Flyingphotos Magazine News: abril 2025

quarta-feira, 30 de abril de 2025

EDELWEISS / A350-900 / HB-IHF

Flyingphotos - Faro

ROUTES - Etihad Airways’ Signature Long-haul Luxury now on Short-to-Medium-Haul Aircraft: Introducing Etihad’s A321LR

Launching this August - a major step in Etihad’s Journey 2030 growth strategySpacious First Suites, lie-flat Business, and next-generation Economy redefine regional travelLatest generation, high-speed, streaming Wi-Fi for movies, surfing and gaming on board

Luxury from door-to-door, with expanded First class experience both in the air and on the ground, across more routes

Abu Dhabi/Dubai, UAE – Etihad Airways is setting a new standard for single-aisle flying with the debut of its all-new Airbus A321LR, delivering wide-body comfort on short and medium-haul routes. Etihad’s A321LR represents a leap forward in guest experience and innovation, bringing Etihad’s signature luxury and a true First class experience to narrowbody flying.“The A321LR is an amazing aircraft which proves our commitment to luxury, customer experience, and connectivity,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.

“With our new First Suites, 14 lie-flat Business seats with direct-aisle access, and upgraded Economy, we've taken the luxury experience which we are famed for on our widebody fleet and adapted it to offer guests the same experience in a single-aisle aircraft – all while keeping them seamlessly connected with superfast, streaming Wi-Fi throughout the journey.

“More broadly, the A321LR marks a transformational moment for Etihad as we accelerate toward our Journey 2030 vision: doubling our fleet size, tripling our passenger numbers, and opening 16 new destinations in 2025 alone.”

An Extraordinary Experience in Every Cabin

Etihad’s A321LR introduces an all-new First Suite - a private, enclosed space with a sliding door, lie-flat bed, elevated dining, and bespoke design touches.

With only two exclusive First suites on board, guests will enjoy an intimate, ultra-premium experience normally reserved for long-haul widebodies. This marks the first time Etihad brings the full widebody First experience to a narrowbody aircraft, redefining luxury on short and medium-haul routes.

The innovative and spacious First Suite offers additional space for a companion to sit as well as a large 20” 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging – ensuring comfort and connection at every touchpoint.

The new Business cabin features widebody-style seats, all forward facing with direct aisle access (1-1) in a herringbone layout with 14 fully-flat 78” beds. Each seat includes a 17.3” 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing, wireless charging, and ample personal storage, ensuring a seamless, connected journey.

In Economy, 144 thoughtfully designed seats offer up to 5” recline, enhanced ergonomics, and generous space. At 18.4” wide, it’s one of the widest Economy seats in the industry, providing wide-body comfort to the narrow-body aircraft. Every guest enjoys a 13.3” 4K touchscreen, USB charging, and access to Etihad’s next-generation entertainment system.

Etihad’s aircraft are equipped with Viasat’s advanced, multi-orbit ready system, which is capable of speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and available from gate-to-gate where permitted. All guests have access to streaming, social media, surfing and gaming onboard, in addition to live television throughout the cabin.

Luxury Beyond the Cabin: The First Experience Redefined

Etihad’s First Suite is only the beginning of a truly end-to-end premium journey. The airline is expanding its First class offering across more routes – including the A321LR network - and significantly investing in every detail of the travel experience with new services to be rolled out from August with the introduction of the A321LR.

“As well as investing heavily to expand our First class offering, we’re taking the time to enhance every tiny detail of the experience and introducing a host of new premium services over the next couple of months – stay tuned,” said Neves.

From the moment guests choose to book First, they will be supported by personalised service from the new Etihad Concierge, which will be available 24/7 for tailored travel planning.

In the UAE and all First destinations, guests will enjoy a private chauffeur service to and from the airport, providing a seamless experience from door-to-door. First class guests will also be personally escorted through a dedicated Check In to the Etihad First Lounge and then for boarding. On arrival, guests will be accompanied from the aircraft door to their chauffeur, with porter services taking care of the luggage.

In Abu Dhabi, First guests will also soon benefit from complimentary Home Check-In and Land & Leave services, offering a baggage-free airport experience. At Zayed International Airport, First guests will be chauffeured to the aircraft door in a private limousine if the flight does not board directly from the terminal.

“First isn’t just a seat - it’s an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us,” added Neves. “We’re bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury."

Expanding Horizons

Etihad’s first A321LR enters service on 1 August 2025, with ten aircraft joining the fleet this year. The aircraft will fly from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations including Algiers, Athens, Bangkok, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Riyadh, Tunis, and Zurich.

With the A321LR at the heart of its fleet expansion, Etihad is reinforcing its role as a key enabler of tourism and economic development in Abu Dhabi, while delivering world-class service at every altitude.

