Merry Christmas!

This is a Christmas Message from Aircraft Aviation in Europe.

This year has been great well not as great to me compare I wen't to the US last year. This year been travelling to Malta & back to the United Kingdom then I visited Amsterdam, The Netherlands back in August, I'm back in college studying Air Cabin Crew till June next year and now I'm due back to Malta next week for some final aircraft shots for 2016. If you remember my last Christmas blog I was mean't to go somewhere else for 2016, some of my trips might be included next year if you have been following me in Facebook I'm hoping to go on another long haul flight after I finish college before I start looking into my Cabin Crew Career. I think this year my favourite trip was Farnborough, UK because I haven't been to Farnborough International Airshow since 2004 I was glad I went this year seeing Airbus A380 closer & seeing the Boeing 727 we don't around see these days. 

For those who been subscribing to me on YouTube, following me on Flickr and like on Facebook this year I like to thank you for liking Aircraft Aviation in Europe hope you've enjoyed my photos, news & posts this year and now we'll see the future of 2017. 

From Aircraft Aviation in Europe I wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! and a Happy New Year 2017. Hope you'll enjoy your Christmas spirit all over the world with your family. 

Finally we are now closing the book ending the final chapter Aircraft Aviation in Europe's 2016 trip .Have a Happy New Year where ever you are & I'll see you in 2017.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From Aircraft Aviation in Europe

Next travel movement for December 2016 & January 2017

As we got 1 month till 2017, here is the news about my 2 travel movements. 

Even though I originally going to stop doing Full Flight videos, I'm gonna do this one on my Air Malta flight from London Gatwick, UK in 4 weeks time because I heard that Airbus A319's are slowing phasing out of Air Malta fleet so this time I will do this one encase I won't travel with them if they leave the fleet I'm hoping it's 9H-AEJ in Atlantic Airways hybrid livery I don't mind if it's 9H-AEM I haven't flew A319 for 7 years. I haven't done an Air Malta Full Flight video from London Gatwick for 3 years so might as well do an update. 

Finally we come to Ryanair. I have decided on 5th January 2017 I will do a Full Flight video since it's been 4 years to Bournemouth, UK I mostly not going to enjoy the flight back in the Summer so I will give one last try. With the Flight Report, I will do both flights.

History of British Airways G-BOAB

10 years ago British Airways and Air France retires their Super Sonic jet airliner Concorde so today is the history of G-BOAB from British Airways throughout the years of operation. G-BOAB was the third Concorde delivered to British Airways On 30th September 1976 first flew in Filton, UK ON 18th May 1976. During the early years of G-BOAB, On 12th January 1979, British Airways and Air France delivered Concorde to Braniff International Airways in the United States before G-BOAB headed to the US, it was re-registered to G-N94AB on the same day; as it arrives in the US, Braniff re-registered the aircraft again to N941B only to be registered for US domestic flights between Washington - Dallas/Fort Worth - Washington only flight time roughly 45 mins up to 1 hour if my calculation is not correct, feel free to comment. Anyway Braniff owned 10 Concordes leased by British Airways and Air France as part of Braniff's interchange agreement for services between Texas and Europe. There wasn't a full article reasob why Concorde phase out of Braniff in 1980  so I'm not sure if British Airways and Air France agreement with Braniff ended so all of the Concorde fleet returned to BA and Air France re-registering their original registration and back to work on Trans Atlantic flights. However disaster strikes for Concorde.

Air France Flight 4590

As we've entered into the 21st Century, on 25th July 2000 Air France flight 4590 from Paris Charles de Gaulle, France to New York JFK, USA crashed after takeoff from Paris when a tire puncturing the fuel tank catching huge fire like space shuttle blasted off killing everyone onboard. After Flight 4590, all Concorde flights for Air France and British Airways was grounded until further notice. But what does it mean to G-BOAB? While the investigation was underway what caused the Air France crash. British Airways resume Concorde few months later I can't remember when I was too young back in the day. 

Before I continue what about "What does it mean to G-BOAB" that aircraft had an incident before. On 21st March 1992, British Airways flight from London Heathrow, UK - New York JFK, USA suffered a structural failure in-flight at Supersonic Speed the aircraft landed safely to New York with only one engine it wasn't a major incident but you get the idea. 

After the Air France crash, G-BOAB was withdrawn immediately by British Airways on 15th August 2000 after her sister G-BOAA was withdrawn on 12th August 2000.  After BA officaly retires all Concorde same with Air France, most Concorde you'll see today are now in museums apart from one poor Concorde that's currently at London Heathrow. The last flight of this aircraft was flight BA002P from New York JFK, US - London Heathrow, UK since then the aircraft never flew again it was never modified. Whats the future?

