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“The 787 Dreamliner is an excellent fit for our Dutch operations and we are delighted to be the first carrier in the Netherlands to offer this product as part of our unique holiday experiences,” said Elie Bruyninckx, CEO TUI Netherlands. “Passengers travelling on Arke’s 787 will appreciate the airplane’s spacious interior, bigger windows and will arrive at their destination felling refreshed, making it the perfect start to any holiday.”

The 787 is the world’s most technologically advanced airplane with composite materials making up 50 percent of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wing. In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to midsize airplanes, the 787 will provide Arke with unmatched fuel efficiency, using 20 percent less fuel than today’s similarly sized airplanes.

Arke will use the 787 on its service between Amsterdam and the islands of Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean. The airplane is the first of three Dreamliners to join the carrier’s all-Boeing fleet that also includes Next-Generation 737s and 767-300ERs (Extended Range). TUI Travel has ordered a total of 15 787-8s, of which six have been delivered and are currently in operation with three of the six airlines it operates; Thomson Airways, Jetairfly and now Arke.

Delta will grow its A320 Family with an order for 15 A321ceo (current engine option) aircraft to offset jet retirements. The airline has selected CFM56-5B engines from CFM International to power the newly ordered A321ceo aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery starting in 2018. CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE.

Delta currently operates a large fleet of Airbus aircraft, including 126 A320 Family aircraft and 32 A330s. The order announced today brings Delta’s backlog to 45 single-aisle Airbus A321 and 10 widebody Airbus A330 aircraft.

“The A321’s economic efficiency and product offering relative to the aircraft they will replace ensures that this opportunistic transaction will enhance profitability, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value for Delta,” said Nathaniel Pieper, Delta’s Vice President – Fleet Strategy and Transactions.

All of Delta’s A321s will feature fuel-saving Sharklets – lightweight composite wingtip devices that offer 4 percent fuel-burn savings. This environmental benefit gives the airline the option of extending its range up to 100 nautical miles/185 kilometers or increasing payload capacity by some 1000 pounds/450 kilograms.

Many of Delta’s A321s will be delivered from Airbus’ brand-new A320 Family assembly line, currently under construction in Mobile, Alabama. Hiring is underway at the facility, and aircraft assembly will begin there next year. By 2017, the Mobile facility is expected to produce four aircraft per month.

The Airbus A350 XWB has started a campaign of Early Long Flights with cabin crew and passengers. The A350 (MSN 002) test aircraft equipped with cabin, took off on the first of two Early Long Flights from Toulouse-Blagnac airport at 09.20hrs (local). The two flights will be operated in a real airline environment with Air France and Lufthansa cabin crew.

Covering all types of flight conditions, the flights will be completed during the week with almost 250 passengers on board comprising Airbus employees, and some 30 cabin experts from Airbus and equipment manufacturers.

The Early Long Flights are not part of the technical certification programmer but remain an important step towards the A350’s maturity at entry into service.

Following Air New Zealand’s 2009 order for A320 Family aircraft, the airline has selected the added efficiency and performance of the NEO with an order for three A321neo, 10 A320neo and one additional A320ceo aircraft. The agreement marks the first time Air New Zealand has ordered the larger A321 aircraft and the NEO. Engine selection and cabin configuration will be made at a later date.

The A321 is the largest member of the A320 Family offering the best seat mile costs of any single aisle. The A320 Family fuselage is seven inches wider than competing aircraft and with a cargo hold designed for industry standard containers and pallets.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the purchase confirms the airline’s intention to have an Airbus narrow body fleet. “Operating one narrow body aircraft type will bring important efficiencies in training, maintenance and operating costs.  The new Airbus NEO will help ensure we continue to operate one of the world’s youngest jet fleets and will further drive fuel efficiency allowing us to minimise our carbon footprint.”

NAHA, Japan /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Japan Transocean Air (JTA) finalized an agreement friday for 12 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. The arrival of the new 737-800s in 2016 will mark the start of the airline’s fleet renewal program.

“This order is a key part of our strategy to bring the highest levels of comfort, amenity and convenience to the people of Okinawa, by continuing to operate the most reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft available today and in the future,” said Manabu Sato, president of Japan Transocean Air and executive officer at Japan Airlines.

The agreement, first announced as a commitment on March 27, is valued at over $1.1 billion at list prices. As part of the agreement, JTA will also have the flexibility to switch to the 737 MAX family of airplanes.

“We are honored that JTA has chosen to maintain an all-Boeing fleet of Next-Generation 737s,” said John Wojick, senior vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The Next-Generation 737 will provide JTA with market-leading efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort, allowing JTA to continue to grow and prosper, while also allowing JTA and Boeing to build on a successful partnership for many years to come.”

Based in Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost major island chain, Japan Airlines Group member JTA currently operates a fleet of 737-400 airplanes on domestic routes linking Okinawa with major Japanese cities as well as other Okinawa islands.

