<strong>January:</strong> The last Boeing 747 used in a commercial flight in the US, Delta's "Queen of the Skies" made its final departure from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport in Atlanta, Georgia on January 3.
January: The last Boeing 747 used in a commercial flight in the US, Delta's "Queen of the Skies" made its final departure from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport in Atlanta, Georgia on January 3.
John Paul Van Wert/Rank Studios
<strong>January:</strong> Latvian flag carrier airBaltic was named the world's most punctual airline by OAG, while Spain's Tenerife North was declared the world's most punctual airport.
January: Latvian flag carrier airBaltic was named the world's most punctual airline by OAG, while Spain's Tenerife North was declared the world's most punctual airport.
Courtesy AiBaltic
<strong>February: </strong>Dutch pilot <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fpilot-cockpit-photos-christiaan-van-heijst%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Christiaan van Heijst</a> talked to CNN Travel about his incredible photos taken from inside the cockpit.
February: Dutch pilot Christiaan van Heijst talked to CNN Travel about his incredible photos taken from inside the cockpit.
Courtesy Christiaan van Heijst
<strong>March: </strong>Singapore's Changi Airport was named the world's best airport for the sixth year in a row. With its Jewel addition opening next year (pictured), it's likely to hold onto its crown in 2019 too.
March: Singapore's Changi Airport was named the world's best airport for the sixth year in a row. With its Jewel addition opening next year (pictured), it's likely to hold onto its crown in 2019 too.
Jewel Changi Airport Devt.
<strong>March:</strong> CNN's Richard Quest boarded the Qantas jet making the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fqantas-australia-to-uk-flight%2Findex.html" target="_blank">first direct flight from Australia to the UK</a>: a 17-hour trip from Perth to London.
March: CNN's Richard Quest boarded the Qantas jet making the first direct flight from Australia to the UK: a 17-hour trip from Perth to London.
Courtesy Richard Quest
<strong>April: </strong>The approach to Donegal Airport, on Ireland's Atlantic coastline, was named the world's most scenic by booking platform PrivateFly.
April: The approach to Donegal Airport, on Ireland's Atlantic coastline, was named the world's most scenic by booking platform PrivateFly.
Courtesy Wen Clarke Photography
<strong>April:</strong> At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Airbus revealed its designs for sleeper berths for use in the cargo holds of A330 jets.
April: At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Airbus revealed its designs for sleeper berths for use in the cargo holds of A330 jets.
Airbus
<strong>May:</strong> The TWA Hotel at JFK won't open until 2019, but this spring we got a sneak preview of the retro glamor to come.
May: The TWA Hotel at JFK won't open until 2019, but this spring we got a sneak preview of the retro glamor to come.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
<strong>June: </strong>There was more aviation nostalgia in June, when Elvis' private jet came up for auction, after 36 years rusting on a New Mexico runway.
June: There was more aviation nostalgia in June, when Elvis' private jet came up for auction, after 36 years rusting on a New Mexico runway.
IronPlanet
<strong> July:</strong> The Beluga XL "Flying Whale" completed its test flight at France's Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on July 19.
July: The Beluga XL "Flying Whale" completed its test flight at France's Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on July 19.
Courtesy Airbus / J.V. Reymondon
<strong>July:</strong> Another transition from sea to sky, the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fembraer-e190-e2-no-middle-seats%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Embraer "Shark" E190-E2</a>, kicked off a five-month world tour with an appearance at Farnborough Airshow in the UK.
July: Another transition from sea to sky, the Embraer "Shark" E190-E2, kicked off a five-month world tour with an appearance at Farnborough Airshow in the UK.
Courtesy Embraer
<strong>July: </strong>Impressive design plans for the Airlander 10, developed in collaboration with design consultancy Design Q, were unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow.
July: Impressive design plans for the Airlander 10, developed in collaboration with design consultancy Design Q, were unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow.
Design Q/Airlander
<strong>August:</strong> CNN Travel was granted an exclusive tour of the unfinished Antonov An-255 that sits in a hangar on the outskirts of Kiev.
August: CNN Travel was granted an exclusive tour of the unfinished Antonov An-255 that sits in a hangar on the outskirts of Kiev.
Pavlo Fedykovych
<strong>September:</strong> India's $68.7 million Pakyong Airport opened in the Himalayas, up 1,400 meters in the mountains.
September: India's $68.7 million Pakyong Airport opened in the Himalayas, up 1,400 meters in the mountains.
Courtesy rajiv srivastava / imazinindia.com
<strong>September: </strong>Turkish Airlines unveiled a chic new look for its flight attendants courtesy of Milan-based haute couturier Ettore Bilotta.
September: Turkish Airlines unveiled a chic new look for its flight attendants courtesy of Milan-based haute couturier Ettore Bilotta.
Turkish Airlines
<strong>September:</strong> This photo of an embarrassing spelling mistake on the livery of a Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 went viral.
September: This photo of an embarrassing spelling mistake on the livery of a Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 went viral.
Cathay Pacific/HKADB/Facebook
<strong>October: </strong>Richard Quest poses with Singapore Airlines cabin crew aboard the history-making world's longest flight, shortly before landing.
October: Richard Quest poses with Singapore Airlines cabin crew aboard the history-making world's longest flight, shortly before landing.
Richard Quest/CNN
<strong>October: </strong>Istanbul Airport, Turkey's game-changing new mega-hub, was officially inaugurated. Dogged by controversy, it aims to be one of the world's largest.
October: Istanbul Airport, Turkey's game-changing new mega-hub, was officially inaugurated. Dogged by controversy, it aims to be one of the world's largest.
Courtesy Istanbul New Airport
<strong>November: </strong>Excitement has been building for the Boeing 777X, which will fly for the first time next year. Its USP is its innovative folding wingtips.<br />
November: Excitement has been building for the Boeing 777X, which will fly for the first time next year. Its USP is its innovative folding wingtips.
Courtesy Boeing
<strong>November:</strong> The Airbus A220-100 is the first newly designed large single-aisle airliner in nearly three decades.<br />
November: The Airbus A220-100 is the first newly designed large single-aisle airliner in nearly three decades.
PETER RYAUX-LARSEN
<strong>December:</strong> CNN Travel took a look at the upcoming Beijing Daxing Airport, a new multi-billion dollar aviation hub designed by the late Zaha Hadid.<br />
December: CNN Travel took a look at the upcoming Beijing Daxing Airport, a new multi-billion dollar aviation hub designed by the late Zaha Hadid.
Courtesy Zaha Hadid Architects
<strong>December: </strong>Deliveries began for Bombardier's Global 7500 private jet. Its extra-long cabin means it can fit in a dedicated bedroom area.<br />
December: Deliveries began for Bombardier's Global 7500 private jet. Its extra-long cabin means it can fit in a dedicated bedroom area.
Courtesy Bombardier