Tuesday 23 July 2024 – British Airways has proudly announced a £21 million investment to give up to 200 prospective airline pilots the chance to follow their dream of flying for a commercial airline without the worry of self-funding the £100,000 cost of training, opening the door to being a commercial airline pilot to more people than ever before. The Speedbird Pilot Academy aims to attract the very best talent for the future generation of pilots while boosting social mobility and diversity within the airline’s pilot community. The airline works with community groups to help encourage applicants from people who may have previously been put off from applying due to cost. Launched last year and open to applicants annually, the Academy is already training 100 future British Airways pilots who managed to beat off competition from more than 20,000 candidates to have the cost of their tuition paid for by the airline. Funding was in place for an initial 100 places on the 2025 programme, which has now been increased to 200. It takes two years to complete training and become a qualified First Officer with the airline. British Airways currently employs around 4,000 pilots. British Airways made the announcement during the airline’s appearance at Farnborough International Airshow, where it is exhibiting a brand new A320neo aircraft complete with new interiors. The aircraft flew into the show powered by more than 35 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the Speedbird Pilot Academy and the opportunity it provides to those talented individuals who have held a lifetime ambition of becoming a commercial airline pilot, but have perhaps found it difficult to independently fund their training. The standard of applicants we see for this programme are consistently high so as part of our commitment to attracting the very best candidates from right across society, we’ve increased the 2025 cohort to give as many people as possible the chance of realising their dream.” Ryan Street, a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Stockport had dreamed of a career in aviation since he was a young boy. He joined the air cadets at the age of 12, where he rose to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, before beginning work at Manchester Airport for a ground handling company. He held various roles including a ramp loader, an aircraft dispatcher and a load controller before being selected for the Speedbird Pilot Academy. Ryan said: “Applying for the Speedbird Pilot Academy and being selected for such a highly-competitive opportunity was a dream come true, knowing that I would finally be able to achieve the career I had always wanted. Without the assistance British Airways provided with this cadetship, I might not have ever been able to afford the current training costs, so I am thankful to them that they are able to provide this wonderful opportunity for those that might never have been able to get this far.” Melanie Odden, also a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Hertfordshire, said: “I have been fascinated by aviation since I was young and becoming a pilot has been a lifelong dream of mine, with the aspiration to one day become a training captain. Unfortunately, there have been barriers preventing me from reaching these goals. I started in a different career path and have a young family, with my little one now being three years old." “When British Airways announced that they would be providing funded spaces for students on their Speedbird Academy I had to apply. I never thought I would become one of the lucky few. I am now three months into my training and it still doesn’t quite feel real. It is hard work, and trying to juggle family life with study can be difficult, but I know it will be worth it and I am so grateful that British Airways is giving people a chance to realise their dreams without financial barriers.”  British Airways cabin crew standing with the airline's latest Airbus A230NEO's [G-TTNY] tailfin in the background: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh The announcement comes as British Airways made a strong appearance at this year's Farnborough Airshow by not only having one of their brand new Airbus A320NEO aircraft [G-TTNY] on static display but also an Airbus A350 aircraft simulator at their stand. The A320NEO aircraft features the airline's new short-haul seats and cabin interiors, as shown below. On the opening day of the Airshow, the new transport secretary Louise Haigh paid a visit to the aircraft after addressing aviation leaders about her plans to “helping aviation grow sustainably in the UK”. Also, earlier on the opening day, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, made key remarks, announcing the launch of Skills England.  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer giving a speech on the opening day of the Farnborough Airshow 2024.  Cabin of the British Airways A320NEO [G-TTNY] at Farnborough Airshow 2024 with the new interiors: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh  Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport of the United Kingdom in discussion with Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, at the Farnborough Airshow 2024: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh  Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport of the United Kingdom in discussion with Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, at the Farnborough Airshow 2024, with the British Airways A320NEO [G-TTNY] in the background: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh   The aircraft, an Airbus A320-214 [MSN 3699, registered N954AV] , was painted in the special livery to commemorate the special milestone. Photo Copyright Avianca Airlines
 BOGOTA, March 21, 2024—Avianca Airlines officially received recognition from the aviation data firm Cirium, which accredits it as the most punctual global airline in 2023. Jeremy Bowen, executive president of Cirium, personally presented this distinction to the Avianca team at a celebration held at the Simón Bolívar hangar in Bogotá. The event also featured the unveiling of an airplane with a commemorative livery highlighting this award. "It requires a lot of effort and teamwork to carry out air operations on time considering all external factors: weather, personnel shortages, mechanical problems, among others. And, especially in 2023, when demand increased. Furthermore, positions at the top of the rankings are often only fractions of a percentage apart. Avianca won the global category with an OTP of 85.73%, 0.2% higher than the second-place airline. But they should be most proud of the change in Avianca's performance from before the pandemic to how it operates now. The 2023 OTP figure is more than 10% higher than in 2019 and 2% higher than in 2022. The change in trend is truly remarkable!" Bowen noted. "Behind this achievement is the commitment of more than 14,000 people from the Avianca team who, in coordination with authorities and allies, work to ensure that our customers reach their destinations safely, on time, and with their suitcases.," said Frederico Pedreira, CEO of Avianca. "And, of course, we thank the more than 32 million passengers who trusted us to fly during 2023. We are proud of this recognition that puts us on a par with world-class airlines positioning Colombia as an international benchmark.". In 2023, the airline obtained an on-time performance rate (OTP) of 85.73% after occupying the first-place global ranking in May, June, August, and September and remaining among the first five places consecutively between February and October. This is celebrated and showcased in a video [in Spanish]. Currently, Avianca has a network of more than 140 routes connecting 75 destinations in 25 countries in America and Europe.  The aircraft, an Airbus A320-214 [MSN 3699, registered N954AV] , was painted in the special livery to commemorate the special milestone. The words on the fuselage say: "#1 del mundo en puntualidad". Photo Copyright Avianca Airlines  The Avianca Airlines and Cirium team: Photo Copyright Avianca Airlines 
British Airways unveiled a new outdoor campaign as part of its 'A British Original' positioning, celebrating the important journeys in life that help shape a customer’s future.
