Etihad Airways today has commenced non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Washington D.C.

The 15 hour flight(EY131) will depart Abu Dhabi International Airport at 10:00AM and arrive at Dulles at 5:00PM. The returning flight(EY130) will depart Dulles at 10:15 and arrive back in Abu Dhabi 7:45PM the next day.

The route will be served by the ultra-long range Airbus A340-500 aircraft seating passengers in a three-class cabin.

Etihad Airbus A340-500 arrival at Dulles. Photo courtesy Etihad Airways

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Aeroflot 777-300ER

Eric Dunetz · March 31, 2013

Aeroflot Airlines Inaugural Boeing 777-300ER service into JFK

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Toppix SXM Aviation Photo Contest

Eric Dunetz · March 20, 2013

And so it begins, the first annual Sint Maarten Aviation Photography Competition has started.

At least 15 participants have registered for this fist time event which runs from March 17th to 23rd. All involved must stay on the island the entire week (which could get a bit pricey this time of year) and be present for judging and prize presentation which could be the reason for lack of participation. All registration fees will be donated to support the Breast Cancer Awareness Program on Sint Maarten.

The Competition rules are pretty simple, images must be taken between March 18th and March 22nd and the aircraft pictured must be depicted with a St Maarten Theme in the background, que all images with large planes and pretty ladies in the background.

Each participant is allowed to enter a maximum of three images. The grand prize winner will take home $2,500USD. The best 6 photos will be exhibited at SXM airport for the next four months.

As for this photographer, I could not make it down for the event so I leave you with my best images from SXM.

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American Airlines debuts 777-300 on JFK-LHR route

Eric Dunetz · March 18, 2013

In what was deemed by one American Airlines official as a "low key" event, AA showed off there new Boeing 777-300ER at John F. Kennedy Airport on Friday afternoon as it made its LHR to JFK debut . In Typical New York fashion the weather was subpar and the aircraft arrived about 2 hours late but that didn't stop the awaiting passengers from peering out the window to get a look at the sleek looking plane painted in the "New American" colors as it pulled into the gate.

The 777-300ER is a welcomed upgrade on the New York JFK- London Heathrow route with several new service amenities including three classes of service that include fully lie-flat First and Business Class seats as well its "Main Cabin Extra" seats in coach. The aircraft has international WiFi capability and a fully stocked self-service bar in the premium cabin.

And even the crew quarters seem spacious with rooms for the Flight and Cabin crews Forward and aft of the aircraft.

In April, the 777-300ER service will be expanded to AA's New York JFK-Sao Paulo route.

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AA 773ER at JFK

Eric Dunetz · March 15, 2013

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Power

Eric Dunetz · March 9, 2013

One of two engines that power the Boeing 777-200

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Concorde Dual Time Zone Clock

Eric Dunetz · March 5, 2013

Its coming up on 10 years since concorde was retired. Part of my collection is this British Airways commissioned Dual time zone alarm clock to commemorate 27 years of commercial supersonic flight.

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Danger: Jet Blast

Eric Dunetz · March 1, 2013

Most people come to St Maarten's Maho beach to watch planes pass several feet above their heads, but others come for the extra thrill of standing several yards behind a jumbo jet as it throttles to full power going down the runway.

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ETIHAD F1

Eric Dunetz · February 28, 2013

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All Shapes and Sizes

Eric Dunetz · February 28, 2013

JFK sees all different types of aircraft. Pictured the very large and long four engined South African Airways A340-600 to the small prop DeHavilland Canada Dash 8

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jetblue sharklets take to the sky

Eric Dunetz · February 22, 2013

Earlier this morning jetblue(n821jb) Blue Yorker took to the skies off the coast of Long Island to test test out the newly retrofitted Sharklets. Pictured below returning assumed on a successful first flight.

