The company has been incredibly busy at this year’s event, with new deals signed with Swiss, Thai Airways and China Airlines.  

kicked off on May 28, 2024, and runs through until the end of May 30, 2024.聽

厂飞颈蝉蝉听听

Airbus will retrofit the Swiss in-service fleet of A320 family aircraft with Airspace L-Bins giving its customers access to 60% more capacity when storing their hand luggage.聽聽

鈥淢anufactured by EFW, L-Bins are the simplest and most cost-effective solution for A320 Family operators to increase the overhead cabin bag space,鈥� Airbus said in a statement. 

The retrofit will include three Swiss A320s and five A321s.  

Airbus signed previous agreements with Lufthansa and Iberia for L-Bins installations with work set to start in 2025. 

Airbus also confirmed that during Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024 two undisclosed customers selected Airspace L-Bins upgrades.聽聽

Thai Airways聽

Airbus鈥� new deal with Thai Airways will see 20 former Thai Smile Airways fitted with new business class seats.聽聽

The 20 Thai Smile A320ceo aircraft became part of Thai Airways when the ex-subsidiary was integrated into the parent company in December 2023.  

The A320s will be fitted with reclining business class seats which marks Airbus鈥� first-ever cabin retrofit for a single-aisle fleet in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Airbus Services will oversee the installation of 12 business class seats on each A320ceo, thus upgrading the Thai Smile planes.  

Upon completion, the A320s will transition to a two-class configuration, comprising 12 business class and 144 economy class seats. 

The A320s were previously an all-economy configuration, carrying between 168 and 174 passengers. 

The retrofit work is scheduled to begin later this year.聽聽

China Airlines聽

Airbus and the Taiwanese carrier China Airlines have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for 15 A350-900s to be retrofitted with a new layout and amenities.聽聽

Airbus will oversee the installation of China Airlines鈥� latest premium business class, premium economy class and economy class seats on the aircraft. 

As well as the seat upgrades the cabins will be installed with the latest in-flight entertainment, full connectivity throughout and an upgraded cabin. 

“We are honored to be selected by China Airlines to upgrade its A350 fleet. The airline精东影业 existing layout had already been one of the most luxurious in the industry and we are excited to support China Airlines to elevate this to yet another level,” said Cristina Aguilar, Senior Vice President of Airbus Customer Services.  

As of April 2024, China Airlines operates 15 A350-900s, 18 A330-300s and 12 A321neos. 

ATR reveals advanced designs for Highline all-business-class turboprop interiors

• Aircraft

byLuke Peters

2024-05-29

Seattle is known both for its economic diversity and for being home to tech startups. As one of the largest cities in Washington State and an essential portal for trade in the Pacific Northwest, the city精东影业 business travel market boasts strong development potential, according to the carrier. 

The new service is scheduled to commence on July 14, 2024, and will be operated by the carrier精东影业 Airbus A350-900 fleet.聽聽聽

The new service will depart Taipei (TPE) every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The 11-hour outbound flight (carrying flight number CI022) will depart from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport at 23:30, arriving in Seattle at 19:50 local time. The return flight (flight number CI021) will take off from Seattle at 01:40 local time, arriving back at Taipei at 05:05 the following morning. The return flight is expected to take around 13 hours. The route is 6,074 miles (or 9,718km) in length.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

The flight arrival times have been carefully coordinated so that onward connection possibilities are maximized at both ends of the route, with transfers available at Seattle to most major US cities throughout the evening.聽聽聽聽聽聽

By commencing this new service, China Airlines is seeking to take advantage of strong demand for travel between the US and Taiwan, booming since the lifting of pandemic-related travel restrictions. Indeed, over 50 million passengers passed through Seattle Airport in 2023, making it the largest airport in Northwest US.聽聽

China Airlines has operated in the North American market for more than 50 years and currently flies to five major cities in the US and Canada, including Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario, California (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK), and Vancouver (YVR).  

