Articles by jamesm

The October 2026 issue of Airliner World brings together airline transformation, fleet history and some of the biggest questions facing commercial aviation today. We examine KLM’s efforts to restore its fortunes through its ambitious Back on Track programme, while Chris Croot assesses whether the Airbus A380 is enjoying an unlikely renaissance. in Asia, Lee Cross charts Hong Kong Airlines’ first two decades and its latest reinvention, while Robert Veitch travels to Toronto to discover how Porter Airlines has emerged as one of North America’s most interesting airline success stories. Elsewhere, we celebrate 80 years of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, uncover the fascinating story of Morocco’s royal aircraft fleet and explore the financial and operational challenges involved in making air travel more accessible for passengers with disabilities.

Focus on Farnborough The September 2026 issue of Airliner World is packed with exclusive reports, interviews and in-depth analysis from across the commercial aviation industry. We bring you all the highlights from this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, with Thomas Haynes reporting from one of the industry’s biggest events and examining the major announcements, orders and talking points to emerge from the show. We also head to Copenhagen as SAS unveils the biggest aircraft order in its history. Elsewhere, we examine what Boeing’s new 737 MAX production line at Everett means for the narrowbody programme, travel to Rome to learn more about Wizz Air’s package holiday offering and visit the Caribbean to meet FlyMontserrat and discover the story behind the almost 40-year-old airline. We also chart the meteoric rise and fall of American Trans Air, once the largest charter carrier in the United States, and explore how airlines today are increasingly using ACMI as a strategic tool to manage risk, protect revenue and stabilise their networks.

The August 2026 issue of Airliner World celebrates Lufthansa’s centenary in style, led by the special-liveried Boeing 747 gracing the cover. Inside, we visit Hangar One, the German flag carrier’s new conference and visitor centre at Frankfurt Airport, bring together the complete collection of Lufthansa’s bespoke ‘Super Crane’ anniversary liveries, and feature an edited extract from Andreas Spaeth’s new book Lufthansa – 100 Years of Innovation, exploring how the airline evolved through the 1990s after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Elsewhere, Richard Schuurman looks ahead to Farnborough Airshow, where the aerospace industry gathers in Hampshire amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, while Thomas Haynes reports on key talking points from the IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro. We also head to Cardiff as WestJet launches its inaugural service to Toronto and sit down with Condor CEO Peter Gerber to find out why the German leisure carrier is seeking a partner to secure its long-term future. There’s also the remarkable story of Thailand’s first preserved Airbus A380, Robin Evans’ look back at Concorde 001’s record-breaking 1973 solar eclipse mission, and Keith Mwanalushi’s analysis of how Africa’s low-cost carriers have adapted the budget airline model for a unique continent. Plus, Babak Taghvaee reports on Mahan Air’s efforts to bring five Boeing 777-200ERs back into service, while Lee Cross continues the story of the Boeing 747 in America.

Transforming a Titan Inside the July 2026 issue of Airliner World, we lead with Transforming a Titan, a detailed look at British Airways’ major transformation programme. First announced in 2024, the initiative represents one of the most significant periods of change for the UK flag carrier in recent years, touching everything from customer experience and fleet investment to technology, operations and the airline’s wider brand positioning. Bernie Baldwin reports on the key elements of the programme, its progress so far, and what it could mean for the future of BA. Meanwhile, Keith Mwanalushi marks a decade since the Airbus A220 made its commercial debut. Once regarded as something of an underdog, the “little jet that could” has become one of the most talked about aircraft in its class – but where does the programme go next? Lee Cross turns back the clock to examine the early US career of the Boeing 747, exploring how the jumbo jet became a symbol of glamour and ambition, while also presenting airlines with a very real commercial challenge. While, Martin Needham investigates the demise of Spirit Airlines and the sizeable gap its collapse has left in the US aviation industry.

The June 2026 issue of Airliner World takes readers from the flight deck to the desert, from the Caribbean to Cyprus, and from the cabins of tomorrow to the airline crises of today. We join SunExpress at London/Gatwick for the unveiling of its striking new ‘Eagle’ livery and speak to commercial director Helmut Wölfel, before reflecting on the MD-11’s fading role as the iconic trijet moves deeper into its operational twilight. This month, we also examine what defines a challenging ‘Category C’ airport, recall the remarkable return of a Boeing 747-400 from storage at Victorville, and report from United Airlines’ major passenger experience showcase. Elsewhere, interCaribbean Airways CEO Trevor Sadler discusses the colourful carrier’s island-hopping network, while our Aircraft Interiors Expo 2026 coverage reveals the latest innovations heading for future cabins. Also inside, we investigate the complex aviation fallout from the war in Iran, chart the rise and fall of the original Cyprus Airways, and look at how Aer Lingus has shaped its modern identity as it prepares to mark 90 years of flying.

