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# MOND ORTIZ: Official website of aviation content creator, Mond Ortiz.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://mondortiz.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [China agrees to buy 200 Boeing jets after Trump talks](https://mondortiz.com/china-agrees-to-buy-200-boeing-jets/): China has agreed to buy 200 Boeing aircraft, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, but the number came in lower than what many analysts and investors had expected. Details of the agreement were not immediately available, including the aircraft types, delivery schedule, and which Chinese airlines would receive the jets.
- [LOT takes Boeing to trial over 737 MAX losses](https://mondortiz.com/lot-takes-boeing-to-trial-over-max-losses/): LOT Polish Airlines has taken Boeing to trial in Seattle over financial losses linked to the grounding of the 737 MAX. The Polish flag carrier claims Boeing hid safety problems with the aircraft when LOT chose the MAX in 2016 as part of its plan to rebuild after earlier financial struggles.
- [Protect flight attendants from abusive passengers](https://mondortiz.com/protect-flight-attendants-from-abusive-passengers/): Protecting flight attendants from abusive passengers is not only about employee welfare. It is also about safety. Inside an aircraft, safety rules are not suggestions. Flight crew members follow strict procedures to protect everyone on board, and cabin crew are given the authority to enforce those procedures inside the cabin.
- [Biman Bangladesh orders 14 Boeing 787 and 737 MAX jets](https://mondortiz.com/biman-bangladesh-orders-14-boeing-787-737-max/): Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed its largest aircraft order to date, selecting 14 Boeing airplanes to expand and modernize its fleet. The order includes eight 787-10s, two 787-9s, and four 737-8 aircraft.
- [Alaska and Hawaiian unify booking and airport systems](https://mondortiz.com/alaska-and-hawaiian-unify-booking-systems/): Alaska and Hawaiian have reached a major step in their integration after Hawaiian Airlines moved to the same Sabre passenger service system used by Alaska Airlines. This gives both airlines a shared reservation and airport platform, meaning travelers can expect a more consistent experience from booking to boarding across the combined network.
- [B-21 Raider reaches key refueling test before 2027 debut](https://mondortiz.com/b-21-raider-reaches-key-refueling-test/): The B-21 Raider has reached another important step in its flight test program, with Northrop Grumman confirming that the new stealth bomber has now completed aerial refueling tests. That matters because refueling in the air is one of the key requirements for a bomber designed to fly long distances and stay in the mission longer without having to land.
- [Armed Black Hawk kits expand combat mission roles](https://mondortiz.com/armed-black-hawk-kits-expand-combat-roles/): The Armed Black Hawk is being pushed into a wider combat role as Sikorsky introduces new upgrade kits for the helicopter. The company says these kits allow operators to use the Black Hawk for more than troop transport, opening the door to missions such as airmobile assault, close support, medical evacuation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and tactical lift, all on one aircraft type.
- [Asian airlines gain as Europe traffic shifts eastward](https://mondortiz.com/asian-airlines-gain-as-europe-traffic-shifts/): Asian airlines are seeing stronger demand on Europe routes as more travelers avoid disrupted Middle Eastern hubs. That shift is giving several major carriers in Asia a boost, even as they deal with much higher jet fuel prices.
- [Delta One suites arrive in Delta’s $1 billion plan](https://mondortiz.com/delta-one-suites-arrive-in-deltas-1-billion-plan/): Delta is preparing a major cabin upgrade that will start with its Airbus A350-1000 and extend to its Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 fleet. The airline said the plan is worth more than $1 billion and will bring a new Delta One suite, upgraded seats in every cabin, and a more consistent onboard look across future aircraft deliveries and existing jets being refreshed.
- [Air New Zealand Skynest to launch in November 2026](https://mondortiz.com/air-new-zealand-skynest-to-launch-2026/): Air New Zealand is introducing a new way for long-haul economy passengers to get proper rest in the air. Called Skynest, the product is designed for some of the airline’s longest flights to and from New Zealand, giving Economy and Premium Economy travelers the option to book a lie-flat sleep pod for part of the journey.
- [Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna targets airline Wi-Fi upgrade](https://mondortiz.com/amazon-leo-aviation-antenna-targets-airline-upgrade/): Amazon Leo is getting ready to bring its in-flight internet product to commercial airlines with a new aviation antenna built for use from gate to gate. The company says the Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna is designed to give passengers and crew fast, reliable connectivity throughout the flight, whether the aircraft is parked, climbing, cruising, or preparing to land.
