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Eurocopter EC130 helicopter flying over a rugged mountainous safari landscape at dawn
Aviation SafetyAug 19, 8:07 PM

Seven perish in Eurocopter EC130 crash on Kenya safari flight near Mount Ololokwe

Five Americans were among seven people killed when a tourist helicopter crashed in a remote area of northern Kenya on August 19, 2026. The Eurocopter EC130 B4, registered 5Y-GYM, was carrying six passengers and one pilot when it crashed near Kirish, close to Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the accident occurred at approximately 09:13 local time while the helicopter was flying from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area. The aircraft was operated by Lady Lori Helicopters and was carrying guests of luxury safari company &Beyond. "We can confirm that on the morning of August 19, an aircraft registered as 5Y-GYM, carrying &Beyond guests, crashed near Kirish, close to Mt. Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya," the company said in a statement. The US State Department confirmed that five US citizens were among those killed. "We can confirm the deaths of five US citizens in a helicopter crash in Samburu County, Kenya," a State Department spokesperson said. "The US Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance." Lady Lori Helicopters identified the aircraft as 5Y-GYM and said it was operating the charter flight from Suyian Conservancy to Ololokwe. "Lady Lori Helicopters is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our aircraft, registered 5Y-GYM, was involved in an accident," the company said. "Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident." The six passengers included Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador's National Intelligence Center; his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, a dual US-Ecuadorian citizen; and José Alberto Suárez, a senior Telemundo executive based in Florida. The Kenya Red Cross joined a multiagency response at the crash site. The remote and mountainous terrain complicated efforts to reach the wreckage. Kenya's Air Accident Investigation Department is leading the crash investigation. The EC130 B4 is a seven-seat, single-engine helicopter developed by Eurocopter, now part of Airbus Helicopters. The type is widely used for sightseeing and charter flights because of its large cabin, low external noise and unobstructed views. Mount Ololokwe, also known as Ol Donyo Sabache, rises above the Samburu region and is a popular destination for hiking and wildlife tourism. Loisaba Conservancy and the Ewaso Nyiro River are also part of Kenya's northern safari circuit.

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NTSB Releases New Video, Investigative Details From Fatal Philadelphia Learjet Accident
Aviation SafetyAug 19, 5:18 PM

NTSB Publishes New Video and Reports on Deadly Philadelphia Learjet 55 Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a new batch of investigative material from its probe of the January 2025 Learjet 55 crash in Philadelphia, including surveillance videos capturing the aircraft before and during the accident. The material was added to the NTSB's public docket Tuesday, Aug. 18. The docket now contains 59 items, including operational, airworthiness and maintenance reports, along with videos, audio recordings and other investigative data. Among the newly released videos are doorbell-camera and drive-thru footage showing the final seconds of the flight. Additional surveillance footage shows the aircraft at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport, including video of the crew conducting its preflight and the airplane taxiing for departure. The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport shortly after 6 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025, carrying a pediatric patient, her mother and four crewmembers on a flight to Tijuana, Mexico. The aircraft was airborne for about 22 seconds before crashing near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Mall. All six people aboard were killed, as were two people on the ground. At least 24 others were injured. The docket also includes an operational factors factual report, accident flight risk assessment, pilot training and flight-time records, aircraft weight-and-balance information, airworthiness and maintenance reports, and a checklist page recovered from the wreckage. Investigators also released reports covering the cockpit voice recorder , enhanced ground proximity warning system, aircraft performance and FAA ADS-B data. The NTSB has not yet determined what caused the crash. The newly released documents are factual investigative material and do not represent the agency's final findings or probable cause. The investigation remains ongoing, with the NTSB expected to address the cause and any contributing factors in its final report.

Airbus A320neo taxiing on runway with modern business class seating
AirlinesAug 19, 4:26 PM

Eurowings Introduces Real Business Class Seats on All A320neos Across Multiple European Routes

