As many of you have probably realized by now, yesterday was April Fools Day*. This was an opportunity for airlines, with a sense of humor, to break out their best creativity and come up with stories that are almost believable — almost.
Last year I found ten airlines that went all out on Aprils Fools, but this year there didn’t seem to be as many who were in the spirit. Here are the ones I found:
How would you like to spend your next flight standing up? All images by Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand offers STRIGHTUP Fares for those willing to stand while flying
From Air New Zealand’s press release: Air New Zealand’s Domestic airline is proud to introduce STRAIGHTUPFARESâ„¢, the next step in the evolution of affordable domestic air travel on sale to anyone who can ‘stand it’. The special fares are part of the airline’s Grabaseatâ„¢ promotion.
For the April 1, 2012 launch date, the airline has installed hand holds on the cabin ceilings of selected aircraft to allow even more passengers per flight. The new “seating” plan can accommodate up to 69 extra passengers standing in the aisle for the duration of the flight, massively increasing Air New Zealand’s capacity and drastically lowering ticket prices.
The fares are offered at three different levels: STRAIGHTUPFARESâ„¢ – The standard offering includes carry on baggage only, STRAIGHTUPBAGâ„¢ – Includes carry on bag and one checked in bag up to 25kgs, and STRAIGHTUPDELUXEâ„¢ – Includes carry on bag and one checked in bag up to 25kgs, inflight refreshments and a interactive handhold.
Fare restrictions:
* Height restriction: 150cm Minimum height, excluding wheelchair passengers.
* Girth restriction: STRAIGHTUPFARESâ„¢ 100cm max waist, STRAIGHTUPBAGâ„¢ 120cm max waist, STRAIGHTUPDELUXEâ„¢ 150cm max waist
* Standing passenger must possess at least one fully functional arm and one fully function leg or equivalent. Wheel clamps provided for wheelchair passengers.
Going to their special STRAIGHTUPFARES website, they quickly point out that this is not real.
Who wants to go to space? Spirit can take you there. Image from Spirit Airlines.
Spirit Airlines Offers $9 Each Way Trips to the Moon
What is funnier than Spirit offering to take you to the moon is their ability to make fun of themselves. They are known as an ultra low cost carrier and charge for everything (even your carry-on). So they might have $9 each way fares advertised, but adding in your space suit, oxygen mask, tang, government service fee (good thing that is not hidden) and the rocket fuel, you are looking at a $1,203,000,025.97 ticket. Classic.
TOFUnuts on Southwest? Please no. Image from Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Airlines Now Serving TOFUnuts Onboard
Mmmm. TOFUnuts. Thank goodness this is a joke. From the airline’s press release: Southwest Airlines today begins serving a delicious onboard snack in addition to the carrier’s legendary peanut offering, TOFUnuts. With the same salty taste, TOFUnuts contain more protein than Southwest’s lightly salted peanuts. Customers who stop in the airport terminal for that savory cheeseburger can wash away the guilt knowing that a packet of TOFUnuts will help lower bad cholesterol. Other benefits include appearing younger as Customers step off one of the carrier’s LUV jets since the isoflavones in the TOFUnuts scavenge free radicals to prevent premature aging.
“We didn’t think we could top our world famous peanuts, but this little baby has real potential,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution. “If you aren’t in the mood for our traditional peanuts, then get on the tofu train. I mean, a snack food and healthy skinsign me up!” Read more…
The new VVS1 will be able to take up to three people down to the Earth's core. Photo from Virgin.
Richard Branson launches journeys to the centre of the Earth through Virgin Volcanic
From the “official” press release: Richard Branson launches journeys to the centre of the Earth through Virgin Volcanic. Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks to join first expedition. Only 500 people have been to space, only three people have been to the bottom of the ocean, but no one has ever attempted to journey to the core of an active volcano. Until now. Using patented carbon-carbon materials pioneered for deep space exploration, Virgin is proud to announce a revolutionary new vehicle, VVS1, which will be capable of plunging three people into the molten lava core of an active volcano. Read more…
WestJet says no to kids? Origional photo from Andrew Sieber. Click for orig.