The next iteration of 'A British Original' launched earlier this month with a new brand film directed by Emmy Award winner and Grammy nominee, Miles Jay set to a soundtrack from lead vocalist of Groove Armada, Saint Saviour. 
The new outdoor series titled 'Windows' follows this film - both of which hero the airline’s colleagues featuring them front and centre in both the film and outdoor.
The outdoor imagery captures the wonder on customers’ faces when they look out of an aircraft window and onto the world from 35,000ft. This concept plays on the idea that customers usually take photographs from their seat out of the aircraft window, but instead, reversing the camera and spotlighting customers’ emotions as they look onto their destination, can give a deeper insight into their unique stories and original reasons for travel. British Airways strategic media buying agency, MG OMD, worked to carefully secure the 500 sites that the 11 prints will be displayed on throughout the UK, including digital billboards at Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester and Piccadilly Circus in Central London. Following its debut in one of the hit Channel 4 TV show’s breaks, the advert will then roll out across channels including ITV and Sky in the coming days, and the outdoor series will launch later this month. Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “When it came to creating this advert and campaign, we knew we had to work with some of the best talent. As well as celebrating our amazing people throughout the advert and out of home, we worked with an incredible award-winning director and renowned singer-songwriter to really bring the concept of original journeys shaping your future in life.” Lucy Jameson, Co-founder at Uncommon Creative Studio, said: “We are so proud to share the next iteration of A British Original working with our incredible partners. The work showcases the many journeys British Airways takes us on and the role they play in shaping our lives and who we become.” Miles Jay, award-winning filmmaker, who directed the airline's TV advert, said: “Travel awakens who we are. I loved the construct of a coming-of-age story told through the dreams of a sleeping newborn on its first flight. This film shows the beauty of flying and how it puts us out into the world to reveal to ourselves who we are with a touch of British charm that is uniquely British Airways.”
I am quite impressed by the usage of visual grammar by British Airways and Uncommon Creative Studio to personify storytelling. This bold approach works for powerful brands with established awareness in the market— they can afford to say or write nothing, but literally everything at the same time.
About the featured British Airways Staff
Throughout the campaign, the airline uses its people to help tell its story. Cabin crew colleagues Jayne Deasy, Taz Malik, Harriet Evans and Alyssa Himpson, as well as Helen Colaluca and Ryan Irwin from the airline’s pilot crew community, all take starring roles in the TV advert. Viewers will see Jayne as the first cabin crew colleague to give a warm welcome to the baby onboard, followed by Taz who helps settle her in for her first flight. Six colleagues also feature in the OOH images, who each have a unique story to tell, including Helen Stokes from its Customer Care team in Newcastle and Josh Baker who is based at the airline’s head office. About Miles Jay Miles Jay is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker and film composer whose work includes large-scale adverts, including the Super Bowl and music videos. He won an Emmy Award in 2018 for his work on a Squarespace advertisement featuring actor John Malkovich and was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on Leon Bridges' "River" music video. He was nominated for Best Commercial Director at the Directors Guild of America Awards in 2016 and 2018. About Saint Saviour Saint Saviour is a singer-songwriter from Teesside in the Northeast of England, now living in Bermondsey, London. She has released three albums to critical acclaim and toured the world both solo and as front woman for Groove Armada. As a composer she has soundtracked multiple TV shows and films including Killing Eve (BBC), Seahorse (BBC), The Young Pope (HBO), Mr Robot (Netflix) and Elite (Netflix). 
Cathay Pacific unveils Aria business class suite: Photo Copyright Cathay Pacific Airways
Cathay Pacific Airways has released images and a video (see below) of new seats which will feature on the Hong Kong's national flagship carrier's improved cabin for the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
The Hong Kong airline teased the launch of its new business class Aria Suite in August 2023; however, has now given more details of both this and the all-new premium economy seat which will be fitted to the aircraft for their long-haul routes. It’s not yet clear exactly when the first aircraft featuring the new cabins will enter service, and which routes they will be deployed on. However, I would not be surprised if they are on the Europe and North American destinations [London and New York are always a favorite!]. The Aria Suite will feature a sliding door [which has become an industry standard], as well as a privacy partition between the middle seats. Interestingly, only a handful of airlines are choosing to install new business class seats in 2024 without the sliding doors. It’s not clear how high these go; however, the seat walls do appear to be higher along the aisle and around the back curve of the seat. Similar to the ones in Club World on British Airways. 
Cathay Pacific unveils Aria business class suite: Photo Copyright Cathay Pacific Airways
Other provisions include a 24-inch 4K IFE monitor, personalised suite lighting, wireless charging and Bluetooth capabilities, a storage unit with mirror and another smaller storage space which is revealed by sliding across the suite’s cocktail table.
Meanwhile the premium economy seat will offer a 15.6-inch IFE screen, as well as a winged headrest, personal reading light and an unspecified “generous recline and legroom”. The carrier’s economy seat has also been “refreshed”, with touches including Bluetooth connectivity and a ledge which folds down to hold drinks and personal devices.
