Following stunning victories over Spanish opposition German football teams Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have both made it to the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on May 25th 2013.

Ryanair has responded quickly and has just announced extra flights to help cope with the massive numbers of German fans hoping to make the trip to London.

EI-ENE – Ryanair – Boeing 737-8AS Photo © fervema2002 pinkfroot.com

Last night Bayern Munich completed a stunning victory after once again outclassing Barcelona 3-0 for a 7-0 aggregate victory.

24 hours earlier Borussia Dortmund had seen off a strong Real Madrid team 4-3 on aggregate in the other Spain v Germany semi-final.

Ryanair’s Champions League final specials will depart Memmingen at 18.00hrs on Friday 24th May and 09.45hrs on Saturday 25th May with 2 return flights from London on Sunday 26th May, departing at 14.15hrs & 18.30hrs.

Dortmund fans can travel from Dortmund at 20.15hrs on Friday 24th May and 10.00hrs on Saturday 25th May with 2 return flights from London on Sunday 26th May, departing at 12.20hrs & 18.50hrs.

Airbus rolled out their first flight ready A350 from their paint shop in Toulouse, France today.

Airbus A350 XWB – image © AIRBUS S.A.S. 2013 – photo by eˣm company / H. GOUSSÉ

The beautiful A350 XWB aircraft (MSN001) will now be handed to engineers to perform ground testing in preparation for her maiden flight this summer.

The stunning Airbus livery includes the letters XWB in prominent display. This refers to the two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines powering the new plane.

The aircraft painting was finished in less than a week and followed the recent completion of flight-test-instrumentation (FTI) verification.

Here at planefinder.net we can’t wait to track this beautiful aircraft on her test flights.

Airbus A350 XWB – image © AIRBUS S.A.S. 2013 – photo by eˣm company / H. GOUSSÉ

For more information on the aircraft check out the Airbus A350 XWB website here http://www.a350xwb.com

We’re delighted to announce the release of the world’s first 3D plane tracking app for iOS and Android.

Integrating our live aviation data with a powerful 3D engine we have crafted an original and simple to use app that enables you to fly amongst the air traffic – in real time!
Simply using touch to pan and zoom, you can fly your own way around the skies.
Look up, down, head on, move around – however you like – the choice is yours!
Or why not jump on board a plane using 3D Fly Me to see what the pilot can see!

Some of the features of Plane Finder 3D are:

• Stunning real time data
• Powerful 3D engine and simple controls
• Beautiful terrain and sky detail
• Smooth contrails
• Flight numbers and flight routes
• Airline logos and callsigns
• Integrates with Plane Finder 2D apps
• Sharing – via Twitter, Facebook, email and more (Cool for holiday photos!!)

We hope that you enjoy the app.

More details can be found here…

http://planefinder3d.com

We even have a Mac app coming soon too!!

A British Airways A319 bound for Oslo was forced to make an emergency landing at London Heathrow this morning.

Screenshot of flight BA762 – planefinder.net

Eye witnesses reported seeing the aircraft trailing a stream of smoke with one engine engulfed by flames.

All passengers and crew are reported safe after evacuating the aircraft via the emergency chutes.

Both runways at the airport were closed but have now reopened.

Flight BA762 (Callsign BAW762) was on route to Gardermoen Airport, Oslo when the incident occurred.

The Airbus A319 aircraft, registration number G-EUOE first flew in 2001.

Here on Planefinder.net we tracked the flight out over London

You see playback the flight here..

http://planefinder.net/flight/BAW762/time/2013-05-24T07:20:00%20UTC

Airbus A319 G-EUOE in 2011 Photo © Stephen Morris – pinkfroot.com

Data Sources

Aircraft: http://planefinder.net/data/airplanes/G-EUOE and Airline Finder

Flight Track: http://planefinder.net/flight/BAW762/time/2013-05-24T07:20:00%20UTC

Flight: http://planefinder.net/data/flights/BA762

RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled this afternoon to escort a Manchester bound aircraft into Stansted.

Flight PK709 – Screenshot planefinder.net

Pakistan International Airlines flight PK709 (callsign PIA709) from Lahore, Pakistan had been expected to arrive in Manchester, England at 14:00 BST.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, registration number AP-BID, was instead intercepted over the North Sea and looped round over Yorkshire before landing in Stansted.

