The prototype of the new Airbus A350 XWB has recently been moved into the paint shop at Toulouse, where construction and testing have been taking place.

Sources on various forums have recently indicated that the first flight has been scheduled for 11th June at Toulouse.

This fuels the rumours that the aircraft will make a public appearance during this year’s Paris Air Show, which runs between 17-23 June. The public days of the air show are 21-23, which are the days that the type is most likely to appear if the rumours are true.

I stress that these are just rumours and nothing official has been announced by Airbus yet.

Thomson Airways has confirmed that their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner will begin commercial flights on 8 July.

Their first aircraft, G-TUIA, has recently been spotted test flying at Everett Paine Field prior to its delivery some time in June.

The inaugural Thomson services with the airline will be from Manchester and London Gatwick to Cancun and Orlando, FL.

Boeing has given its new 777X the green light, meaning customers can now officially order the new type, which will put the manufacturer in competition with Airbus’ A350 variants.

Boeing’s 777 has been one of the world’s most popular long-haul aircraft since its introduction in 1995. The ‘X’ model is thought to include new engines, folding wingtips and technology used in the recent 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

“We are taking the next step when it comes to engaging customers on the 777X,” spokesman Doug Alder said. The company has “begun to discuss additional technical, pricing and schedule details with customers”, he added.

It is thought the 777X will enter service around 2020.

Last week marked the final flight in Europe of a BAC One-Eleven (1-11) aircraft, with QinetiQ’s (former Royal Aircraft  Establishment) last flying example, ZH763, making the short journey from Boscombe Down to Newquay, in the south west of England.

The aircraft is to be preserved under cover as a fully serviceable exhibit, which will hopefully be seen moving around the airfield under its own power at special events held by its new owners, Classic Air Force, who have a number of serviceable historic aircraft.

As the type approaches its 50th anniversary, it is fitting to retire an example in this way, for future generations to enjoy.

Meanwhile, Classic Jet Tours in the USA are organising four enthusiasts flights on the last remaining operational 1-11 in the USA this October. The aircraft, N999BW, is operated in a VIP configuration by Jet Place Inc. These tours are likely to be the last chance for anyone to fly on a BAC One-Eleven, so if you’re interested make a booking at www.classicjettours.com and get down to Dallas Love Field.

Lufthansa will introduce its Airbus A380 to one of its flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai Pudong Airport from September.

The aircraft will operate on Mondays and Wednesdays (Tuesdays and Thursdays from Shanghai) from 26 September.

From the winter season the Boeing 747-400 will replace the Airbus A340-600 on Lufthansa‘s daily departure to Shanghai. The A380 operates in addition to this daily service.

Boeing has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its battery system improvements, paving the way for the type to return to service.

“FAA approval clears the way for us and the airlines to begin the process of returning the 787 to flight with continued confidence in the safety and reliability of this game-changing new airplane,” said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney. “The promise of the 787 and the benefits it provides to airlines and their passengers remain fully intact as we take this important step forward with our customers and program partners.”

The FAA’s action will permit the return to service of 787s in the United States upon installation of the improvements. For 787s based and modified outside the United States, local regulatory authorities provide the final approval on return to service.

Airlines such as ANA All Nippon Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Japan Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Qatar Airways and United Airlines all have their delivered 787s grounded in various locations around the world.

Boeing has deployed teams to these locations to begin installing improved battery systems on 787s. Kits with the parts needed for the new battery systems are staged for shipment and new batteries also will be shipped immediately. Teams have been assigned to customer locations to install the new systems.  Aircraft will be modified in approximately the order they were delivered.

“The Boeing team is ready to help get our customers’ 787s back in the air where they belong,” said Conner.

Ethiopian Airlines has already announced its intention to return its Dreamliners to flight on 25th April, whilst United plans to return on 31 May.

FlyNonstop is a new Norwegian carrier which is set to begin flights on 25 April from its Kristiansand base.

The airline’s first aircraft – an Embraer 190 leased from CIT Aerospace, and operated by Denim Air crews – was delivered recently, and is resplendent in a really striking purple colour scheme.

FlyNonstop will link Kristiansand with Barcelona, Berlin, Dubrovnik, London City, Nice, Palma, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Parma.

British Airways’ first Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been spotted at Seattle Paine Field, and we’ve got the picture for you here (courtesy of moonm’s flickr stream).

This comes shortly after the first pictures of BA’s Airbus A380, which was unveiled at Hamburg recently.

It’s a significant week for British Airways! I just hope the Dreamliner problems can be ironed out quickly so that the aircraft can be delivered as near as possible to the original schedule, which was July.

Emirates has announced a surprise new route, linking Milan Malpensa Airport with New York JFK Airport.

The route will be flown daily using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, starting 1 October 2013.

The existing 3x daily Dubai-Milan Malpensa appears to remain unchanged.

The first Airbus A380 for British Airways has been unveiled at Hamburg Finkenwerder airport as it emerged from the paintshop.

Here we present the picture of the first British Airways A380, registered G-XLEA (msn 95).

How great does it look?

Remember that you can book flights on these aircraft from London Heathrow to Hong Kong and Los Angeles, starting in October.