China's COMAC C919 takes off on its maiden flight May 5.
COMAC C919 maiden flight
Camel
COMAC C919 pilots exit the aircraft after its maiden flight on May 5.
Finnair and Finavia test face recognition technology
Finnair
Finland flag carrier Finnair and state-owned airport operator Finavia, together with digital developer Futurice, are testing the use of face recognition technology for the check-in process of Finnair flights at Helsinki Airport this month through May 23.
Boom Technology CEO predicts first supersonic passenger aircraft by 2023
Boom Technology
Denver-based Boom Technology founder and CEO Blake Scholl believes the company’s first supersonic passenger aircraft can enter commercial service as soon as 2023 and there is a market for as many as 1,000 supersonic airliners to be delivered by 2035. Photo: Rendering of full-size Boom supersonic passenger aircraft
US airline execs answer to Congress on customer service
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee about oversight of US airline customer service May 2.
WestJet to buy up to 20 787-9s
WestJet
Calgary-based WestJet has agreed to buy up to 20 Boeing 787-9s. The order includes commitments for 10 787-9s to be delivered between the first quarter of 2019 and December 2021, with options for an additional 10 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2024.
EgyptAir celebrates 85th year with 737 delivery
EgyptAir
EgyptAir took delivery of its third of nine ordered Boeing 737-800NGs at Cairo International Airport in May, which coincides with the carrier's 85th anniversary on May 7.
Hawaiian Airlines unveils new livery
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines unveiled an updated brand identity and the freshly painted livery of a Boeing 717, the first of its fleet of more than 50 aircraft that will feature the new design. Photo: Rendering of Hawaiian Airlines' A330 in new livery.
Embraer, Uber partner to explore flying car development
Uber Elevate
Embraer will team with Uber Elevate to explore the development of small vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOLs).
Linda Blachly is Senior Associate Editor for Air Transport World and Aviation Week. She joined the company in July 2010 and is responsible for producing features for Air Transport World’s monthly magazine and engaging content for the aviationweek.com. She is based in the Washington DC office.