Interestingly, the scheduled non-stop service to Ontario was the first of its kind from Asia directly serving Silicon Valley and the tech industries that are clustered around that area of California. The airline refers to this as its 鈥渄ual airport-one city configuration鈥� and has up to three flights a day serving the Greater Los Angeles region, along with its daily services to Los Angeles International Airport.  

With the introduction of the Seattle route in July 2024, China Airlines will have over 40 flights per week to North America.  

According to ch-aviation, China Airlines operates a fleet of 15 A350-900s which each seat a total of 306 passengers across three cabins (32 in business class, 31 in premium economy, and 243 in economy class).聽聽聽聽

Exploring the use of robotics and automation to enhance airport ground handling

• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-07-06

鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

In an interview with Bloomberg, the president of China Airlines, Kao Shing-Hwang said the airline is looking at either the Airbus A350-1000 or the Boeing 777X to replace its current Boeing 777-300ERs.

According to ch-aviation.com data, China Airlines currently has 10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with an average age of 8.3 years. While the fleet is yet to enter the second half of its useful life, with limited delivery slots for the A350-1000 and 777X in the near-term future, the airline presumably wants to jump ahead of the foreseeable retirement of the 10 aircraft.

In addition to the 777-300ERs, China Airlines also operates seven Boeing 777F and 14 Airbus A350-900s.

That means that integrating either the 777X or the A350-1000 into its fleet would be possible without introducing an additional cockpit type, considering Boeing is looking to certify the 777X as the derivative of the original 777.

However, while Airbus delivered the first A350-1000 in February 2018, Boeing is still in the process of certifying the 777X.

China Airlines Boeing 777-300ERs are configured in a three-class layout with 358 seats split between Business (40), Premium Economy (62), and Economy (256) classes. The carrier精东影业 Airbus A350-900s fit 306 passengers, with 32 in Business, 31 in Premium Economy, and 243 in Economy Class seats.

On its product page for the A350-1000, Airbus says that the aircraft 鈥渃omfortably accommodates from 350 to 410 passengers in a standard three-class configuration, with 40% more area for premium-category seating鈥�.

Meanwhile, Boeing advertises the 777-8 and 777-9 seating 395 and 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration, respectively, adding that both types have a cabin that is 鈥�16 in. [40.6 centimeters] wider than the competition鈥�.

China Airlines opting for the smaller 777-8 would be a surprising move, bucking an industry trend of airlines choosing the larger 777-9. At the same time, it could order both the 777-8F and 777-9, covering its future cargo and passenger aircraft needs.

Boeing reveals 777X-8 only has eight net orders, shows 737 MAX split

• Aircraft

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-08-10

Aerodynamics is a fascinating field that governs the behavior of objects in the air, including airplanes. The principles of aerodynamics are crucial for designing safe and efficient aircraft. One common question that often arises is whether planes can fly upside down. The image of an inverted aircraft defies our understanding of traditional flight, but the answer to this question lies deep within the complexities of aerodynamics.  

Therefore, in this article, we鈥檒l delve into the key concepts of aerodynamics and examine the feasibility and limitations of inverted flights for different types of airplanes.  

Fundamentals of aerodynamics 

Aerodynamics is the study of how air interacts with solid bodies, such as airplanes, and the forces that result from this interaction. The most fundamental forces at play during flight are lift, weight, thrust and drag. Lift is the upward force that opposes gravity and keeps the aircraft airborne. Thrust, provided by the engines, propels the aircraft forward, while drag is the resistance to motion caused by air friction. Working together, these forces enable stable flight.

Generating lift 

Lift is primarily generated by the shape of an aircraft’s wings. Airfoils, the cross-sectional profiles of wings, are carefully designed to create low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it when the plane is in motion. This pressure difference creates an upward force, lifting the aircraft against the force of gravity. When the plane is flying right side up, the wing’s shape and orientation work optimally to generate lift. 

Inverted flight – the challenge 

Inverted flight, or flying upside down, poses a significant challenge for airplanes due to the change in the wing’s orientation and the direction of lift. In this situation, the wing’s shape, which usually generates lift efficiently, becomes detrimental to maintaining flight. As the wing’s top surface faces downwards, it creates higher pressure above and lower pressure below, causing a net downward force instead of the desired upward lift. Consequently, the plane tends to lose altitude rapidly.