Business class on narrow-body jets within Europe is known for being lackluster, generally just consisting of economy seats with blocked middles and improved service. In 2025, a Lufthansa Group carrier announced it would install more comfortable seats in business class on narrow-body aircraft. Ironically, it wasn't a full-service airline like Lufthansa or SWISS, but instead the group's low-cost carrier, Eurowings. Initially, this product was marketed as a limited-time trial, and it was available exclusively to and from Dubai (DXB) last winter. There's now an update : Eurowings plans to expand this concept to many more planes, including some intra-Europe flights… that's really cool! Eurowings rolls out Premium BIZ seat concept Eurowings operates a fleet of roughly 90 Airbus A320-family aircraft. Historically, the airline has configured its planes in a standard European regional configuration, with all seats in a 3-3 layout. The carrier's business class just consisted of economy seats at the front of the cabin, with blocked middle seats. However, the airline is getting legitimately innovative and is installing "real" business class seats on all eight of its Airbus A320neo aircraft. The airline is offering a reclining business-class product from Italian manufacturer Geven, with an adjustable backrest, ergonomic design, and much more pitch than you'll otherwise find. Eurowings Premium BIZ seats Eurowings Premium BIZ seats What's interesting is that Eurowings is actually offering two tiers of business class. On most routes (though there are exceptions), this new product isn't in lieu of the other business class, but rather is in addition to it. Eurowings BIZclass continues to be offered, featuring economy seats with blocked middles. Then there are eight Eurowings Premium BIZ seats at the front of the cabin. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat cabin Eurowings Premium BIZ seats Eurowings' A320neos boast 180 seats, spread across 30 rows, in a 3-3 configuration. The first three rows of the plane (18 seats, 12 of which are bookable, due to blocked middles) are being replaced by two rows of these recliner seats, meaning the per-seat footprint is around 50% bigger than in standard business class. In addition to more space (nearly one meter of legroom) and recline, the seats feature a cocktail table and a USB charging port. Furthermore, those seated in these special seats will receive a welcome drink, a refreshing towel, and nuts on all routes. On medium-haul service to Dubai, there's also a pillow and blanket, an amenity kit, and special dining served on porcelain. Here's how Eurowings CEO Max Kownatzki describes this move: "Comfort and relaxation in the air should never be taken for granted – and we're making them the new standard for business travelers and leisure guests. With the Premium BIZ Seat, we're among the first airlines in the world to introduce a genuinely comfortable seating experience on short-haul continental flights, including longer medium-haul routes. It's designed for all guests who want to make flying more comfortable and relaxed. While other airlines are adding more and more seats to their aircraft, we're giving our guests more of what makes flying easier: Space, privacy and an experience that feels genuinely special. That's our response as Europe's leading Value Airline." Which routes get Eurowings Premium BIZ seats? The Eurowings Premium BIZ seat concept is being rolled out in the winter 2026/2027 schedule, with many routes getting the seats as of December 1, 2026. The airline explains that this product is being introduced "where the demand for relaxed, premium travel is greatest." Specifically, you'll find this product on flights to: Mallorca (PMI), including daily flights from Dusseldorf (DUS), and up to 4x weekly flights from Berlin (BER) Malaga (AGP), including 4x weekly flights from Dusseldorf (DUS) London Heathrow (LHR), including up to 4x daily flights from Dusseldorf (DUS), and weekly flights from Berlin (BER) Dubai (DXB), including daily flights from Berlin (BER), 4x weekly flights from Stuttgart (STR), and 3x weekly flights from Cologne (CGN) As things currently stand, on the Spain routes, the Premium BIZ seat is the only business class option, while on the London and Dubai routes, the Premium BIZ seat is in addition to the standard business class option. All Eurowings Airbus A320neos will get recliner seats Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing & how to book Eurowings has put its Premium BIZ seat concept on sale for all of the above routes. So, what is pricing for this product like? As I hinted at above: On the Malaga and Mallorca routes, this is the only business class option on most flights, so all business class passengers enjoy the elevated experience On the London and Dubai routes, this is one of two business class options, so you can choose which you want to pay for For some examples, let's look at the flight between Berlin and Dubai, where I see a €309.99 BIZclass fare. Eurowings pricing to Dubai Then assigning one of the Premium BIZ seats costs €315, on top of that fare, so you're looking at paying a total of €624.99. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing Looking at a flight between Dusseldorf and London, I see a €119.99 BIZclass fare. Eurowings pricing to Dubai Then assigning one of the Premium BIZ seats costs €60, on top of that fare, so you're looking at paying a total of €179.99. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing Looking at a flight between Dusseldorf and Malaga, I see a €199.99 BIZclass fare. Eurowings pricing to Dubai That automatically includes the Premium BIZ seats, as there's no "basic" business class on these routes. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing I think these upgrade prices are reasonable, given the quality of this product. There's of course a certain irony to a low cost carrier being the first to introduce such a product, given that customers are (at least in theory) more price sensitive than on full service airlines. I realize it's a bit more nuanced than that, given the unique markets Eurowings operates out of vs. Lufthansa, as cities like Dusseldorf are actually pretty premium. But still, you'd think something like this could also work quite well on a full service carrier. What this new product could mean in the long run We've gone from a Eurowings trial last winter, to the airline expanding this to eight aircraft and more routes this winter, so that's progress. What could we expect in the long run? First of all, keep in mind that Eurowings is overhauling its fleet as of 2027, as the airline has 40 Boeing 737 MAXs on order . So it's possible that if this project continues to succeed, we could see these cabins integrated on those jets. Second of all, Eurowings has noted that what it's doing will "also provide other airlines in the Lufthansa Group with important insights for the future configuration of new aircraft fleets." Unfortunately I don't think we'll see a "proper" business class introduced on short flights within Europe any time in the foreseeable future (I don't want to say "never," but… close enough). However, there are many medium haul markets that might not consistently have demand for wide body aircraft, but where something better than the typical intra-Europe business class is expected. In the case of Lufthansa or SWISS, we're talking about destinations like Amman (AMM), Cairo (CAI), Tel Aviv (TLV), etc. These are all destinations where some airlines offer a "proper" business class, while others don't. Offering a more competitive business class product on narrow body aircraft would allow airlines to better right size capacity while managing expectations. As a matter of fact, earlier this year Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr indicated that the airline might be looking at introducing "real" business class seats on select narrow body planes , for exactly the missions described above. We'll see if anything comes of that, but it sure would be nice. We could see similar concepts at other Lufthansa Grou

Airbus A320neo taxiing at Frankfurt Airport with passengers boarding under clear skies
Business AviationAug 19, 12:04 PM

Lufthansa debuts Starlink wi-fi on first A320neo, plans 850 aircraft retrofit by 2029