- [Etihad adds five new China routes from Abu Dhabi hub](https://mondortiz.com/etihad-adds-five-new-china-routes-from-uae/): Etihad Airways is expanding in China with plans to launch flights to five more cities over the next year, giving the airline a much bigger presence in one of its most important markets. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will start daily service to Shanghai Pudong at the beginning of October, then add Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shandong, and Chengdu in March next year.
- [PAL opens direct Manila Palau flights and returns Saipan](https://mondortiz.com/pal-opens-direct-manila-palau-and-saipan-flights/): Philippine Airlines (PAL) has launched direct Manila-Palau flights, giving travelers a new link between the Philippines and one of Micronesia’s best-known island destinations. The airline has also resumed Manila-Saipan service, adding another Pacific route as it grows its network in the region.
- [Lufthansa marks 100 years with Berlin anniversary flights](https://mondortiz.com/lufthansa-marks-100-years-with-berlin-anniversary/): Lufthansa marked 100 years on April 6, 2026 with a full day of anniversary events in Berlin, the city where the airline’s first flights began in 1926. The date carried extra weight for the company because it was exactly 100 years since the first “Luft Hansa” flights departed from Berlin-Tempelhof to Zurich and Cologne.
- [KLM Airbus A350 enters final assembly line in Toulouse](https://mondortiz.com/klm-airbus-a350-enters-final-assembly-line/): KLM’s first Airbus A350 has now reached the final assembly line in Toulouse, where the aircraft is starting to take its final form before delivery. This is the stage where the main parts of the aircraft come together, and KLM said the tail already carries the airline’s familiar livery. The airline expects to receive its first A350 by the end of the summer.
- [Boeing works to make turbulence less disruptive in flight](https://mondortiz.com/boeing-makes-turbulence-less-distruptive-flight/): Boeing has spent decades working on ways to make turbulence less disruptive in flight. Across its Flight Controls and Stability and Control teams, engineers have been studying how aircraft respond to rough air and how onboard systems can react faster to reduce shaking, improve ride comfort, and give crews more time when conditions get worse.
- [Alaska Airlines unveils new international Business Class](https://mondortiz.com/alaska-airlines-unveils-new-business-class/): Alaska Airlines has introduced its new International Business Class as it prepares to expand further into long-haul flying. The new product will launch this spring on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and will be part of the airline’s growing push into Europe and Asia from Seattle.
- [Cathay Pacific launches Seattle flights from Hong Kong](https://mondortiz.com/cathay-pacific-launches-seattle-flights/): Cathay Pacific has officially started non-stop passenger flights between Hong Kong and Seattle, giving travelers the only direct link between Hong Kong and Washington State’s largest city. The new route operates five times a week and expands the airline’s North American passenger network to nine destinations.
- [Brazil unveils first locally built Gripen E fighter](https://mondortiz.com/brazil-unveils-first-locally-built-gripen-e/): Brazil has formally unveiled the first Gripen E fighter aircraft produced in the country, marking a new stage in its defense partnership with Sweden. Saab, Embraer, and the Brazilian Air Force unveiled the aircraft on March 25 during a ceremony at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, in São Paulo State.
- [Singapore Airlines starts Western Sydney daily flights](https://mondortiz.com/singapore-airlines-starts-western-sydney-flights/): Singapore Airlines will launch daily non-stop flights between Singapore and Western Sydney International Airport on November 23, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The new service gives the airline a second airport in Sydney and adds another option for travelers heading to Australia’s biggest city. It also lifts Singapore Airlines’ Sydney operation to five daily flights when combined with its four existing daily services to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
- [United pushes premium fleet plans further into 2028](https://mondortiz.com/united-pushes-premium-fleet-plans-to-2028/): United Airlines is moving deeper into its long-term fleet and product overhaul, with the airline saying it expects to take delivery of more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028. That gives United a lot of room to refresh older airplanes, add new cabin products, and bring a more premium feel across different parts of its network.
