JuliusWong

7 OCTOBER 2013 Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a purchase agreement for 31 A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s), plus options for a further 25 aircraft. This is JAL’s first ever order for Airbus aircraft.* It is also the first order Airbus has received from Japan for the A350 XWB, confirming its continuing success with world leading airlines across the globe. JAL and Airbus aim for entry into service from 2019, with the airline’s A350 XWBs gradually replacing its ageing fleet approximately over a six year period. “We will utilize the A350 XWB to maximum, which offers high level of operational efficiency and product competitiveness, while positively catering to new business opportunities after slots at airports in Tokyo are increased,” said Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines. “In addition to improving profitability with advanced aircraft, we always aim to deliver unparalleled services to customers with the latest cabin and steady expansion of our route network.” More info: http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/airbus-and-japan-airlines-sign-their-first-ever-order/# Congrats to Airbus, Japan Airlines and Rolls Royce! Boeing's strongest hold has now been broken down by John Leahy and his team!!!

Oct 19th to BWN with B787, coming back to KL with A319 on 27th Oct. B787 flight to KL is zero-ed out for BWN-KUL for rest of the month don't know why....

I will be doing KUL-BWN on 19th October 2013....

The newer A330HGWs kill off the B77A and B772ER. Correct. Going Places has listed 15 B777s since early January. Seems like their fate has been decided earlier on. With A330HGWs taking over most of B777's role, I supposed all B777s will be retired. -MRK and -MRI had left so far.

B777-2H6ER 9M-MRI is ferried to Lourdes on 3rd-4th Oct for scrapping. Bye MRI!

First Thai Lion Air B737-9GPER HS-LTI is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfiguy/10092647184/in/photostream/ The website is also up: http://www.lionair.co.th/ I wonder why would Thai government opposed to set up of Thai Tiger Air previously, but not Thai Lion Air. On a bright note, I bet that there would be a lot of ex JetAsia Airways, Thai Sky Airlines, Phuket Air, R Airlines, City Airways, Crystal Thai Airlines, Happy Air, P C Air, Solar Air, Sunny Airways, U Airlines ex/ current crews hopping over......

That's a transformation 360! Congrats to Brunei!

That B744 would be Iraqi Airways B747-4H6 YI-ASA, ex Malaysia Airlines 9M-MPO cn 28433/1290.

She is now 41,000ft above sea level over Japan! BI5787. Royal Brunei first B787-8 Dreamliner....

I saw it taking off as well the other day, unfortunately with the US Government shut down, President Obama will not be visiting Malaysia anymore. At least for now.

Yes indeed! MH operated/is operating every single members of B737 family except -600 and -900(at least for now). -700 was operated for government for a short period in early 90s.

True, the ATR training centre in Singapore makes it easier for airlines around the region to send their cadet pilots/ pilots for certification. In addition, the cost of ownership of Dash 8 is unfavourable. A good read on ATR 72 vs, Dash Q400: http://theflyingengineer.com/aircraft/proud-to-fly-a-turboprop-q400-vs-atr72/

The B737 fleet itself is enough confusing....Aren't we glad that the older A330s are gone......lolx

Another new ATR operator for South East Asia. Seems like Bombardier Dash 8 is being squeezed out of South East Asian market.

Royal Brunei is taking delivery of V8-DLA on coming Thursday, 3rd October 2013. A new era will begin soon.......

The B787 flight has been zero-ed out by after 19th October.....I wonder what happened.

A330-322 cn 107 9M-MKG has been sent to Tupelo for scrapping. B737-4H6 msn 27087/2441 9M-MMQ was re-registered as N114JF Bank of Utah

9M-XXM routes after delivery: XAX522 seen @ 2013-09-24 07:30 UTC on route from KUL to HND XAX237 seen @ 2013-09-24 02:27 UTC on route from PER to KUL XAX237 seen @ 2013-09-23 22:57 UTC on route from PER to KUL XAX236 seen @ 2013-09-23 17:24 UTC on route from KUL to PER XAX236 seen @ 2013-09-23 16:20 UTC on route from KUL to PER XAX689 seen @ 2013-09-12 02:19 UTC on route from KUL to PER

On 3rd Sept, I saw one of the two A330 Batavia used to own at SZB, she was engineless and looked very dirty. It must be ex PK-YVJ cn 205. I heard that D7 is taking her too. Both cn 330 and cn 205 are GE powered. Incidentally, 9M-XAD cn 330 used to fly with Aer Lingus, same as 9M-XAA A330-301 cn 054. Having said that, 9M-XXM A330-343X ex-KA B-HWJ was delivered recently to D7 too.

Guys and ladies, a minor adjustment: First flight on 18th October 2013, BI423 to SIN, not 19th Oct. Don't think they will take twin engines to replace their B744 or A343; maybe for their B762. B747-8i has a chance though. A380 definitely no as the runway at Brunei International Airport cannot handle such huge load.

I would think that it is a brilliant idea in allowing pax to pre-select their meal. With MAS currently really short-handed, this initiative is most welcome. I wonder how did MH get to this level? Last time it was bloated with too many staff, now understaff, at least at cabin crew dept. Ok, I am getting off track. *hide*

I was thinking it might be that the AirAsia Japan CEO [before the bitter divorce] was at loggerhead with the ANA Group or ANA CEO, that's why he chose to leave the mother company.

Humans of the Earth, I bring you good news. KUL and SIN will be flown initially on trial run basis with RB new B787. I booked my inaugural flight on 19th October, doing BWN-SIN-BWN return. BI423 6:30pm flight will be RB's first B787 commercial flight, if all goes well. http://airlineroute.net/2013/09/15/bi-sinkul-oct13/

Quite a common practice by airline. China Airlines is a good example.

http://news.yahoo.com/thai-airways-skids-off-runway-14-passengers-hurt-062411854.html 14 pax was injured mostly during evacuation. "After the accident, workers on a crane blacked out the Thai Airways logo on the tail and body of the aircraft, as part of an effort to protect its image according to Star Alliance guidelines, an official said. It was the second mishap in less than two weeks for Thailand's national carrier. The incident occurred less than two weeks after 20 passengers were injured when a Thai Airways Airbus A380 hit severe turbulence as it was descending to Hong Kong's airport."