Year: 2022

In the January 2023 edition of Airliner World, we kick-off another jam-packed issue by grabbing a coveted seat on Virgin Atlantic’s much-anticipated inaugural flight to Tampa – a route plied exclusively by its new flagship, the Airbus A330neo. We hear from key players at the UK carrier, including its chief customer and operating officer, to find out why the widebody type is such a game-changer, and what the addition of Tampa brings to its wider network. Plus, we provide our expert verdict with a flight review of their A330neo. We journey to Kazakhstan to learn how Air Astana is transforming its business and cementing its position as the leading airline in the region as we sit down with key senior management figures from the flag carrier, including its president and CEO. From one chief executive to another, we head to Guernsey to gain a fascinating insight into Aurigny with CEO Nico Bezuidenhout. We also explore why the Boeing 707 was so popular with British carriers, experience the next level of realism with flight simulators and talk sustainability with United Airlines. We discover why Antalya is such a plane spotter’s paradise and gain a unique insight into the logistics of photographing Lufthansa’s maiden Dreamliner from a helicopter.

Boeing 747 Special! in the December 2022 edition of Airliner World, we pay homage to one of the most iconic aircraft ever built – the Boeing 747. as the final examples roll off the production line, we have special ‘Boeing 747 Queens of the Skies’ content featuring an alluring range of articles. We chart the jumbo’s development, explore the many variants and models, plus hear memories from pilots who flew (and still fly) the quad-jet. We speak to Cathay Pacific, join a reader on his final 747-400 trip, and present a snapshot of eye-catching special liveries. Also, we travel to Norway, from where we join the flight deck crew of a Widerøe Embraer E190-E2 –part of our ‘From the Cockpit’ series – on a rotation to the Arctic north, before sitting down with the airline’s chief executive. Staying in the Nordics, we visit fledgling airline, Flyr, and meet the company’s CEO to learn more about her unusual approach to running a low-cost carrier. If airports are more your passion, then you’re in for a treat with not one, but TWO fascinating full-length features covering Innsbruck, Austria and Melbourne, Australia. Other highlights include how Qatar and its neighbours are gearing up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In the November 2022 edition of Airliner World, we’ve an exclusive preview of KLM’s brand-new Premium Comfort cabin. Editor-at-large Gordon Smith tested the product first-hand as he grabbed a much-anticipated seat onboard a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner between Schiphol and New York/JFK. We speak to key senior figures from the project team to gain their insight into KLM’s first clean-sheet cabin since the introduction of World Business Class. Elsewhere, we head to Florida to check out Orlando’s game-changing new South Terminal C. We discover how this multi-billion-dollar investment will give passengers a memorable experience while simultaneously helping the airport to serve the rapidly growing market in the Sunshine State. Other highlights include the second instalment of our special Sofia coverage as we fly not once, but twice onboard the iconic stargazing 747SP ahead of the jet’s impending retirement. in a new series, we recount the background and subsequent investigation into the Staines Disaster of 1972 – the UK’s deadliest ever air accident. We also analyse the rapidly growing Indian aviation market, talk EVO with ATR, and sit down with the president of Jetcraft’s commercial aviation division. Finally, we pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II and her relationship with aviation.

In Airliner World October 2022, we begin this jam-packed issue in Dubai as we sit down with one of the industry’s most well-known and respected leaders, Sir Tim Clark – president of Emirates. We reflect on his fascinating 50 years in the airline business, from his early BCal days at Gatwick to top role at one of the world’s best-known carriers. We kick off the first of a special two-part series on Sofia, a unique Boeing 747SP airborne observatory jointly operated by NASA and Germany’s DLR, covering its history and development to revolutionary missions scanning the cosmos. Those who enjoy airport action are in for a treat with two separate features. We explore why Lithuania’s gateways are emerging from the pandemic in remarkably robust shape, before crossing the Baltic Sea to Scandinavia and seeing the evolution of Norway’s most important hub: Oslo/Gardermoen.

In the September 2022 edition of Airliner World, we pay tribute to legendary British entrepreneur and aviation pioneer, Sir Freddie Laker, as we mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. in our special coverage, we begin by charting the early days of Sir Freddie, look at his interesting business diversification in the post-war boom, explore the rise of Laker Airways and the iconic Skytrain service, before finally heading to the Bahamas. Plus, we have an Exclusive tribute to Sir Freddie from fellow British aviation entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson. Also in this issue, editor-at-large Gordon Smith grabbed a seat on the much-anticipated inaugural rotation of Norse Atlantic Airways, and we sat down with the airline’s CEO, Bjørn Tore Larsen, to learn more about the fledgling firm in the transatlantic market. We find out about Airbus’ game-changing A321XLR as we travel to Hamburg, location of the type’s first flight, and we stay in Germany to find out how Condor’s recently introduced branding came about – and reaction to it. We also present a debrief of the major deals and developments from 2022’s Farnborough Airshow, explain the intriguing developments at some of London’s gateways, get a glimpse of Virgin Atlantic’s incoming A330neos, and present a fascinating retro snapshot of Rotterdam.

