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Japan's decision to buy 105 F-35 Lightning jet fighters from the United States may further fuel the arms race in Asia, analysts have warned.<br /><br /> The deal, first announced in December, was confirmed on Monday during US President Donald Trump's four-day state visit to Japan.<br /><br /> Japan "has just announced its intent to purchase 105 brand new F-35 stealth aircraft. Stealth, because, the fact is you can't see them", Trump said at Japan's Akasaka Palace. "This purchase would give Japan the largest F-35 fleet of any US ally."<br /><br /> The F-35 deal is likely to help Japan reassert its role as a leading security player, but also present a new challenge to China's People's Liberation Army, which has extended its clout in the Indo-Pacific region in recent years.<br /><br /> So far about a dozen US allies have placed orders for the F-35.<br /><br /> The Australian government has budgeted US$17 billion for 72 of the jets and South Korea has ordered 40 F-35As. Lockheed Martin, which makes the F-35, also hopes Seoul will buy another 20 of the fighters.<br /><br /> Washington and Tokyo have long been wary of Beijing's military expansion, with Japan announcing a new foreign policy strategy of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" three years ago to further promote the "rule of law, freedom of navigation and free trade".<br /><br /> Washington's concerns are reflected in this year's version of an annual congressional report that warned: "Over the coming decades, [Chinese leaders] are focused on realising a powerful and prosperous China that is equipped with a 'world-class' military, securing China's status as a great power with the aim of emerging as the pre-eminent power in the Indo-Pacific region."<br /><br /> Military observers said that the F-35 deal, together with Tokyo's plans to modernise its fleet of Izumo-class helicopter carriers to accommodate jets, pose a threat to Beijing's game plan in the South China Sea by increasing the operational reach of its air force.<br /><br /> Japan does not face the South China Sea but views it as strategically important due to its role as a vital shipping lane.<br /><br /> Zhou Chenming, a Beijing-based military expert, said: "The [F-35 deal] can help Japan counterbalance threats from China ... and it can be seen as a vital part of the worldwide coercion strategy of the US.<br /><br /> "This is bound to upset the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region, given the large quantity of warplanes ordered by Japan."<br /><br /> Analysts also pointed out that although China's fifth-generation J-20 fighter has given the PLA a lead in the stealth fighter race, the Chinese aircraft was known to have suffered from engine problems even after its deployment in 2017.<br /><br /> The latest F-35 deal will also put further pressure on China to accelerate and improve its J-20 development programme.<br /><br /> Zhang Baohui, director of the Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, said: "If Japan buys the F-35B, which is carrier-based, then it will upset the South China Sea dynamic. Japan does have plans to deploy F-35B to its aircraft carriers."<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, a visiting professor at Pusan National University in South Korea, said: "As Japan moves to configure the Izumo class with the ability to launch short take-off and vertical landing features, the F-35B is essentially the only choice."<br /><br /> The F-35 deal is about "enhancing Japan's ability to achieve air and naval superiority, which is vital to the defence of the Japanese archipelago", he added, noting that the further strengthening of military ties between Washington and Tokyo would improve their joint operational capabilities.<br /><br /> Song Zhongping, a Hong Kong-based military analyst and formerly an instructor with the PLA Artillery Corps, said: "The purchase will definitely trigger a regional arms race, prompting China to do the same by developing and deploying more of its own advanced stealth fighter jets in the region to counter the military presence of the US and its allies.<br /><br /> "Japan needs to update its old air force fleet, with its 200 F-15 fighters approaching the end of their service life," he explained.<br /><br /> "It also wants to catch up with the pace of generational advancement of fighter jets in many countries - entering a new age of stealth fighters."<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Collin Koh, a maritime security expert at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said the F-35s would give Japan a significant boost in the stealth fighter race.<br /><br /> "Japan would retain its position as one of the best-equipped air forces in the region and worldwide," he said.<br /><br /> Koh suggested that while China was a key concern for Tokyo, North Korea was also a consideration.<br /><br /> "This move could be seen as a response to what Japan has in recent times mentioned to be an increasingly severe security environment it faces: not just China and its rapid military build-up including, of course, the induction of new-generation fighters such as J-20, but also the threat posed by North Korea," Koh said.<br /><br /> This article originally appeared on the <a href="http://www.scmp.com">South China Morning Post (SCMP)</a>, the leading news media reporting on China and Asia. For more stories, please download our <a href="https://go.onelink.me/3586748601?pid=3rdpartycontentexchange">mobile app</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/scmpnews">Twitter</a>, and like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scmp">Facebook</a>.<br /><br />

Japan's deal to buy F-35 Lightning jets from US 'may fuel arms race with China in region'

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11916600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sweden" source="Orion">Sweden</keyword> and <keyword id="12047793" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="finland" source="Orion">Finland</keyword> applied to join NATO in May, and the alliance is moving quickly to admit them.</li><li>The two countries already have a close relationship with the military alliance.</li></ul><p>As Finland's and Sweden's accession to NATO moves ahead quickly, the alliance's already tight partnership with the <keyword id="11908389" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nordic" source="Orion">Nordic</keyword> countries was on display in the skies over Northern Europe in early June.</p><p>On June 2, the Swedish and Finnish air forces drilled with their British, French, German, Norwegian, and Belgian counterparts along Norway's western coast.</p><p>Some 45 aircraft participated in the exercise, which was meant to demonstrate the ability to conduct complex air operations over long distances.</p><div type="image" title="German Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet KC-135 tanker" height="1333" width="2000" msid="92584137" hostid="261"></div><p>The chief of the Norwegian air force <a href="https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2022/06/three-nations-one-mission-new-nato-north">said</a> it was "the first time we are conducting such an advanced exercise with NATO and partner nations, which also includes Sweden and Finland."</p><p>From June 5 to June 17, Finnish and Swedish forces joined the militaries of 14 NATO members, including the US, for Baltic Operations 2022. The 51st iteration of the maritime-focused exercise involved more than 45 ships, more than 75 aircraft, and 7,500 personnel.</p><p>During one drill, a US Air Force KC-135 tanker <a href="https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/3059891/usafe-integrates-with-arctic-fighters-during-exercise-baltic-operations/">refueled</a> US, Finnish, Swedish, and German jets, allowing them to keep operating over the Baltic.</p><h2>Scandinavian skies</h2><div type="image" title="Finland F/A-18 Sweden JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet" height="965" width="1714" msid="92584138" hostid="261"></div><p>The June exercises demonstrated not only the strong relationship Finland and Sweden have with their NATO neighbors but also their own considerable military capabilities, which are poised to significantly strengthen NATO's air component and deterrence in the north.</p><p>Finland operates a fleet of 55 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornets, which it acquired in the 1990s. Despite its age, the single-seat F/A-18C is capable aircraft and can quickly switch <a href="https://www.military.com/equipment/f-18c-d-hornet">between fighter <u>and</u> attack configurations</a>. It is also operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps and numerous US allies, and it has seen combat in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans.</p><p>Finland's <a href="https://www.defmin.fi/en/frontpage/administrative_branch/strategic_capability_projects/hx_fighter_program/hx_fighter_program">Ministry of Defense</a> has said its Hornets will be decommissioned by 2030, making way for the 64 F-35As that Helsinki ordered in December in the country's biggest military procurement on record. Its first F-35 is scheduled for delivery by 2026.</p><div type="image" title="Finland F-18 F-35 fighter jet" height="1333" width="2000" msid="92584139" hostid="261"></div><p>The fifth-generation F-35A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/militaries-in-europe-are-buying-the-f35-fighter-jet-2022-2?op=1">is increasingly popular</a> among US allies. The stealth jet can act as a fighter or attack platform and use its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to enhance the effectiveness of friendly air and ground forces.</p><p>Sweden's only <keyword id="12004878" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fighter-jet" source="Orion">fighter jet</keyword> is the Saab <keyword id="14334850" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="jas-39" source="Orion">JAS 39</keyword> <keyword id="14334851" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gripen" source="Orion">Gripen</keyword>, a domestically designed and built aircraft that is less advanced but highly effective.</p><p>"The Gripen doesn't have the stealth of an F-35 or the brain-mashing performance of an F-15, but it's a reliable and cost-effective aircraft that brings a number of important capabilities into the fight," the aviation analyst and <a href="https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/author/alexhollings/">Sandboxx editor in chief</a> Alex Hollings told Insider.</p><p>The Gripen is also versatile. Its small size allows it to "take off and land on austere airstrips or even highways while carrying extremely effective air-to-air weapons" like the <a href="https://www.mbda-systems.com/product/meteor/">Meteor</a> and <a href="https://www.raytheonmissilesanddefense.com/what-we-do/air-warfare/air-to-air-missiles/amraam-missile">AMRAAM missiles</a>, Hollings said.</p><p>The Swedish jet is one of the few fighters in service that can supercruise, maintaining supersonic speeds without dumping fuel into its afterburner. That increases an aircraft's endurance at supersonic speeds by lowering its fuel consumption, allowing it to fly faster and carry less fuel.</p><div type="image" title="Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripen" height="1004" width="1339" msid="92584140" hostid="261"></div><p>The US-made F-22, the French-built Dassault Rafale, and the multinational Eurofighter Typhoon are the only other jets that can supercruise. None of Russia's jets have the capability.</p><p>The Gripen program has had controversy, Hollings said, referring <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/swedens-jas39-gripen-may-be-worlds-best-nonstealth-fighter-jet-2021-11">to allegations of fraud</a> in some of its foreign sales, but it was designed to be "easy to fly, inexpensive to maintain, and quick to adopt upgrades and that all makes for a handy jet to have around in a fight," he added.</p><p>Though it has never seen combat, the Swedish jet has proved its worth in exercises. Notably, during the first day of a major US-led exercise in Alaska in 2016, it scored 10 kills against peer aircraft, including a 4.5-generation Eurofighter Typhoon, <a href="https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2021/01/07/gripen/">without suffering a casualty</a>.</p><p>Sweden's air force operates 71 Gripen Cs and has ordered 70 Gripen Es, an upgrade over the C model, to be delivered by 2027.</p><h2>Building the best team</h2><div type="image" title="Air Force B-52 F-16 Eurofighter‬ ‎Typhoon fighter jet" height="1330" width="2000" msid="92584141" hostid="261"></div><p>Despite their capabilities, integrating two air forces with a combined fighter fleet of 126 aircraft into NATO operations won't be simple.</p><p>Though both the F/A-18C and the Gripen are used by other NATO members, tactical integration is achieved through frequent joint exercises, like the ones conducted in June.</p><p>"There are always challenges inherent to mixing national air forces and the platforms they operate," Hollings told Insider. "Once you work through interoperability (in terms of both technology and tactics), a mix of aircraft becomes a potent tool in a large-scale fight."</p><p>Increasing the variety of aircraft in NATO will give the alliance a tactical advantage.</p><div type="image" title="Fighter jets tanker aircraft over Norway Arctic" height="1280" width="1920" msid="92584142" hostid="261"></div><p>"Fighters operate a bit like cage fighters, in that pilots want to play to the strengths of their own aircraft and the weaknesses of the opponent's," Hollings said. "When you head into a fight with a variety of fighters at your disposal, each playing to their respective strengths, you really complicate the combat calculus for your opponent."</p><p>F-35As and Gripen Es are set to make Finland's and Sweden's air forces more capable, but even without those advanced jets, NATO leaders are eager to have Finnish and Swedish forces in the alliance.</p><p>Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who is set to take over as head of US European Command and as supreme allied commander Europe in July, said during his <a href="https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/nomination_-cavoli">nomination hearing</a> in May that the Finnish and Swedish militaries would bring "quite a bit of capability and capacity to the alliance from day one."</p><p>He added that he looked "forward to the accession of Finland and Sweden to the alliance from a military perspective."</p><p><em>Constantine Atlamazoglou works on transatlantic and European security. He holds a master's degree in security studies and European affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. You can contact him on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantine-atlamazoglou" target="_blank" title="LinkedIn" rel="noopener">LinkedIn</a>.</em></p>