My recent photo you saw at my London Heathrow blog, G-BOAB has been in storage for 10 years still has no future but the good news is that the aircraft is preserved. So what are the plan for this poor aircraft? from what I've heard it could be a display to be open to the public which I think it's a good idea kinda like G-BOAC at a viewing park in Manchester, UK. In my opinion I think this aircraft would be useful to be turned into First Class Lounge at Terminal 5 before boarding to your long haul flights bring back Heathrow's routes with a Concorde Lounge. After it was withdrawn, G-BOAB was stored at "Point Rocket" next to runway 27R however when Airbus A380 was in production, the wings are big than a Boeing 747-400 so G-BOAB needs to be relocated up to this current location. With engineering tests to storage we have to wait & see the future otherwise it's Plan B.

If you like to see G-BOAB latest update, click on Heritage Concorde

Top 6 shots for 2016

2016 has been a very awesome and interesting year something to look forward to in 2017. The reason why I'm doing it early, is because I'm now in college & I be heading to Malta next month for the New Year although I will be doing aircraft photography; however I'm not going to include Malta for next month as I think whats going to happen next year for my career. This is a very tough decision to vote my best shots for 2016 so let's have a look! 

6: Smile Captain!

Visiting Amsterdam, The Netherlands is one of Europe's popular spotting in my opinion when it comes with aircraft close to the Visiting Terrace. Visiting Amsterdam will be another request to visit in 2017 maybe in very cold temperature you might say. This TUI Airlines Netherlands PH-TFB taxing to the gate when the captain opened the window giving me a smile back in August 2016. I remember in 2014 I did a spotting video with a United Airline pilot giving me a wave somehow I've lost it. Hope next year will be interesting.

5: Lookout it's a Boeing 727!

When I was in Farnborough, UK for Farnborough International Airshow. I thought a Boeing 727 will do a normal display like the Airbus A380 did. When I heard the Boeing 727 engines in low attitude & being followed by other 4 planes, this would have been my lucky shot I took. T2 Aviation is the only airliner that still uses a Boeing 727 possibly in the United Kingdom I would suggest go to Doncaster, UK that's their hub.

4: Red Arrow Salute 

At Bournemouth Air Festival 2016 it was marked of 5 years the death of a young Red Arrow Pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging who crashed landed in Bournemouth, UK. This is the reason I include this top 5 photo is to show support of Jon's friends & family. 

3: Airbus A380 on display

I have so many photos on Airbus A380 in Farnborough, UK in the sky some turned out good & some did not because the weather keeps changing. I love the look of the flaps during take off at low attitude & something I spotted a vortex comes out the engines. Since I have no airshow visits at this time Paris, France might be my biggest request as well as Malta International Airshow I hope I'll visit Farnborough International Airshow 2018.

2: Liftoff like a bullet

This came close to number one because I have never took any photo at very took takeoff angle between the Condor Boeing 757-300 and my camera. Malta is the best locations to spot where ever you go for takeoff from Runway 13 where my photo climb and Runway 31 for landing if you want to smoke touch down. Thus photo reminds me of Thomas Cook Airlines couple of years ago when a Boeing 767-300 rotated but still on the runway.

1: Air Malta the sunset of the Maltese Islands

I never took a photo of sunsets looks like orange juice this was my favourite photo with orange sky in the background while Air Malta is taxing to park. My next challenge it the Maltese winter sunset. Air Malta 9H-AEK Airbus A320-200 arrived back home from Zurich, Switzerland I'm very proud to took this photo for an armature aircraft photographer. This was also done by a request from a good friend of mine who is a special fan of my photos grazzi hafna I hopped you've enjoyed all my photos this year. This was taken in July 2016. Before I close 2016 off my diary, I'll be doing a Christmas blog on Christmas Day.

London Heathrow, UK 1st November 2016

It's been a year I last visited London Heathrow, UK this time my aircraft photos are better than last time while I was filming a Full Flight video. Enjoy my London Heathrow blog.

Remember this area? For those new spotters who are not I will explain, This was Terminal 1 was formally opened in 1968 by HM Queen Elizabeth II. Although this wasn't the first terminal when Terminal 2 is the first terminal known as The Queen's Terminal first opened in 1955 Heathrow's original terminal. When Terminal 3 came along Heathrow decided to number the terminals till present. What's going to happen to Terminal 1? Since it's been closed down for a year, the plan for Heathrow is when the New Terminal 2 is completed, Terminal 1 is currently on demolition to make way to extended Terminal 2. The project has not started yet because Heathrow is planning to demolish Terminal 3 by 2019 for further extension for Terminal 2. Terminal 4 has no plan for demolition so that means no more Heathrow terminal number for Terminal 4 and Terminal 5? No one knows. In general I normally go at Terminal 4 everytime I arrive from Malta I love that terminal because it's smaller  once you arrive, your at immigration in 7 minutes walking then head to baggage reclaim & easy to drive out of Heathrow it's like London Gatwick South Terminal in my opinion. I've been to Terminal 1 in 2006 meeting my dad's friend from Doha. I'm planning to visit Heathrow Terminal 5 in late Winter 2017 this should be interesting. 

