Aviation

Inside the £230m Dreamliner that’s now a private jet.

From the tarmac it may appear to be just another commercial aeroplane. But, once on-board, it soon becomes apparent that the Dreamliner B787 Dreamjet is anything but ordinary – in fact, its opulence may even trump the luxury carrier of certain US presidents.
Dubbed ‘VVIP’ because of its heightened exclusivity, it’s officially the world’s largest private jet – and the £230million aircraft went on display at London’s Stansted Airport, this week, to mark the launch of bespoke travel packages by Deer Jet.

Those wanting to experience the Dreamjet’s flashy delights will need to hire out the whole plane – as it’s not possible to book just a single seat – and that would cost roughly £20,000 per hour, meaning a flight from London to New York would have a price tag of at least £160,000
While standard Boeing 787s carry a maximum of 335 passengers, this conversion offers guests a far greater abundance of space – 2,400 square feet to be precise – which is limited to a capacity of just 30 lucky jet-setters.

Fitted with extra-large windows for greater views of the friendly skies, the luxury cabin also boasts 18 lie-flat first class beds, plus a main lounge for meetings, relaxing or partying.

Bathrooms are kitted-out and come furnished with polished marble, solid oak wood and a selection of Jo Malone toiletry products.

In addition, the cabin also possesses private space for guests who require intimacy, while crew and in-flight butlers are accommodated in separate designated staff quarters.
Courtesy: Daily mail

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.