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The Up Front
@theupfront.media
630 followers 43 following 280 posts
In-depth, independent aviation journalism for the digital age — up front with what we write, how we write it, and the way we operate.

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theupfront.media
JUST OUT: our in-depth analysis of @safran-group.com's plans to offshore the manufacturing of thousands of seats a year from France and the US to the new D33 aviation manufacturing cluster in Dubai.

What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?

theupfront.media/safran-plans...
Safran plans to outsource Emirates seat production from France, US to Dubai as part of UAE manufacturing cluster push
Outsourcing 1000+ seats a year to a new line in Dubai’s aviation manufacturing cluster is a big move — and a risky one — for Safran
theupfront.media
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
theupfront.media
JUST OUT: our in-depth analysis of @safran-group.com's plans to offshore the manufacturing of thousands of seats a year from France and the US to the new D33 aviation manufacturing cluster in Dubai.

What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?

theupfront.media/safran-plans...
Safran plans to outsource Emirates seat production from France, US to Dubai as part of UAE manufacturing cluster push
Outsourcing 1000+ seats a year to a new line in Dubai’s aviation manufacturing cluster is a big move — and a risky one — for Safran
theupfront.media
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
thatjohn.bsky.social
this tweet definitely not written by an A340-600
November 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
theupfront.media
JA BITTE.

Lufthansa's fantastic 100th anniversary livery will be painted on SIX aircraft types — the 787, 747-8, A380, A350-1000, A350-900 and A320neo.

More of this please.
Rendering: Those 6 aircraft types with the white crane on dark blue aircraft livery already announced for the 787
November 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
theupfront.media
Also out today: part 4 of 5 of @garius.bsky.social's remarkable history of the California Clipper, the feat of commercial aviation that brought a Pan Am flying boat the wrong way around the world from Auckland to LaGuardia.

This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.

theupfront.media/christmas-in...
Christmas in Sri Lanka: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 4
The crew of the California Clipper are forced to spend Christmas in Sri Lanka. While there, their thoughts turn naturally to home.
theupfront.media
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
catkimbriel.bsky.social
I went looking for this episode, and then my month became weird, so two installments of @garius.bsky.social's tale of the California Clipper tonight.

Trapped by Pearl Harbor, forced to fly home the long way around--which had never been done before by a commercial plane.

We want a movie!
theupfront.media The Up Front @theupfront.media · 11d
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.

In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
Into the unknown: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 3
Unable to source military-grade aviation fuel, our crew are forced to cross the Indian Ocean using regular gasoline. Something no Boeing 314 has ever flown on before.
theupfront.media
November 23, 2025 at 2:12 AM
theupfront.media
OUT NOW: our weekly roundup, The Up Front Update, where we explore the context and implications of what's going on in business class, premium and luxury travel — and the world of passenger experience.

Also, we ask: what on earth is going on in this photo?

theupfront.media/update-23-du...
Update #23: Dubai orders, Ethiopian's Diamond, China Southern interiors, Qantas' new lounges, and LEVEL curtain questions…
What went down in Dubai, what's going on in the recliner-plus world, what's inspiring China Southern and tangerine, Qantas' lounge Cathayfication, and an odd curtain/tent/crew rest on LEVEL…
theupfront.media
November 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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vilepython.bsky.social
The amazing story of the California Clipper gets better and better. An unexpected overlap with aviation today is the impending loss of 100 low lead avgas and the risks that could come with any unsuitable replacement fuel.
theupfront.media The Up Front @theupfront.media · 4d
Also out today: part 4 of 5 of @garius.bsky.social's remarkable history of the California Clipper, the feat of commercial aviation that brought a Pan Am flying boat the wrong way around the world from Auckland to LaGuardia.

This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.

theupfront.media/christmas-in...
Christmas in Sri Lanka: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 4
The crew of the California Clipper are forced to spend Christmas in Sri Lanka. While there, their thoughts turn naturally to home.
theupfront.media
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
flightradar24.com
On this week’s AvTalk episode 346, we discuss the substantial order book from this week’s Dubai Airshow and we’re joined by @theupfront.media’s @thatjohn.bsky.social for a celebration of the Airbus A340-600. www.flightradar24.com/blog/avtalk-...
A340 in Longer Larger Farther livery Iberia A340-600 in reverse thrust on a wet runway Etihad A340-600 in special Formula 1 livery A340-600 demo aircraft demoing aircraftness.
November 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
theupfront.media
Incredibly, it's six months since we launched The Up Front!

