A350 XWB (MSN1) First Engine Run, Toulouse, France. Photo by Airbus.
On Sunday, The first Airbus A350-900 (MSN1) successfully completed starting up its engines, making it one step close to flight. Although Airbus is not stating when the A350 will have its first flight, many are hoping it will be in time for the Paris Air Show, which will run from June 17-23.
MORE: Photos + Video: First Airbus A350 Comes Out of Paint
When the first flight occurs there will be six crew members on-board: two flight test pilots, one test flight engineer and three flight test engineers. The two test pilots will be Peter Chandler, an Experimental Flight Test Pilot with Airbus since 2000 and Chief Test Pilot since 2011 and Guy Magrin, an Experimental Flight Test Pilot with Airbus since 2003 and Project Pilot for the A350 XWB.
Airbus plans to deliver the first A350-900 XWB in the second half of 2014 to its launch customer: Qatar Airways.
Hainan Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Paine Field. Photo by moonm.
Here we have the third installment of showing off the beautiful Boeing 787 Dreamliner liveries that have been seen at Paine Field and around the world. There have now been 22 different liveries on 15 different airlines and one aircraft manufacture (Boeing). Last update was from August 2012 and we have seen quite a few new ones since then.
Let me know in the comments: which 787 livery is your favorite? Your least favorite?
JA806A pulling into Gate 15 at San Jose Airport (SJC) – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
A beautiful, clear, sunny day awaited guests as they checked in at San Jose’s Norman Y Mineta International Airport (SJC). Saturday was the day a lot of people have been waiting for: All Nippon Airways (ANA) is resuming their Tokyo flights into the Silicon Valley, providing a direct link from the bay area to northern Asia. I was lucky enough to be invited on this flight by ANA to help celebrate this re-introduction [ANA only flew the 787 for only a few days into SJC before the aircraft was grounded].
This flight into San Jose also sees the reintroduction of the 787 to international skies for ANA, who operate the world’s largest fleet of Dreamliners. As NH1076 touched down at San Jose a few minutes ahead of schedule, the gate area was quiet, the staff scurried around preparing for the flights arrival. This could’ve been any flight on any other day, but it wasn’t.
The tiny Pacific island of Fiji has a national airline just as tiny. Air Pacific, however, dreams big and their dream just came true. In just a few short days, the Air Pacific name will be retired, ushering in the era of Fiji Airways, and more importantly, a new fleet.
After a time of financial difficulty, Air Pacific has rebounded to profitability, and decided it was time to replace their aging 747-400 long-haul fleet. Initially ordering and later cancelling a fleet of eight Boeing 787s, Air Pacific ordered three Airbus A330-200s in late 2011, the second of which was delivered last week. These airplanes represent everything that is new about the tiny airline, inside and out.
Boeing delivers Thomson Airway’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Paine Field. Image from Boeing.
Keep on flying Dreamliners!
Yesterday, Boeing delivered first 787 Dreamliners to two different airlines: Thomson Airways and China Southern Airlines.
Although there was not much fanfare with Thomson’s 787 departing Everett, thousands were at Manchester Airport to welcome the aircraft. “After much anticipation, we are very excited to welcome the 787 Dreamliner to our fleet and as the first airline in the UK,” said Thomson Managing Director Chris Browne. “Customers will be amazed at the unique look, feel and service ’“ all of which will ensure the unique Thomson holiday experience starts as soon as they step on board this fabulous new aircraft.”