Overcoming the challenge 

While it is difficult for conventional airplanes to maintain inverted flight for extended periods, certain aircraft, like aerobatic planes and fighter jets, are designed to perform aerobatic maneuvers, including inverted flight. These aircraft have symmetrical airfoils that allow them to generate lift effectively regardless of their orientation. Moreover, they are equipped with powerful engines and advanced control systems to provide the necessary thrust and stability during aerobatic maneuvers.

The role of thrust and control 

Inverted flight requires more than just a symmetrical wing design. Adequate thrust from the engines is essential for maintaining the necessary airspeed, especially when fighting gravity’s pull. Additionally, precise control of the aircraft’s pitch, roll and yaw is vital to keep it stable during inverted flight. Therefore, pilots of aerobatic aircraft undergo extensive training to master these maneuvers safely. 

Limitations of inverted flight 

Despite the capabilities of aerobatic planes, the inverted flight has its limitations. The engine’s fuel supply may be affected during prolonged inverted flight, as the fuel system may not be designed to handle operation upside down. Additionally, the human body is not well-suited for sustained inverted flight due to blood circulation issues, so pilots wear specialized G-suits to mitigate these effects.

How do fighter jets fly upside down? 

Fighter jets are designed for high maneuverability and are capable of flying upside down. The key to their ability to perform aerobatic maneuvers, such as inverted flight, as mentioned earlier, lies in their advanced aerodynamic design and powerful engines. Additionally, they possess powerful afterburning engines that provide ample thrust, enabling them to maintain the necessary airspeed in inverted flight. 

During aerobatic maneuvers, highly skilled fighter jet pilots carefully manage the aircraft’s controls to maintain stability and control. However, inverted flight in fighter jets is not typically sustained for extended periods, as it is primarily used for specific aerobatic displays or tactical situations where rapid changes in orientation are necessary. 

By donning anti-G suits, fighter pilots can endure more significant head-to-toe G forces, reaching up to 8 or 9 Gs, and sustain these forces for extended periods. These specialized suits employ air bladders to compress the legs and abdomen during high Gs, effectively redirecting blood to the upper body.

Can large commercial planes fly upside down?聽

Large commercial planes, such as passenger airliners, are not designed to fly upside down, and attempting to do so would be extremely dangerous and potentially catastrophic. The aerodynamic design of commercial planes, including their wing shape and configuration, is optimized for efficient level flight and safe operation within the typical flight envelope. 

Commercial airplanes are designed to generate lift efficiently when flying right side up, and their wings are not symmetrical like those of aerobatic aircraft or fighter jets. Therefore, if a large commercial plane were to attempt an inverted flight, it would experience a significant loss of lift, resulting in a rapid descent and potential loss of control. 

Moreover, the systems and structures of commercial airplanes are not designed to withstand the aerodynamic forces experienced during inverted flight. Attempting to fly a large commercial plane upside down would place tremendous stress on the airframe, potentially leading to structural failure.

Commercial aircraft incidents and stalls 

There have been real-life examples of incidents involving extreme maneuvers or aerodynamic stalls that have occurred with large commercial aircraft, such as:  

• Boeing 707 flight test, in 1955: during flight testing of the Boeing 707, a test pilot inadvertently put the aircraft into a high-speed dive. The resulting G-forces caused structural damage to the wings, leading to the loss of the aircraft. 
• China Airlines Flight 006, in 1985: this Boeing 747-SP experienced a loss of control during a steep climb after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft rolled upside down and descended rapidly before the pilots regained control. The incident resulted in damage to the aircraft, but thankfully no fatalities. 
• Air France Flight 447, in 2009: this Airbus A330 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean during a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. The accident was caused by a combination of factors, including a high-altitude stall, inconsistent airspeed readings due to pitot tube icing, and pilot error. The plane’s crew struggled to recover from the stall, leading to the tragic loss of all 228 people on board. 