- [LaGuardia crash probe turns to controller workload](https://mondortiz.com/laguardia-crash-probe-turns-to-controller-workload/): The LaGuardia crash investigation is now looking closely at what was happening in the control tower before the Air Canada Express jet hit a fire truck during landing. Investigators said they want to interview the air traffic controller who was handling another emergency in the minutes before the collision, which killed both pilots and seriously injured nine other people.
- [United cuts more flights as fuel costs keep climbing](https://mondortiz.com/united-cuts-more-flights-as-fuel-costs-rise/): United Airlines is cutting more unprofitable flying over the next two quarters as it prepares for a long stretch of high fuel prices tied to the war in Iran. The airline says strong travel demand is still helping the business, but rising jet fuel costs are now forcing deeper schedule cuts on flights that do not make enough money, especially during weaker travel periods.
- [British Airways adds Melbourne and Colombo flights](https://mondortiz.com/british-airways-adds-melbourne-and-colombo-flights/): British Airways is making a bigger push for winter 2026, adding two new long-haul destinations and increasing flights on several existing routes. The airline plans to launch service to Melbourne, Australia, and Colombo, Sri Lanka, while also adding more flights to destinations such as Cape Town, Tokyo Haneda, Barbados, Kingston, and San Jose. Altogether, British Airways says its long-haul network will grow by nine percent for the season.
- [BAE Systems to keep U-2 defenses ready for threats](https://mondortiz.com/bae-systems-to-keep-u-2-defenses-ready-for-threats/): BAE Systems has won a new contract to keep the Lockheed-Martin U-2 Dragon Lady’s defensive system ready for service. The work covers the AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System, which helps protect the U.S. Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft during missions in contested airspace.
- [April airfares rise as the CAB lifts surcharge to level 8](https://mondortiz.com/cab-lifts-fuel-surcharge-to-level-8-this-april/): Passengers booking flights for the first half of April will face higher travel costs after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised the fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights to Level 8. That is a sharp increase from Level 4 in March, and it gives airlines room to collect much higher charges on top of the base fare.
- [Storms disrupt more than 12,500 US flights on Monday](https://mondortiz.com/storms-disrupt-more-than-12500-us-flights-on-monday/): A wave of storms caused major flight problems across the United States on Monday, with more than 12,500 flights delayed or canceled as bad weather spread across the East Coast, the Midwest, and the Great Lakes region.
- [Boeing 737 MAX repairs threaten March jet deliveries](https://mondortiz.com/boeing-737-max-repairs-threaten-march-deliveries/): Boeing is dealing with another issue on undelivered 737 MAX jets, this time involving scratched wiring that now needs repair before some aircraft can be handed over to customers. The company is reportedly fixing as many as 25 undelivered airplanes, and it has already said some March deliveries will be delayed. For Boeing, that matters because the 737 MAX remains one of its most important sources of revenue as it works to recover from years of production and safety problems.
- [DOTr cuts airport charges as jet fuel prices surge](https://mondortiz.com/dotr-cuts-airport-charges-as-jet-fuel-prices-surge/): Air travel may get some relief as fuel costs continue to rise. To help reduce the pressure on airlines and passengers, the DOTr has ordered lower Passenger Service Charges and airport navigation charges at all airports run by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
- [Spirit Airlines recalls pilots before bankruptcy exit](https://mondortiz.com/spirit-airlines-recalls-500-pilots/): Spirit Airlines is starting to bring back furloughed pilots as it moves closer to leaving Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The airline has issued recall notices to hundreds of pilots who were previously let go during a long period of financial pressure, showing that Spirit is now trying to stabilize operations as it prepares for its next phase.
- [Why are grooming standards for flight attendants high](https://mondortiz.com/why-grooming-standards-for-flight-attendants-high/): Many people ask me why flight attendants always look good. Some also ask if you have to be good looking to become a flight attendant. I do not agree with the idea that airlines hire based on one “pretty” standard. Being pretty or handsome is subjective. What I see airlines enforce more consistently is grooming standards. An applicant can look attractive, yet poor grooming habits and failure to meet grooming standards can still stop that applicant from moving forward.
- [A-29 Super Tucano gets a new AI drone defense system](https://mondortiz.com/a-29-super-tucano-gets-new-ai-drone-defense-system/): The A-29 Super Tucano is getting a new counter-drone upgrade as Embraer teams up with Valkyrie Aero to bring the Gunslinger system to the aircraft. The goal is to give military operators a more practical and lower-cost way to deal with unmanned threats, especially at a time when drones are becoming harder to ignore on the battlefield.
