Airline Counter: 26
Emirates
Emirates was founded in 1985 as the airline of Dubai, one of the seven Emirates of the UAE and is currently one of the 2 flag carriers of the UAE. In the 1980s, Gulf Air, the major middle eastern airlines of the late 20th century began reducing its services outside of Bahrain, leaving Dubai with insufficient air service, catalyzing the creation of a new Emirati airline. Currently, Emirates is the largest Middle Eastern airline, owns over 250 aircraft, over 100 of these being the A380 superjumbo (the largest A380 fleet of any airline), allowing them to fly to all six inhabited continents.
Above is an Airbus A380-800 (A6-EUE) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways was founded in 1993 serving as the flag carrier of Qatar. Now, it is internationally renowned as one of the world’s best airlines, along with other Middle Eastern carriers Emirates and Etihad, receiving the prestigious “Skytrax Best Airline” certificate of 2019, 2017, 2015, 2012, in addition to 20 years as a Skytrax 5 Star airline. On January 15th, 2015, Qatar became the launch customer for the A350-900 (and later the A350-1000) and currently operates the second largest fleet of the cutting-edge aircraft (behind Singapore Airlines).
Above is an Airbus A380-800 (A7-API) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Singapore Interantional Airlines
Singapore International Airlines dates to 1937 when Malayan Airways was founded as the flag carrier of Malaysia and Singapore, both still under the British Commonwealth. When Singapore, Malaysia, and other states formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, Malayan was rebranded as Malaysian Airlines, and in 1966, when Singapore left the federation, the airline became Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). MSA was split into the modern Malaysian Airlines and Singapore Airlines in 1972 due to differing growth strategies; Malaysia focused domestically and Singapore desired greater international presence.
Above is an Airbus A380-800 (9V-SKU) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Air India
Air India was founded in 1932 by a member of the Tata Family (a very prominent Indian business family) under the title “Tata Air Services,” shortly thereafter renamed “Tata Airlines.” Following the Second World War, the airline adopted the name Air India and became nationalized after the Partition of India. In 1948, Air India launched its first intercontinental flight between Bombay (Mumbai) and London, with stops in Cairo and Geneva. The company grew to become the first Asian carrier to operate a jet aircraft (the Boeing 707) in 1960; two years later, it became the world’s first “all jet” fleet.
Above is a Boeing 777-300ER (VT-ALR) departing at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) en route to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Air China
Air China was founded in 1988 as China’s former carrier, CAAC, formed in 1949, was split into 6 different airlines, with Air China set to operate the large international routes. Today, along with China Eastern and China Southern Airlines, Air China is one of the only remaining airlines still operating from this split. In 2002, the airline merged with China Southwest Airlines, one of the other airlines formed from CAAC which operated flights from the southwest of China in Sichuan Province. In 2013, the airline made history by operating the first domestic Chinese flight with satellite internet offered on board.
Above is an Airbus A350-900 (B-32AS) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Korean Air
Korean Air is the current flag carrier of South Korea, with roots going back to the establishment of Korean National Airlines (KNA) in 1946, and founded in 1962 through the nationalization of KNA by the South Korean government. In 1969, the airline was fully privatized and remains so to this day. The airline's name was changed from "Korean Air Lines" in 1984 to the modern and well recognized "Korean Air". Their logo is a reflection of the South Korean flag, while the round design incorporates the yin and yang concept with a white dividing section representing a turning propeller.
Above is a Boeing 777-300ER (HL7203) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Kuwait Airways
Kuwait Airways was founded in 1953 as Kuwait International Airways to serve the country of Kuwait. The airline adopted the name Kuwait Airways in 1955 and quickly expanded and became the fist foreign airline to order the Trident HS-121 from the UK in 1962. With the majority of their fleet destroyed during the Gulf War, the airline began looking to privatize in order to remain competitive yet this wasn’t finalized until 2013. In 2023, the airline was awarded the Skytrax best improved airline award.
