We’re fast approaching the peak of the Christmas and New Year travel season. So before you dive into suitcases tote to the airport, it’s time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond.
What a giant babble you have – St Peters Square, Manchester.
This week has been nothing but pure hell at Economy Class and Beyond towers, thanks to a coward who lives in Dowling Street, with many late nights in the office, working whatever miracle I can make happen as we rush into the Christmas and New Year “break”. Although it seems my break is rapidly turning from “being on leave” to “On-Call”.
But still. Anything to cover a party when you shouldn’t have had one, eh?
Travel restrictions changes
- UK Government to abandon Red List. Again – Well, that lasted long before everything went to pot, didn’t it?
New Aircraft News
- Qantas to switch to Airbus Narrow-body aircraft – The first big blow, with the airline booking Airbus A321XLR and A220 aircraft
- KLM and Transavia to abandon Boeing and order Airbus narrow-body aircraft – and more Airbus A320neo family aircraft. And some A350F aircraft too.
- Singapore Airlines selects its new freighter aircraft – The Airbus A350F – Big Freighter. Heavy Freighter.
- French Bee takes delivery of their A350-1000… with a LOT of seats – 480 seats. Wowzer
Routes and Networks
- British Airways firms up its “new” Gatwick operation – 35 routes announced – welcome back to Gatwick. Looks like BA on the outside. Tastes like BA. Actually operated by BA Euroflyer
- More Transatlantic options for Summer 2022 from AA, AY, BA, EI, and IB – “and with our powers combined…”
Passenger Experience
- ANA unveils its Domestic Boeing 787-9 seats – More tight seat densities. But at least there will be IFE screens installed
IFE
- American Airlines signs Thales to provide IFE systems for their A321XLR and B787-9 – it seems that AA will happily rip out screens from domestic operations, and leave them on long haul and premium routes
Travel Technology
- Travel Technology – The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 – Entry-level fitness tracker… or e-Waste? – It’s not awful by a long show – but check the data it gathers about you…
Pretty Pictures
Next Week
With Omicron darkening the travel clouds, countries are taking action already to secure borders or initutute additional checks and requirements. This is going to be important as we head into the main holiday rush.
I’ll be on the clock through the break – sadly it seems a Christmas break is receeding into the darkness quickly.
For now – stay safe out there and if you’re flying – Happy landings!
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, featuring in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
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