WestJet Introduces Child-Free Cabins
From WestJet’s website: Airline unveils Kargo Kids, a travel program to create a serene travel experience. WestJet today introduced Kargo Kids, an exciting new program allowing guests to travel on select child-free flights, creating a quieter and more relaxing inflight experience, while children travel in a “special VIP” area of the aircraft. “As Canada’s low-cost airline, we are constantly looking for innovative and fun ways to enhance the guest experience,” continued Richard Bartrem. “The initial feedback on Kargo Kids has been quite positive and we’re looking forward to the peace and quiet while we get families where they need to be.”
WestJet even went as far as making a video.
If I missed any, please let me know in the comments!
The exterior of the new Boeing Business Jet 737. Hi-Res, click for larger. Photo from Boeing.
The Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is one awesome machine. The airplane is a 737-700 with the wings and landing gear from the 737-800. This provides the ability to carry up to nine fuel tanks and gives the aircraft additional range. The biz jet is capable of going up to 5,600 nautical miles at Mach 0.80. Yea, all the facts are interesting, but what interests me the most are the photos of this aircraft.
The first version of the new BBJ was delivered to a private businessman from the US in early March after it went through interior modifications at Jet Tech, located in Spokane, WA.
Not too shabby. The interior of 737 BBJ. Hi-Res Image: click for larger. Photo by Boeing.
This BBJ is the second for the customer. “Our repeat customers aren’t limited to governments and charter companies, but include private individuals who love the comfort and capability of their BBJ so much, they buy another one,” said Captain Steve Taylor, BBJ president.
The master bedroom of this 737 BBJ. Hi-Res photo: click for larger. Photo by Boeing.
This aircraft is configured to carry only 19 passengers. Knowing that the commercial version can be configured to carry up to 149 passengers, that means this BBJ has plenty of space for each person.
According to Boeing, the aircraft, “has all the amenities of a home including a large personal stateroom with a king-size bed, private lavatory and shower. It also has a smaller guest stateroom with divans that convert into beds enabling the BBJ to sleep up to 8 passengers.”
One could get a lot of good cooking done in this kitchen in the BBJ 737. Hi-Res Image: click for larger. Image by Boeing.
In the well appointed kitchen, there is island, convection/microwave ovens, a refrigerator, wine cooler and trash compactor — not too shabby.
The BBJ starts out at $57million, which is not cheap and will that will only get you the airplane. Most customers will spend an additional $20-25million on the VIP interior. Of course, this is chump change compared to get the Boeing 747-8VIP, which is listed at about $300million and costs, on average, $140-250million for the interior. Better start saving now.
The enterance to the Boeing Flight Services in Seattle, WA. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / NYCAviation.com
Boeing Flight Services (BFS) offers eight locations around the world that provides pilot, maintenance, composite and cabin crew training. Around the world, Boeing offers 80 flight simulators (eight are for the 787). The locations for the 787 training facilities are located in London, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo and of course Seattle. We recently had the opportunity to take a behind the scenes look at the pilot training part of the BFS facility located south of Seattle,WA.
Currently, Boeing has orders for 873 787 Dreamliners. For each new aircraft that gets delivered, there need to be pilots, technicians and flight crew that require training. Boeing works with their airline customers to provide a customized training package. They can choose to have their entire staff trained, or just a handful of trainers who return to the carrier armed with all the knowledge they need.
The room we were in had four simulators. Two for the 787, one for the 737 and one for the 767. Notice how they are painted in different Boeing liveries. Photo by David Parker Brown / AirlineReporter.com
How long it takes for a new pilot to be trained on the 787 depends on their previous experience. Since the 777 and 787 cockpits are so similar, it only takes pilots five days to be trained on the Dreamliner. A pilot who has flown other Boeing products (like the 767 or 737), it can take 13 days and if a pilot has never flown a Boeing product, it takes 20 days.
The section of the facility we visited held four simulators: two for the 787, one for the 737 and one for the 767. Before getting into full simulator, pilots will start out on a desktop simulation, which students are able to view a 3-D virtual 787 to learn about the aircraft before taking the controls.
Inside the Boeing 787 flight simulator. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / NYCAviation.com.