German airline group is installing the SpaceX in-flight wi-fi service on all of its carriers' aircraft. Lufthansa Group has installed SpaceX's Starlink in-flight wi-fi service on its first aircraft, kicking off a programme that will see 850 jets operated by all of its airlines equipped with the system by 2029. The first aircraft to feature the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based system, a Lufthansa mainline Airbus A320neo (D-AINM), entered service on 19 August after undergoing installation by Lufthansa Technik in Berlin. The inaugural flight featuring the service was between Frankfurt and Rome. A further 10 Lufthansa and Lufthansa City A320-family aircraft will have the system installed by the end of this year, says the carrier. Installations will also take place at Lufthansa Technik’s facilities in Budapest and Sofia, and are being timed to coincide with scheduled downtime for technical checks. The system is being retrofitted to existing aircraft and will be added as a linefit solution to future aircraft ahead of delivery, says Lufthansa. The German airline group aims to install Starlink on 850 aircraft across all of its carriers – Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines and Eurowings – over the next three years. Installations on the other carriers will begin “soon”, says the group. Starlink uses a network of LEO satellites to provide low-latency global coverage, including across polar regions. Lufthansa claims that passengers will experience "an internet bandwidth above the clouds that, in many cases, is faster than their internet connection at home or in the office". The group will provide the wi-fi service free-of charge for members of its Miles & More frequent flyer programme and for users of its Travel ID service. Lufthansa tells FlightGlobal that wi-fi access will remain free to use in the future, noting that “any customer can register” for Travel ID “for free, in an easy process, even during the flight”. The connectivity service, which will be branded as Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi, is sponsored by Mastercard. The credit card company also sponsored the carrier's previous FlyNet in-flight wi-fi service, which was provided by Deutsche Telekom and Viasat. Lufthansa Group’s Discovery unit had also previously selected Panasonic Avionics’ multi-orbit connectivity service for its Airbus A330s. Satellite wi-fi competition heats up Lufthansa announced at the beginning of this year that it was switching to Starlink as its connectivity provider across its entire fleet, dealing the latest blow to the geostationary satellite market. SpaceX through its Starlink service and Amazon with its own Leo-branded in-flight connectivity offering have been taking market share from incumbent satellite providers , which have begun offering multi-orbit services to airlines in response. Other European airlines to have selected Starlink include IAG – with Spanish unit Vueling set to become "the first low-cost carrier in Europe" to offer the service when it is installed on its incoming Boeing 737 Max jets, according to the airline group – Air Baltic, Wizz Air and Virgin Atlantic. The service is also proving popular in North America, having been selected by Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines , Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines , WestJet and charter carrier JSX. Last month, Frontier Airlines also announced that it would install Starlink on its entire fleet , as part of a programme that will see five Indigo Partners-backed carriers equip more than 1,000 aircraft with the system. Amazon's Leo service, meanwhile, counts Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways among its customers.

Hybrid-electric Cessna Grand Caravan prototype during test flight for sustainable aviation
Technology/eVTOLAug 19, 11:11 AM

Ampaire Secures $19M Series B to Boost Hybrid-Electric Eco Caravan Development

Californian startup Ampaire, which is developing hybrid-electric aircraft, has raised $19 million in Series B funding. This fresh capital round, which brings the total raised so far by Ampaire to $68 million, has been led by DiamondStream Partners. Other investors include the venture capital arm of two prominent airline groups, International Air Group (IAG) and Alaska Airlines, as well as a number of other venture capital firms, such as Forward Ventures, Techstars Ventures and the Autodesk Foundation Impact Fund, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Impact Fund. These funds will be deployed to accelerate the commercial readiness of Ampaire's hybrid-electric AMP-H570 propulsion system, which is being retrofitted into Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft in order to halve fuel consumption (Ampaire calls the resulting hybrid aircraft "Eco Caravan"). Ampaire is also one of the startups that has been selected to take part in the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) , backed by the US government and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to advance in the development of new air mobility technologies. The startup is also working on applications of its hybrid-electric technology to power the Auxiliary Power Units (APU) used by aircraft while on the ground. RELATED Ampaire starts hybrid-electric tests in Utah as part of the eIPP program

Outgoing Air India chief Campbell Wilson joins Air New Zealand board
AirlinesAug 19, 8:51 AM

Former Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Joins Air New Zealand Board of Directors

Wilson is one of two new appointees to the Auckland-based Star Alliance carrier’s board. Air New Zealand is to appoint outgoing Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson as one of its directors, as part of wider changes to the airline's board. Wilson, who resigned from Air India in April and is currently serving his notice period, will be appointed at Air New Zealand's annual shareholders' meeting on 24 September. The New Zealander is one of two new board appointees, the other being former Air New Zealand finance chief Robert McDonald. Together, the duo will replace outgoing director Larry De Shon, who will retire at the shareholders' meeting in September. The board changes come as Air New Zealand continues to face operational challenges, brought about by high fuel prices and ongoing supply-chain issues. Wilson joined Air India in 2022 from Singapore Airlines, and oversaw the Indian national carrier's transformation efforts post-privatisation. He is succeeded by former Ethiopian Airlines head Tewolde Gebremariam.

