Runway Girl

08/15/2025

Lufthansa Technik is bringing its sharkskin-inspired AeroSHARK surface technology to Airbus aircraft for the very first time.

The MRO giant, which has already installed AeroSHARK on 29 Boeing aircraft, reveals that certification work for AeroSHARK on the Airbus A330ceo family has begun. It expects to receive a supplemental type certificate (STC) for AeroSHARK on the aircraft type in 2026.

“Our choice of the A330ceo as the next candidate for AeroSHARK certification is strategic, given the aircraft type’s widespread use and significant impact on global fuel consumption and emissions,” explains the firm.

“With about 1,000 A330-200 and -300 aircraft in service worldwide, the potential for operational cost savings and environmental benefits is substantial.”

Full story:

Lufthansa Technik is bringing its AeroSHARK technology to Airbus aircraft for the very first time. STC work for the A330ceo has begun.

08/13/2025

As Amtrak slowly but surely makes progress on overhauling its high-speed and regional trainsets with NextGen Acela and Airo, respectively, a recent RFP shared by user Paniolo Man on the AmtrakTrains.com forum has shown for the first time Amtrak’s vision for modern single-level long distance coaches.

Most of Amtrak’s long distance network utilizes bi-level Superliner coaches which themselves are overdue for replacement, while the East Coast long distance network utilizes single-level Amfleet coaches for its coach and business class seating. These coaches are in need of replacement and were not included in the Airo order that is just now entering the testing phase.

While the forthcoming NextGen Acela and Airo do bring a new experience to Amtrak passengers, they will not be used on longer overnight routes out of New York City such as the Lake Shore Limited train to Chicago and Silver Services to Florida. This represents Amtrak’s first opportunity in decades to rethink its long distance coach class experience.

Amtrak’s vision includes three variations, with different fits and finishes to match: a high-capacity car exclusively for the busy Northeast Corridor initially, a more plush standard car for long distance overnight services or business class on the corridor, and a café car for use on either corridor or long distance services.

Full story: https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/08/amtrak-issues-rfp-for-single-level-long-distance-coaches/

08/11/2025

Saudi Arabian low-cost airline flyadeal, a Saudia Group subsidiary, is exploring inflight connectivity options for its all-Airbus fleet and expects to make a decision on how and whether to proceed by the end of the year, CEO Steven Greenway revealed to Runway Girl Network during a Teams video call.

Speaking from his home via a SpaceX Starlink connection, Greenway admitted to being a fan of the residential service, citing the “robustness” of the connection. He is also impressed with the rapid pace and “absolute military precision” at which Qatar Airways is installing Starlink on its fleet (the 777 fleet has already been completed, with the airline touting a 9.5-hour install time, and equipage of the A350s is now underway.)

“And there’s no invasive surgery. You know you’re not cutting holes into the ceiling of the aircraft or anything like that. So, it’s interesting. We’ve done our homework, and certainly the install has been very, very, very quick, and we can see that with Qatar as well.”

Though the flyadeal CEO notes that some of the stalwart IFC service providers are “struggling to get the performance that Starlink has got currently,” that doesn’t necessarily mean Starlink is a sure bet for the airline’s fast-growing fleet, which comprises all-economy A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo narrowbodies, plus a cluster of leased A330 widebodies, used mainly for Hajj and Umrah pilgrim flights. Ten new A330neos have been ordered by the Saudia Group for flyadeal.

Full story:

Flyadeal is exploring inflight connectivity options for its all-Airbus fleet and expects to make a decision by year-end, CEO Steven Greenway revealed.

08/08/2025

Portable chargers, also known as power banks, have been making headlines again after overheating and creating smoke and fire events in aircraft cabins, including aboard a KLM 777 on 6 August, and a Delta 757 on 7 July.

Now, following a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking decisive action to mitigate risk by completely banning the use of power banks on its aircraft.

“Using any kind of power bank is prohibited onboard Emirates’ flights, effective from 1 October 2025,” the Dubai-based airline says, citing safety as a “core value.”

It joins a growing list of airlines that have tightened protocol around power banks. Singapore Airlines, for instance, does not permit the usage or charging of power banks during flight.

Full story:

Emirates is taking decisive action to mitigate risk by completely banning the use of power banks on its aircraft.

08/07/2025

After nearly half a decade of watching, waiting, and testing, Amtrak has revealed that revenue passenger service of its NextGen Acela trainsets will finally commence on August 28, 2025.

Originally planned to enter service in 2021, the project was beset with problems discovered during the testing phase, leading to years of delay. Acela is the national passenger rail operator’s premium Northeast Corridor service, operating between Boston and Washington D.C.

