Is the 737-800 on the left set up for American Airlines new livery? The one of the right is an older 737-800. Left Image: Malcolm Muir. Right Image: Drewski2112. [CLICK FOR LARGER]
We have seen American’s new 777-300ERs (77W) with a base paint, but we aren’t sure of the colors (I will go out on a limb and say that red and blue will survive). What the titles will look like or if we will still see the eagle is still anyone’s guess.
BONUS: Interior photos of AA’s 77W.
One questions has been if American will paint its entire fleet in the new design or if this is just a special one-off livery to celebrate the 777-300ER. Recently, Malcolm Muir, AirlineRepoter.com correspondent, caught a photo of a new American Boeing 737-800 and noticed a difference.
It might not be so obvious looking at the two 737’s above, but take a look at the winglets. The newest one (on the left), is lacking the AA.com on the winglet, which has been seen on all previous pre-painted 737s. Is this because it is set to get AA’s new design? Probably.
American Airlines third Boeing 777-300ER (N719AN) seen in Portland on January 8, 2013. Photo by Sabian404/Russell Hill.
It is highly expected that American’s new livery will debut on one of their Boeing 777-300ERs at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, but when? American took delivery of their first 77W over a month ago and it has been conducting demo/preparation flights for the airline (it was recently seen in Miami with mini-American titles). The first 777-300ER is scheduled to start service from DFW to Sao Paulo on January 31, 2013, which doesn’t leave much time for American to show off their new livery.
I highly doubt that they would fly the 77W on scheduled service in this half-livery and of course they want to get as much publicity off the new livery and their change in direction as possible. I expect that we should all have a date of unveiling rather soon — like by the end of the week. I would hope that unlike the delivery of their first 777-300ER, the new livery unveiling will not go quietly — stay tuned.
UPDATE: Tom Horton, the parent of American Airlines parent AMR, sent out a letter employees earlier today and in it stated, “With all of these changes, our company will very quickly begin to look and feel very different ’“ both inside and out. We will be sharing more information about the new look and feel very soon.” Notice how the “very” is italicized — American did that. It is coming soon. Very soon. (see the full letter)
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This story written by…David Parker Brown, Editor & Founder.
David started AirlineReporter.com in the summer of 2008, but has had a passion for aviation since he was a kid. Born and raised in the Seattle area (where he is currently based) has surely had an influence and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world.
@AirlineReporter | Flickr | YouTube |
ANA’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner (JA813A) arrives to San Jose. Photo by Brandon Farris / AirlineReporter.com.
Although there has been recent bad news regarding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, we are happy to share some good news: Japan-based All Nippon Airlines (ANA) expanded its route network with its first arrival into Silicon Valley’s own Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) on Friday January 11, 2013.
SJC becomes the eighth US destination for ANA. The new routing will provide direct five days a week service to Tokyo Narita (NRT) from SJC. This will be the first time that SJC has a direct flight to an Asian City since American Airlines pulled out of NRT-SJC in 2006.
BONUS: Video of Flying on ANA’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The flight, ANA 1076, landed nearly an hour early into SJC and pushed back on-time with no issues. When asked about the recent issues facing the 787, ANA Chairmen of the Board Yoji Ohashi stated, ’œWe can not give you an official comment, but we are confident about the safety of the Dreamliner.’
This is the first 787 to serve the San Francisco area and has brought excitement to those who were able to fly on it. Passengers still have confidence in the aircraft as the flight in and out was completely sold out and is sold out for the first week, according to ANA officials.
’œWe are confident that passenger demand will remain high between SJC and Japan, as well as other Asian cities, with Tokyo as the gateway into Asia. Reservations for the route are already showing great demand and we are excited that customers will enjoy ANA’s utmost service with Japanese hospitality on our innovative Dreamliner,’ shared ANA president and CEO Shinichiro Ito in a statement from Tokyo.
Although the service will begin as five days per week, it should increase to daily service in the future.
’œWe are pleased to launch ANA’s new direct service between Tokyo and SJC today,’ Mayor Chuck Reed said. ’œWeather on business or visiting friends and family, Silicon Valley residents will find that ANA’s new flights offer a convenient connection to Japan and the Pacific Rim. I thank ANA for their investment in SJC.’
The new service even allowed Mayor Reed to take a shot at its partner airport SFO, ’œYou can fly out of one of the best on-time airports in the country over an airport with one of the worst on-time records.’
