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Commercial aviation: questions and answers

Commercial aviation: the most searched Aviation questions, with a direct answer, an explanation and sources.

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  Commercial aviation

  What happens if a flight is delayed?

  The passenger keeps their seat and the airline must inform and rebook them. In the European Union, assistance (food, communications and a hotel if an… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When did the Boeing 737 stop being the best-selling commercial aircraft?

  In October 2019, when the Airbus A320 family surpassed it in total orders. In active fleet size, the A320 had already overtaken it in 2017. The 737 kept the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Was there a passenger aircraft based on the Vulcan?

  There was a project, but it was never built. The Avro Type 722 Atlantic was a 1952 proposal, announced in June 1953, for a 120-seat delta-wing passenger… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does the a320 cost?

  Airbus stopped publishing list prices in 2018. In that final catalogue the A320neo was $110.6 million, the outgoing A320ceo $101.0 million and the A321neo… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why don't planes have wifi?

  The premise isn't quite accurate: many planes already have wifi, especially on long-haul routes. Those that don't lack it because connecting a plane requires… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which Airbus is the biggest?

  The largest aircraft Airbus makes is the A380, a four-engine jet with two full decks. It is 72.72 m long, with a wingspan of 79.75 m and a maximum takeoff… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How high does an Airbus A320 fly?

  An Airbus A320 cruises between 9,000 and 12,000 m (about 30,000 to 39,000 ft). Its maximum operating altitude is around 12,000 m (39,100 to 39,800 ft… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does it cost to land a private jet?

  Landing a private jet can cost anywhere from a few euros at a small airfield to several thousand at a major international airport (as of September 2026). The… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What was the Constellation's "Speedpack"?

  An external cargo container Lockheed developed for the L-749 and L-749A. It was fixed under the central part of the fuselage with quick-release fasteners… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does a Boeing cost?

  Boeing has not published prices since 2021; its last list put the 737 MAX 8 at about 121 million dollars, the 787-9 at about 292 and the 777-9 at about 442… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What happens if Volaris cancels my flight?

  Volaris must offer, at the passenger's choice, a ticket refund plus a minimum 25% compensation of the price, transport on the first available flight with… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who makes the 737 MAX 8?

  The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is manufactured by Boeing: it's the best-selling version of the MAX family, a single-aisle aircraft with CFM LEAP-1B engines. It entered… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How big is the Boeing 737 MAX 10?

  The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is 43.8 m (143 ft 8 in) long, has a wingspan of 35.9 m (117 ft 10 in) and stands 12.3 m (40 ft 4 in) tall. It is the longest 737 ever… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who owns Boeing?

  Boeing has no single owner: it is a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BA, with its capital spread among thousands of retail and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the most expensive aircraft in its class in the A320neo family?

  The most expensive in the family is the A321neo, the stretched version: list price of $129.5 million, versus $110.6 million for the A320neo and $101.5 million… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which airline flew the first scheduled Constellation flight?

  Pan American. On February 3, 1946, it became the first airline to operate scheduled Constellation flights, on the route between New York and Bermuda. This put… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many Boeing 737 MAX planes have crashed?

  Two 737 MAXs have crashed: Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018 in Indonesia (189 dead), and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019 (157 dead)… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What happens if an airplane cabin depressurizes?

  Oxygen masks drop automatically and the pilots begin an emergency descent to about 3,000 m (10,000 ft), where breathing without assistance is possible. The… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why do planes have layovers?

  Planes mostly have layovers for network economics: gathering passengers from many origins at a large connecting airport makes routes viable that a direct… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  At what speed does a Boeing 737 land?

  A Boeing 737 lands at around 130-145 knots (240-270 km/h) indicated airspeed, with flaps 30 or 40 and gear down. The exact figure, the VREF reference speed… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long did the Concorde take from Paris to New York?

  Air France's Concorde covered Paris-New York in about 3 hours and 45 minutes of flight, compared to roughly 8 hours for a subsonic jet on the same route. It… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the Airbus A320?

  The Airbus A320 is a twin-engine, single-aisle, short-to-medium-haul commercial airliner with 150-180 seats, put into service by Airbus in 1988. It was the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long did the Concorde take from Paris to New York?

  Air France's Concorde covered Paris-Charles de Gaulle to New York-JFK in about 3 hours 30-45 minutes, half the 7-8 hours of a subsonic aircraft, flying at… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast do passenger airplanes fly?

  Jet passenger aircraft cruise between 800 and 950 km/h (430 to 510 kn), that is, between Mach 0.78 and 0.85 at about 11,000 m altitude. Regional turboprops… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What are the largest airports in the world?

  The world's largest airport by area is King Fahd International, in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, covering about 776 square kilometers. Far behind is Denver… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where is Concorde now?

  Concorde stopped flying in 2003 and no aircraft remains in service. Of the 20 built, 18 are preserved as museum pieces across the UK, France, the United… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Was the Constellation the first pressurized airliner?

  No. The Boeing 307 Stratoliner beat it as the first pressurized passenger aircraft in public service, with the Constellation coming second. But since the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who oversees airlines in Colombia?

