Friday Aviation News

Yes it is a Saturday. Apologies.

• Airline blunders in the past: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4691230/
• Today is the last day of the Northwest Airline call sign (label pilots use for calling their own aircraft through radio contact with air traffic control (atc) . Also last day for their website. A great era of aviation ends...today. 
• 14 great sights from an airplane: http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=14+Sights+From+an+Airplane:+Golden+Gate+Bridge&cid=msn1127287&gt1=41000
• CO increases EWR-LHR (Newak-London Heathrow) from 3 daily flights to 4 daily flights.
• Jetstar picks Singapore (SIN) as Asian Hub; applies for SIN-NRT (Tokyo) route.
• US Airlines drops from Philadelphia (PHL): Shannon, Ireland (SNN) Milan, Italy (MXP) Birmingham, England (BHX) and Stockholm, Sweden (ARL). All were to be operated with a 752. 
• Ethiopian Airliner crashes near Beirut. A Boeing 737-800, 7th hull lost for the 738, still none for other 737 NGs. Speculation indicates it could have been struck by lightning among poor weather. Chance of survivors very minimal. 

Friday Aviation News

• Powerhouse Southwest Airlines announces 37th consecutive annual profit. (impressive)
• Malaysia Airlines announces future announcements..."restructuring of U.S. routes, 2nd New Zealand destination besides Auckland, new destinations in Japan, three new Middle East destinations, A380 to LHR and SYD (no friggin duh), increase on frequencies on SE Asia routes." Typically vague.
• But wait there's more MAS. A380s will seat 510 pax, introduce "Super Economy".
• United switching to airbus widebodies in replacing 744s. A359s anyone?
• Emirates empire continues to expand A380 service. DXB-LHR, MAN, PEK, JFK, PVG, YYZ, ICN, SYD, AKL, BKK, CDG, JED

Friday Aviation News

• More United Airlines and Continental Airlines merger rumors. They are now both part of the same alliance, and merger seems inevitable. But not yet, in my opinion. Both have work to do. United has to continue to improve, as Continental shifts its network from alliance to alliance. 
• Numerous flight tests for the Boeing 787. All is well, so we hear, for now! 2nd test flight had issues with main landing gear, but Boeing claims it was nothing major. 
• Chuck Yeager, the first guy to break the sound barrier, sued Virgin America on using his name in his ad. "Not unlike Buzz Aldrin or Chuck Yeager, you have the opportunity to be a part of a monumental moment in air travel
  
  
  
  . The communication highway now has wings with in-flight WiFi at every seat ..." Chuck Yeager is a public figure and obtained his fame from public funds, so Virgin America has every right to use his name, as he is referred to for his accomplishments, not his awe in Virgin America's WiFi. Please Chuck, you're a great guy, and this ad helps you if anything. This kindof dampens his coolness factor for me. Be modest. 
  
• Debate continues over air security. My take should be up sometime this week. Some are suggesting Israeli like intense security with questioning. Others say different. It's a mess.
• A key part of the security issue is 3d body scanners. Maybe we should buy stock in them. 
• Japan Airlines weighs bankrupt filing. Rumors state, and rumors mind you, that JAL could potentially get rid of international flights. ANA would be thrilled. 
• Another rumor to add to the pile. Emirates to Miami. 
• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is already using full body scanners on flights to the U.S.
• KLM for sure to start HGH (Hangzhou, China) service from its hub in AMS (Amsterdam). It will be the first to operate a European nonstop flight from Hangzhou. HGH is one hour away from PVG (Shanghai).  

Happy New Year! A list of airlines that folded this year: http://crankyflier.com/2009/12/31/airlines-we-lost-in-2009/