The Boeing  737 MAX 8 took to the skies for the first time today. The 737 MAX program achieved the milestone on schedule which begins a comprehensive flight-test program leading to certification and delivery. With the latest technology LEAP-1B engines from CFM International and Boeing-designed Advanced Technology winglets, the first member of the efficient 737 MAX family completed a two-hour, 47-minute flight, taking off from Renton Field in Renton, Wash., at 9:46 a.m. local time and landing at 12:33 p.m. at Seattle's Boeing Field. "Today's first flight of the 737 MAX carries us across the threshold of a new century of innovation – one driven by the same passion and ingenuity that have made this company great for 100 years," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Conner. "We are tremendously proud to begin testing an airplane that will deliver unprecedented fuel efficiency in the single-aisle market fo...

"Hello ANA Group!" The A380 will join the fleet of jets Japanese airline. ANA Holdings signed a purchase agreement with Airbus covering the firm order for three A380s. With this milestone, the ANA Group has joined the customer base for the largest aircraft in the world passengers and will become the first Japanese airline to operate the type. ANA Group selected the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 for its new A380 fleet and deliveries are forecasted for 2019. The acquisition will allow the ANA Group meet the growing demand for traffic and for the country, and provides a solution to capacity constraints. The A380 is an ideal answer to generate sustainable growth from busy airports - including Haneda and Narita of Japan - as the country is expected to reach 30 million foreign travelers by 2020. "We are extremely proud to receive the ANA Group as a new customer for the A380," said Fabrice Brégier, CEO and President of Airbus. "As one of t...

Happens today, January 29, 2016, the first flight of the new generation of aircraft Boeing 737 family - the Boeing 737 MAX. For that Boeing will live broadcast the first flight of this magnificent jet! You can watch here on our website live from the 09:00 AM PST (17:00 UTC). Remember that although the date and time is subject to change due to weather and other factors. If you have problems with the transmission, we suggest you click on our alternate link. Alternative link, click here .

Boeing today delivered the 8,888th 737 to come off the production line to Xiamen Airlines. The airplane, a Next-Generation 737-800, features a special livery commemorating the airplane's significance. Just as seven is considered a lucky number for Boeing, eight is considered to be a fortunate number in Chinese culture because it sounds similar to the word that means "prosperity" or "wealth." "We are excited to celebrate this fantastic milestone with Boeing," said Che Shanglun, president and chairman, Xiamen Airlines. "This milestone delivery comes at a good time to cater to strong travel demand over the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival period. With the special lucky number livery, the airplane also brings our best wishes of good fortune for our passengers." "Xiamen Airlines is a valued Boeing customer, and we are proud they're taking delivery of this milestone airplane," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vi...

Iran officials have signed two agreements with Airbus covering new aircraft orders and a comprehensive civil aviation co-operation package. The agreements were signed at the Élysée Palace, Paris, during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s official visit to France with French President François Hollande. Iran Air has signed an agreement with Airbus for the acquisition of the full range of new Airbus airliners (73 widebodies and 45 single aisle). This includes pilot and maintenance training and support services to help the entry into service and efficient operations of these new aircraft. In parallel the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Dr. Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi, has signed a comprehensive co-operation agreement as part of the country’s modernisation of its civil aviation sector, to support the development of air navigation services (ATM), airport and aircraft operations, regulatory harmonization, technical and academic training, maintenance, repair and indu...

Iran Air’s agreement to acquire aircraft from all of Airbus’ in-production jetliner families will provide this Iranian flag carrier with a modern, highly efficient fleet capable of meeting its full air transport needs – from regional routes to high-density, long-haul operations. Signed today in Paris, the agreement for 118 new aircraft spans from Airbus’ single-aisle A320 product line – involving both current engine option (CEO) and new engine option versions (NEO) – to the widebody A330ceo and A330neo, the A350 XWB and A380. Deliveries could start as early as this year. Covered in the historic accord are: 21 A320ceo Family and 24 A320neo Family jetliners, 27 from the A330ceo Family, 18 A330-900neo aircraft, 16 A350-1000s and 12 A380s. While phasing in this major new inventory, Iran Air will be supported by Airbus’ extensive resources in pilot and maintenance training, customer support and services. Iran Air also can benefit from its long exp...

Airbus has increased the average list prices of its aircraft by 1.1 per cent across the product line. The new pricing is effective from January 1st 2016. The 1.1 per cent price increase has been calculated according to Airbus’ standard escalation formula over the January 2015 to January 2016 period and takes into account the drop in materials and commodities prices. “Our new 2016 price increase reflects the strong appetite from customers around the globe for Airbus’ comprehensive, modern and innovative product range,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We see demand for our aircraft continuing to grow across all size categories as our reliable, efficient product line enables customers to grow their businesses profitably as well as being favoured by passengers who want to travel in the most comfortable cabins.” Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer of passenger airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats....