This month, Emirates is launching a new selection of outstanding wines on board its international flights. This year, the airline invested over AED 186 million in wine and champagne.

Emirates has the largest wine cellar of any airline as a result of ongoing and deliberate investments in the onboard experience. The wine is currently housed in specialised facilities in France and numbers about 6 million bottles, some of which won’t be served until 2037.

New fine wines onboard Emirates

Emirates will launch a range of the best white Burgundy wines in the upcoming months, including the esteemed Premier and Grand Crus varieties. Several Bordeaux First Growths, including those from the esteemed estates of Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, Château Cheval Blanc, and Château d’Yquem, will also be released by Emirates in the upcoming years. Emirates currently serves 36 different Champagnes and French wines on board its aircraft.

World-class wines for every cabin class

In Economy Class, Emirates offers one red and one white wine, both of exceptionally high quality. Recent additions include ‘AOP’ and ‘Biodynamic’ wines from M. Chapoutier, Domaines Baron de Rothschild, a South African Sauvignon Blanc from sustainability champion, Gabb family and Antinori Santa Cristina red wine.

Emirates offers sparkling vintage wine, premium red wine, and premium white wine in Premium Economy. Emirates divides its wine selections into six regions for Business and First Class passengers: the UK and USA, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australasia, and Asia. With this strategy, Emirates is able to provide passengers from these regions with wines that closely match their tastes and give them the chance to taste exceptional wines from the area.

According to sources, Air India, which earlier this year made an order with Airbus for 250 aircraft, has revised the agreement to include more A321neo aircraft.

 Air India revised its contract with Airbus and will now purchase 140 A321neo and 70 A320neo. The deal for 40 A350s has also been modified.

The source further stated that Air India had modified the order from six A350-900 and 34 A350-1000 aircraft to twenty A350-900 and twenty A350-1000 aircraft. We frequently assess our orders depending on business needs and possibilities, and we make the necessary revisions to the contract, according to an Air India representative. “It is up to our customers to disclose this strategy.

While narrow-body aircraft are mostly used for domestic travel, they can also be utilised for short- and medium-haul international flights, wide-body planes are typically utilized for long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights. Compared to the A320neo, the A321neo can accommodate more people and has a greater range. In a similar vein, the A350-1000 can carry more passengers and go farther than the A350-900.

Air India has placed a combined order for 470 aircraft, of which 250 are with Airbus and the rest 220 were with Boeing. The Boeing order profile for Air India has not changed thus far.

Source

A SpiceJet flight from Ahmedabad to Dubai was diverted minutes before landing and was taken over by a lessor on November 30, culminating in a dramatic sequence of events.

SpiceJet’s SG 15 took off from Ahmedabad at 12:12 a.m. and flew for three hours before receiving the order to divert to Dubai World Central (DWC), the second and less crowded airport in Dubai, about ten minutes from its original destination, Dubai International Airport. Lessors met the aircraft upon landing, waited for passengers to disembark, and then took control of the aircraft.

In December 2018, the Boeing 737 NG aircraft was leased from Carlyle Aviation Partners. Since then, the aircraft has been grounded, according to data from the flightradar24.com website.

No response was received when a message was sent to a representative of Carlyle Aviation Partners, which acquired a 7.5% share in SpiceJet in February after its $100 million in dues were converted to equity. Industry sources, however, claimed that an engine lessor had secured a court order to ground the aircraft so that the engines could be removed.

In May, several lessors, including Aircastle, Celestial Aviation, Wilmington Trust, and Willis Lease Finance Corporation, filed applications with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to initiate insolvency resolution proceedings against SpiceJet due to outstanding debts. Willis Lease Finance’s argument was recently rejected by the NCLT because it was the administrative agent and servicer acting on behalf of real lessors rather than an actual lessor.

Source

Qantas is set to spread holiday cheer with the unveiling of their special Christmas-themed aircraft, the QantasLink Q400 ‘Dasher-8’. This festive addition to the airline’s fleet promises to bring a touch of Christmas magic to passengers throughout the month of December.

The Q400, with the registration VH-QOW, has been affectionately christened as ‘Dasher-8’. In a creative twist, the airline’s iconic 737 will also undergo a holiday makeover, becoming ‘Roo-dolph’ for the season. This name cleverly combines the identity of Santa’s lead reindeer with a nod to Qantas’ distinctive ‘Flying Kangaroo’ tail logo.

The grand reveal took place at the QantasLink hangar at Brisbane Airport (BNE) on December 4, 2023. Dasher-8 emerged resplendent in its newly applied livery, featuring a striking design of a large red sleigh and kangaroos. Adding to the festive ambiance, Christmas carols will serenade passengers throughout the boarding process on both Dasher-8 and Roo-Dolph.

Members will now get access to exclusive pre-sales and special offers, as well as new entertainment packages that combine event tickets with flights and accommodations.

To commemorate the introduction of the relationship, Ticketek and Qantas Frequent Flyer have today published three entertainment packages, which are only available at Qantas Experiences.

• The newly announced Jerry Seinfeld Live – Third Sydney Show, Qudos Bank Arena, Sunday 16 June 2024 (including exclusive pre-sale access from 11am today)
• Australia vs West Indies Cricket Test Series, The Gabba, 25 – 29 January 2024
• Lightscape Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens, 14 June – 4 August 2024

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing is seeking an exemption from certain certification standards for its 737 MAX 7 aircraft due to an issue with the engine anti-icing system.

According to an FAA notification sent on December 4, the company, which has intended to begin Max 7 deliveries next year, requested interim exemptions in November as part of its campaign to gain the type’s certification.

Boeing is working on a permanent repair. It is unknown how the issue would influence the Max 7’s certification process, but the exemption request makes it obvious that the company requires further FAA approvals.

As it worked to design adjustments to prevent overheating, the US corporation sought an exemption from certification regulations relating to “the engine nacelle inlet structure and engine anti-ice system on the Model 737-7 airplane” through May 31, 2026.

The FAA has recently authorized the MAX 10 model for flight testing with the granting of a type inspection authorization, despite the problems with the 737-7’s certification.

Source

A retired Boeing 747 has discovered an unexpected second act as a distinctive and alluring cafe in the bustling city of Bangkok.

Before being placed into storage in 2016, the 29-year-old jumbo jet was operated by Orient Thai Airlines. Two years later, in 2018, the carrier ceased operations. But the famous plane, known as the “queen of the skies,” has been given new life, entertaining tourists in Bangkok.

The 747 Cafe is a creative and inventive landmark situated on Luang Phaeng Road in the Lat Krabang district. A dismantled aircraft that has been converted into a cosy dining space greets guests as they enter. Clients can enjoy beverages and delicious baked goods here, taking their time while enjoying their treats in cosy window seats that provide a distinctive view of the outside world.

A trip up to the second floor reveals the once-private cockpit of pilots, for those looking for a more luxurious experience. In addition to learning about the aircraft’s extensive history, visitors can explore this iconic location and perhaps even imagine the many trips it has completed.

The 747 Cafe attracts tourists, curious locals, and aviation enthusiasts alike. It is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm. This abandoned aviation marvel never fails to captivate the imaginations of those who venture inside, adding a sense of airborne nostalgia to the vibrant tapestry of Bangkok’s culinary scene as sunlight filters through its windows.

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