As Sweden's and Finland's NATO bids move forward, the alliance is already eyeing their fighter jets

<ul class="summary-list"><li>On September 29, 1990, the YF-22 demonstration aircraft took off for the first time.</li><li>The YF-22 would become the F-22, a dominant air-superiority stealth fighter for nearly 30 years.</li></ul><p>On September 29, 1990, a unique aircraft took off for the first time in Palmdale, California. During its 18-minute flight, it reached a speed of about 290 mph and a height of 12,500 feet before landing at Edwards Air Force Base.</p><p>The aircraft was the YF-22, the test demonstrator for what would become the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter. It was the second model of the US Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter program to take to the skies, with the test itself the culmination of a nearly 50-month demonstration and validation phase.</p><p>Thirty-two years later, the F-22 has proven itself as an air-superiority fighter and inspired and informed the development of other fifth-generation fighter aircraft.</p><p>Despite its accomplishments and reputation, Congress and the US Air Force are at odds over the future of one of the deadliest aircraft ever to take to the skies.</p><h2>'First look, first shot, first kill'</h2><div type="image" title="Soviet MiG-29 taking off" height="925" width="1470" msid="94544894" hostid="261" sizebytes="125972"></div><p>The Advanced Tactical Fighter program grew out of concerns over Soviet development of new fighter jets, specifically the MiG-29 and Su-27, and advanced surface-to-air missiles in the 1980s.</p><p>Air Force officials worried that the new F-15 fighter could become outdated sooner than anticipated and wanted to develop a new fighter that could dominate the skies into the 2000s.</p><p>Studies of air-to-air combat in Vietnam, along with data from Korea and World War II, showed that air superiority was most achievable when pilots attacked enemy planes while unseen.</p><p>Consequently, it was decided that stealth should be the prime attribute of the Air Force's next fighter, and that the new jet would be built around the concept of "first look, first shot, first kill."</p><div type="image" title="F-15 in Saudi Arabia" height="885" width="1180" msid="94544896" hostid="261" sizebytes="75248"></div><p>In addition to stealth capabilities, the fighter needed to be able to "supercruise" — to fly at supersonic speeds without using its afterburners. It also needed to take off from a shorter runway, handle better than the F-15, and be easier to maintain than the Air Force's other fighters.</p><p>Seven companies submitted designs. By 1985, only two were committed to building flyable demonstrators: Lockheed Corporation and Northrop Corporation. A deadline for flight tests was set for 1990.</p><p>Each company had experience designing stealth aircraft, Lockheed with the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-the-f-117-nighthawk-stealth-aircraft-is-still-misunderstood-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">F-117 Nighthawk</a>, the world's first stealth attack aircraft, and Northrop with the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-the-legendary-b-2-bombers-stealth-works-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">B-2 Spirit</a> bomber.</p><p>For the new fighter, Lockheed teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics while Northrop worked with McDonnell Douglas.</p><h2>First flight</h2><div type="image" title="Air Force YF-22 prototype jet" height="1353" width="1804" msid="94544898" hostid="261" sizebytes="157794"></div><p>Both companies made the 1990 deadline. Northrop built two YF-23s, while Lockheed produced two YF-22s.</p><p>One jet in each pair had General Electric-made YF120 engines, while the other had Pratt &amp; Whitney YF119 engines, allowing the Air Force to evaluate how each engine performed with each aircraft.</p><p>Northrop's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/black-widow-ii-the-advanced-fighter-that-lost-out-to-the-f-22-raptor-2018-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YF-23</a> was first to fly, spending 15 minutes in the air on August 27, 1990. Lockheed's YF-22 was unveiled on August 29 and flew for the first time a month later.</p><p>The YF-22 was a futuristic marvel. It had two clipped diamond-shaped wings, four trapezoidal tail wings, thrust-vectoring engines with specially designed slot-like exhausts, and internal weapons bays from which missiles would be launched.</p><p>Unlike the F-117, the YF-22's radar-absorbent materials were only applied on some parts of the YF-22, specifically the edges, cavities, and crucial surface areas.</p><div type="image" title="Air Force YF-23 prototype" height="1352" width="1800" msid="94544901" hostid="261" sizebytes="161084"></div><p>The flight tests were a resounding success. Both the YF-22 and YF-23 were easily able to outrun F-15 chase planes and demonstrate aerial-refueling capabilities.</p><p>Though the YF-23 was lighter and stealthier, the YF-22 proved better in the long run. It was much more agile due to its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jets-based-on-f22-that-never-made-it-into-air-2022-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thrust-vectoring engines</a> and successfully demonstrated the launch of AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles from its internal bays. It also flew more test flights than the YF-23 — 72 over three months.</p><p>The YF-22 and Lockheed received another advantage thanks the F-117s <a href="https://a2dd917a-65ab-41f1-ab11-5f1897e16299.usrfiles.com/ugd/a2dd91_a046ea712d0e4b7fb6f7afc4483df56f.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stellar performance</a> in Operation Desert Storm. F-117s spearheaded the 42-day bombardment campaign, demonstrating the value of stealth and Lockheed's ability to deliver top-of-the-line aircraft.</p><p>The YF-22 and Pratt &amp; Whitney's YF119 engine were selected by the Air Force as winners of the ATF in April 1991.</p><p>Low-rate initial production of the fighter, designated the F-22 Raptor, was approved in 2001 and was followed in 2004 by successful completion of initial operational and test evaluations by the Air Force. Full rate production began in 2005.</p><h2>Proud service and uncertain future</h2><div type="image" title="Air Force Donald Rice YF-22" height="1308" width="1744" msid="94544903" hostid="261" sizebytes="71928"></div><p>At the ATF program's inception, the Air Force planned to build 750 of its new fighter, but only 187 F-22s were actually built. The rest were cancelled by 2009 because of budget constraints, the acceptable performance of the F-15, the lack of a worthy adversary, and the need to divert resources to the F-35.</p><p>Despite being a relatively small fleet, the Raptors have become a dominant air-superiority fighter and are <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/news/air-force-f-22-raptor-best-fighter-air-to-air/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">loved by their pilots</a>. Their overseas deployments are often meant to deter adversaries and reassure partners.</p><p>In 2014, the F-22 made its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/23/f22-bomber-raptor-jet-us-syria-isis-combat-debut" target="_blank" rel="noopener">combat debut</a>, bombing ISIS targets in Syria and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/f-22s-backed-down-587-enemy-aircraft-in-first-combat-surge-in-syria-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deterring hundreds</a> of Russian, Iranian, and Syrian aircraft from endangering US forces there. F-22s have also <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2017/11/20/f-22s-conduct-first-airstrikes-in-afghanistan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">conducted</a> airstrikes in Afghanistan.</p><p>While the Air Force continues to <a href="https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3146566/acc-federal-laboratory-flies-combat-apps-on-f-22-with-new-open-software-stack/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upgrade</a> and <a href="https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/09/09/us-sends-f-22-jets-to-australia-to-train-alongside-f-35a-fighters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deploy</a> F-22s, it also wants to retire 33 of the oldest Raptors in 2023 as part of its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-air-force-wants-4-fighter-jets-for-future-wars-2021-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plan to transition to four fighter aircraft</a>: the F-35, the F-15EX, the F-16, and the <a href="https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2022/9/19/secretive-jet-fighter-program-reaches-design-phase-sort-of" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Next Generation Air Dominance</a> fighter, which is in development.</p><div type="image" title="F-22 Raptor" height="800" width="1066" msid="94544906" hostid="261" sizebytes="61524"></div><p>The Air Force argues that upgrading the older F-22s is prohibitively expensive and that it needs to focus its resources on developing longer-range missiles and NGAD, which will produce the US's first sixth-generation fighter.</p><p>Those F-22s are "just not upgraded to the state that we need to meet the current threat," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall <a href="https://www.airforcemag.com/article/raptor-rebellion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the Senate Armed Services Committee in May, adding that it would cost about $2 billion to upgrade the 33 fighters — roughly $50 million each.</p><p>"It's not a high-enough priority for us to do, relative to other investments," Kendall said.</p><p>Congress, meanwhile, is worried about losing such advanced aircraft without replacements on hand, especially as the Air Force <a href="https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3159407/f-15c-eagle-fleet-prepares-to-stand-down-after-50-years-of-vigilance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plans</a> to retire its F-15Cs and to <a href="https://www.airforcemag.com/air-force-leaders-five-year-divestment-plan-why-f-15ex-fleet-will-be-smaller/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cut its orders</a> of F-15EXs by nearly half.</p><p>The House version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act outright prevents the Air Force from retiring the 33 F-22s, while the Senate has indicated that it may prevent their retirement until the Air Force shows that there won't be any loss in combat capability.</p>

