Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom
Lockheed Martin has long been a cornerstone of global air power, with aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II, the C-5M Super Galaxy, and the C-130 Hercules family forming the backbone of the air fleets of dozens of nations. From stealth fighters to heavy-lift transports, Lockheed designs embody not only cutting-edge technology but also interoperability across allied nations. Tracking which air forces operate the largest Lockheed fleets offers a unique lens on strategic partnerships, modernization priorities, and raw operational capacity. While global rankings often emphasize raw fleet size, looking specifically at Lockheed-built aircraft highlights their strategic roles rather than just numbers.…
On September 26, 2025, the Indian Air Force retired its last Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Bison fighter jets after more than 60 years of active service. This fast and nimble Soviet-designed fighter was for many years the workhorse of the Indian Air Force combat squadrons, which operated several versions of this type. Since 1964, the Indian Air Force operated a total of 872 MiG-21s, 840 of which were, since 1966, built locally in India under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Indian MiG-21s saw extensive frontline service during the multiple armed clashes with Pakistan that have taken place in the last…
There’s a bit of a scandal at Austrian Airlines, as the Lufthansa Group carrier has reportedly uncovered quite the scheme, as reported by MeinBezirk. Austrian cracks down on violations of flight benefit rules One of the main perks of working in the airline industry is flight benefits. These come in a variety of forms, ranging from space available travel for employees, to discounted tickets for family and friends of employees. Along those lines, Austrian has issued an internal memo, warning of repercussions for misuse of these benefits. The airline has been performing an investigation in recent times, in order to…
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) has been United Airlines’ primary hub since the mid-1950s, when the airline moved its operations from Midway Airport to the newly constructed O’Hare. Chicago O’Hare is unique in serving as a hub for two of the largest US airlines. While American Airlines has a smaller presence than United, it still maintains a significant operation at the airport. Recently, United Airlines has continued to maintain its dominance at the hub over American Airlines. A report from local news outlet WGN said that a judge ruled in favor of United Airlines, rejecting American Airlines’ attempt to prevent…
German airline Lufthansa has unveiled a special livery, applied to a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, to mark the 100th anniversary of its foundation. This unique design depicts the carrier’s iconic flying crane, painted in white and extending its wings over the length of the mostly dark blue fuselage. The number “100” is also painted on one side of the aircraft, with the dates “1926-2026” on the other one. Lufthansa Although the present-day Lufthansa was technically founded in 1953, with this livery, the airline somehow claims back the heritage of the eponymous first German flag carrier, Deutsche Luft Hansa, which was established…
The Airbus A220 is currently preparing for a major upgrade, although the manufacturer is falling short of launching a new variant altogether. Starting in 2026, new Airbus A220 deliveries will be outfitted with the manufacturer’s Airspace interior, aligning the A220 with the interior feel of the A350, A330neo, and A320neo. Highlights include new upgraded extra-large overhead lockers, which will be around 20% lighter while offering more than 15% additional baggage capacity. These aircraft will also feature 16-million-color LED lighting, allowing airlines to tailor their brand or flight phases. Airbus also plans on offering this unique interior as a retrofit option…
Amsterdam-Schiphol international airport (AMS) had to be closed for around 45 minutes on September 27, 2025, at 12.10pm after a mysterious drone came within 50 meters away of an incoming Transavia aircraft. The incoming flight was about to land at runway 18R/36L, popularly known as “Polderbaan runway”, when the crew reported an unidentified flying object in its proximity. Security forces searched the area with the support of a helicopter, but were unable to locate neither the suspected drone nor those operating it. Some Dutch media outlets such as news channel NOS and dronewatch.nl, a Dutch site which tracks developments in…
Boeing and striking machinists in St. Louis will bring in a federal mediator for the next round of contract negotiations. Approximately 3,200 employees at Boeing Defense across three of the company’s major defense manufacturing sites: St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, as well as Mascoutah, Illinois, have been on strike for close to nine weeks since August 4, 2025. Stock Code BA Business Type Planemaker Date Founded July 15, 1916 CEO Kelly Ortberg Headquarters Location Chicago, USA Key Product Lines Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers…
Alaska Airlines has retired the last of its dozen 737-900 aircraft. The carrier was the launch customer for the type, and the 737-900s, delivered between 2001 and 2003, were the oldest and most outdated aircraft in its fleet. With over 20 years of service, these planes were approaching their second heavy maintenance check. The first was retired in April 2025, and the last of the 12 jets was just ferried to storage a week ago, according to Airline Geeks. As a type that never performed to expectations, the poor economics of the aircraft has only grown worse in comparison to…
Despite the aviation industry’s ever-growing concern for fuel efficiency, a number of carriers still operate quadjet aircraft like the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and even Ilyushin Il-96. Incorporating quadjets into passenger and freight strategies is a proven strategy to manage airport slot scarcity and payload demand, in ways that modern twinjets can’t replicate. Launch Customer(s) Pan American World Airways First Delivery January 22, 1970 Last Delivery January 31, 2023 Number Delivered 1,573 Lufthansa is the largest operator of the Boeing 747 today with 27 in its fleet and Emirates is the leading operator of the Airbus A380 with 116, according…