Informative

Which Planes Are Used for Short, Medium, and Long Haul Flights?

Published

3 years ago

23/03/2021

Have you ever wondered which type of aircraft you were going to be flying on when travelling? Were you going to fly on a relatively large plane or a small one? The answer depends on the type of route you were travelling on. Aircraft are specifically designed to operate routes of a certain distance, so the plane that you would be flying on would typically be a plane designed to fly that type of route. In this article, we will be taking a look at which planes are usually used for short, medium, and long haul commercial flights.

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Short-Haul

Short-haul flights are defined as flights that last from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Counting small regional aircraft and corporate jets, there are hundreds of aircraft that are used for short-haul flights, but in this article, we will only be taking a look at commercial short-haul aircraft. Commercial short-haul aircraft usually have low volumes of around 100-200 passenger capacity. The most common short-haul aircraft are the variants of the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. This includes all Boeing 737NG series, the Boeing 737 MAX series, the Airbus A319, Airbus A320, and Airbus A321. The variants of the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 are so common that they’re the most popular types of aircraft in the world. Some other pretty popular short-haul aircraft are the Embraer 175 and 190, and the Bombardier CRJ200, CRJ700, and CRJ900. The Boeing 717 and ATR 72 are also short-haul aircraft, but they’re much less common in the industry. A new short-haul aircraft called the Airbus A220 has also recently entered the market. The A220 has caught the attention of several airlines, and it may emerge as one of the dominant short-haul aircraft in the future.

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WATCH: A320 vs 737 race for market dominance - Airlines, 737, A320, Boeing, Airbus - Aviation Business Middle East — A319 and 737 Credit: Aviation Business Middle East

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Medium-Haul

Medium-haul flights are flights that are usually around 3-6 hours. The medium-haul aircraft market is the smallest among the three, and there are not as many medium haul planes as there are long haul or short haul aircraft. One of the most common medium-haul aircraft is the Boeing 787 series. The 787 comes in three variants – the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10. All three of these variants are used for medium-haul flights, but the 787 is not always a medium range plane since the 787-9 and 787-10 variants have been and are still being used for long-haul routes. Most planes that operate medium haul routes today are extended-range variants of the short-haul aircraft like the 737 and a320. For example, variants of these aircraft such as the 737-900ER and A321neo are commonly used for medium length flights. More airplanes that are designed for medium-haul flights include the Boeing 757 and Boeing 767. These aircraft have been gradually phased-out over the past several years, but there are still many of them that remain in service.

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Delta to add Boeing 757 service between Raleigh/Durham and Paris — 757 Credit: USA Today

Japan Airlines orders for four Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners - Airline Suppliers — 787 Credit: Airline Suppliers

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Long-Haul

Long-haul flights are flights that are usually over 6 hours, and there are several wide-body aircraft that compete against each other in this market. The long-haul market is one of the most-competitive markets out there, and mainstream aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing are famous for their competition in long-haul aircraft. Both companies have had success in their long-range aircraft. The most common long-haul aircraft include the Boeing 777 variants, larger versions of the 787, larger versions of the 767, the Airbus A330 variants, the Airbus A340 variants, the Airbus A350 variants, the Airbus A380, and the iconic Boeing 747. Despite the phasing out of passenger A380s, 747s, and A340s, all of these wide-body aircraft have represented a decent portion of long-haul air travel. The more popular long-range aircraft are the Boeing 777, Boeing 787-9 and -10, the Airbus A330, and the Airbus A350. These aircraft are in close competition with each other, and constant modifications are being made to improve one over another, such as the A330neo, A350XWB, and 777X developments. There isn’t necessarily an aircraft that is generally more popular than the others on long-haul flights. You are almost equally likely to encounter one of these aircraft on a long-haul flight, unless the airline you travel with has a preference. These are the aircraft used on long-haul flights.

