Knowing Airbus as a British that takes a deep interest in the A380, I am aware of many White Tails...Kingfisher, possibly Virgin, Transaero and possibly some Emirates slots should the New Build get off the accountants desk! Was it just a short time back that a US carrier was slated for those White Tail orphans? On a favourable deal to test and evaluate? The Airbus construction list is thin on airlines not currently awaiting fulfillment of existing orders I.e those currently in revenue service. Orphans shall get a home in good time, perhaps on a cheap leasing deal but it is the upgrade that everyone is waiting for, would you buy A380-8 if you can get A380-9?

(Written on 01/03/2016)(Permalink)

A quick check in on Airbus website reveals nothing relating to any potential deal with ANA for any airframe type. I doubt any order for A380 until Airbus decides upon upgrade version, even Emirates may delay future deliveries of outstanding contracts!

(Written on 01/02/2016)(Permalink)

To be honest, I flew B737-200 on Kenya Airways and British Airways. The BA flight was the short CDG to BHX following a Concorde flight into Paris. Concorde was luxury but the Boeing was lively, you felt every bump, rattle, squeak and I adored every moment of the flight. The Kenya flight, I was bumped up to 1st class for the NBO-MBA sector ( equivilent perhaps to premium economy with current BA cabins ), the flight was noisy, tape secured the overhead bins, seat ventilators and light not working and NO reclining seats..the toilets were closed..in 1st class! That aside I enjoyed every moment once more. The return to Nairobi was aboard A310-300 remaining onboard onwards to LHR. That Airbus flight I shall never forget because it exceeded the Concorde for comfortable flying, no bumps, squeaks or rattles and I never felt the landing at Heathrow it so silky. I have flown on A340 ever since on long haul and A320 types for short hops. Agreed, B737's of that age start to deteriorate

(Written on 10/21/2015)(Permalink)

Wonderful news for the aircraft but only if the airframe has enough flying hours remaining to justify this work. When will US DOD come to a decision to overhaul or do the heavy maintenance ‘D CHECK‘ is it known by engineers? I keep hearing of new engines and/or wing's with structural improvement of the airframe but nothing follows and no sign of a replacement or reopening of the B1 line at Rockwell/Boeing! B2 Spirit is too exotic and expensive so unless DOD wakes up, the USA shall have no bombers serviceable to conduct combat operations in the future other than Tomahawk missile systems. The United States have given the world aircraft for every imaginable job, large and small, supersonic or stealth and small countries have created their own like, Vulcan, Tornado, Mirage, capable multiple role aircraft, but there are no European pure bombers and the ‘Soviets‘ use ageing TU-95, Blackjack and Backfire and these are around the same age if not younger than B52. As a UK citizen,

(Written on 10/21/2015)(Permalink)

No pet dog is worth less than any human since such dog's are considered family members. If there is a problem worthy of debate it is having this family member forced to travel as 'cargo'...it is time to allow pet dogs to travel, perhaps sedated, with the family in the main cabin!

(Written on 09/18/2015)(Permalink)

Apologies, L1011 or TriStar.

(Written on 09/18/2015)(Permalink)

Regardless of the paint job, I admit to the demise of V1011 since UK Royal AirForce retired it‘s fleet in favour of A380 MRTT. Personally, I much preferred the DC-10 and MD-11 for it's exceptional beauty and it's proportionality together with the blistering performance at take off and climb rate.

(Written on 09/18/2015)(Permalink)

It would appear to my limited operational knowledge, based upon other contributors, that the flight was successful since the aircraft arrived together with all souls on board alive and well. This was not another MH370 was it now? So there may have been some cosmetic damage to the aircraft and Miami my need to replace approach lighting a little sooner than planned but replaced all the same. It hardly matters to the passengers or crew whether the airline , the ground staff at Miami, the pilot in command or the FAA have questions to answer. What matters is the aircraft arrived, the passengers survived and life continues. What concerns me is the relative weights the aircraft have to carry, passengers need to be weighed along with ALL baggage together at the gate rather than at check in....adding checked bags adding carry on bags and airport shopping with the passenger at the gate before boarding. The commander will then have the decision to make as to fuel uptake then flight calculat

(Written on 09/18/2015)(Permalink)

CONCORDE! Failing that, VC-10. OK, British built and designed but to the eye, just glorious. I once had the privilege to ride upon Concorde on a short hop from BHX to CDG, short if a 60 minute cruise over Bay of Biscay, however it was a thrill never to be forgotten. I regret however that not being of an age and not being a member of UK military, never to experience riding the wonderfully glorious and noisy VC-10....ho hum, never mind.

(Written on 09/07/2015)(Permalink)

Could be worse, they could have called it a 'hybrid', given that turboprop aircraft such as TU95 use turbine engines, technically a 'jet' or are they piston engines? Can never tell with these relics!

(Written on 07/27/2015)(Permalink)