Airbus A350 of Starlux Airlines parked at an airport gate during early evening
AirlinesAug 19, 5:50 PM

Starlux Airlines Launches Direct Mile Sales at Premium Price Point

Folks, Starlux Airlines' COSMILE frequent flyer program has finally gotten into the business of selling miles to consumers. Objectively it's a pretty awful deal, as the airline is charging an astronomical four cents per mile (we'll see if there are promotions in the future). However, I'm ridiculously excited here, as this is a way to score a discount on a Starlux first class ticket, as that's an experience that has been on my radar for a long time. Buy Starlux COSMILE miles for four cents each Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines launched its COSMILE frequent flyer program back when the airline commenced operations, in 2019. Unless you live in Taiwan or constantly fly with Starlux, you probably shouldn't care much about the program — the only airline partner is Alaska Airlines, and if you want to redeem on Starlux, you're generally best off redeeming Alaska Atmos Rewards points . However, it is worth noting that there is now a new way to earn miles in the COSMILE program, as the airline has just started selling miles directly to consumers . To access this, just log into your Starlux account, go to the "COSMILE" section, and then click on "Mileage Purchase." Buy Starlux COSMILE miles The program is charging a flat four cents per mile, and members can purchase anywhere from 1,000 to 150,000 miles per transaction. 150,000 is also the annual limit on how many miles you can buy. Purchases are processed by points.com, as is common for the points purchase programs of many loyalty programs. Buy Starlux COSMILE miles I am curious to see if Starlux gets aggressive about selling miles, and if we see some major promotions. For example, is this just the base level purchase price, and we'll often see the program offer substantial discounts or bonuses? Finally a "deal" on Starlux Airlines first class!! I've written about Starlux Airlines' quirky first class product — it's available on all A350s, the pricing is very high, and there's not even a curtain between first and business class. Since the airline launched, I've been trying to find a way to fly the carrier in first class, just because I try to review all first class experiences. On virtually every airline, I've been able to get a deal by using miles , taking a strategic positioning flight , etc. In the case of Starlux, I've found absolutely nothing. Yes, you can fly the airline within Asia in first class for around $2,500, but I'd like to give the airline a fair shake on a long haul flight, so I can truly review the experience, rather than just getting the scaled back service on a short haul flight. The best fare I've been able to find for a long haul first class flight is around $8,700 one-way. That's just absurdly rough, and I've not been able to find any other trick to get a better deal. Starlux first class fare So for a long time I've been thinking to myself "I hope the airline starts selling miles soon, and that this is an opportunity to get a deal on first class." Well, that time is finally now! For context, below is Starlux's award chart for travel between Asia and the Americas and Europe. Starlux award chart Below is Starlux's award chart for travel within Asia. Starlux award chart There's a devaluation coming October 1, 2026, but until then, you can book a long haul first class flight one-way for 120,000 miles. At four cents per mile, that's $4,800. Obviously that's still a massive amount to spend on a flight. However, it's just over half the cost of the best available long haul first class fare, and it's the first option I've seen to get a deal for first class! Also, reviewing airlines is my job, and I'm a bit of a completionist. I'm tired of having *almost* flown every first class product in the world , and I just need to rip the band aid off and do it. Don't get me wrong, it kills me to spend this much on a flight, but this is my career of 18+ years, and it's an investment worth making. The good news is that first class award availability is excellent — that's not surprising, given that the airline barely seems to sell first class seats. However, I can't actually price out an award, since I don't have enough miles in my account. I do have a couple of questions, for those more familiar with Starlux COSMILE than I am. First, is there anything I'm missing here? There's no status requirement to redeem for first class, or anything like that, right? Next, I see the first award chart is described as the pricing "Between Asia & America/Europe." Does anyone know if that means you could actually include an intra-Asia flight on the same itinerary at no extra cost? So is the cost the same for Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Taipei (TPE) to Phoenix (PHX), as it is just for the last segment, or is pricing additive? Also, am I correct in thinking that carrier imposed surcharges are very limited? Now, I do think I'll hold off just a bit, and see if Starlux offers any promotion on buying miles, since I wouldn't be surprised if that becomes a consistent aspect of this. If they'd like to offer a 100% introductory bonus on buying miles, I certainly wouldn't complain. 😉 If anyone does notice such an offer and I don't write about it within five minutes, please do ping me. Starlux Airlines first class seat A350 Bottom line Starlux Airlines' COSMILE frequent flyer program has just started selling miles to consumers. Members can purchase up to 150,000 miles per year, at a cost of four cents per mile. It remains to be seen if the program offers promotions on buying miles, to lower the cost a bit. I wouldn't expect there to be widespread appeal for this, though I do think the one unique angle is that this is an opportunity to get a significant discount on a long haul first class ticket on Starlux. The airline simply doesn't ordinarily discount its first class, and I'd know, because I've been closely tracking it for nearly seven years. 😉 So while it's hard to get excited about a $4,800 first class fare, that's about half of the typical cost, so that's at least better. Now let's just see a 100% bonus on buying miles, and then we'll really be talking. What do you make of Starlux getting into the business of selling miles?

Airbus A320neo taxiing on runway with modern business class seating
AirlinesAug 19, 4:26 PM

Eurowings Introduces Real Business Class Seats on All A320neos Across Multiple European Routes

