Will international travel resume this year? Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says it's 'too hard to tell'
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said domestic trips are likely the better option for Americans this year.In response to a question from Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business News Monday about whether international travel will be opened up this year, he responded: “Too hard to tell at this point.
© Arne Dedert/picture alliance/Getty A Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. Arne Dedert/picture alliance/Getty - The Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 are quickly being phased out by some airlines as the coronavirus pandemic has eliminated the dwindling demand for the four-engine planes.
- Boeing is ending the 747 production line in 2022 while Airbus just delivered its last A380 fuselage to the assembly line in France in June.
- High operating costs and efficient twin-engine alternatives marred orders for both planes in the 2010s as the manufacturers promised jets that could fly further for cheaper.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
It's the end of an era for four-engined planes.
11 major US airlines have new pandemic rules for keeping passengers safe, but some are doing more than others. Here's how they compare.
Flyers must now consider additional health and safety when choosing an airline to fly with, and each US airline has a different policy.Each of the country's major airlines has taken a different approach to reconcile ways of increasing revenue with peace of mind for flyers. Travelers also are now factoring in health and safety when booking a flight, a decision that needed never weigh heavily on the minds of many prior to this pandemic.
Boeing is stopping production of its famed 747 aircraft by 2023 and Airbus just trucked its last A380 fuselage through France in June as it prepares to shut down the line in 2021 after less than two decades of production. Both were a casualty of weak demand from the airlines they faithfully served amid a crippling pandemic, though their popularity began to wane long before the first COVID-19 case was reported.
The once-long-haul leaders are now being put out to pasture and the coronavirus pandemic is only speeding that process along. Qantas, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Corsair have all retired their Boeing 747s months ahead of schedule while Air France abruptly retired its Airbus A380 fleet in May, 11 years after its first flight for the flag carrier.
10 years of The Points Guy – 10 big changes in travel in the past decade
The Points Guy was launched 10 years ago in June of 2010. It’s been a decade of dramatic change in the business and of dramatic growth for TPG. Here’s just some of the areas of change we’ve seen in the past 10 years: The debut of bigger airports and airport makeovers New airplane technology and improvements, new liveries …Here’s just some of the areas of change we’ve seen in the past 10 years:
It wasn't for lack of comfort, as most travelers loved the additional space offered by both aircraft, which allowed for amenities not found on most single-engine jets. The early days of the 747 saw the iconic hump used for cocktail lounges or a restaurant in the skies while the A380 is known for being the only commercial airliner to have an in-flight shower, which Emirates offers to first class passengers.
Rather, the massive aircraft became a casualty of their manufacturers' ambition in crafting newer planes to do the job cheaper and more efficiently than the behemoths they once touted.
Too many engines
© MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty A Boeing 747-8i. MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Bigger used to be better in aviation, with the Boeing 747 affectionately nicknamed "Queen of the Skies" since it could fly longer with more passengers than its competitors. But taking the place of the A380 and 747 are not larger jets but smaller ones.
American Airlines' decision to sell middle seats shows that the pandemic won't lead to more comfortable flights
Despite early hopes that the coronavirus pandemic would mean the end of the middle seat on flights, American Airlines laid that theory to rest.When the coronavirus pandemic brought the world to a standstill, ushered in the age of social distancing, and indefinitely grounded most frequent flyers, the optimists focused on the worst part of modern air travel: the middle seat.
Efficient, twin-engines planes are now all the rage among airlines with the likes of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB replacing their predecessors as the flagships of the fleet despite their smaller stature. Having four engines no longer means what it used to and airlines are realizing they can get by with fewer.
The Boeing 747 once opened routes that were previously inoperable nonstop but now, the 787 and A350 take up a majority of the spots on the list of world's longest flights with the latter boasting a top range greater than the newest 747, according to Airbus. An A350-900 currently flies the world's longest route between Singapore and Newark, on temporary hiatus due to the pandemic.
