Planes & Friends

12/24/2025

10/28/2025

Hey P&F Family!

Guess what? I decided to be wildly productive today (yes, it happens sometimes!) and finally created our official WhatsApp channel!

This is where I’ll keep you in the loop about all the fun stuff — upcoming streams, schedule tweaks, special airport happenings, and the occasional behind-the-scenes peek (because who doesn’t love some aviation gossip?).

Important PSA:
This is a WhatsApp channel, not a group — meaning I can’t see your phone numbers, personal info, or what kind of memes you’re into. 😄
It’s one-way communication: I share the updates, you sit back, relax, and react with some emojis (because yes, WhatsApp knows we need those).

Just scan the QR code below to join the channel!

Got questions? Drop them in the comments — I’ll be around!

Wherever you’re tuning in from, have an awesome morning, evening, or snack break.
And seriously — thank you all for the incredible support. You are the best community anyone could ask for. ❤️

Stay awesome,
P&F Crew

10/19/2025

Whaaaat? Singapore Airlines had A340-500? Oh yes they had.

The A340-500: Singapore Airlines’ ultra-long-haul legend
In the early 2000s, Singapore Airlines introduced the Airbus A340-500—a true marvel in range and ambition. Built for ultra-long-haul routes, it allowed flights that spanned the globe without a stop. 

Signature routes
• In June 2004, SIA launched flight SQ21 from Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) using the A340-500—covering ≈ 15,344 km (≈ 9,536 mi), via a polar-north corridor. 
• The return SQ22 (Newark → Singapore) similarly used the type, and for a time was the longest scheduled non-stop commercial flight in the world. 
• Other ultra-long services: Singapore–Los Angeles (SIN-LAX) also used the A340-500. 
• Early on, to build crew and aircraft readiness, SIA even used the A340-500 on shorter regional routes (e.g., Bangkok) before the ultra-long-haul work kicked in. 

Why & when the end came
• While the A340-500 was remarkable for range, it was less efficient in the era of rising fuel costs and improved twin-engine long-haul aircraft. 
• In October 2012 the airline announced it would retire its five A340-500s and discontinue the non-stop Singapore–Newark & Singapore–Los Angeles services on that aircraft type. 
• The last A340-500 flight for SIA in that role operated on 23 November 2013 (SIN ↔ EWR). 
• By 2021 there were no commercial A340-500s in passenger service. 

What happened next / legacy
• SIA replaced the A340-500 with the more efficient Airbus A350‑900ULR, relaunching the non-stop Singapore ↔ New York (EWR) route in 2018 with the ULR variant. 
• The A340-500 remains iconic among aviation enthusiasts for “one-stopless” world-surfers: such a small fleet, such long flights.
• Some of the A340-500 airframes found new lives (VIP service, private config) rather than scheduled airline use.

(c) by Planes & Friends
Los Angeles (LAX), March 2005

10/12/2025

Japan Airlines (JAL) did operate 747‘s for decades and sent them also to LAX. Captured from Imperial Hill 20 years ago in March 2005. Time flies.
(c) by Planes & Friends

10/08/2025

United Airlines 747-400 anyone?
Who remembers this iconic Queen of the skies with United‘s very own and classic livery?
LAX 3/6/2005
(c) by Planes & Friends

10/06/2025

Join us to celebrate our 10.000 subscribers milestone with a live-nightstream from the city that never sleeps. 5pm sharp. Youtube link right below. See you all later!

https://www.youtube.com/live/nP3ewkkxAVs?si=Qh4nWR8OUWS2i7aH

10/06/2025

https://www.youtube.com/live/nP3ewkkxAVs?si=Qh4nWR8OUWS2i7aH
Starting tonight at 5pm EST to celebrate our 10.000 subscribers milestone. Don’t miss it! See you all later.

Experience the magic of nighttime aviation in one of America’s busiest airspaces! Join Planes & Friends for a live aviation experience featuring stunning air...

10/03/2025

Yes, there was a time when EVA AIR Cargo operated with 747-400‘s and even MD11’s. Today nine 777 Freighters remain.

LAX, March 2005
Camera: Canon EOS 1D MKII
Lens: Canon EF 100-400 L IS USM

09/30/2025

I don’t usually hand out free advertising (I’m cheaper than Ryanair when it comes to shoutouts 😂). But this time I’ll bend the rules for PlaneWorldBerlin—run by Kris, one of our loyal viewers. He just posted a fun trip report on his Condor A330-900 NEO ride from Seattle to Frankfurt. Go give it a watch, smash that like button, and if you hit subscribe, Kris will probably do a happy dance in Berlin.

Condor Economy Class inflight experience during an Airbus A330neo flight between San Francisco and Frankfurt Airport, including SFO Museum in International T...

09/27/2025

Champion Air was a U.S. charter airline (1995–2008) that extensively used Boeing 727 aircraft in its fleet.  After the rebranding from MGM Grand Air in 1995, Champion standardized its fleet on 727s to serve vacation wholesalers, sports teams, and government contracts. 
Pictures taken at LAX in March 2005.
(c) by Planes & Friends

09/26/2025

Throwback to 2005 at LAX!
Here’s an Air Pacific (now Fiji Airways) Boeing 747-400, one of the airline’s legendary “Queens of the Skies.” These jumbos once flew the long Pacific routes between Fiji, Los Angeles, Sydney, and beyond, bringing island vibes to the U.S. in true style

The 747s were retired in favor of Airbus A330s, but for us plane spotters, catching this beauty at LAX was always a special moment. A true piece of Pacific aviation history

Csmera: Canon EOS 1D MkII
Lens: Canon EF 100-400L

09/25/2025

Sometimes there are no words needed to describe a picture. Maybe just „Enjoy“.