The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) targeting Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. This regulation, identified as AD 2024-23-04, replaces AD 2023-21-08 and will take effect on January 6, 2025.
The new AD addresses an update to the Time Limit Manual (TLM) issued by the manufacturer, introducing more restrictive tasks and limitations for critical life-limited components. According to the FAA, this update is necessary to prevent failures of critical rotating parts, which could result in loss of thrust control or even aircraft control.
<ul>
<li>Maintenance program update: Operators of these engines will need to revise the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) of their approved maintenance programs to incorporate the new tasks and limits outlined in the TLM.</li>
<li>Reduced compliance timeframe: Unlike the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directive AD 2024-0062, which allows a 12-month compliance period, the FAA requires the revisions to be completed within 30 days of the directive’s effective date.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Scope of the directive</h4>
The AD applies to Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines of the A, AE, C, CE, D, E, G, and H variants, installed on 28 aircraft registered in the United States. These engines are primarily used on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The FAA estimates the compliance cost to be minimal, with an expected expenditure of 85 USD per engine, amounting to a total of 2,380 USD for all affected operators in the country. Operators can review the full directive on the regulations.gov website under docket number FAA-2024-2014. The directive also incorporates references to EASA AD 2024-0062, which provides specific instructions for implementing the required updates.
The FAA emphasized that this measure aims to ensure flight safety in compliance with its mandate to regulate maintenance procedures in accordance with international standards. The agency confirmed that the directive will not have a significant economic impact or affect intrastate operations in Alaska.

Boeing 787 and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000: FAA Announces Critical Maintenance Changes

<a style="color: #0000ff" href="https://www.britishairways.com/travel/">British Airways</a> expands its intra-European network for the summer season with the addition of three Italian destinations. For next year, the British airline will add flights to Rimini, on the Adriatic coast, from Heathrow; Salerno, on the Amalfi coast, from Gatwick; and Olbia, in Sardinia, from London City.
The new services increase to 19 the total number of Italian destinations served by the airline, more than any other European country in the carrier’s network. The schedule for British Airways&#8217; short and medium-haul routes is not affected by the delivery delays of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines for its Boeing 787 aircraft.
“Italy remains very popular with our customers, making it our top European destination and the second globally, behind the United States. Last month, we saw a 10% increase in searches for summer flights to Italy compared to 2023, so we’re delighted to offer an even wider selection of destinations next year. Rimini, Salerno, and Olbia are coastal destinations, so we expect them to be particularly popular with our leisure customers looking for sun, sea, and, of course, fantastic Italian cuisine,” said Neil Chernoff, Director of Network and Alliances at British Airways.
<h4>Flight schedule between Rimini (RMI) and London-Heathrow (LHR)</h4>
From May 15 to September 27, 2025.
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 532: LHR 15:20 &#8211; RMI 18:50 Monday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 532: LHR 16:00 &#8211; RMI 19:30 Thursday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 532: LHR 15:45 &#8211; RMI 19:15 Saturday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 533: RMI 19:40 &#8211; LHR 21:15 Monday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 533: RMI 20:15 &#8211; LHR 21:50 Thursday.</li>
<li>Flight BA 533: RMI 20:00 &#8211; LHR 21:35 Saturday.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Flight schedule between Salerno (QSR) and London-Gatwick (LGW)</h4>
From May 22 to October 25, 2025 (operated by BA Euroflyer).
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 2600: LGW 14:10 &#8211; QSR 18:00 Monday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 2600: LGW 15:25 &#8211; QSR 19:15 Thursday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 2600: LGW 15:50 &#8211; QSR 19:40 Saturday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 2601: QSR 18:50 &#8211; LGW 20:40 Monday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 2601: QSR 20:05 &#8211; LGW 21:55 Thursday.</li>
<li>Flight BA 2601: QSR 18:50 &#8211; LGW 20:40 Saturday</li>
</ul>
<h4>Flight schedule between Olbia (OLB) and London-City (LCY)</h4>
From May 25 to September 28, 2025.
Initially, the service will operate one weekly flight, and starting July 16, the frequency will increase to two weekly flights.
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 2335: LCY 12:30 &#8211; OLB 15:55 Wednesday.</li>
<li>Flight BA 2335: LCY 12:35 &#8211; OLB 15:45 Saturday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight BA 2336: OLB 16:40 &#8211; LCY 18:05 Wednesday.</li>
<li>Flight BA 2336: OLB 16:35 &#8211; LCY 18:00 Saturday.}</li>
</ul>
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/modern-elegance-inside-british-airways-new-first-class-suites-for-the-a380/">From the Concorde to the A380: British Airways unveils its new First Class</a>

British Airways Expands Summer Schedule: New Flights to Rimini, Salerno, and Olbia