Above is a Boeing 777-300ER (9K-AOK) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways (ANA) was founded in 1952 as Japan Helicopter Transport. This came shortly after the allies lifted their prohibition of domestic air service in Japan. The company’s first flight in 1953 marked the first scheduled Japanese flight operated by a Japanese pilot after WWII. The company rebranded to ANA in 1957 as it merged with Far East AIrlines, founded in 1952 with operations in 1954. It wasn’t until 1986 with ANA began scheduled International flights to Guam, then expanding across the Pacific. Today, ANA is renowned as one of the most punctual and prestigious airlines.
Above is a Boeing 777-300ER (JA790A) arriving at London Heathrow from Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)
Pakistan International Airways
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) traces its roots to Orient Airways, founded in 1946, which served Pakistan both under the British Raj and following its independence in 1947. By 1955, the airline was absorbed into Pakistan International Airways, formed a few years prior, becoming Pakistan’s flag carrier. The airline’s assets were then used during the 1956 Indo-Pakistani war, but the airline soon returned to civilian roles. Of note, PIA was the launch customer for the 777-200LR in 2006 and claims to have been the first Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft in the 1960s (Air India similarly makes this claim).
Above is a Boeing 777-200LR (AP-BGZ) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE)
China Airlines Cargo
China Airlines Cargo, the cargo branch of the Taiwanese flag carrier China Airlines, launched shortly after its parent in 1959. China Airlines Cargo operates a fleet of over 20 dedicated cargo aircraft in addition to the cargo holds on China Airlines commercial flights. The airline has historically operated a fleet of Boeing 747 cargo variants and has been slowly supplementing these with 777F freighters since 2019. In the future, eight 777-8F deliveries will see the retirement of their current 747 fleet in an effort to modernize. Interestingly, the airline has delivered over 75 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Above is a Boeing 777F (B-18775) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) en route from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Korean Air Cargo
China Airlines Cargo, the cargo branch of the Taiwanese flag carrier China Airlines, launched shortly after its parent in 1959. China Airlines Cargo operates a fleet of over 20 dedicated cargo aircraft in addition to the cargo holds on China Airlines commercial flights. The airline has historically operated a fleet of Boeing 747 cargo variants and has been slowly supplementing these with 777F freighters since 2019. In the future, eight 777-8F deliveries will see the retirement of their current 747 fleet in an effort to modernize. Interestingly, the airline has delivered over 75 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Above is a Boeing 777F (B-18775) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) en route from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Eva Air Cargo
Eva Air Cargo launched soon after Eva Air, now the second largest airline in Taiwan, in 1989. In the 2000s, the airline expanded massively with the opening of new Cargo operations in Europe and Hong Kong and is currently ranked as one of the largest cargo airlines in the world. Interestingly, it wasn’t until the late 2010s that Eva Air Cargo received its first 777F and it currently operates 9, with this plane being delivered in 2019. The airline plans to convert 6 777 commercial aircraft into cargo variants in 2025 to further augment their cargo operations.
Above is a Boeing 777F (B-16786) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) en route from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific was founded in 1946 by a group of pilots eying much needed freight service between Australia and China using Douglas DC-3 propeller prop aircraft.. The airline began flying from Hong Kong shortly thereafter after legal issues in China. The airline’s name derives from “Cathay,” an ancient English name for China, with ‘Pacific” representing the airlines early desire to fly across the Pacific, accomplished 3 decades after its founding. Cathay was a co-founding member of the One World airline alliance in 1998 and now has a modern fleet of over 150.
Above is an Airbus A350-1000 (B-LXE) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines (PAL) was founded in 1941 but transitioned solely to military operations during the Second World War. After resuming normal operations, the airline expanded, absorbed other Philippine carriers. PAL became the first Asian carrier to cross the pacific (Manila-Oakland with 3 stops) in 1946 and the first Southeast Asia airline to fly to Europe (Manila-Madrid). The Madrid flight took two days with 6 stops at Calcutta, Karachi, Dhahran, Cairo, and Rome. PAL launched its first non-stop flight to Toronto in Oct. 2012 after a 15 year hiatus from the North American East Coast.