I remember when I landed at Heathrow last year, I'm a big fan of that giant radar that spins around every time we arrive at Heathrow by car & air. When I was a kid, I use to go mad on that radar by drawing a sketch & draw Air Malta plane right beside the radar. Since I landed at Heathrow last year, the radar was gone been replaced by a new radar tower with the concrete tower still remain "As you can see the far right end side." I think because the project for Terminal 2 extension is underway, it's hard to say if it's true that the old concrete tower might come down to demolish as well as Terminal 1 unfortunately.  

British Airways G-XLEE Airbus A380 new to British Airways in 2014 seen in Terminal 3 taken 1st November 2016.

Most of my photos are from Terminal 3. First Aircraft is British Airways Airbus A380 registered G-XLEE this was due to be flight BA209 to Miami, USA from what I saw is catering lorries then the boarding will begin. It's hard for me if I prefer Airbus A380 or Boeing 747-400 till we come the next photo I wanted before retirement.

British Airways G-CIVA Boeing 747-400 new to British Airways in 1993 seen at Terminal 3 taken 1st November 2016.

Well still no plans for retirement yet because British Airways this year refurbished their 747-400 cabin making like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliners when I saw it online, it looked amazing for an old 20+ year old aircrafts. According to British Airways, the upgraded 747 cabin will only be used destinations to New York JFK in USA, Chicago in USA, Dubai in UAE, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Toronto in Canada. Travelling on a Boeing 747-400 is one of my biggest travel request but as they got older, less these jumbo jets will be a loving memory. Interesting about this aircraft, G-CIVA was the one that have British Asia Airways livery in Landor based in Taiwan to operate between London Heathrow to Taipei via Hong Kong. The Airline was ceased in December 2001.

American Airlines N717AN Boeing 777-300ER new to American Airlines in 2012 seen in Terminal 3 taken 1st Nocember 2016.

Photos for American Airlines in my request for spotting since I saw one in Dublin, Ireland and Las Vegas, USA by seeing different types in different livery. While my recent Air Malta flight is taxing to Terminal 4, this Boeing 777-300ER waiting for push back for the flight to Miami, USA. I like the old tail with AA more than the US flag tail imaging a change to that.

Virgin Atlantic unknown registration Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner seen in Terminal 3 taken 1st November 2016.

Here we go! I've finally have Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner! Virgin Atlantic currently has 13 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners & 4 are on order. According to Virgin Atlantic's future the airline will replace the Boeing 747-400 from London Gatwick and Manchester to make way for the new Airbus A350-1000 by 2019 with 12 are currently on order I'm not sure if Airbus A380 will replace Boeing 747-400 because last year Virgin Atlantic ended it's era with the Boeing 747-400 at Heathrow. Not sure 787's are also in Gatwick, Manchester and two seasonal routes in Glasgow & Belfast.Hope the future for Virgin will be interesting.

Thai Airways HS-TUA Airbus A380 new to Thai Airways in 2012 seen in Terminal 2 taken 1st November 2016.

As I have starting to get more Asian airliners I feel like I'm almost there for Full Service Airliners. From Terminal 2 Thai Airways HS-TUA Airbus A380 taxing runway 09R on flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Some Asian airliners I'm missing full service airlines are from Japan, Filipinos, India, Pakistan, North Korea, South Korea Qatar & many more I can think of. 

British Airways G-BOAB Aerospatiale/Concorde new to British Airways in 1976 seen by British Airways hanger taken 1st November 2016.

And finally we met the Super Sonic airliner again. Visiting Concorde is on my wish list visiting the exhibition whether it's in the UK, France or in the United States I want to see inside this Super Sonic jet. Silly question who flies fast? Concorde or Sonic the Hedgehog? I vote Concorde because Sonic the Hedgehog can't fly even though he can in Super Sonic form but that's cheating when it comes with transformation the real Super Sonic airliner that flies by birth. This poor G-BOAB still has no future home; Good thing is that this aircraft is still preserved I do wish this would be another Concorde lounge for Terminal 5 but this time with an aircraft first class diner. I can't remember last year I mention about this Concorde, G-BOAB did not retire in 2003 from British Airways; after the Air France Flight 4590 in 25th July 2000 while rest of Concorde was grounded, G-BOAB was withdrawn by British Airways in 15th August 2000 2 and the half weeks after Flight 4950 crash. Soon I will do a blog of the history of G-BOAB this will be interesting.

