Fuel efficiency has become one of the defining factors in modern commercial aviation, and the Boeing 777X sits right at the center of that conversation. As airlines look to cut operating costs while reducing their environmental footprint, Boeing’s latest widebody promises meaningful improvements over its predecessors. In this article, we take a closer look…

American Airlines has begun operating new Boeing 787-9s in a new premium configuration and updated seats, and shortly after the planes entered service in spring 2025, United Airlines announced new interiors for future 787 deliveries. The first example is set to be delivered by year’s end and will enter service in early 2026. Not…

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was the most mass-produced supersonic fighter jet ever flown in the history of the United States of America. It was originally procured by the US Navy, but later went on to be the primary fighter platform for the US Air Force and the US Marine Corps. When the…

American Airlines is, without a doubt, one of the world’s largest airlines. Looking at the carrier’s numbers in 2024, it was the third-largest airline in the world in terms of revenue, the number two in available seat miles (ASMs), and the absolute number one in terms of passengers carried. The second-largest airline by passenger…

Our reporting has been updated to include late developments. This story was originally published on Sunday, December 28, 2025. At least one person has died, and another is critically injured after two helicopters collided midair over Southern New Jersey on Sunday. The incident occurred in the late morning and prompted a response from multiple…

On December 21, 1988, a terrorist bomb detonated onboard Pan Am flight 103 while in the air over Lockerbie, Scotland. All on board perished, as well as 11 people on the ground. This event shook the world and was one of the most lethal acts of air terrorism at the time. It led to…

The Aeroplan program is Air Canada’s frequent-flyer plan. The loyalty program was started in 1984 and relaunched in 2020 with a new membership system and services. Since then, it has grown to become one of the largest airline loyalty services in Canada. As the official website says, Aeroplan is « Canada’s leading travel loyalty program,…

An onboard theft was reported from the aircraft’s overhead lockers, on an Etihad service from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong, which resulted in the aircraft being met by the police on arrival at the destination. While in this instance, it was diamonds that were stolen, the thief has been arrested. However, this is not…

Is the Boeing 737 MAX 10 really the world’s most profitable large single-aisle aircraft? It is a question Boeing has actively encouraged the industry to ask, positioning the MAX 10 as the economic pinnacle of the 737 family. In a market where airlines are under constant pressure from fuel prices, labor costs, and slot…

Star Alliance member, and one of the largest airlines in the continent of Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has achieved a monumental moment, becoming the first to offer a full strip and paint programme in Africa for two of the airline’s Airbus A350-900. As announced on December 26, the airline has become the first in Africa…

First class has always represented the best and most exclusive way to travel commercially. Today’s most exclusive cabins are no longer just oversized seats at the front of the aircraft. Instead, the most private first class products available today are fully enclosed suites designed to feel more like private hotel rooms than airplane seats.…

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport has released its interim report on the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 one year ago, stating that the aircraft suffered critical damage from external metal fragments. Pilots of the Embraer E190 lost full control of the aircraft before crashing near Aktau in western Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67…

Flying Singapore Airlines’ First Class is widely considered one of the finest experiences in commercial aviation history. But what exactly makes it special, and why do so many frequent flyers rank it among the world’s best? This guide explores the key benefits passengers can expect when choosing Singapore Airlines First Class, from private suites…

If you look at aircraft at a busy airport, you’ll notice that most modern narrowbody jets have wingtips that point upward. These include the “Sharklets” on the Airbus A320neo and the “Advanced Technology Winglets” on the Boeing 737 MAX. These features make it easy to spot a fuel-efficient plane. The Boeing 757 stands out,…

With the Boeing 747 Jumbo out of production, the United States Air Force has confirmed it will purchase two ex-Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 aircraft. These are to be used as trainers and for spare parts, as the force prepares to bring its VC-25B VIP Air Force One aircraft into service. It may make sense to…

Legacy airline seats are typically designed and stay inside one specific aircraft type. A carrier typically designs a flagship business-class product around the fuselage width of an aircraft, its door geometry, and its galley layout. The certification quirks of a specific aircraft typically make it challenging for any seat to be placed on multiple…

Travel demand between the United States and Europe has continued to expand; airlines are steadily adding new capacity and routes. In fact, according to OAG, the transatlantic corridor is now the world’s fifth-largest international air market and has grown by 55% over the past 15 years. US carriers account for the largest share of…

Sprawled on a canvas bunk less than an arm’s length from a weapons-release switch, the pilots of the B-2 Spirit do their best to get shut eye in the confines of their billion-dollar stealth bomber’s bunk. The mighty Northrop Grumman flying wing is among the smaller bombers of the US Air Force’s Global Strike…

Ryanair has become one of the most recognizable names in European aviation, defined by its sheer scale as much as its low-fare reputation. Today, the airline operates across 36 countries, serves 224 airports, and runs roughly 3,600 flights each day. Few carriers in the world move as many passengers on short-haul routes with such…

That’s right, not only does the Airbus A380 carry more fuel than an Air Force tanker, it carries a lot more. While not a tanker, its massive size allows it to carry nearly 60% more fuel than the largest dedicated military tankers in service, including the recently retired KC-10. The enormous “Superjumbo” not only…

Following the termination of the Airbus A380 in 2021, the Airbus A350 took its place as the flagship of the Airbus fleet. The aircraft is the world’s newest clean-sheet widebody aircraft, having entered service in 2015, four years after the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (2011). The Airbus A350 is one of the most comfortable airliners…

The ubiquitous Airbus A321 plays an important role in American Airlines’ fleet. According to ch-aviation, it has 304 of them, comprising 218 A321ceos, 84 A321neos, and now two A321XLRs. The 155-seat XLR entered commercial service on December 18. Let’s focus on its A321ceos. They exist in two layouts: the very notable, very premium 102-seater…

As we reach the end of 2025, it’s time for the team to look back on the year that was. 2025 was another exciting year for the Simple Flying team, with new features launched on the website, plenty of exciting events, and lots of aviation news to report. Did you see the sneak peek…

A Qantas flight between Singapore and Melbourne was forced to divert to South Australia after the aircraft reported it was experiencing pressurization problems. This saw 240 passengers stranded in Adelaide, before being placed onto replacement flights to Melbourne. QF36 had been operating from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) on Wednesday, December…

Fighter aircraft rarely spend all that much time operating at their top speeds. However, analyzing the top speeds of different fighter aircraft can still tell you quite a lot about an aircraft’s design priorities. On paper, the F-15 Eagle family is clearly quicker than the F-35 Lightning II, both of which are fighter programs…