The F-22 prototype first flew 32 years ago. Now Congress and the Air Force are at odds over the stealth jet's future.

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>US Air Force</span></p><p class="caption">An F-22 flies alongside an F-15.</p></div><p></p></div></div>In a recent interview with Business Insider, <a href="https://twitter.com/Justin_Br0nk" target="_blank">Justin Bronk</a>, a Research Fellow specializing in combat airpower at the <a href="https://rusi.org/" target="_blank">Royal United Services Institute</a>, revealed why the F-15, originally introduced four decades ago, is still more useful than either the F-22 or the F-35 in certain situations.</p><p>The F-15 is a traditional air superiority fighter of the fourth generation. It's big, fast, agile, and carriers lots of weapons under the wing where everyone can see them. For that reason, it's terrible at stealth, but the other side of the coin is that it's perfect for intercepting enemy aircraft.</p><p>Bronk says that when it comes to interception, a plane would "have to get up right next to the aircraft, fly alongside, show weapons, go on guard frequency, tell them they're being intercepted, that they're on course to violate airspace, and to turn back immediately."</p><p>An F-22 or F-35 shouldn't, and in some cases, can't do that.</p><p>The major advantage of fifth generation aircraft is their stealth abilities and situational awareness. Even the best aircraft in the world would be lucky to lay eyes on any fifth generation fighter, which means that they can set up and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/irst-cant-stop-f-22-f-35-2016-8" target="_blank">control the engagement entirely on their terms</a>.</p><p>But while this paradigm lends itself ideally to fighting and killing, interception is a different beast.</p><p>The advantages of the F-22, and particularly the F-35, greatly diminish once planes get within visual range of each other. Also, fifth gens usually carry their munitions inside internal bomb bays, which is great for stealth, but doesn't really strike the same note that starring down an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on the side of an F-15 would.</p><p>Simply put, a fifth gen revealing itself to a legacy fighter would be akin to a hunter laying down his gun before confronting a wild beast.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_air-to-air_view_of_two_F-15_Eagle_aircraft_armed_with_AIM-9_Sidewinder_air-to-air_missiles_(wing_pylons)_and_AIM-120_advanced_medium_range_air-to-air_missiles_DF-ST-85-02448.jpg">McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis</a></span></p><p class="caption">An air-to-air view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (wing pylons) and AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>"Fifth gen fighters are not really necessary for that... other, cheaper interceptors can do the job," said Bronk.</p><p>Furthermore, interception happens way more frequently than air-to-air combat. The last time a US Air Force fighter shot down an enemy plane, it was their own <a href="http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/2009-09/when-drones-go-wild-air-force-shoots-them-down" target="_blank">wayward drone over Afghanistan</a> in 2009. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-russia-defends-intercept-of-us-reconnaissance-plane-over-baltic-2016-4" target="_blank">interceptions</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-britain-scrambles-fighters-to-intercept-russian-bombers-2016-2" target="_blank">happen</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/raf-jets-intercept-russian-bombers-headed-towards-uk-2016-2" target="_blank">all</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jets-intercept-russian-aircraft-in-baltics-2016-5" target="_blank">the</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-fighter-jet-unsafe-intercept-of-spy-plane-2016-6" target="_blank">time</a>, with the Baltics and the South China Sea being particular hot spots.</p><p>The fifth-gens, however, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/f-22-f-35-in-a-war-against-china-2016-7" target="_blank">make sense for entering contested air space</a>. If the US wanted to enter North Korean, or Iranian air space, it wouldn't just be to show off, and according to Bronk, their stealth and situational awareness would afford them the opportunity to slip in hit their marks, and slip out undetected, unlike an F-15.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Remington Hall/Handout</span></p><p class="caption">F-35s are incredible aircraft, but within visual range confrontations are not their fight.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>In interception situations, it makes no sense to offer up an F-22 or F-35 as a handicapped target to an older legacy plane. F-15s are more than capable of delivering the message themselves, and whoever they intercept will know that the full force of the US Air Force, including fifth-gens, stands behind them.</p>     <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/f-35-us-air-force-too-stealthy-2016-8">The F-35 has hit another snag - this time because it's too stealthy </a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="w2dWUzNTE6QKjfovORmLgj4-57yajqOK" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Here's when an F-15 is better than an F-22 or an F-35

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/29698503040/in/album-72157673276646382/">Courtesy of Lockheed Martin</a></span></p><p class="caption">A photo from the roll out of the first Japan Air Self <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">Defense</keyword> Force F-35A Lightning II.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Lockheed Martin announced the F-35 program in 2001. Since then, hundreds of billions of dollars and 15 years of testing have brought the program to where it is today - on the verge of becoming the world's premier fighter/bomber and the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/f-35-quarterback-us-marine-corps-navy-2016-9" target="_blank">future of the US Air Force, Marines, and Navy</a>. </p><p>But while the idea of launching a single, advanced, stealthy plane for all three service branches seemed good on paper, and ultimately won approval from US military planners at the highest level, it was never the only option.</p><p>Former US Navy Commander and aviator <a href="https://twitter.com/Navyharmer" target="_blank">Chris Harmer</a>, also a senior naval analyst for the Middle East Security Project at the <a href="http://www.understandingwar.org/press-media/staff-bios/christopher-harmer" target="_blank">Institute for the Study of War</a>, told Business Insider that the F-35 only really holds a single advantage over the Cold War-era legacy aircraft it's set to replace - stealth.</p><p>"The F-35 is very capable in a very specific way. The only thing it does that legacy can't do is stealth," said Harmer.</p><p>Indeed the F-35's low observability and integrated stealth design are central to the plane's mission and tactics. Throughout its development, the F-35 notoriously lost to older legacy fighters in up-close dogfights. Combat-aviation expert Justin Bronk told Business Insider flat-out that the F-35 could "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/f-35-could-not-dogfight-typhoon-su-35-2016-8" target="_blank">never in a million years</a>" win a dogfight with an advanced Russian or British plane.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_air-to-air_view_of_two_F-15_Eagle_aircraft_armed_with_AIM-9_Sidewinder_air-to-air_missiles_(wing_pylons)_and_AIM-120_advanced_medium_range_air-to-air_missiles_DF-ST-85-02448.jpg">McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis</a></span></p><p class="caption">An air-to-air view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (wing pylons) and AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>However, defense officials <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/f-35-pilot-dogfighting-2016-9" target="_blank">never planned for the F-35 to revolutionize dogfighting</a>, but rather aerial combat as a whole. The F-35, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/irst-cant-stop-f-22-f-35-2016-8" target="_blank">nearly impossible for enemy aircraft to spot</a>, can simply shoot down foes from long distance before they're ever close enough to really dogfight.</p><p>But according to Harmer, who has spent much of his life around carrier-based aircraft, the F-35's advantages begin and end with stealth. Harmer suggests that instead of building the F-35, the US simply should have updated existing aircraft, like the F-15, F-16, and F-18. </p><p>These platforms - proven, legacy aircraft - could easily be retrofit with the advanced avionics and helmet for targeting that set the F-35 apart.</p><p>"F<span>or a fraction of the cost for F-35 development, we could have updated legacy aircraft and </span><span>gotten a significant portion of the F-35 capabilities.</span><span>" said Harmer. The F-18 for example, has already undergone extensive reworkings, and the F-18 Super Hornet, which is 25% larger than the original F-18, has a smaller radar cross section than its predecessor and is one of the US's <a href="http://www.boeing.com/defense/fa-18-super-hornet/" target="_blank">cheaper planes to buy and operate</a>.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey J. Hopkins/US Navy</span></p><p class="caption">The success of the F-18 Super Hornet program could have been a model for updating legacy airframes across the board.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>However, an F-15, the Air Force's best air-dominance fighter, with fifth-generation avionics and targeting capability, still lacks the integrated stealth design of an F-35. Stealth must be worked into the geometry of the plane and simply won't do as an afterthought. In today's contested battle spaces, a legacy fighter, no matter how you update it, still lights up brightly and clearly on an enemy radar and is therefore less survivable to the pilots - something US military planners have refused to accept.</span></p><p><span>"The only advantage of the F-35 is to go into highly contested airspace," said Harmer, adding that the US has "literally never done that." Additionally, the US already has another fifth-generation aircraft with an even better stealth in its inventory - the F-22. In fact, when the US does discuss operations in the world's most contested airspaces, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-difficulties-strike-assad-2016-10">it's the F-22 they talk about</a> sending. </span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/USAFCENT/photos/pcb.10156498000325215/10156497997845215/?type=3&amp;theater">US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook</a></span></p><p class="caption">The US already has a super-stealthy fighter - the F-22.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span><span>"There are other, less expensive ways to address highly contested airspace - cruise missiles, standoff weapons, radar jamming," Harmer added. </span></span></p><p><span><span>But <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-f-35-cost-2016-12" target="_blank">the F-35 ship has sailed</a>. Despite a very troublesome development, the program is now at or very near readiness with all three branches.</span></span></p><p><span><span>"As a practical matter, the F-35 is a done deal; we've incurred the 'sunk cost' of the R &amp; D, and neither the USAF or USMC has any intentions of buying any more legacy airframes."</span></span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/marines-f-35-fires-80-round-burst-military-gun-pod-2016-12">Watch the Marines' F-35 fire an 80-round burst from its gun pod for the first time</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="Z2dnY0NTE6NwFCepaZCJD0UuLwZN_av0" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Former US Navy Commander: Here's what the US should have built instead of the F-35

