Airlines

Etihad pilot makes history as UAE’s first female Emirati Captain in commercial aviation

#Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, honored Captain Aisha Al Mansoori this week for becoming the UAE’s first female Emirati Captain in a commercial airline.

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, honored Captain Aisha Al Mansoori this week for becoming the UAE’s first female Emirati Captain in a commercial airline. This is a significant milestone for aviation in the UAE, and it is part of Etihad’s efforts to expand the roles of women in aviation, particularly among pilots.

At the Etihad Crew Briefing Centre, the pilot’s family, her crew mates, and senior management of the airline attended the ceremony for the command upgrade.

Being one of only two UAE national women in her batch, the 33-year-old Captain enrolled in Etihad’s Cadet Pilot programme in October 2007. Aisha Al Mansoori completed the programme satisfactorily in 2010, at which point she flew to Amman, Jordan, for her first flight.

Al Mansoori climbed the ranks, completing the requisite flying hours to become a Senior First Officer. She was then the first female UAE national to fly the superjumbo passenger aircraft the Airbus A380.

Aviation is gender-neutral, and to demonstrate this, Etihad’s pilots go through rigorous testing and follow to strict flying-hour regulations, ensuring the highest training standards in global aviation are upheld. Aisha earned her rank and undoubtedly motivated her fellow Emiratis and young girls all across the world to pursue their aviation aspirations.

On this occasion, Captain Aisha Al Mansoori said: “I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to join Etihad’s Cadet Pilot programme and grow my career over the years with Etihad. I am thankful for the tremendous support I have received from my instructors at Etihad and for their guidance through my training, which has shaped my skills and prepared me for the rank of Captain.

On 28 August, Al Mansoori will commence regular flying duties as a Captain at Etihad, a day which also marks Emirati Women’s Day.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.