You can watch a playback of the flight here on planefinder.net

http://planefinder.net/flight/PIA709/time/2013-05-24T11:45:00%20UTC

We understand that Essex Police and security forces met the aircraft at Stansted airport, Essex.

PIA 777 – AP-BID – Photo © Jhhn Smitherman – pinkfroot.com

Data Sources

Flight Track: http://planefinder.net/flight/PIA709/time/2013-05-24T11:45:00%20UTC

Flight: http://planefinder.net/data/flights/PK709

Aircraft: http://planefinder.net/data/airplanes/AP-BID

The first UK operated 787 Dreamliner is currently headed to Manchester from Boeing’s plant in Seattle.

Thomson 787 G-TUIA delivery – live tracking – screenshot planefinder.net

You can track this exciting event live here on planefinder.net – http://planefinder.net/flight/TOM9768

Aircraft registration G-TUIA is expected to arrive at Manchester airport this morning – between 1000 and 1100 BST.

Not far behind it will be G-TUIB, scheduled to arrive in Manchester tomorrow (1st June) at 0650 and G-TUIC arriving on the 14th June.

Thomson are the UK launch customer for the Boeing aircraft. TUI, owner of Thomson travel, have a total of 13 Dreamliners on order.

The deliveries had been delayed following the grounding of all 787 aircraft, however Boeing did not slow production and global deliveries are now happening at a phenomenal rate.

Thomson Airways has confirmed that from 21 June 2013 it will be operating the 787 Dreamliner on selected short haul and mid haul routes, before its first long haul flights begin on 8 July 2013.

Flights currently planned to operate on 21 June are:

• London Gatwick to Mahon (Menorca) TOM4536
• Mahon (Menorca) to London Gatwick TOM4537
• London Gatwick to Mahon (Menorca) TOM4554
• Mahon (Menorca) to London Gatwick TOM4555

The first long haul flights are scheduled for 8th July 2013 traveling to Florida and Cancun, Mexico.

Thomson 787 – Artwork © Graham Charles Edwards – Airline Finder

Boeing has just released a video showing their new robotic painters in action.

The new robots have replaced over 35 human painters and have sped up a process that used to take hours and now takes minutes.

The wings also no longer have to be moved during painting as the robots can move in ways that people just can’t!

You can watch the Boeing video by clicking on the screenshot below:

Boeing Robotic Painters

Boeing are rolling out 777s at the rate of one every 3-4 days. It’s likely to be only a matter of time before the technology finds it’s way to all model types.

Airlines are also reported to be interested in the time and money saving robotic painters.

We’re not yet sure if this makes new designs possible, or easier to do – we already see stunning aircraft liveries around the world like the Southwest “Illinois One” below!

N918WN Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 – Photo © Darryl Morrell – pinkfroot.com

On Wednesday start-up airline Surf Air launched their new All-You-Can-Fly service with an inaugural flight between Burbank and San Carlos.

Operating more like a members club than an airline Surf Air hopes to win the business of frequent fliers and drivers spending too much time in their cars.

Members pay a $500 one time initiation fee and the $1,650 per month.

For this they can fly as often as they want with no lines, no waiting (arrive just 15 minutes before departure) and a 30 second booking time!

Surf Air operates the Pilates PC-12 aircraft with a BMW designed interior and comfy leather seats for 6 people.

The start-up airline has initially started flying between San Carlos airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Burbank airport in the Los Angeles Metro Area.

The airline will add Santa Barbara airport as a third destination on July 10. Surf Air intends to open further routes including Monterey, Palm Springs, San Diego, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, and the Sonoma/ Napa plus other markets across the US.

The first flight of the Airbus A350 is under way over Toulouse, France today.

The A350 XWB aircraft (MSN1) left the ground at Toulouse-Blagnac airport at 10:00 local with a team of 6 top Airbus engineers and analysts on board.

Airbus A350 First Flight

The all new Airbus A350 XWB comes into competition with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as the two manufacturers compete for the huge global market in new aircraft.

The A350 is a family of long range aircraft comprising three versions that will carry between 270 and 350 passengers. Airbus state that the new family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. Scheduled for entry-into-service in second half of 2014, the A350 XWB has already won 613 firm orders from 33 customers worldwide.

Speculation is also rife that Airbus is planning to showcase the A350 at the upcoming Paris Air Show, this has not been confirmed by Airbus.