London Gatwick, UK 24th October 2016

It's been a year I last visited London Gatwick, UK so now it's time to share what I saw at Gatwick's South Terminal towards the runway. I do apologise for the lack of blogs after my Air Malta KM100 flight report as you know I've been extremely busy with my cabin crew course at college now I have the weekend doing another blog is coming right up after this. 

Pegasus TC-DCD Airbus A320 new to Pegasus in 2014 taken 24th October 2016.

Little recap - while my Air Malta flight was delayed due to recent incident, I was having my breakfast & a cup of tea so I can some aircraft views while I wait for my flight for updates. It's been two years I saw a Turkish Airliner Pegasus back in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This TC-DCD Airbus A320-200 new to Pegasus Airlines in 2014 sitting next to Turkish Airlines as both airliners are set for departure to Istanbul, Turkey. Pegasus was travelling to Istanbul Sbiha Cokcen & Turkish Airlines to Istanbul - Ataturk. (Photo from my phone)

Air Malta 9H-AEP Airbus A320-200 new to Air Malta in 2007 taken 24th October 2016.

And of course my Air Malta flight. I'm not going to mention any details about my flight as you know, I've already done a Flight Report about it. Lucky for me when I looked at the flight information it's at gate 5, this is one of the new piers I never went before because for low cost airliners and BA I normally go at North Terminal. The new pier reminds me of North Terminal. I think in my opinion my flight was parked there by the runway due to long delay in Malta it's by the runway & avoiding long delays to park at the gate. Now I have an upcoming Air Malta flight next month either Full Flight video or another report.

Norwegian Air Shuttle EI-FHC Boeing 737-800 new to Norwegian Air Shuttle in 2009 ex LN-NOL taken 24th October 2016.

During the final cabin check on my flight, I came across this lucky tail on Norwegian Air Shuttle. The tail as you can see marks from Boeing a 6000th Boeing 737 they ever built I'm not sure if it's for Next Generation or just in general all 737's. I do wish Norwegian Air Shuttle should make t he fuselage special for this 6000th Boeing 737 aircraft not just the tail like EasyJet special livery on the fuselage continue across to the tail.

EasyJte G-EZWF new to EasyJet in 2012 taken 24th October 2016. 

Speaking of EasyJet, I manage to get a decent one before it changes terminals. Even though I be in London Gatwick next month, I see if I can get some last shots depending where some EasyJet aircraft parks. If you don't know already, some EasyJet flights in South Terminal will be moving to North Terminal on 24th January 2017 "Day after my birthday on 23rd."I think North Terminal seems to having it's new home for low cost airliners & charter airliners while some Full Service airlines like Virgin Atlantic (moving to North Terminal) and Emirates for example are in North stuck with low-cost airliners. 

Even for British Airways moving from North to South Terminal.

British Airways G-YMMF Boeing 777-200ER new to British Airways 200 taken 24th October 2016.

As we countdown to British Airways' new home could this be BA's final parking area at North Terminal? If you don't know BA's fleet in Gatwick they are primary used for Airbus A319's A320's and Boeing 777's while London Heathrow is uses Airbus A320 family, Airbus A380, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777's and Boeing 787's.

Ryanair EI-DAC new to Ryanair in 2002 taken 24th October 2016.

And finally we have Ryanair. Although Ryanair operates almost every UK airports including London airports, Ryanair doesn't have many flights in Gatwick compare to London Stansted and London Luton for example while non-London airports like Bournemouth, Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester and two Glasgow airports operates more routes including Cardiff and Newquay Ryanair expanding their destinations while London Heathrow for Ryanair is the only one left out. With Ryanair's destinations in London Gatwick they only operate couple international flights two in Spain to Alicante & Seville and few Irish airports in Republic of Ireland to Cork, Dublin and Shannon while Belfast is Ryanair's only UK domestic flight.

My flight report Air Malta KM100 Malta - London Heathrow, UK 1st November 2016

Airline: Air Malta
Codeshare: Ethiad Airways
Flight: KM100
Type: Airbus A320-200
Registration: 9H-AEI
Flight of origin: Malta
Destination: London Heathrow, UK Terminal 4
Flight time: 3 hours

As I arrived at Malta International Airport at 5am, I've checked-in and relax for a bit until a special fan from Air Malta cabin crew back on KM117 & spotting request arrived at the airport on a different flight for another hello and our goodbyes by the departure gate. After I went through security waiting for goodbye with a good friend of mine I notice on the flight information my flight was delayed...again. I thought to myself if it's a technical fault however it wasn't Air Malta's fault. The main reason why it was delayed, it's because there was fog around London area with ATC restrictions so I have to wait almost 3 hours. While I sat at the gate I was talking to a American passenger thinking he might miss his flight to San Francisco, USA I hopped he made it in-time. Something bothers me because Air Malta KM116 was boarding for London Gatwick, UK and there was Ryanair flight to London Luton, UK was boarding that leaved my flight out which is strange. 