<ul class="summary-list"><li>AirlineRatings just unveiled its list of the world's safest <keyword id="44023" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="airlines">airlines</keyword> for 2021, according to the site's experts, narrowing the top 20 from a list of 385.</li><li>The US had a great showing with six of the 11 major American carriers making the top 20 cut while Asia performed poorly. </li><li>Carriers in Oceania and the Middle East also dominated the highest spots, continuing the trend from last year.</li></ul><p>A new ranking of the world's safest airlines unveiled on Monday reveals which airlines should be sought after as the world returns to the skies post-pandemic, and which should be avoided. <keyword id="31907" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Aviation">Aviation</keyword> product and <keyword id="46574" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="safety">safety</keyword> rating website <a href="https://www.airlineratings.com/news/top-twenty-safest-airlines-2021/">AirlineRatings</a> just released its yearly list of the top 20 safest airlines for 2021, according to its experts.</p><p>The site narrowed down 385 of the world's airlines based on a variety of factors ranging from crashes and incidents to the age of an airline's fleet. Airlines with younger fleets, for example, scored higher than those still utilizing older models.  </p><p>"Our top 20 safest airlines 2021 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence, and the launching of new more advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787," <keyword id="2184465" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="AirlineRatings-com">AirlineRatings.com</keyword> editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said. </p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-vaccine-cargo-airline-logistics-winners-losers-2020-11?r=tp-sub">6 cargo airlines and freight operators poised to win big as COVID-19 vaccine shipping becomes big business in 2021</a></em></p><p>The US is the most represented country on the list with six out of the 11 major American carriers, including all of the big four, making their way into the top 20. Only two US carriers - Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines - made the cut last year.</p><p>Asia made little progress with the same airlines that earned a spot on the 2020 list making this year's list with no new additions. Some airlines from the region managed to climb on the list; though, most lost their standing year-on-year. </p><p>Here are the world's safest airlines for 2021, according to AirlineRatings. </p><h2>20. United Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="United Airlines" height="2250" width="3000" msid="80200402" hostid="261"></div><p>United Airlines earned the number 20 spot on this year's list after not being featured on last year's. Recent years have seen United modernize its all-Boeing long-haul fleet by retiring the iconic 747 and adopting new types including the 777-300ER and all three 787 Dreamliner variants.</p><p>The airline also has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-where-us-airline-will-be-flying-boeing-737-max-2020-12">plans to resume flying the 737 Max on February 11, 2021</a>, from Houston and Denver. </p><h2>19. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner" height="1972" width="2630" msid="80200406" hostid="261"></div><p>KLM Royal Dutch Airlines moved up one spot from its 2020 position to earn the number 19 spot on this year's list. One of the world's oldest airlines, the flag carrier of the Netherlands will celebrate 102 years of operations in October having been founded in 1919. </p><p>Boeing aircraft largely dominate KLM's fleet with types like the 787 Dreamliner and 737 Next Generation flying passengers to and from Amsterdam. The pandemic <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-havoc-forces-airlines-to-retire-iconic-planes-sooner-2020-3">accelerated the retirement of KLM's older aircraft including the Boeing 747-400</a>, leaving the airline with a long-haul fleet consisting of the Airbus A330, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner families. </p><h2>18. Lufthansa</h2><div type="image" title="Lufthansa Airbus A320neo" height="2667" width="3556" msid="80200409" hostid="261"></div><p>Lufthansa stayed put in this year's ranking compared to last year's, earning the number 18 spot once more. Recent years have seen the German flag carrier adopt a modern fleet consisting of the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A350-900XWB, and Boeing 747-8i.</p><p>Older models like the Airbus A340-600 and Airbus A380 have been due to the pandemic, with <a href="https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/which-aircraft-types-did-airlines-fly-for-the-last-time-in-2020/141368.article">FlightGlobal</a> suggesting they've already flown their last passenger flights. Lufthansa is also one of the first customers for the new <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-777x-twin-engine-plane-flew-for-the-first-time-2020-1">Boeing 777X, currently flying test flights around the Pacific Northwest</a>. </p><h2>17. Finnair</h2><div type="image" title="Finnair Airbus A330-300" height="1666" width="2223" msid="80200411" hostid="261"></div><p>Finnair also stayed stagnant on this year's list compared to 2020, once again earning the number 17 spot. The airline connects Finland with the world, as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-finnair-basic-economy-new-york-to-helsinki-airbus-a330-2020-1">Business Insider found on a 2019 trip from New York to Copenhagen</a>, using a fleet of primarily Airbus aircraft, including the new A350-900XWB.</p><p>AirlineRatings noted that Finnair has achieved a "perfect record" for flying during the jet age. </p><h2>16. SAS Scandinavian Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A320neo" height="1665" width="2221" msid="80200412" hostid="261"></div><p>SAS Scandinavian Airlines fell back two spots to earn the number 16 ranking for 2021's list, compared to the number 14 spot last year. An ongoing fleet renewal is seeing SAS adopt two new Airbus models, the A350-900XWB and A320neo, and pledge to cut back on emissions by <a href="https://www.flysas.com/us-en/sustainability/">powering all domestic Scandinavian flights with biofuel</a>.</p><h2>15. American Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="American Airlines Boeing 737 Max" height="1141" width="1521" msid="80200413" hostid="261"></div><p>American Airlines is another fresh face on the 2020 list, earning having not earned a spot last year but coming in at number 15 this year. </p><p>The pandemic saw American <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-havoc-forces-airlines-to-retire-iconic-planes-sooner-2020-3">retire some of its oldest aircraft including the Boeing 757-200, Airbus A330-300, Boeing 767-300ER, Bombardier CRJ-200, and Embraer E190</a>. Some of the aircraft had been acquired in the 2013 merger with US Airways that solidified American as the world's largest airline.</p><p>American now boasts a long-haul fleet primarily comprised of Boeing jets including the 777 and 787 Dreamliner families, and just <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-boeing-737-max-returns-to-us-skies-paying-passengers-2020-12">resumed flying the Boeing 737 Max</a>. </p><h2>14. Delta Air Lines</h2><div type="image" title="Delta Air Lines Airbus A321" height="1764" width="2352" msid="80200414" hostid="261"></div><p>Delta is another new face on this list, earning the number 14 spot this year while failing to make the top 20 last year.  The pandemic also saw Delta embark on accelerated fleet renewal, retiring older types including Boeing 777, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-retires-md-80-series-aircraft-send-off-in-atlanta-2020-6">McDonnell Douglas MD-88, McDonnell Douglas MD-90</a>, and Boeing 737-700 while onboarding the Airbus A220-300. </p><p>Airbus aircraft now dominate Delta's fleet with new the airline acquiring new ultra-modern models like the A220-100, A220-300, A350-900XWB, and A330-300neo.</p><h2>13. Southwest Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="Southwest Airlines" height="2000" width="2666" msid="80200415" hostid="261"></div><p>Southwest Airlines, another new face on the 2021 list, earned the number 13 spot, the highest of the US big four airlines. But the airline's addition comes just weeks after a <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/FFDA35FA-0442-465D-AC63-5634D9D3CEF6">US Senate report blasted Southwest for safety issues</a> and criticized the Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of the low-cost carrier.</p><p>The report cited key issues relating to Southwest's acquisition of foreign aircraft with questionable airworthiness standards, close relationships between FAA managers and the airline, pilots performing unsafe maneuvers, and improper reporting of aircraft maintenance issues, among others.  </p><p>AirlineRatings didn't respond to Business Insider's request for comment on the methodology used for Southwest's inclusion on the list. </p><h2>12. Hawaiian Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="Hawaiian Airlines" height="1666" width="2223" msid="80200416" hostid="261"></div><p>Hawaiian Airlines earns the number 12 spot this year, falling short by one place from last year. Recent years have seen Hawaiian expand to its furthest destinations, including Boston, and take on next-generation aircraft including the Airbus A321neo. </p><p>The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will also soon join the airline's fleet, though the first delivery has been delayed until at least 2022, <a href="https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/hawaiian-delays-boeing-787-dreamliner-deliveries/139522.article">FlightGlobal</a> reported. AirlineRatings noted that Hawaiian has achieved a "perfect record" for flying during the jet age. </p><h2>11. Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic Airways</h2><div type="image" title="Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A350" height="1665" width="2221" msid="80200418" hostid="261"></div><p>AirlineRatings merged Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic Airways in this year's ranking, with the Commonwealth of Nations duo earning the number 11 spot. Last year saw Virgin Australia in the number 10 spot and Virgin Atlantic in the number 12 spot. </p><p>In the UK, Virgin Atlantic is currently embarking on a fleet renewal that has seen the addition of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A350-1000XWB, with orders for <a href="https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/06/virgin-atlantic-selects-a330neo-for-its-fleet-renewal-and-expansion.html">14 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft</a>. Virgin Australia, alternatively, operates the Boeing 737 Max and just completed a change of ownership with Bain Capital now backing the airline. </p><h2>10. British Airways</h2><div type="image" title="British Airways plane" height="800" width="1066" msid="80200419" hostid="261"></div><p>British Airways earned the number 10 spot on this year's list after not making the list last year. Recent years have seen the airline adopt next-generation aircraft including the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A350-1000XWB, and all three variants of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.</p><p>The pandemic accelerated the retirement of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-747-retire-coronavirus-photos-history-2020-7">British Airways' Boeing 747-400 fleet after a half-century of service</a> and grounded the Airbus A380 indefinitely. The airline also retired its business class-only Airbus A318, which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-airbus-a318-baby-bus-london-city-tour-2020-3">Business Insider toured in March</a>, that flew between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and London's City Airport.</p><h2>9. Cathay Pacific Airways</h2><div type="image" title="Cathay Pacific Airbus A350" height="2222" width="2963" msid="80200420" hostid="261"></div><p>Cathay Pacific Airways earned the number nine spot this year, staying put from last year's ranking. Protests in Hong Kong and the pandemic have hindered Cathay Pacific's operation but recent years have seen the airline modernize its fleet by taking on new aircraft types like the Airbus A350 XWB family and A321neo. </p><h2>8. Alaska Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="alaska airlines" height="2229" width="2972" msid="80200421" hostid="261"></div><p>Alaska Airlines once again earned the number eight spot, continuing the trend from last year as the highest-ranked US airline. </p><p>Boeing aircraft currently dominate Alaska's fleet but the airline does have one unique sub-fleet consisting of the Airbus A321neo, a next-generation version of the Airbus A321. The type was acquired in a merger with Virgin America and has plans to stay in the airline's fleet while older Airbus jets are sold or retired.</p><p>Alaska will also <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-airlines-buys-more-boeing-737-max-adds-alaska-routes-2020-12">soon fly the Boeing 737 Max as its first delivery is scheduled for this month</a>. Flights are scheduled to begin in March 2021 on the West Coast with the airline promising to fly over 50 hours of proving flights across 19,000 miles before a passenger climbs onboard. </p><h2>7. Etihad Airways</h2><div type="image" title="etihad plane" height="999" width="1332" msid="80200422" hostid="261"></div><p>Etihad Airways earned the number seven spot in this year's ranking, falling back three position places from the 2020 list. Boeing aircraft dominate the airline's long-haul fleet with newer types like the 787 Dreamliner and 777-300ER outnumbering its Airbus jets.</p><p>The UAE flag carrier is also one of the last remaining A380 operators; though, the fleet has been temporarily parked during the pandemic, according to Cirium.</p><h2>6. EVA Air</h2><div type="image" title="EVA Air Boeing 777-300ER" height="1666" width="2223" msid="80200424" hostid="261"></div><p>EVA Air earned the number six spot this year, falling back three position places from last year. The Taiwanese flag carrier has retired its oldest and largest aircraft like the Boeing 747 in recent years while adding the Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. </p><h2>5. Emirates</h2><div type="image" title="Emirates Airbus A380" height="1666" width="2222" msid="80200425" hostid="261"></div><p>Emirates moved up to the number five spot in this year's list after ranking seventh on last year's.</p><p>The mega carrier's all-wide-body fleet currently consists of the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A380, but the next few years will see notable additions as Airbus and Boeing's newest models are scheduled to arrive at the airline including the Airbus A350-90 XWB, <a href="https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-firms-up-us88-billion-order-for-30-boeing-787s-at-2019-dubai-airshow/">Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner</a>, and Boeing 777x.</p><h2>4. Singapore Airlines</h2><div type="image" title="singapore airlines plane" height="1482" width="1976" msid="80200426" hostid="261"></div><p>Singapore Airlines earned the number three spot this year, moving up from number six in 2020. </p><p>The Singaporean flag carrier frequently tops the list of the world's longest flights and recently inaugurated a new <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-new-worlds-longest-flight-singapore-airlines-a350-tour-2020-11">non-stop route between New York City and Singapore using an Airbus A350-900XWB</a>. With a range of 8,287 nautical miles, it narrowly beat out the Singapore-Newark route by just two nautical miles, despite having a shorter flight time in the Singapore-bound direction.</p><p>Regional routes also see the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as Singapore Airlines was the launch customer for the Dash 10 variant, also in use with United Airlines and EVA Air. </p><h2>3. Air New Zealand</h2><div type="image" title="Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200" height="1660" width="2214" msid="80200427" hostid="261"></div><p>Air New Zealand earned the number three spot on this year's list, falling behind by just one position place from last year's ranking. Boeing aircraft dominate the airline's long-haul fleet with newer types like the 787-9 Dreamliner and 777-300ER. </p><p>Newer Airbus jets like the A320neo and A321neo are also featured in the airline's short-haul fleet. </p><h2>2. Qatar Airways</h2><div type="image" title="Qatar Airways Boeing 777" height="1037" width="1383" msid="80200428" hostid="261"></div><p>Qatar Airways earned the number two spot this year, beating out its UAE competitors Emirates and Etihad. In keeping up with rivals in the Middle East "big three", Qatar has consistently acquired the latest and greatest aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, boasting the likes of the Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 Dreamliner family while also becoming a launch customer for the upcoming Boeing 777X. </p><h2>1. Qantas</h2><div type="image" title="Qantas Airbus A380" height="1666" width="2222" msid="80200429" hostid="261"></div><p>Qantas once again flies away with the top spot, earning the title of 2021's safest airline. AirlineRatings noted Qantas' stellar safety record of flying during the modern jet age with no fatal crashes.</p><p>The Australian flag carrier has been associated with safety for decades, with Dustin Hoffman's character in "Rain Man" refusing to fly on any other airline.  </p><p>"Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major operational safety advancement over the past 60 years and has not had a fatality in the pure jet era," said Thomas. </p><p>The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 dominated Qantas' pre-pandemic fleet with the airline studying the use of the Airbus A350 for ultra-long-range flights from Sydney to New York and London, as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qantas-longest-flight-new-york-sydney-project-sunrise-review-pictures-2019-10">Business Insider's David Slotnick found on a test flight from New York to Sydney</a>. The pandemic, however, has limited Qantas primarily to domestic flying.</p>