Airlines also no longer need three and four-engine planes to cross the Atlantic with planes as tiny as the Airbus A318 making the overwater journey between New York and London on a near-daily basis before the pandemic. Revised government regulations in the 1980s to allow twin-engines planes to fly overwater routes spurred the development of jets like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 to fly those routes and make them more lucrative.
JetBlue founder David Neeleman's new airline is pushing back its launch to 2021 – here's what we know about Breeze Airways
Neeleman has described Breeze as a "high-tech company that just happens to fly airplanes," with a big focus on cost-saving tech to keep fares low.Initially slated for a late-2020 start, the airline's website now welcomes would-be customers with this message: "Welcome to Breeze Airways, a new airline scheduled for take off in 2021!" Breeze spokesperson Gareth Edmondson-Jones confirmed the delay due to the coronavirus pandemic to Business Insider on Monday.
Efficiency is now the name of the game. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, whose airline has operated the Boeing 747, Airbus A380, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, once said that his airline could fly two Dreamliners for less the price of one Airbus A380 flight with the A350 likely boasting similar economic advantages.
Not only are the jets more efficient to operate, but they're also cheaper to purchase. The Airbus A380 costs a whopping $445.6 million, according to Airbus' most-recent price list, while the Boeing 747-8i goes for $418.4 million, according to Boeing.
The largest Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 Dreamliners, on the other hand, are cheaper to buy at $366.5 million and $338.4 million, respectively.
Though airlines often get discounts based on a variety of factors including the relationship with the manufacturer and order size, the larger jets still end up costing more than the smaller twin-engines.
Customers want flexibility
© Reuters An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft. Reuters Flying two Dreamliners in lieu of an Airbus A380 would only mean a loss of capacity of 12 seats for Qantas, according to SeatGuru, assuming the A380 flight completely sells out but offers the flexibility to fly an additional frequency. Instead of one flight between Los Angeles and Sydney, it can theoretically fly two and attract customers who need a flexible schedule.
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Airbus had designed the A380 to carry as many people as possible so that airlines would be able to fly fewer flights. Instead of flying multiple flights between two cities, airlines could save money by flying just one A380 flight and cramming as many passengers into one plane.
What that would've meant, however, was fewer flights and less flexibility for travelers who don't want to rely on just one flight per day. Very few airlines used the model as intended and the A380 came too late as Boeing was already knee-deep in the 787's development by the time the A380 took its first flight.
Instead of fewer flights on larger aircraft, the wave of next-generation aircraft opened up more nonstop routes for airlines as low-demand routes were made profitable thanks to the efficiency of the aircraft. Two airlines, British Airways and Norwegian Long Haul, pioneered the model, with the duo opening of a series of routes to secondary markets that wouldn't normally see non-stop routes to major hubs.
British Airways uses its Dreamliners to fly from London to small US cities like Charleston, South Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while Norwegian flies from cities across Europe to markets like Denver, Colorado; Austin, Texas; and Seattle, Washington.
Opulence lost
© Reuters An Emirates first class suite. Reuters The incredible excess of space on both jets opened up a world of possibilities for airlines that started in the early days of the 747 when entire sections were turned into social areas and lounges. Some airlines continue that trend today as Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Emirates, and Etihad Airways all offering bars and lounges for premium passengers onboard their Airbus A380s.
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Each airline has its own unique offering with Korean Air setting up a retail shop onboard its A380s while All Nippon Airways has sky couches for families in economy. Emirates' A380s are perhaps most well known for the onboard showers offered exclusively to first class passengers traveling on the double-decker jet.
The CEO of Emirates – the world's largest A380 operator – lamented the end of the A380 program in an interview with Business Insider's David Slotnick, saying "nothing is going to be as good" as the superjumbo for passenger experience.
Extra space on jets like the Dreamliner and A350 is a luxury that most can't afford to waste, though some have gotten creative. Virgin Atlantic Airways, namely, did away with its signature onboard bars for the new A350-1000 XWB flagship but crafted a social area for business class passengers.
