The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 was the last American-built aircraft to feature an analog cockpit. The aircraft entered commercial service with Swissair in October 1980, and became a mainstay of short-haul aviation across the world. The US-based manufacturer went on to build a total of 1,191 MD-80s, several of which are still in service today.
The future adoption and scalability of predictive aircraft maintenance is not dependent on advanced analytics but on the technology architecture that enables data acquisition. As all airline operators seek to maintain efficient and reliable operations amid ongoing supply chain challenges, the latest PAM webinar will focus on a vital area for predictive that is often […]
Saudi Arabia’s new carrier, Riyadh Air has started selling flights between London Heathrow and Riyadh using brand-new B787-9 aircraft. The flights will operate from 1 July 2026. Riyadh Air has operated daily flights to London Terminal 4 since 26 October 2025, using a leased technical spare “Jamila” which does not feature the new interiors. Jamila […]
Virgin Group CEO Josh Bayliss will take on the role of chair of Virgin Atlantic from 1 June 2026. The move signals a closer alignment between the airline and the central group’s strategy. Bayliss succeeds Peter Norris, who steps down on 31 May after 14 years as chair. Bayliss has led Virgin Group since 2011, overseeing […]
For more than three decades, Premium Economy has occupied one of the most important spaces in commercial aviation, bridging the widening gap between economy class and business class while offering passengers a more comfortable way to fly long-haul without paying the steep prices associated with lie-flat luxury cabins. While dozens of airlines now market increasingly […]
The group behind the Heathrow West expansion plan for the UK hub airport has released further details of its proposal ahead of submitting a formal plan next year. Arora Group is working with experts from technic al advisor Bechtel and has the backing of a number of key airlines and other stakeholders including IAG, Virgin […]
The B-2 Spirit Bomber is the most expensive aircraft ever conceived, with an average unit cost exceeding $2 billion (when adjusted for inflation). It is also an incredibly costly aircraft to operate and maintain, costing approximately $30 million per year to fly and over 100 hours of maintenance per hour flown.
Several NATO allies in Europe are extending the service lives of or retiring frontline fighter jets without immediate replacements because next-generation programs are delayed and procurement decisions have stalled. Spain will keep roughly 60 F/A-18 Hornets flying until as late as 2035–2040, while its AV-8B Harriers are still expected to retire around 2030 with no […]
The global aviation maintenance and engineering sector is facing an increasingly complex operating environment, with supply chain disruption, ageing fleets and engine reliability issues continuing to place heavy pressure on operators and MRO providers. Ahead of the World Maintenance & Engineering Symposium (WMES) taking place in Madrid on June 24-25, director general of the International […]
Korean Air will absorb Asiana Airlines and retire its rival’s brand, completing a five‑year consolidation that will leave South Korea with a single, enlarged flag carrier from December 17, 2026. Boards at both airlines approved the merger on May 13, with a formal signing set for May 14. Once executed, Asiana Airlines will cease to […]