Though I have not personally tried the seat to feel it's comfort, but the look of the new seats reflects that one may experience in a luxury hotel or an airport lounge. It is meant to be your home away from [luxury] home, and it is the warmth of the colours and the seats that provides a comfortable texture and finish.
Photo Copyright Air India 2024
Go on, admit it, how many times have you really paid attention to the cabin crew's in-flight safety instructions or a video prior to departure? The crew mention the absolute imperativeness of flight safety because even though flying is safer than taking a car ride, there is a minute chance that things may suddenly go wrong, and that's where the crew truly earn their salaries.
But getting the pre-departure in-fight safety right is a challenging and tricky job. How do you project the instructions to those who don't speak English [or any local language]? The safety notifications may be boring, but they are super important, and airlines are well aware most of us chat, read or sleep through them. Because of this, several are producing more captivating videos. Various airlines have tried different methods to get the passengers attention, sometimes using humor for something that is very serious. Korean Air asked SuperM to help,British Airways featured Oscar nominees Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ian McKellen, and Air New Zealand enlisted Lord of The Rings stars [they even had an ad with crew body painted!]. Australia's Qantas recently unveiled their in-flight safety video, but received some criticism from the public that at 10-minutes, the video is too long and many did not realize that it was an extended version for online viewing while the version played before flights was condensed to six minutes [still a bit long for many.]. Now, India's flagship carrier, Air India, is going through a massive transformation of it's branding, product portfolio and customer service, and one of the many ways Air India is trying to differentiate itself is by presenting itself in a more evolved way. With this, the airline has also unveiled a new [short] in-flight safety instruction video, that will be displayed in its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft to begin with and progressively rolled out on other aircraft. The new safety video, which was created in collaboration with renowned figures, including McCann Worldgroup, lyricist Prasoon Joshi, and singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan, is just over four minutes long, presents the necessary safety instructions demonstrated through various Indian dance forms that representing the different regions and states of the country. “Presenting Air India’s new Safety Film, inspired by the rich and diverse dance traditions of India,” the airline wrote as a part of their X post. “For centuries, Indian classical dance and folk art forms have served as mediums of storytelling and instruction. Today, they tell another story, that of inflight safety. Presenting Air India’s new Safety Film, inspired by the rich and diverse dance traditions of India,” the airline wrote. While the crew make safety and commercial decisions on a daily basis with every flight and they are used to operating in an industry with a ‘just’ safety culture, so it is so important for airlines to get that serious message across. At the end of the day, in aviation, safety is everything and for an airline, it’s absolutely crucial to own up to mistakes so that lessons are learnt from others and if necessary, processes changed as a result.
There has been a mixed reaction to the safety video, which has been view over a million times on X.
Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD of Air India, said, "As a flagbearer of the country and a longstanding patron of Indian art and culture, Air India is thrilled to unveil a masterpiece that not only imparts crucial safety instructions but also celebrates India's vibrant cultural tapestry to travelers worldwide. Our passengers will find this inflight safety video to be both engaging and enlightening, extending a warm welcome to India from the moment they step onboard." Some feel it is very creative and showcases the best of Indian hospitality while sharing a very serious message, and presents the best of the country to welcome international passengers as they commence their journeys, especially those who will never have been to India and are probably on an exciting trip to enjoy Indian culture, sights and smells! "I love the creativity of this [Air India] in-flight safety video expressed through classical Indian dance". was one of the comments, as per the screenshot below. 
On the other hand, I saw a number of Tweets that were critical of the fact that while it is creative, the actual safety element is missing.
"The video is so elaborate that the actual safety warnings are lost in dancing sequences. Pax should be able to easily understand safety demonstration without having to cut through unnecessary information. CAA & FAA has regulations pertaining to this. Does DGCA India have any?", was the comment on X posted by a user as per the below screenshot: 
Another one Tweeted that Air India "yet again makes a blunderous attempt at showcasing itself as a premier brand."
Photo Copyright Air India 2024
"This is a beautiful production, but sadly you have hidden the actual safety information in amongst the dancing that looks like a Bollywood movie," reads another comment.
Air India has been contacted for comment. 
Lufthansa's City Airlines receives its first aircraft in all-new livery, an A319, for its upcoming debut at Munich Airport. Photo Copyright Lufthansa German Airlines @2024
Lufthansa Group's newly establish City Airlines is gearing up for its summer 2024 debut, and the excitement is hotting up as the first aircraft in its fleet has finally landed at Munich Airport. The Airbus A319 is the first of four to join the fleet soon, and it was seen sporting the new airline's livery for the first time.
The airline was founded last year and received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the German Federal Aviation Authority back in June. It will operate its flights from the Munich and Frankfurt hubs and thus also offer feeder flights for Lufthansa. City Airlines will operate alongside Lufthansa CityLine. Recruitment of operational staff will begin in November 2023, with pilots and cabin crew members needed for the launch. The competitive strengthening of the short-haul network is essential for the market position of Lufthansa Group and for the planned growth of the long-haul segment in the German market. City Airlines plans to expand its fleet to 80 narrow body aircraft, with an order for 40 Airbus A220-300. The new subsidiary will focus on inter-European flights to strengthen Lufthansa's foothold at Munich and Frankfurt Airport. Managing Director of City Airlines, Jens Fehlinger, spoke about what the group hopes to achieve with the new airline, "With City Airlines, we want to create prospects for the coming decades and secure sustainable jobs in Germany. This is the only way for us to grow and sustainably strengthen the hubs in Munich and Frankfurt." Read more by clicking here.
