The national carrier Etihad Airways and German leisure airline Condor unveiled on December 5 a strategic partnership to introduce daily nonstop flights between Germany and Abu Dhabi, starting in summer 2026. The agreement brings new direct links from Frankfurt and Berlin to the UAE capital, connecting two of Germany’s most important cities with the…

The creation of reliable, fuel-economical, and high-performing jet engines completely revolutionized flying in the 20th century. Initially developed for the military during the fiery forge of World War II, commercial aviation quickly built upon those advancements to transform global air travel. Not only can jet-powered planes fly further and faster, but they are actually…

Canada’s Air Transat has begun gradually suspending its operations after the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the airline’s 700 pilots, issued a 72-hour strike notice on December 7, 2025. As a result, Air Transat will progressively cancel its flights from December 8 to December 9, with the possibility of a strike…

Airbus is set to take over significant assets from Spirit AeroSystems, securing nearly 3,000 UK aerospace jobs at plants in Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Prestwick (Scotland), as reported by Business Matters. The agreement, announced in early December 2025, comes as part of a complex carve-out tied to Boeing’s previously announced acquisition of Spirit. The…

Singapore Airlines is famous for having been the original operator of the Airbus A380, with the double-decker quadjet entering service with the Asian carrier more than 18 years ago, back in October of 2007. According to data made available by ch-aviation, the Star Alliance member now has 12 ‘superjumbos’ at its disposal, with their…

Airlines around the world are placing greater emphasis on premium inflight experiences. From chauffeur services to the gate to private bedrooms to inflight bars, airlines are investing in luxury. This has been an even stronger trend in the US in recent years, as consumers have shown a strong willingness to pay for luxury. The…

While Qantas used to fly Boeing widebodies from the popular 747 and 767 families, its only twin-aisle airliners from the US company these days come from the 787 Dreamliner series. According to present fleet data made available by ch-aviation, the oneworld founding member currently has a grand total of 14 mid-sized 787-9s at its…

In the modern world of single-aisle aircraft, range has become one of the most defining elements of contemporary fleet strategy. Airlines are increasingly looking for narrowbodies capable of flying farther, opening new city pairs, and replacing widebodies on long-thin missions. With Airbus promoting the Airbus A321XLR as a true long-range leader, and Boeing positioning…

On December 5, 2025, the United States Air Force received its first T-7A Red Hawk, which was originally assigned to the Air Education and Training Command. The jet landed at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph before being integrated into the 12th Flying Training Wing’s 99th Flying Training Squadron. The aircraft will soon become a critical…

The world’s major air forces still rely heavily on long-range bombers for strategic missions, nuclear deterrence, and power projection. These aircraft remain some of the most complex and expensive machines ever built, and each one reflects decades of national doctrine, engineering investment, and operational experience. Although drones and hypersonic missiles increasingly shape modern doctrine,…

The unmatched mix of fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, and improved passenger comfort that revolutionized long-haul travel has made the Boeing 787 Dreamliner the most commercially successful widebody aircraft in aviation history. The 787’s performance indicated that investment in creative, high-risk « clean sheet » technology may fundamentally disrupt the aviation business and achieve long-term competitive advantage.…

The last two decades have seen a huge shift in the aviation industry, from a significant shift in many airlines’ route planning from the hub-and-spoke model to the point-to-point model, to the rise and domination of low-cost carriers. Whenever there is an industry change, airlines and manufacturers must adapt and develop to remain competitive…

Europe’s biggest low-cost carriers are gearing up for a major return to Ukraine as a peace deal is expected in the coming weeks. This would fully reopen Ukraine’s airspace for commercial operations, and the likes of Ryanair and Wizz Air will be ready to resume service to airports across the country. The industry is…

Jet fuel is one of the key ingredients that make up air travel. In fact, it may well be the most important – after all, without it, aircraft would not be able to fly. The price of jet fuel is highly volatile and can be greatly affected by external events such as political or…

India’s largest carrier has experienced significant operational disruption across its network this week, resulting in a considerable number of delays and cancellations this week, which has resulted in the Indian Civil Aviation Authority warning the airline of regulatory actions. While the government is scrutinizing the airline’s operations, it has also set fare caps to…

The Boeing F-47 is set to be the centerpiece of the United States Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance capabilities, a family of air systems that is still discussed in a binary manner. Public disclosures from Boeing argue that the aircraft is a revolutionary sixth-generation aircraft moving forward at record speed, while other industry…

If you’re a Simple Flying regular, you likely already know the basics of air travel. You know that TSA PreCheck is essential, you have figured out that it’s better to wear slip-on shoes, and you’ve probably heard « drink more water«  enough times to float a battleship. The standard travel advice ecosystem is saturated with…

There is no universal standard when it comes to first class pricing, and the same goes for upgrading to first class from a lower cabin airfare. Even within the airline’s network, pricing varies by timing and route, with very little explaining how airfares are calculated. You can spend anywhere from a couple of hundred…

Over 600 Eurofighter Typhoons have been delivered, with the vast majority remaining in service. Only the UK has started to retire its lower-capability Tranche 1 Eurofighters. Orders for around 100 more Eurofighters have come in over the last year from Germany, Spain, Italy, and Turkey, and more are expected in the future. Far from…

The US is filled with airports big and small, and it’s home not only to some of the world’s busiest airports, but also to some of the world’s largest airports by land area. This gives the airfields enormous capacity for handling flights, and in some cases, room for further growth. This list will cover…