Etihad

ROUTES - PEGASUS NS25 INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ADDITIONS – 27APR25

Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines in Northern summer 2025 season scheduled additional international routes, previously not covered on AeroRoutes. Latest additions include the following.

Ankara – Dubai 14JUN25 – 13SEP25 2 weekly A320

Bodrum – Beirut 09JUL25 – 26SEP25 2 weekly 737-800/A320

 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen – Algiers eff 23MAY25 5 weekly A320/321neo (All A321neo service by 04JUL25)

 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen – Atyrau eff 14MAY25 2 weekly 737-800/A320 (A320/321neo from 11JUN25) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen – Bristol eff 08JUL25 3 weekly A320/321neo 

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen – Cluj eff 20MAY25 3 weekly A320 (A321neo scheduled from 28OCT25)
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen – Graz eff 30MAY25 3 weekly A320/321neo Trabzon – Ercan eff 11MAY25 2 weekly A320 (3 weekly from 28OCT25)

Previously reported additions:

Ankara – Baku eff 17JUN25 3 weekly A320 Antalya – Aarhus eff 09MAY25 2 weekly A320
Antalya – Baku eff 18JUN25 4 weekly A320
Antalya – Brussels South Charleroi eff 04APR25 2 weekly A320
Antalya – Dortmund eff 15APR25 2 weekly A320 (4 weekly from 28APR25, 6 weekly from 29JUN25, 7 weekly from 11AUG25) 

Antalya – Erfurt eff 26APR25 5 weekly A320 (1 daily from 31MAY25) 

Antalya – Graz eff 12APR25 1 weekly A320 (2 from 23APR25, 4 from 03MAY25) 

Antalya – Salzburg eff 13APR25 1 weekly A320 (2 from 22APR25, 3 from 05JUN25)  

Dalaman – Dusseldorf eff 07JUL25 3 weekly A320
Izmir – Copenhagen 28JUN25 – 02AUG25 1 weekly A320
Izmir – Munich 07JUN25 – 13SEP25 1 weekly A320 (No service 28JUN25 – 09AUG25; Last served until June 2023) Izmir – Zurich eff 20SEP25 1 weekly A320

The airline earlier this year removed planned Dalaman – Dusseldorf service, previously scheduled as 3 weekly A320 from 07JUL25.

Photo: Ton Jochems - AYT

AIRLINE - Solar Cargo is back in action, this time with a former B727-200 from Lineas Aéreas Suramericanas, whose career began in 1981, almost 45 years ago, with the French charter company Air Charter International.

Photo: Solar Cargo

AIRLINE - Riyadh Air eyes Boeing jets rejected by Chinese carriers Support

Riyadh Air (RXI, Riyadh) is interested in acquiring Boeing aircraft that Chinese carriers have opted not to take amid the trade war with the United States, should the opportunity arise, CEO Tony Douglas told Reuters on April 28.

In an interview with Bloomberg published on the same day, Douglas said that there was no hard evidence that tariffs are currently affecting the aviation industry. At the moment, tariffs are not impacting airlines' cost structures, with jet fuel still being the biggest single budget burden for the companies, he added.

The chief executive remains cautious, however, saying that the situation with the tariffs can change at short notice. "What we've done," he said, "is made it quite clear to Boeing, should that ever happen, and the keyword there is should, we'll happily take them all."

Douglas' statements came after Beijing told its carriers to stop all aircraft deliveries from Boeing. Several airlines outside China have openly shown interest in taking the aircraft.

Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, told CNBC last week that the manufacturer was still keen on delivering the jets to Chinese customers. However, he said Boeing would be pragmatic and sell the aircraft to other airlines if the Chinese carriers do not take them. "There are plenty of customers out there looking for MAX aircraft," he added.

Ortberg noted that Boeing had planned to deliver around 50 aircraft to carriers in China in 2025.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Riyadh Air currently operates one B787-9 as a test aircraft, with 39 more units ordered from the manufacturer set to join its fleet. The entry into service of the B787s, which will mark the airline's launch, is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. The airline is also expecting to add sixty A321-200Ns.

The Saudi carrier, which only recently obtained its air operator's certificate, is also mulling a new widebody order. The CEO said it was seeking larger widebody jets and that the order could be announced during the summer. Riyadh Air aims to operate a fleet comprised of three different aircraft types.

CH Aviation

NEW AIRLINE - AIR 001 - ITAKA, Poland’s largest tourism company, launches Air 001 – a new airline brand with a fleet of four aircraft, in full operational collaboration with Electra Airways

Electra Airways is launching Air 001, a brand for the Polish market, with a fleet of four aircraft and charter flights to major European destinations.

Air 001’s fleet includes four aircraft: three A320s and one A321, all operated by Electra Airways, and will offer summer charter flights to popular destinations in Europe from four major cities in Poland: Katowice, Warsaw, Wrocław and Poznań.