Losing the dual-level aircraft also coincides with the loss of the ultra-premium first class cabins that have been steadily disappearing as airlines downsize their fleets. Air France, Qantas, and United have all opted not to install first class cabins on their A350 and Dreamliner fleets despite having them on their quad-engine jets, opting instead for larger business class cabins or more modern business class suites.
Even for economy passengers, both jets offered more space to stretch out with a larger cabin feel. The Airbus A380, its manufacturer touts, was highly rated for passenger comfort and created a website, IFlyA380.com, so travelers can find A380-specific itineraries.
Flying precious cargo
© Thiago B Trevisan / Shutterstock.com A UPS Airlines Boeing 747-8F. Thiago B Trevisan / Shutterstock.com Boeing attempted to reinvent the 747 product line with the 747-8i, a longer version of the jet with new General Electric engines to offer greater efficiency. Despite its impressive upgrades, the newest variant failed to spur customer interest. With only a handful of passengers airlines buying them, the writing was on the wall for the 747.
Why Alaska Airlines can’t retire its Airbus A320s all at once
The word from Alaska Airlines headquarters is that they want out of the Airbus A320. The airline industry has contracted dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Every carrier is focused on cutting costs — including furloughing employees at some — and streamlining where they can to survive. As part of that effort, airlines have shed hundreds …The airline industry has contracted dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Every carrier is focused on cutting costs — including furloughing employees at some — and streamlining where they can to survive.
All Nippon Airways was the last new airline to take delivery of the Airbus A380 in March 2019 and while the manufacturer had likely hoped the iconic jet would be saved by another new order, the coronavirus pandemic ensured that wouldn't happen. Emirates will be the last customer to take delivery of the jet that may roam the skies for another two decades before the last of its kind is retired.
Unlike its Boeing counterpart, the A380 has not been able to make the transition into the cargo realm, except for one airline that hollowed out its sole A380 to increase cargo capacity during the COVID-19 airlift. There are few uses for secondhand A380s, with demand undoubtedly dropping even more with the pandemic.
As for the Boeing 747, its legacy will continue by the cargo carriers who can make use of every inch of space the jet has to offer. Either UPS Airlines or the Volga-Dnepr Group, both cargo carriers, will likely take delivery of the final 747-8 within the next two years while passengers airlines turn their attention to the new twin-engine Boeing 777X.
The Airbus A380 may have bested the 747 in size but not in legacy. The Boeing jet has survived for over a half-century and has one more high-profile placement to go, flying the president of the United States as Air Force One when the aging incumbents are replaced by new 747-8i jets.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Gallery: Boeing will stop making its 747 Jumbo Jet after more than 50 years of passenger flight. Here's the complete history of how the iconic plane changed the world. (Business Insider)
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Boeing will stop making its 747 Jumbo Jet after more than 50 years of passenger flight. Here's the complete history of how the iconic plane changed the world.
- Boeing's most iconic aircraft — the 747 — celebrated 50 years of passenger service in January having first flown passengers in 1970, one year after its first flight in 1969.
- Despite over 50 years in the air, most of the world's airlines are retiring their 747s in favor of new, fuel-efficient dual-engine aircraft and the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating that trend.
- Foreign airlines and cargo carriers are among the last operators of the aircraft dubbed the Queen of the Skies with Boeing deciding to stop production entirely in 2022.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
One of the greatest feats of American aerospace engineering celebrated 50 years of passenger service in January only to have its fate decided in July.
Boeing has announced that production of the iconic 747 will come to an end in 2022 as dwindling customer demand and low sales for its latest variant became the final nail in the coffin for the aging line.
The 747 was the first quad-jet engine and dual-level passenger aircraft to roam the skies. It's known by many names including Jumbo Jet, Queen of the Skies, and even the Humpback, and is arguably the most recognizable aircraft ever.
Boeing conceived the aircraft in the mid-1960s when it was designed to be the next step up from the similarly four-engined and widely popular Boeing 707 passenger jet. With demand for air travel on the rise, the Boeing 747 would offer airlines greater seating capacity, increased range, and extra room for luxuries such as onboard lounges and bars.
