Well the first day of the Paris Air Show has been and gone. Lets look at the news of the day

New planes from Embraer

The big headline of the day  is Embraer, who are going after Bombardier with the latest refresh of the E-Jets – the E-Jet E2.

Rendering – Embraer

The Embraer E2 is an evolution of the current Embraer E-Jet series with three new aircraft forming the core of the family:

• The E-175 E2 – Entry Into Service: 2020
• The E-190 E2 – Entry Into Service: 2018
• The E-195 E2 – Entry Into Service: 2019

These aircraft feature more seating than the current Embraer E175/190/195 aircraft, as well as new engines by Pratt and Whitney with the E-175 E2 using a PurePower 1700 Geared Turbofan whilst the larger members of the family use a PurePower 1900 Geared Turbofan.

So what sort of seating configurations can these new aircraft take? That’s the interesting one, as it takes the fight to Bombardier’s front door:

Model       2-Class   1 Class     High Density
E-175 E2      80        88         90
E-190 E2      97       106        114
E-195 E2     118       132        144

Those numbers meet or exceed what Bombardier are doing with the C-Series. They also are knocking on the doors of Boeing and Airbus’s smaller narrowbody aircraft too.

The designs have met with great approval with Skywest and IFLC being the launch customers. Skywest will take the E-175 E2 with a firm order for 100 and purchase rights for another 100 of the type, whilst IFLC will launch the 97-seat E-190 E2 and 118-seat E-195 E2 with a Letter of Intent to cover 100 aircraft, split between 25 firm plus 25 options for the E-190 and 25 firm plus 25 options for the E-195. There are also 65 other additional letters of intent in the line as well, taking Embraer to a massive launch possibility of 365 frames. This compares with the Bombardier C-Series, which has taken 63 orders and 49 options since it’s launch.

Other Orders

GECAS (GE Capital Aviation Services) is joining the 787-10 party with an order for 10 frames. Whilst the aircraft isn’t ready for launch itself, it might possibly do during this week’s Paris Air show. GECAS is targeting these aircraft at operators who are (or will be) 787 operators for Transatlantic and Transpacific service

Qatar Airways will be ordering Nine Boeing 777-300ER’s  in a move to expand their fleet. This inculdes 2 aircraft that have been sitting on the Boeing order books as “undefined customer”.

Lufthansa has firmed up an order with Airbus to provide a 100 narrowbody aircraft -30 Airbus A320CEO (current engine option) with Sharklets, 35 A320neo and 35 A321neo aircraft

IFLC (International Finance and Lease Company) has also added to its inventory of aircraft with orders for 50 more Airbus A320neo aircraft

Doric Lease Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire 20 A380′s, which proves I was wrong. Someone actually wants to buy the A380 other than Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Discussions are in place where to place these aircraft.

Odyssey Airlines have been confirmed as the UK launch customer of the C-Series, with an order for 10 aircraft for all business routes for Odyssey non-stop all-business class flights from London City airport to New York and other locations in Europe with the CS100. I’ll be putting Odyssey under the microscope later on…

Skymark Airlines of Japan have agreed with Boeing that they will be replacing their current Boeing 737NG fleet with a 737-MAX fleet. No numbers yet on how many aircraft this will involve, but Skymark already operate 30 Boeing 737-NG’s.

And that’s day 1 over, with Airbus and Embraer sharing the spoils of a a very good day. There’s lots to look forward to with the E-Jets E2 series.

And yes, Odyssey Airlines. This requires a deep bit of research….

It’s something I’ve touched on on my recent Trip report, but even I noticed there’s a little dip in the quality of the British Airways Galleries First Lounge at it’s flagship T5 location.

And it seems I’m not alone.

INVOL-UPGRADE has noticed it too, with his recommendation of “Order off the menu”, and not go to the food service area, whilst Head for Points isn’t too impressed either.

And you can add GhettoIFE to the list now with a quite a poor showing at the T5 F lounge.

There have been multiple moans on FlyerTalk with various split discussions on the state of the food.

I’ve noticed in my traffic that a site pops up again and again – BALoungeFood.com, who seem to have a beef with the current catering arrangements at the First Class Lounges who are catered by BaxterStorey.

Alas, the forum of the site makes for sad reading if you work for BA BaxterStorey or with such comments that aren’t… too glowing to say the least.

There’s also a survey too which is trying to change things. Whilst BA is monitoring what’s going on, the state of affairs… are not what I would call the best, every little bit of pressure might help.

Of course, there is one real way to change the picture – and that’s to change who you fly with. Although the Star Alliance lounge at T1 isn’t that hot neither, whilst the Air Canada/SAS lounge isn’t exactly brilliant too…

I’m not the fussiest of eaters (even with this lactose intolerance), but a bit more effort and quality in a lead (and home) lounge wouldn’t go amiss BA….

It’s coming up to that time of the year where the aviation industry will be gathering in Paris Le Bourget for the biannual Paris Air Show.

But what to look out for this year? Here’s a few predictions

• The Boeing 787-10 will be formally announced and placed for sale with at least Singapore Airlines and British Airways being launch partners
• The Airbus A350 will be a star as well – mostly in orders I suspect after its first flight performance
• Expect minimal news about Airbus A380/Boeing 747-8 orders. Each day, I’m slowly thinking the age of the superjumbo is over.
• In terms of narrow bodies, expect orders for both Airbus A320NEO and Boeing 737-MAX. I’d expect a strong showing from the 737MAX (as Airbus has had some major sales with the A320NEO)
• Expect both the Comac C919 and Inkurt MS-21 to make some progress this year as they aim to break the Airbus/Boeing duopoly…
• Bombardier may pull off a coop if it flying its new C-Series 100 prototype – FTV1 – during the show. Embarer may have something up its seelve – which might fall out during the show.
• Minimal turboprop news, although I’d expect sales of ATR 72 series aircraft.
• And whilst Boeing has sent two 787′s to the show, I have a feeling if Airbus can get the A350 to do a display fly-past, it could really steal the show for them (Airbus has sent an A380, A330, A320 and a A318CJ).

