It’s time to dive into the year in review, and pick out some highlights, lowlights and everywhere in between in the year.
Like the weekly updates, I’ve gone through some of the choicer articles, and a line of comment too. I’ve split this into monthly articles, as well as a section dedicated to real world experiences.
January
- New BA Shorthaul seating plans slip out – And is now live aboard the A320neo fleet
- British Airways improves its World Traveller catering options – but is it enough?
- New Ryanair Hand Luggage Policy – the first of two changes went into effect.
- Smart Luggage changes now in-force (can you remove the battery?) – Smart Luggage. Nice Idea. Shame about the LiIon batteries.
- The A380 life support continues – Emirates sign for more of the SuperJumbo. – Airbus secures another order for the A380. But is it enough to keep the megaplane flying long-term?
- ATR returns to the USA with Silver Airways – Good news for Turboprop maker ATR with a big order in the book
- The saga of Niki: Niki Lauda to resume ownership, welcome “LaudaMotion” – and this wasn’t the end of the saga… by a long way.
- Lufthansa group to introduce a standard shorthaul fleet – and yes, everyone gets crammed in. Seating by Gevan
- US ITC rejects Boeing injury claims in Bombardier C Series case – And Airbus gets the spoils of war as Bombardier considers is aviation future.
- Airbus flies the A321LR for the first time – Long Range Narrow bodies take flight
February
The new Lufthansa paintwork, Image, Lufthansa
- Cathay Pacific adds Yoga lessons to its IFE system – because you can do yoga in an Economy seat amazingly.
- Lufthansa’s new colour scheme leaked – Bye bye Yellow, Hello Blue – Worst. Design. Decision. Of. The. Year.
- The Boeing 747-8 programme is thrown a lifeline – UPS orders 14 more freighters – Good news for the Jumbo. But it’ll need more orders in 2019 to survive.
- AirAsia X to move airport in Melbourne – Cost saving move. But not ideal for the passenger.
- The Boeing 737 MAX 7 rolls out for the first time… but where are the orders? – I’m still hearing crickets on this one.
- The saga of the East Coast Main Line: Virgin-Stagecoach to hand back franchise – And the East Coast Saga goes on. And on.
- Eurostar sets the date for its Amsterdam service – And I got ride it in May.
- Emirates firms up order for up to 36 Airbus A380s – The work of January pays off in February.
- London City Airport Re-opens for business after World War II ordinance was found in the Albert Dock – and let’s hope they don’t find more when they upgrade the airport
- Back to the Future – the Nokia Bananna phone returns (8110 4G) – You too can be Neo in The Matrix with the updated Banana Phone.
- Lost property on Aer Lingus? It’s going to cost money to get back…. – One word: Ouch.
- First Airbus A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range) heads towards the paint shop – because every plane needs a decent coat of paint
March
Emirates new Boeing 777-200LR seating. Image, Emirates
- British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia and Finnair launch Transatlantic Hand Baggage Only Fares – the march of modularisation and making things more complex continues, as airlines try to take the fight to Norwegian.
- Wizz Air to launch nine new destinations from its planned Vienna hub – The battle of Vienna is joined.
- Emirates to introduce six across business class seating on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft – About time Emirates. Now get on with the rest of your Boeing 777 fleet please…
- Virgin Atlantic announces new Economy Class Products (and yes, there’s a Basic Economy fare too) – If you’re surprised, please hold.
- Lufthansa introduces optional “a la carte dining” meals in Economy Class – Options are good. But how does a premium economy meal stack up. You’ll find out in the second half of the year review.
- First production Embraer E2-190 for Widerøe breaks cover – Yes, Embraer’s new generation E-Jet gets ready to go.
- Austrian Airlines completes its long haul Premium Economy rollout – At least the same cabin is in all aircraft now.
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The 10,000th Boeing 737 rolls out – on target to be delivered to Southwest Airlines – and many more have been delivered since then -
Ryanair to buy 75% of LaudaMotion – A new Austrian outpost? – Well, it’s one way for Ryanair to become an Airbus operator… -
First Boeing 737 MAX 9 heads off to Thai Lion Air – Although things didn’t turn out well in the end with one aircraft lost, and many questions still to be answered. -
Smurf-tastic! The Smurfs now fly with Brussels Airlines with Aerosmurf – And I got to fly it later on in the year…
The saga of British Airways going 10 across
Because this deserves it’s owns section as BA announced it’s 10 across plan by the back door. I take aim and pick away.
British Airways reconfigured 10 across economy seating – Image, British Airways.
- British Airways unveils updated long haul Economy and Premium Economy Seats (10 across Y Class on the way) – My first look at the new changes
- ANALYSIS: The new three-class British Airways Gatwick 777s – How tight are they packing them in? – I run the numbers and get a bit worried.
- The other shoe drops: British Airways confirms 10 across seating coming to Heathrow in Autumn 2019 – And thus, Heathrow will get the new configuration.
April
10 Across seating with Cathay Pacific
- The ultimate fast food shop opens at East Midlands Airport… – Greggs at the Airport. Comfort food in a slice.