And there it is 9H-AEI Airbus A320-200! When I arrived from security "I wonder if that was my flight." This year makes it my second flight in special colours are you know I been on KLM Cityhopper in Skyteam livery & now my recent Air Malta flight. I have a full story of 9H-AEI blog in history you can also check it out. Even though I was waiting for the delay, I couldn't stop looking at it think it might be my flight. As I see no Air Malta planes around apart from one not in use while the others are at Park 8. When I saw my friend's plane taking off "No photo sorry" I went through passport control & waited bored I want to sleep. 

"I was right!" When I was boarding it was the retro jet after all in beautiful red, purple colours with the small Air Malta cross I felt I was in love with it! When I was boarding, the PTU keeps going which is normal I never been onboard Airbus PTU for longer than 5 minutes I wanted to film how long it lasts I do have a video on Facebook. I was a bit of an idiot because my seat was 14A that means I should have boarded the front instead the back but because I wanted a selfie of me with the tail I just need a photo of me. The cabin crew during boarding was nice saying to me Bongu in Maltese then I headed to my seat.

During taxing I departed runway 13 via Victor, Uniform, Tango and Foxtrot runway 13 normally it's X-ray and Whisky but it was closed due to refurbishment on the taxiway. During takeoff I was cleared for takeoff from position Foxtrot at a very decent weather with bit calm winds. After takeoff Air Malta use to have self announcement instead of using a cabin crew about safety & comfort and in flight service that happened on my last year Air Malta flight even though they still have self announcement to welcome us, prepare for landing and arrived at our destination. It didn't bother me anyway although I do think it's cheating because to me, it should be done by cabin crew not machine in my opinion. 

The cabin looks like normal typical Air Malta although I do wish since this is a retro livery, Air Malta should have change the look of the cabin making it retro with exclusive flight entertainment. With the safety card I also with Air Malta should re-design the card changing back to the old style exclusive for that plane. The cabin crew are polite but not as polite when I had snack and buying something to eat. During the flight I was a sleep.

As you aspect on all Air Malta flights, you get a roll and bottle of water it looks like a ham sandwich with cheese I'm really not keen on cheese because in general. I have taken few bites, it wasn't bad although before I was heading to London I felt sick because I was spotting in bad weather conditions in Malta I always wanted to do and I almost lost my voice with a bad cough so I have eaten half of the roll and drunken a lot of water because of my dry throat and lips being unwell lucky my mum bought gallon of water at the airport.

After I had my roll, I decided to try & sleep again until I was hungry again to I spoil myself to get another snack & get rid some lose change, although my complaint they don't use debit cards compare almost some European airliners uses cards with their iPad (only seen one in Flybe) & card readers etc I was gonna use my debit card till I read "Cash only"

So I decided to be a little piggy and have crisps for €4 overall price. "Oh €4 Euros is a rip off for light snacks!" Yes true if you think of that but at the end of the day, you need to eat that comes out your wallet & by plenty of water for dehydration for short & medium haul flights. When I was travelling to Southampton, UK from Amsterdam, The Netherlands my friend paid £9 just for few packs of sweets, water and 7Up if you skipped breakfast you're body will feel weaker & feel dehydrated as you're onboard the plane & I was one of them on my recent Air Malta flight due to time for check-in, passport control & wait at the gate.

And so at 12:20pm (UK time) I arrived at London Heathrow Terminal 4; landing in bit of fog with low visibility I think the captain made a great landing it was smooth until the brakes was a bit hard only to make way for another aircraft to land which is not a problem. So I left Malta at 10:50am making it 3 hours late it's not the airlines fault, these things happen but passengers don't see that seriously thinking "Oh delayed because of weather while other airlines still travel to London never travel Air Malta!" That is heart breaking if I work for Air Malta. I think I heard something like that by one angry passenger during check-in at London Gatwick last week "Ridiculous airline" when there was a plane crash closing the airport. They don't understand that safety is one important thing not just Air Malta, also includes all airliners even my self as a cabin crew student I'm doing my training. 

