Airlines

New Rolls-Royce small engine set to begin tests to advance the hybrid-electric flight

Rolls-Royce said that testing on a new, compact gas turbine designed particularly to power hybrid-electric flight had already started. The engine is a component of a turbogenerator system being developed for the Advanced Air Mobility market. This includes electronic vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility and commuter aircraft applications with up to 19 seats.

Rolls Royce is designing an electric hybrid engine with a 1200 kW maximum output.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Rolls-Royce is combining its expertise in gas turbine and electrical development for the creation of the turbogenerator system. Recent technological advancements are used in the new combustion engine to significantly increase the efficiency of small gas turbines. It is possible to use the turbogenerator in hybrid serial or parallel applications.

It enables airplanes to switch between power sources while in flight as it is well adapted to both directly power electrical propulsion units and recharge batteries. The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is contributing to the research and development of this technology.

RTX advances hybrid-electric propulsion for Dash 8 Testing(Opens in a new browser tab)

In the upcoming months, this engine will be tested on SAF and used to inaugurate Rolls-Royce’s Dahlewitz testing centre. To test the new engine and validate its technical specifications, the Rolls-Royce Power Gearbox test facility has been upgraded.

For applications including all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, Rolls-Royce is developing comprehensive power and propulsion systems. And systems that are being designed using the most recent technology, including power electronics, control systems, and electric motors, as well as power generation and energy storage.

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.