Above is an Airbus A350-900 (RP-C3507) named the “Love Bus” honoring the long standing relationship between PAL and Airbus arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines has roots to 1956 when the North Vietnamese government established “Vietnam Civil Aviation” to serve the country. However, due to a trade embargo barring the country from operating American technology, the company relied on an inefficient Soviet fleet until the trade prohibition was lifted in 1994. It wasn’t until 1993 that the airline became Vietnam’s Flag Carrier, and in 1995, the company was incorporated into the new “Vietnam Airlines Corporation.” Nowadays, the group possesses an industry-leading modern fleet with recognition as a Skytrax 5 stay airline in 2020.
Above is a Boeing 787-10 (VN-A879) arriving at Toronto Pearson from Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) on a COVID-19 cargo/repatriation flight
Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Biman Bangladesh was established in 1972 as the carrier for newly formed Bangladesh under the name Air Bangladesh. Many of its first pilots and other employees took direct part in the Bangladesh liberation War and quickly proposed the airline following the country’s newly won independence. It quickly grew, launching its first domestic and international flights the same year and soon after rebranded to the current name. Currently, Toronto is Biman’s only destination in the entirety of the Americas, a new route launched just in 2022
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (S2-AJY) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC)
El Al Israel Airlines
El Al Israel Airlines was formed in 1948 and initially operated a wide range of aircraft models and makes, however, the airline transitioned in the 1970s with a final goal of utilizing a modern fleet of solely Boeing aircraft, which they have accomplished. Interestingly, the carrier has a tradition of placing the name of a city in Israel on the nose of the majority of their planes. The size of this city is meant to correspond with the size of the aircraft on which it is placed. The city on the front of this plane's fuselage is Rehovot, a medium-size city located 20 km south of Tel Aviv.
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (4X-EDF) in 1960s retro livery arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)
Etihad Airways
Etihad was founded in 2003 as the national airline of the UAE as the previous carrier for the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman - Gulf Air - became mainly owned by the Government of Bahrain, leaving Oman, the UAE, and Qatar with a need for new/larger flag carriers. Today, the company has matured into one of the busiest airlines, flying over 1000 flights a week, as well as one of the world’s most renowned. The company has consistently scored in the top ten by the SKYTRAX World's top airlines ranking over the past decade, receiving praise for their luxurious and opulent in-flight experience.
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (A6-BLJ) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Saudia Arabian Airlines
Saudia was launched in 1945 as the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia after being gifted a DC-3 from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Originally known exclusively as Saudi Arabian Airlines, the airline adopted the shortened title “Saudia” in the early 1970s. The airline gradually expanded to serve most Middle East nations with a large international network stretching to the Americas. By 1984, they became the launch customer of the A300-600, the largest variant of Airbus’ first wide body jetliner. In 2012, Saudia became the first middle eastern airline to join the SkyTeam alliance and remains a member to this day.
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (HZ-AR11) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Hainan Airlines
Hainan Airlines was founded in 1989 and is now the fourth largest airline in China by fleet size (behind the "China Big three") and has received phenomenal recognition for nearly unmatched quality. In 2019, for example, Hainan received the SKYTRAX World's 5-Star Airline rating for the ninth consecutive year, and the airline has placed 7th in the SKYTRAX "World's top 10 Airlines" list for both 2018 and 2019. Historically, Hainan took its first name as Hainan Province Airlines from its founding location on Hainan Island, before rebranding to the modern name in 1996.
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (B-207U) departing Toronto Pearson (YYZ) for Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
China Southern Airlines
China Southern launched in 1988 following the separation of China's former flag carrier, CAAC airlines (Civil Aviation Administration of China, founded in 1949). Six new airlines were created, each named after the region they serve. China Southern was based in Guangzhou (southern China), China Eastern in Shanghai (Eastern China), China Southwest in Chengdu (SW China), China Northern in Shenyang (northern China), China Northwest in Xi'an (NW China), and Air China (new flag carrier). Today, China Southern operates one of the world’s largest fleets at nearly 1000 with 2000+ daily flights.
