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Airbus A320neo Spirit Airlines

Registration: N988NK Type: A320-271N Engines: 2 × PW PW1127G-JM Serial Number: 11733 First flight: May 3, 2024

On May 2, 2026, the final chapter closed on one of the most controversial and memorable airlines in American history — Spirit Airlines. After 34 years of regular flights, the carrier officially ceased operations. It's the perfect moment to look back at the journey of a brand that proved one thing beyond doubt: the sky is for everyone.

Few people know that Spirit's story didn't begin in the air, but on the ground — in 1964, when a Michigan company called Clippert Trucking Company was hauling freight by road. It wasn't until 1983 that founder Ned Homfeld pivoted the business toward air travel, launching charter operator Charter One Airlines. The planes carried vacationers to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and the Bahamas. The legendary Spirit Airlines name and scheduled service came later — in May 1992.

In 2007, Spirit made a bet that would reshape the American aviation market: it became the first U.S. carrier to adopt the Ultra-Low-Cost (ULCC) model. The concept was straightforward — strip the ticket price of everything unnecessary. No fees baked in for checked bags or in-flight meals: just a flight from point A to point B. That approach opened air travel to millions of people who previously couldn't afford to buy a ticket.

A chapter of its own in Spirit's history belongs to its marketing. The airline had a sharp sense of the moment: it ran provocative "$9 fare" sales, poked fun at politicians and pop culture in its email campaigns, and never shied away from being outrageous. And the bold yellow livery, introduced in 2014, turned its aircraft into "flying taxis" — impossible to miss at any airport in the world.

Yet amid the endless debates over carry-on bag fees, one important fact often got lost: Spirit Airlines maintained an exemplary safety record. The company invested heavily in fleet renewal and operated some of the youngest Airbus aircraft in the entire industry.

Whether you loved Spirit or criticized it for its no-frills experience is a matter of personal taste. But one thing cannot be denied: these were true disruptors — ones who shook up the market and forced even the biggest players in the industry to adapt.

Thank you for the flights, yellow birds. You will remain a vivid chapter in the history of civil aviation.

Airbus A321neo easyJet

Registration: G-UZMK Type: A321-251NX Engines: 2 × CFMI LEAP-1A32 Serial Number: 12163 First flight: Oct 17, 2024

In 2018, easyJet began introducing the Airbus A321neo into its fleet. The low-cost carrier, known for its pragmatism, made a strategic bet on this modern and high-capacity aircraft, which significantly expanded the company’s capabilities.

Throughout its more than 30-year history, easyJet’s fleet had consisted of Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft, but since the early 2010s, Airbus family planes had dominated. At that time, the airline operated A319 and A320 models. There were no discussions about adding a larger aircraft type like the Airbus A321. Back then, the company’s management believed that the capacity of the A320 was sufficient for most routes, and that increasing passenger capacity was more effectively achieved by boosting flight frequency rather than by using larger aircraft.

However, for a brief period, easyJet did operate eight A321s. These aircraft entered its fleet following the acquisition of GB Airways in 2008. That same year, the low-cost carrier disposed of this unexpected inheritance, as it did not align with the airline’s operational needs.

Thus, easyJet only revisited the idea of using the A321 with the arrival of the A321neo generation in 2018. The new-generation CFM LEAP-1A engines provided fuel savings and reduced noise levels. For an airline where every liter of fuel counts, this is not just a number but a real competitive advantage. The aircraft’s capacity in easyJet’s configuration is 235 passengers, compared to 180 on the A320. This is why the low-cost carrier actively deploys the more spacious aircraft on its busiest routes, such as London–Amsterdam or Manchester–Lisbon.

Currently, the company is actively replacing older aircraft with the A321neo. These jets are ideal for airports with limited slot availability, help significantly cut costs, and fully align with the modern low-cost carrier concept: more passengers, longer distances, and lower fares.

Airbus A340-600 South African Airways

Registration: ZS-SNG Type: A340-642 Engines: 4 × RR Trent 556-61 Serial Number: 557 First flight: Dec 16, 2003

The Airbus A340-600 is an ultra-long-range, wide-body, four-engine airliner that entered service in 2002. Measuring over 75 metres in length, it was one of the longest passenger aircraft in the world. South African Airways (SAA) operated these aircraft from 2002 to 2020, deploying them on extended international routes. All nine A340-600s in the fleet featured a two-class configuration — 42 business class seats and 275 seats in economy.

SAA acquired this aircraft type in response to growing demand for long-haul non-stop flights from South Africa. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines, the A340-600 offered a range of over 14,000 km, making it ideal for non-stop services from Johannesburg to London, Frankfurt, and similar destinations. The four-engine configuration provided reliability on routes over the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, and the African continent, where alternate airfields were sometimes few and far between.