SEATTLE /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) celebrated the direct delivery of the first of 15 777-300ERs (Extended Range) from its existing order pipeline with the manufacturer. This 777-300ER, the eighth 777 in ALC’s fleet, is one of two delivering to British Airways on long-term lease from the lessor. The second 777-300ER for British Airways is scheduled to deliver from Boeing in July 2014.

“The operational capabilities and versatility of the 777-300ER provide significant profitability potential for our customers,” said ALC Chairman and CEO Steven F. Udvar-Hazy. “With its leading economics and passenger-pleasing interior, this aircraft has maintained a broad customer base year after year and will continue to do so long into the future.”

Udvar-Hazy helped launch the 777-300ER in 2004, and has ordered 94 777s during his career in the industry. This includes 43 777-200ERs, eight 777-300s and 43 777-300ERs – more than any other lessor and the second most of any Boeing customer.

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A380, becoming the eleventh operator of the type in the world. The A380 was handed over to Park Sam Koo, Chairman of Kumho Asiana Group, by Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO, during a special ceremony today in Toulouse, France.

Asiana Airlines has ordered six A380s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. The airline has specified a premium three class layout for its fleet, seating a total of 495 passengers, with 12 private suites in First Suite, 66 fully flat seats in Business Smartium and 417 seats in Travel Class. All seats are equipped with the latest on-demand in-flight entertainment systems.

“We are delighted to receive our first A380 today, which is key to our future vision and fleet modernisation strategy”, said Park Sam Koo, Chairman of Kumho Asiana Group. “I am confident that Asiana can further enhance its level of customer service and that the A380 will play a significant role in helping us to remain at the forefront of the airline business.” Asiana Airlines will initially deploy its new flagship aircraft from Seoul on regional services in Asia to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok, followed by long-haul routes to Los Angeles.

BANGKOK, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Nok Airlines Public Company Limited (Nok Air) finalized an order earlier this week for eight Next-Generation 737-800s and seven 737 MAX 8s. Nok Air also announced that it intends to convert one of the 737-800s into a 737 MAX at a later date.

“The 737 is the backbone of our fleet and has fueled our growth over the past 10 years,” said Patee Sarasin, CEO of Nok Air. “This order is a key part of our disciplined fleet strategy. These 737s ensure that Nok continues to operate the most reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft on the market today and in the future.”

The order, first announced as a commitment at the Singapore Air Show in February, is valued at $1.45 billion at list prices and will establish Nok Air as the first airline in Thailand to operate the 737 MAX. While Nok Air currently operates a fleet of 15 Next-Generation 737s, this marks the airline’s first direct order with Boeing.

EVERETT, Wash., /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and EVA Air celebrated the airline’s first double delivery as the airline received its 16th and 17th 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes earlier this week. Taiwan-based EVA Air will be the first airline in the world to operate 777-300ERs with Panasonic’s complete state-of-the-art eX3 in-flight entertainment system.

“Our new Boeing 777-300ERs will allow us to initiate significant changes in the flying experience we offer passengers around the world,” said EVA Air Chairman K.W. Chang. “We will continue to modernize our world-class fleet with new and innovative technologies, ensuring that our passengers receive the most comfortable and memorable flying experience.”  

The Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system on EVA Air’s new flagship 777-300ER features in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity and high-definition video touch screens at every seat.

The airline’s first double airplane delivery also helps mark the airline’s 25-year anniversary.  “EVA Air is a long-standing Boeing customer and we are honored to commemorate this historic double airplane delivery in celebration of our 25-year partnership,” said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales, Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It is hard to imagine reaching this day without the leadership of K.W. Chang, and his vision to transform EVA Air into one of the leading global airlines in the world.”  

The Boeing 777 is the world’s most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER is equipped with the world’s most powerful GE90-115B commercial jet engine, and can seat up to 386 passengers in a three-class configuration with a maximum range of 7,825 nautical miles (14,490 kilometers).

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) delivered the first 787 Dreamliner to Air Canada, the first airline in Canada to fly the Dreamliner Sunday. The airplane, the first of Air Canada’s 37 787s on order for delivery through 2019, departed Paine Field in Everett, Wash. today on its delivery flight to Toronto.

Air Canada has announced it will use the 787 on its Toronto-Tel Aviv routes, as well as launch a new destination – Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The 787 is 20 percent more fuel efficient than similar-sized airplanes it will replace in Air Canada’s fleet.

Air Canada’s 787 launches the airlines’ new International Business Class Cabin with 20 seats. The airplane offers 21 seats in Air Canada’s Premium Economy Cabin and 210 seats in Air Canada Economy. Customers will be more comfortable with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among other features.

To support Air Canada’s 787 Dreamliners, Boeing will provide a comprehensive suite of support and services through its Commercial Aviation Services business. Air Canada will receive flight and maintenance training and in-flight pilot training services. Boeing provides Air Canada’s fleet with crew planning solutions; electronic charting for electronic flight bags; Maintenance Performance Toolbox, a digital real-time-information tool that enables quick resolution of airplane maintenance issues; and Direct Routes and Wind Updates services for more efficient flights to reduce fuel consumption.