Air China announces Newark-Beijing nonstop

Air China has officially announced that it shall be launching new nonstop flights from its Beijing hub (PEK) into Newark (EWR) airport in USA (New York's second major international gateway) as well as fellow Star Alliance member United Airlines major hub on the East coast.

CA will operate 4 times per week nonstop using a B777-300ER effective 25OCT with the below mentioned schedule:

Days: 1/2/4/6

CA 819 Dep PEK 0935 Arr EWR 1005
CA 820 Dep EWR 1225 Arr PEK 1455+1

SWISS reveals Boeing 777 configuration and pics

SWISS has officially revealed data of its upcoming Boeing 777-300ER cabin configuration as well as pictures of the new first + business class product that it plans to install on board. 

The aircraft will be laid out in 3 classes seating 8 first class + 62 business class + 270 in economy. It shall be delivered to the airline in JAN 2016 with the first route being New York JFK.

The initial 6 B77Ws will directly replace 6 A343s on daily JFK + daily YUL (Montreal) + daily Hong Kong + daily LAX flights. Following this, the other routes getting the B77W from Q316 are BKK, GRU (Sao Paulo), SFO and TLV. 

Press release: 
http://www.swiss.com/corporate/EN/media/newsroom/press-releases/media-release-20150709

Cabin pics:
http://thedesignair.net/2015/07/09/swiss-delight-with-beautiful-new-cabins-on-their-777s/

Istanbul suspended by Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines has officially announced that it shall be suspending (as previously correctly predicted by me) its loss making service to IST-Istanbul, Turkey effective 25AUG15.

Currently, MH operates 3 times per week KUL-IST nonstop using a B777-200ER. In turn, it will continue to code share on TK's daily IST-KUL service which is operated by an A332. 

Fed Ex looking to order 60 new Boeing freighters

Industry insiders are reporting that Fed Ex is reportedly in final stages on placing a massive order with Boeing for 60 brand new freighter aircraft. These comprise of 50 B767-300ERFs + 10 B777-200LRFs. 

The airline is looking to rapidly phase out its aging wide body freighter fleet which comprises of 71 AB6Fs + 61 DC10Fs + 60 MD11Fs. 

Source: 

http://leehamnews.com/2015/07/08/boeing-in-line-for-large-freighter-order

TAM and LAN CHILE reveal A359 and B789 cabin layouts

The LATAM group of airlines consisting of LAN CHILE and TAM of Brazil have officially revealed details of the configuration of their upcoming B787-900s and A350-900s. The details are as follows:

• TAM has ordered 27 A359s which will seat 348 pax in a dual class layout i.e. 30J (flat beds) + 318Y
• LA has ordered 16 B789s which will seat 292 pax in a dual class layout i.e. 36J (flat beds) + 256Y

TAM also announced that the first two routes for its A359s shall be GRU-MIA followed by GRU-MAD both operated on a daily basis from JAN 2016 onwards.

Air India looking at San Francisco and Toronto

Air India officials have confirmed via leaks to the media, that the carrier is looking at the following proposals for its long haul route network effective 25OCT15:

1. Reconfigure its 3 B777-200LRs into a dual class aircraft carrying 300-310 seats with business class having 18-24 seats maximum.

2. Fly 3 times per week each from DEL to SFO + DEL to YYZ (Toronto)

3. Plan to exchange 6 B787-800s to the larger -900 version have been cancelled

Source: 

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-mulls-direct-flights-to-san-francisco-toronto/articleshow/47944576.cms

Vietnam Airlines signs MOU for 8 B778s + 8 B787-1000Xs

Vietnam Airlines has officially announced that it has signed a MOU with Boeing for the future purchase of 8 B777-800Xs + 8 B787-1000Xs as part of its future fleet expansion program. 

Source:

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-07-...st-787-Dreamliner-for-Flag-Carrier

Comments:

What does VN need the B778 for? As the A359 can easily fly to California nonstop from SGN + Europe too but with 25-30 less seats only. Even the B781 is not required as the A359 has more or less the same pax capacity but greater flying range capability.

The new VN wide body fleet is perfect for the next ten years i.e. A359s + B789s so if they really want a bigger aircraft (pax wise) then the A351 should be ordered instead to maintain fleet commonality rather than introduce a totally new type into the mix i.e. B778X !  

 

Emirates announces Mashad, Iran

Emirates has officially announced the launch of a new Iranian destination into its route network i.e. MHD-Mashad, Iran effective 01SEP15. 

EK will be operating the flight 5 times per week nonstop using an A332 with the below mentioned schedule:

Days: 1/2/3/5/7

EK 967 Dep DXB 0410 Arr MHD 0700
EK 968 Dep MHD 0845 Arr DXB 1045

The above schedule connects very well to key feeder markets such as UK, Germany, JED, DMM, BAH, KWI, KHI, BOM, DEL and HYD for both VFR + Shia pilgrim traffic.

Oman Air increases Manila to daily nonstop

Oman Air has officially announced that it will be increasing its Manila-Muscat flights as a result of the new bilateral signed between Oman and the Philippines over the spring season.

Currently, WY operates 3 times per week but that shall increase to daily nonstop using an A332 (high density 289 seater version) effective 01AUG15.