  In Colombia, the authority overseeing airlines is Aeronáutica Civil (Aerocivil), the Special Administrative Unit attached to the Ministry of Transport. It… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where is Plus Ultra airline from?

  Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas is a Spanish airline, headquartered in Madrid, founded in 2011 and operating since 2015. It flies mainly long-haul routes between… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who manufactures the sharklets on Airbus A320 aircraft?

  Sharklets are an Airbus design manufactured by outside suppliers: Korean Air Aerospace Division was selected as the sole supplier of these wingtip devices for… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why do private jets fly higher?

  Business jets are certified for higher ceilings than most airliners, typically 13,700 to 15,500 m (45,000-51,000 ft), because their light wing loading and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast does the Airbus A380 take off?

  The Airbus A380 rotates at around 270 to 310 km/h (145-170 kn) indicated airspeed, somewhat higher than smaller aircraft due to its huge mass: up to 575… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does an airport VIP lounge cost?

  A single entry to an airport VIP lounge in Europe costs between about 25 and 60 euros per person per visit, depending on the airport and lounge. Annual… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why are wings useful for flight?

  Wings turn forward motion into lift: as the aircraft moves ahead, the airfoil deflects air downward and creates lower pressure above the wing than below it… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many airlines are there?

  There is no single census of airlines. The most cited reference is the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which groups more than 370 airlines… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is Boeing shutting down?

  Boeing is not going to shut down. It is one of only two major commercial aircraft manufacturers in the world, with a backlog of more than 5,000 orders and a… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does a Boeing 737-800 cost?

  A new Boeing 737-800 was listed in Boeing's last price list (2021) at $106.1 million, with real discounts of 40-50%. It's no longer built for airlines: today… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the largest Boeing 747?

  The largest Boeing 747 is the 747-8, built between 2008 and 2023: it measures 76.3 m (250 ft) long, nearly six metres longer than the 747-400, with a 68.4 m… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When does the sterile cockpit start?

  The sterile cockpit begins as soon as the aircraft moves under its own power (taxiing) and remains in effect during takeoff, climb, descent, approach and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When did the Boeing 747 come out?

  The Boeing 747 was unveiled to the public on 30 September 1968 in Everett, first flew on 9 February 1969 and entered service with Pan Am on 22 January 1970 on… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many generations does the Boeing 737 family have?

  Four generations: the Original (737-100 and -200), launched in February 1965; the Classic (-300, -400 and -500), launched in 1979; the Next Generation (-600… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does jet fuel cost in Mexico?

  The jet fuel (Jet A-1) that ASA sells at Mexican airports costs around 20-25 pesos per liter including taxes, with differences of several pesos between… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why do airlines cancel flights?

  Airlines cancel flights mainly due to adverse weather, technical problems with the aircraft, lack of available crew within legal duty-time limits, air traffic… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast does the boeing 747 fly?

  A Boeing 747 cruises at about Mach 0.85, roughly 900 km/h (490 kn) true airspeed at 35,000 ft (10,700 m). The 747-8 is quoted by Boeing at a typical cruise of… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many passengers does the world's largest aircraft carry?

  The largest passenger aircraft is the Airbus A380: certification allows up to 853 passengers in a single-class layout, though no airline reaches that figure… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the 737 max 8?

  The 737 MAX 8 is Boeing's re-engined single-aisle airliner, the best-selling member of the 737 MAX family. It pairs a 737-800 fuselage with CFM LEAP-1B… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast does a plane need to go to take off?

  There's no single figure: it depends on the aircraft's size and weight. A light training aircraft takes off at about 90-110 km/h (50-60 kn), a single-aisle… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Was there an amphibious DC-3?

  Yes: the Douglas XC-47C was created by fitting Edo Model 78 floats onto a standard C-47. The single-step metal floats carried retractable wheels that also… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why did airports close in the United States?

  US airports have only closed nationwide once: on September 11, 2001, when the FAA ordered all civil aircraft to land after the attacks and kept airspace… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why does time fly on a private jet?

  Time "flies" on a private jet mostly because of what happens on the ground: with no check-in lines or mass security screening, passengers reach a private… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the Boeing 737 MAX 8 like?

  The Boeing 737 MAX 8 (737-8) is a single-aisle jet 39.5 m long with a 35.9 m wingspan, powered by two CFM LEAP-1B engines, seating 162 to 178 in two classes… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How high does the Airbus A380 fly?

  The Airbus A380 has an operating ceiling of 13,100 metres (43,000 ft) and on long-haul cruise it normally stays between 10,600 and 12,500 metres, that is… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the Concorde?

  The Concorde was a supersonic passenger aircraft developed by France and the United Kingdom (Aérospatiale and BAC). It first flew on 2 March 1969, entered… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What was "Puff, the Magic Dragon"?

  It was the nickname of the Douglas AC-47 Spooky, the first in a series of fixed-wing gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When was Boeing founded?

  Boeing was founded on 15 July 1916 in Seattle, when William E. Boeing registered the Pacific Aero Products Company after building his first seaplane, the B&W… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does a used Airbus A320 cost?

