Norwegian takes root in Barcelona

Can you think of any better location to host an airline's offices than a former airport control tower?

Norwegian's new office: Barcelona's old control tower (this airport function was moved to a new building when most of Barcelona's traffic moved to the new T1 terminal 

Norwegian's now commands, quite literally,  a privileged position at Barcelona airport.

The inauguration of its new offices at Barcelona's airport former control tower, attended by the company's CEO, Bjørn Kjos, is a strong statement about the Nordic carrier's designs for its Barcelona base.

This year 2015 Norwegian will continue its entrenchment into Vueling's territory, by basing a fourth Boeing 737-800 aircraft in Barcelona and opening new routes to Birmingham, Dubrovnik, Billund, Stavanger and Trondheim. With this move, Norwegian will up the number of routes its serves from Barcelona to 15, about 158 weekly flights, which represent a  capacity of nearly 30,000 seats per week.

Ambitious plans for Barcelona...in the making

But the most interesting development might be yet to come, as in 2016, Norwegian aims to start long-haul flights from Barcelona with its new Dreamliners. This would be a major qualitative step for the Catalan airport, that in spite of having seen a very comprenhensive short and medium-haul network and having seen a significant increase in the number of long-haul flights in recent years, it still lacks a locally-based long-haul operator.

Pictures of Maldivian's first Airbus A321

A regular reader based in the Maldives (lucky guy!), whom we thank, happened to be present at the arrival of Maldivian's first Airbus A321 and has just sent some pictures over. 

The aircraft in question, an ex-Iberia A321 with registration 8Q-IAI (it was delivered to the Spanish airline in 2005) will join Maldivian's other Airbus, an A320 (on lease from ALC) and will be flying, mainly, routes to China.

Maldivian's A321, immediately after the required water salute

I like that dolphin!

Etihad starts flying the A380

Last September I had the privilege to witness the unveiling of both Etihad's new livery and its first Airbus A380. 

At the time the aircraft was not fully ready, so we could see it only from the outside (although we were treated to a spectacular show!)

Well, glad to report that that very first Airbus A380 has finally been delivered and taken to the skies. Here is a nice pic of this moment, courtesy of Airbus.

Dreamlining with Virgin Atlantic

It arrived just in time for its 30th birthday. 

The very first of the 21 Dreamliners that Virgin Atlantic has on order has just entered service on the London Heathrow to Boston route. 

If the Dreamliner looks absolutely great from the outside in Virgin Atlantic's classy livery, the best of this aircraft might actually be inside: larger windows, better humidity control in the cabin, dimming lights, a more ergonomic design and, finally!...in-flight wi-fi.

The Dreamliner's cabin lights can be dimmed to facilitate relaxation. Picture: Virgin Atlantic

A great aircraft that, after the setback that represented the wind down of its UK domestic subsidiary "Little Red", should help Virgin Atlantic recover the focus on the long-haul transatlantic routes, the market that has been the airline's bread and butter since those early days in 1984.

This being Virgin Atlantic, a bar could not be missing! Picture: Virgin Atlantic

And a bonus: here is a video of how this first Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 was built. Enjoy!

Big day for Etihad: new livery & first Airbus A380 rolled-out

Last Thursday was an important day for Etihad, the Abu Dhabi-based airline rolled-out, at once, a new corporate livery and its first Airbus A380.

I had the chance to attend the roll-out event, that took place outdoors at Airbus' Finkenwerder factory, near Hamburg, and enjoy the magnificent show that highlighted these two major milestones in the life of the fast-growing 11-year old airline.

Minutes before the roll-out ceremony the expectation is mounting...Etihad's very first A380 will roll out of this hangar

Proof that this was quite an special aircraft delivery is the fact that the CEOs of both Airbus, Fabrice Bérgier, and Etihad Airways, James Hogan, were present at the event, delivering some short speeches that highlighted the symbiotic relationship between both companies.

Airbus' CEO, Fabrice Brégier, was there as well, showing his appreciation to an important client

James Hogan, the CEO of Etihad Airways, outlines how the airlines' growth and numerous aircraft orders have been very beneficial for the European aerospace industry

With media and guests congregated in front of a massive hangar, a stunning display of music and light preceded the actual (and literal!) A380 roll-out...the video is not of the best quality (I filmed it with my iPhone) but I think it conveys the excitement of the moment...in any case, with the hand that was not holding the phone, I was also able to take some pictures...!

The large bird slowly getting out of its nest...

First glimpses of Etihad's new livery!

Etihad's A380 looking magnificent...

Now a lateral view, as Etihad's A380 is turning around in front of the audience

And, of course, a view of the whole aircraft. I like Etihad's new livery!

With the introduction of the Airbus A380, Etihad is not only adding an iconic aircraft to its fleet, but also rolling-out a suite of new ground-breaking in-flight products to differentiate itself from its competitors in the up-market segment: "The Residence" and "the First Apartments".

"The Residence", that we already featured a few months back, is the first three-room private suite, complete with double bedroom and  en-suite bathroom, to be rolled-out on an airliner. When meeting journalists after the event, James Hogan confirmed that with this product Etihad Airways aims to compete not only with other airlines but also with private jet operators. In fact, although still subject to the schedule of a regular airliner, passengers fortunate enough to fly "The Residence", will possibly be able to enjoy a level of comfort superior to that of many a private jet, as the size and spaciousness of the A380 open up many possibilities simply not feasible on smaller aircraft.

Also in Etihad's A380 first class section, although slightly smaller than "The Residence", the "First Apartments" are private suites offering also quite unprecedented levels of privacy and comfort.

A close-up of the A380 tail, possibly the most visible element in the airline's new livery, designed by Landor Associates and featuring a pattern called "Facets of Abu Dhabi", inspired in the colours of the Emirati landscape

Another lateral close-up of the Airbus A380

And here an unusual angle of the huge Rolls-Royce engines that power the A380

Etihad has designated Abu Dhabi as the first route for its A380, but it has up to 10 of the type on order (we could actually see also Etihad's second A380 being readied at an adjacent hangar!) After London, and, as soon as more aircraft are delivered, it will be the turn of New York and Sydney to welcome Etihad's über-luxurious airliner.

And here is Etihad's second Airbus A380, getting ready...

And a final note for aviation enthusiasts...

We were not alone covering the event! Airbus was flying this quadcopter drone above the site during the ceremony!