My overall score from Aircraft Aviation in Europe:

• Cabin - 10/10
• Hygienic - 10/10
• Food - 9.9/10
• Cabin Crew - 9/10
• Service - 9.9/10

Overall: 9.9/10

On behalf of Aircraft Aviation in Europe, I like to thank Air Malta for my pleasure flight I will be travelling back again in the near future keep it up! Sahha u Grazzi for now. 

News: I am not going to do another Air Malta trip report between London Gatwick or London Heathrow to Malta over & over again. What I'm going to do is another report on Air Malta to different destinations. The only time I'm going to do another Air Malta report from London to Malta is Business Class only (once) that will be my big request.

My flight report Air Malta KM117 London Gatwick, UK - Malta 24th October 2016

Airline: Air Malta
Flight: KM117
Type: Airbus A320-200
Registration: 9H-AEP
Flight of origin: London Gatwick, UK South Terminal
Destination: Malta
Flight time: 2 hours & 50 minutes

It was a busy morning in London Gatwick, UK in South Terminal. Before I went to Gatwick while I was on my way to the airport, disaster happened in Malta International Airport. At 07:20am a small Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner aircraft registered N577MX has crashed during takeoff  but we'll get to that later on in the blog. During the incident, the airport in Malta was closed for roughly 3 hours causing more flights to delay & some cancelled from Ryanair until the airport was re-opened & start flying the delayed flight. Our flight time was mean't to be 11:55am we departed London Gatwick roughly gone 3:15pm UK time. Even though when my flight was delayed, you can still check-in but you have to take the luggage encase if flight is cancelled. When the airport was re-opened we dropped our bags at the desk & head straight to the departures for food.

And here she is! This was a lucky day at the gate because this was taken at the new Pier 1 when Gatwick made it smaller & less space. Once we started boarding my only complain is that I was sitting 5F, they boarded the flight from the back, middle & the front shouldn't it be the other way around? I mean business class & disabled comes first yes but not back row seats after business class comes first. I think it's out of order because business class up to emergency exit row should come first that is in my opinion. 

Unfortunately I don't have any cabin pics at this time but I have to say it's completely spotless. The cabin crew are alright although I do think some are polite with their smiles on their faces unless it was me trying to fall a sleep until one special cabin crew does during boarding, service in business class passengers and goodbyes after landing "Now that's what I call the REAL cabin crew!" If you remember on my Facebook before I went to the UK, back in the Summer she is a good friend of mine giving requests of me taking photos during her travel movements in the Summer "Thank you very much for this awesome flight! It's been a long time." I do think 3 months wasn't long compare if I miss someone special for 1 year or so.  

With food it's the same typical roll with water although when I smelt it, I start to feel a bit sick so I couldn't eat it "Sorry!" Believe it or not, some Full Service Airliners are ending full food like British Airways recently did on short haul flights only go for little snacks They had complimentary tea & coffee due to the delay of the flight although  I was sleeping I didn't see what happened so I have to give credit.

During the flight it was smooth like really smooth for takeoff and landing. Even though unfortunately it was classed as a night flight because my camera doesn't like night flights but I do enjoy seeing the sunset when the sun turns orange "Now it's my chance!" other than that it was a good flight I really enjoyed more than my Flybe flight from Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Southampton, UK. 

And so by 07:15pm I landed back in Malta in one peace (wrong calculation on flightradar24) because I was sitting on the right side of the aircraft I did see the crash site of N577MX I didn't want to talk about it makes my heart felt completely broken. And so that was my latest Air Malta flight I enjoyed it so much makes me want to forget my Flybe flight. Coming next Tuesday, flight KM100 to London Heathrow, UK.

My overall score from Aircraft Aviation in Europe:

• Cabin - 10/10
• Hygienic -10/10
• Food - 9/10
• Cabin Crew - 9.9/10
• Service 9.9/10

Overall: 9.9/10 

It's been a great pleasure as you're fellow aviation reporter on board this awesome Air Malta flight & I thank you for it. Keep it up & look forward next Tuesday.  

PS: I am not counting the delay on the rating as it's not the airlines fault. 

What happen to US Airways?

US Airways, how could we never forget America's best airliner besides Trans World Airlines (TWA). As I been seeing my US Airways photos on different aviation Facebook pages with their upset faces, I'm going to explain US Airways. Where shall we start?

US Airways founded as All American Aviation in 1937 & started operation in 1939 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania until in 1952, All American Aviation renamed the company to Allegheny Airlines in 1952 callsign Allegheny then it renamed again to USair in 1979 and finally US Airways in 1996 callsign US AIR until 2008 US Airways changed the callsign to Catus. US Airways went through two Alliances over the years it joined Star Alliance in 2004-2014 then Oneworld Alliance in 2014-2015.  