These air shows are a chance for companies to show off their wares, and for big sales to be made.

GhettoIFE will be doing a nightly round up of who’s brought what, and news from Le Borget.

(Post updated – as WordPress was having a moment earlier, only publishing an old version of this post)

It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more airplane art.

This week, it’s a CityJet Avro RJ-85 resting in the early morning sun at London City Airport

The image is clickable if you want to see a larger version – and yes you can keep them for your desktops!

More airplane art next week!

Ok people, this is the last boarding call for the Win a GoGo Voucher and Keyring Draw. It’s closing THIS SUNDAY AT 13:00BST.

Just a reminder of what I’m giving away:

• 2 Winners will get a GoGo Internet Voucher valid on Domestic US Airlines where GoGo is available on your plane

• 1 Winner will get Remove Before Flight keyring for the entry that has made me smile the most.

Only one of these though!

Again, this closes at 13:00BST Sunday 16th June. After this point any entry won’t make it into the draw!

So last call ladies and gentlemen! Head to http://boardingarea.com/blogs/ghettoife/2013/06/10/win-a-gogo-inflight-internet-voucher/ for your chance to win.

Good Luck!

It’s Saturday again, so it’s time to place your luggage in the overhead locker, ensure your seat belt is fastened, your tray table stowed and your seat is in the upright postion as we go to this weeks safety video.

This week, it’s Cyprus Airways with a bit of CGI.

Another safety video next week!

Airbus has successfully completed the first A350 XWB test flight today, with frame MSN001 competing a test flight around the south of France.

The plane touched down safely at Toulouse airport after completing a 4 hour sortie.

Here’s some pictures of the plane landing safely.

Images – Airbus via their YouTube feed.

For Airbus, there is a very long road ahead as they take the A350-900 from this first flight to final certification.

GhettoIFE will be keeping a close eye as this new aircraft type takes to the air

Congratulations to Airbus for taking their first Airbus A350XWB into the skies on its first flight.

Images – Airbus YouTube feed (there would had been more if I hadn’t lost signal).
Takeoff image @macgp on twitter

The flight is for 4 hours, expected to land back at Toulouse.

Ok, who loves pandas? We all do mostly, and it seems British Airways is going to open up a route from London to Chengdu… and British Airway has got a bunch of promotional photos out as they tend to their new clientèle…

Photos: British Airways via Jaunted.
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2013/6/11/105743/282/travel/British+Airways+Forecasts+a+Panda+Epidemic+for+Chengdu+Flights

Well when in doubt… deploy Pandas. Simple, but it works.

(Although one doesn’t look overly happy with the Cream Tea in Club World…)

For those of you who want route info, this is a 3x a week service starting in September, with the following timings:

BA89 DEPART LHR 15:30 ARRIVE CTU 08:55+1
BA88 DEPART CTU 10:55 ARRIVE LHR 15:00

BA89 operates Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
BA88 operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday 

Service Commences: 22nd September 2013
Booked Equipment: Boeing 777-200 (Four Class)

British Airways operate their 4 Class 777-200ER’s in

- 14 First Class Seats
- 48 Club World (Business) seats
- 40 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)
- 122 World Traveller (Economy Class) Seats

Booking is open for these flights, with some reduced fares to boot as well, starting at £508 in WT, £808 in WT+ and £1888 in Club World. Whilst not stellar pricing, they could represent some value if you need to be out in that part of China.

For those of you taking the long flight between Dubai and Los Angeles, some good news for you as Emirates will be switching from a Boeing 777-300ER to an Airbus A380.

The timetable looks like this:

EK215 DEPART DXB 08:20 ARRIVE LAX 12:50
EK216 DEPART LAX 16:00 ARRIVE DXB 19:50+1

Operates Daily
Booked equipment
- Boeing 777-300ER to 1st December 2013
- Airbus A380 (489 Seat version) from 2nd December 2013

Emirates will be using the 489 seater varient of its Airbus A380, featuring:

- 14 Suites (First)
- 76 Business Class Seats/Beds
- 399 Economy Class Seats

So if you’re wanting to do this ultra-long haul leg, at least for those in economy there’s a bit more room. For those in First and Business.. there’s a lot of time to work or sleep.

Or if you’re in first, have a shower in the air…

I’ve had an awful day in the real world today (those of you who work it IT will understand if I say the word Active Directory), but I’m in a good mood now it’s the evening.

And I’m the mood to expand this giveaway!

• Firstly – I’m DOUBLING The Voucher Giveway – so that means TWO of you WILL win GoGo Internet Vouchers! These will be drawn using Random.org, with TWO vouchers to give away!

Yes! Two to win now!!!!

• Secondly - A more qualitative giveaway… the entry that makes me smile the most will get a “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT” Keyring!

Only one of these though!

See! I can be nice occasionally!

So you’ll need to visit the entry post which is at  http://boardingarea.com/blogs/ghettoife/2013/06/10/win-a-gogo-inflight-internet-voucher/ – now with a LOT more at stake!

And don’t enter on this post!!!!!

Good luck!!!!