 Air India has officially unveiled spanking new uniforms for cabin and cockpit crew, as part of the national flag carrier’s revamped brand identity following its acquisition by Tata Group last year. Showcased in a new video, the new clothing has been designed by Indian celebrity couturier Manish Malhotra, and includes ombré sarees and bandhgalas for cabin crew, and double-breasted suits for pilots. Junior female crew will sport ombré sarees in “vibrant red-to-purple”, matched with red blazers, while senior crew will wear sarees in aubergine-to-burgundy, combined with aubergine blazers.  The new uniforms will be introduced in a phased manner over the next few months, timed with the entry of service of Air India’s first Airbus A350. There will be the option to wear the sarees with trousers, which Air India said “provides greater flexibility to female cabin crew to choose the style they most identify with and brings a unique East-meets-West look”. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “Air India’s crew uniforms are amongst the world’s most storied in aviation history, and we firmly believe that Manish Malhotra’s innovative ensemble will script an exciting new chapter for Air India’s future narrative. It perfectly captures the essence of our new identity, service principles, and our pursuit of setting new benchmarks in global aviation.”  Manish Malhotra said: “I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to design the uniforms for Air India. It is a privilege to be able to contribute to the national flag-bearer and showcase the elegance and charm of Indian fashion. My aim was to create uniforms that capture the essence of India’s diverse culture and traditions while also embodying a modern and sophisticated look. By incorporating quintessential hues that are symbolic to India, I hope that these uniforms not only make the crew feel proud but also leave a lasting impression on the guests, representing the warmth and hospitality that India is known for.”  Earlier this year Air India unveiled its new livery and brand identity featuring a chakra-inspired pattern and a custom-made ‘Air India Sans’ font. 
Air India has shown off its new livery painted on the initial Airbus A350-900 aircraft due to join the flag-carrier’s fleet.
Tata Group-owned Air India has unveiled a sneak preview of the Airbus A350-900 aircraft painted in the new livery. Passengers will get to fly on the Airbus A350-900 aircraft from December this year. The airline said on the following on the social media platform X. "Here's the first look of the majestic A350 in our new livery at the paint shop in Toulouse. Our A350s start coming home this winter,"
Air India's first Airbus A350 at Toulouse: Photo Copyright Air India
Air India's first Airbus A350 at Toulouse: Photo Copyright Air India
As Global Partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Emirates is no stranger to cricket and has been selected as the Official Airline Partner of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is taking place across India and running from 5 October to 19 November.
Kicking off the 13th edition of the tournament, Emirates is sharing its excitement for the game with a playful video featuring Indian wicket-keeper batsman, Dinesh Karthik. In the clip, the famous cricketer is seen enjoying the action of the matches live in the air on Emirates’ inflight entertainment system, while seated in the comfort of Premium Economy. Seats in Emirates Premium Economy will be available on its routes to Mumbai and Bangalore from 29 October.
Hosted across ten cities in India, the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will bring together ten teams from across cricket-playing nations, including 2019 defending champions, England, to battle it out for the coveted Cricket World Cup Trophy.
The first 45 matches are scheduled across Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Dharmshala, Delhi, Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai in the run-up to the semi-finals, taking place in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The final will be played on 19 November at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, deemed to be the largest sports stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators.
Connecting cricket lovers across the globe
Emirates is committed to supporting cricket worldwide, connecting with fans and communities across Asia, Australasia and the UK. Besides its major partnership with the ICC and associated events, Emirates also engages with cricket lovers through its long-standing partnership with Durham County Cricket Club in the UK, since 2010, and as title sponsor of the Durham Lancashire Emirates Trophy. The airline also began a ten-year naming rights sponsorship in 2013 for Emirates Old Trafford, one of England’s most historic and premier cricket grounds also home to Lancashire County Cricket Club. Emirates launched its services to India in 1985 and since then has grown its India operations to serve a total of nine destinations across the country. Emirates currently operates 167 flights per week from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. 
On October 3, United Airlines announced orders for 110 more aircraft for delivery beginning in 2028, building on the early success of United Next and adding additional flexibility for its long-term fleet.
United converted previous options and purchase rights into firm orders for 50 Boeing 787-9s for delivery between 2028 through 2031, as well as 60 Airbus A321neos for delivery between 2028 and 2030. The company also secured new options for up to 50 more Boeing 787s and purchase rights for an additional 40 A321neo aircraft at the end of the decade. "We're building a bright future at United and this order takes our already successful United Next plan into the next decade and beyond," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "Our planning and focus on the long term have helped us surge past other airlines that stood still. I'm convinced our strategy is the right one as we continue to add new, larger aircraft to take full advantage of our growing flying opportunities both internationally and domestically." United expects to take delivery of about 800 new narrowbody and widebody aircraft between 2023 and the end of 2032. Read more. 
Saudia, the national flag carrier for Saudi Arabia, has unveiled a vibrant new brand livery and messaging, comprised of green, blue, and sand, representing Saudia’s aim to not only make a make on the world of tourism and aviation as the country continues to invest in economic growth initiatives and woo the world, but also to (and more importantly) expand its fleet and destinations, and “emphasizing the Kingdom’s authenticity and deep-rooted values”. I like it a lot, but at the same time, there is not much change because this is somewhat the retro livery of the 1980s/90s but with a touch of modernity and sleek and stylish ambiance. So what’s old is new again.