British Airways announced the launch of its new First Class cabin, designed as part of the modernization program for its Airbus A380 fleet (of which it owns 12). According to the airline, this renovation aims to combine elegant design and British craftsmanship to offer a modern luxury experience to its passengers. The first aircraft equipped with this cabin is expected to fly by mid-2026.
The new suite features a wider seat, 36.5 inches, which converts into a fully flat bed measuring 79 inches in length. Key features include a 32-inch 4K screen, adjustable lighting with modes like «relax» and «cinema,» and personal luggage space, allowing passengers to easily store their belongings. Additionally, the seats are surrounded by a 60-inch curved wall for enhanced privacy.
According to the company, the cabin was designed to offer the feel of a «luxury hotel in the sky,» incorporating details inspired by the Concorde, such as elegant curves and subtle references to the airline&#8217;s «speedmarque.» A «do not disturb» feature was also introduced, allowing passengers to maximize their rest during the flight.
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_10.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-346177" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_10.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="843" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_10.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_10-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_10-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_10-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_06.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-346173" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_06.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="843" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_06.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_06-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_06-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_06-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_05.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-346172" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_05.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="843" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_05.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_05-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_05-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_05-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
The airline highlights that the materials used in the cabin were selected in collaboration with manufacturers from across Great Britain and Ireland. Among the partners are Collins Aerospace, responsible for the seat manufacturing, and companies such as Muirhead, Replin, and Botany Weaving, which provided high-quality leather, fabrics, and carpets.
At the center of the cabin, passengers traveling together can enjoy a configuration that allows shared space thanks to a sliding divider and foldable tables designed for «buddy dining,» a concept that enables sharing meals onboard.
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_02.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-346169" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_02.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="962" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_02.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_02-300x192.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_02-1403x900.jpg 1403w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_02-768x493.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_02-150x96.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_01.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-346168" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_01.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="843" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_01.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_01-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_01-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_01-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_08.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-346175" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_08.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="843" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_08.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_08-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_08-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/British-Airways-nueva-First-Class-A380_08-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
«We are incredibly proud to launch the next era of First Class, redefining the boundaries of comfort, luxury, and modernity, considering our customers&#8217; preferences and expectations in every detail» said British Airways Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming.
The new cabin is part of a £7 billion transformation plan the airline is undertaking, which includes initiatives such as new short-haul seats, free onboard Wi-Fi messaging, and upgrades to its VIP lounges worldwide.

Modern Elegance: Inside British Airways’ New First Class Suites for the A380

A flight operated by British Airways (BA) from Rome narrowly avoided an accident as it approached Heathrow Airport in London on July 28 of this year.
As the Airbus A321 was at an altitude of 800 feet above sea level on its final approach, the pilots spotted drones approximately 50 feet above them, according to a report by the associated outlet <a href="https://aeroin.net/perto-do-pouso-em-um-dos-mais-movimentados-aeroportos-do-mundo-piloto-da-ba-quase-acerta-drone/?amp">Aeroin</a>.
Flying at 140 knots, the crew identified the two drones as a serious threat. Fortunately, the flight landed safely at the airport, but the incident raised concerns that led to an investigation by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB), which reviews such occurrences, Aeroin reported.
<h4>Illegal flight</h4>
The subsequent investigation classified the illegal drone flight as a category A issue, the most serious level. The UKAB concluded that the aircraft was under a significant threat, as the drones could have been ingested into the plane&#8217;s engines, endangering the lives of the passengers.
The drone operators have not been identified but could face a prison sentence of up to five years. British legislation prohibits drone flights within a five-kilometer radius of any airport runway ends, and the maximum permitted altitude for drone flights is restricted to just 120 meters.
UKAB believes the drones, reported to be flying at an altitude of approximately 300 meters according to British Airways pilots, were operational to capture images of the aircraft landing from an unconventional angle. The investigation concluded with the following statement:
“The first officer initially noticed two objects immediately ahead and above the aircraft and pointed them out to the captain, who also clearly spotted them. They were easily identifiable as two identical drones flying in lateral formation in the approach zone, approximately 15 meters (at most) above the aircraft.”
“Both pilots were able to clearly identify the objects’ black propellers. Both assessed the risk of impact. In the Board’s opinion, the reported altitude and/or the description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it was likely a drone. The Board considered that the provision played a significant role in the incident and that there was a clear risk of collision.”
<h4>Concern</h4>
The incident underscores growing concerns about air safety related to the misuse of drones near airports, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and proactive measures to protect air operations and passenger safety.

Illegal Drones Pose Serious Threat to British Airways Landing at Heathrow

<article>
<header>British Airways has announced a multi-million-pound investment in its engineering maintenance facility at Cardiff Airport. This project is part of its £7 billion transformation plan and aims to expand the capacity of its base in Wales.</header>
<header></header>
The investment will allow for the expansion of one of the three existing hangars at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) to accommodate Airbus A350 long-haul aircraft. Once completed, the base will transition from having one flexible hangar to two, facilitating the maintenance of a wider variety of aircraft, including Boeing 777 and 787 models.
This project will commence in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2026. The expansion will enable the Cardiff base to carry out more complex and detailed maintenance work.
British Airways’ maintenance base in Cardiff currently employs 480 workers, contributing significantly to the Welsh economy. According to Rebecca Evans, Minister for Economy, Energy, and Planning for the Welsh Government, “This announcement once again demonstrates the vital role Cardiff Airport plays in attracting investment to Wales and in the growth of our aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector.”
Andy Best, Technical Director of British Airways, stated: “Our engineering base in Wales is an integral part of our maintenance operation, and this investment, as part of our overall strategy, will ensure that British Airways Engineering Wales continues to play a key role for many years to come. The expansion provides us with greater flexibility and control over our heavy maintenance activities for the Boeing and Airbus long-haul fleets, ensuring more efficient planning and execution.”
For its part, the Welsh Government highlighted the importance of the base for the development of the aerospace sector in the region, drawing international attention to Cardiff’s MRO capabilities.
<h4>Technical details of the aircraft</h4>
<ul>
<li>Boeing 787: 214-256 seats depending on the variant (787-8, -9, -10).</li>
<li>Boeing 777: 297-333 seats depending on the variant (777-2, -3).</li>
<li>Airbus A350: 331 seats.</li>
</ul>
<footer>.</footer>
</article>