  A used Airbus A320ceo around ten years old sells for between $15 and $25 million, while one over twenty years old can drop below $5 million, little more than… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where can you see the A320 that ditched in the Hudson River today?

  At the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, formerly the Carolinas Aviation Museum, on the grounds of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long does Aerolíneas Argentinas take to refund money?

  Aerolíneas Argentinas processes refunds once requested through its website or call center, and the timeline depends on the payment method: credit card refunds… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where are London's airports?

  London has six commercial airports, none of them in the city center. Heathrow sits west (about 24 km), Gatwick south (about 45 km), Stansted northeast (about… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many buttons does an airplane cockpit have?

  There is no fixed figure, and no manufacturer publishes an official count. An analog jet like the classic Boeing 747 spread several hundred switches, dials… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is the a320 ptu so loud?

  That barking is the A320's power transfer unit. The PTU lets the green hydraulic system drive the yellow one, or the reverse, by mechanically coupling a pump… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What does commercial flights mean?

  A commercial flight is any flight operated for payment, carrying passengers, cargo or mail for hire or reward. Regulators call this commercial air transport… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who has the most expensive private jet in the world?

  The most expensive comes from the commercial catalog: the Airbus A350-900, the airframe behind the ACJ350, was listed at $317.4 million in Airbus's last… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many cars did the Carvair carry?

  Five: the Carvair carried five cars, loaded through the nose of the aircraft, and also carried 22 passengers in a rear cabin. The conversion was based on the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How big is the Boeing 737 MAX 8?

  The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is 39.52 m long (129 ft 8 in), has a wingspan of 35.92 m (117 ft 10 in) and stands 12.3 m tall (40 ft 4 in). It's the best-selling MAX… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast does a private jet fly?

  Most private jets cruise between Mach 0.75 and Mach 0.85, roughly 800-900 km/h. Light jets stay closer to 750 km/h, while high-end models like the Gulfstream… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why do airplanes leave a white trail in the sky?

  Contrails appear when water vapor from the engine exhaust condenses and freezes in very cold air, below about −40 °C, which usually happens above 8,000 m… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long did Luft Hansa's Ju 52 take to fly from Berlin to Rome?

  About eight hours of flight. Luft Hansa made heavy use of the Ju 52, which could cover the Berlin-Rome route in eight hours, crossing the Alps; both this… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is the airbus a380 being retired?

  Airbus stopped building the A380 for lack of orders: in February 2019, after Emirates cut its order from 162 to 123 units, Airbus announced the end of the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who manages airports in Spain?

  In Spain, most commercial airports are managed by Aena, a mixed company that trades on the stock market but whose majority shareholder is the State through… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is the boeing 747 being retired?

  Mainly economics. Two modern engines burn less fuel than four and, thanks to ETOPS rules, twins like the 777 and 787 may now fly the same long oceanic routes… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How did the RAF refer to the C-47?

  The RAF called it Dakota: the Dakota I was the designation for 53 C-47s received under Lend-Lease. The Dakota III designated 962 C-47A Skytrains. The Dakota… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When did the Concorde arrive in Mexico?

  The Concorde arrived in Mexico on 20 September 1978, when Air France launched the Paris–Washington–Mexico City route, the only regular supersonic service in… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much is the airbus a380?

  The Airbus A380's last list price was $445.6 million (as of January 2018), the highest in Airbus's range, which stopped publishing prices that year. Airlines… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When did passenger airlines begin?

  The first scheduled flight with paying passengers took place on 1 January 1914 between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida, aboard a Benoist XIV flying boat… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many Airbus A380s does Emirates have?

  Emirates is the largest Airbus A380 operator: it received 123 units between 2008 and December 2021, almost half of the 251 built, and keeps around 116 in its… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where does the name Carvair come from?

  From the English "car-via-air": that is how the new aircraft Aviation Traders obtained by modifying the Douglas DC-4 was christened. The conversion's… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the cabin of an aircraft?

  On an aircraft, "cabin" refers to two different spaces: the cockpit (flight deck), where the flight crew operates the flight controls, and the passenger… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Did you know the JT9D engine's problems were tested by mounting it on a B-52?

  The B-52E was the flying test bed on which the JT9D made its first flight, in June 1968. The problems, however, showed up in the 747's flight trials: engine… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is the a320 so popular?

  Because it made narrowbody flying cheap to operate and cheap to staff. The A320 family has taken more than 18,000 orders since 1984, on the strength of… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What are an airplane's cockpit and cabin like?

  An airplane has two cabins. The cockpit is a two-seat station with six displays (flight, navigation, engines and systems), a center pedestal with throttles… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How high does a commercial flight fly?

  A commercial passenger aircraft normally cruises between 9,000 and 12,500 meters of altitude (30,000-41,000 ft). Today's airliners are certified up to maximum… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When do airlines lower their prices?

  There's no fixed day: airlines adjust prices continuously based on expected demand. In general, the lowest fares appear one to three months before departure… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What are passenger aircraft called?