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Airbus A330-300 Air China VS Boeing 777-300er Eva Air at London...Which one do you like the... | Eva air, Air china, Boeing 777 — A330 and 777 Credit: Pinterest

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Although the planes in each category are the ones that operate their flight length most of the time, there could be exceptions. Some long haul aircraft could be used for short haul or medium haul if an airline has an abundance of that aircraft type in their fleet. An example of this is the Emirates, where A380s are sometimes used for medium haul flights. Bigger aircraft could also be used for short or medium haul flights if there is an equipment switch or if a plane needs to be ferried to an airport. Overall, these are the types of planes that are most commonly going to be used on the type of route you are flying. Next time you travel, see if the aircraft you fly is on the list for the type of route you flew!

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Sources:

What is considered a short-haul, medium-haul and long-haul flight?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide-body_aircraft

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrow-body_aircraft

Cover Photo: Cargospotter

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Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot? Aer Lingus & British Airways Cadet Program Paves the Way to a Flying Career

Published

1 month ago

14/08/2023

Giuliano

Embarking on an aviation career has always been a dream for countless individuals who are passionate about flying. The Aer Lingus Cadet and British Airways Cadet Program are remarkable opportunity that transforms these dreams into reality, offering aspiring pilots a structured and comprehensive pathway to becoming esteemed aviation professionals.

This article dives into the details of the Aer Lingus and BA Cadet Programs, highlighting its distinctive features, benefits, and the exciting journey it offers those who aspire to navigate the vast expanse of the sky.

Aer Lingus Cadet Program

The first and most important thing: Hurry up! The deadline approaches: you can send your application till the 16/08/2023 by 17:00 GMT.

The cadet program offers intense and structured training (around 14 months) that covers all aspects of piloting. From theoretical classroom instruction to hands-on flight experience, cadets undergo a thorough training regimen that prepares them for the challenges of the aviation industry. The training is held at the famous FTE Jerez, in southern Spain. Successful candidates will be offered a Type Rating (which lasts about 12 weeks) on the most used plane in Europe: Airbus A320, and the base will be obviously Dublin.

The minimum and educational criteria are listed in the offer. There is also a comprehensive Q&A that answers the most asked question and a friendly welcome video about the airline’s new livery. According to the cadet website, the ideal cadet “will need to possess excellent communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills, as well as an appreciation of the service our customers expect.” The course is totally bonded from the airline, which means there will be a bond to cover the cost of the training and other associated costs, and for a period after the cadet commences as a First Officer.

BA Cadet Program: The Speedbird Pilot Academy

Unlikely the Aer Lingus one, for this cadet program, you do not need to be in a rush since the applications are currently still closed and will open in September 2023. It’s anyway worth having a look at the conditions and requirements; as September approaches, British is setting the maximum number of cadets: 60. If you wanna be part of the lucky (and skilled) “60”, have a look at the minimum requirements and don’t miss the deadline application. The strictest requirement of British Airways is the language: the airline is asking the candidate to obtain an ICAO 6 in the English language.

The ICAO Aviation Language certificate can be obtained directly with the CAA or through a recognized and authorized language school. The ICAO 6 certificate is particularly useful since it has no expiration date (unlikely ICAO4 and 5, which last respectively 4 and 5 years).

The training with BA will last about 18 months, and exactly as for the Aer Lingus Cadet Program, it’s fully funded by the airline. For more questions, on the 22nd of August, BA will be running a live Q&A session between 12 and 13 (UK Time). More info and the link to join the call are here: Come and Meet us (ba.com)

Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot, but you never had a chance due to economic problems or lack of motivation? Well, this is your chance! Apply and give your best to realize your dream!

Informative

Flag Carriers as a Symbol of Honor: Between Past and Present

Published

1 month ago

11/08/2023

Mai Adel

Most of the world’s countries have their flag carriers for financial and national duties. A flag carrier is considered an international representative of a country as it stands as a symbol of pride. Therefore, some passengers are keen to ride the flag carrier of their countries as it reflects their identity. However, what is the history of flag carriers?

History of Flag Carriers:

The term “flag carrier” emerged when countries established state-owned airline companies. However, because of the high cost of running such companies, the governments took the initiative to support these companies financially. At this time, there were many airline companies entirely owned by governments. However, a flag carrier can be subsidized or owned by the country, and it has preferential rights or privileges by the government for international operations. In the innovation industry, flag carriers have both financial and symbolic importance. Thus, most countries of the world have their flag carriers.