- [United Airlines warns jet fuel prices could cut results](https://mondortiz.com/united-airlines-warns-jet-fuel-price-increase/): Jet fuel prices are climbing fast, and United Airlines says the increase will hurt its first-quarter performance even though people are still booking trips. CEO Scott Kirby said he expects a "meaningful" impact on United’s first-quarter results as fuel costs rise after the war in Iran became more intense.
- [The planes of Operation Desert Storm](https://mondortiz.com/the-planes-of-operation-desert-storm/): I feel nostalgic when I think about Operation Desert Storm, and I notice how much it still stays with me. I was in elementary school when the 1991 Gulf War happened. Iraq invaded Kuwait, and Kuwait’s allied nations joined forces to force Iraq out of Kuwait. These nations included the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Italy, France, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and more.
- [The A-29B Super Tucano is not a “Tora-Tora” plane](https://mondortiz.com/a-29b-super-tucano-is-not-a-tora-tora-fighter/): Social media spreads many wrong labels about some aircraft. One label I often hear in the Philippines is that the Embraer A-29B Super Tucano is “Tora-Tora” or vintage because it has a propeller. That idea is wrong. A propeller does not decide if an aircraft is modern. The mission, sensors, avionics, and weapons decide that.
- [Stop expecting flight attendants to lift your luggage](https://mondortiz.com/flight-attendants-not-obligated-to-stow-luggage/): This issue has been around for years, and it keeps coming back because many passengers still think lifting carry-on luggage into the overhead bin is part of a flight attendant’s job. It is not. A flight attendant may help a passenger who truly needs assistance, but that is very different from being expected to keep lifting passenger bags again and again during boarding. The primary job of cabin crew is safety and security. That is exactly why airlines place limits on this kind of lifting.
- [Is the hub-and-spoke airline model losing to point-to-point?](https://mondortiz.com/hub-and-spoke-point-to-point-airline-network/): I have read claims that the hub-and-spoke airline network model is losing to the point-to-point model, especially with the arrival of ultra-long-range aircraft like the Boeing 787-9 and the Airbus A350-900ULR, which can fly very long distances nonstop. I still disagree with that view. The better answer depends on the goals of the airline, the airports it uses, and the wider system around it. I want to explain how both models work first, because that also helps explain why airports like Dubai International Airport are so important and why Emirates flies to so many destinations through Dubai.
- [Qantas to open Singapore crew base with 650 cabin crew](https://mondortiz.com/qantas-to-open-singapore-crew-base/): The Qantas Singapore crew base is becoming a bigger part of the airline’s international plan. Qantas will open a new cabin crew base in Singapore in September, starting with 120 crew in its first year. The airline expects that number to grow to as many as 650 over the next five years, adding more support at its largest international hub outside Australia.
- [Qantas launches first nonstop Sydney – Las Vegas flights](https://mondortiz.com/qantas-launches-nonstop-sydney-las-vegas-flights/): Qantas is adding a route that stands out even in a crowded long-haul market. The airline will launch the first nonstop flights between Australia and Las Vegas, with seasonal service between Sydney and Las Vegas set to begin on December 29, 2026. The route will run through March 12, 2027, and Qantas says cutting out a stop in another U.S. city can save travelers up to five hours. The new service also becomes the 101st destination in the Qantas network and its eighth city in North and South America.
- [Grace Park Airfield and Manila’s first land airport](https://mondortiz.com/grace-park-airfield-and-manilas-first-land-airport/): If you spend a lot of time in the Makati Central Business District, especially along Makati Avenue, you will see Nielson Tower. Many people say it was the first commercial airport in Manila. That is not correct. Manila’s first commercial land airport was in Caloocan, not Makati. It was Grace Park Airfield, which opened in 1935 and was first used by PATCO, or Philippine Aerial Taxi Company. Nielson Airport opened later, in 1937. This is why Grace Airfield in Caloocan, now the Grace Park area, deserves to be remembered first in the story of Manila’s early commercial aviation.
- [NASA flies CATNLF wing test on F-15B for lower drag](https://mondortiz.com/nasa-flies-catnlf-wing-test-on-f-15b-for-lower-drag/): NASA has completed the first flight test of its CATNLF wing model, a small test wing made to help keep air flowing smoothly over swept wings. NASA wants better laminar flow because it can reduce drag, which can lower fuel burn and operating costs on future commercial aircraft.