The 20 safest airlines to fly in 2021, according to experts

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Boeing</span></p><p class="caption">A UPS Boeing 747-8F.</p></div><p></p></div></div>On Thursday, Boeing announced that UPS has placed an order for 14 new 747-8F freighters along with an option for another 14 of the jumbo jets.</p><p>With a catalogue price of $379.1 million per plane, the deal could be worth as much as $10.6 billion with the option included.</p><p>However, it should be noted that major customers traditionally negotiate substantial discounts over the list price. </p><p><span>"These aircraft are a strategic investment for increased capacity for UPS customers around the globe," said Brendan Canavan, president, UPS Airlines. </span></p><p><span>"The 747-8 will allow UPS to upsize our network in both new and existing markets."</span></p><p>Including, the 14 orders from the UPS and four from Russian cargo carrier Volga-Dnepr Group, Boeing has racked 18 firm orders for the jumbo freighters this year.</p><p>As result, 2016 is the 747 program's most successful sales year since 2006 when <a href="http://www.boeing.com/commercial/" target="_blank">Boeing sold 53 </a>of the massive jets.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-might-stop-producing-jumbo-jet" target="_blank">Boeing has struggled mightily to find new buyers for its iconic jumbo jet</a> over the past decade. With market demand for wide-body commercial airliners skewed almost exclusively towards twin-engine jets such as the company's own 777 or the Airbus A330, Boeing has come to rely upon the cargo freighter as a lifeline to keep the 747 program alive. </p><p>Thursday's order breathes new air into the 747 program.</p><p>Prior to the UPS deal, Boeing had just 15 unfilled orders left for the jumbo jet. In fact, to allow the sales team more time to find new buyers, Boeing slowed production of the aircraft down in September from one per month to just one over other month.</p><p>UPS Airlines currently operates a fleet of more than 200 Airbus A300, Boeing 747, 757, 767, and McDonnell-Douglas MD11 freighters. </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/100-dollars-states-america-money-country-2016-10">Here's how much $100 is worth in every state</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="VuNWkxNzE6A7vpY98CWqPiVi6-XwZ26y" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

