planes

Planes Give Back Perks

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wings

When you fly in a private plane, you can provide as many or as few perks to your co-passengers as you like, from drinks to entertainment to a catered dinner. Passengers on commercial flights, even those in first class, have rapidly seen perks stripped away over the past couple of years, which makes flying a bit disappointing - especially during the holidays when everyone is traveling to visit family and friends. The WSJ reports (subscription) that some airlines are starting to give some back to passengers, though. American Airlines "added back silverware and hot cloth towels" to first class, as well as "baked on board" cookies. Northwest Airlines has fresh fruits and muffins to offer to their first class passengers, and United is planning "iPod connectivity" for international passengers. The changes are coming slowly, but steadily and are even reaching back to coach, as Delta has "reintroduced mid-flight snacks" for all their passengers.

Tags: airlines, airplanes, first class, fly, perks, planes, travel

Luxury Jets Get Bigger and Better

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

As is the case with just about everything else in the luxury market, including yachts and homes, private airplanes are getting bigger and more impressive all the time. Instead of sticking with little six-seaters, jumbo jets that are made to carry hundreds of passengers on long-haul flights are being made over to carry only a handful of people in total comfort. Many are owned by companies and used to ferry around important clients, but some are owned by individuals.

The smaller jets include planes like the Boeing 737 and 747, of which there are around 40 privately configured jets, but the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner is going to be one of the best planes money can buy. The Dreamliner will have only 35 seats, as opposed to about 300 as a commercial plane, and most of them will double as beds. The rest of the interior is up to the buyer. Dreamliners will start at about $150 million and will be released in 2008.

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Tags: 787, airplane, airplanes, boeing, dreamliner, plane, planes, wing, wings

The QSST, A Concorde For The Next Generation

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

The Concorde may be gone but supersonic flight is far from forgotten. Lockheed's Skunk Works is hard at work on the QSST (Quiet Supersonic Travel). The jet is designed to travel from New York to Los Angeles in two hours. The jet travels at speeds up to Mach 1.8. The unique design curbs the sonic boom making it friendly for U.S. skies. The QSST will sell for an astounding $80 million and could be ready as soon as 2013.

[via Aero-News Network]

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Tags: concorde, flight, planes, sonic, super sonic

Ion Aircraft

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

A new light sport aircraft prototype has been unveiled. The Ion aircraft has a twin tail-boom and tandem seating. It hasn't been flown yet. AV Web reports that the design is almost set to go but that they have had trouble getting the canopy to work out. Thus far the aircraft has flown only in computer simulation, but people are already eager to plunk down cash. They hope to test the prototype next year and create a kit which could go on the market in 2008.

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Tags: ion aircraft, IonAircraft, light sport aircraft, planes, vulcan aviation

Should the U.S. Foot the Bill for the A380 Airport Expansions?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

A little over 18 months ago the Airbus 380 first popped up on our radar. We were giddy with the possibilities, imagining these massive planes full of luxury and more space than we had ever dreamed possible. However more and more, the double-decker A380 is looking to be nothing but trouble. The concerns have ranged from environmental factors such as the plane's huge wake to delays in production which could make the plane harder to get. The latest wrinkle comes from a Republican lawmaker who is seeking to get Congress to ban U.S. airports from spending federal money on the upgrades necessary in order to make room for the jumbo jet. Rep. John Mica says that until a U.S. airline buys and uses an A380, foreign airlines should pick up the tab. The U.S. government is currently expected to pay for half of the changes in airports in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and San Francisco but Mica feels this is unfair to U.S. taxpayers since Europe gives governmental loans to Airbus.

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Tags: a380, airbus, flight, planes, wings

More Delays For the A380 Jet

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

For those patiently waiting for a ride aboard the massive double-decker Airbus 380, it seems like you are going to have to keep waiting. Airbus has said they are expecting new delays of at least six months. They still plan to deliver the first plane to Singapore Airlines but wiring problems with the A380 will mean that they will produce only nine planes next year instead of 27. The delays may force some companies to cancel their orders or lease other planes.

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Tags: airbus a380, AirbusA380, flight, planes, travel

Silverjet, Another London to New York Flight Option

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

The already competitive London to New York flight market is about to get a bit tighter. We've already covered Eos and MAXjet which both offer the same route. Silverjet Limited will offer low fare, all business class flights. CNN reports that Silverjet is currently raising money to get on London's Alternative Investment Market in May. They expect to start business class service from Luton to Newark within six to nine months after getting on the market. They eventually plan to run ten aircraft to a variety of destinations. Like MAXjet, Silverjet will offer around 100 seats which are flatbeds. The average roundtrip is expected to be $1,700.

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Tags: airline, airline industry, aviation, business class, eos, flight, london, maxjet, new york, planes, silverjet

Eclipse Ramps Up Production

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Aero-News Network reports on the latest plans from Eclipse Aviation. In order to handle the heavy demand for the Eclipse 500 jet they have created Sunport 11, their new primary assembly building at the west end of the Albuquerque International Airport. The new space will enable Eclipse to create four planes per day and help them burn through the huge backlog of orders. By June 2006, Eclipse plans to have six buildings for a total of more than 350,000 square feet of space.

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Tags: airplanes, eclipse aviation, EclipseAviation, flight, planes, wings

"Fuddy Duddy" Plane For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

It’s not exactly going to be your commuter plane but if you are looking for a piece of history that still flies check out this B-17. “Fuddy Duddy” is up for sale. The yellow-tailed plane belongs to the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center which is selling it to fund the changing interests of the museumgoers. According to General Aviation News, the museum is pursuing more space-related exhibits and World War II prop planes aren’t as popular as they once were. The plane is one of only a dozen airworthy B-17s left in the world and is selling for $3.5 million.

Tags: aviation, classic planes, ClassicPlanes, history, planes, planes for sale, world war II, WorldWarIi, WW II planes