Congress rejects including an exemption to defense bill for two new 737 MAX variants

WASHINGTON — Late on Tuesday, U.S. legislators decided against adding a delay to an annual defense bill that would impose a higher safety level for contemporary cockpit alerts on two new Boeing 737 MAX variants. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

United reportedly close to an agreement with Boeing to order dozens of Dreamliners

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — According to an article published by the Wall Street Journal, United Airlines might be close to a deal with Boeing to order dozens of B787 Dreamliners. An agreement between the Chicago-based carrier and Boeing could be inked before the year-end. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

FAA approves provisions for A321XLR's novel fuel tank to address fire risk

WASHINGTON — The FAA announced that it has authorized specific requirements for the Airbus A321XLR following concerns that a new type of fuel tank used at the European planemaker's latest-generation long-haul narrow-body jet could pose a fire risk. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Last Boeing 747 rolls off assembly line after a 53-year production run

After more than 53 years and 1,574 planes built, the last Boeing 747 jumbo jet has rolled off Boeing’s famous assembly line in Everett, Washington. The 747 started commercial service back in 1970 with PanAmerican World Airways... (www.aviationweekly.org) More...

Two U.S. senators want the FAA to rearrange aircraft evacuation procedures in accordance with real-life conditions

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. senators want the Federal Aviation Administration to rewrite aircraft evacuation standards by taking into account real-life conditions. Existing regulation proposes that airlines must be able to evacuate passengers within 90 seconds but make no reference to cabin capacity. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...