British Airways Enhances Cardiff Base with £7 Billion Transformation Plan

EasyJet has announced the addition of 26 new routes for summer 2025, including 21 departing from ten UK airports. As highlighted by the company, this growth marks a significant milestone: the launch of its first connection from the UK to Sub-Saharan Africa with flights to Sal Island in Cape Verde. Of the 26 new routes, 8 will connect to cities in Spain.
Flights to Cape Verde will commence on March 31, 2025, departing from London Gatwick Airport. The route will operate three times a week during the summer season, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The airline also announced new routes to other destinations, such as Rimini in Italy; Almería and Málaga in Spain; and Antalya in Turkey. According to easyJet, these launches aim to expand its network in Europe and Africa, offering «more options and competitive value» to customers.
<h3>New Options from Multiple UK Airports</h3>
Several airports will benefit from new connections, including Manchester, with flights to Madrid, Rome, and Larnaca; Birmingham, with new routes to Malta and Gran Canaria; and Glasgow, which will add flights to Antalya and Reus. Additionally, Edinburgh will connect for the first time with Enfidha, Tunisia, and Marrakech, Morocco.
The expansion also includes flights from Leeds Bradford to Málaga and Palma, as well as from Belfast to Reus.
<h3>Growth in the Holiday Segment</h3>
In addition to the new routes, easyJet holidays, the airline&#8217;s package holiday division, will offer vacations to Cape Verde for the first time. Packages will include flights, accommodations in hotels —such as five-star Melia resorts—, transfers, and up to 23 kg of luggage. The company states that this offering aims to provide customers with «flexibility and unmatched value.»
“We are proud to launch an incredible range of new routes and holiday packages, including our first connection to Sub-Saharan Africa. This milestone highlights our continued investment in the UK market and our commitment to offering customers more travel options,” said Ali Gayward, easyJet&#8217;s UK Country Manager.
<h3>EasyJet’s New Routes to Spain</h3>
<ul>
<li>London Luton to Almería: Flights twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays starting June 1, with fares from £35.99*.</li>
<li>Manchester to Madrid: Flights three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting June 23, with fares from £35.99*.</li>
<li>Birmingham to Gran Canaria: Flights twice a week on Mondays and Fridays starting May 2, with fares from £40.99*.</li>
<li>Newcastle to Málaga: Flights twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays starting March 31, with fares from £34.99*.</li>
<li>Glasgow to Reus: Flights twice a week on Mondays and Fridays starting June 2, with fares from £34.99*.</li>
<li>Belfast to Reus: Flights twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting April 5, with fares from £37.99*.</li>
<li>Leeds Bradford to Málaga: Flights once a week on Wednesdays starting April 2, with fares from £37.99*.</li>
<li>Leeds Bradford to Palma: Flights once a week on Wednesdays starting April 2, with fares from £26.99*.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Other New EasyJet Routes</h3>
<ul>
<li>London Gatwick to Sal in Cape Verde: Flights three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting March 31, with fares from £131.99.</li>
<li>London Gatwick to Rimini in Italy: Flights twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays starting April 16, with fares from £46.99*.</li>
<li>London Luton to Funchal: Flights twice a week on Mondays and Fridays starting June 2, with fares from £58.99*.</li>
<li>Manchester to Izmir: Flights twice a week on Mondays and Fridays from June 23 to November, with fares from £35.99*.</li>
<li>Manchester to Kalamata: Flights twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting June 24, with fares from £35.99*.</li>
<li>Manchester to Larnaca: Flights twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays starting June 25, with fares from £43.99*.</li>
<li>Manchester to Rennes: Flights twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays starting June 25, with fares from £26.99*.</li>
<li>Birmingham to Malta: Flights twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting June 3, with fares from £40.99*.</li>
<li>Edinburgh to Enfidha: Flights twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting May 3, with fares from £56.99*.</li>
<li>Edinburgh to Olbia: Flights twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting May 1, with fares from £32.99*.</li>
<li>Edinburgh to Marrakech: Flights twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays starting May 1, with fares from £35.99*.</li>
<li>Liverpool to Split: Flights twice a week on Mondays and Fridays starting June 9, with fares from £34.99*.</li>
<li>Glasgow to Antalya: Flights twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting June 4, with fares from £68.99*.</li>
</ul>

Cape Verde, Spain, and Beyond: EasyJet Unveils New Summer 2025 Routes

TUI Airways is returning to Costa Rica again with the resumption of its flights between London-Gatwick and Liberia/Guanacaste, expanding its holiday offer for this winter season. In addition, the leisure airline from the British capital will have flights in Central America and the Caribbean to Cancun (Mexico), Montego Bay (MBJ), St. Lucia, Bridgetown (Barbados) and La Romana (Dominican Republic).
Flight BY 76 was operated on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as G-TUIA, which took off from London-Gatwick Airport at 09:38 local time on November 6 and landed at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport at 15:11, after eleven hours and 33 minutes.
A delegation from Costa Rica participated in WTM London 2024 where they presented the attractions of the Central American country such as beaches, nature, biodiversity, hot springs, cultural traditions, outdoor activities and promoted British and European tourists to choose Costa Rica as their next vacation destination.
The United Kingdom is one of the largest issuers of tourists to Costa Rica. According to reports from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, in the period from January to September 2024, 51,005 tourists were received by air and 324,209 from Europe by the same means. At WTM London 2024, 45 Costa Rican companies participated in the Costa Rica stand, including hotels, tour operators, adventure activities, among others.

