Sparkling-new Air Canada 777-300ER C-FIVX at the Boeing Delivery Center, Paine Field, Everett WA. Photo: Bernie Leighton
It’s looking pretty busy at Air Canada (AC) and not just because they’ve launched their new “leisure airline,” rouge.
This summer, AC took delivery of the first two 777-300ERs from their latest five-plane order. When this order is completed, AC will have 17 -300ERs and 6 -200LRs in their international fleet. While AC’s new 777s look standard on the outside, they are very different inside.
Their newest 777s are configured in a new, three-class cabin, seating 458. That’s a huge 30% capacity increase from AC’s older 777-300ERs, which have 349 seats in a two-class arrangement. What all has changed? Obviously we had to take a closer look.
Qatar Airways to join Oneworld. Image: Qatar Airways
An announcement was made today (September 9th) that as of October 30th, Qatar Airways will be officially accepted in to the Oneworld Alliance of airlines.
Oneworld gave the official nod to Qatar after the final reviews and checks were completed by the alliance, in conjunction with British Airways, the sponsoring airline. The review process was completed in record time and with the admission date set for approximately one year after the invitation was announced, making it the fastest approval process for a Oneworld airline to date.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: ’œIn Qatar Airways’ relatively short history, we have quickly established a reputation for innovation, quality and excellence in everything we do. We are pleased to build on that by becoming the only major airline from the Gulf to date to be joining any of the global airline alliances. We are proud to entering the best of them, in Oneworld ’“ and to be doing so in record quick time. We very much look forward to flying alongside some of the best airlines in the world from 30 October, bringing the heightened benefits offered by Oneworld to our customers.’
CSeries FTV1 is moving so fast, it’s a blur! High-speed taxi tests are underway.
Photo: Bombardier Aero
On Friday, Bombardier’s CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) began high-speed taxi testing at Mirabel Airport (YMX). FTV1’s test pilots will run the plane up to 120 knots before putting on the brakes. The tests need to be done with good weather and winds, and on a dry runway.
It sounds like testing is going well, according to Robert Dewar, Vice President and General Manager, CSeries Program. ’œThe aircraft and the flight crew are feeling quite comfortable with the high-speed tests run so far. The crew is reporting that the aircraft is handling beautifully and pending a few more taxi runs, we’ll move into the shimmy testing of the main and nose landing gears whereby the stabilization and vibration, amongst other things, are tested,’ said Mr. Dewar.
Picture of the Thai Airways Airbus A330 (HS-TEF) involved in the incident. Image: Ken Fielding.
Late Sunday night, local time in Bangkok, Thailand, a Thai Airways Airbus A330-300 landed and experienced a failure of its front landing gear. Flight 679 departed from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in China and landed at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) at about 11:00pm. The aircraft was carrying 278 passengers and 14 crew members. The airline is reporting that eight passengers were ’œslightly injured.’ We reached to Airbus and they explained that they currently do not have a statement, but are monitoring the situation. The Airbus A330-300 involved in the incident is registered HS-TEF and was delivered to Thai Airways in March of 1995.
Amelia Rose Earhart announces that she will recreate her namesake’s flight around the world in 2014 – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
In 1937, Amelia Earhart attempted to circumnavigate the globe; however, somewhere between Lae, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Howland Island she disappeared, never to be seen again. The fate of Amelia Earhart has been speculated upon for nearly 3/4 of a century, fascinating and frustrating searchers as well. Recently, another Amelia Earhart announced she would also circumnavigate the globe, recreating the original Amelia’s original flight (this time hopefully completing the journey).
Amelia Rose Earhart (oddly, no actual relation), a traffic and weather TV personality in Denver, will set off with her copilot Patrick Carter from Oakland, California to recreate that fateful journey next summer.
Over 100 hours of flying time, and 14 stops, will be made along the route as they cover nearly 28,000 miles. If successful, Amelia will achieve the honor of being the youngest female pilot to circumnavigate the globe in a single engine aircraft – the Pilatus PC-12NG.