Can stunt planes fly upside down? 

Stunt planes, also known as aerobatic aircraft, are purpose-built for performing aerobatic maneuvers, including sustained inverted flight. These specialized aircraft have symmetrical airfoils and powerful engines that allow them to generate lift efficiently in both right-side-up and upside-down orientations. 

Stunt pilots undergo rigorous training to master the intricacies of aerobatic maneuvers, including flying upside down. They carefully manage the aircraft’s control surfaces, throttle and other systems to maintain stability and precise control during inverted flight. These aircraft are typically lightweight and have reinforced airframes to withstand the stresses of high-G maneuvers. 

Stunt planes can perform a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers, such as loops, rolls and inverted flight, and they thrill airshow audiences with their breathtaking displays of precision and skill. 

In total, the Taiwan-based airline will add 24 aircraft of the type to its fleet over the next few years. Of the 24, six will be the 787-10, as China Airlines converted six of its orders to the largest version of the 787. 

The airline initially ordered 16 Boeing 787-9s, with eight options, in September 2022. It appears that the airline converted the eight options in May 2023, with the manufacturer精东影业 announcement reading that, previously, the order for the eight 787-9s was booked under an unidentified customer(s) in Boeing精东影业 Orders & Deliveries data. 

Airbus and Boeing split wins in Orders and Deliveries in May 2023

• Aircraft

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-06-15

However, the airline itself confirmed that it exercised the eight options on May 12, 2023. At that time, China Airlines said that deliveries of the initial order of 16 aircraft would begin in 2025, with all 24 Boeing 787s to be delivered by 2028. 鈥淭he orders may also be converted to the higher capacity 787-10 model if necessary,鈥� according to the airline精东影业 announcement. 

The eight options would be delivered from 2026 onwards. 

China Airlines confirms carrier will buy more Boeing 787 Dreamliners

• Aviation

byIan Molyneaux

2023-05-11

China Airlines鈥� order marked the first deal secured by Boeing at the Paris Air Show 2023, with Airbus, its main rival, running away with the competition so far. While the European plane maker secured a number of smaller orders, including from Qantas, Air Mauritius, and flynas, the big one came from India-based IndiGo, which ordered 500 Airbus A320neo family aircraft on the first day of the event. 

IndiGo was also rumored to be purchasing Boeing 787 aircraft. 

IndiGo breaks聽record as it聽orders 500 A320neos聽from Airbus

• Aircraft
• Airlines
• Paris Air Show

by精东影业 Team

2023-06-19

The incident occurred on June 4, 2023, just before the China Airlines flight took off from Fukuoka Airport (FUK) to Taipei精东影业 Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).

The video was originally uploaded to Twitter but has now gone viral on other social media channels such as TikTok.

The passenger can be heard yelling in English, 鈥淚鈥檓 very upset! China Airlines, what are you guys doing? Do you speak only Chinese?鈥�

China Airlines is the state-owned flag carrier of Taiwan, where the national language is Mandarin.

鈥淚鈥檓 Japanese here, why don鈥檛 you guys speak in Japan [sic]?鈥� the woman continued.

Passengers also tried to intervene, with one attempting to translate the passenger精东影业 rants to cabin crew. 

The woman精东影业 rampage caused a 40-minute delay to the flight, and Taiwan news outlet TVBS news received confirmation from China Airlines that the passenger was eventually escorted out of the aircraft and handed over to airport police.

On June 5, 2023, Twitter user @Marizmful identified herself as the passenger on the video and apologized for 鈥測elling at everyone鈥�, before adding that all she鈥檇 wanted was a glass of water and she had been ignored.

Several netizens were not impressed with the passenger精东影业 behavior, with one Twitter user saying 鈥淵ou give Japanese people a bad name, Karen-san.鈥�

On TikTok, another user commented that Karens are universal.

Video captures moment unruly passenger appears to punch United flight attendant

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-05-03

The airline, which is part of Sky Team, expects to receive the new jets from 2026.