AirlineReporter.com managed to get a passenger’s account of the flight to Narita from SJC. Alan Tsuda was nice enough to send us a report on his experience, ’œIn economy, it was the most comfortable full plane experience I’ve ever had. Quite spacious, usually, I take an aisle seat, but this time had an interior seat. The center has four seats with a small gap in the middle, which gives the interior passengers just enough more room to make a difference. I did not notice the lighting to be dramatically different, but it was pleasant.”
ANA’s 787 sits next to the terminal in San Jose. Photo by Brandon Farris / AirlineReporter.com.
Tsuda continued, “The spaciousness of the cabin makes it feel much more open, less of a cave feeling. Definitely noticed that I needed less hydration, so I suppose there was more humidity in cabin. I can’t be sure, but I felt that the noise (I was behind the wings) was slightly less than in the 747 that I took for the next leg of my trip. Subjectively I heard less low end rumble. I would definitely recommend the plane and ANA from SJC to NRT.’
The lighting and increased humidity of the 787 might be obvious benefits to passengers flying, but the route itself is more telling of the benefits of the 787 Dreamliner. This new route wouldn’t make economic sense on a larger aircraft, like the Boeing 777, but it does with the smaller and more efficient 787. The ability to fly more non-stop routes, like SJC-NRT is one of the huge benefits of the Dreamliner.
Although this is the first new international service into the airport, they are confident that they will bring in a few more international carriers in the near future as they are in talks with several airlines. Soon, I hope to write a story discussing what the future may hold for SJC after talking to airport officials while at the event.
ADDITIONAL ANA BOEING 787 SCJ PHOTOS:
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This story written by…Brandon Farris, Correspondent.
Brandon is an avid aviation geek based in Seattle. He got started in Photography and Reporting back in 2010. He loves to travel where ever he has to to cover the story and try to get the best darn shot possible.
@BrandonsBlog | RightStuffPhotography | Flickr |
A Corsair Boeing 747-400 lands at St. Maarten. Image by Chris Sloan / Airchive.com.
This story was written by Jason Rabinowitz for AirlineReporter.com.
On the tiny island of St. Maarten in the northeast Caribbean, there is a single runway airport named Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). This airport’s reputation, however, is anything but tiny.
Aviation enthusiasts call it the destination of dreams. Between the beginning of runway 10 and the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea sits a 100 foot wide area called Maho Beach. On these 100 feet of beach, enthusiasts and thrill seekers alike gather as heavy jets pass overhead, just seconds from touching down on the runway.
The tiny airport receives some of the largest aircraft in operation today, such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340. Currently, 1.6 million passengers pass through the airport, of which 85% are on scheduled airline flights as visitors to the island. Last week, Princess Juliana International Airport announced plans to facilitate further growth.
The airport received a US$132 million bond, which will enable major improvements and further expansion. Some of these improvements include the rehabilitation of the runway, construction of new taxiways to increase the efficiency of the runway, expansion of aprons to provide for more aircraft parking, and the acquisition of property for future expansion. The growth and rehabilitation is expected to take place over a three year period, during which aircraft operations will not be affected.
When word first came out that St. Maarten would be expanding the airport, aviation enthusiasts immediately became fearful for the future of Maho Beach. Last year, a video surfaced on YouTube of a woman holding onto the perimeter fence while an Airbus A320 prepared to take off. As the aircraft’s engines spooled up, the jet blast became too extreme for the woman, who went flying face first into a rock. Since this incident, the safety of Maho Beach has been called into question.
Thankfully, not only is the experience at Maho Beach going to remain as it is today, but Princess Juliana Airport is even embracing the excitement in a major re-branding effort.
An Air France Airbus A340 lands at SXM. Image from alljengi / Flickr CC.
The re-branding involves a new website, as well as a fresh new logo, featuring the SXM airport code. The new website includes real time arrival and departure times, social media integration, as well as a ’œSpectacular Landing’ section, which is devoted to displaying user generated video from Maho Beach.
Speaking at a press event attended by AirlineReporter.com in New York City, Regina LeBega, Managing Director of the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company said, ’œWe have signs, because it is a dangerous situation, and we try to make the signs a little more visible. Unfortunately, we can’t change the behavior of thrill seekers.’ The airport will not be taking any action to quell this behavior, and no modifications will be made to the airport perimeter fence.
SXM is looking to become a hub airport, and these improvements will facilitate such change. For the typical vacationer and aviation enthusiast, Princess Juliana will remain as attractive as ever, providing a unique and breathtaking experience for years to come.