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (B-1167) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Xiamen Air
Xiamen Air was founded in 1984 as a domestic airline connecting the province of Fujian to the rest of China. Their livery uses an egret/crane commonly seen on Xiamen Island, "the Egret island", as their logo (found on the tail). Additionally, this image was taken at Pearson even though Xiamen Air does not operate regular flights to Toronto. COVID-19 saw many unique repatriation flights for stranded citizens across the globe with many airlines subsequently transitioning to part cargo operations to make up for reduced passenger demand. This flight likely fills one or both of these categories.
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (B-7838) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) on a COVID-19 cargo/repatriation flight
Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950 as an air taxi service out of Bahrain by British pilot Freddie Bosworth as the Gulf Aviation Company and was quickly backed by British Overseas Airways (BOAC), who provided resources to expand its service to other destinations in the Middle East. The airline became Gulf Air in 1974 as several Middle Eastern governments - including Bahrain - bought out BOAC’s stake with Gulf Air to serve as their flag carrier. Bahrain eventually acquired full rights as all other states pulled out to focus on their own carriers (Qatar for Qatar, Emirates for the UAE, and Etihad for Abu Dhabi).
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (A9C-FB) in 70th anniversary livery arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Bahrain international Airport (BAH)
Royal Jordanian Airlines
Royal Jordanian Airlines was founded in 1963 following the royal decree of then Jordanian King Hussein as the flag carrier of Jordan. It flew under the name Alia Royal Jordanian airlines after the King’s oldest daughter, Alia Bint Al Hussein, until being renamed into the modern brand in 1986. In 2007, Royal Jordanian joined the OneWorld Alliance and cemented itself as the first Arab airlines to join one of the three international airline alliances. Today, despite financial troubles. the airline contributes around 3% of Jordan’s national GDP.
Above is a Boeing 787-8 (JY-BAE) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Amman Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern was founded in 1988 after the dissociation of CAAC. In 2003, China Eastern absorbed China Northwest, one of the 6 airlines formed from this event, with its base in Xi’an. In 2010, CE merged with Shanghai Airlines as well, although the company still operates under its own brand. This history of growth cements CE as one of the “China Big Three,” the largest Chinese airlines, with China Southern and Air China. These airlines compete with the “US Big Three" (Delta, United, American) in fleet/operating size thanks to China’s aviation market’s unmatched growth.
Above is an Airbus A330-200 (B-5973) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern was founded in 1988 with its hub at Shanghai. It is now one of the “China Big Three,” the largest Chinese airlines, with China Southern and Air China. These airlines should overtake the “US Big Three" (Delta, United, American) in fleet/operating size thanks to China’s aviation market’s unmatched growth. In fact, CE is recognized as one of China's 50 most valuable brands. Their logo incorporates a famous swallow, whose red wings depict a sky bridge and blue tail Shanghai’s Huangpu River.
(The plane shown is an Airbus A350-900 (B-32A5) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR)from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).)
Iran Air
TAP (Transportes Aéreos Portugueses) was founded in 1945, with a first flight from Lisbon to Madrid using a DC-3 aircraft. (TAP only inaugrated its first domestiv service (Lisbon-Ponto) in 1947.) Then, in the 1960s, TAP rapidly modernized its fleet with futeristic jets like the Boeing 707, 727, and Sud Aviation Caravel. In 1964, the airline flew its one millionth passenger, ane then, by 1967, TAP was the first European airline to operate only jet aircraft. Today, it is the largest operator of the efficient A330neo.
(The plane shown is an Airbus A350-900 (B-32A5) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR)from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).)
Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines (MEA) was established in 1945 and expanded to serve neighbouring countries to Lebanon. It merged with Air Liban in 1963 which allowed greater expansion into foreign markets with new routes to Europe and West Africa. Owing to regional conflicts, MEA has often been forced to suspend, restart, and move its operations. During the 1967 five day Arab-Israeli war, MEA lost half a dozen aircraft. During the 1975-1991 Lebanese civil war, MEA was frequently unable to use its base at Beirut International Airport. Today, MEA maintains steady profit margins as the flag carrier of Lebanon.
Above is an Airbus A320-200 (OD-WRL, the 5000th A320, arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)