Countries have Flag Carriers:

Most countries have their flag carriers representing their identity and nationalism worldwide. Examples of these flag carriers are:

Air France

Egyptair
Oman Air

Qatar Airways

However, nowadays, it is not conditionally an airline owned or subsidized by a country. The literal meaning of a flag carrier is an airline carrying its country’s flag worldwide. Now, it can be an airline the country supports to be its flag carrier. For example, the British Kingdom does not own British Airways, but it carries the British flag all over the world. The people recognize it as the British flag carrier. However, some countries do not have a flag carrier but have two, like the United Arab Emirates, but why?

The UAE Has Two Flag Carriers:

If a flag carrier is a symbol of identity and pride, does having two change the equation? The answer to this question is that it does not change the equation this much, but it is more like meeting the country’s needs. Having a two-flag carrier is normal for a country, such as the UAE, in this geopolitical situation. The two Flag carriers are Emirates, the first flag carrier based in Dubai, and Etihad Airways, the second flag carrier based in Abu Dhabi. The royal family established both airlines. Though the UAE has two flag carriers, some of the countries do not have any, such as the US, but why?

The US has no Flag Carrier:

It is true that now the United States of America has no flag carrier, but this has not been the case in the past. In the past, the US had Pan Am, the unofficial US flag carrier in the 20th century. However, running an airline costs a lot. Pan Am could not stand the market and went bankrupt in 1991. Since then, the US has not had a flag carrier, though it has major international airlines, such as American Airlines. Regardless of the current situation of the flag carriers, what are the expectations for their future?

The Future of Flag Carriers:

As we live in the era of technology, predicting the future of something is not a wise move. However, the competition in the aviation market is so fierce, and running an airline company is not a joke. Seeking honor and pride in running an airline is great. However, the competition in the market knows nothing about honor and pride. Maybe, some of the flag carriers will prosper, and some of them will vanish. This thing only time can tell.

Informative

Flying Cars: The Future of Transportation?

Published

1 month ago

08/08/2023

Ahmed Adel

Flying cars have been a dream of science fiction writers for decades, but they are now becoming a reality. Many companies are working on developing these cars, and some of them are already making significant progress.

What are flying cars?

Flying cars are vehicles that can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. They are also capable of flying horizontally, like an airplane. This makes them a versatile form of transportation that can be used for both personal and commercial purposes.

There are two main types of these cars: eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) and tilt rotors. eVTOLs use electric motors to power their rotors, while tilt rotors use a combination of electric motors and propellers.

The different types of flying cars

There are many different types of flying cars being developed, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Here are a few examples:

PAL-V Liberty: The PAL-V Liberty is a tilt-rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 160 mph and a range of 100 miles.

AeroMobil 3.0: AeroMobil 3.0 is another tilt rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 200 mph and a range of 435 miles.

eVTOL Volocopter: The eVTOL Volocopter is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 62 mph and a range of 22 miles.

SkyDrive SD-03: The SkyDrive SD-03 is an eVTOL that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of 62 miles.

The challenges of the developing

There are a number of challenges that need to be overcome before these cars become mainstream. One challenge is safety. Flying cars need to be extremely safe in order to be approved for public use. Another challenge is regulation. Governments must develop new regulations for flying cars before they can be flown in our airspace.

The Potential Impact

If successful, flying cars could revolutionize commuting, travel, and logistics by making those activities faster, easier, and more flexible. Their future impact depends on overcoming hurdles related to safety, cost, and regulations. With progress in those areas, flying cars could become commonplace in the next few decades, fundamentally changing transportation.

The Future of Flying Cars

The transition to flying vehicles holds great potential for improving mobility. While still a developing technology, continued progress by companies working on these cars indicates they may ultimately transform how we move about and deliver goods.

“Flying cars are the future of transportation. They’re faster, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly than cars or airplanes.” – Elon Musk