAE) – Photo: Bernie Leighton | AirlineReporter
The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is expected to be delivered to Air New Zealand sometime in mid-2014. Before then, the aircraft has quite a few tests to complete prior to being certified, and Boeing has one fun adventure planned starting this weekend.
According to the Australian Business Traveller (AusBT), the Dreamliner will conduct stop-overs during testing in Auckland, Brisbane, and Alice Springs.
Not only will this allow the 787-9 to spread its wings, but it will also give those of you who live in the area a chance to catch one of the first glimpses of the longer Dreamliner.
Air New Zealand’s new white fern livery seen on the 787-9 Dreamliner – Image: Air New Zealand
The test aircraft will take advantage of Australia’s hot temperatures in Alice Springs to test out the stretched Dreamliner. The plane flown down will be the second of three test aircraft Boeing is currently using, ZB002. It will be set up with a bunch of different testing equipment and Boeing tells AirlineReporter it will also, “be fitted with elements of the passenger interior.” Boeing will test the plane’s environmental control system and chose Alice Springs because the location, “meets specific test requirements for both facility and atmospheric conditions.”
’œBoeing is proud to bring the 787-9 to Auckland to show Air New Zealand what the team has achieved,’ said Mark Jenks, vice president, 787 Development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. ’œWith more than 150 flights since testing began in September, the test fleet continues to perform very well, and we look forward to delivering the first 787-9 in mid-2014 as promised.’
United’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Houston. Photo: Brandon Farris
It has been a long journey, but I am proud to say that I have finally flown on a Dreamliner.
After two years of trying to get on the 787-8 Dreamliner, I finally had my opportunity to step aboard one of the most amazing aircraft ever built.My flight, United 1169, was from Houston to Los Angeles; they fly the aircraft once a day between these cities for positioning, and when I stumbled on it I couldn’t resist.
As time call to board my flight (in the Economy Plus section), it finally began to sink in that I was about to board the plane I have lost many nights of sleep over. I have followed the issues the plane has had throughout its flight test program and entry into service.
The aircraft I was flying on, N26902, has quite a history and actually is one of the 787s that cost me a couple night’s sleep, as it was the plane that diverted to New Orleans back in December, 2012, when the battery saga was beginning to catch fire. The aircraft also completed the inaugural flights for United to Tokyo Narita from Los Angeles, becoming the first 787 flown by a non-Japanese airline to land in Japan. Weeks later, it completed United’s first flight to Shanghai.
Airbus’ third A350 XWB (MSN2) shows off a special livery. Photo: Airbus
Today Airbus unveiled a special livery on their third A350 XWB (MSN2). The “carbon” signature livery celebrates the aircraft’s usage from advance materials, like (wait for it) carbon.
Not only does this aircraft has a slick outside, it will also be the first test A350 to be equipped with a full passenger interior. It will still be a few weeks before MSN2 joins the A350 test fleet (currently just MSN1). The aircraft will undertake Early Long Flights (ELF) later this year.
This livery looks as good coming as going. Photo: Airbus
ADDITIONAL AIRBUS A350 XWB GOODIES
Just some of the very cool things we did in 2013
How the heck is it 2014 already? Time sure does fly, and so have we! This year our team flew over 330,000 miles (or almost 14 times around the world), which is crazy since we only flew about 90,000 miles in 2012. We have been able to grow with more writers, more readers, and more unique (and, I like to think, interesting) content.
We have experienced many ups and down this last year (more ups than downs) and we have been able to share stories in ways that we never have before. At this point we have over 33,000 followers on Twitter, almost 4.7 million views on our Flickr, over 2,200 Facebook fans (we are looking for more), and 2.2 million views of our videos on YouTube. Those are impressive and we love that you love what we do!
As many will do at the end of the year, I want to take a look back and see what worked and did not work for 2013.