![From the EAL publication "Pastimes" from 1972. The centerfold introducing the L-1011 to the EAL fleet. Notice the First Class (red seat) arrangement..nice. Image from David Capodilupo. [CLICK FOR LARGER]](https://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/L1011-640x441.jpg)
From the EAL publication “Pastimes” from 1972. The centerfold introducing the L-1011 to the EAL fleet. Image from David Capodilupo. [CLICK FOR LARGER]
Eastern was one of two co-launch customers for the L1011 (TWA was the second), which started service in 1972 with the airline.
Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L1011. Photo by Bob Garrard.
The spacious layout, the luxurious amenities — the way flying used to be right? Also remember that there were fewer flight options, limited in-flight entertainment, louder, less safe and cost much more. Yes, things have changed, but I think mostly for the good. Doesn’t mean I don’t miss the L1011 and EAL.
Image from Chris Sloan / Airchive.com.
The image above is from the L1011 Sales Brochure, this shows a more cramped 2-4-3 layout for economy (the cut-away above shows a 2-4-2). Check out those center dividers and the lack of center overhead bins.
SOME ADDITIONAL L1011 GOODIES:
* Sales brochure for the Lockheed L1011 in 1979 via Airchive.com
* More classic Eastern Air Lines L1011 Photos by Bob Garrard
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This story written by…David Parker Brown, Editor & Founder.
David started AirlineReporter.com in the summer of 2008, but has had a passion for aviation since he was a kid. Born and raised in the Seattle area (where he is currently based) has surely had an influence and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world.
@AirlineReporter | Flickr | YouTube |
Mock up of what Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A321neo will look like. Aircraft image from Airbus. Can you tell where the background image was taken (it is a real photograph by Brandon Farris).
On Monday Hawaiian Airlines made a big announcement that it was ordering the Airbus A321neo to add to its expanding fleet.
The order is for 16 A321neo’s along with the rights to purchase up to nine more of the type. The carrier currently has 43 aircraft that is a mix of Boeing 767-300ER that it primarily uses on its west coast operations from the islands, the A330-200 used on international long haul ops and the Boeing 717 that it uses for inter-island hopping.
“Everyone at Hawaiian wants us to keep our position as the market leader in service quality, cost efficiency and choice of destinations. Ordering the A321neo will secure this legacy on routes to the U.S. West Coast beyond the middle of this decade,” said Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “The A321neo will be the most fuel-efficient aircraft of its type after its introduction in 2016. With its slightly smaller size we’ll be able to open new markets that are not viable for wide-body service, while also being able to augment service on existing routes to the West Coast of North America.”
At 146-feet-long, the A321neo will seat approximately 190 passengers in a two-class configuration (First and Coach) and has a range of 3,650 nautical miles. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, however, the aircraft have a total list-price value of approximately $2.8 billion if all of the purchase rights are exercised.
The new acquisitions are also contingent upon Hawaiian signing new agreements with its pilots and flight attendant unions covering operation of the new aircraft type. If new agreements are reached, the fleet expansion is expected to generate roughly 1,000 additional jobs at the airline.
“This is a significant investment in the future of both Hawaiian and Hawaii. Our tourism-based economy and local employment will benefit as we continue our strategy of diversifying our business while improving the efficiency of our operation,” Dunkerley commented.
This is the current range of the A321 from Hawaii. The A321NEO will add an additional 450 miles.
“We have come to think of Hawaiian Airlines as ‘ohana’ (family) and are very pleased to add yet another branch to our tree with this pending expansion of the Hawaiian Airbus fleet,” said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, customers. “Hawaiian has gotten great results with their A330s.”
There is much speculation from analyst and fans where the aircraft will be flown, whether they will take over the current 767 west coast routes or lead to expansion for Hawaiian to operate to new west coast operations. By the time these aircraft join the fleet their 767’s will be around 18 to 20 years old for the leased ones and 30 years with the four that it purchased from Delta in 2005.
Other ideas are this purchase is to keep the A350 and A330-200s free to continue what has been a rather aggressive expansion from the quite airlines on the islands.
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This story written by…Brandon Farris, Correspondent. Brandon is an avid aviation geek based in Seattle. He got started in Photography and Reporting back in 2010. He loves to travel where ever he has to to cover the story and try to get the best darn shot possible.
@BrandonsBlog | RightStuffPhotography | Flickr |
![From the EAL publication "Pastimes" from 1972. The centerfold introducing the L-1011 to the EAL fleet. Notice the First Class (red seat) arrangement..nice. Image from David Capodilupo. [CLICK FOR LARGER]](https://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/L1011.jpg)