MRO Americas has made its way back to Orlando, Florida, and the great and the good in this vital sector of the airline business will gather there from April 21-23, 2026. the time is propitious for Airliner World to examine some recent market developments in a special supplement compiled and produced by Bernie Baldwin. The structure of an aircraft is obviously its most visible element. Taking care of an airframe and keeping it airworthy is vital. Two MRO organisations which perform that task – one attached to an OEM, Embraer Services & Support, the other a global provider of such services, FL Technics – know the market, the investments required and the processes and procedures needed to achieve that goal. They discuss each of those subjects and the delivery of their services. Customer service programmes offer a mix of flexibility alongside cost control, as valuable in an industry as fluid in aviation. Airbus, ATR, Mhirj and Pratt & Whitney explain the value of providing a single point of contact for the customer and the ways in which they believe the packages they offer have an edge over those of the competition.

Cathay Specific Airliner World May 2026 is led by a landmark anniversary feature on Cathay Pacific, as the Hong Kong carrier marks 80 years of operations. From inside its headquarters, this in-depth report explores how the airline is rebuilding and repositioning itself for the future, balancing its long-haul legacy with the realities of a rapidly evolving global market. From there, the issue broadens into a compelling mix of industry analysis, airline insight and first-hand reporting. a visit to ATR’s Toulouse headquarters examines the manufacturer’s bold ambitions in the United States, offering a detailed look at strategy, market challenges and the ongoing effort to reshape perceptions of turboprop travel. Aircraft development and heritage are also central themes. as Boeing approaches the first flight of the 777-9, we reflect on the history and significance of the 777X programme, placing its long-awaited debut into context. Alongside this, a retrospective on Britain’s Boeing 727 operations explores why one of the world’s most successful trijets struggled to gain traction in the UK market.

Flight Training in the Spotlight the April 2026 issue of Airliner World places aviation’s future firmly in the spotlight with the return of our Flight Training Guide, an in-depth supplement designed for aspiring aviators. With airlines once again expanding and demand for skilled personnel rising, the guide explores the industry outlook for pilots and cabin crew, examines airline-sponsored training schemes around the world, and follows the real-life journey of trainee pilot Josh Eyre as he navigates pathways to the flight deck. We also visit Manchester-based SkyPeople Training to see how the company is helping to raise global standards in cabin crew instruction. This edition also delivers a diverse mix of global reporting and aviation insight. in Canada, Daniel Johnston flies with Iskwew Air – the country’s first Indigenous and female-owned airline – discovering how the carrier is connecting communities while championing representation in aviation. Meanwhile, Ian Harbison reports on BlueLight Humanitarian Airlines, the ambitious start-up project that plans to deploy Airbus A340s and A321P2Fs to deliver rapid disaster relief around the world. Fleet developments and industry strategy are also high on the agenda. Reporting from Toulouse, Thomas Haynes explores Airbus’ plans for the A350F, the European manufacturer’s bold attempt to challenge Boeing’s long-standing dominance in the large freighter market. Across the Atlantic, American Airlines prepares for another major fleet evolution as the Airbus A321XLR begins to play a pivotal role in reshaping parts of its network.

Getting Nifty WITH the A350 the cover story of the March 2026 issue of Airliner World puts readers on board a landmark moment for European aviation, as Swiss International Air Lines introduces its new long-haul flagship. Reporting from the historic inaugural passenger flight, Thomas Haynes delivers an in-depth look at the airline’s Airbus A350 debut – exploring what the aircraft means for Swiss’ network, product and long-term strategy, while capturing the atmosphere of a truly milestone journey. Beyond the cover, the issue delivers a global industry perspective. at the International Air Transport Association’s Global Media Day, industry leaders – including Director General Willie Walsh – outline the challenges and opportunities shaping 2026, from supply chain disruption to sustainability and taxation pressures. Growth and transformation are recurring themes throughout the magazine. Wizz Air marks a major fleet milestone at 250 aircraft while signalling its ambitions for the years ahead, and Bournemouth Airport sets out plans to secure its future on the UK south coast. in the US, Pittsburgh International Airport unveils the first completely new from-the-ground-up terminal built in the country since the pandemic.

Emirates: LIFE After the A380 The eye-catching cover star of the February 2026 edition of Airliner World, incorporating Airports of the World, is Emirates Airbus A380-861, A6-EOD, captured flying out of Manchester in June 2025 in its special Official Airline Partner of the NBA livery. as the world’s largest operator of the superjumbo, it is hard to imagine what Emirates would look like without the A380 in its fleet. so that’s precisely what Andreas Spaeth explored when he spoke to the carrier’s president, Sir Tim Clark, about Emirates’ plans with and beyond the A380. Meanwhile, German leisure carrier Condor has said auf wiedersehen to an aircraft that has been the workhorse of its fleet for many years, the Boeing 757-300. Airliner World was on board the farewell flight between Frankfurt and Vienna and spoke to the carrier’s CCO Christian Schmitt about the lasting impact the Seattle rocket left on the airline.