For more information on the aircraft check out the Airbus A350 XWB websites here: http://www.a350xwbfirstflight.com and http://www.a350xwb.com

Egyptair flight MS985 from Cairo to New York has been diverted to Prestwick Airport in Scotland.

Egyptair MS985 – screenshot – planefinder.net

News agencies are reporting that security forces are attending after a passenger discovered a letter onboard threatening to blow up the aircraft. The MOD has confirmed that RAF fighter jets were scrambled to escort the plane down.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, registration SU-GDO and using  callsign MSR985, issued a 7700 emergency squawk  over the North Sea before diverting to Prestwick, landing at 14:30. The airport is operating normally.

The flight had departed Cairo International Airport , Egypt and was expected in New York at 15:15 local time.

You can replay the event here on planefinder.net via this playback link http://planefinder.net/flight/MSR985/time/2013-06-15T12:45:00%20UTC

The aircraft involved in the incident – SU-GDO – photo © Stephen Morris – pinkfroot.com

A passenger is reported to have told passengers on board United Airlines flight 116 from Hong Kong to Newark that he has poisoned them all.

He has reportedly been restrained by the passengers on the flight.

United Airlines 116 Live Flight track – planefinder.net

The flight is expected to land in New York at 14:05 local time.

You can see the flight live here on planefinder.net http://planefinder.net/flight/UA116

The aircraft involved in the incident is a Boeing 777-200 – archive image below:

N77109 – United Airlines – photo © John Young – pinkfroot.com

A United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Tokyo has been forced to land in Seattle due to a technical issue.

United Flight UA 139 diverted to Seattle – screenshot planefinder.net

United Flight UA 139 (callsign UAL139) had been headed for Narita International Airport (NRT), Tokyo, Japan from Denver International (DEN) when the crew noticed a potential issue with an oil filter.

The aircraft landed at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) just after 16:00 local time.The issue is likely to be a concern to Boeing following the fleet wide grounding of the entire 787 fleet earlier this year.

Airlines across the world were cleared to resume 787 flights only last month. The fact that this aircraft landed in Seattle, near to where the aircraft are built, will give Boeing the perfect opportunity to quickly investigate and resolve this issue.

Passengers were accommodated in Seattle overnight and are expected to resume their flight to Japan on Wednesday.

The aircraft involved in the incident (tail number N26906) is shown below:

N26906 – Photo © Jose Gomez – pinkfroot.com

Flight tracker playback: http://planefinder.net/flight/UAL139/time/2013-06-18T22:25:00%20UTC

The US intelligence fugitive and whistleblower Edward Snowden is reported to have left Hong Kong on-board an Aeroflot flight bound for Moscow.

The only Aeroflot flight today from Hong Kong to Moscow is flight SU213, this is due into Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) at 17:05 local time (13:05 GMT) this afternoon.

Here on planefinder.net we are tracking the flight live: http://planefinder.net/flight/SU213

SU213 Live Flight Tracker – screenshot planefinder.net

The aircraft is an Airbus A330-300, registration VP-BDD using flight callsign AFL213

Earlier today we also tracked flight SU213 as it took off from Hong Kong International (HKG) at around 10:15 local time (03:15 GMT).

Aeroflot flight SU213 leaving Hong Kong – screenshot planefinder.net

Playback – leaving Hong Kong: http://planefinder.net/flight/AFL213/time/2013-06-23T03:30:00%20UTC (Data updated in 5 minute increments)

Live flight track: http://planefinder.net/flight/SU213

The Aeroflot flight that was widely reported to be carrying Edward Snowden has departed Moscow.

However the US fugitive has not been seen boarding the aircraft. Aeroflot flight SU150 is bound for Hanava, Cuba.

A large number of journalists are reported to be on board the aircraft!

The Aeroflot Airbus A330-200 aircraft, registration number VP-BLX, departed Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) in Moscow at 14:05 local time (10:05 GMT).

Flight SU150 to Havana – screenshot planefinder.net

We are tracking the flight, callsign AFL150, live on Planefinder.net: http://planefinder.net/flight/SU150

The aircraft is expected to land at Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) in Havana at 18:45 local time ( 00:45 GMT June 25).

Live flight track: http://planefinder.net/flight/SU150

Playback – SU150 SVO to HAV: http://planefinder.net/flight/AFL150/time/2013-06-24T10:50:00%20UTC (Data updated in 5 minute increments)

Planefinder tracking – Hong Kong to Moscow: http://planefinder.net/about/news/whistleblower-edward-snowden-heading-to-moscow/

British Airways has officially taken delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Seattle.