But that is what on the outside. Inside the aircraft are complete modern changes, such as the crew uniforms, the seats in all of the cabins, evolved and enhanced loyalty program, and also revamped in-flight catering options in all classes of travel. This unveiling marked a significant commitment to modernization and a deeper connection with the Saudi national identity. 
New Saudia livery: Photo Copyright Saudia, Saudi Arabian Airlines
The official presentation of Saudia's new identity took place at the airline's headquarters in the presence of dignitaries, government officials, private-sector representatives, and experts from the aviation and air transport industry.
September 30 was selected as the launch date of the new branding because it marks the anniversary of the late King Abdulaziz's historic first flight aboard a "Saudi Arabian" DC-3 aircraft from Afif to Taif. “We are experiencing a new era and a very exciting time for SAUDIA. Our airline has evolved from a Douglas DC-3 aircraft in 1945, to a 140-aircraft modern fleet serving over 100 destinations, becoming one of the largest airlines in the region.” - His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group 
First A321neo in the new/retro livery- HZ-ASAC: Photo Copyright Saudia, Saudi Arabian Airlines
The airline's statement emphasized the symbolism behind the chosen colors and their profound connection to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Green, representing the pride and honor of the national flag, as well as the abundant generosity, culture, and hospitality of Saudi Arabia, embodied by the iconic palm tree. Blue, a symbol of the Kingdom's vast seas and endless skies, served as inspiration for future groundbreaking initiatives. Finally, the sandy brown, signifying the richness and authenticity of the homeland, celebrated its deep-rooted heritage. 
Large Saudia titles on the fuselage belly: Photo Copyright Saudia, Saudi Arabian Airlines
The airline is ambitious in its focus on digital transformation and is introducing generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a virtual assistant, named “SAUDIA.” By the end of this year, Saudia says it will enable a personalized and efficient customer experience where passengers can complete the entire booking process through this (OK, so as long as it is not as bad as some other airline apps where you cannot see your bookings for over 50% of the time...no airline mentioned!). There will always be a need for a human to accompany the technology and especially when you are thinking of aiming at countries where passengers may not be all to digitally savvy.
Saudia's new uniform. Given that the new Saudia is quite focused on the use of green, it has always been interesting that the cabin crew uniforms are blue. But then again blue is a preferred choice of colour for many airlines for their cabin decor and uniforms (green uniforms wouldn't really look good - I think!): Photo Copyright Saudia, Saudi Arabian Airlines
Older liveries
Saudia 's livery in the 1980s. A Boeing 747-300 seen here at Heathrow in 1987. Photo Copyright Richard Parkhouse
My favorite of all - "Saudi National Day" special colours: Photo Copyright Yildirim Kaan Bozkurt
One of two aircraft painted in 2022 with the special "75 Years" colours: Photo Copyright Erwin van Hassel
Painted in Ad-Diriyah E-Prix - 15 December 2018 special colours: Photo Copyright Mark Kwiatkowski
Interesting Pullmantur/Saudia hybrid colors on this Boeing 747-300: Photo Copyright Johan K in 2013
Saudia's livery from the 2000s until recently. Seen here on a Boeing 747-300: Photo Copyright Andrew Hunt
 Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines has become the second new 777F operator this year as it took delivery of its first large-widebody twinjet. Silk Way West took delivery of the production 777F (67454) on the 29th of September was indeed: a momentous occasion. According to Yunus Karimov, Leading Avionics/Systems Engineer at "Silkway Technics", a branch of Silk Way West Airlines, "it was a day filled with excitement and pride for everyone who has been a part of this journey.". Mr. Karimov said on his LinkedIn profile that "The aircraft we received today is a testament to the commitment to excellence from the incredible team at the Boeing Company." "This aircraft represents more than just a new addition to our fleet, and it symbolizes progress, innovation, and growth. " Said Mr. Karimov. The Boeing 777F is set to revolutionize the airline's cargo operations, bringing even greater efficiency and capacity. Below is an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at this game-changing addition to our fleet - courtesy of Silk Way West Airlines. All the hard work, sweat and tears over many months, and negotiations, condensed into a two-minute video. Below is a video courtesy of @Jaypainespotter showing Silk Way West's new Boeing 777F taking to the skies from Seattle Paine Field International Airport in Everett Washington to Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku Azerbaijan on it's delivery flight.  Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-85C (B-5487) parked at Xiamen Airport in the new livery: Photo Copyright Xiamen Airlines
It is the first time for the carrier to launch a Universal Beijing Resort-themed flight, with the second one to be launched within the year, the airline said. Linked to the theme-painted aircraft, the carrier will also unveil air travel experience in an all-round way through interactive activities, themed electronic boarding passes and themed meals to help passengers enjoy their flight more. BDIA has become a hot spot for domestic and international routes for airlines to meet the rising demand during the summer travel peak. Xiamen Air said it operates more than 100 flights each day into Daxing airport, with the coverage of 27 cities in China. The aviation market in China has entered the peak season, and the airport is expected to facilitate 55,400 flights across the summer season of July and August, equal to more than 7.9 million passengers.  Xiamen Airlines B737-800: Photo Copyright Jueyu Tang  Xiamen Airlines B737-800: Photo Copyright Xiamen Airlines  On August 10 at a packed conference room in New Delhi, Tata Group unveiled a new logo, branding and plane livery for Air India as part of a multi-million dollar transformation of the former state-run carrier. Air India’s new logo symbol – ‘The Vista’ – is inspired by the peak of the gold window frame, signifying limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline’s bold, confident outlook for the future. Air India’s brand-new aircraft livery and design features a palette of deep red, aubergine, and gold highlights, as well as a chakra-inspired pattern. It also boasts a striking new custom-made ‘Air India Sans’ font, marrying confidence with warmth to position Air India as premium, inclusive, and accessible.  Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrashekaran and Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson during the unveiling of Air India’s new logo and livery colours, in New Delhi on August 2023.
