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Day 1 at the Dubai Airshow: A long-awaited newcomer and a hefty order
David Slotnick
Contributing aviation editor
David Slotnick is TPG's contributing aviation editor. He covers the ins and outs of the airline industry.
Nov. 14, 2021
•
3 min read
Day 1 at the Dubai Airshow: A long-awaited newcomer and a hefty order
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The Dubai Airshow kicked off on Sunday, becoming the first major aerospace industry gathering since the Singapore Airshow in February, 2020, as COVID-19 began to spread around the world.
While the biennial Dubai Airshow typically has more of a Middle East and defense-focus than the Paris Airshow and Farnborough show outside of London — which switch off every other summer — Dubai 2021 being the first pandemic-era gathering significantly elevated the stage on which the show is taking place.
On the civil aviation side, the highlight on day one was the Boeing 777X, the long-awaited next generation of Boeing's flagship wide-body aircraft. The plane, which has undergone numerous setbacks, delaying its planned delivery date by three years, made its first public appearance — and its first true long-haul flight, traversing the path from Seattle to Dubai over the course of 15 hours last week.
The 777X was opened to limited public and media tours, and performed aerial maneuvers during a display in the afternoon — you can read more about the first look inside the plane here.
Boeing did not announce any new orders for the plane, however. It remains to be seen whether a ninth airline joins the list of eight carriers eagerly — and in some cases, impatiently — awaiting the wide-body's delivery.
More: First look: Inside Boeing’s first prototype 777X
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Boeing's rival Airbus, on the other hand, did announce a major order on day one. Indigo Partners, which owns several budget airlines including Frontier, signed a firm order for 255 additional A321neo family aircraft, including A321neos and A321XLRs. With the new order, the conglomerate's airlines — which, alongside Frontier, include Volaris in Mexico, JetSMART in Chile and Argentina, and Wizz Air in Europe — have a whopping 1,145 aircraft in the A320 family on order.
Of the 255 additional aircraft, 91 of them will go to Frontier, all A321neos. Another 102 — 75 A321neos and 27 A321XLRs — will go to Wizz Air, 39 A321neos will go to Volaris, and JetSMART, which recently signed a codeshare agreement with American Airlines, will get 21 A321neos and two A321XLRs.
More: Take a look at the new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX that Boeing is using as a flying laboratory
Although Boeing is expected to announce a freighter version of the 777X possibly as soon as this week, and Airbus is expected to announce the first order for its A350 freighter, neither came to fruition on Sunday, giving industry observers something to keep an eye out for in the coming days.
The Dubai Airshow runs through Thursday November 18, so be sure to check back for more on-the-ground reporting from TPG.
Featured image by David Slotnick
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Why We Chose It
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.