  Passenger aircraft are called commercial aircraft or airliners. They are classified by size into regional (up to about 100 seats), narrow-body or single-aisle… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does jet fuel cost in dollars?

  Aviation kerosene (Jet A-1) trades at around $0.55-0.65 per liter, or about $2.1-2.5 per gallon or $85-100 per barrel depending on the regional market (as of… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the Boeing 737 MAX?

  The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the 737, Boeing's single-aisle aircraft. It first flew in 2016 and entered service in 2017 with CFM LEAP-1B… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the most expensive private jet in the world?

  The most expensive private jet is not a small model, but the VIP version of a wide-body jet such as the Boeing 747-8, whose list price reached about 418… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why are airports important?

  Airports are the infrastructure that connects a city or region with the rest of the world: without them there are no flights, and with them come tourists… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many Boeing 737s have crashed?

  There is no simple figure because "737" covers very different generations built since 1967. The best-known episode is the two 737 MAX accidents — Lion Air in… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does the boeing 747 weigh?

  A new Boeing 747 can no longer be bought: the last one was delivered in January 2023. Boeing's final price list put the 747-8 passenger version at around $418… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Did you know Boeing bet about a billion dollars on the 747?

  In 1968, the cost of the 747 programme was $1 billion, equivalent to $7.1 billion in 2025 dollars, and it was said that management had bet the company on… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When did the Boeing 737 come out?

  The Boeing 737 first flew on 9 April 1967 and entered commercial service with Lufthansa on 10 February 1968, in its initial 737-100 version. Boeing had… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long does a private jet take from Germany to the United States?

  A private jet takes between 8 and 10 hours to connect Germany with the US East Coast, and between 10 and 12 hours if the destination is California. The… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Did you know Braniff's Big Orange flew Dallas–London every 24 hours?

  The Big Orange's daily rotation wasn't to London but to Honolulu: in 1971 Braniff flew the 747 between its Dallas/Fort Worth hub and Hawaii. It left Dallas at… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is the 737 max 10 not certified?

  It is last in the queue and blocked by problems it did not create. Boeing must first deliver a permanent fix for the LEAP-1B engine anti-ice inlet, an issue… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which Boeing is better?

  There is no single "best" Boeing in absolute terms: each model leads in a different criterion. The 737 family is the brand's best seller; for the 777X, Boeing… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why don't airlines cover their planes in ads?

  Airlines do sell some advertising, but sparingly: tray tables, overhead bins, magazines, and screens. They don't go further because every cabin element must… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why did the Concorde lower its nose?

  The Concorde lowered its nose so pilots could see the runway. Its delta wing forced it to approach at a very high angle of attack, around 11° of pitch, and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does the 737 max 8 cost?

  Boeing's last published price list, in 2019, put the 737 MAX 8 at $121.6 million. The figure no longer means much: Boeing publishes no list prices now, and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How high does a Boeing 737 fly?

  A Boeing 737 cruises between 9,000 and 12,000 m (about 30,000 to 39,000 ft). Its certified ceiling is 12,500 m (41,000 ft) on the Next Generation and MAX… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Was a C-47 converted into a glider?

  Yes: the Douglas XCG-17 was an assault glider created by converting a twin-engine C-47 Skytrain during World War II. Its engines were removed and the nacelles… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How far can the 737 max fly?

  Between roughly 3,100 and 3,800 nautical miles (5,740-7,040 km) depending on the variant. Boeing quotes 3,550 nmi (6,570 km) for the 737 MAX 8, 3,800 nmi… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who owns Airbus?

  Airbus also has no single owner: it is a listed company (Airbus SE) combining private shareholders with public stakes. France and Germany each control around… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What happens if a flight is delayed?

  A delay triggers two separate mechanisms: the operational one, in which the airline reshuffles aircraft, crews and ground slots, and the legal one, which in… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the world's longest flight?

  The world's longest regularly scheduled commercial flight is Singapore Airlines' nonstop route between Singapore and New York (JFK), flown with an Airbus… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Did you know the first 747 rolled out of the factory with 158 orders from 26 airlines?

  The orders came from 26 airlines, not 158 aircraft. On 30 September 1968, the first 747 rolled out of the Everett assembly building before the world press and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much do airports charge for excess baggage?

  Airports don't charge passengers for excess baggage: that fee is set and collected by the airline, not the airport operator. Airports do bill airlines… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why are planes white?

  Planes are usually white because light-colored paint reflects solar radiation, keeps the cabin cooler and protects composite materials, needs fewer coats and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many Airbus A380s are there?

  Airbus built 251 A380s between 2005 and 2021; the last one was delivered to Emirates in December 2021. Around 200 remain in service today, with the rest… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What was the problem with the Boeing 737 MAX?

  The Boeing 737 MAX's problem was MCAS, an automatic system that pushed the nose down based on a single angle-of-attack sensor. Failures of that sensor caused… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What was the Concorde like inside?

  The Concorde was narrow inside: a cabin 2.63 m wide and 1.96 m high, windows the size of a hand, and 100 seats in 2-2 rows split between two cabins, with no… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who built Concorde?