- Airbus’s Beluga XL gets its engines – Because a big carrier needs big engines.
- To Fly, To Go Basic: British Airways launches its Basic Fare range – Because. We’re all basic at heart.
- SAS orders Airbus A320neo and A330 aircraft – More neo’s all around
- British Airways opens a new lounge at Rome (Fiumicino) – Because the Terraces concept needs an overall
- Ryanair taps Boeing for another 25 Boeing 737 MAX 200’s – Because Ryanair needs a continual supply of 737s…
- The Airbus A350-900 ULR takes flight for the first time – and a step forward to its delivery to Singapore Airlines
- 10 Across seating on Cathay Pacific – Hong Kong – London route to join the fun – Because no one needs comfort in the air.
Items from Aircraft Interiors Expo
Reporting from Hamburg, I take a look at what’s new and interesting in the world of aircraft interiors
- Spicejet turns to Expliseat for Boeing 737/Bombardier Q400 seating – Not a bad seat at all, for the mission.
- Even in space, you’re going to need interiors… – Virgin Galactic throws down the challenge to interiors makers
- Air Canada selects Gogo 2Ku for its C Series planes – When the C Series was C Series
- KLM sign with JAMCO for new World Business Class seat – A new seat… which I couldn’t see.
- Geven partners with Wizz Air for new Essenza Seats – Get used to the Essenza… it’s going to be everywhere…
- Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace to develop new sleeping areas… in the belly of the plane – A good concept. How it will turn out in the real world…
- Bombardier, Spicejet and Expliseat formally launches its new Q400 seat – See above…
- Qantas signs up for an Airbus A380 cabin modification – more business class seats – Shuffling space on the Whale
- The Skyrider 2.0 … – Oh God no. No no no no no no no no no no no no NO!
- Geven and Lufthansa Group launch their new seat – The Essenza strikes again
- Recaro launch the BL3710 – The new standard in short/mid-haul seating? – I maintain it does, even on a 737. But it would really suit an Airbus A320 operator. Just saying
- Interjet signs for Geven Essenza Seats for its Airbus A320neo – The Essenza strikes again
- China Southern signs for all Recaro Seating on their A350 aircraft – A big win for Recaro.
- Also an Airline, but also other things? Joon presents… – Although the new CEO might want to Ferme the roof-top bar.
- Something every airline needs? The ReTrolley – Recycling in the air is an important thing. ReTrolley shows how.
- The Rebel Aero S:two and Joy – A different approach to seating – And why Rebel might be onto something if an airline cares to think slightly differently
- Lift by Encore 787 Tourist Class Seating – The Evolution Continues – Probably the most important step in 787 seating? Maybe.
- ATR introduces the NeoClassic seat – 18″ Seat width comfort on a TurboProp becomes a reality… – And yes, it is 18″ Seat width. Welcome to comfort in the air.
- Revisiting the Airbus/Zodiac Cargo Deck Compartments Concept – I take another long look at the concept and put my thinking hat on how it can work
- ATR introduces CabinStream – a step-forward in Streaming IFE? – Portable IFE servers are the rage these days. Is the Cabinstream system up to the task?
- Stelia Aerospace’s Celeste Seat – Progress is good – And can more airlines please buy this seat.
- Examining Primera Air’s new seats by Acro – We’ll get onto the saga that is Primera Air soon enough.
- Stelia Aerospace Opal: A new definition of the Business Class seat? – If you’re an airline enjoying pack passengers in, this could be a real boon
- A350 Day and Night: A new pitch on the First Class seat? – A total premium product in an A350 – Some interesting concepts.
- Ethiopian Airlines adds Manchester to its network – and the network grows
- Lift by Encore’s 737 Tourist Class Seat – The right fit? – In some cases, it’s a very good option.
Real world experiences and reports
Some thoughts from my keyboard and the real world. Thoughts, comments and sheer salt.
- What’s in the Intercontinental Ambassadors renewal pack? – Less than you think.
- Ryanair: An example of how to do Mobile ticketing simply – and how quick it is to book a ticket with Ryanair… and how to bypass some of the annoying features
- The Plaza Premium Heathrow T5 Lounge: A viable alternative to BA Galleries? – Adam joins Economy Class and Beyond as a Guest Writer and takes a look at an alternative at Terminal 5
- Which is cheaper? A mid priced fare or a cheap fare with seat reservations? – I look at Brussels Airlines fares – and my head goes *foom*
- REVIEW: The Manchester Airport Escape Lounge (T3) – A viable alternative?
- SNAPSHOT: AA87 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare
- Has the British Airways Economy Class breakfast improved? – Maybe.
- SNAPSHOT: British Airways 296 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow
- TRIP REPORT: Springing to Chicago – With American Airlines and British Airways
- Travel Technology: One reason to buy a Sandisk Extreme Card – Free recovery software!
- Dear Flybe. It’s 2018. Try this exciting thing called “Online Check In”
- SNAPSHOT: FlyBe Birmingham-Hamburg and return
In the next part of the review, we’ll take a look at May, June, July and August.
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