The aircraft, registration number G-ZBJB, departed Boeing Snohomish County Airport in Everett WA at 19:35 PDT and is now approaching over the UK and approaching BA’s base at London Heathrow.

The aircraft is expected to land at around 11:50 BST and is using flight number BA787 and callsign BAW787.

You can see the flight tracked live all the way to the LHR tarmac here on planefinder.net: http://planefinder.net/flight/BAW787

BA 787 Dreamliner – screenshot planefinder.net

A second 787, registration G-ZBJA, is expected to arrive in the next few days.

The first aircraft had been expected to arrive on June 27 but was delayed due to minor operational issues.

787 Dreamliner in BA livery – image © British Airways

British Airways has a total of 42 Dreamliners on order in all three variants – 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10.

The airline is also expecting the arrival of first of its 12 Airbus A380′s in London on the 4th July.

BA stated that following their arrival, both aircraft types will begin a complex entry into service programme. This will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.

ADS-B data sources:

Planefinder.net live flight track: http://planefinder.net/flight/BAW787

Planefinder.net playback of Seattle departure: http://planefinder.net/flight/BAW787/time/2013-06-27T02:50:00%20UTC

Note – British Airways are using flight number BA787 for the flight, this number was previously allocated to their GVA-LHR route.

British Airways has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A380 in Toulouse.The aircraft, registration number G-XLEA, departed Tolouse earlier this morning and is now approaching BA’s base at London Heathrow.

G-XLEA – image © Graham Charles Edwards – Airline Finder

The aircraft is expected to land at around 10:20 BST and is using callsign BAW380.

You can see the flight tracked live all the way to the LHR tarmac here on planefinder.net: http://planefinder.net/flight/BAW380

G-XLEA is the first of 12 Airbus A380′s ordered by the Airline.

BA have stated that following the arrival, both the new A380 and Dreamliner aircraft will begin a complex entry into service programme. This will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.

ADS-B data source:
Planefinder.net live flight track: http://planefinder.net/flight/BAW380

The NTSB has moved quickly as they investigate Saturday’s fatal crash of Asiana Airways flight OZ214 at San Francisco.

The crash killed two Chinese students and left a further 182 injured, at least 8 of those have serious injuries.

Yoon Young Doo, head of the Korean carrier Asiana Airlines,  said on Sunday that he had ruled out engine or mechanical problems in the crash.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations are also focusing on the actions of the crew as the aircraft appears to have been coming in too low and too slow.

Here on planefinder.net we’ve published some of our own data on the accident.

The video below shows a Google Earth playback of the flight (down to 850ft).

Our kml is available here: http://planefinder.net/about/downloads/OZ214.kml

The video is also here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwTF4YQspMs

Asian Airways flight OZ 214 had departed from Shanghai before stopping in Seoul en route to San Francisco and was carrying 307 people, 291 passengers and 16 crew.

Investigations are also under way to determine if one of the students was actually killed on the ground by a recovery vehicle after the crash.

Information has emerged that the experienced pilot was new to the 777 although the co-pilot had over 10,000 hours in the aircraft.

Asiana Airlines has said that Lee Kang-kook, the pilot in charge of the landing, had flown Boeing 747′s into San Francisco but was training for the 777. The Associated Press reported that this was his first flight into San Francisco at the controls of a 777. The pilot was being assisted by another pilot with more experience flying the 777.

The Boeing 777-200 (HL7742) involved in the incident is shown below:

Asiana Airways Boeing 777 at LAX in Feb (Tail HL7742) – Photo © Jose Gomez – pinkfroot.com

Saturday’s crash was the first fatal crash of a commercial airline in the USA for over 4 years.