However, operating the A340-600 proved economically challenging due to its significantly higher fuel consumption compared to the Airbus A330. As jet fuel prices rose, maintaining the fleet became an increasing burden for SAA, which was already facing serious financial difficulties.

As a result, the airline began phasing out the A340-600 from 2018 onwards. The COVID-19 pandemic that swept the world in 2020 first grounded all aircraft of this type, and later forced the airline to suspend all operations entirely.

Through extraordinary efforts on the part of the South African government, South African Airways survived, refocusing on domestic routes. Today, the SAA fleet consists primarily of Airbus A320s, while long-haul operations are maintained by just a handful of A330s and a couple of A340-300s — aircraft that allowed the airline to resume flights to São Paulo, Brazil, and Perth, Australia. But that is another story.

Airbus A321neo Air Transat

Registration: C-GOIX Type: A321-271NX Engines: 2 × PW PW1133G-JM Serial Number: 11363 First flight: Jun 14, 2023

Air Transat is a Canadian charter airline founded in 1986 in Montreal. Specializing in leisure travel, it connects Canada with resort destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. It is in this context that the Airbus A321 family has become a true workhorse of the new era for the carrier.

A landmark development for the Air Transat fleet was the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range) and its predecessor, the A321LR (Long Range). These variants have enabled the airline to operate transatlantic flights non-stop — without intermediate stops — from relatively small Canadian airports to European cities. This has fundamentally transformed the route network: passengers from Quebec City or Halifax can now fly directly to London, Lisbon, or Barcelona.

The A321LR is equipped with additional fuel tanks and typically accommodates around 182–200 passengers in a two-class configuration. Air Transat operates with Club Class and Economy cabins, offering a comfortable onboard experience — personal screens, reclining seats in the business section, and attentive service on flights lasting 7–8 hours.

From an economic standpoint, the decision to bet on the A321 is a highly calculated move. The narrow-body jet consumes significantly less fuel, allowing the airline to launch routes with lower passenger demand while still maintaining profitability. This is especially important in the charter business, where scheduling flexibility and cost control make all the difference.

Air Transat has effectively become one of the pioneers of commercial A321LR operations on transatlantic routes, demonstrating that the future of long-haul aviation belongs not only to large jets like the Airbus A330, but also to the new generation of "smart" narrow-body aircraft.

Airbus A320 America West Airlines

Registration: N667AW Type: A320-232 Engines: 2 × IAE V2527-A5 Serial Number: 1710 First flight: Jan 17, 2002

America West Airlines was founded in 1983 in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew fairly quickly into one of the largest low-cost carriers in the United States. The airline focused on domestic routes with highly competitive fares, but this did not make its journey any easier. In 1991, it filed for bankruptcy, from which it managed to emerge only two years later—thanks to restructuring and attracting new investors.

US Airways, in turn, was one of America's oldest carriers—the company's history dates back to 1939, under the name All American Aviation. By the early 2000s, it was experiencing a deep crisis: the September 11 attacks, rising fuel prices, and fierce competition from low-cost carriers undermined its financial position. US Airways went through bankruptcy proceedings twice—in 2002 and 2004.

It was at this moment that America West entered the picture. In 2005, its management, led by Doug Parker, proposed an unconventional arrangement: the technically smaller America West acquired the larger US Airways, which was emerging from bankruptcy. The deal closed in September 2005. The merged company retained the US Airways brand as the more recognizable one, but the management and operational model largely remained from America West. Doug Parker also remained as CEO.

The result was mixed: the integration of two different corporate cultures was quite painful, and the airline regularly received low marks for service. Nevertheless, financially, the merger succeeded. But the story did not end there: in 2013, the trick was repeated, and this time US Airways announced a merger with American Airlines, forming the world's largest air carrier. Doug Parker once again headed the combined company, and the US Airways brand finally disappeared in 2015, dissolving into American Airlines.

Airbus A220-300 National Jet System operated for QantasLink

Registration: VH-X4D Named: Platypus Type: A220-300 Engines: 2 × PW PW1524G-3 Serial Number: 55298 First flight: Aug 28, 2024

National Jet Systems is an Australian regional airline founded in 1989 and based in Adelaide. It is wholly owned by Qantas Group and operates scheduled flights under the QantasLink brand.

In December 2023, National Jet Systems took delivery of the first of twenty-nine Airbus A220-300 aircraft, launching the QantasLink fleet renewal program. The first aircraft, VH-X4A, adorned with a livery featuring traditional Aboriginal artwork "Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa," completed its inaugural flight from Mirabel, Canada to Sydney, with three intermediate stops.

The choice of the A220-300 as successor to the Boeing 717 represents a telling example of regional aviation's evolution. The advantages are clear—these aircraft have a range of six and a half thousand kilometers, nearly triple that of the 717s. This enables nonstop connections between any points on the Australian continent and opens prospects for international routes throughout Southeast Asia.

