The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is one step closer to taking flight. The 747-8I has 133 miles of wires and a heck of a lot of power systems.Although the aircraft might look similar to the Boeing 747-400, Bernard Choi on the video reminds us that, “beneath the familiar exterior lies a suite of new technology, all of which need power to function. For example, the Intercontinental features a more powerful flight management computer, the option of dual electronic flight bags, and a new wing with control services that are fly-by-wire, all features that make it easier to pilot the airplane. At the same time, a new cabin services system, including LED lights, will make the 747-8 Intercontinental a more comfortable space for passengers.”
United Airlines Boeing 757 (N542UA) with special Oprah livery. Click for Larger.
Man, United Airlines and their new livery has made a lot of blogs on here recently. Oprah has been making pretty good airline news as well. She gave her entire audience a trip down to Australia with Qantas and now she has her name on a United Airlines Boeing 757.
When I first received the press release all I could do was laugh, but okay I guess it makes sense. United is based out of Chicago and so is Oprah. But doesn’t Oprah always say “travel accommodations provided by… American Airlines?” I dunno, I haven’t watched it in years. Anyhow, United wants to help celebrate Oprah’s final season by creating a special livery.
Not only does the exterior have Oprah stuff, but the interior does too. On the inaugural flight, passengers had a special video message from Oprah and one lucky passenger won enough United Mileage Plus miles for a trip around the world. Everyone else got a special fleece blanket.
If you weren’t on the first flight, don’t worry. United is having a contest and giving away a million miles per month through May 2011, which is when the special Oprah livery will be taken off the aircraft.
MORE:
* Time lapse video of the Boeing 757 being painted
* Video of Oprah’s welcome message
Delta's new kiddie wings. Which one will you choose? Click for larger.
If you follow the blog, you know I hate it when people say, “In the good old days of flying,” because most of the changes are from passenger demand, not airlines acting evil. Well, I am going to be some-what of a hypocrite and reminisce about the good ‘ol days when I was a kid. Back then I would get wings all the time from from airlines. Then as I got older, I would still ask for them, but many airlines stopped offering them.
Well guess what kids (and avgeeks)? Delta Air Lines is bringing back the kiddie wings! There are two variety that are available: silver that will come from the flight attendants and gold which would come from a pilot.
Delta started handing out the wings back in 1958 on their Royal Service DC-7s. Since times were a bit different back then, boys would be given “junior pilot” wings and girls would be given out “junior stewardess” wings. Today anyone can have either wings.
Morgan Durrant with Delta communications explained, “Kiddie wings are one of the most asked about items by our customers to crew members and we know kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy this iconic memento.” Heck yes we will. Now who will get theirs first?
I have loved following Allegiant getting their new Boeing 757’s. I find it very interesting when an airline runs only one aircraft type, then gets another. Recently I shared one Boeing 757 with Allegiant’s old livery (N901NV) and then got photos of a second Boeing 757 with Allegiant’s new livery (N902NV). I was told that this new livery would be added to their fleet of MD-80 aircraft and now we have our first look. Now we get a look at Allegiant’s new livery on an MD-82 maddog.
After seeing the first 757 in old livery and the second 757 in new livery, I wasn’t sure how I liked it. Now with more time I am liking the addition orange on the aircraft. Now, it is time to try to see one of these badboys (err maddogs) in person.
Photos from Allegiant
ANA Boeing 777-300ER (JA781A) at Narita after my 11hr flight from LAX.
Flying in any airline’s Business Class is always a nice treat. There are some airlines with pretty decent domestic Business Classes out there, but to really have a top-notch experience, you need to take an international flight. Recently, when I flew from Los Angeles (LAX) to Narita Airport (NRT) in Japan, I was able to fly in All Nippon Airway’s (ANA) Business Class (disclaimer: ANA picked up the tab on my flight from LAX-NRT-LAX).