Editor in chief @thatjohn.bsky.social and Publisher @garius.bsky.social reflect on how far we've come — and explain why we're renaming our paid subscriptions to Premium and Business, plus what's coming up:

theupfront.media/six-months-o...
Six months on: reflections from The Up Front editor in chief
Reviewing our first six months, renaming our subscription tiers, a new look for the Update, and a heads-up for what's next for the rest of the year
theupfront.media
November 21, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
byerussell.com
Who says no one likes mobile lounges?

open.substack.com/pub/byerusse...
November 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
theupfront.media
Tomorrow we continue our series on the true story of Pan Am California Clipper's remarkable, forced circumnavigation of the globe in WW2.

In India, with Christmas looming, it's hard for the crew's thoughts not to turn to the families waiting for them at home. theupfront.media/the-long-way...
Luckily, they were spared the formal dinner. Shortly after arriving, the governor’s wife, Lady Caldicott breezed into the room with an apology. The demands of war had called her husband back to the office. The dinner was cancelled. Both men breathed a sigh of relief. Before they could depart, however, she did ask them sheepishly if they would do one thing first. There was one person in the house who had heard their story and was desperate to meet them. Her young son John. This was how, in the middle of a worldwide war and their own fragile flight into the unknown, Ford and Brown found themselves sat in front of a fire, telling their tale to a wide-eyed young boy. Lady Caldicott had hoped they would spare him a few minutes. It was well past his bedtime, after all. As the night drew on, however, the Pan Am men showed no sign of being bored by the boy’s barrage of questions about the California Clipper, her crew and their adventures so far. Cocoa was quietly provided. Bedtime discretely ignored. Eventually, when John was barely able to stay awake, time was called. As the two men made to leave, the governor’s wife thanked them again. All she had hoped was that they’d let John shake their hand. By being so generous with their time and attention they had done him – and her – an incredible kindness. What she perhaps never realised was the kindness that she had in turn done to them, perhaps at the time they needed it most. Ford, Brown and the rest of the California’s crew had never asked to undertake this journey. They were simply normal men, in extraordinary times. What she had granted them, in the middle of those times, was a small measure of peace. A reminder of why they were doing this at all. Not just to get the California herself back to America, but to see their own families again. To get back home.
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
airlineflyer.net
Lots of Boeing action at #DubaiAirShow

Emirates, despite all the issues so far, has ordered 65 more 777-9 bringing its backlog of the type to 270. It also wants a still hypothetical 777-10, backing a feasibility for the stretch

Ethiopian committed to 11 more 737-8

Air Senegal commits to 9 737-8
November 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
theupfront.media
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.

In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
Into the unknown: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 3
Unable to source military-grade aviation fuel, our crew are forced to cross the Indian Ocean using regular gasoline. Something no Boeing 314 has ever flown on before.
theupfront.media
November 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by The Up Front
airlineflyer.net
What the hell is “NEW TERMINAL 9” at JFK?

The PANYNJ capital plan summary lists $1.8 billion for work on a new terminal 9 that I have never heard of or seen in any plans. Where would it even go?

And $1+ billion for the JFK AirTrain fleet expansion and station overhaul
How the hell?!
November 14, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Reposted by The Up Front
handgrena.de
Riveting story! Subscribed so I don't miss the final parts!
theupfront.media The Up Front @theupfront.media · 11d
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.

In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
Into the unknown: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 3
Unable to source military-grade aviation fuel, our crew are forced to cross the Indian Ocean using regular gasoline. Something no Boeing 314 has ever flown on before.
theupfront.media
November 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
theupfront.media
In December 1941, Pan Am flight 18602 was trapped the wrong side of the Pacific by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

To get home, her civilian crew would need to do the near-impossible: circumnavigate the world in commercial seaplane.

In our new series, we tell tell their remarkable story.
The Long Way Round: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 1
In 1941, the Japanese attacked Hawaii, leaving Pan Am flight 18602 trapped the wrong side of Pearl Harbour, To get home, its civilian crew would have to do something incredible: circumnavigate the wor...
theupfront.media
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
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economybeyond.bsky.social
Air Algérie becomes the latest A330neo operator

Air Algérie has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo - an A330-900neo. The move marks a major point in the modernisation of the airline's long-haul fleet and in its long-standing partnership with Airbus. The A330-900 will play a role in Air…
Air Algérie becomes the latest A330neo operator
Air Algérie has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo - an A330-900neo. The move marks a major point in the modernisation of the airline's long-haul fleet and in its long-standing partnership with Airbus. The A330-900 will play a role in Air Algérie's expansion plans from Algiers, enabling the launch of new transatlantic and Asian routes. Air Algérie is set to receive…
economyclassandbeyond.boardingarea.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
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raestimr.bsky.social
EVTOLs debut in Dubai flying display - check out our #DubaiAirShow preview here! #avgeek #DAS25 www.aerosociety.com/news/dubai-a...
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
theupfront.media
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.

