Airlines

Airbus widens A350 cabin in mile-high real estate war

Is the new Etihad A350 a game changer? Private cabin for business class and Pro luxury for economy.

Airbus quietly dropped a slogan that had it in a contentious elbow-space dispute with its archrival a decade ago when it unveiled a wider and longer cabin for its A350 in the race for wide-body aircraft sales with Boeing.

Airbus scraps A350 contract with Qatar Airways in feud(Opens in a new browser tab)

The two aircraft manufacturers frequently argue over fuel efficiency. The most recent attack targets some of the world’s most valuable real estate: the large jet’s cabin, where luxury meets expense.

To make the A350s lighter and more flexible, Airbus announced in a blog that it was introducing a New Production Standard (NPS). The cabin will be lengthened by moving a bulkhead, constricting the cockpit, and removing four inches from interior walls.

The Airbus upgrade, which is crucial for the resurgent wide-body jet market competition, allows up to 34 more seats to reach more than 400 on an A350-1000 compared to the 406-seat Boeing 777X. Additional seats have two effects on airlines: they can increase revenue if they are filled, and they lower the cost per seat, which can lower prices and influence the type of aircraft that an airline chooses to purchase.

Airbus delivers its 500th A350(Opens in a new browser tab)

Nine 18-inch wide seats are currently found in each row in the majority of A350 economy cabins. This will be increased to 18.7 inches by the A350 NPS.Seats are 17 inches wide on airlines that opt to add an extra seat to make a row 10 abreast. According to industry sources, this makes it simpler to sell the A350 to major carriers who are discontinuing the 16.4-inch seats available in the 10-row A350’s current model.

Airbus was promoting 18-inch seats while the 787 had nine instead of eight seats in a row, which was hurting sales of the A350. In order to compete with Boeing for seats, Airbus struggled with its large aircraft.

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Airlines

These are two airlines that placed the largest orders for Comac

China Southern Airlines has made a significant move in the aviation industry by placing a monumental order for 100 Comac C919 aircraft.

Marking a pivotal moment in the commitment of state-owned Chinese airlines to domestically developed planes. The deliveries are set to commence this year and continue until 2031.

The order holds a considerable value of USD 9.9 billion; however, China Southern will benefit from substantial discounts provided by the manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. This announcement comes closely after Air China’s recent order for 100 C919s, albeit in the Extended Range variant.

China Southern’s decision to invest in the C919 reflects its strategic vision to address capacity demands, achieve fleet balance, and enhance its overall strength and brand image.

By incorporating these advanced aircraft into its operations, the airline aims to alleviate pressure on capacity, optimize its fleet structure, and bolster its competitive position in the market.

As China continues to assert itself in the global aviation industry, the significant orders placed by its state-owned carriers underscore the country’s commitment to domestic aviation manufacturing.

With both China Southern Airlines and Air China making substantial investments in the Comac C919, the stage is set for these domestically developed aircraft to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Chinese aviation.

Airlines

Japan Airlines flight was canceled, after pilot got drunk & rowdy behavior

Last week, a routine flight from Dallas Fort Worth to Tokyo Haneda turned into a saga of unexpected turbulence when Japan Airlines Flight JL11 was abruptly grounded due to the unruly conduct of its captain.

The incident, which made headlines in local media, sheds light on the critical issue of alcohol consumption and professional responsibility within the aviation industry. Scheduled to take off at 11:05 am on April 24th, Flight JL11 was poised to ferry 157 passengers across the Pacific on a 12-hour journey to Tokyo.

However, the departure was thwarted as the pilot’s behavior at the crew layover hotel raised serious concerns. Around 2 am, hotel staff were compelled to summon the authorities as the captain’s disruptive antics reverberated through the premises, disturbing fellow guests.

Despite not breaching Japan Airlines’ guidelines regarding alcohol consumption within 12 hours of duty, the pilot’s conduct prompted precautionary measures. While the passengers of Flight JL11 were later accommodated on an American Airlines flight, the repercussions of the pilot’s actions continued to reverberate.

Of particular interest is the fact that the captain wasn’t slated to operate the return flight to Tokyo for over 24 hours, minimizing concerns regarding his sobriety during duty hours. Nevertheless, the incident underscores the complexities surrounding alcohol policies within the airline industry.

Japan Airlines, known for its stringent regulations, imposes a 12-hour prohibition on pilots flying after consuming alcohol, a policy designed to uphold safety standards. Notably, there was a brief period where this cut-off time was extended to 24 hours, highlighting the evolving nature of such protocols.

Following the incident, the pilot was questioned by authorities and cautioned against further misconduct. However, despite assurances, Japan Airlines opted to ground him for the subsequent flight, resulting in the cancellation of the 1:05 am departure when a replacement pilot couldn’t be secured.

In a statement, the airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, attributing the disruption to the pilot’s “inappropriate behavior.”

Airlines

Turkish Airlines in Talks for New Planes, with New MRO Facility

Turkish Airlines is set to embark on a significant expansion journey, eyeing the acquisition of 235 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing.

Chairman Ahmet Bolat recently disclosed this development, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to balanced engagement with both major aircraft manufacturers. This move comes in the wake of Turkish Airlines‘ ambitious 10-year fleet plan, unveiled last year, which aims for a substantial increase in its fleet size by nearly 600 planes. As reported by Reuters.

In December, the airline solidified a substantial portion of this plan by securing a deal with Airbus for 355 firm and optional orders, encompassing A321 narrow body and A350 wide body aircraft.

During an event in Istanbul attended by representatives from Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Bolat underscored the airline’s strategy of maintaining equilibrium between Airbus and Boeing. He also highlighted Turkish Airlines’ patience in awaiting resolution of Boeing’s challenges before finalizing its decision.

Moreover, Bolat revealed discussions with Rolls-Royce regarding the potential establishment of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities within Türkiye, along with exploring additional avenues for supply-chain sourcing.

Recently, Turkish Airlines is set to redefine luxury air travel with the introduction of its next-generation business class suite, codenamed “Crystal,” slated for release in 2025. These luxurious private suites will first be introduced on the Boeing 777 fleet, with plans to expand to Airbus A350-1000 jets in the future.

The Crystal Suites will feature private compartments with sliding doors, offering passengers an intimate and secluded space to relax and work during their journey. Boasting a 1-2-1 configuration, each seat will provide direct aisle access, ensuring maximum convenience for travelers.