The in-flight moving map just got a bit more interesting for Lufthansa passengers. The carrier announced a deal with FlightPath3D to implement the 3D map solution across Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet. The new service flies first on the A350, with future integrations planned on 787, 747-8i, and A330 aircraft.
A350
Qantas confirms Project Sunrise; flights planned from 2025
Come the end of 2025 no two cities on earth will be too far apart for a nonstop flight. Qantas officially confirmed its plans to purchase A350-1000 aircraft in an ultra-longhaul configuration capable of flying from Sydney to London or New York City or anywhere else on earth without a stop on the way. The carrier will eventually take delivery of a dozen planes for this effort.
Finnair selects Stockholm in transatlantic shift
Norse Atlantic won’t launch service across the Atlantic until early next year, but competition is still on the horizon for Stockholm’s transatlantic traffic. Finnair announced plans to launch a trio of new routes this winter connecting the Swedish capital and the United States.
Airbus bullish on recovery, plans production boost
Airbus sees a recovery on the horizon and plans production adjustments to meet that need. The aircraft manufacturer provided a formal update on planned production levels, with potential for nearly 100 aircraft built per month by the middle of the decade.
LATAM scraps A350 fleet
LATAM never could really figure out what to do with its fleet of A350s. And now the fleet is no more. The company plans to remove the A350 from its Brazilian operations effective immediately.
Ansat helicopters add Ku-band satellite connectivity
In-flight satellite connectivity is now available on Ansat helicopters in Russia. The Mku30 system from Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation, received regulatory approval for in-flight operations.
Starlux sets its sights on Los Angeles for US debut
Starlux aims to serve the US market from 2022. The carrier formally applied to the US Department of Transportation last Friday for the authority to fly between Taipei and Los Angeles with its A350-900 aircraft.
Singapore Airlines launches JFK non-stop service
Singapore Airlines will launch non-stop service to New York City in November. The thrice weekly service brings back flights on the world’s longest route and, for the first time, will operate it to JFK airport rather than Newark.
A major A321neo IFEC milestone in Hamburg
Getting to line-fit status with an aircraft manufacturer is a tremendous accomplishment for any company. This week one IFEC supplier is celebrating that milestone on the A321neo line in Hamburg.
This plane can taxi, take off and land all on its own
Most conversations about autonomous aircraft focus on smaller planes. But Airbus decided to go large when it comes to taxi, take off, and landing automation. Very large. The aircraft manufacturer announced this week the successful conclusion of its Autonomous Taxi, Take-Off and Landing (ATTOL) project using the A350-1000 XWB aircraft.