Business class on narrow-body jets within Europe is known for being lackluster, generally just consisting of economy seats with blocked middles and improved service. In 2025, a Lufthansa Group carrier announced it would install more comfortable seats in business class on narrow-body aircraft. Ironically, it wasn't a full-service airline like Lufthansa or SWISS, but instead the group's low-cost carrier, Eurowings. Initially, this product was marketed as a limited-time trial, and it was available exclusively to and from Dubai (DXB) last winter. There's now an update : Eurowings plans to expand this concept to many more planes, including some intra-Europe flights… that's really cool! Eurowings rolls out Premium BIZ seat concept Eurowings operates a fleet of roughly 90 Airbus A320-family aircraft. Historically, the airline has configured its planes in a standard European regional configuration, with all seats in a 3-3 layout. The carrier's business class just consisted of economy seats at the front of the cabin, with blocked middle seats. However, the airline is getting legitimately innovative and is installing "real" business class seats on all eight of its Airbus A320neo aircraft. The airline is offering a reclining business-class product from Italian manufacturer Geven, with an adjustable backrest, ergonomic design, and much more pitch than you'll otherwise find. Eurowings Premium BIZ seats Eurowings Premium BIZ seats What's interesting is that Eurowings is actually offering two tiers of business class. On most routes (though there are exceptions), this new product isn't in lieu of the other business class, but rather is in addition to it. Eurowings BIZclass continues to be offered, featuring economy seats with blocked middles. Then there are eight Eurowings Premium BIZ seats at the front of the cabin. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat cabin Eurowings Premium BIZ seats Eurowings' A320neos boast 180 seats, spread across 30 rows, in a 3-3 configuration. The first three rows of the plane (18 seats, 12 of which are bookable, due to blocked middles) are being replaced by two rows of these recliner seats, meaning the per-seat footprint is around 50% bigger than in standard business class. In addition to more space (nearly one meter of legroom) and recline, the seats feature a cocktail table and a USB charging port. Furthermore, those seated in these special seats will receive a welcome drink, a refreshing towel, and nuts on all routes. On medium-haul service to Dubai, there's also a pillow and blanket, an amenity kit, and special dining served on porcelain. Here's how Eurowings CEO Max Kownatzki describes this move: "Comfort and relaxation in the air should never be taken for granted – and we're making them the new standard for business travelers and leisure guests. With the Premium BIZ Seat, we're among the first airlines in the world to introduce a genuinely comfortable seating experience on short-haul continental flights, including longer medium-haul routes. It's designed for all guests who want to make flying more comfortable and relaxed. While other airlines are adding more and more seats to their aircraft, we're giving our guests more of what makes flying easier: Space, privacy and an experience that feels genuinely special. That's our response as Europe's leading Value Airline." Which routes get Eurowings Premium BIZ seats? The Eurowings Premium BIZ seat concept is being rolled out in the winter 2026/2027 schedule, with many routes getting the seats as of December 1, 2026. The airline explains that this product is being introduced "where the demand for relaxed, premium travel is greatest." Specifically, you'll find this product on flights to: Mallorca (PMI), including daily flights from Dusseldorf (DUS), and up to 4x weekly flights from Berlin (BER) Malaga (AGP), including 4x weekly flights from Dusseldorf (DUS) London Heathrow (LHR), including up to 4x daily flights from Dusseldorf (DUS), and weekly flights from Berlin (BER) Dubai (DXB), including daily flights from Berlin (BER), 4x weekly flights from Stuttgart (STR), and 3x weekly flights from Cologne (CGN) As things currently stand, on the Spain routes, the Premium BIZ seat is the only business class option, while on the London and Dubai routes, the Premium BIZ seat is in addition to the standard business class option. All Eurowings Airbus A320neos will get recliner seats Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing & how to book Eurowings has put its Premium BIZ seat concept on sale for all of the above routes. So, what is pricing for this product like? As I hinted at above: On the Malaga and Mallorca routes, this is the only business class option on most flights, so all business class passengers enjoy the elevated experience On the London and Dubai routes, this is one of two business class options, so you can choose which you want to pay for For some examples, let's look at the flight between Berlin and Dubai, where I see a €309.99 BIZclass fare. Eurowings pricing to Dubai Then assigning one of the Premium BIZ seats costs €315, on top of that fare, so you're looking at paying a total of €624.99. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing Looking at a flight between Dusseldorf and London, I see a €119.99 BIZclass fare. Eurowings pricing to Dubai Then assigning one of the Premium BIZ seats costs €60, on top of that fare, so you're looking at paying a total of €179.99. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing Looking at a flight between Dusseldorf and Malaga, I see a €199.99 BIZclass fare. Eurowings pricing to Dubai That automatically includes the Premium BIZ seats, as there's no "basic" business class on these routes. Eurowings Premium BIZ seat pricing I think these upgrade prices are reasonable, given the quality of this product. There's of course a certain irony to a low cost carrier being the first to introduce such a product, given that customers are (at least in theory) more price sensitive than on full service airlines. I realize it's a bit more nuanced than that, given the unique markets Eurowings operates out of vs. Lufthansa, as cities like Dusseldorf are actually pretty premium. But still, you'd think something like this could also work quite well on a full service carrier. What this new product could mean in the long run We've gone from a Eurowings trial last winter, to the airline expanding this to eight aircraft and more routes this winter, so that's progress. What could we expect in the long run? First of all, keep in mind that Eurowings is overhauling its fleet as of 2027, as the airline has 40 Boeing 737 MAXs on order . So it's possible that if this project continues to succeed, we could see these cabins integrated on those jets. Second of all, Eurowings has noted that what it's doing will "also provide other airlines in the Lufthansa Group with important insights for the future configuration of new aircraft fleets." Unfortunately I don't think we'll see a "proper" business class introduced on short flights within Europe any time in the foreseeable future (I don't want to say "never," but… close enough). However, there are many medium haul markets that might not consistently have demand for wide body aircraft, but where something better than the typical intra-Europe business class is expected. In the case of Lufthansa or SWISS, we're talking about destinations like Amman (AMM), Cairo (CAI), Tel Aviv (TLV), etc. These are all destinations where some airlines offer a "proper" business class, while others don't. Offering a more competitive business class product on narrow body aircraft would allow airlines to better right size capacity while managing expectations. As a matter of fact, earlier this year Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr indicated that the airline might be looking at introducing "real" business class seats on select narrow body planes , for exactly the missions described above. We'll see if anything comes of that, but it sure would be nice. We could see similar concepts at other Lufthansa Grou

