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.”
The JetBlue and KaBOOM crew celebrate the completion of construction at the playground. Photo by Jason Rabinowitz.
Hurricane Sandy impacted the New York City area hard. Homes were destroyed, businesses lost, entire communities wiped out in a matter of minutes. The barrier island City of Long Beach, just a few short miles from JFK on Long Island, was one of these communities.
The cities main attraction, the boardwalk, was completely demolished. Along the boardwalk sat Magnolia Playground, which was also destroyed. Just over six months after the storm the playground is back after some help from JetBlue, KaBoom, and the local community.
American Airline’s sixth Boeing 777-300ER, sitting at Boeing Field. Photo by Brandon Farris.
I recently had the opportunity to hang out with American Airlines while the carrier and Boeing enjoyed some festivities prior to the airline taking delivery of its sixth 777-300ER (77W) on April 11th.
Everything began early in the morning with a short drive from the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Seattle to Renton, home of the Boeing 737 final assembly lines. Although we were set to fly the 777, American had recently placed a large order for the 737 NG and MAX.