  Concorde was jointly built by the French Sud Aviation — merged into Aérospatiale from 1970 — and the British BAC (British Aircraft Corporation), under a… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why did the Concorde disappear?

  Concorde stopped flying in 2003 for economic and circumstantial reasons: it burned far more fuel per seat than a 747, only 14 units ever entered service, the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What happens if Aerolíneas Argentinas cancels my flight?

  Aerolíneas Argentinas must offer, at the passenger's choice, endorsement of the ticket to another airline, rescheduling of the flight, or a refund of the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many Airbus A320s does Avianca have?

  Avianca doesn't publish a fixed number of Airbus A320s because its fleet changes with every delivery and retirement. The A320 family — A319, A320 and A321, in… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why does Ryanair's 737 MAX 200 need a pair of extra doors compared with the MAX 8?

  Because the MAX 200 is the high-density version of the MAX 8, with slimline seats and up to 200 seats in a single class, and that greater capacity requires a… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long is the Boeing 737?

  The current Boeing 737, the MAX family, measures between 35.6 meters on the MAX 7 and 43.8 meters on the MAX 10, with the best-selling MAX 8 at 39.5 meters… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the Boeing 737?

  The Boeing 737 is one of the best-selling single-aisle jet families in history: it first flew in 1967, entered service in 1968 with Lufthansa, and has over… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When were passenger airplanes invented?

  The first scheduled passenger air service flew on January 1, 1914, between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida, aboard a Benoist XIV seaplane carrying a single… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why are commercial flights safer than private?

  Because they are two different systems, not two kinds of flying. General aviation in the United States runs at roughly 0.9 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the airbus a380 800?

  The A380-800 is the only version of the Airbus A380 ever built: a four-engine, full-length double-deck widebody, the largest passenger aircraft in airline… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How does airbus name their planes?

  Aeroméxico doesn't have Airbus aircraft because of a fleet decision, not a ban: it moved from DC-9s and MD-80s to Boeing 737s in the 2000s, and today operates… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Did you know Boeing's 747 factory in Everett was the largest building in the world by volume?

  Yes: the plant Boeing built in Everett for the 747 is the largest building in the world by volume, with 472,370,319 cubic feet (13,376,037.9 m³) of interior… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How high does a Boeing 747 fly?

  A Boeing 747 cruises between 10,000 and 13,000 m (about 33,000 to 43,000 ft). Its service ceiling is around 13,700 m (45,100 ft) on the 747-400 and 13,100 m… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  At what altitude do airliners fly?

  Jet airliners cruise between 9,000 and 12,500 m (30,000-41,000 ft), almost always between 10,000 and 11,500 m. There the air is thinner, which reduces drag… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What share of Lufthansa's traffic flew on the Ju 52/3m in 1938?

  Around 75%. In 1938, about three-quarters of all Lufthansa's air traffic was flown with the Ju 52/3m, which the airline had adopted as its standard aircraft… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast does the a320 go?

  An Airbus A320 cruises at about Mach 0.78, roughly 830 km/h (450 kn) true airspeed at 35,000 ft (10,700 m). Airbus gives a maximum operating speed of Mach… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why did the Concorde stop flying?

  The Concorde stopped flying in 2003 due to a combination of factors: Air France's crash in Paris (July 2000), the collapse of premium transatlantic travel… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why are airports so expensive?

  Airports are expensive because retailers pay very high rents and fees to operate inside them, often a percentage of their sales, and pass that cost on to… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  Why did Concorde stop flying?

  Concorde stopped flying in 2003 because it was no longer profitable: rising maintenance costs on aircraft nearly thirty years old, per-passenger fuel burn far… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Did you know the Shah's Iran bought second-hand 747s from TWA and Continental?

  Yes: on 1 February 1975 TWA announced the sale to the Iranian government of six of its nineteen Boeing 747s for $99 million. It ended up handing over nine to… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What was the Airbus A321 originally called?

  The A321, the A320's first derivative, was initially known as the Stretched A320, A320-500 and A325. Its launch came on 24 November 1988, around when the A320… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What's the status of airports today?

  Airport status changes by the hour and can only be checked in real time: in Spain, on Aena's website and app; for all of Europe, on Eurocontrol's network… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How is Boeing pronounced?

  Boeing is pronounced "BOH-ing" in English, two syllables: a long o followed by "ing," as in "going." It is not "boo-ing." The name comes from founder William… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why do airlines overbook flights?

  Because a predictable share of passengers never turn up. Airlines sell a few more seats than the cabin has, using historical no-show rates by route, fare type… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where is Boeing made?

  Boeing manufactures its commercial aircraft at several plants in the United States: Renton (Washington) assembles the 737, Everett (Washington), the largest… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What was the first post-war British civil transport?

  There was no single "first": the Bristol 170 Freighter is among the first new commercial aircraft to fly in the United Kingdom after the Second World War. Its… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the Concorde aircraft?