Though it took its first flight in 1969, it wouldn't enter service until January 22, 1970 – 50 years ago – with Pan American World Airways.
Take a closer look at the story of the Boeing 747, the aircraft that would firmly establish America as a leader in aircraft manufacturing for decades to come.
Read the original article on Business Insider
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Shortly after the Boeing 707 rushed the world into the jet age, airlines were already looking for bigger and better aircraft, including Pan American and its CEO, Juan Trippe.
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Fresh off the heels of competing for a government contract for a widebody military transport, Boeing used its newfound knowledge in the field to lay the foundation for its newest project.
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Over 50,000 employees working on the project at a new assembly plant in Everett, Washington, according to Boeing, that was so large it was given its own zip code. They were called "The Incredibles" and lead by veteran Joe Sutter.
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The aircraft they produced would be the Boeing 747-100, the first variant of a new aircraft that featured four engines and two-levels, the first jet aircraft of its kind.
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The flying public had never seen anything like it before, with jet aircraft only recently coming to prominence just over a decade prior.
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Its first flight flew in the early morning hours of January 22, 1970, from New York to London operated by Pan Am, inaugurating a new era for air travel.
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The aircraft was seen as a status symbol for airlines, with the extra space allowing for additional luxuries and extravagances on some airlines.
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Most airlines of the time including Pan Am and Qantas used their upper decks for as bars, lounges, or restaurants.
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They were a glamorous place where passengers could steal away while flying high in an enclosed tube.
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It was the most exclusive club in the sky.
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The aircraft allowed airlines to fly more people further, with normal passenger capacity for the aircraft growing to upwards of 300 seats in later variants.
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The range of the aircraft gradually increased over the years with the -400 variant - one of its more modern bestsellers - having the ability to fly over 7,000 nautical miles, enough to connect New York with nearly every continent with a non-stop flight.
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A testament to its popularity, Boeing produced numerous variants of the aircraft over a half-century beyond the initial model. After the 747-100 came the 747-200...
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747-8i...
Read More: See inside the the world's largest private jet: a Boeing 747 with an interior so large it took 4 years to design and build
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And the 747-400LCF Dreamlifter.
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The jets have been used for passenger and cargo flying, as well as military usage, making it incredibly versatile.
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Even to this day, the Boeing 747 continues to outlive most of its rivals from the time period, including the supersonic and similarly iconic European Concorde.
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Its supremacy went unmatched for decades despite a long list of competitors until Airbus unveiled a dual-level and quad-engine aircraft of its own, the Airbus A380.
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With the rise of fuel-efficient, dual-engine aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB, the need and desire for the quad engine aircraft such as the 747 and A380 has dwindled over the years, despite Boeing's best efforts with the larger and more modern 747-8i.
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Most operators of the more recent -400 variant have retired or are in the process of retiring their fleets, with only a handful opting to upgrade to the 747-8i variant.
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Only three airlines purchased the Boeing 747-8i for passenger service: Korean Air...
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The rest were cargo airlines such as UPS Airlines...
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Despite being an all-American plane, all US airlines have retired the Boeing 747 from their fleets, with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines as the final two to fly it.
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Among the most common operators of the aircraft today are European and Asian airlines such as Korean Air...
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Australian flag carrier Qantas recently retired its Boeing 747 fleet, which was once a staple of transpacific travel, in favor of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380.
Read More: Qantas just retired the iconic Boeing 747 with a commemorative last flight flown by the airline's first female captain who drew a kangaroo in the sky
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The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the retirement of the 747 from airlines, including Qantas...
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Virgin Atlantic Airways...
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And KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
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Perhaps the most well-known operator of the aircraft currently is the United States Air Force, which flies the President of the United States on a modified Boeing 747-200 called Air Force One when he's aboard.
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The blue-and-white 747 with "United States of America" lettering on the side is an iconic symbol of the presidency.
