Jet Aviation Basel claims athat 50% of their interior business comes from government customers. So what types of private jets do our world governments fly?

According to the FBOs that handled the incoming delegates for the G20 in London in April 2009:

• Argentina - Airbus A340
• Australia - Boeing Business Jet
• Brazil - Airbus A319
• Canada - Airbus A310
• China - Boeing 747
• Czech Republic - Airbus A319
• France - Airbus A319
• France - Dassault Falcon 900
• India - Boeing 747
• Indonesia - Airbus A330
• Italy - Airbus A319
• Germany - Airbus A310
• Japan - Boeing 747
• Mexico - Boeing 757
• Netherlands - Gulfstream IV
• Russia - Ilyushin IL-96*
• Saudi Arabia - Boeing 747-400
• Spain - Airbus A310
• South Africa - Boeing Business Jet
• Turkey - Airbus A319
• United States - Boeing 747 (Air Force One)

*Not confirmed if this was from Russia or just a Russian aircraft.

Originally compiled and published in ShowNews on May 12, 2009. Japan 747 photo source.

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What Power Looks Like by David Rothkopf for NEWSWEEK

The iconic symbol of superclass unity is the Gulfstream private jet. In fact, one way to measure the clout of an event is to count the private jets at the nearest airport. According to Gulfstream, Davos traditionally attracts more of its planes than any other gathering, drawing up to 10 percent of the 1,500 planes in service to Zurich airport. But this year's Olympics in Beijing will give it a run for its money...

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These photos of Continental Airline's cabin entertainment system were taken sometime in 2007. We believe they are still accurate. To submit new photos, email and write Continental IFE photos for Nick in the subject line.

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These photos of Air Canada's cabin entertainment system were taken sometime 2006. We believe they are still accurate. To submit new photos, email and write Air Canada IFE photos for Nick in the subject line.

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Not necessarily IFE news, but we can't pass up any opportunity to report on Google's awesome 767 retrofit project. This article drops a hint about work that American Airlines base in Kansas City did for Google founder's shell company, Blue City Holdings:

American Airlines says its Kansas City, Mo., aircraft overhaul base met its "Breakthrough Goal" of $150 million in value creation through productivity improvements, cost reductions and new revenue... It installed winglets on American's fleet of 757s and on aircraft for Blue City Holdings.

pre-winglet photo of N2767

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These photos of Emirates ICE cabin entertainment system were taken in Q3 2006. We believe they are still accurate.

To submit new photos, email me and write Emirates IFE photos for Nick in the subject line.

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If AirCell has its way, 2009 could be the big year of widespread in-flight internet adoption. Rivals Learn From Boeing's 'Connexion' by ANICK JESDANUN on Dec 23, 2007 covers the basics:

JetBlue's LiveTV subsidiary paid the Federal Communications Commission $7 million for wireless spectrum that one test JetBlue aircraft has been using since Dec. 11 to communicate with about 100 cell towers spread across the continental United States.

The 1-megahertz frequency band allows that aircraft to offer free e-mail and instant-messaging services on laptops and handheld devices through Yahoo Inc. and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd.

Aircell licensed a band three times the size of LiveTV's for $31 million and plans to offer broader Internet services, including Web surfing, for about $10 a flight — what Boeing had charged for the first hour. Pending regulatory approval, Aircell's first Internet-capable flight is expected on American in 2008, using 92 cell towers on the ground.

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Light on details, but heavy on industry wrap-up - this piece by Dawn Gilbertson in The Arizona Republic from December 23rd, 2007.

• US Airways hopes to broaden the movie menu in the not-too-distant future with a new fiber optic in-flight entertainment system in development with an undisclosed manufacturer. It plans to test the touch screen seat-back system on one plane as early as late spring.
• Delta Air Lines offers a new seat-back system on its transcontinental flights, including Phoenix to New York, that includes movies on demand, live television and HBO programming. It has aggressive plans to expand it to other routes.
• Virgin America, a San Francisco startup, offers a seat-back system called Red that includes more than 25 pay-per-view movies and satellite television. The airline calls it the most advanced entertainment system in the sky. New releases are $8.

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From the June 2007 issue of Aviation International News...

In the last 12 months, seven pre-owned BBJs have sold at an average price approximately 120 percent of the original price.

The first available slot for a new BBJ (any model) is mid-2011. The first available slot for an executive version of the 747-8 is in 2012, and the 787 is sold out through 2015.

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Embraer can equip E-Jets with LiveTV satellite television and broadcast audio and video, Thales 14500 audio and video on demand and XM Radio satellite radio, with in-set power outlets. Claudio Camelier, Embraer airline market senior product strategy manager, said JetBlue had selected LiveTV and XM radio, while Virgin Blue had opted for LiveTV.

On the 100-seat E190, related avionics racks go in the aft section of the baggage hold, and the Thales system requires no under-seat space, said Camelier. The IFE rack occupies about 53 cu ft, while external satellite television antennas carry a fuel consumption penalty of about 0.3 percent.

Depending on configuration, "cost-effective" in-set video systems weigh 770 to 1,320 pounds, said Camelier. On the positive side, they reduce flight-attendant workload, require relatively little power, have proved reliable and easy to maintain (with 0.5 percent, or one in 200, seat problems per flight) and their flexible "architecture" allows upgrades or system expansion. Embraer normally provides IFE systems as buyer-furnished equipment.

Source: June 2007 issue of Aviation International News. Previously, we covered XM Satellite Radio on AirTran Airways.

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