Test Your Aviation Knowledge: 2025 Year in Review

As we close out 2025, it's been an extraordinary year in aviation. From historic aircraft orders and supersonic breakthroughs to regulatory reforms and sustainability milestones, the industry has witnessed remarkable developments across commercial, general, and advanced aviation. Whether you're an aviation professional, enthusiast, or frequent flyer, this Altitude quiz will test how closely you've followed the year's biggest stories.

Pour yourself a festive drink, settle in, and see how many of these questions you can answer correctly. Merry Christmas and good luck!

The Quiz

1. Which airline placed the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing's history in 2025?

a) Emirates b) Qatar Airways c) Singapore Airlines d) United Airlines

2. What significant milestone did Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator achieve in January 2025?

a) Completed its maiden flight b) Reached Mach 2.0 in testing c) Became the first independently developed jet to fly supersonic d) Received FAA certification for passenger service

3. Which US carrier became the first to operate the Airbus A321XLR in December 2025?

a) United Airlines b) Delta Air Lines c) American Airlines d) JetBlue Airways

4. What was the expected global production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for 2025?

a) 500,000 tonnes (0.2% of aviation fuel needs) b) 2 million tonnes (0.7% of aviation fuel needs) c) 5 million tonnes (2% of aviation fuel needs) d) 10 million tonnes (5% of aviation fuel needs)

5. What major regulatory reform did the FAA finalize in July 2025?

a) New drone delivery regulations b) MOSAIC rule modernizing light-sport aircraft regulations c) Mandatory carbon reporting for all airlines d) Supersonic flight corridor approvals

6. In which airspace did Boom's XB-1 conduct its historic supersonic flight?

a) White Sands Missile Range b) Edwards Air Force Base c) Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor over Mojave Desert d) Atlantic Test Range

7. What catastrophic accident occurred in the United States in January 2025, ending a 16-year safety streak?

a) A Boeing 737 MAX crash in Texas b) A Bombardier CRJ700 colliding with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport c) An Airbus A320 crash in California d) A regional aircraft collision in Chicago

8. What innovative capability did Boom announce after XB-1's supersonic flight tests?

a) Trans-Pacific range capability b) "Boomless Cruise" - supersonic flight without audible sonic boom reaching ground c) Fully autonomous supersonic flight d) Hydrogen-powered supersonic engines

9. How many Boeing aircraft did Qatar Airways order during President Trump's Middle East visit in May 2025?

a) 50 aircraft b) 100 aircraft c) 160 aircraft (with options for up to 210) d) 250 aircraft

10. Under the new MOSAIC rule, what percentage of the general aviation fleet became accessible to sport pilots?

a) Approximately 40% b) Approximately 50% c) Approximately 70-75% d) Approximately 90%

Answers

1. b) Qatar Airways

In May 2025, Qatar Airways signed a historic $96 billion order for 160 Boeing widebody aircraft (130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777X aircraft), with options for an additional 50 jets. This deal, announced during President Trump's visit to Qatar, set records as Boeing's largest widebody order ever and the largest 787 order in history.

2. c) Became the first independently developed jet to fly supersonic

On January 28, 2025, Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator broke the sound barrier, reaching Mach 1.122 (750 mph) at 35,290 feet altitude. This marked the first time an independently developed jet achieved supersonic flight and the first civilian supersonic flight since Concorde's retirement in 2003.

3. c) American Airlines

American Airlines became the first US carrier to operate the Airbus A321XLR when it launched service on December 18, 2025, flying from New York JFK to Los Angeles. The aircraft features 20 Flagship Suite business class seats, 12 premium economy seats, and 123 main cabin seats, making American the first airline globally to offer a three-class configuration on the A321XLR.

4. b) 2 million tonnes (0.7% of aviation fuel needs)

According to IATA, Sustainable Aviation Fuel production was expected to reach 2 million tonnes (2.5 billion liters) in 2025, representing approximately 0.7% of global aviation fuel consumption—double the 2024 production. Europe's ReFuelEU Aviation mandate requiring 2% SAF blending came into effect on January 1, 2025.

5. b) MOSAIC rule modernizing light-sport aircraft regulations

The FAA's Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule was announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July 2025. This landmark regulation expands light-sport aircraft to include four-seat aircraft, removes previous weight restrictions, allows up to 61-knot stall speeds, and significantly broadens sport pilot privileges—called the most significant general aviation rule change in 75 years.

6. c) Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor over Mojave Desert

XB-1 conducted its historic first supersonic flight in the same airspace where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947. The test took place at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, with the aircraft breaking the sound barrier three times during its 34-minute flight on January 28, 2025.

7. b) A Bombardier CRJ700 colliding with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport

In January 2025, a Bombardier CRJ700 operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, marking the first major aircraft accident in the United States in 16 years.

8. b) "Boomless Cruise" - supersonic flight without audible sonic boom reaching ground

On February 10, 2025, Boom announced "Boomless Cruise" after XB-1 demonstrated supersonic flight without generating an audible sonic boom that reached the ground. Using Mach cutoff physics—where sonic booms refract in the atmosphere at sufficient altitude—this breakthrough could enable Overture to fly supersonic over land at speeds up to Mach 1.3 without disturbing people on the ground.

9. c) 160 aircraft (with options for up to 210)

Qatar Airways ordered 160 Boeing widebody jets (firm orders) during President Trump's Middle East tour in May 2025, with options for 50 additional aircraft. The order included 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, valued at approximately $96 billion and supporting an estimated 400,000 US jobs.

10. c) Approximately 70-75%

The MOSAIC rule, which took effect on October 22, 2025, made approximately three-quarters of the general aviation fleet accessible to sport pilots, including popular aircraft like the Cessna 172 and Cessna 182. The rule shifted from weight-based classification to performance-based standards, allowing sport pilots to fly aircraft with stall speeds up to 59 knots.

How did you score?

• 9-10 correct: Aviation Expert - You've been following every development!

• 7-8 correct: Aviation Enthusiast - Impressive knowledge of 2025's big stories

• 5-6 correct: Casual Observer - You've caught the major headlines

• 3-4 correct: Room for Growth - Time to read more aviation news in 2026!

• 0-2 correct: New to Aviation - Welcome aboard, there's lots to discover!