Airbus A320neo taxiing at Frankfurt Airport with passengers boarding under clear skies
Business AviationAug 19, 12:04 PM

Lufthansa debuts Starlink wi-fi on first A320neo, plans 850 aircraft retrofit by 2029

German airline group is installing the SpaceX in-flight wi-fi service on all of its carriers' aircraft. Lufthansa Group has installed SpaceX's Starlink in-flight wi-fi service on its first aircraft, kicking off a programme that will see 850 jets operated by all of its airlines equipped with the system by 2029. The first aircraft to feature the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based system, a Lufthansa mainline Airbus A320neo (D-AINM), entered service on 19 August after undergoing installation by Lufthansa Technik in Berlin. The inaugural flight featuring the service was between Frankfurt and Rome. A further 10 Lufthansa and Lufthansa City A320-family aircraft will have the system installed by the end of this year, says the carrier. Installations will also take place at Lufthansa Technik’s facilities in Budapest and Sofia, and are being timed to coincide with scheduled downtime for technical checks. The system is being retrofitted to existing aircraft and will be added as a linefit solution to future aircraft ahead of delivery, says Lufthansa. The German airline group aims to install Starlink on 850 aircraft across all of its carriers – Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines and Eurowings – over the next three years. Installations on the other carriers will begin “soon”, says the group. Starlink uses a network of LEO satellites to provide low-latency global coverage, including across polar regions. Lufthansa claims that passengers will experience "an internet bandwidth above the clouds that, in many cases, is faster than their internet connection at home or in the office". The group will provide the wi-fi service free-of charge for members of its Miles & More frequent flyer programme and for users of its Travel ID service. Lufthansa tells FlightGlobal that wi-fi access will remain free to use in the future, noting that “any customer can register” for Travel ID “for free, in an easy process, even during the flight”. The connectivity service, which will be branded as Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi, is sponsored by Mastercard. The credit card company also sponsored the carrier's previous FlyNet in-flight wi-fi service, which was provided by Deutsche Telekom and Viasat. Lufthansa Group’s Discovery unit had also previously selected Panasonic Avionics’ multi-orbit connectivity service for its Airbus A330s. Satellite wi-fi competition heats up Lufthansa announced at the beginning of this year that it was switching to Starlink as its connectivity provider across its entire fleet, dealing the latest blow to the geostationary satellite market. SpaceX through its Starlink service and Amazon with its own Leo-branded in-flight connectivity offering have been taking market share from incumbent satellite providers , which have begun offering multi-orbit services to airlines in response. Other European airlines to have selected Starlink include IAG – with Spanish unit Vueling set to become "the first low-cost carrier in Europe" to offer the service when it is installed on its incoming Boeing 737 Max jets, according to the airline group – Air Baltic, Wizz Air and Virgin Atlantic. The service is also proving popular in North America, having been selected by Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines , Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines , WestJet and charter carrier JSX. Last month, Frontier Airlines also announced that it would install Starlink on its entire fleet , as part of a programme that will see five Indigo Partners-backed carriers equip more than 1,000 aircraft with the system. Amazon's Leo service, meanwhile, counts Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways among its customers.

Cessna Citation CJ4 business jet on airport ramp during daylight
Business AviationAug 18, 9:25 AM

Textron Aviation Delivers 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 Jet Marking Two Decades of Success

On August 17, 2026, Textron Aviation announced that its Cessna subsidiary has delivered the 500th Cessna Citation CJ4 series aircraft. The milestone was achieved with the delivery of a Citation CJ4 Gen2 aircraft to a customer in the Philippines. The Citation CJ4 series is a family of light executive jets which was launched in 2006, first flew in 2008 and has since become one of the best-selling families of private jets. Textron Aviation is currently delivering around 30 CJ4s per year. It has been slightly more than three years since the 400 th Cessna CJ4 delivery in April 2023, to US industrial conglomerate Koch Holdings. Textron Aviation is already working on the next iteration of this aircraft, the Citation CJ4 Gen3, which will feature Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics and the Garmin Emergency Autoland safety system. "The Citation CJ4 has set the standard in its class for more than a decade, and with the Citation CJ4 Gen2 and the upcoming Citation CJ4 Gen3, we're continuing to invest in the innovation, technology and capabilities our customers value most," Lannie O'Bannion, Textron Senior Vice President for Sales & Marketing, said in a press release announcing the 500 th aircraft delivery. This latest and largest version of the Citation CJ4 series (the previous ones being the CJ4 base model and the Gen2 version), which will also be able to carry up to nine passengers and two pilots, is currently undergoing flight testing and is expected to receive type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before the end of 2026. RELATED New Cessna Citation launch customer confirmed, first test flight triumph: video

Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet on taxiway at dawn
Business AviationAug 13, 1:00 PM

Owning a Bombardier Challenger 300 Beats Chartering Beyond 300 Flight Hours Annually

200 hours of flight time is the most commonly cited figure for when it makes more sense to purchase a private jet than charter one. However, the exact number of flight hours depends heavily on the cost of charter and the aircraft in question. To take the Bombardier Challenger 300 as an example, charter rates are usually between $5,950 (low-end quote) and $9,525 (billable average) per hour, according to the Air Charter Journal . The latter is the figure that this article will use.

