Three Things for Aviation Geeks to be Excited About in 2019

The new year brings plenty of changes to aviation. Here are the three things I am most excited about this year.

Delta A220

Starting off the new year excitement is Delta launching the first A220 flight in North America on January 31st. Initial flights will begin serving Boston and Dallas/ Ft. Worth from the airlines hub at New York’s LaGuardia. Breaking away from the current trend of increasingly uncomfortable economy cabins in response to the competition from low-cost carriers, the A220 delivers an exceptional customer experience by offering more overhead bin capacity and wider seats in coach.  The airline took delivery of the first plane back in October and it looks stunning.

Project Sunrise

Qantas is moving forward with its ‘moonshot’ plan to bring nonstop service from Sydney to London and New York as early as 2022.  The project is expected to reach a milestone this year when the airline submits a Request for Proposal to place orders for aircraft capable of flying this route.  Boeing and Airbus are working on extending the range of their latest long-haul airliners, 787, 777-X, and A350, to meet the demand.

Moxy

Not much is known about JetBlue co-founder David Neeleman’s newly proposed low-cost airline.  What we do know is that he has ordered 60 A220-300 from Airbus, that he intends for it to be a technology focused company, and that they will be operating on routes with no competition. Oh, and that it won’t be named Moxy.  While the airline isn’t scheduled to receive planes and begin operation until 2021, I am looking forward to more confirmed details this year.

What are you excited to see this year?