The benefits of flying in a premium seat starts at the airport. After arriving at LAX from Seattle I checked in for ANA and then it was time to hit security. Having a premium seat meant I was able to use the express TSA line. It wasn’t too much of a benefit for this flight since the express line only had two people in it, and the normal line had five — oh well.
After taking off my shoes and having my toothpaste scanned, I headed right to ANA’s Business Lounge. Unfortunately due to a bunch of construction going on at LAX, the view wasn’t the best, but I was able to watch a Qantas Airbus A380 get towed, so I was happy. There was plenty of space, free wi-fi and all the amenities you would expect to find in a Business Class lounge. This was good, since I had a nice 3.5hr layover in LAX.
Lots of room to work, sleep and play in ANA's Business Class. Click for larger.
From the lounge I could see when my ANA Boeing 777-300ER arrived and I headed down to the gate. This is where I had another bonus: being able to board first. The Boeing 777 I flew had First Class, quite a bit of Business Class, Premium Economy and then of course standard economy. Getting on the plane first to get settled for a 11hr flight is always nice.
Where most airlines have a rule that you can still use your electronic devices until they close the cabin door, ANA is much more strict. When I first walked into the plane I was told I had to shut off my phone. I then I tried to take some photos, but was politely told I couldn’t have my camera on either until we reached 10,000 feet. Eh, lame, but what can I do?
The seats were very spacious; there was 63″ of seat pitch and 21″ of width. There were only 7 seats across in a 2-3-2 configuration and of course I went for a window seat (photo). Unfortunately my original seat was 11A which had a dead space with only one window. Luckily, after the plane boarded, I was able to move back to 12A with all my windows. This was important since the flight was leaving at about 1pm and we would be racing the sun all the way to Japan — meaning it was going to stay light the whole flight.
One of three appitizers for one of my three course meals. Yes that is a whole fish you see (and I ate it).
After take off the flight attendants came around asking what we would like for our first meal. Boy did we have good choices: two Japanese meals and one Western-style. I didn’t know what half the food was, but I went for seared bass (photo) and whatever else came with the Japanese meal. There was a lot, a whole three courses worth of food. The food was fabulous and not like airline-food fabulous, but actual food in a nice restaurant fabulous.
While eating, it was time to start watching the in-flight entertainment. Each person has their own screen that folds out of the seat with a handy controller. There were quite a few pre-programmed movies and shows which are all free (even in economy), but I think the entertainment option was a weak spot for ANA. In the long run getting satellite internet and live TV would be great, but ANA did work with Boeing’s Connexion that provided satellite internet, but that didn’t work out. I am hoping in the future ANA and more international airlines will be adding internet and live TV. For the short term maybe a few more movie and television choices would have been nice. After flying 22hrs in total (there and back) I was quite done with my movie selections and I was NOT about to watch Sex and the City 1 and 2.
Flying, blogging, drinking and watching a movie. What else do I need? (anyone guess that movie?).
The seats were very comfortable and were quite adjustable (photo). They don’t lie totally flat, but they came pretty darn close. Talking to folks who are a bit shorter (I am 6’1″), some said they have had issues sliding down on the seat, but I did not. I was actually able to fit on the seat comfortably and got some real sleep on both flights.
Not only was the product very good, but the service was wonderful as well. They would constantly check up on me and always had a smile. The flight attendant’s faces must have hurt after smiling so bit, non-stop for the entire 11 hour flight.
Although ANA’s “old” Business Class product I tried out was quite good, they are introducing a newer and better pod-style Business Class on their new Boeing 777-300ER’s.
All this great product and service comes at a price. A Business Class Seat on ANA from LAX to NRT can cost $4000.00 plus. Of course many folks flying in Business Class either have a corporate credit card paying or are using their miles. If the Business Class isn’t enough for you, ANA’s also has First Class on many of their international flights which is a whole other experience. No matter what class I am in, I am always excited to take a flight halfway around the world.