Eurocopter EC130 helicopter flying over a rugged mountainous safari landscape at dawn
Aviation SafetyAug 19, 8:07 PM

Seven perish in Eurocopter EC130 crash on Kenya safari flight near Mount Ololokwe

Five Americans were among seven people killed when a tourist helicopter crashed in a remote area of northern Kenya on August 19, 2026. The Eurocopter EC130 B4, registered 5Y-GYM, was carrying six passengers and one pilot when it crashed near Kirish, close to Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the accident occurred at approximately 09:13 local time while the helicopter was flying from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area. The aircraft was operated by Lady Lori Helicopters and was carrying guests of luxury safari company &Beyond. "We can confirm that on the morning of August 19, an aircraft registered as 5Y-GYM, carrying &Beyond guests, crashed near Kirish, close to Mt. Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya," the company said in a statement. The US State Department confirmed that five US citizens were among those killed. "We can confirm the deaths of five US citizens in a helicopter crash in Samburu County, Kenya," a State Department spokesperson said. "The US Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance." Lady Lori Helicopters identified the aircraft as 5Y-GYM and said it was operating the charter flight from Suyian Conservancy to Ololokwe. "Lady Lori Helicopters is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our aircraft, registered 5Y-GYM, was involved in an accident," the company said. "Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident." The six passengers included Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador's National Intelligence Center; his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, a dual US-Ecuadorian citizen; and José Alberto Suárez, a senior Telemundo executive based in Florida. The Kenya Red Cross joined a multiagency response at the crash site. The remote and mountainous terrain complicated efforts to reach the wreckage. Kenya's Air Accident Investigation Department is leading the crash investigation. The EC130 B4 is a seven-seat, single-engine helicopter developed by Eurocopter, now part of Airbus Helicopters. The type is widely used for sightseeing and charter flights because of its large cabin, low external noise and unobstructed views. Mount Ololokwe, also known as Ol Donyo Sabache, rises above the Samburu region and is a popular destination for hiking and wildlife tourism. Loisaba Conservancy and the Ewaso Nyiro River are also part of Kenya's northern safari circuit.

NTSB Releases New Video, Investigative Details From Fatal Philadelphia Learjet Accident
Aviation SafetyAug 19, 5:18 PM

NTSB Publishes New Video and Reports on Deadly Philadelphia Learjet 55 Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a new batch of investigative material from its probe of the January 2025 Learjet 55 crash in Philadelphia, including surveillance videos capturing the aircraft before and during the accident. The material was added to the NTSB's public docket Tuesday, Aug. 18. The docket now contains 59 items, including operational, airworthiness and maintenance reports, along with videos, audio recordings and other investigative data. Among the newly released videos are doorbell-camera and drive-thru footage showing the final seconds of the flight. Additional surveillance footage shows the aircraft at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport, including video of the crew conducting its preflight and the airplane taxiing for departure. The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport shortly after 6 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025, carrying a pediatric patient, her mother and four crewmembers on a flight to Tijuana, Mexico. The aircraft was airborne for about 22 seconds before crashing near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Mall. All six people aboard were killed, as were two people on the ground. At least 24 others were injured. The docket also includes an operational factors factual report, accident flight risk assessment, pilot training and flight-time records, aircraft weight-and-balance information, airworthiness and maintenance reports, and a checklist page recovered from the wreckage. Investigators also released reports covering the cockpit voice recorder , enhanced ground proximity warning system, aircraft performance and FAA ADS-B data. The NTSB has not yet determined what caused the crash. The newly released documents are factual investigative material and do not represent the agency's final findings or probable cause. The investigation remains ongoing, with the NTSB expected to address the cause and any contributing factors in its final report.

Boeing 787 aircraft on runway in daylight undergoing takeoff phase
Aviation SafetyAug 19, 8:14 AM

Tail-strike and delayed liftoff mark Vietnam Airlines 787 takeoff in Munich

German investigation authority confirms tail-strike as Hanoi-bound twinjet laboured to become airborne. German investigation authority BFU has confirmed that the Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 involved in a prolonged take-off roll at Munich struck its tail during a late lift-off. The aircraft, operating to Hanoi, was departing from runway 26L at 13:57 on 15 August but returned and landed just over 2h later. "During the rotation phase, the tail of the aircraft touched the ground," says BFU, adding that the aircraft "lifted off late". It states that the flight recorders from the twinjet are being read out at the authority's Braunschweig facilities. "Reading and analysing the data will take some time," it says. BFU also confirms that type marks "that could be attributed to the aircraft" were identified at the far end of the runway. No preliminary conclusions have been drawn by the inquiry, and no details have been released on performance calculations or system functionality. But the presence of the tyre marks – perhaps indicating activation of braking systems – is likely to be a focus of the probe, given that the crew appeared to have committed to becoming airborne. The aircraft carried out a full-length take-off from 26L, which is 4,000m in length, but preliminary information from Vietnamese publications appear to confirm indications that the aircraft struggled to accelerate. Vietnamese outlet VnExpress , citing an initial report from the country's civil aviation authority, says the crew realised – about halfway along the runway – that the aircraft's speed did not increase for a few seconds, before acceleration resumed. Upon reaching the V1 decision speed, it reports, the crew noticed a deceleration but believed there was insufficient runway distance to abort take-off. Normally V1 is defined as a speed which allows take-off to be aborted safely, and this might suggest an unexpected shortfall in the aircraft's acceleration performance and delays in achieving V1. The VnExpress report says the crew increased thrust to maximum and started rotating with about 300ft of runway remaining, generating a tail-strike warning. The crew also received alerts on tyre pressure. After burning fuel to reduce the landing weight, the 787 touched down on Munich's runway 26R. Several main landing-gear tyres were badly damaged. Meteorological data from Munich airport at the time indicates light variable winds and good visibility. Vietnamese and US representatives are participating in the inquiry. "Investigation into the accident is not yet complete," says BFU. "Further facts regarding human and technical factors, as well as organisational influences, still need to be established."