  The Concorde was the only supersonic passenger aircraft to operate commercially: a joint project between France and the United Kingdom (Aérospatiale and BAC)… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which airline was the first in Latin America to fly the Super Constellation?

  Cubana de Aviación. It was the first airline in Latin America with the Super Constellation, in the L-1049E and L-1049G versions, which it flew from Havana to… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What airlines are there in Colombia?

  Colombia's main airlines are Avianca (founded in 1919, the world's second-oldest airline still in operation), LATAM Airlines Colombia, low-cost carrier Wingo… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What did the USSR build from the DC-3?

  The USSR built a version of the DC-3 under a licence granted to its government on 15 July 1936. It was designated PS-84 and, in 1942, renamed Lisunov Li-2… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where is Airbus made?

  Airbus assembles its aircraft at several plants in Europe and around the world: Toulouse (France) assembles the A320, A330 and A350; Hamburg (Germany)… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  When did the Boeing 737 MAX come out?

  The Boeing 737 MAX was announced in August 2011, first flew on January 29, 2016, received FAA certification in March 2017 and entered service on May 22, 2017… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast and high do passenger planes fly?

  Passenger jets cruise between 9,000 and 12,500 m (30,000-41,000 ft), almost always around 10,000-11,000 m, flying at Mach 0.78-0.85, roughly 830-900 km/h… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long is the flight from New York to Madrid?

  A direct flight between New York and Madrid takes about 7 hours toward Europe and 8 to 9 hours the other way. The difference comes from the jet stream, which… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What are passenger aircraft like?

  A modern passenger aircraft is a pressurized aluminum or composite tube with swept wings, two turbofans slung beneath them and retractable gear. Single-aisle… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the Airbus A380?

  The Airbus A380 is the largest passenger aircraft ever to enter service: a full-double-deck quadjet 72.7 m long with a 79.8 m wingspan and a maximum takeoff… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why could the A320neo carry much larger engines without changing its structure?

  The A320neo wasn't left untouched: it keeps 95% airframe commonality with the A320, but received wing and fuselage reinforcement for larger, heavier engines… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many Boeing 737-100s, the first version, were ever built?

  Only 30 Boeing 737-100s were built. Twenty-two went to Lufthansa, five to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines and two to Avianca. The first rolled out on 17 January… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does it cost to land at an airport?

  Landing costs range from 10-30 euros for a light aircraft at a small airfield to several thousand euros for an airliner at a major airport. The landing fee is… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast does an Airbus A320 land?

  An Airbus A320 lands at around 130-140 knots (240-260 km/h) indicated airspeed, with full flaps and landing gear down. The exact figure, called VAPP, is… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does it cost to land a light aircraft at an airport?

  Landing a light aircraft costs anywhere from a few euros at an aerodrome to more than €100 at a large commercial airport. In Spain, Aena's landing fee for an… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What happened with the 737 MAX?

  Two fatal crashes — Lion Air 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian 302 in March 2019, with 346 deaths combined — caused by the MCAS system led to the worldwide… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does a flight from Spain to the United States cost?

  There's no fixed price: a round-trip economy ticket between Spain and the United States usually runs between 400 and 900 euros, with low season below that… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does the 737 max cost?

  Boeing has not published list prices since 2019. In that final list the 737 MAX 7 was $99.7 million, the MAX 8 $121.6 million, the MAX 9 $128.9 million and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What happens if airports lose power?

  It doesn't shut down: airports are critical facilities with diesel generators and uninterruptible power systems. International regulations require… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When do Venezuela's airports open?

  Venezuela's airports are open: Maiquetía (Simón Bolívar) and the other international airports operate under INAC. What opens and closes are specific routes… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many seats does an airplane have?

  There's no fixed number: it depends on the model and the configuration each airline chooses. A small regional jet has between 50 and 100 seats; a narrowbody… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  Why are aircraft cabins pressurised?

  Cabins are pressurised because at cruise altitude (10,000-12,000 m, 33,000-39,000 ft) outside pressure is a quarter of sea level and oxygen wouldn't be enough… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much fuel does the airbus a380 hold?

  The A380-800 holds up to 320,000 litres (84,500 US gal) of jet fuel, spread across tanks in the wings, the centre section and the horizontal stabiliser. At a… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does an Airbus A320 cost?

  Airbus stopped publishing list prices in 2018; in its last list, an A320neo was priced at about $110.6 million and an A320ceo at about $101 million (as of… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  Where do passenger planes carry their fuel?

  A passenger plane's fuel is stored inside the wings, in integral tanks formed by the wing's own sealed structure, and in a center tank under the fuselage… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What companies formed International Aero Engines to power the A320?

  International Aero Engines was created in 1983 to develop the V2500, the turbofan aimed at the single-aisle, roughly 150-seat market. It was formed by… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long does it take to become a cabin crew member?

  It's not a university degree: becoming a cabin crew member only requires passing the initial training course mandated by European regulations, lasting four to… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How much does it cost to take off a plane?

  There's no takeoff fee as such: the airport charges a landing fee covering the full cycle, calculated per tonne of maximum weight, plus fuel, navigation fees… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How much does a flight cost?