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Its all about blue today. jetblue

Eric Dunetz · February 21, 2013

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jetblue goes to the sharklets

Eric Dunetz · February 21, 2013

Today jetblue airways introduced its first Airbus A320 aircraft to be fitted with Sharklet technology. At an event at John F. Kennedy Airport the airline celebrated becoming the first North Ametican carrier to operate a Sharklet equipped aircraft. jetblue also becomes the first airline in the world to install the Sharklets as a retrofit.

jetblue expects to retrofit five aircraft in 2013 while also taking delivery of seven brand new aircraft which will already have the Sharklets installed from the production line. The Sharklets should produce better fuel efficiency and the airline hopes to get up to a three percent less fuel burn on long haul flights. jetblue expects to save $350,000 per aircraft per year and $45 million per year fleet wide.

Complete retrofit of Sharlet technology on jetblue's entire fleet is not expected to be completed until 2016 or 2017

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TVASNAC

Eric Dunetz · November 25, 2012

On Monday the Town-Village Aircraft Safety Noise Abatement Committee will be meeting to discuss concerns over low flying planes and ways to control jet noise over affected communities near Kennedy Airport.

Members of the long standing organization have asked that there be an equal distribution of flights onto the airports 8 runways. They have also called for a ban on low flying planes and a reduction of late night flights. FAA officials have stated on numerous occasions that many factors go into determining runway usage such as wind direction, weather conditions, construction projects and noise abatement procedures.

Participating communities include Atlantic Beach, Cenderhurst, East Williston, Floral Park, Garden City, Hewlett Harbor, Inwood, Lawrence, Long Beach, Malverne, New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor, Valley Stream and Woodburgh.

The public is welcomed to attend this meeting which will be held at 7:30pm at the L.H Bennett Pavilion Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington st Hempstead.

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Holiday Travel: JFK Airport

Eric Dunetz · November 24, 2012

I spent Wednesday afternoon talking to and observing passengers at JFK International Airport as they planned to depart NY for the Thanksgiving holiday. Contrary to reports on the news I didn't find long check in and security lines but a mostly smooth travel experience for passengers.

At jetblue's T5 check in lines were short and self service kiosk were not even being utilized. The security lines were moving at a steady pace with wait times between 5 and 10 minutes to reach airside. Two passengers Jennifer and Stephanie were transiting through JFK to get home from Italy. Jennifer was flying through to Boston and when asked why she choose jetblue she said "free baggage" was a big part of her decision. As for Stephanie she was on her way home to Sarasota. She preferred to fly jetblue but was unable to obtain a direct flight so she settled for Delta. Both of their flights were scheduled for an on time departure.

On to Delta's Terminal 2 and 3 where there was a little bit of confusion. First of all the Airtrain brige/walkway leading to T2 is now closed. Now passengers must use the parking garage elevators to reach street level and terminal. But wait, once you reach terminal 3 you can't enter the building from the front as one family found out. The family stood in frustration not exactly knowing where to go. The family of four eventually made there way up the walkway to the back of the terminal to the check Area. With improvements coming to Delta there should be a better passenger experience at JFK. Over at T2 the arrivals area was not as chaotic as in the past. Passengers seemed to be exiting with ease.

Over at Terminal 1 things seemed to be running smoothly with short check in lines and a 5-10 minute wait at security. A minor inconvenience is the scaffolding and construction going on above security. Flights seemed to be on time. Terminal 4 now has less land side area as the security checkpoint has been moved as part of the new Delta construction. The mall area now resides post security. Check in lines seemed short and flights were on time.

At AA's Terminal 8 there was a solo passenger who had trouble finding the elevator up to the check in level though she walked passed it several times. later on this same passenger was on the check in level trying to sell an empty carry on bag to fellow passengers. It was fascinating watching her attempt to make a sale. I don't think anybody was taking her up on her offer.

Good weather, on time flights, short check in and security lines made for happy passengers as they depart JFK for parts unknown on this Thanksgiving weekend.