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
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
 Hawaiian Airlines revealed an updated logo and a new livery for its aircraft on May 1, 2017, though the changes are more a tweak to the previous versions than a complete overhaul. Hawaiian debuted its new look by rolling out one of its Boeing 717 jets (registered tail number N488HA) in the new paint scheme on the 1st of May 2017, celebrated as "Lei Day" in Hawaii. The carrier also provided the media an image and a logo (on the top of the article) of an Airbus A330 painted in the new livery. “Our new livery embodies a stronger, more contemporary representation of Hawaiian Airlines’ culture of service and hospitality, which is the bedrock of our guest experience,” said president and CEO Mark Dunkerley, who unveiled the new brand design at Honolulu International Airport during a special employee event on Lei Day, a statewide annual celebration of Hawaiian culture. “It acknowledges our place as Hawaii’s airline and underscores the commitment our employees make every day to provide our guests with a gracious and genuine island welcome.” Also receiving a subtle update is Hawaiian’s logo, which also features Pualani. Pualani remains central to the logo, but she’ll now be “framed” by what Hawaiian says is the likeness of a “rising sun.” Previously, Pualani’s image was framed by a floral-themed background. Hawaiian Airlines is one of the more exotic and special airlines that I really want to try as and when I get the chance one day!  Hawaiian Airlines revealed an updated logo and a new livery for its aircraft. The carrier provided the media an image of an Airbus A330 painted in the new livery. Copyright Hawaiian Airlines. |
 Navjot 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 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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