The cabin configuration accommodates 137 passengers: 10 business class seats in a 2-2 layout and 127 economy class seats in a 2-3 layout. Commercial operations began on March 1, 2024, on the Melbourne–Canberra route. By the end of 2025, National Jet Systems had taken delivery of 11 aircraft, adding Melbourne–Brisbane, Melbourne–Hobart, and Darwin–Singapore routes to its network. The latter became the first international route for this aircraft type in the Australian network. The delivery schedule provides for fleet completion in 2027.

The strategic significance of the program extends beyond technological renewal. National Jet Systems has gained a tool for network development, enabling service to previously inaccessible regional destinations.

Airbus A319 Alitalia

Registration: I-BIMO Named: Isola d’Ischia Type: A319-112 Engines: 2 × CFMI CFM56-5B6/P Serial Number: 1770 First flight: Jun 24, 2002

The Airbus A319 held a special place in the fleet of Italian national carrier Alitalia, representing a compact and efficient aircraft. This narrow-body airliner was an indispensable tool for operating medium-haul routes. It was ideally suited to Alitalia's route network thanks to its versatility. The aircraft operated efficiently on both short flights between Italian cities and medium-haul international routes across Europe. This model was always valued for its reliability and passenger comfort.

Through the aircraft depicted on the poster, one can trace a significant part of Alitalia's history. Entering service in 2002, registration I-BIMO lived through three stages of the former Italian flagship carrier's life. Each time it underwent cabin reconfiguration – only the two-class layout remained unchanged, combining business class and economy. Beginning its flights with Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane, it had a total of 126 seats. In 2008, a group of investors formed the "Compagnia Aerea Italiana" (CAI) consortium to purchase the bankrupt airline. The new company became known as Alitalia – Compagnia Aerea Italiana, and I-BIMO received a 138-passenger cabin. It is captured on the poster during precisely this period. Soon the aircraft exchanged its worn livery for a new design, and a couple of years later changed its registration to EI-IMO. Simultaneously, cabin capacity increased again to 144 seats. In this configuration it met the next transformation of the airline into Alitalia – Società Aerea Italiana.

Throughout its entire service period with the Italian flagship, registration I-BIMO, and later EI-IMO, bore the name "Isola d'Ischia" in honor of the island of Ischia in the northern part of the Gulf of Naples, approximately 30 kilometers from Naples.

Alitalia ceased operations in October 2021. But our aircraft's story didn't end there – it continues to work the air routes of the Italian flagship to this day, connecting European cities. Only now it's ITA Airways. And the hero of our poster has once again undergone transformation. Now the aircraft sports a brand new blue livery with the Italian tricolor on the tail. And on its fuselage proudly displays the name "Adriano Panatta" in honor of the Italian professional tennis player of the 1970s.

Airbus A321neo Transavia

Registration: PH-YHD Named: John Block Painted: Transavia Holland Retro Type: A321-252NX Engines: 2 × CFMI LEAP-1A30 Serial Number: 12652 First flight: Jul 9, 2025

In October 2025, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Transavia christened an Airbus A321-252NX registered as PH-YHD with the name "John Block." The company's fleet includes three aircraft with individual names, and the one depicted on the poster is among them. But who was this John Block? What made him famous, and why was an aircraft named in his honor?

His full given name was Johan Nicolaas Block, though in everyday life he was commonly known simply as John Block.

Born in 1929 in Amsterdam to a schoolteacher's family, Block applied to KLM after World War II but was not accepted. Refusing to give up, he joined the Royal Netherlands Air Force and became a pilot. Later, in 1958, together with Johan Martin Schröder, he founded the airline Martin's Air Charter, known as Martinair. Having gained management experience, Block left the company in 1965 to take the helm a year later of the small, dormant airline Transavia Limburg and transform it into a major player in the charter market.

In June 1966, Block commissioned Dutch designer Thijs Postma to create a livery for three DC-6 aircraft. Within 15 minutes, Postma sketched the iconic green-and-black design; by Friday the design was complete, and by Sunday it was already painted on the aircraft. In November, just two days after receiving the operating license, the inaugural flight took place, carrying the Dutch Ballet Orchestra and Dance Theatre from Amsterdam to Naples.

This rapid execution of ideas that characterized Transavia's early years laid the foundation for the airline's long-term success. Within ten years of founding Transavia, Block had built an airline that captured 45% of the Dutch leisure market, making air travel accessible to ordinary citizens. And although Block left Transavia in 1975 following disagreements with investors, his legacy continued to shape the company's trajectory for decades.

In July 2025, a Transavia A321neo gleaming with fresh paint landed at Amsterdam Airport. The aircraft was painted in that very same Thijs Postma livery, and in November the name "John Block" appeared on the fuselage. In the coming year of 2026, Transavia will celebrate its 60th anniversary, and this modern airliner serves as a reminder that innovation and accessibility remain central to the airline's mission—exactly as envisioned by its founder, John Block.