Next, pilots move to the flight training device that looks like a desk-mounted simulator and lets the flight crew become familiar with the instruments and airplane systems better before hitting the fully operation simulator.
Before each flight in the full simulator, pilots will sit down with their Boeing instructor to go over the details and expectations of the flight. Boeing flight instructors, on average, have 15,700 total time and at minimum, they are required to have at least 5,000 hours with 1,000 of those in training.
The flight instructor's chair inside the Dreamliner flight sim. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / NYCAviation.com.
Pilots normally fly for four hours in the simulator and afterwards, trainers will go step-by-step with the pilots using playback from the simulator.
When entering the simulator, the first thing that stands out is the large chair in the middle of everything. The chair appears more at home on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise than the simulator we’re standing in. The chair, affectionately called ’œCaptain Kirk’s Seat’, is where the instructor is direct and manage the simulation along with being able to see the same visualization that the pilots are.
In flight over Japan in the 787 flight simulator. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / NYCAviation.com.
Due to the number of media on the tour the full motion capability was switched off, but that did not stop from making the experience enjoyable. Flight instructor Captain Greg Beard pressed a few buttons on the trainer chair and everyone was whisked away at the speed of light to Narita International Airport in Tokyo. Capt. Beard sat in the co-pilot seat as he smoothly took off the Dreamliner to take a tour around Tokyo.
Being in a few 787 cockpits (not during flight), it is easy to say that the simulator is very accurate to the actual Dreamliner. Beard confirmed this by explaining that all the same software and options on the actual aircraft are in the simulator ’“ actually there are more. The simulator can be programed to have either the GEnx engines or RR Trent 1000 (there are few differences in the flight deck of the two). The simulator can also be used for the future 787-9 model as well.
A view of the HUD (heads up display) while sitting at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / NYCAviation.com.
Although the Boeing 787 is a complex machine, it has been built to make flying as easy as possible. It is not cheap to purchase your own 787 simulators. They are manufactured by Thales, cost about $15-$18million each.
SEE ALL 43 PHOTOS OF THE BOEING 787 DREAMLINER FLIGHT SIMULATOR
This story was a joint effort by AirlineReporter.com and NYCAviation.com.
Aerosvit Boeing 737-800 (UR-AAN) seen at Boeing Field. Click for larger. Photo by Andrew Sieber.
While recently driving down I-5, passing Boeing Field, I couldn’t help but notice a Boeing 737 with a bright yellow nose and I wondered what airline it belonged to. It did not take long to find that it belongs to the Ukrainian based airline Aerosvit.
My own experience goes to show how much this livery pops out. Driving by Boeing Field (south of Seattle), one is often treated to Boeing 787s, 747s, 737s and a lot of other aviation eye candy. It takes a special livery to really demand attention — and I have a feeling that was the intent.
I am always a fan of an airline that is not afraid to go with a bold livery and I think Aerosvit did a great job with this one, especially considering their old livery was a bit bland.
Aerosvit Airlines has been in operation since 1994 and currently serves over 70 destinations. It is part of the Ukrainian Aviation Group, which also includes Dniproavia and Donbassaero (which both have similar, yet very different liveries — click on the airline’s name to see).
Aerosvit operates a fleet of Boeing 737-300s, 737-400s, 737-500s and 767-300ERs. Soon, they plan to take delivery of seven Boeing 737-800s and four Boeing 737-900ERs. With-in the Ukrainian Aviation Group, Aerosvit also has access to Airbus A320s and soon a few Embraer E-190s.
JAL's Boeing 787 Dreamliner is revealed to the crowd.
Yesterday, Boeing, Japan Airlines (JAL) and GE celebrated the delivery of the first and second 787 Dreamliner with GEnx engines to JAL.
“Today is an important moment in our 60-year relationship with Japan Airlines as we celebrate the deliveries of not one, but two Dreamliners,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787 will provide the fuel-efficient airplane needed to serve Japan Airlines growing international operations.”
Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr Yoshiharu Ueki, JAL's President and Bill Fitzgerald, GE's vice president and general manager of Commercial Engines Operation hold up the 787 sign paperwork.