In the August 2022 edition of Airliner World, we kick-off this jam-packed issue with a retrospective look at Switzerland’s former flag carrier, Swissair. While we detail the remarkable history of this once European aviation heavyweight, we explain how Swissair went from flying high to its collapse two decades ago. Elsewhere, we journey back to the Isle of Wight in the 1930s in our fascinating feature on the Spartan Cruiser. Meanwhile, those with more contemporary tastes will be fulfilled by our look at Europe’s ‘mini airliner’ sector, as we investigate how manufacturers of three small, but very different aircraft types are vying to remain competitive in a congested market. We then criss-cross the globe, first to California, with a dedicated airport feature on San Bernardino, before covering more traditional topics as we head to South Africa for an in-depth profile of Airlink. It’s then from the south to the far north as we ventured to Iceland and spoke to the CEO of the country’s start-up, Niceair. We also sat down with India-based Vistara’s CEO to discuss growth strategy.

In the July 2022 edition of Airliner World, we head ‘Down Under’ following the blockbuster deal between Qantas and Airbus. With this landmark moment for Australian aviation, the order – which includes the A350-1000 – will make the flag carrier’s much anticipated Project Sunrise a reality, with record-breaking, direct flights such as Sydney-London planned from late 2025. We detail the developments, and provide historical context and analysis; plus, we cover additional information from the commitment regarding Qantas’ narrowbody fleet renewal. We stay in the Southern Hemisphere and journey to Brazil as Embraer marks 20 years since its first E-Jet took flight. We learn about the programme’s development from those instrumental to its success and discover the type’s importance to air transport as praised by the operators who fly them. Meanwhile, with Summer rapidly approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, we get in the holiday mood with Lufthansa spin-off, Eurowings Discover, as we speak to the firm’s CEO, and board one of their long-haul rotations. Elsewhere, we speak with Royal Jordanian Airlines’ chief executive to discuss post-pandemic strategy.

In the June 2022 edition of Airliner World, we journey down memory lane to remember British Airways’ eye-catching, but ultimately unsuccessful, ‘World Images’ rebranding. in June 1997, the first of a planned 50 tail designs were unveiled and, although a treat for aviation enthusiasts, they soon felt the wrath of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. While analysing the rise and fall of this radical redesign, Airliner World illustrates each of the 34 tails to adorn any aircraft, while unearthing several schemes that never left the drawing board. Elsewhere, we recount the fascinating story of the ill-fated Bristol Brabazon, which made its first flight in September 1949, and was Britain’s largest civilian aircraft ever produced. Those with more contemporary tastes are well catered for as Airliner World was onboard Etihad Airways’ maiden Airbus A350 revenue service between Abu Dhabi and Paris. We also joined airBaltic onboard the world’s longest scheduled passenger route flown by an A220. And, on the theme of long-haul narrowbody rotations, we look back at ANA’s unique 737-700ER operations.

In the May 2022 edition of Airliner World, we pay tribute to the iconic Antonov An-225 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We reflect on the life and legacy of the world’s largest aircraft, from the six-engined jet’s initial missions carrying the Buran space shuttle, to its return to the air in 2001 and its record-breaking outsized cargo work. We then ask what lies ahead for the giant airliner? Turning our attention elsewhere, we look at the fascinating but brief history of the Fairchild Dornier 728JET, an innovative type which could have shaken up the regional jet market. Meanwhile, to quench those with more contemporary tastes, we learn about Alaska-based start-up, Northern Pacific Airways, as it unveiled its ambitious Pacific-hopping plans and its first Boeing 757. Freighter fans are also well represented with articles on Airbus’ new cargo airline offering BelugaSTs for charter hire and Richard Schuurman speaks to some of the key players in the thriving conversion sector.

In the April 2022 edition of Airliner World, we take flight to Africa and examine the current shape of aviation on the continent. While specific factors have historically hindered aviation potential here, such as higher fares, fragmentation amid an absence of local cooperation and a lack of direct flights, there remains optimism for the future, including from new partnerships, transport and trade policies along with a younger, growing population. Elsewhere, we turn back the clock and explore how US-based manufacturer Convair fared in the commercial jet-powered airline market with Convair 880 and 990 as it battled immense competition from Boeing and Douglas, in particular. Keeping with the USA theme, we have extensive features covering the unique regional carrier JSX as well as fledgling Miami-based firm GlobalX. As Airliner World incorporates its sister magazine, Airports of the World, we’re excited to bring more airport-related content. in this edition we look at New York/JFK’s multi-billion-dollar regeneration programme.