In August 2022, China Airlines placed an order with Boeing for 16 787-9 passenger jets with singular GEnx engines.

The first 16 Dreamliners are expected to enter service from 2025 and will be used on regional and long-haul flights.

All 28 deliveries of the wide-body passenger aircraft will be completed in 2028.

鈥淲e are excited to introduce the 787-9 Dreamliner into our operations as we continue to upgrade our fleet with more modern, fuel-efficient airplanes, 鈥� China Airlines chairman Hsieh Su-Chien has previously said.

He added: 鈥淥ur continuous investment in fleet modernization is the cornerstone of our sustainability efforts. The 787精东影业 best-in-cl ss efficiency and low operating costs will allow us to expand our network for years to come.鈥�

Depending on a demand assessment, the order could see some of the 787-9 models being converted to 787-10s, which can carry more passengers.

The airline already operates a fleet of Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A330-300 jets.

In 2022, when China Airlines made the first order Boeing said it would help the airline 鈥渆xpand its global route network鈥�.

鈥淭his is a milestone order in our continuing partnership with China Airlines, and the market-leading efficiencies of the 787 will play an important role in furthering the airline精东影业 sustainability efforts,鈥� Boeing vice president of commercial sales and marketing, Ihssane Mounir said.

China plans to use the 787-9s to replace its aging Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft, with the aim of significantly reduce emissions long-term.  

Combined with the airline精东影业 existing fleet of 777-300ERs, the new planes will help China Airlines to increase efficiency and expand its global route network, said in a statement published on September 28, 2022.  

“This is a milestone order in our continuing partnership with China Airlines, and the market-leading efficiencies of the 787 will play an important role in furthering the airline’s sustainability efforts,鈥� Boeing vice president of commercial sales and marketing, Ihssane Mounir, said.  

The manufacturer claims that the 787 family jets have a 60% lower airport noise footprint than planes of previous generations.   

鈥淭he 787’s revolutionary composite structures resist corrosion and are perfect for operating in warm and humid climates served by Taipei-based China Airlines,鈥� Boeing said.  

According to China Airlines currently operates a fleet consisting of 91 planes – eight Airbus A321neos, 22 A330-300s, 14 A350-900s, 15 Boeing 737-800 narrow-bodies, 18 Boeing 747-400s, 10 777-300ERs and four 777 freighters.  

As of September 2022, the airline has a total of 22 Boeing aircraft on order.  

Taiwan精东影业 China Airlines orders 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

• Aircraft

byVyte Klisauskaite

2022-08-31

The new deal includes options for eight additional 787s and conversion rights to the largest variant of the 787 family. The new aircraft are expected to arrive in 2025 and replace the airline精东影业 aging fleet of Airbus A330s.

Currently, the airline operates a total of 92 aircraft, including the 747, 737, 777, A350, A330, and A321, according to Planespotters.net. 

The news comes just weeks after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi精东影业 recent visit to the island of Taiwan as part of her tour of the Indo-Pacific region. 

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cleared the first delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft after a 15-month hiatus on August 9, 2022.  

While some deliveries have been cleared, Boeing is still waiting for approval from the FAA to resume the remaining Dreamliner deliveries after they were halted in 2021 over manufacturing issues, the FAA explained. 

Lufthansa精东影业 first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to finally arrive in Frankfurt

• Aircraft

byVictoria Bryan

2022-08-29

The China Airlines鈥� Boeing 747-400F, registered as B-18715, sustained engine damage. No injuries among the crew and passengers were reported. 

CCTV video shows the taxiing China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400F (B-18715) ploughing through parked cargo pallets and containers while proceeding to its parking stand. Significant damage occurred to the engine casing.

鈥� JACDEC (@JacdecNew)

The incident occurred after the China Airlines Boeing 747-400F performed cargo flight CI5240 from Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) back to ORD airport on January 28, 2022.  

Boeing 747 China Airlines Cargo B-18715 struck a baggage carts while taxiing

flight CI5240 Anchorage Alaska to Chicago O’Hare International Airport

鈥� FSX Aviation (@FSXAviation3)