  There is no single price: the cost of a flight depends on distance, the airline, how far in advance it's booked, demand at that moment and fuel prices, which… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  What does the airbus a380 weigh?

  The A380-800 is certified to a maximum take-off weight of 575 tonnes (1,268,000 lb), the highest of any airliner. Empty it weighs about 277 tonnes, and it may… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why do planes leave a white line?

  That white line is a condensation trail, or contrail: water vapor from the engines freezes instantly into ice crystals when the outside air is below about −40… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which Airbus has problems?

  The most widespread case today is the A320neo family fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines: a defect in the powdered metal used in some discs requires… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How fast does a Boeing 747 take off?

  A Boeing 747 leaves the runway at around 290-320 km/h (155-175 kn) when loaded close to its maximum mass; when light it can rotate below 270 km/h (145 kn)… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Can you leave the airport during a layover?

  Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover if three conditions are met: enough time (at least four or five hours), permission to enter that country (a… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  Why do airlines overbook flights?

  Airlines sell more tickets than seats because a portion of booked passengers don't show up, especially with flexible fares. Using statistical models by route… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How many Concordes were built?

  20 Concordes were built in total: 2 prototypes, 2 pre-production aircraft and 16 production aircraft. Of those 16, 14 entered commercial service, seven for… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How many passenger airplanes are there in the world?

  The world's commercial passenger aircraft fleet numbers around 25,000 aircraft in service (as of 2023), according to market forecasts from Boeing and Airbus… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much do airlines charge for excess baggage?

  There's no single fee or common range: each airline publishes its own table, and amounts can only be verified one by one. easyJet charges £12 per kilo of… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When does the 737 MAX 10 come out?

  There's no firm date. The 737 MAX 10 first flew on June 18, 2021, and by mid-2026 it still lacked FAA type certification; Boeing places it behind the MAX 7… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How high did the Concorde fly?

  The Concorde had an operating ceiling of 18,300 metres (60,000 ft) and normally cruised between 15,000 and 18,000 metres, well above subsonic traffic. At that… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  At what speed does an Airbus A380 land?

  An Airbus A380 lands at around 135-145 knots (250-270 km/h) indicated airspeed, a low figure for its size thanks to its 845 m² wing and large flaps. Approach… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who originally proposed the aircraft that became the Airbus A318?

  It wasn't a single company's proposal: the A318 grew out of mid-1990s studies between AVIC, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Alenia and Airbus on a… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where does Boeing complete 737s outside the United States?

  In Zhoushan, where Boeing and COMAC jointly run a completion center — Boeing's first 737 completion plant outside the United States. The agreement to build it… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When did the Airbus A320 come out?

  The Airbus A320 first flew on 22 February 1987 and entered service with Air France in April 1988, following European certification that February. The… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much weight do the 737 Next Generation's carbon brakes save?

  Up to 700 pounds (320 kg) compared with the high-capacity steel brakes on the Next Generation 737-700, -800 and -900ER, and 550 pounds (250 kg) compared with… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  When did the Airbus A380 come out?

  The Airbus A380 was unveiled in Toulouse on 18 January 2005, first flew on 27 April 2005 and entered service with Singapore Airlines on 25 October 2007… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why were about 20 A320s assembled in Tianjin still undelivered in 2026?

  Because of an administrative bottleneck in China: the delay was blamed on an "administrative matter" that held up nearly 20 aircraft bound for the country… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Where can I track a flight?

  To track a flight live, the most common option is a tracking website or app such as Flightradar24 or FlightAware, which show the position, altitude, speed and… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  Why does the Boeing 747 have a hump?

  The Boeing 747's hump is the cockpit fairing, placed above the main fuselage. Boeing put it there in the 1960s because it anticipated a freighter version with… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  At what speed do passenger planes take off?

  A passenger plane takes off, depending on its size and weight, between 130 and 180 knots (240-330 km/h). An A320 or 737 rotates around 140-150 kn; a loaded… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How high does a private jet fly?

  High-end private jets fly higher than airliners: their typical cruise sits between 12,500 and 15,500 meters (41,000-51,000 ft). The Gulfstream G650ER and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does jet fuel cost in Argentina?

  Jet A-1 was sold at Argentine airports for between 0.8 and 1.1 dollars per liter for domestic flights, among the highest prices in the region, versus an… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Did you know a 747-200 was tested at 385,560 kg?

  The figure was actually slightly lower: 381.2 t (840,500 lb). On 1 November 1976, the first RB211-powered 747-200 set a world record for the greatest mass… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which airline was the first outside the United States to launch a new Boeing jet?

  It was Lufthansa: it signed as the Boeing 737's launch customer on 19 February 1965, with an order for 21 aircraft. That made it the first non-US airline to… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much fuel do the A320's sharklets save?

  Sharklets improve the A320 family's fuel burn by 3.5% on longer sectors, saving about 730 tonnes of CO2 per aircraft per year. Airbus's retrofit for aircraft… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is the a320 so loud?