Aircraft Data – Source Airline Finder App

• Plane Model and Type: Boeing 777-200 (Type B772)
• Tail Number & Registration : HL7742 registered 7 March 2006
• Construction Details: Number 29171, Line 0553, Series 28EER
• ADS-B Hexcode: 71BF42
• First Flight: 25 Feb 2006

Asiana Airlines OZ214 Flight Information - Source http://planefinder.net/data/flights/OZ214

• Flight Callsign: AAR214
• Codeshares: UA7979 / US5204
• Scheduled Departure: Incheon International Airport, Seoul, Korea (ICN) 11:15 local time
• Scheduled Arrival: San Francisco International Airport, USA (SFO) 16:30 local time
• Flight Duration: 10 hours 45 minutes
• Distance: 5,642 miles

Data Sources

ADS-B Data: http://planefinder.net

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): http://www.ntsb.gov

Aircraft recent flights: http://planefinder.net/data/airplanes/HL7742

OZ214 leaving Seoul: http://planefinder.net/flight/AAR214/time/2013-07-06T08:00:00%20UTC

An Ethiopian Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner caught fire this afternoon at London Heathrow.

The airport runways are closed and aircraft are currently holding.

Heathrow Holding following 787 Dreamliner fire – screenshot planefinder.net

Live Heathrow Flight Tracker: http://planefinder.net/?location=51.3748,0.201164,9

No passengers were reported to be on the plane at the time and the fire has been extinguished.

The aircraft, registration ET-AOP, arrived at LHR for flight ETH700 from Bole International, Adis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia

http://planefinder.net/flight/ETH700/time/2013-07-12T04:55:00%20UTC

The Heathrow Website is currently reporting the following:

Due to an incident on an aircraft, all arrivals and departures are currently suspended. The Metropolitan Police Service have advised that there are no passengers on board.
Please check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to Heathrow.

Update 17:50 – Aircraft are landing again

Ethiopian 787 ET-AOP – Photo © Alan Cracknell – pinkfroot.com

The incident will be of huge concern to Boeing and airlines across the world operating the Dreamliner.
Sky News have reported that the fire seemed to have occurred at the rear of the fuselage in an area where the auxiliary power systems are located – these would have been in use whilst the aircraft was parked on the tarmac at Heathrow. This has yet to be confirmed.

The fire was the second 787 incident in the UK today – earlier this afternoon we saw G-TUIC, one of Thomson’s new Dreamliners return to Manchester after turning back from a flight to Orlando with mechanical problems. The flight number affected was TOM126.

Planefinder playback link: http://planefinder.net/flight/TOM126/time/2013-07-12T13:35:00%20UTC (Note  shown in 5 minute increments).

We are very pleased to announce Flight Finder – our all new iPhone app that raises the bar for the delivery of high quality flight status information.

Flight Finder is built on a foundation of trusted professional data.

The stunning intuitive interface and advanced features, such as departure boards and integration with Plane Finder data, make Flight Finder a unique and rewarding experience for the traveler and for anyone wanting to keep up to date with flight departures, delays etc.

More details can be found here…

http://flightfinderapp.net/

We hope that you enjoy the app.

The 787 Dreamliner aircraft is Boeing’s state of the art vision for the next generation of air travel with improved comfort, performance and energy efficiency.

These objectives seem to have been achieved with airlines reporting considerable improvements in fuel economy and passengers giving glowing reports of their flight experience.

All of this positive news has however been overshadowed by a series of issues and events that have called many to question the safety, production method and design of the aircraft.

The most serious problem resulted in a 3 month grounding of all 787’s around the world. Things were looking good again but then came another fire – this time on the ground at London Heathrow.

Here at planefinder.net we’ve often been asked what would we do. Would we fly on one? Would we take our families on one? When asked now we catch ourselves hesitating to answer! We don’t think that we are alone there. We even heard anecdotally of some experienced pilots who would not want to pilot the plane.

It is interesting to consider the timeline of the history of the 787 so far.

The above was supposed to be a short summary! So – we’re probably all agreed that this does not read too well.

Taking some of this into perspective. Our live flight trackers capture aircraft turning around on flights all of the time – these occurrences usually happen for minor reasons with no danger to the aircraft. We don’t know the technical reasons but nothing suggests anything unusual about the incidents. These incidents for the 787 are probably only newsworthy because of the unrelated fire issues.

Problems and delays during the initial testing phase aren’t that unusual either and any completely new aircraft will hit various snags during production and testing.

The final assembly production method too is used by industries across the world and is proven to be successful when managed and controlled effectively. It seems now that production is operating smoothly and efficiently and new aircraft are being delivered at a steady rate.

However questions do remain – Is the aircraft safe? Are the batteries safe? Is there anything else wrong that hasn’t been found yet?

So – would I go on one today? – hesitate – yes I would.

Would I take my family on one today – hesitate – hmm – that last fire was only two weeks ago  - Let me think on that some more….