WATCH: ‘Ultra-Quiet’ Electric Aircraft Engines Power First Piloted Flight
Military/DefenseAug 19, 7:30 PM

Whisper Aero's Ultra-Quiet Electric Engines Power First Piloted Flights in Tennessee

An electric aircraft engine designed to reduce operational noise to a whisper is now powering piloted aircraft. Whisper Aero on Wednesday revealed that its "ultra-quiet" eQ250 electric ducted fan propulsion system is being put to the test in Tennessee under an FAA special airworthiness certification. The company said it installed a pair of eQ250s on a modified Aériane Swift 3 glider, with which test pilot Zac Majors conducted three flights spanning 130 minutes, or about 43 minutes on average. Majors said the aircraft, which the company refers to as the Whisper Powered Swift, produced more thrust and was quieter than the standard propeller version of the glider, "but still great handling." "[I] could really do whatever I wanted with it," Majors said in a statement. "Look forward to flying it again." Fortunately for him, the campaign is only just beginning. Whisper plans to continue testing the Swift in Tennessee before advancing to flight tests and evaluations with "government customers" later this year. The company is under contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop a new family of quiet, efficient, autonomous aircraft for contested logistics, with initial testing planned for 2027. How It Works The eQ250 is the flagship product of Whisper's electric quiet (eQ) engine series. According to the company, it produces up to 85 pounds of static thrust for fixed-wing aircraft. It can also power Group 3 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS)—which have maximum weight of 1,320 pounds and speed under 250 knots—or larger drone platforms. The specialized electric ducted fans are 10 inches in diameter and produce about 20 dB less noise than "comparable quiet propulsion systems," while also being 20 percent more efficient, according to Whisper's website . For short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft, the eQ250 is designed to enable coefficients of lift as high as 14. The propulsion system is intended to unlock short-to-medium-range regional air mobility services using small airports. The idea is similar to Electra's concept for "direct aviation," which involves the company's "ultra-short" takeoff and landing EL9. The goal is to replace trips that would take about 90 minutes driving with air service that takes closer to 20 minutes. Whisper said the Swift's 26:1 lift-to-drag ratio made it ideal for evaluating handling qualities and the propulsion system's performance, integration, and acoustics. Video: Whisper Aero The glider's eQ250s are powered by five Epic 1.0 Energy modules from Whisper partner Electric Power Systems (EPS). According to EPS, they provide 60 minutes of usable flight time with 30 minutes of reserve for trainer, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing), and "thin-haul" aircraft, which are used for very short trips with a handful of passengers. Whisper said the aircraft "completed its planned objectives," which included validating its propulsion integration, battery, control, and other systems. At full throttle at 100 feet agl, Whisper said the engines were quieter than the airframe itself. Ian Villa, co-founder and chief operating officer, told The Air Current that the glider can generate substantial noise without engines. Flown during the early morning, the aircraft produced about 52 dB(A) of noise compared to 34 dB(A) background noise, Whisper said. "The ability to fly within the soundscapes of even rural environments…will be critical for flights of FAA MOSAIC aircraft," the company added. The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) took effect in phases over the past few months and permits electric propulsion systems in the light-sport aircraft (LSA) category. More to Come Whisper said the test campaign "reduces risk" for the eQ250's larger civil and defense applications. The company is developing its JetFoil integration for STOL and VTOL aircraft, designed to enable runway independence. The JetFoil distributes ducted fan engines across the entire leading edge of the wing and would enable near-vertical takeoffs with 50 feet of ground roll. Whisper claims it will do so using half the thrust of tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft while offering more range and double the payload. Villa earlier this year told FLYING that Whisper is in talks with government customers to build and fly JetFoil-equipped prototypes, the idea being that they could be transitioned to commercial manufacturers who could bring them to market. For example, one could swap the de Havilland Twin Otter's high wing for a JetFoil and hybrid-electric powertrain. Whisper said the testing will further support its Collaborative Logistics Aircraft (CLA) program with the U.S. Air Force. The CLA concept is similar to the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) framework, which pairs crewed fighter jets with uncrewed "loyal wingmen." Instead, CLA aircraft would carry between 500 and 3,000 pounds of cargo and operate from austere or degraded runways. Whisper is studying two CLA concepts that incorporate 12 and 30 eQ250 engines on the leading edge of the wing, using the JetFoil integration. According to the company, at 250 knots, the CLA aircraft would generate reduced noise and heat signatures compared to models they could replace. Whisper in May 2025 said that initial CLA flight testing would begin in 2027 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The company has also shared concepts for a regional Whisper Jet and more robust 100-seat model, both based around its ducted fan and eQ technology.

A US military pilot in flight gear walking toward a military aircraft on a sunny day
Military/DefenseAug 19, 12:00 AM

US Military Pilots Weigh Retirement Benefits Versus Airline Pay After Service

The aviators of the US Armed Forces face a crossroads when they come to the end of their minimum active-duty service commitments. All the branches of the Department of Defense have their own core of professional aircrew. In the US Air Force and Army, the contracts to be a professional flyer come with a ten-year commitment. Meanwhile, the US Navy and the Marines have a slightly shorter minimum duty at eight years.