TUI Airways resumes flights to Guanacaste

Emirates is resuming its non-stop services between Dubai and Edinburgh, which had been suspended since March 2020. This connection will operate daily and will be available throughout the year, and will also connect the Scottish capital with one of the main hubs in the world.
Flight EK 23 was operated by a <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/07/emirates-revela-los-primeros-destinos-a-los-que-volara-con-sus-renovados-boeing-777/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boeing 777-200LR</a> registered as A6-EWB, which took off from Dubai International Airport at 09:39 local time on 4 November and landed at Edinburgh Airport at 13:09, after seven hours and 30 minutes. The inaugural service ceremony included a performance by the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-343416 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WhatsApp-Image-2024-11-04-at-11.17.50-PM.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="661" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/WhatsApp-Image-2024-11-04-at-11.17.50-PM.jpeg 1024w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/WhatsApp-Image-2024-11-04-at-11.17.50-PM-300x194.jpeg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/WhatsApp-Image-2024-11-04-at-11.17.50-PM-768x496.jpeg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/WhatsApp-Image-2024-11-04-at-11.17.50-PM-150x97.jpeg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
The Edinburgh service is currently being operated on Boeing 777 aircraft, initially scheduled to be operated on the Airbus A350-900, but due to delivery delays the start of this model in the Scottish capital has been postponed to 15 January 2025. The Emirates A350 will feature new Business Class seats and the addition of Premium Economy.
Travellers have the option of accessing Emirates&#8217; extensive network, providing greater connectivity and supporting Scotland&#8217;s economic and tourism sectors, offering new opportunities for business links.
Emirates&#8217; UK destination network also has services to London (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted), Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and Glasgow.
“We are delighted to welcome Emirates to Edinburgh to resume that direct connection between Scotland’s capital and one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, Dubai. Direct connectivity to Dubai is something that will be welcomed by both business and leisure passengers, while onward connections through Emirates’ extensive network also open up a wealth of travel opportunities,” said Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of <a href="https://www.edinburghairport.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Edinburgh Airport</a>.

Even without the arrival of the A350, Emirates returns to Edinburgh

Starting from March 30, 2025, <a href="https://www.ba.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">British Airways</a> will begin operating regular flights to <a href="https://tbilisiairport.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia</a>. This will be its first destination in the easternmost sector of Europe, where it meets Asia. It will also be the only airline connecting Tbilisi with London.
British Airways will offer four weekly flights between the British capital and Tbilisi, departing from Heathrow Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays as BA890 at 21:25 to arrive at 5:30 the next day. The return flight from the capital of Georgia will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing at 7:30 and arriving in London at 10:00 (on Wednesdays, the flight departs and arrives 20 minutes earlier).
The flights will be operated on Airbus A320neo aircraft with a capacity for 48 passengers in Club Europe class and 96 in Euro Traveller. Round-trip fares start from 275 pounds sterling, and packages with hotel start from 369 pounds sterling.
«We are delighted to welcome Tbilisi back to our route network, after our last scheduled service in 2013. We expect this to be a popular route for the leisure market, which has seen a strong recovery since 2019, as well as for those looking for direct flights to visit friends and family,» said Neil Chernoff, British Airways&#8217; Director of Planning and Strategy.
For her part, Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, said, «We are proud that British Airways has decided to enter the Georgian market, which is an important recognition for our country. This will significantly increase Georgia&#8217;s awareness in the UK market and improve connectivity with the United States, which is a strategic partner country for Georgia.»
The schedules of British Airways flights to and from Tbilisi also allow connections through London/Heathrow to European destinations that do not have direct operations, such as Madrid and Barcelona, and to transatlantic destinations like New York.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/british-airways-presenta-una-programacion-de-vuelos-record-a-norteamerica-para-el-verano-de-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">British Airways presents a record flight schedule to North America for the summer of 2025</a>
Tbilisi International Airport is part of the Group ADP network through its subsidiary TAV Airports. In 2023, it handled 3.6 million passengers.
<figure id="attachment_338085" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-338085" style="width: 840px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/tbilisi-airport-aeropuerto-georgia.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-338085" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/tbilisi-airport-aeropuerto-georgia.jpg" alt="Tbilisi Airport, Georgia" width="850" height="638" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-airport-aeropuerto-georgia.jpg 850w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-airport-aeropuerto-georgia-300x225.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-airport-aeropuerto-georgia-768x576.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-airport-aeropuerto-georgia-150x113.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-338085" class="wp-caption-text">Tbilisi Airport, Georgia</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Flights between Tbilisi and Europe</h2>
The capital of Georgia currently has regular flights to 30 cities in Europe, 8 of which are in the Russian Federation. According to information collected by Aviacionline through Cirium, the offer is composed as follows:
<ul>
<li>Izmir (ADB), Turkey: two weekly flights by SunExpress.</li>
<li>Sochi (AER), Russia: seven weekly flights by Red Wings Airlines and two weekly flights by Azimuth Airlines.</li>
<li>Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands: two weekly flights by Transavia and three weekly flights by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Athens (ATH), Greece: five weekly flights by Aegean Airlines.</li>
<li>Antalya (AYT), Turkey: three weekly flights by SunExpress and seven weekly flights by Pegasus.</li>
<li>Berlin (BER), Germany: one weekly flight by Eurowings and one weekly flight by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Milan (BGY), Italy: two weekly flights by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Paris (CDG), France: two weekly flights by Air France and three weekly flights by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Moscow (DME), Russia: one weekly flight by Red Wings Airlines.</li>
<li>Moscow (VKO), Russia: 16 weekly flights by Georgian Airways and 19 weekly flights by Azimuth Airlines.</li>
<li>Düsseldorf (DUS), Germany: two weekly flights by Eurowings.</li>
<li>Ankara (ESB), Turkey: two weekly flights by Pegasus.</li>
<li>Frankfurt (FRA), Germany: one weekly flight by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Istanbul (IST), Turkey: 28 weekly flights by Turkish Airlines.</li>
<li>Istanbul (SAW), Turkey: seven weekly flights by AJet and 19 weekly flights by Pegasus.</li>
<li>Samara (KUF), Russia: two weekly flights by Red Wings Airlines.</li>
<li>Kazan (KZN), Russia: two weekly flights by Red Wings Airlines.</li>
<li>Larnaca (LCA), Cyprus: four weekly flights by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Saint Petersburg (LED), Russia: four weekly flights by Red Wings Airlines, two weekly flights by Georgian Airways, and two weekly flights by Azimuth Airlines.</li>
<li>Mineralnye Vody (MRV), Russia: five weekly flights by Azimuth Airlines.</li>
<li>Minsk (MSQ), Belarus: seven weekly flights by Belavia.</li>
<li>Munich (MUC), Germany: 10 weekly flights by Lufthansa.</li>
<li>Nice (NCE), France: three weekly flights by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Riga (RIX), Latvia: five weekly flights by airBaltic.</li>
<li>Chisinau (RMO), Moldova: three weekly flights by FlyOne.</li>
<li>Thessaloniki (SKG), Greece: two weekly flights by Aegean Airlines.</li>
<li>Stuttgart (STR), Germany: one weekly flight by Eurowings.</li>
<li>Ufa (UFA), Russia: one weekly flight by Azimuth Airlines.</li>
<li>Vienna (VIE), Austria: three weekly flights by Austrian Airlines and two weekly flights by Georgian Airways.</li>
<li>Warsaw (WAW), Poland: 10 weekly flights by LOT.</li>
<li>Zhukovsky (ZIA), Russia: six weekly flights by Red Wings Airlines.</li>
</ul>
The network in the capital of Georgia is completed with a dozen destinations in the Middle East and Central Asia.
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/tbilisi-red-de-destinos-destinations-airport-georgia-sep-2024.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-338084" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/tbilisi-red-de-destinos-destinations-airport-georgia-sep-2024.jpg" alt="" width="1115" height="712" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-red-de-destinos-destinations-airport-georgia-sep-2024.jpg 1115w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-red-de-destinos-destinations-airport-georgia-sep-2024-300x192.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-red-de-destinos-destinations-airport-georgia-sep-2024-768x490.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/tbilisi-red-de-destinos-destinations-airport-georgia-sep-2024-150x96.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1115px) 100vw, 1115px" /></a>
In total, Tbilisi has 209 weekly flights to Europe, which translates to an offer of 33,565 seats each way.
&nbsp;