UPS just gave Boeing's struggling jumbo jet a $10 billion lifeline

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="US Air Force" title_caption="This is not the F-15 that crashed." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/52ea8b7f6bb3f76e25631ee5-960/503008.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.dvidshub.net/search/?q=f-15+eagle+sunset&amp;filter%5Btype%5D=image&amp;page=32#.UuqLWbvLicw">US Air Force</a></span></p><p class="caption">This is not the F-15 that crashed.</p></div><p></p></div></div>A US Air Force F15D has crashed today in the English countryside.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-29544064" target="_blank">According to the BBC</a>, the US Air Force has identified the downed aircraft as an F15D belonging to the 4<span>8th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England. </span></p>
<p><span>The BBC is reporting the pilot ejected before the crash and has sustained only minor injuries. Locals have taken to Twitter with photos of the wreckage, which is in the middle of a field near the town of Weston Hills in Lincolnshire.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Unconfirmed Callsign "HITMAN32" 86-0182 {LN} [McDonnell Douglas F-15D] (Based at: RAF Lakenheath - 48 FW,493 FS,USAF) <a href="http://t.co/G27fpFBlxA">pic.twitter.com/G27fpFBlxA</a></p>
- RAF Waddington Info (@EGXWinfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/EGXWinfo/status/519881397733818368">October 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Latest Picture of the ejected Pilot who is safe <a href="http://t.co/7sbp1drTkW">pic.twitter.com/7sbp1drTkW</a></p>
- RAF Waddington Info (@EGXWinfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/EGXWinfo/status/519885651777306624">October 8, 2014</a></blockquote>

US Air Force Jet Crashes In English Countryside

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Flickr/ Austrian Airlines</span></p><p class="caption">Austrian Airlines economy class.</p></div><p></p></div></div>The middle seat - especially in coach - is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank">one of the most dreaded and common scenarios</a> in flying.</p><p>It's cramped, it's inconvenient, and it's often the only seats available on flights - particularly if you book at the last minute.</p><p>In the past, an easy way to ensure you get an aisle or window seat is to book flight early.</p><p>However, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank">airlines have figured out that their customers have an almost universal hatred for the middle seat</a>.</p><p>Not only that, airlines have come to realize that many are actually willing to pay to avoid it.</p><p>For instance, Delta's cheapest tickets these days fall under its Basic Economy class which only allow passengers to select their seats after checking in - at which point the window and aisle seats are likely to be already gone.</p><p>This means, passengers will have to buy more expensive main cabin tickets in order to select seats at the time of booking.</p><p>On the other hand, Southwest - which doesn't assign seats - charges passengers $15 for the privilege of boarding early.</p><p>Although it is impossible to completely rule out the possibility of ending up in the middle seat, there are several ways to avoid it without having to pony up extra dough.</p><p>First, in spite of the revenue generating fees airlines have come up with, booking early is still the best way to ensure you don't end up sandwiched in the middle. In addition to an increased likelihood of getting an aisle or window seats, booking early will also net you cheaper ticket prices.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>LM Otero/AP</span></p><p class="caption">Southwest Airlines doesn't assign seats.</p></div><p></p></div></div>According to a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/expedia-heres-when-you-should-buy-plane-tickets-2014-12" target="_blank">study by Expedia</a>, the average price of tickets are its lowest 57 days ahead of the flight. Further, the study also showed that <span>those buying tickets more than three weeks in advance on flights within North America can expect to see savings of roughly 43-56%.</span></p><p><span>In fact, savings from cheaper tickets prices may allow you to "splurge" on the fees for aisle or window seats. </span></p><p><span>Second, the plane used to operate the flight makes a big difference as well. These days, the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 along with their many derivatives dominate the short-to-medium-range market. Both aircraft are generally configured with six-abreast seating or six seats per row with two sections of three seats divided by a single aisle. This results in two middle seats per row. </span></p><p><span>However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of ending up in the middle seat by taking flights using planes with fewer or no middle seats on board. </span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image"><a title_source="Boeing" title_caption="Boeing 737 with six-abreast seating." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57168a7391058422008bd9e8-960/k65079.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Boeing</span></p><p class="caption">Boeing 737 with six-abreast seating.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Instead of the 737 and A320, look for flights using McDonnell Douglas MD80 series, MD90 and Boeing 717 jets. These aircraft feature five-abreast seating in a 3-2 configuration. This means there is only one middle seat per row. However, these aircraft are aging and their operators are working quickly to replace them with planes that are newer and have more seats. </span></p><p><span>In the US, the MD and 717 aircraft are mostly operated by Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Allegiant. </span></p><p><span>Another option is to take flights operated for the major airlines by regional carriers under names such as Delta Connection, United Express and American Eagle. These flights are generally operated using regional jets or turboprop airliners. </span></p><p><span>Although they are smaller and more cramped, regional aircraft are generally setup in a 2-2 configuration which means there are no middle seats. Here, look for aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ and Q400 as well as Embraer E170 and E190 series.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>AP</span></p><p class="caption">Delta Connection CRJ regional jet.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Choosing a flight based on the airplane also works on long haul international flights. These flights are commonly operated by wide-body, twin aisle airliners such as the Boeing 777 as well as the larger Boeing 747 jumbos and the Airbus A380 superjumbos. </span></p><p><span>These large jets are generally setup with nine or even 10-abreast seating in a 3-4-3 configuration with four middle seats per row in coach. </span></p><p><span>For flyers looking to avoid middle seats on long haul flights, there are several types of aircraft they should zero in on. First, Boeing's venerable twin-engine 767 wide-body is still around and can commonly be found with a 2-3-2 configuration. That means there's only one middle seat per row in coach. It should be noted, however, that many of the 767s are pushing 20 years of age and like the MD80/90, airlines are in the process of replacing them with planes that are newer and have more seats. </span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Airbus</span></p><p class="caption">Airbus A330neo future interior.</p></div><p></p></div></div>If you want to fly on something more current, look for flights operated by the twin-engine Airbus A330 and its four-engined sibling, the A340. These airliners feature eight-abreast seating in a 2-4-2 configuration. As a result, the A330/A340 generally fly with only two middle seats per row in coach. </span></p><p><span>Fortunately, for flyers, the A330 one of the most popular wide-body airliners in the world and is still rolling off Airbus production lines. </span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-737-max-first-flight-2016-1">Watch Boeing's newest airliner fly for the very first time</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="l5ZmRrMDE6phI79LAk0XYHHxWwc2gLH3" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

