The startup wants to fly the Boeing 747 aircraft domestically. Avatar’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Barry Michaels told the media, “We’ve developed a creative and considerable investment opportunity for Thai Airways to convert some of its unused and off-lease wide-body aircraft and potentially realise a far greater return than if the aircraft were simply liquidated for cash.”

“Our offer to Thai Airlines is part of a bigger partnership opportunity that we believe will not only accelerate Avatar’s plans to start flying within 12-18 months, but also position Thai Airways for a codeshare entry into the U.S. market and a long-term relationship between our two companies.”

The carrier also wants to acquire British Airways’ 26 Boeing 747-400s which retired recently. It is reported that in exchange, British Airways will own a 22 percent stake in Avatar Airlines.

Avatar Airlines, which is based in Florida, aims to dominate the US aviation industry in ultra-low passenger fares flights by offering 30 percent to 50 percent lower fares than competitors’ regular fares, with no baggage or change fees. Even though the carrier currently owns no aircraft, it will offer annual memberships where one can pay a one-time fee and receive unlimited bookable flights within 72 hours.  This will cover the cost of taxes and fees.

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British Airways was the world’s largest operator of the type and has operated the Boeing 747-100, -200 and -400 variants.

While communicating the news to its staff, British Airways said, “With much regret, we are proposing, subject to consultation, the immediate retirement of our Queen of the Skies, the 747-400.”

“The unofficial flagship of our fleet, the 747-400 has a very special place in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts and of many of us. We know how many memories of this extra-special aircraft are shared across the BA family and our proposal to retire the fleet early has only been taken in response to the crisis we find ourselves in.”

Virgin Atlantic announced plans to retire its whole Boeing 747 fleet in early May 2020.

In the month of May, British Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 787-10 aircraft.

The new Boeing Dreamliner variant are now part of the existing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft which already a part of the British Airways’ fleet.

According to reports in the media, the first Boeing 787-10 arrived in London early morning on May 21st. The aircraft was scheduled to be delivered in the month of January this year, however, the delivery was delayed.

The Boeing Dreamliner 787-10 aircraft ordered by British Airways features a four-class configuration: First, Club Suite, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller.

The aircraft also features eight first-class seats and 48 of the airline’s latest Club Suite business-class products. It’s the first Boeing aircraft to have come delivered with the Club Suite installed, rather than being retrofitted like on some of the carrier’s 777s.

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