British Airways Expands East with New Flights to Tbilisi, Georgia

SAS will resume flights to Seattle, Washington, with a service departing from Copenhagen. This addition will bring the Scandinavian airline to 11 destinations in its North American network for summer 2025. SAS had stopped operating to Seattle in 2009 to prioritize San Francisco, a Star Alliance hub, where it began flying in 2010 (since September this year, <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/04/sas-se-une-a-la-alianza-skyteam-a-partir-de-septiembre/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAS joined SkyTeam</a>).
The inaugural flight between Copenhagen and Seattle is scheduled for May 21, and SAS highlights that the schedule is designed to maximize connections with the rest of its network through its hub.
«We are delighted to expand our North American network with Seattle. The route from Copenhagen will offer more travel options to our customers and strengthen the connection between Scandinavia and the Pacific Northwest, a region of growing economic importance with deep Scandinavian roots,» said Anko van der Werff, President and CEO of <a href="https://www.flysas.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAS</a>.
«This new addition to our network further expands our global reach and underscores our commitment to offering travelers more direct route options. Seattle has been a highly requested destination by our customers, and we are pleased to meet their needs with the launch of this route. Moreover, Seattle&#8217;s growing cargo operations make this expansion even more strategically valuable,» added van der Werff.
Flight SK 937 will depart from Copenhagen at 13:05 and arrive in Seattle at 13:50 local time after 9 hours and 45 minutes of flight. On the return leg, it will depart from the U.S. city at 16:00, arriving in Copenhagen at 10:30 the following day, after a flight duration of 9 hours and 30 minutes. The service will operate five times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. On SAS&#8217;s website, fares are listed starting at USD 313 per leg.
The flights will be operated using Airbus A350-900 aircraft with 40 seats in Business, 32 in Economy Premium, and 228 in Economy.
<h3>SAS in North America</h3>
According to information obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, in September SAS&#8217;s North American schedule includes 80 flights and offers 19,573 weekly seats in each direction on these routes:
<ul>
<li>Stockholm &#8211; Newark: 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Stockholm &#8211; Toronto: 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; Atlanta: 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; Boston: 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; Newark: 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; Washington/Dulles: 6 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; New York/JFK: 13 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; Los Angeles: 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; Chicago/O&#8217;Hare: 6 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; San Francisco: 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Copenhagen &#8211; Toronto: 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Oslo &#8211; Newark: 7 weekly flights.</li>
</ul>