US Airways N280AY Airbus A330-200 new to US Airways in 2009 seen in London Gatwick, UK taken 23rd January 2013.

US Airways had modern fleets all from Airbus & some old fleets from Boeing. 

Fleets were:

• Airbus A319 (93)
• Airbus A320 (56 also the largest operator worldwide of the Airbus A320 Family)
• Airbus A321 (114 with 7 orders being transferred to American Airlines)
• Airbus A330-200 (15)
• Airbus A330-300 (9)
• Airbus A350-900 (Was planed but now 22 on order transferred to American Airlines in 2017)
• Boeing 757-200 (15)
• Embraer 190 (20) 

During the later years for US Airways it seems it had financial difficulties (bankruptcy) when in 2012 was interested to take the airline to American Airlines it was reported in March 2012 that US Airways was open the bid to merge the airline. In December 2012, US Airway announced it will finally be merged to American Airlines similar role what TWA did when it was merged to American Airlines. If you remember as a US spotter from ATC you might notice some US Airways fleets callsign used to American Airline even for the customers some were still in US Airways optional till we come to 2015.

US Airways N202UW Boeing 757-200 new to American Airlines 1995 ex N633AW seen in Dublin, Ireland taken 7th February 2014.

On 13th July 2015, American Airlines announced that all US Airways flights will be discontinued & when the merged happened by 17th October 2015 and finally the final flight for US Airways was Flight 774 from London Heathrow, UK - Philadelphia, USA. US Airways had a very flight safety record then any other American Airliners with only 6 accidents & incidents NEVER forget the Flight 1549 incident when it ditched into the Hudson River. As we now come to 1 year when US Airways ceased operation, US Airways will be a loving memory American airliner in the American History.

Next travel movement for October & November 2016 and spotting news

As we come two weeks till I return home to Malta I like to update what is going happen with my two movements. While I'm doing my training, I will be heading to Malta every time during my break off college and some other destinations. So lets talk about the movement.

First flight from London Gatwick, UK I won't be doing a Full Flight video at this time because of a special guest from Air Malta I met in the summer rather not to be identified the name this is between me & her. Other than that, I will continue to do some of my airport spotting & update photos from the sky. With my London Heathrow flight, I won't do Full Flight video UNLESS Air Malta uses the RetroJet 9H-AEI or Valletta livery 9H-AEO if it's those two I might include that if not I will do spotting photos from my flight.

In other news about spotting. When I get home to Malta I will ONLY focus on doing Air Malta RetroJet on YouTube due to lack of views while my Full Flight videos is still popular to my channel. Be sure to check my Facebook for news & updates. 

What happen to Air One?

 Almost 2 years since Air One was ceased operations from 30th October 2014 so today I will explain about Air One. Shall we start where it began?

Air One EI-COI Boeing 737-400 new to Lufthansa in 1992 ex D-ABKC seen in Malta taken 11th August 2005. 

Air One first started in 1983 callsign Heron based from a bird from the tail. Air One first started as a flying school and provide air-taxi service; however in June 1994 Air One strarted to operate for passenger service with their Boeing 737-200 as a charter & full scheduled service. It operated 36 destinations to the European Union countries, Africa and the United States with flights from 5 Italian airport bases in Venice, Pisa, Verona,  Catania and Palermo connecting Alitalia flights across the world. In 2000 Air One announced it joined partnership with Lufthansa with all Air One flights was code-shared with Lufthansa as you see my photo on top "Partner of Lufthansa" for example I fly with Air One from Palermo to Frankfurt, Germany I get a connecting flight with Lufthansa when I land in Rome. In June 2006, Air One operated it's first regional airliner under the name Air One CityLiner (before Alitalia CityLiner) with a brand new Bombardier CRJ900.

The fleets Air One had were:

• Airbus A320 (2006-2010 Air One A320's moved to Alitalia) 
• Airbus A330-200 (2008-2009)
• Boeing 737-200 (1993-2008)
• Boeing 737-300 (1995-2010)
• Boeing 737-400 (1997-2010)
• Boeing 737-800 (2002-2004)

Air One EI-DSR Airbus A320-200 new to Air One in 2008 seen in Catania, Italy taken 12th April 2013.

During it's later years in August 2008, Air One almost went bankrupt so the airline wanted to merge with Alitalia until 13th January 2009, Air One become officially part with Alitalia 2 airlines in 1 it's kinda what Alitalia is or was dealing with Air Malta recently I think it was scrapped the idea. That also means Air One withdrawn the partnership with Lufthansa & focus to be part with Alitalia. After Air One joined with Alitalia that also means for Air One more destinations equipped by Alitalia & more Italian airport bases. For example of more destinations Air One operated to London Gatwick, UK but not served  by Air One since the airline ended in Milan Malpensa, Italy. Does it mean Air One operates by Alitalia in Air One livery? the answer was yes. After Air One ended Milan Malpensa, the airline moved to it's new base in Palermo in March 2014. 

