Which airline will receive the first Boeing 777X?
With the Boeing 777X currently undergoing certification testing, the first delivery finally seems to be getting closer after several planned entry-into-service dates have already passed. Several airlines, including Lufthansa, Emirates and Qatar Airways, have already signaled that they want to be the first to receive Boeing’s next generation of wide-body aircraft. Who do you think will take delivery of the first Boeing 777X? Let us know in the comments below! (Photo: Tom Boon – Simple Flying)
What is the oldest aircraft you have flown on?
Several exciting new aircraft have entered service in recent years, including the Airbus A330neo and Boeing 737 MAX. However, despite the understandable excitement that next-generation aircraft generate, there is something to be said for the old guard too, with experienced aircraft offering plenty of variety to their passengers. The oldest aircraft I’ve flown on was a 40-year-old De Havilland Canada DHC-6 ‘Twin Otter’ operated by Isles Of Scilly Skybus in 2021, but what about yours? Let us know in the comments!
Have you flown on a Soviet-era aircraft?
In the summer before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I attended the MAKS-2021 air show in Moscow and had the opportunity to see several historic aircraft on the ground, including the supersonic Tupolev Tu-144. However, I have not yet had the opportunity to fly on one of these unique Soviet-era aircraft, although some of them still fly outside of Russia today. In recent years, aircraft such as the Tu-204, Ilyushin Il-62, Il-96, Antonov An-124 and An-74 have been spotted in the skies. Have you flown on any of these aircraft or their predecessors? Let us know below!
Discussion: Was the A380 program a mistake for Airbus?
Former Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker once called the Airbus A380 his biggest mistake. Airbus canceled the program without ever breaking even, but recently hinted that there was a tiny chance of restarting production one day.
What are you looking forward to at the Farnbrough Airshow 2024?
The Farnborough International Airshow 2024 starts in less than two weeks. From the flight demonstrations to potential orders for Airbus and Boeing, we are excited about everything! A personal highlight for me is the new Embraer E-Freighter. What are you most looking forward to at the airshow, either in person or on simpleflying.com?
What are the advantages of using wide-body aircraft on short-haul routes?
Wide-body aircraft are typically used on long-haul flights, where their increased range and passenger capacity make them perfectly suited to such flights. However, airlines sometimes use double-aisle aircraft on short-haul routes, and while this decision may seem odd at first, it brings several operational advantages. Greater passenger capacity is an obvious plus, but it’s easy to forget that airlines can also use the increased cargo capacity of wide-body aircraft to generate additional revenue. This use also fills gaps in an aircraft’s schedule – for example, Finnair’s Airbus A350s sometimes fly daytime operations to London between night flights to Asia. As a passenger, you benefit from nicer seats, in-flight entertainment, and of course, the fact that it’s all completely new! Have you ever flown on a short-haul flight on a wide-body aircraft?
