It’s time to continue a review of 2014 as seen through my eyes, as I recap the ups and downs of the aviation world during the year. In this episode, I’m going to look back from April to June.
April
- British Airways bumps up its cancellation fees. Wonderful.
- Air Canada defects from Airbus and buys Boeing 737 MAX aircraft
- Delta moves in with Virgin Atlantic at Heathrow Terminal 3
- ANA retires the Boeing 747 from service
- Delta introduces an amenity kit… for economy class passengers
- American Airlines announces new seats on their 777-200ERs. Expect it to be tight down the back
- Cathay Pacific is to return to Manchester UK
- US Airways and American Airlines begin to crossfleet
- Worst catering idea ever? Fish and Chips on BA.
- I take a long hard look at the 10 across club – who operates them with Boeing 777, and analyse the configuration of these planes that are built for economists… and not for those flying in economy
- Lufthansa charges for advanced seat assignment
- Air Canada has a funny way of treating luggage
- Oyster Cards. They’re valid a bit beyond London.
- Sri Lankan Airlines join oneworld
May
- Emirates add Brussels to its network
- Etihad launches their new cabins
- An airline tries to crowdfunds (and succeeds)
- The MRJ breaks cover
- Air Asia India gets the formal nod
- Virgin America gets gates at Dallas Love Field
- Doha’s new airport opens and everyone moves
- I take a hard look at the British Airways Golden Ticket programme
- Air Canada gets its first 787
- I look at British Airways Hand Baggage Only Fares, and how to use them on a daytrip
- Asiana reveals their A380 interior pictures
- Bombardier tidy up their CRJ-900 for American Airlines
- I demonstrate how to use Proactive Upgrades on British Airways
- I continue the long term test of my Canon 100D – is it any good?
- The CSeries programme took a major knock with a major engine failure
June
- Monarch introduces non-reclinable seats
- Air Canada to go daily on it’s A319 London to St Johns Newfoundland service
- Emirates to introduce an A380 to Frankfurt
- Virgin Atlantic announce the Upper Class onesie. Really?
- Three UK introduces new roaming options – including the USA at zero charge.
- Emirates say no to the A350
- The UK Passport agency shows it’s incompetent. Again.
- I like Paris. But…
- The Boeing 787-9 is cleared for entry into service.
- British Airways introduce a new slimline seat for its short haul network. Oh dear.
- Emirates announce Houston and San Francisco routes
- I talk about the rise of Bring your own IFE devices.
- Etihad sniffs around Alitalia… and decides it wants to buy 49% of it
- Azul gets its first long haul A330
- BA goes after Flybe and CityJet to launch a service to Dublin
- Newark gets Automated Passport Clearance desks. I look at them later in the year.
- Virgin Atlantic pens in its Boeing 787-9 operations.
Up next: July to September!
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