This is how to avoid the worst seat on the plane

Eisenhower's worst nightmare: Pentagon merger-mania is back

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Flickr/ Austrian Airlines</span></p><p class="caption">Austrian Airlines economy class.</p></div><p></p></div></div>The middle seat - especially in coach - is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank">one of the most dreaded and common scenarios</a> in flying.</p><p>It's cramped, it's inconvenient, and it's often the only seats available on flights - particularly if you book at the last minute.</p><p>In the past, an easy way to ensure you get an aisle or window seat is to book flight early.</p><p>However, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank">airlines have figured out that their customers have an almost universal hatred for the middle seat</a>.</p><p>Not only that, airlines have come to realize that many are actually willing to pay to avoid it.</p><p>For instance, Delta's cheapest tickets these days fall under its Basic Economy class which only allow passengers to select their seats after checking in - at which point the window and aisle seats are likely to be already gone.</p><p>This means, passengers will have to buy more expensive main cabin tickets in order to select seats at the time of booking.</p><p>On the other hand, Southwest - which doesn't assign seats - charges passengers $15 for the privilege of boarding early.</p><p>Although it is impossible to completely rule out the possibility of ending up in the middle seat, there are several ways to avoid it without having to pony up extra dough.</p><p>First, in spite of the revenue generating fees airlines have come up with, booking early is still the best way to ensure you don't end up sandwiched in the middle. In addition to an increased likelihood of getting an aisle or window seats, booking early will also net you cheaper ticket prices.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>LM Otero/AP</span></p><p class="caption">Southwest Airlines doesn't assign seats.</p></div><p></p></div></div>According to a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/expedia-heres-when-you-should-buy-plane-tickets-2014-12" target="_blank">study by Expedia</a>, the average price of tickets are its lowest 57 days ahead of the flight. Further, the study also showed that <span>those buying tickets more than three weeks in advance on flights within North America can expect to see savings of roughly 43-56%.</span></p><p><span>In fact, savings from cheaper tickets prices may allow you to "splurge" on the fees for aisle or window seats. </span></p><p><span>Second, the plane used to operate the flight makes a big difference as well. These days, the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 along with their many derivatives dominate the short-to-medium-range market. Both aircraft are generally configured with six-abreast seating or six seats per row with two sections of three seats divided by a single aisle. This results in two middle seats per row. </span></p><p><span>However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of ending up in the middle seat by taking flights using planes with fewer or no middle seats on board. </span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image"><a title_source="Boeing" title_caption="Boeing 737 with six-abreast seating." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57168a7391058422008bd9e8-960/k65079.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Boeing</span></p><p class="caption">Boeing 737 with six-abreast seating.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Instead of the 737 and A320, look for flights using McDonnell Douglas MD80 series, MD90 and Boeing 717 jets. These aircraft feature five-abreast seating in a 3-2 configuration. This means there is only one middle seat per row. However, these aircraft are aging and their operators working quickly to replace them with planes that are newer and have more seats. </span></p><p><span>In the US, the MD and 717 aircraft are mostly operated by Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Allegiant. </span></p><p><span>Another option is to take flights operated for the major airlines by regional carriers under names such as Delta Connection, United Express and American Eagle. These flights are generally operated using regional jets or turboprop airliners. </span></p><p><span>Although they are smaller and more cramped, regional aircraft are generally setup in a 2-2 configuration which means there are no middle seats. Here, look for aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ and Q400 as well as Embraer E170 and E190 series.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>AP</span></p><p class="caption">Delta Connection CRJ regional jet.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Choosing a flight based on the airplane also works on long haul international flights. These flights are commonly operated by wide-body, twin aisle airliners such as the Boeing 777 as well as the larger Boeing 747 jumbos and the Airbus A380 superjumbos. </span></p><p><span>These large jets are generally setup with nine or even 10-abreast seating in a 3-4-3 configuration with four middle seats per row in coach. </span></p><p><span>For flyers looking to avoid middle seats on long haul flights, there are several types of aircraft they should hone in on. First, Boeing's venerable twin-engine 767 wide-body is still around and can commonly be found with a 2-3-2 configuration. That means there's only one middle seat per row in coach. It should be noted, however, that many of the 767s are pushing 20 years of age and like the MD80/90, airlines are in the process of replacing them with planes that are newer and have more seats. </span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Airbus</span></p><p class="caption">Airbus A330neo interior.</p></div><p></p></div></div>If you want to fly on something more current, look for flights operated by the twin-engine Airbus A330 and its four-engined sibling, the A340. These airliners feature eight-abreast seating in a 2-4-2 configuration. As a result, the A330/A340 generally fly with only two middle seats per row in coach. </span></p><p><span>Fortunately, for flyers, the A330 one of the most popular wide-body airliners in the world and is still rolling off Airbus production lines. </span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-737-max-first-flight-2016-1">Watch Boeing's newest airliner fly for the very first time</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="l5ZmRrMDE6phI79LAk0XYHHxWwc2gLH3" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Here's how to avoid the worst seat on the plane

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Flickr/ Austrian Airlines</span></p><p class="caption">Austrian Airlines economy class.</p></div><p></p></div></div>The middle seat - especially in coach - is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank">one of the most dreaded and common scenarios</a> in flying.</p><p>It's cramped, it's inconvenient, and it's often the only seats available on flights - particularly if you book at the last minute.</p><p>In the past, an easy way to ensure you get an aisle or window seat is to book flight early.</p><p>However, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank">airlines have figured out that their customers have an almost universal hatred for the middle seat</a>.</p><p>Not only that, airlines have come to realize that many are actually willing to pay to avoid it.</p><p>For instance, Delta's cheapest tickets these days fall under its Basic Economy class which only allow passengers to select their seats after checking in - at which point the window and aisle seats are likely to be already gone.</p><p>This means, passengers will have to buy more expensive main cabin tickets in order to select seats at the time of booking.</p><p>On the other hand, Southwest - which doesn't assign seats - charges passengers $15 for the privilege of boarding early.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>LM Otero/AP</span></p><p class="caption">Southwest Airlines doesn't assign seats.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Although it is impossible to completely rule out the possibility of ending up in the middle seat, there are several ways to avoid it without having to pony up extra dough.</p><p>First, in spite of the revenue generating fees airlines have come up with, booking early is still the best way to ensure you don't end up sandwiched in the middle. In addition to an increased likelihood of getting an aisle or window seats, booking early will also net you cheaper ticket prices.</p><p>According to a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/expedia-heres-when-you-should-buy-plane-tickets-2014-12" target="_blank">study by Expedia</a>, the average price of tickets are its lowest 57 days ahead of the flight. Further, the study also showed that those buying tickets more than three weeks in advance on flights within North America can expect to see savings of roughly 43-56%.</p><p>In fact, savings from cheaper tickets prices may allow you to "splurge" on the fees for aisle or window seats.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image"><a title_source="Boeing" title_caption="Boeing 737 with six-abreast seating." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57168a7391058422008bd9e8-960/k65079.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Boeing</span></p><p class="caption">Boeing 737 with six-abreast seating.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Second, the plane used to operate the flight makes a big difference as well. These days, the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 along with their many derivatives dominate the short-to-medium-range market. Both aircraft are generally configured with six-abreast seating or six seats per row with two sections of three seats divided by a single aisle. This results in two middle seats per row.</p><p>However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of ending up in the middle seat by taking flights using planes with fewer or no middle seats on board.</p><p>Instead of the 737 and A320, look for flights operated by Bombardier C-Series, McDonnell Douglas MD80 series, MD90, and Boeing 717-200 jets. These aircraft feature five-abreast seating in a 3-2 configuration - meaning there is only one middle seat per row.</p><p>In the US, the MD and 717 aircraft are mostly operated by Delta, American, and Allegiant. However, many of these aircraft are aging and their operators are working quickly to replace them with planes that are newer and have more seats. American is in the process of replacing its MD80 or Super80 aircraft with new Boeing 737s. At the same time, Delta is beginning to retire older MD88s in favor of new Airbus A321s. With that said, Delta's fleet currently features more than 270 MD88, MD90, and 717 jets. Which means they'll be around well into the next decade. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aero_icarus/6301854860/in/photolist-aASDU1-aouBE8-aAPVNK-rrGRGE-7v6yys-dNh2Rq-aqSjt6-9ENsTQ-aWcRnH-aPGafT-p1SeMp-7uZSp6-em7Zo5-agztUi-97HcBt-dg5svK-agCkHw-7v1wNe-8HGwoG-7Avr6K-6N3PVQ-6zzBVS-7uZA7x-dvyL8s-7AzguW-8YQ5ya-bdcMiD-8DiCZs-dJyErW-8jLZzs-qraCmX-eYq2gy-97Ha7H-dJtajn-eesAy9-hHt4YZ-5ATRCo-jthzFn-dz4Drp-7v5jsA-4Ss61u-5AhzBX-aqSd76-em83J7-hHtAUf-ffaBCq-6PTeTx-bW187F-eesCM9-dtv52v">Flickr/Aero Icarus</a></span></p><p class="caption">Delta Air Lines MD88.</p></div><p></p></div></div>The Bombardier C-Series is brand new and just entered service with SWISS in July of 2016. Over the next few years, the Canadian jetliner will become a more common sight in airports around the world with Delta, Air Canada, SWISS, and Korean Air as its most well-known operators. </p><p>Another option is to take flights operated for the major airlines by regional carriers under names such as Delta Connection, United Express, and American Eagle. These flights are generally operated using regional jets or turboprop airliners.</p><p>Although they are smaller and more cramped, regional aircraft are generally setup in a 2-2 configuration which means there are no middle seats. Here, look for aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ, the Q400 turboprop as well as the Embraer ERJ.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>AP</span></p><p class="caption">Delta Connection CRJ regional jet.</p></div><p></p></div></div>The Embraer E170 and E190 series is a good 'tweener option. Seating anywhere between 70 to 100 passengers, the E-Jet operates both as a regional airliner and with mainline carriers such as American, Air Canada, Polish LOT, and JetBlue. Like the smaller regional jets, the E-Jet is usually setup in a 2-2 configuration with no middle seats. With Embraer launching a second generation of the E-Jet, expect this to be an option for many years down the road. </p><p>Unfortunately for many flyers around the world, the narrow-body airliner fleet in Asia and Europe is a virtual duopoly split between the 737 and the A320-family. As a result, apart from encountering the odd C-Series, E-Jet or 717, passengers will have to fly on a regional jet to avoid six-abreast seating. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wbaiv/4342579299/in/photolist-7BJRwT-dw64cU-qhbB4C-fts4Vw-j3Qw9w-673GWJ-ifXEZt-9Vs5Si-6EyYF8-6xVMDY-qhciy7-qwt19h-pBZ4Qv-5z9Wp5-6CDoQa-ENXY2-9VuVtm-5LKNVm-ifYxPo-ifY4EQ-6xVMZ1-2yFRY-apY4NS-28KDmK-e252y-ifZzas-pVAu9-et7TB7-57VGz5-ifZbCV-91bDmV-8nUPrE-9PxomL-5cYMEZ-6eh9mz-7v69nS-4cUpLm-6gwsVL-ze8mK-5rzios-6emhiA-fE4Asb-6u1FyT-dg51m9-8KZnt9-Bcf18-e9Uin-8vJL5x-6zHxCv-6gnGDt">Flickr/Bill Abbott</a></span></p><p class="caption">A JetBlue Embraer E-Jet.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Choosing a flight based on the airplane also works on long haul international flights. These flights are commonly operated by wide-body, twin aisle airliners such as the Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A350 as well as the larger Boeing 747 jumbos and the Airbus A380 superjumbos.</p><p>These large jets are generally setup with nine or even 10-abreast seating in a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration with either three or four middle seats per row in coach.</p><p>For flyers looking to avoid middle seats on long haul flights, there are several types of aircraft they should hone in on. First, Boeing's venerable twin-engine 767 wide-body is still around and can commonly be found with a 2-3-2 configuration. That means there's only one middle seat per row in coach. It should be noted, however, that many of the 767s are pushing 20 years of age and like the MD80/90, airlines are in the process of replacing them with newer models.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Airbus</span></p><p class="caption">Airbus A330neo future interior.</p></div><p></p></div></div>With the 767 on the way out, look for flights operated by the twin-engine Airbus A330 and its discontinued four-engined sibling, the A340. These airliners generally feature eight-abreast seating in a 2-4-2 configuration. As a result, the A330/A340 generally fly with only two middle seats per row in coach.</p><p>Fortunately, for flyers, the A330 one of the most popular wide-body airliners in the world with about 1,500 examples in operation and is still rolling off Airbus production lines. In fact, the company is currently selling a next generation version called the A330neo.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-737-max-first-flight-2016-1">Watch Boeing's newest airliner fly for the very first time</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="l5ZmRrMDE6phI79LAk0XYHHxWwc2gLH3" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Here's how to avoid the middle seat on a plane