It has been long awaited, and as Air India prepares to receive the first of its 470 aircraft on order, they will be carrying its new colors, creating a new association for passengers at home and globally. In a statement, the airline said, "The new design captures the essence of a bold new India, marking a milestone in the transformation of the national Indian institution into a national Indian and global inspiration." Air India will roll out the livery in December, featuring it on its inaugural Airbus A350. Campbell Wilson, Air India CEO & MD, said, "Our transformative new brand reflects an ambition to make Air India a world class airline serving guests from around the globe, and that represents a new India proudly on the global stage. The new Air India is bold, confident, and vibrant, but also warm and deeply rooted to its rich history and traditions that make Indian hospitality a global benchmark for standards in service." Air India is making significant investments throughout the guest experience to elevate its service and to strengthening its position as the preferred airline for travellers flying to, from, and within India:
   Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been named World’s Best Airline in the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, the fifth time it has won this prestigious accolade.
SIA took the top spot in four categories at this year’s Skytrax awards, including Best First Class Airline, Best First Class Comfort Amenities, and Best Airline in Asia. SIA’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot was named Best Long Haul Low-cost Airline, and ranked second in the World’s Best Low-cost Airlines category. The Skytrax awards are based on surveys of more than 20 million travellers across over 100 nationalities, who rated more than 325 airlines between September 2022 and May 2023. Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, received the World’s Best Airline award on behalf of the Airline in Paris on 20 June 2023. “This award is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people, who worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices to ensure that SIA was ready for the recovery in air travel. That has allowed us to emerge stronger and fitter from the pandemic as a leading international airline,” said Mr Goh. “We are very grateful to our customers for their enduring loyalty to and affection for Singapore Airlines. During the pandemic, their support and encouragement gave us the strength and determination to overcome the unprecedented challenges. Today, as we recover from the pandemic, we are firmly committed to innovating and investing in industry-leading products and services, and ensuring that SIA continues to offer our customers a world-class travel experience.” 
Riyadh Air, the new Saudi Arabian airline, headed up by veteran CEO Tony Douglas has just unveiled the first of two liveries that will adorn the airline’s fleet on Instagram. The airline has certainly decided to stand out with a bold, metallic purple look that will draw attention as it touches down to its impressive 100+ destinations by the decade’s end. One thing is for sure, all eyes are going to be turning to this carrier as it sets its stall in the coming months, and should they be willing to win over the public, they could become a serious competitor in the region, and especially as the CEO is former Etihad Airways CEO, and some of the senior management are also from big carriers.
Read more.  Air India, the national flag carrier of India, has really revamping its in-flight passenger experience offering. Proudly partnering with the international travel and lifestyle brand TUMI, Air India has certainly set sights in the right direction to impress airline passengers and make a mark in the world aviation scene. Perhaps this could be a hint of things to come, and especially to make the rest of the travel experience better, including seating, food etc.  “Designed for life on the move, TUMI is the leading international business, accessory, and travel lifestyle brand,” states Air India’s press release. Technical innovation paired with design excellence and unparalleled quality makes TUMI the leading luxury travel brand for the global citizen. The partnership was created in collaboration with Buzz, who helped spearhead the new amenities for the carrier. Air India’s collaboration with TUMI spans amenity kits for First Class, Business Class and Premium Economy passengers, as well as Sleepwear which will be available to First and Business Class passengers.  TUMI Sleepwear TUMI’s new sleepwear for Air India has been made with quality materials, considered design and sustainability in mind, the pajama's recycled materials are blended with cotton, for extra softness and breathability. Each sleeper suit is made using the equivalent of twenty-three 500ml plastic bottles, which will result in over 18 million plastic bottles diverted from landfill annually. Featuring a unisex design and crew neck style, the sleepwear comes in a two-tone grey marble colour, with contrasting white stitching. A prominent design element is the TUMI branding as well as accent highlights of TUMI red on the drawcord. The TUMI Sleepwear is provided to First Class and Business Class passengers in a functional and reusable cotton blend bag with a contrast TUMI red drawstring.   Photo Copyright Air India Air India customers on selected US routes can now purchase tickets for the carrier’s new premium economy product. The seat will initially be available on Boeing 777-200LR flights from Bengaluru to San Francisco, Mumbai to San Francisco, and Mumbai to New York, with tickets sales now open for travel from May 15. It is understood that the 777 aircraft have been leased from Delta, and feature the US carrier’s Premium Select seating, as well as its business class Delta One product. Mr. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said: “The popularity of Premium Economy has grown among travellers around the world, as people are increasingly opting for upgraded, yet affordable flying experiences. We are delighted to introduce a distinctive Premium Economy experience for our customers on select flights for now, with a plan to extend it to many more routes soon, as we rapidly expand and modernise our fleet. This is another step forward in our sincere, ongoing effort to transform Air India into a modern, global carrier of world-class products and service standards.” Air India’s Premium Economy will offer an exclusive travel experience designed for customers who do not mind paying a reasonable premium over Economy Class fares to fly in style and enjoy a lot more space, comfort, and convenience. Fast-track airport experience: Premium Economy customers will be able to check-in at dedicated counters and have priority tags affixed to their check-in baggage, and also be amongst the first to be invited to board the aircraft. Separate, spacious cabin with wider seats: Premium Economy class on Air India’s Boeing 777-200LR aircraft features 48 leather-upholstered, memory foam seats that have 19 inches of width, 38 inches of pitch, and 5 inches of recline with adjustable leg rest and footrest, and winged headrests. The seats provide extra legroom for customers to stretch out during flight, enabling customers to