Aviation

British Airways will take delivery of its first brand new 787-10 Dreamliner in January 2020

British Airways has today announced that it will take delivery of its first brand new 787-10 Dreamliner in January 2020, with its first route being Atlanta in February next year.

This state-of-the-art, 787-10 aircraft has a carbon fibre fuselage which allows the pressure to be maintained at a lower level in the cabin. The internal cabin altitude is the equivalent of 6,000ft, offering a better level of humidity, reducing the drying effect of the cabin air, so customers arrive feeling more refreshed. The aircraft is also more fuel efficient and quieter than its predecessors.

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The four-class aircraft will feature an exclusive eight seat First cabin, with the airline’s newest First seat which is currently also available on its 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft comes fitted with British Airways’ recently unveiled business class seat Club Suite, in a 48-seat forward-facing Club World cabin. The World Traveller Plus cabin will offer 35 seats and the World Traveller cabin, 165.

Alex Cruz, British Airways Chairman and CEO, said: “The delivery of our first 787-10 aircraft marks another significant milestone in our £6.5bn customer investment plan. The aircraft delivers a 25 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the aircraft it replaces, another step towards our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It will also offer greater comfort for our customers, as it features our latest generation seats in all cabins.”

Initially created specifically for the Boeing 787-9, the airline’s latest generation First suites have been meticulously designed based on our customers’ feedback, the cabin puts comfort at the heart of the experience and makes the very best use of the more intimate space. The suite includes a fixed 23-inch high definition inflight entertainment screen that can be controlled with handset, that is integrated into the seat from which customers can change channels or watch the moving map.

The airline’s sophisticated Club Suite offers direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Boasting 40 per cent more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming, and PC / USB power; every aspect of British Airways’ Club Suite has been designed for today’s customer.

British Airways will take delivery of 12 787-10 Dreamliner’s, with six arriving in 2020.

Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.