  The whistle is not the engines. A320s built before 2014 have small fuel overpressure vents under each wing that behave like a blown bottle, emitting a pure… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What is the "gravel kit" on some Boeing 737-200s for?

  It prevents damage or foreign object debris (FOD) ingestion when operating on unpaved surfaces. It includes a gravel deflector shaped like a wide ski on the… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  At what speed does a Boeing 747 land?

  A Boeing 747 lands at an indicated speed of about 150-160 knots (280-300 km/h), depending on its weight at the time. The approach reference speed (Vref) is… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How many Boeing 747s are still in service?

  About 400 Boeing 747s remain in service, but the vast majority are freighters: fewer than fifty active passenger 747s are left, almost all 747-8s flown by… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why did Boeing stop making the 747?

  Boeing stopped building the 747 because large twin-engine jets (777, 787, A350) carry almost as many passengers with half the engines and far less fuel per… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  What rival order pushed Airbus to launch the A320neo?

  Republic Airways Holdings' order to Bombardier for 40 CS300s plus 40 options, closed in 2010. Republic then owned Frontier Airlines, an all-A319/A320… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why was Concorde retired?

  Concorde was retired in 2003 because it was no longer viable to operate: a fleet of just 14 aircraft, very high fuel burn for about a hundred passengers, a… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How much does the Airbus A320 weigh?

  The Airbus A320's empty weight ranges between 42.6 and 44.3 tonnes depending on the version, and its certified maximum takeoff weight ranges from 73.5 tonnes… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  At what speed does a Boeing 737 take off?

  A Boeing 737 lifts off at around 240-290 km/h (130-155 kn) indicated airspeed, depending on weight, flap configuration, airport altitude and temperature… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How many 737 MAX does Aerolíneas Argentinas have?

  Aerolíneas Argentinas received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets in 2017, among the first Latin American operators to do so, and grounded them from March 2019… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why is the 737 max 7 not certified?

  The MAX 7 is waiting on one specific fix: its CFM LEAP-1B inlet can overheat if engine anti-ice is left on in dry air, a hazard the FAA now limits in service… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How do you call an airline?

  Always call the number the airline publishes on its own website or official app, never the first one that shows up in a search engine, where premium-rate… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which Boeing is the biggest?

  The largest Boeing is the 747-8: 76.3 m long, 68.4 m wingspan and 447.7 t maximum takeoff weight, with 410 seats in three classes in the passenger version… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How long does it take a Boeing to freeze?

  There's no fixed time: in flight, a Boeing can build up ice on its leading edge in under a minute when flying through clouds with supercooled water, which is… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How much does a Boeing 737 cost?

  A new Boeing 737 MAX 8 was listed at $121.6 million in Boeing's last published price list (2019), but airlines in practice pay around half that thanks to… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  What are airports?

  An airport is an aerodrome with facilities for commercial traffic: runways, taxiways, apron, terminal, control tower, and customs, security, fuel and… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Which 747 carried Enterprise "piggyback"?

  The first Shuttle Carrier Aircraft was a Boeing 747-123 registered N905NA, originally built for American Airlines and acquired by NASA in 1974. Boeing… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How big is the world's largest passenger aircraft?

  The world's largest passenger aircraft is the Airbus A380: 72.7 m (238 ft) long, with a 79.8 m (262 ft) wingspan and standing 24.1 m (79 ft) tall, with a 575… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How often is the cabin air on an A320 refreshed?

  Cabin air on Airbus aircraft is refreshed roughly every two to three minutes in normal operation, and that interval holds even without using part of the… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  How many airports are there in Mexico?

  Mexico has 77 airports open to civil air traffic: 64 with international status and 13 domestic, according to the civil aviation authority. On top of those… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How often does an A320 family aircraft take off or land somewhere in the world?

  According to Airbus, an A320 family aircraft takes off somewhere in the world every six seconds. The worldwide fleet had completed more than 176 million… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Why do airlines go bankrupt?

  Airlines go bankrupt because they operate on razor-thin net margins against enormous fixed costs: aircraft, crews, fees and maintenance must be paid whether… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  What is an airplane cabin?

  The term "cabin" can refer to two spaces: the flight deck or cockpit, where the pilots operate the aircraft, and the passenger cabin, the pressurised… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  At what speed does an Airbus A320 take off?

  An Airbus A320 typically rotates between 240 and 290 km/h (130-155 kn) indicated airspeed. The exact figure isn't fixed: it's calculated for each takeoff from… more…

• 

  Commercial aviation

  Did you know the 747SP is 14.35 m shorter than the standard 747?

  The reduction is slightly smaller: 14 m (47 ft). The 747SP measures 56.31 m (184 ft 9 in) in length, compared with the original 747 variants. To compensate… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  Who invented passenger airplanes?

  There was no single inventor: the passenger airplane emerged gradually from the Wright brothers' first flights in 1903. The first scheduled commercial… more…

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  Commercial aviation

  How much does luggage cost with Aerolíneas Argentinas?

  It depends on the fare booked, not the route: Aerolíneas Argentinas sells fare families where checked baggage may be included or charged separately. The… more…