Etihad Airways has launched daily Airbus A380 flights to Bangkok, bringing its exclusive three-room Residence suite and expanded premium capacity to Thailand for the first time.
Aircraft Manufacturers
Boeing’s 777 Freighter fleet has overtaken all 747 freighter variants in service, with more than 330 aircraft now operating worldwide.
Boeing 777X test pilots are estimated to earn between $100,000 and more than $250,000 annually in 2026. Their salaries depend on experience, technical expertise, and certification responsibilities. Public salary benchmarks, Boeing’s specialist job postings, and the 777X certification campaign provide insight into the earnings and skills associated with this highly technical aviation career.
The FAA has ordered mandatory horizontal stabilizer inspections for 1,987 US-registered Boeing 737NG aircraft after reports of pitch oscillations linked to excessive freeplay. The directive takes effect on November 23, 2026, and requires operators to inspect the stabilizer hinges and jackscrew, with additional checks or repairs depending on the results.
Hong Kong’s aviation regulator has joined mainland China and Macau in the first joint C929 aircraft certification meeting in Shanghai
Boeing’s largest 737 MAX variant has secured FAA certification, clearing a major hurdle for a program with 1,555 orders from more than 30 customers.
Qantas plans to introduce extra-legroom Economy Plus seating on its 485-seat Airbus A380s before beginning fleet retirements in 2028.
COMAC is forecast to secure 5% of global aircraft fleet allocation by 2045, while Cirium expects China to account for 18% of the worldwide allocation and more than 50,000 passenger aircraft to be in service.
Airbus expects to decide before 2030 whether to develop stretched versions of the A220 and A350. The potential A220-500 and A350-2000 face different engineering, engine-development and production challenges despite clear interest from airline customers.
Boeing’s 777X combines a 235-inch-wide cabin, electronically dimmable windows, adaptable ceiling designs and a 6,000-foot target cabin altitude.