The morning started with a press breifing by JAL’s President, Mr. Yoshiharu Ueki and Mr. Tetsuya Onuki, Managing Executive Officer Corporate Planning. They discussed the importance of their new 787 aircraft and what they hope to accomplish with them in the future.
Ueki, who recently became President of JAL, was previously a pilot for 35 years, flying aircraft like the DC-10 and Boeing 747. He announced that JAL has decided up their order of the 787 by an additional 10, making their total order for 45 aircraft.
They are planning to take delivery of 25 787-8s and 20 of the larger 787-9. When asked when JAL hopes to received additional Dreamliners beyond the two yesterday, Ueki stated he is unable to discuss when that might be, but he did confirm that he was excited to take two aircraft.
JAL's entry way on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is quite welcoming.
JAL’s president explained the three main reasons why he likes the Boeing 787 Dreamliner: the fact it is a beautiful aircraft, the economics of flying it and the ability to fly long distances. JAL currently plans to only operate their 787s on longer range flights and there are currently no plans to use their 787s on domestic routes.
“JAL will be the first airline to start new routes that have never been flown before by taking full advantage of the efficiencies of this aircraft, starting with Boston service next month and San Diego later this year,” said Ueki. “The 787 with GEnx engines has the performance economics that JAL is looking for to ensure route profitability, and also the enhanced in-flight comfort that our customers will be delighted with.”
JAL's Executive Class on the 787 Dreamliner.
JAL is planning to launch a route between Tokyo and Boston on April 22nd, followed by a flight to San Diego, Moscow, Delhi and Singapore in the next few months. JAL will be the first airline to operate the 787 Dreamliner to the United States.
After the conference, media and guests were taken down the gallery at the Future of Flight, which was nicely decorated in a JAL theme. The facility’s prominent tail of a Boeing 747 had the red crane logo, along with large JAL logos on either side of the stage. Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr Yoshiharu Ueki, JAL’s President and Bill Fitzgerald, GE’s Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Engines Operation all spoke about the momentous achievement of delivering the aircraft.
Boeing was not afraid to admit that the plane was delayed and Albaugh went as far as to apologize to JAL. “We know we’re late in delivering this airplane, and we apologize for that. But we hope that when you start operating this airplane you’ll forgive us for the fact that it was late. We think it really will be a game-changing airplane for you.”
Economy Class on the JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
After Albaugh handed over two keys to Ueki (one for each Dreamliner), a video was shown highlighting JAL’s new 787 aircraft. As drums played in the background, the screen was raised and curtains were opened to unveil JAL’s first Dreamliner (JA825J).
After the ribbon was cut and executives posed on the stairway, it was time to climb on board and check out JAL’s interior for the 787.
The entryway to JAL’s 787 was very warm and welcoming. With the pink lighting and warm colors of the interior, it really had a much more cozy feeling to it than other airline interiors. JAL has configured this 787 to have 42 Executive Class seats in a 2-2-2 layout and 144 Economy Class seats in a 2-4-2 layout.
The Flight Deck has the best seats in the house. Shown here is the HUD (heads up display) with a JAL 787 in old livery and Dreamlifter in the background.
Of course, one of the benefits of the Dreamliner is the ability to produce different LED lighting schemes through out the flight. JAL demonstrated some of their planned themes, including pink, peach, blue and green, which represent different seasons.
During my short time in JAL’s Dreamliner, the only thing that really disappointed me was that JAL opted not to place a window in one of the lavatories. Do not get me wrong, it is still a very nice and spacious restroom to be used at 30,000 feet, but there is just something pretty cool about being able to see the wing while using the bathroom.
A few hours after this was taken, it was on its way to Tokyo.
At about 4:30pm yesterday JAL’s first Dreamliner left Paine Field en route to Narita International Airport (NRT), while the second aircraft left a little over an hour later, headed to Haneda Airport (HND).
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is truly a game changing aircraft and I am sure many of us are waiting for additional airlines to start putting it into service.
ADDITIONAL JAL BOEING 787 DREAMLINER GOODIES:
See all 53 photos of the JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery
Video of take off, landing in Japan and more information from Boeing
Great undershot of JA822J during take off
