The Sunday Five (January 18th - 24th)

1. Iran Set to Order 114 Airbus Jets: Flag carrier Iran Air is set to order 114 Airbus aircraft, including used A340 aircraft and new A320s. Iran Air is also considering the A350 and the A380 as the carrier looks to begin service to Europe and the United States. Iran will need an estimated 581 new aircraft over the next decade, according to the state-run Mehr news agency.  

2. United to Order 40 Boeing 737-700 Aircraft: United Airlines is set to order 40 737-700 aircraft in a deal worth $3.2 billion dollars at list prices. The 737-700, which seats 126 passengers, will replace smaller regional jets that are mainly flown by contractors. The deal was a blow to Bombardier and its fledgling C-Series program as United was reportedly considering the C-Series.  

3. Allegiant to Begin Service to BWI: Allegiant will begin service from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Savannah, Ga.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Tulsa, Okla.; Asheville, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lexington, Ky. The new flights will begin in April, May, and June.  

4. Virgin Atlantic to Buy 12 A350-1000 Aircraft: British long haul carrier Virgin Atlantic is set to order 12 A350-100 aircraft, in a deal worth $4.3 billion dollars at list prices. Virgin Atlantic will use the A350 to replace its ageing, gas-guzzling, long haul fleet, which includes various A340 and 747-400 aircraft.  

5. Airbus Beats Boeing in Annual Orders Battle, Boeing Wins  Deliveries: In what has become an annual tradition for Airbus, the European plane maker has beaten Boeing again in the orders department with 1,036 to Boeing's 768. However, Boeing delivered more jets than Airbus with 762 compared to Airbus' 635.   

The "What the Heck?" Story of the Week 

A snake was found on a passenger's luggage cart at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. The woman was in the arrivals area, pushing her luggage cart, when several other passengers informed her that there was a 15 inch snake clinging to her cart. What ensued was described as a "brief panic" before authorities were able to contain the rogue snake. The airport said the only reason the snake was able to get into the airport was because it was "very small." 

Video of the Week 

Sources: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/allegiant-air-comes-to-baltimore-washington-international-airport/2016/01/12/4eca1620-b929-11e5-99f3-184bc379b12d_story.html 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-16/iran-to-buy-114-airbus-aircraft-for-iran-air-eyes-more-deals 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-12/virgin-atlantic-said-poised-for-4-3-billion-airbus-a350-deal 

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ual-boeing-idUSKCN0UZ1N5 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/12094700/Airbus-wins-sales-battle-with-Boeing-but-lags-behind-in-deliveries.html 

http://roadwarriorvoices.com/2016/01/11/airport-issues-an-apology-after-a-snake-was-found-on-a-passengers-luggage-cart/