Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

The US Navy is rushing the development and integration of the new Boeing MQ-25A Stingray tanker drone. As with Air Force counterparts, this humble tanker could take its place as one of the most important aircraft onboard the service’s aircraft carriers. Without fuel, even the most advanced fighter jet is little more than debris crashing into the sea. As the US Navy is now focused on countering China in the Asia-Pacific, its requirements have also shifted. The US Navy lacks a modern, manned deep-strike option, and this is proving to be a problem that will not be fixed for a…

The Boeing 777X is nearing its entry into service following a long-delayed development and certification journey. The long-haul widebody will become the world’s longest commercial aircraft when it starts flying, posing a significant challenge to other widebody aircraft in service today. The 777X was launched to offer airlines a high-capacity, long-range replacement or addition to their long-haul fleets, replacing older 777 models and other large aircraft, like the 747 and A380. But where exactly will the 777X fit into the widebody aircraft market? The stunning success of the Airbus A350 family and the ever-popular Boeing 787 Dreamliner program make it…

Ever wonder how long airplanes stay in service? While advancements in modern aviation have extended their lifespans, airplanes don’t last forever. They will eventually reach a point at which they must be retired. How Airplane Lifespans Are Measured The lifespan of an airplane can be measured in flight hours or pressurization cycles. Single-aisle airliners like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 have a lifespan of roughly 60,000 flight hours or 20,000 pressurization cycles — whichever comes first. Wide-body airliners like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350, on the other have a longer lifespan of 100,000 or more flight hours and…

Low-cost giant Ryanair has warned passengers to be prepared for its new paperless boarding pass policy, which comes into effect next month. From November 12, Ryanair passengers can no longer opt for a printed boarding pass, with the carrier moving to a fully digital system through the Ryanair app. While most modern travelers are tech-savvy enough to use the app, there are concerns that some customers, particularly older travelers, could struggle with a paperless system. The airline has issued advice for worried travelers, stating that its staff will always be able to assist at the airport. Fully Digital: Ryanair Is…

Recently, AeroTime spoke with the creative force behind the MARSS Interceptor drone hunter, a weapon built for the times and shaped by the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Stephen Scott, the Managing Director of MARSS Defense Labs, has extensive knowledge of weaponry, having begun his career at Matra BAE Dynamics Aerospace (MBDA) after graduating with a Physics degree. Scott spent 16 years at MBDA, including six as the Head of Future Battlefield Capability, during which he liaised closely with the British Army, working towards their next set of weapon systems.  In his time there, Scott was involved with the development of everything…

As one of the world’s most popular widebody aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has over 80 operators and has now added another one in Riyadh Air. The Saudi Arabian state-owned carrier marked its commercial debut with a flight from Riyadh (RUH) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on Sunday using its technical spare aircraft, a former Oman Air Boeing 787-9. With a large orderbook that could see the airline operating almost 200 aircraft by the next decade, the 787 Dreamliner will comprise a core part of Riyadh Air’s long-haul capacity. It could eventually fly over 70 Dreamliners, which would put it…

On Time Performance (OTP) is one of the key operational metrics in the aviation industry, measuring the timeliness and reliability of an airline. The international standard for an “on-time” flight is that it departs or arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled time. Punctuality is a critical target for every airline, having ramifications on its reputation, operational efficiency and ultimately, its profits. A flight departing late can lead to significant losses for an airline for that particular flight, with the average cost of delays estimated at around $20,000 per flight-hour. Aviation data company OAG has released its latest punctuality report…

Iceland-based flag carrier Icelandair will end all widebody flying before retiring its fleet of Boeing 767-300ER aircraft by the end of 2026, ultimately accelerating a plan that previously saw the jet staying in service all the way until 2029. This move follows sustained losses tied to a small, aging subfleet, and it simplifies Icelandair’s operations around the two narrowbody families that it operates. A single major hub in Keflavik feeds the airline’s network. The airline will also trim its remaining Boeing 757 fleet as part of a large-scale strategic reset. From a strategic perspective, this concentrates capacity where Icelandair competes…

The Boeing 737 program has been one of the most successful narrowbody aircraft families for the US manufacturer. It was initially designed to replace the 727 and quickly became a workhorse for airlines worldwide, and has remained in continuous production for more than five decades. For United Airlines, the 737 has long been a key part of its fleet strategy. The carrier was the launch customer for the 737-200 and continues to be one of the largest operators of the type globally. Over the decades, it has flown several variants of the aircraft, including the latest MAX models. Today, roughly…

When Airbus launched the A350 XWB program in the mid-2000s, it wanted to build not just another widebody jet, but a flagship capable of challenging the Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 families. To achieve that goal, Airbus partnered with Rolls-Royce to create a new generation of turbofan, the Trent XWB. This wasn’t a case of selecting an off-the-shelf powerplant; it was a comprehensive design process in which the airframe and engine evolved in tandem. Almost two decades later, the A350 remains powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. While other widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 or 787, offer…