New Copenhagen-Seattle Route Marks SAS’s Return to the Pacific Northwest

<a href="https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/es_es/">British Airways</a> has taken delivery of its 40th Boeing 787 and the tenth of the -10 series. IAG is the largest operator of the Dreamliner in Europe and is one of only three airlines currently in the world to have all three 787 models in its fleet, along with All Nippon Airways and United Airlines.
The aircraft delivered was registered G-ZBLJ. It took off from Charleston Airport at 18:58 local time on 4 September and landed at Cardiff Airport at 07:01 the following day, after seven hours and three minutes. G-ZBLJ made its first commercial service on 9 September on a flight between London-Heathrow and Bridgetown in Barbados.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-337047" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/BritshAirways78710_10_2-1350x900.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/BritshAirways78710_10_2-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/BritshAirways78710_10_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/BritshAirways78710_10_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/BritshAirways78710_10_2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/BritshAirways78710_10_2-150x100.jpg 150w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/BritshAirways78710_10_2.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
British Airways took delivery of its first Dreamliner in 2013, and since then it has become a staple aircraft in long-haul operations, with the addition of the -8 and -9 models allowing the airline to fly point-to-point routes including Pittsburgh, Nashville, New Orleans, Cincinnati and Portland.
The British Airways Dreamliner fleet consists of twelve 787-8s, eighteen 787-9s and ten 787-10s with eight on order. British Airways&#8217; 787-10 has a configuration of 256 seats in four classes: eight First Class, 48 ​​Business Class, 35 Premium Economy and 165 in Economy.
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/06/british-airways-adds-a-third-daily-flight-between-london-heathrow-and-delhi/">British Airways adds a third daily flight between London-Heathrow and Delhi</a>

British Airways takes delivery of its 40th Boeing 787 Dreamliner

<a href="https://www.virginatlantic.com/">Virgin Atlantic</a> and Riyadh Air have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding intending to incorporate a series of benefits for customers traveling between London, Saudi Arabia, and destinations beyond.
The agreement was signed at Riyadh&#8217;s headquarters in Riyadh, this is the first phase of the strategic partnership that will allow both airlines to boost connectivity, expand their networks, and optimize customer service. The accord sets the foundations for a long-term relationship subject to regulatory approval, including interline and codeshare connections, as well as possible deeper partnerships that could include loyalty benefits.
The partnership will allow flights to new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond for Virgin Atlantic customers, including its new route between London-Heathrow and Riyadh with the option to connect to other destinations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Mainland China.
“Following the announcement of our new services from London to Riyadh, we are committed to working with the best partners in the region to ensure our first route to Saudi Arabia offers choice to our customers. We look forward to working closely with Riyadh Air on their journey across the skies,” said Shai Weiss, CEO of <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/virgin-atlantic-launches-new-middle-east-and-africa-routes-for-summer-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virgin Atlantic</a>.
“Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic will help us collectively provide additional connectivity to the Kingdom. Riyadh Air has signed agreements with several strong global partners around the world, most recently with Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic’s network will support our growth to and from Saudi Arabia when we enter service in summer 2025,” said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.

Virgin Atlantic and Riyadh Air partner to boost connectivity between London and Saudi Arabia

<a href="https://www.aa.com/homePage.do?locale=es_AR">American Airlines</a> is returning to Scotland for the 2025 summer season with the resumption of its non-stop connection between Philadelphia and Edinburgh, this will be the airline&#8217;s second destination in the United Kingdom. The airline&#8217;s last operation in the Scottish capital was in October 2019.
American will be the fourth American airline to operate at Edinburgh Airport alongside Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and JetBlue. The Scottish capital has services to the United States from New York-JFK, Boston, Atlanta, Newark, Chicago O&#8217;Hare, Washington-Dulles and Orlando.
North America is one of Scotland&#8217;s most important markets, the resumption of this service will boost the tourism sector between the United States and Scotland.
“We are delighted to welcome American Airlines back to Edinburgh with the reestablishment of its direct seasonal service to Philadelphia. This allows us to reconnect, and significantly outperform, all of our pre-Covid transatlantic routes, demonstrating the significant North American demand for Edinburgh and Scotland,” said Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport.
<h3>Flight schedule between Philadelphia (PHL) and Edinburgh (EDI)</h3>
Starts on 24 May 2025 and ends on 5 October 2025.
<ul>
<li>Flight AA 278: PHL 19:00 &#8211; EDI 07:00+1 daily flights.</li>
<li>Flight AA 279: EDI 11:35 &#8211; PHL 14:00 daily flights.</li>
</ul>
The flights will be operated on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 234 seats: 20 Business Class, 28 Premium Economy, 48 Main Cabin Extra and 138 in Economy.
American Airlines has long-haul service from Philadelphia to Amsterdam, Barcelona, ​​Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Dublin, Rome-Fiumicino, London-Heathrow, Lisbon, Madrid, Venice, Zurich, Athens, Doha, Copenhagen, Nice, Naples and Milan-Malpensa (beginning May 23, 2025).
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-336819 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/map-1.gif" alt="" width="720" height="360" />
“Customer demand for flights to and from Europe remains strong as travelers look to explore cities steeped in culture and history. Edinburgh was a key point on the map for American Airlines when we first launched our Scottish service in 2015 and we are excited to return in the summer of 2025,” said José Freig, vice president of international operations for American Airlines.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/08/jetsmart-and-american-airlines-begin-selling-tickets-to-destinations-in-argentina-through-codesharing/">JetSMART and American Airlines begin selling tickets to destinations in Argentina through codesharing</a>