rest or work in comfort. Amenities: Premium Economy customers receive a complimentary, elegant TUMI amenity kit (specially designed for Air India) consisting of a pair of flight socks, an eye mask, MALIN+GOETZ lip moisturizer, and a pen, in addition to carpet slippers. Customers also receive noise-cancelling headphones for use during flight to complement the experience of Air India’s In-flight Entertainment (IFE) system. Onboard dining: Customers will be welcomed on board Air India’s Premium Economy class with a welcome drink served on an elegant silver tray and a menu card reflecting a glimpse of a delectable culinary experience during the flight. On board, customers will be able to choose from a delicious selection of three meal choices for the main course, served on fine chinaware casserole, accompanied by an appetizer and dessert. The drinks menu includes a fine selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  Photo Copyright Air India Air India, India’s leading airline and a Star Alliance member, launched its first-ever non-stop flight to London Gatwick, from Amritsar today. It has now become the first and only Indian airline to operate at Gatwick Airport— the second-largest airport in the UK. The services to Gatwick are in line with Air India’s ongoing endeavor of enhancing connectivity between India’s major cities and leading global destinations to provide more choices to its passengers. Equipped with 18 Business class seats featuring fully-flat beds and 238 Economy class seats, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner will be operating three flights a week on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from Amritsar. In addition to the flights from Amritsar, Air India will operate 9 other weekly flights scheduled from Ahmedabad, Goa, and Kochi—making it a total of 12 weekly flights to Gatwick. These operations will reaffirm Air India's operations, presence, and network in the UK. In total, the airline now operates 49 flights in the UK per week— 43 flights to London (Heathrow and Gatwick) and six flights to Birmingham. Air India also operates 31 weekly flights to Heathrow, London from Delhi and Mumbai. The Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General (Retd) V.K. Singh, and BJP National Secretary, Punjab, Mr. Tarun Chugh graced the virtual inauguration ceremony of the flight. They flagged it off along with Mr. Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Civil Aviation, and Air India CEO & MD Campbell Wilson. On the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, said, “It is a historic day for Amritsar and Punjab. This new connection will bring a new impetus to the state and provide key connectivity with the UK, bringing people closer. This will also boost trade and tourism and open up new employment opportunities.” Mr. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia also commended Air India for the fleet acquisition plan and expressed hope that Air India will soon connect all the continents and make India the global hub of aviation. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, said, “As part of our five-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, we plan to significantly enhance connectivity between India’s major cities and prime global destinations and be acknowledged as India’s Flying Ambassador to the world. These flights will also fulfil the growing demand for direct air connectivity from various important destinations in India to the UK and from the UK to these popular cities in India.”  Golden Temple, Amritsar: Photo Copyright Reuters About Amritsar
Amritsar is the largest city in the state of Punjab, in the north of India and is a major cultural centre for the country. The Sikhs’ main place of worship, the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib, is located in the heart of Amritsar and is well worth visiting for spirituality. Alongside the Golden Temple, the city has many spiritual and historical locations, such as the Partition Museum, Wagah Border and the Shri Durgiana Mandir, which can all be explored. The Punjabi culture is unique and beautiful, and by visiting the Sadda Pind, which is a Punjabi Culture Living Museum, you have the opportunity to authentically witness the culture through folk dances, cultural performances, local handicrafts, songs, stories and the cuisine; it is an amazing experience for both the young and old, which can be experienced as a single day visit or a stay visit. Many festivals take place each year in Amritsar, and we highly recommend experiencing, as they’re filled with feasting, traditional music, dancing and fairs, producing a memory that’ll last a lifetime. Punjabi cuisine is recognized and enjoyed all around the world, with some of the best being found around Amritsar, where you can even try some of the city's own specialties.  Emirates Airline has given the world a new refreshed look. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Aircraft livery is the most instantly recognisable brand real estate for any airline. It’s a visual representation of our unique identity, something we wear proudly, and display in all the cities we fly to around the world. We’re refreshing our livery to keep it modern, without losing the key elements of our identity such as the UAE flag on our tailfin and the Arabic calligraphy.” Eagle-eyed plane spotters and fans will immediately notice changes to the tailfin and wingtips. In this latest design, the UAE flag on the Emirates tailfin is much more dynamic and flowing with a 3D effect artwork, and the wingtips have been painted red with the Emirates logo in Arabic calligraphy “popping” out in reverse white. Passengers onboard with a window view will see the UAE flag colours painted on the wingtips facing the fuselage. This is the 3rd iteration of Emirates’ official aircraft brand colours. The original livery unveiled with the airline’s launch in 1985 had its first refresh 14 years later, with the delivery of Emirates’ first Boeing 777-300 at the 1999 Dubai Airshow. The first aircraft to sport Emirates’ newest livery is A6-EOE, an Airbus A380, which has rolled out of Emirates Engineering this week after its makeover. Its first deployment will be to Munich on 17 March as flight EK51. The new livery will be gradually applied across the rest of the existing Emirates fleet with 24 aircraft, including 17 Boeing 777s, expected to sport the refreshed livery by the end of 2023. All new Emirates aircraft, from the first Airbus A350 entering the fleet in August 2024 will be delivered in this new livery. Emirates’ original livery in 1985 was designed by UK design company Negus & Negus. All of the airline’s subsequent aircraft colours were created by its inhouse design team. Over the years, Emirates’ numerous colourful and eye-catching aircraft livery have included bespoke designs to drive sponsorship brand association, and for special occasions such as the UAE’s 50th Jubilee livery, and Expo 2020 Dubai.  Watch timelapse video of the first aircraft receiving its new livery at Emirates Engineering in Dubai below:   
 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), announced the establishment of “Riyadh Air,” a PIF wholly owned company. The new national carrier will leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism.