- [Finnair keeps three new European routes year-round](https://mondortiz.com/finnair-keeps-three-new-european-routes-year-round/): Finnair is keeping three of its newer European routes in the schedule all year instead of limiting them to summer 2026. The airline said flights to Luxembourg, Valencia, and Turin will now continue year-round, giving travelers more options across both summer and winter.
- [Why do you want to become a flight attendant?](https://mondortiz.com/why-do-you-want-to-become-a-flight-attendant/): "Why do you want to become a flight attendant?" is one of the most common questions in a cabin crew recruitment event. It sounds simple, yet it often decides who moves to the next round. Recruiters ask it to check one thing first: do you understand what the job really is, and do you want it for the right reasons.
- [The accidental first flight of the General Dynamics YF-16](https://mondortiz.com/the-accidental-first-flight-of-the-yf-16/): Aircraft manufacturers plan a prototype’s first flight only after many ground tests, such as braking tests, taxi tests, and high-speed taxi runs. Even with careful planning, problems can still happen. The F-16’s first flight happened this way. A near accident during a high-speed taxi test turned into the first time the YF-16 ever flew.
- [The Boeing 787-10 may be a good PAL A330-300 replacement](https://mondortiz.com/boeing-787-10-good-pal-a330-300-replacement/): There is now a lot of talk about the future fleet of Philippine Airlines. This includes the delivery of the remaining Airbus A350-1000s and the continued delivery of A321neos. With that, many people now expect PAL to order new aircraft to replace the A330-300s in the PAL fleet and the A320ceos in the PAL Express fleet. Two common options to replace the A330-300 are the Boeing 787-10 and the Airbus A330-900neo, also called the A330neo.
- [Cabin crew interview tips which even AI won’t tell you](https://mondortiz.com/cabin-crew-interview-tips-ai-wont-tell-you/): Many cabin crew aspirants now use ChatGPT or Gemini for tips and advice to pass a cabin crew interview. Recruiters know that too. AI often gives general advice, and many applicants end up sounding the same. I have attended recruitment events myself, and I also ask recruitment heads what they watch for. Small details can change the outcome, even when you already have confidence, good grooming, and you meet the basic requirements. These are the cabin crew interview tips I share based on what I have seen and what recruiters have told me.
- [Air Canada flight attendants face final pay decision](https://mondortiz.com/air-canada-flight-attendants-face-final-pay-decision/): Air Canada flight attendants are now moving on from the labor dispute that led to the August 2025 strike of more than 10,000 crew members, but the ending did not match what the union pushed for. An arbitrator has decided to keep the pay increases from the tentative deal that ended the strike, even though union members later rejected those raises by an overwhelming margin.
- [Takeoff and landing are the most critical phases of a flight](https://mondortiz.com/takeoff-and-landing-are-the-most-critical-phases/): You have probably heard that takeoff and landing are the most dangerous phases of a flight. Well, it's actually the most critical phases of any flight. this is why all safety regulations are strictly implemented during this face, and you may end up facing authorities if you refuse to follow.
- [Why airlines hire a fixed number of flight attendants](https://mondortiz.com/why-airlines-hire-a-fixed-number-flight-attendants/): The usual complaint I see after an airline hires flight attendants is "the standards are too high because majority did not pass." No, the number of applicants has never been the basis for how many flight attendants an airline will hire. Cabin crew hiring does not work like a contest where airlines take a fixed percentage of applicants. Standards can be high, yes, but the main reason many applicants do not make it is that the airline will only hire a specific number of flight attendants based on operational requirements. If the airline only needs 100 and 5,000 aspirants apply, the airline will still hire 100.
- [Sun PhuQuoc Airways orders up to 40 787 Dreamliner jets](https://mondortiz.com/sun-phuquoc-airways-orders-40-787-dreamliners/): Sun PhuQuoc Airways just made a clear statement about what kind of airline it wants to be. The new Vietnam-based carrier has ordered up to 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, and it plans to use them as the core of its widebody fleet. Boeing says the 787s will help the airline connect international travelers to its hub at Phu Quoc International Airport, using long-range flying to link the island to major markets.

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