<p class="source"><span>Flickr/ Austrian Airlines</span></p><p class="caption">Austrian Airlines economy class.</p>The middle seat - especially in coach - is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">one of the most dreaded and common scenarios</a> in flying.<p>It's cramped, it's inconvenient, and it's often the only seats available on flights - particularly if you book at the last minute.</p><p>In the past, an easy way to ensure you get an aisle or window seat is to book the flight early.</p><p>However, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-harder-to-avoid-middle-seat-2016-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">airlines have figured out that their customers have an almost universal hatred for the middle seat</a>.</p><p>Not only that, airlines have come to realize that many are actually willing to pay to avoid it.</p><p>For instance, Delta's cheapest tickets these days fall under its Basic Economy class which only allow passengers to select their seats after checking in - at which point the window and aisle seats are likely to be already gone.</p><p>This means passengers will have to buy more expensive main cabin tickets in order to select seats at the time of booking.</p><p>On the other hand, Southwest - which doesn't assign seats - charges passengers $15 for the privilege of boarding early.</p><p class="source"><span>LM Otero/AP</span></p><p class="caption">Southwest Airlines doesn't assign seats.</p>Although it is impossible to completely rule out the possibility of ending up in the middle seat, there are several ways to avoid it without having to pony up extra dough.<p>First, in spite of the revenue generating fees airlines have come up with, booking early is still the best way to ensure you don't end up sandwiched in the middle. In addition to an increased likelihood of getting an aisle or window seats, booking early will also net you cheaper ticket prices.</p><p>According to a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/expedia-heres-when-you-should-buy-plane-tickets-2014-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">study by Expedia</a>, the average price of tickets are its lowest 57 days ahead of the flight. Further, the study also showed that those buying tickets more than three weeks in advance on flights within North America can expect to see savings of roughly 43-56%.</p><p>In fact, savings from cheaper tickets prices may allow you to "splurge" on the fees for aisle or window seats.</p><a class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/57168a7391058422008bd9e8-960/k65079.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Boeing</span></p><p class="caption">Boeing 737 with six-abreast seating.</p>Second, the plane used to operate the flight makes a big difference as well. These days, the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 along with their many derivatives dominate the short-to-medium-range market. Both aircraft are generally configured with six-abreast seating or six seats per row with two sections of three seats divided by a single aisle. This results in two middle seats per row.<p>However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of ending up in the middle seat by taking flights using planes with fewer or no middle seats on board.</p><p>Instead of the 737 and A320, look for flights operated by Bombardier C-Series, McDonnell Douglas MD80 series, MD90, and Boeing 717-200 jets. These aircraft feature five-abreast seating in a 3-2 configuration - meaning there is only one middle seat per row.</p><p>In the US, the MD and 717 aircraft are mostly operated by Delta, American, and Allegiant. However, many of these aircraft are aging and their operators are working quickly to replace them with planes that are newer and have more seats. American is in the process of replacing its MD80 or Super80 aircraft with new Boeing 737s. At the same time, Delta is beginning to retire older MD88s in favor of new Airbus A321s. With that said, Delta's fleet currently features more than 270 MD88, MD90, and 717 jets. Which means they'll be around well into the next decade. </p><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aero_icarus/6301854860/in/photolist-aASDU1-aouBE8-aAPVNK-rrGRGE-7v6yys-dNh2Rq-aqSjt6-9ENsTQ-aWcRnH-aPGafT-p1SeMp-7uZSp6-em7Zo5-agztUi-97HcBt-dg5svK-agCkHw-7v1wNe-8HGwoG-7Avr6K-6N3PVQ-6zzBVS-7uZA7x-dvyL8s-7AzguW-8YQ5ya-bdcMiD-8DiCZs-dJyErW-8jLZzs-qraCmX-eYq2gy-97Ha7H-dJtajn-eesAy9-hHt4YZ-5ATRCo-jthzFn-dz4Drp-7v5jsA-4Ss61u-5AhzBX-aqSd76-em83J7-hHtAUf-ffaBCq-6PTeTx-bW187F-eesCM9-dtv52v">Flickr/Aero Icarus</a></span></p><p class="caption">Delta Air Lines MD88.</p>The Bombardier C-Series is brand new and just entered service with SWISS in July of 2016. Over the next few years, the Canadian jetliner will become a more common sight in airports around the world with Delta, Air Canada, SWISS, and Korean Air as its most well-known operators. <p>Another option is to take flights operated for the major airlines by regional carriers under names such as Delta Connection, United Express, and American Eagle. These flights are generally operated using regional jets or turboprop airliners.</p><p>Although they are smaller and more cramped, regional aircraft are generally setup in a 2-2 configuration which means there are no middle seats. For this, look for aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ, the Q400 turboprop as well as the Embraer ERJ.</p><p class="source"><span>AP</span></p><p class="caption">Delta Connection CRJ regional jet.</p>The Embraer E170 and E190 series is a good 'tweener option. Seating anywhere between 70 to 100 passengers, the E-Jet operates both as a regional airliner and with mainline carriers such as American, Air Canada, Polish LOT, and JetBlue. Like the smaller regional jets, the E-Jet is usually setup in a 2-2 configuration with no middle seats. With Embraer launching a second generation of the E-Jet, expect this to be an option for many years down the road. <p>Unfortunately for many flyers around the world, the narrow-body airliner fleet in Asia and Europe is a virtual duopoly split between the 737 and the A320-family. As a result, apart from encountering the odd C-Series, E-Jet or 717, passengers will have to fly on a regional jet to avoid six-abreast seating. </p><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wbaiv/4342579299/in/photolist-7BJRwT-dw64cU-qhbB4C-fts4Vw-j3Qw9w-673GWJ-ifXEZt-9Vs5Si-6EyYF8-6xVMDY-qhciy7-qwt19h-pBZ4Qv-5z9Wp5-6CDoQa-ENXY2-9VuVtm-5LKNVm-ifYxPo-ifY4EQ-6xVMZ1-2yFRY-apY4NS-28KDmK-e252y-ifZzas-pVAu9-et7TB7-57VGz5-ifZbCV-91bDmV-8nUPrE-9PxomL-5cYMEZ-6eh9mz-7v69nS-4cUpLm-6gwsVL-ze8mK-5rzios-6emhiA-fE4Asb-6u1FyT-dg51m9-8KZnt9-Bcf18-e9Uin-8vJL5x-6zHxCv-6gnGDt">Flickr/Bill Abbott</a></span></p><p class="caption">A JetBlue Embraer E-Jet.</p>Choosing a flight based on the airplane also works on long-haul international flights. These flights are commonly operated by wide-body, twin-aisle airliners such as the Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A350 as well as the larger Boeing 747 jumbos and the Airbus A380 superjumbos.<p>These large jets are generally setup with nine or even 10-abreast seating in a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration with either three or four middle seats per row in coach.</p><p>For flyers looking to avoid middle seats on long haul flights, there are several types of aircraft they should hone in on.</p><p>First, Boeing's venerable twin-engine 767 wide-body is still around and can commonly be found with a 2-3-2 configuration. That means there's only one middle seat per row in coach. It should be noted, however, that many of the 767s are pushing 20 years of age and like the MD80/90, airlines are in the process of replacing them with newer models.</p><p class="source"><span>Airbus</span></p><p class="caption">Airbus A330neo future interior.</p>With the 767 on the way out, look for flights operated by the twin-engine Airbus A330 and its discontinued four-engined sibling, the A340. These airliners generally feature eight-abreast seating in a 2-4-2 configuration. As a result, the A330/A340 generally fly with only two middle seats per row in coach.<p>Fortunately, for flyers, the A330 one of the most popular wide-body airliners in the world with about 1,500 examples in operation and is still rolling off Airbus production lines. In fact, the company is currently selling a next generation version called the A330neo.</p>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/after-bumped-off-flight-heres-what-need-know-legally-department-transportation-fly-airplane-airline-2017-4">Here's what airlines legally owe you if you're bumped off a flight</a></h3>                                    Please enable Javascript to watch this video

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