Riyadh Air will be chaired by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, who brings more than 40 years of experience in the aviation (Inc. ex CEO of Etihad Airways), transportation and logistics industries, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. The airline’s senior management will include Saudi and international expertise. Operating from Riyadh as its hub, the airline will usher in a new era for the travel and aviation industry globally. Riyadh Air will be a world-class airline, adopting the global best sustainability and safety standards across its advanced fleet of aircraft equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology. The airline is expected to add USD20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. As a wholly owned PIF subsidiary, the new national airline is set to benefit from PIF’s investment expertise and financial capabilities while expanding on the company’s operations to become a leading national carrier. The new national airline represents PIF’s latest investment in the sector, along with the recently announced King Salman International Airport masterplan. Riyadh Air aims to enhance customers’ journey while connecting them to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030; through offering an exceptional experience with an authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart. The airline will provide tourists from around the world the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions. Riyadh Air will also serve as a catalyst for the Saudi National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy by increasing air transport options, raising cargo capacity and, in turn, growing international passenger traffic. The establishment of Riyadh Air is part of PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors that can help drive the diversification of the local economy. It will enable a more financially resilient aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, supporting the industry’s global competitiveness in line with Vision 2030. This is something special, and one airline to watch out for!  British Airways unveils new Ozwald Boateng Uniform: Copyright British Airways Wow, time flies (literally)...after almost two decades (, yep, you read that right!), British Airways has refreshed its uniform, and in following tradition, selected British designer of Saville Row fame – Ozwald Boateng – to shape the new look for over 30,000 front line employees that are customer facing. The collection was shaped by Boateng shadowing various staff members from engineering to pilots to cabin crew, as well as the additional input from 1,500 staff members from various other parts of the business. The result has been quite impressive! Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “Our uniform is an iconic representation of our brand, something that will carry us into our future, representing the very best of modern Britain and helping us deliver a great British original service for our customers. From the very start this has been about our people. We wanted to create a uniform collection that our people are proud to wear and with the help of over 1,500 colleagues, we are confident that we have delivered this.”  British Airways unveils new Ozwald Boateng Uniform: Copyright British Airways  China Southern Airlines has retired its last two Airbus A380s, marking the type’s complete exit from the Chinese market after more than a decade of operations.
In its half-year financial report, the Guangzhou-based carrier – China’s only A380 operator – says it exited the two aircraft during the first half of 2023. In February 2022, reports emerged that the airline was looking to dispose of its A380s by the end of that year, after chalking up heavy losses in the years of operation. In April 2021, a senior airline executive said China Southern was reviewing the future of the type, acknowledging the uncertainty about the international recovery, coupled with high operating costs. The airline’s first A380 was delivered in 2011, three years later than original projections, and began flying to Los Angeles in 2012. China Southern was said to be incurring millions of dollars in A380-related losses, before a change in scheduling helped the type generate profits. On some flights, China Southern also deployed the A380 on domestic flights, and I had the pleasure of reviewing one of these flights from Beijing to Guangzhou. The authentic China Southern service was world-class, but the sad part was that the cabins were not even half full. I recall on my flight, it only seemed like maybe 100 seats were filled, and mostly in Economy Class. How do you make profit out of that? 
Virgin Atlantic has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330 neo aircraft, which will debut on the carrier’s Heathrow-Boston route.
Earlier this year, the airline revealed its hotly anticipated Airbus A330neo, designed to provide a premium, personalised customer experience. The airline’s Upper Class cabin boasts a brand new seat, evolution of its iconic social space and the unveiling of The Retreat Suite, the most spacious suite in Virgin Atlantic’s history. Throughout the aircraft, there will be more ways for customers to stay connected than ever before. Those travelling in Premium and Upper Class can take advantage of game changing in-seat wireless charging, whilst customers in every cabin can enjoy a greater number of USB connections, Bluetooth enabled entertainment systems and the airline’s fastest ever Wi-Fi. Virgin Atlantic will be the first UK operator of the A330 neo, and has 13 of the aircraft on order (six on lease from Air Lease Corporation), with “an intention to expand the fleet to 16 eventually”. You gotta love those cockpit windows; looks like the Airbus is wearing cool shades! The aircraft also marks the 50th Airbus delivery for the carrier. Read more here. 
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 Navjot Singh inside an Airbus A320 cockpit of British Airways at Heathrow Airport About Airline PRThis is a special section on Airline Branding, and Airline Public Relations written by me on all the flights I have been fortunate enough to have been on. These are not records taken from somewhere else, but are actual flights I have been on. Most of the flight trips are officially sponsored by the airline companies in order to promote their certain routes, and aircraft. Airline promotion and PR related work in the aviation industry is one of my expertise. 
Navjot Singh at a Chinese Military Airfield
Watch exclusive videos below taken in the cockpit of a Boeing 777-300ER in-flight over Chinese Airspace.
Special thanks goes to Turkish Airlines B777-300ER Cockpit Video 1B777-300ER Cockpit Video 2
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