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While the current model will soon be retired, the next aircraft to be used for Air Force One, the Boeing 747-8i, will soon replace it.
Read More: Whoever wins the 2020 presidential race will be the first to use the new Air Force One – here's what we know about the new $5.3 billion aircraft
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The 747-8i will be the last 747 line as Boeing will be ending production by 2023. The manufacturer confirmed the end of the road for the jet and has reportedly placed the last parts order for its final aircraft.
Source: Boeing and Bloomberg
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But Boeing will continue to support the plane for years to come, stating: "Our customer commitment does not end at delivery, and we'll continue to support 747 operations and sustainment well into the future."
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As the Queen of the Skies nears the end of its reign, its legacy will surely live on forever as the aircraft that revolutionized the aviation industry and made the world a smaller place for over 50 years.
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Why Alaska Airlines can’t retire its Airbus A320s all at once .
The word from Alaska Airlines headquarters is that they want out of the Airbus A320. The airline industry has contracted dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Every carrier is focused on cutting costs — including furloughing employees at some — and streamlining where they can to survive. As part of that effort, airlines have shed hundreds …The airline industry has contracted dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Every carrier is focused on cutting costs — including furloughing employees at some — and streamlining where they can to survive.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said domestic trips are likely the better option for Americans this year.In response to a question from Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business News Monday about whether international travel will be opened up this year, he responded: “Too hard to tell at this point. 
Flyers must now consider additional health and safety when choosing an airline to fly with, and each US airline has a different policy.Each of the country's major airlines has taken a different approach to reconcile ways of increasing revenue with peace of mind for flyers. Travelers also are now factoring in health and safety when booking a flight, a decision that needed never weigh heavily on the minds of many prior to this pandemic. 
The Points Guy was launched 10 years ago in June of 2010. It’s been a decade of dramatic change in the business and of dramatic growth for TPG. Here’s just some of the areas of change we’ve seen in the past 10 years: The debut of bigger airports and airport makeovers New airplane technology and improvements, new liveries …Here’s just some of the areas of change we’ve seen in the past 10 years: 
Despite early hopes that the coronavirus pandemic would mean the end of the middle seat on flights, American Airlines laid that theory to rest.When the coronavirus pandemic brought the world to a standstill, ushered in the age of social distancing, and indefinitely grounded most frequent flyers, the optimists focused on the worst part of modern air travel: the middle seat. 
Neeleman has described Breeze as a "high-tech company that just happens to fly airplanes," with a big focus on cost-saving tech to keep fares low.Initially slated for a late-2020 start, the airline's website now welcomes would-be customers with this message: "Welcome to Breeze Airways, a new airline scheduled for take off in 2021!" Breeze spokesperson Gareth Edmondson-Jones confirmed the delay due to the coronavirus pandemic to Business Insider on Monday. 
Bellagio Las Vegas is an Italian-themed hotel with a famous water fountain show that's great for those looking for consistent luxury on the Strip. 
Airbus announced three new hydrogen-powered concept airplanes. It plans to have a zero-emission aircraft enter service by 2035.Now, Airbus says it's ready to make the next big leap. 
The word from Alaska Airlines headquarters is that they want out of the Airbus A320. The airline industry has contracted dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Every carrier is focused on cutting costs — including furloughing employees at some — and streamlining where they can to survive. As part of that effort, airlines have shed hundreds …The airline industry has contracted dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Every carrier is focused on cutting costs — including furloughing employees at some — and streamlining where they can to survive. 
Will international travel resume this year? Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says... 
11 major US airlines have new pandemic rules for keeping passengers safe, but... 
10 years of The Points Guy – 10 big changes in travel in the past decade 
American Airlines' decision to sell middle seats shows that the pandemic won't 
JetBlue founder David Neeleman's new airline is pushing back its launch to... 
Las Vegas changes quickly but the Bellagio is timeless — just be sure to book... 
Airbus has revealed three zero-emission plane designs that could become... 
Why Alaska Airlines can’t retire its Airbus A320s all at once 