American Airlines returns to Edinburgh

Air India has begun long-haul flights with its new Airbus A350-900s, as the first service between Delhi and London-Heathrow was completed. The A350s will be operating twice daily on this route replacing the Boeing 777-300ERs.
The first service was flight AI 161 operated by an Airbus A350-900 registered as VT-JRI, ​​which took off from <a href="https://www.newdelhiairport.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indira Gandhi International Airport</a> at 03:16 local time and landed at London-Heathrow Airport at 07:22, after eight hours and 35 minutes.
The A350-900 is being used in strategic markets in India, and in short-haul international destinations such as Dubai, and by the last quarter of this year, they will be introduced to North America with services to New York-JFK and Newark.
<h3>A350 Flight Schedule between Delhi (DEL) and London Heathrow (LHR)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Flight AI 161: DEL 02:45 &#8211; LHR 07:30 daily flights.</li>
<li>Flight AI 111: DEL 06:45 &#8211; LHR 11:30 daily flights.</li>
<li>Flight AI 162: LHR 09:45 &#8211; DEL 22:50 daily flights.</li>
<li>Flight AI 112: LHR 13:15 &#8211; DEL 02:05+1 daily flights.</li>
</ul>
Air India&#8217;s A350-900s can accommodate 316 passengers in three classes: 28 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy and 264 Economy.
Over the next few years, <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/07/air-india-to-deploy-airbus-a350-900s-on-routes-to-new-york-for-winter-2024-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air India</a> expects to receive 14 A350-900s, 20 A350-1000s, 10 777-9s and 27 787-9s, of which 7 are transferred from Vistara.

Air India begins long-haul services with Airbus A350s

Virgin Atlantic is expanding its <a href="https://www.heathrow.com/es" target="_blank" rel="noopener">London-Heathrow</a> offering for the summer 2025 season with new services to Accra in Ghana and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The carrier is strengthening its Middle East network by landing in Saudi Arabia for the first time. In addition to capturing the leisure and business traveler market, his new service will focus on the VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market, which has seen a five-fold increase in Saudis residing in the UK between 2000 and 2018.
Customers will access Virgin Atlantic&#8217;s transatlantic services to Atlanta, New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, Boston and Detroit. Air travel between the UK and Saudi Arabia is estimated to grow by 24% between 2019 and 2035.
Riyadh is a hub for its Skyteam partner Saudia. This partnership will enable connections to Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, as well as further domestic destinations in Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Mainland China. All flights operated by Saudia from London Heathrow and Manchester to Riyadh and Jeddah are already marketed by Virgin Atlantic and are available for purchase through all its regular channels.
<h2>Virgin Atlantic flight schedule between London Heathrow (LHR) and Riyadh (RUH)</h2>
Starts on 30 March 2025.
<ul>
<li>Flight 403: LHR 14:45 &#8211; RUH 23:55 daily flights.</li>
<li>Flight 404: RUH 01:25 &#8211; LHR 07:00 daily flights.</li>
</ul>
The route will be operated on Airbus A330-900neo aircraft with a capacity of 262 passengers in three classes: 32 Business Class, 46 Premium Economy, and 184 in Economy. <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/07/in-with-the-new-virgin-atlantic-adds-seven-airbus-a330neo-and-retires-its-a330-300s/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virgin Atlantic</a> will offer 30 tonnes of cargo capacity on each flight for companies looking to export and import goods. After more than a decade, the operator returns to Ghana since its last operation in 2013. The airline will provide a non-stop service between London-Heathrow and Accra, offering a new travel alternative as the route is monopolised by rival British Airways.
This route will cater to the growing demand in the VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market. It is estimated that around 10% of customers will connect via London with Virgin Atlantic&#8217;s New York-JFK route.
<h3>Flight schedule between London Heathrow (LHR) and Accra (ACC)</h3>
Starts on May 1, 2025.
<ul>
<li>Flight VS 243: LHR 14:45 &#8211; RUH 23:55 daily flights.</li>
<li>Flight VS 244: RUH 01:25 &#8211; LHR 07:00 daily flights.</li>
</ul>
The route will be operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 258 seats in three classes: 31 Business Class, 35 Premium Economy and 192 in Economy. Virgin Atlantic will also offer 30 tons of cargo on each flight to move goods between Ghana and strategic markets in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Virgin Atlantic launches new Middle East and Africa routes for summer 2025

