Aviation insights

Aircraft, careers and the people shaping aviation.

Browse all topics

Latest articles

How The Iran War Is Disrupting Emirates' Global Flight Network

Emirates faces unprecedented operational disruption as escalating conflict in Iran forces the carrier to reroute its entire global network around closed Middle East airspace. The Dubai-based airline…

Radu Balas12 Mar 202615 min read

By Radu Balas15 min read

Published 12 Mar 2026

Airlines

Why Airfares Are Rising Worldwide As Airlines Avoid Iran's Airspace

Global airfares are rising as airlines reroute flights around Iran's airspace following escalating conflict in the Middle East. The operational impact extends far beyond the immediate region,…

Radu Balas · 11 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas14 min read

Published 11 Mar 2026

Aircraft

Dassault Falcon 10X: Inside The $75M Private Jet Challenging The Gulfstream G700

Dassault Aviation introduced the Falcon 10X to compete directly with the world's most advanced ultra-long-range business jets. The French aerospace manufacturer designed this flagship aircraft to…

Radu Balas · 11 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas14 min read

Published 11 Mar 2026

Airlines

Which Airlines Are Most Affected By Airspace Closures?

Airspace closures triggered by geopolitical conflicts have created one of the most dramatic reshufflings of competitive advantage in modern aviation history. Airlines that spent decades building route…

Radu Balas · 9 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas15 min read

Published 9 Mar 2026

Airlines

How Wars And Conflicts Change Global Flight Paths

Modern commercial aviation operates within a complex web of geopolitical boundaries, airspace restrictions, and safety considerations that can change overnight when conflicts erupt. A single military…

Radu Balas · 9 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas14 min read

Published 9 Mar 2026

Airlines

Why Airlines Are Avoiding Russian Airspace - And What It Means For Global Flights

For decades, Russian airspace provided the shortest route between Europe and Asia. Over 360,000 flights annually crossed Siberia according to EASA data, cutting hours off journeys between London and…

Radu Balas · 6 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas17 min read

Published 6 Mar 2026

Aircraft

Rolls-Royce vs Pratt & Whitney: How Their Aircraft Engines Actually Differ

Walk up to any commercial aircraft and you'll see one of three engine manufacturers powering it: General Electric, Rolls-Royce, or Pratt & Whitney. But while GE dominates with sheer market share, the…

Radu Balas · 5 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas14 min read

Published 5 Mar 2026

Airlines

Why United Airlines Cancelled Its Airbus A350 Order - And Chose Boeing 787 Instead

After 17 years on the books, United Airlines' order for 45 Airbus A350s is effectively dead. In February 2026, United removed the widebody from its expected aircraft deliveries - the strongest signal…

Radu Balas · 5 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas17 min read

Published 5 Mar 2026

Aircraft

Why Hundreds of A320neos Are Grounded in 2026: The Pratt & Whitney Engine Crisis Explained

Over 800 Airbus A320neo aircraft sit parked on tarmacs worldwide. Not because of pandemic-related capacity cuts. Not due to pilot shortages or maintenance delays. They're grounded because of Pratt &…

Radu Balas · 4 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas17 min read

Published 4 Mar 2026

Aircraft

Airbus A321XLR in 2026: First Airlines, Long-Haul Impact & Will It Replace Widebodies?

A single-aisle aircraft flying transatlantic routes. A narrowbody connecting secondary European cities to North America. An aircraft challenging the conventional wisdom that long-haul requires…

Radu Balas · 3 Mar 2026

By Radu Balas16 min read

Published 3 Mar 2026

Aircraft

Antonov An-225 Mriya: The Story of the World's Largest Aircraft

Only one was ever built. Only one ever flew. For decades, the Antonov An-225 Mriya stood alone as the largest aircraft to ever take to the skies. Then, in February 2022, the world watched as this…

Radu Balas · 28 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas11 min read

Published 28 Feb 2026

Guides

A Pilot's Guide to Navigating FAA Enforcement Actions in 2026

For any pilot, few things are as dreaded as the arrival of a certified letter from the FAA's Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. This single piece of mail can signal the start of a complex,…

Radu Balas · 26 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas8 min read

Published 26 Feb 2026

Aircraft

How Many McDonnell Douglas MD-11s Were Built? Production Numbers & Fleet History Explained

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 represents the final chapter in commercial trijet history. Built as an advanced version of the DC-10, this widebody aircraft promised better range and efficiency.…

Radu Balas · 26 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas9 min read

Published 26 Feb 2026

Aircraft

The Widest Business Class Seats in the World (2026 Edition)

Not all business class seats are created equal. Some measure barely wider than premium economy. Others rival first-class suites in shoulder space. For passengers spending $5,000-15,000 on long-haul…

Radu Balas · 25 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas10 min read

Published 25 Feb 2026

Aircraft

Inside the Private Jets of Football's Biggest Stars in 2026

Football's elite don't fly commercial. Between matches in Madrid, endorsement deals in Dubai, and family time in Miami, the world's highest-paid players need private aviation . These aren't just…

Radu Balas · 25 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas9 min read

Published 25 Feb 2026

Aircraft

How Many Boeing 747-400 Freighters Are Still in Service in 2026? A Global Fleet Breakdown

The Boeing 747 disappeared from passenger service years ago. Airlines retired their last Queen of the Skies as more efficient twin-engine jets took over. But the cargo world tells a different story.…

Radu Balas · 24 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas10 min read

Published 24 Feb 2026

Aircraft

Why the GE9X Engine Has No Chevrons: The Real Engineering Reasons Explained

Look at a Boeing 787 Dreamliner engine and you'll see jagged, saw-tooth edges on the back. These are chevrons. Now look at the Boeing 777X with its massive GE9X engines. No chevrons. Just smooth,…

Radu Balas · 24 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas9 min read

Published 24 Feb 2026

Aircraft

How Black Boxes Work: The Complete Aviation Safety Guide (2026)

Every commercial aircraft carries two devices that investigators rush to find after accidents. These recorders preserve flight data and cockpit conversations through impacts that destroy everything…

Radu Balas · 24 Feb 2026

By Radu Balas16 min read

Updated 24 Feb 2026

Find the companies behind the stories.

Explore aviation businesses by service, category and location.

Explore the directory