Amtrak has not yet announced which departures will be operated using the new equipment on day one, but it says service will initially begin with five new trainsets. This will allow Amtrak to sideline some of the poorly performing original Acela trainsets before eventually ramping up service as it takes delivery of a total 28 trainsets through 2027.

Amtrak has had to keep its original Acela equipment in service for years beyond originally expected and it has become commonplace for multiple daily departures to be canceled due to mechanical issues, leading to a shortage of available equipment.

The NextGen Acela fleet should bring some immediate relief to frustrated riders, and even expand availability and lower fares as the new trains also bring along an increased passenger capacity.

Much like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 in the early 2000s, a delayed entry into service has led to a conundrum. With an interior designed many years before entering service, technology and passenger expectations have advanced while the design has not, and it might feel a bit dated before a passenger ever steps on board.

Full story: https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/08/amtrak-to-launch-nextgen-acela-service-on-august-28/

08/07/2025

Air France surprised many in the aero world when it selected SpaceX’s Starlink inflight connectivity solution for its fleet of aircraft, as opposed to Paris-headquartered Eutelsat’s competing OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satcom service.

But while Eutelsat chief executive officer Jean-François Fallacher says it’s “a pity” the satellite operator didn’t win the French flag carrier’s business, he reveals that new contracts with other carriers — including with an undisclosed operator in South America — have been forged.

“We are equipping other airlines, Delta Air Lines, amongst others,” Fallacher noted during a conference call to report Eutelsat’s fiscal year 2024/2025 earnings, including an impressive 84.1% year-over-year increase in connectivity revenue for its LEO business, which supports a variety of clients including enterprise, government and mobility.

“And there are more to come,” he assured in reference to new airline clients.

"We just signed this week an important contract with a South American airline so it’s a pity we did not convince Air France in the past but sometimes it happens in a competitive market."

Eutelsat has "just signed an important contract with a South American airline," CEO Jean-François Fallacher revealed during an earnings call.

08/02/2025

In a testament to the power of color, materials and finish (CMF) in aircraft interiors, Swiss International Air Lines is receiving accolades after unveiling mockups of its new “Senses” first class and business class seats for the first time. “Gorgeous,” enthused one traveler. “Pure class,” proclaimed another.

Together with new premium economy and economy class cabins, the Senses first and business class products are slated to arrive this fall on the carrier’s new Airbus A350-900 twinjets, and will make their intercontinental debut on flights from Zurich to Boston in the wintertime, management confirmed during a presentation of the mockups in Zurich.

Tickets are now bookable for flights beginning on 1 January 2026.

We’ve seen the hard product before: Lufthansa has been flying its “Allegris” version of Lufthansa Group’s so-called Future InterContinental Experience (FICE) interiors on A350-900s since April of last year, and now has ten Allegris-fitted A350s in service. The debut of Allegris first class on the A350 — including the center-section, two-seater sofa/bed that facilitates couples — was delayed until late-2024 due to supply chain constraints at seatmaker Collins Aerospace.

But whilst Lufthansa’s Allegris color palette is objectively rather conservative — navy accented by wood effects and marble in first class, and heavy on the blues and greys in business class — SWISS has paired colors like claret and anthracite with swish materials and human-centric lighting from Jetlite to showcase its personality.

The beautifully styled Senses cabins aim to effectively do what they say on the proverbial tin, and appeal to all the senses.

Full story: https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/08/swiss-reveals-senses-mockups-readies-for-product-debut-on-a350/

08/02/2025

Lufthansa to fly new 787s with some business seats initially blocked

Lufthansa in September expects to take delivery of its first Allegris-fitted Boeing 787-9. But a "big portion" of the business class cabin will be blocked due to continued seat certification issues, CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed during the firm's 2Q 2025 earnings conference call.

08/01/2025

Meet Nigeria's Aanuoluwapo ‘Annie’ Ojewunmi, the Airplane Girl

Known as The Airplane Girl, Aanuoluwapo ‘Annie’ Ojewunmi is both an aircraft maintenance engineer and a mentor to young engineers.

07/30/2025

flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway on why the LCC is growing quickly

If you ever get the chance to talk to flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway, don’t be surprised if you walk away from the conversation with a fresh interest in exploring Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination.

07/28/2025

Etihad takes first A321LR with three classes and Safran seatback IFE

Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321LR (long range) aircraft, and with it a new three-class interior featuring a front-row first class product, Safran Passenger Innovations’ RAVE inflight entertainment system from nose to tail, and Viasat-powered onboard Wi-Fi.

07/24/2025

Skyborne Airline Academy to train ab initio students for Ryanair

European low-cost carrier Ryanair has chosen Skyborne Airline Academy as the first UK provider for the Ryanair Future Flyer Academy.