In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
Into the unknown: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 3
Unable to source military-grade aviation fuel, our crew are forced to cross the Indian Ocean using regular gasoline. Something no Boeing 314 has ever flown on before.
theupfront.media
November 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by The Up Front
blufly.media
We've had this well-written and illustrated opinion piece from @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social on hand for some time, but it’s still relevant. What do you say? Do you think there are other aircraft that could be added to this list? Or perhaps there are some listed here that ought not to be? | 🛩️ 📍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🥇
Five aircraft that pioneered commercial aviation | National Museums Scotland
Many have become accustomed to air travel, with the low-cost of airline tickets allowing regular flights to Europe and beyond. It is hard to believe that i
www.nms.ac.uk
November 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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garius.bsky.social
I really struggle to describe just how utterly insane it is that the California's crew kept her in the air.

They had to work out how to fly a plane designed ONLY for military-grade fuel on the same stuff you get at a petrol pump.

And they had to work that out MID AIR OVER THE INDIAN OCEAN.
theupfront.media The Up Front @theupfront.media · 12d
A sneak look at the next in our series on the extraordinary round-the-world flight of the California Clipper during WW2.

Our crew must work out how you can fly a Boeing 314 on regular grade gasoline.

And they must work it out over the Indian Ocean.

Start here: theupfront.media/the-long-way...
Bang. For a high-performance engine, like the four carried by the Boeing 314, understanding the performance curve between fuel, power, and engine heat is vital. Push one of those variables too far out of balance and bad things happen. Bang. Those bad things were now happening to the California, and they were happening high above the Indian Ocean. Her pilots and engineers now tried desperately to establish a performance curve for running a Boeing 314 on regular gasoline, rather than the military-grade fuel she was designed to run on. Bang. They needed to find out how ‘lean’ they could run the fuel to keep the California’s engines from stuttering to a stop. Running ‘rich’ would keep them going without issue but it left the engines too hot, drastically increasing their chance of failing mid-air. It also consumed too much fuel, given the distance they needed to cover. Bang. They had to find a way to run her lean, but the bangs now shaking the aircraft violently were her engines starting to backfire. A sign the fuel was too lean for them to function on. The more frequent the bangs, the closer they got to an engine shutting down or worse: simply tearing itself apart under the repeated, juddering assault.
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 PM
theupfront.media
A sneak look at the next in our series on the extraordinary round-the-world flight of the California Clipper during WW2.

Our crew must work out how you can fly a Boeing 314 on regular grade gasoline.

And they must work it out over the Indian Ocean.

Start here: theupfront.media/the-long-way...
Bang. For a high-performance engine, like the four carried by the Boeing 314, understanding the performance curve between fuel, power, and engine heat is vital. Push one of those variables too far out of balance and bad things happen. Bang. Those bad things were now happening to the California, and they were happening high above the Indian Ocean. Her pilots and engineers now tried desperately to establish a performance curve for running a Boeing 314 on regular gasoline, rather than the military-grade fuel she was designed to run on. Bang. They needed to find out how ‘lean’ they could run the fuel to keep the California’s engines from stuttering to a stop. Running ‘rich’ would keep them going without issue but it left the engines too hot, drastically increasing their chance of failing mid-air. It also consumed too much fuel, given the distance they needed to cover. Bang. They had to find a way to run her lean, but the bangs now shaking the aircraft violently were her engines starting to backfire. A sign the fuel was too lean for them to function on. The more frequent the bangs, the closer they got to an engine shutting down or worse: simply tearing itself apart under the repeated, juddering assault.
November 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
vilepython.bsky.social
The story continues. Aviation today is an exercise in risk management, and the risks the Pan Am crew had to face to get home were unreal. Amazingly written.
theupfront.media The Up Front @theupfront.media · 18d
Part 2 of our history of the remarkable flight of the California Clipper in WW2 is now available.

To get back to the US after Pearl Harbor, Ford and his crew are asked by Pan Am to do something no commercial aircrew or passenger plane has done before:

Circumnavigate the world. #history #aviation
Flying blind: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 2
What Pan Am were asking of Ford, his crew and his aircraft was to do something that no commercial flying boat had ever done before: complete a circumnavigation of the world.
theupfront.media
November 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by The Up Front
theupfront.media
Part 2 of our history of the remarkable flight of the California Clipper in WW2 is now available.

To get back to the US after Pearl Harbor, Ford and his crew are asked by Pan Am to do something no commercial aircrew or passenger plane has done before:

Circumnavigate the world. #history #aviation
Flying blind: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 2
What Pan Am were asking of Ford, his crew and his aircraft was to do something that no commercial flying boat had ever done before: complete a circumnavigation of the world.
theupfront.media
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM