Airliner World Magazine

The April 2026 issue of Airliner World places aviation’s future firmly in the spotlight with the return of our Flight Training Guide, an in-depth supplement designed for aspiring aviators. With airlines once again expanding and demand for skilled personnel rising, the guide explores the industry outlook for pilots and cabin crew, examines airline-sponsored training schemes around the world, and follows the real-life journey of trainee pilot Josh Eyre as he navigates pathways to the flight deck. We also visit Manchester-based SkyPeople Training to see how the company is helping to raise global standards in cabin crew instruction.

This edition also delivers a diverse mix of global reporting and aviation insight. In Canada, Daniel Johnston flies with Iskwew Air – the country’s first Indigenous and female-owned airline – discovering how the carrier is connecting communities while championing representation in aviation. Meanwhile, Ian Harbison reports on BlueLight Humanitarian Airlines, the ambitious start-up project that plans to deploy Airbus A340s and A321P2Fs to deliver rapid disaster relief around the world.

Fleet developments and industry strategy are also high on the agenda. Reporting from Toulouse, Thomas Haynes explores Airbus’ plans for the A350F, the European manufacturer’s bold attempt to challenge Boeing’s long-standing dominance in the large freighter market. Across the Atlantic, American Airlines prepares for another major fleet evolution as the Airbus A321XLR begins to play a pivotal role in reshaping parts of its network.

History and heritage also feature strongly. Stephen Skinner recounts the operational challenges faced by BOAC during the Boeing 707 era, revealing the incidents that punctuated the aircraft’s pioneering service with the British flag carrier. Babak Taghvaee charts the twilight years of the Boeing 747-400, examining the handful of airlines still flying the once-dominant jumbo jet in passenger service.