American Airlines will introduce the Boeing 777-300ER on one of its three daily flights on the Charlotte-London Heathrow route, according to Cirium. This change will result in an 11% increase in seating capacity for the winter 2024/2025 season. The other two flights will continue to be operated by Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
Following the retirement of the Airbus A330 fleet, long-haul flights from Charlotte are now exclusively operated by Boeing 777 aircraft. In addition to the London Heathrow route, there are year-round flights to Frankfurt and Munich, and seasonal services to Dublin, Madrid, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Rome-Fiumicino.
<h3>Boeing 777-300ER to Operate in Charlotte for the First Time</h3>
This will be the first time American Airlines&#8217; Boeing 777-300ER will operate from Charlotte. Typically, this variant flies from hubs in Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York-JFK, and Miami. London is the main international destination from Charlotte Douglas Airport. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, 452,702 passengers traveled between Charlotte and London in 2023.
<h3>Flight Schedule for Boeing 777-300ER on Charlotte-London Route</h3>
From November 5, 2024, to March 29, 2025
<ul>
<li>Charlotte &#8211; London: Flight AA 730, CLT 18:10 &#8211; LHR 07:00+1, daily.</li>
<li>London &#8211; Charlotte: Flight AA 731, LHR 10:05 &#8211; CLT 14:25, daily.</li>
</ul>
The Boeing 777-300ER has a seating capacity of 304, configured as follows: eight First Class, 52 Business Class, 28 Premium Economy, 28 Main Extra Cabin, and 188 Economy. With the introduction of this model, American Airlines will increase its premium seating offerings compared to the Boeing 777-200ER.
<h3>American Airlines Winter 2024/2025 Schedule for London Heathrow</h3>
Obtained via Cirium
<ul>
<li>Boston: daily flights on Boeing 777-200ER.</li>
<li>Charlotte: three flights on Boeing 777-200ER/-300ER.</li>
<li>Dallas/Fort Worth: 24 weekly flights on Boeing 777-200ER/-300ER.</li>
<li>New York-JFK: 27 weekly flights on Boeing 777-200ER/-300ER.</li>
<li>Los Angeles: two daily flights on Boeing 777-200ER/-300ER.</li>
<li>Miami: two daily flights on Boeing 777-300ER.</li>
<li>Chicago O’Hare: two daily flights on Boeing 787-9.</li>
<li>Philadelphia: daily flights on Boeing 787-9.</li>
<li>Raleigh-Durham: daily flights on Boeing 777-200ER.</li>
<li>Phoenix-Sky Harbor: suspended.</li>
</ul>

American Airlines introduces Boeing 777-300ER on international flights in Charlotte

<article>Virgin Atlantic has confirmed an order for seven Airbus A330-900s. As part of a $17 billion fleet transformation project, the airline operates one of the youngest fleets across the North Atlantic.
By 2028, Virgin Atlantic will operate a mixed fleet of 45 next-generation aircraft, with an average age of only 6.4 years. The seven new A330-900s will be delivered starting in 2027 and will be purchased directly from Airbus, increasing the number of owned aircraft in the fleet. This order adds to the initial A330neo order placed in 2019, making Virgin Atlantic the first UK airline to order this aircraft type. The total A330neo fleet will reach 19, consolidating its strategic partnership with Airbus.
Currently, Virgin Atlantic operates five A330-900s on routes to destinations such as New York, Boston, and Miami, with three more to be delivered this year and four by the end of 2026. As part of the fleet transformation, the airline plans to gradually retire its A330-300s starting in September 2024. These aircraft, which joined the fleet in 2011, will be replaced by the more efficient A330-900s, designed to be 13% more fuel and carbon-efficient.
In addition to the new aircraft, Virgin Atlantic has agreed to extend long-term leasing contracts with AerCap for seven Boeing 787-9s. These aircraft will continue to operate on various routes, including the Caribbean, North America, and India, as well as new routes to the Maldives and Bengaluru, India.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Aircraft Type</th>
<th>July 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2028</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>A330-900</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>A350-1000</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>787-9</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>A330-300</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, commented, “Today we complete our multi-billion dollar fleet transformation with the purchase of seven additional A330-900s, which we know our customers and our staff love to fly. Operating the youngest fleet is the most effective tool to decarbonize long-haul aviation, and we are proud to operate one of the youngest, most fuel and carbon-efficient fleets across the Atlantic.”
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer of Airbus, added, “We are grateful for Virgin Atlantic’s decision to expand their A330neo fleet as part of their strategy to have the youngest fleet across the Atlantic. The A330neo not only offers an unbeatable cost per seat and exceptional passenger experience but also greatly enhances Virgin Atlantic’s fleet efficiency and contributes to their sustainability journey. We look forward to continuing this successful and smooth collaboration for many years.”
The A330neo features the Airspace cabin, offering passengers greater comfort, larger overhead compartments, new lighting systems, and onboard entertainment and connectivity systems. Powered by the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 can fly 13,300 km non-stop. As of June 2024, the A330 family had accumulated 1,798 firm orders from over 130 customers worldwide, including 319 A330neos from 30 customers.
</article>

In with the new: Virgin Atlantic adds seven Airbus A330neo and retires its A330-300s

Virgin Atlantic will suspend its non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong starting October 25, 2024. The route is currently operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with daily flights. Its Skyteam partner, China Eastern, and British Airways will continue to operate this segment. The British airline has flown to Mainland China uninterruptedly since 1999 (except for a suspension period due to the pandemic until May 2023).
The decision to cease flights to China&#8217;s main financial hub is based on the route&#8217;s need to detour through Europe and the Caucasus due to the restriction of Russian airspace. This detour increases the operational costs of the route by extending flight duration and additional fuel consumption, making Shanghai a commercially unviable destination.
With the cessation of operations to Shanghai, Virgin Atlantic exits the East Asian market, having previously stopped flying to Tokyo-Narita in February 2015 and Hong Kong in January 2022.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the British airline continues to grow in India. At the end of March, it began a new service to Bangalore, and for the start of the winter season, it is adding a second daily flight to Mumbai.
During the pandemic, Virgin Atlantic started flying to Pakistan, but it proved to be unprofitable and the service was canceled. The company has not yet announced where the aircraft previously used for the Shanghai route will be redeployed.
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="http://aviacionline.com/2024/06/virgin-atlantic-returns-to-canada-with-flights-to-toronto-and-begins-partnership-with-westjet/">Virgin Atlantic returns to Canada with flights to Toronto and begins partnership with WestJet</a>

United Kingdom