Finally on August 25th 2014, Air One announced that a parent company to Alitalia shutted down Air One by October 30th 2014 due to Alitalia's new partnership with Etihad Airways. Some of Air One routes have been taking over by Alitalia even for Air One's Airbus A320 fleets.To me, Air One might not be my thing to travel on a Italian low-cost airliner it's interesting what the plane looks like. Air One will have a loving memory for Italy.

Air Malta 9H-AEI Retro Livery

Today from Aircraft Aviation on Europe we are going back where Air Malta livery started it all till we work to the top (No history about the airline yet.)  

Air Malta started with this logo was introduced in 1974 the livery had red with purple background located south east of the Maltese Cross and the text font with Air all red and Malta in purple. With the Maltese Cross it's located at the tail through today's generation symbols our country same goes for pilots and cabin crew lets say in my opinion a Maltese Cross board Air Malta uniform brings me luck have a safer journey if I was an Air Malta employee of a pilot or cabin crew. Anyway the Maltese Cross is at the tail like the Air Malta logo from 1973 then the purple on the south east stretches from the rear, all the way towards the fuselage towards the nose & back up to the tail the purple colour is at the middle while the two reds are on top and bottom then Air Malta logo is next to the door and Malta flay by the flight deck also there is black at the bottom of the front cockpit window with a black circle on the nose cone. As 1989 arrived, it's time for the airline to have a brand new look of their livery with only 11 years till the 21st century we come to this logo.

Air Malta's second livery was introduced in 1989 with Boeing 737-200 and Airbus A320 in 1992 with 3 blue stripes all around the bottom of the fuselage starting from the end of the rear all away round to the other side, Air Malta font next to the front doors then the aircraft has coat of arms from the villages of Malta we will mention about one aircraft later, red background & Maltese Cross at the tail same for the engine. When I was a kid I, I use to go mad of Air Malta in a shocking way I saw in TV, online and airline magazines because I love the airline so much when I spot the tail. And now the logo at the present time. 

In March 2012 we have a brand new look for Air Malta however I'm not going to mention about the look of the currently Air Malta livery because I have already mentioned a million times I don't want my blogs to look boring about Air Malta all the time as I am focusing on something else with different airlines for Blogger. The font of the logo is not in capital letters at the start with A then M also it's a one word sentence just like the 1973 livery but I have to respect it being the first one. Also with the font it's strange "air"is different than "malta" that's because with Malta it's in bold font as Air is not. The Maltese Cross reminds me of the last two Air Malta logos somehow a bit smaller with beautiful background with green, blue and orange stripe look.

Air Malta needed to think "What can we do for Air Malta to make this special for the airline? We have 9H-AEO in special Valletta brand but something else we need to promote our company." Until a light bulb flashes that Air Malta is reaching 40 years in 2014 but Air Malta need to pick one of their fleet to be in "Retro Livery" All of their fleets are now in current livery till they released there is one airliner from Mexico has borrowed their aircraft by Interjet for 2 year leased period by Air Malta till we come at my photo. Also this wasn't also requested by Air Malta, it was also done & requested by a Facebook Group for anyone wants Air Malta in retro livery. The first part isn't official it's in my opinion.

(Somehow my scanner doesn't work so I just took a picture from my phone.)

What we have here is 9H-AEI "Rabat - Citta Vittoria" new to Air Malta in 26th April 2004.  The photo I took this was in late August 2005 until November 2010  it spend 4 years with Interjet as XA-SOB it has interesting destinations within Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Peru and the United States of America. When an airline gets to their new home country, it felt like the airline gets homesick if the country the airline is from is wonderful & travel safer destinations. However, this is when Air Malta reaches it's 40th Anniversary in 2014. After XA-SOB was withdrawn, the project was underway.

In 10th February 2014, Interjet withdrawn's XA-SOB, the aircraft returned back to Air Malta on 6th April 2014 still in Interjet livery then it went to Ostrava, Czech Republic being painted into 1974 livery that is until 16th April 2014 Air Malta flight KM40 was ready to head back home to Malta with a low flying pass on Runway 31 then flew over Valletta Grand Harbour, Sliema, Mosta, Qrendi San Giljan and Birzebbugia. As we are coming up to 2017, 9H-AEI is still going strong for Air Malta continuing to have her flying future all over the Maltese Islands. If you wan't to find out more about the history of Air Malta, click the link will explain more about Air Malta with the livery & the history of our only airline.