Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (17th June)

We’re in the midst of a scorching summer (along with the thunderstorms and such), but things here continue as they ever do.

This means it’s Saturday evening, I’m in a Starbucks writing this and it’s time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond.

A busy Saturday evening on Broad Street, Birmingham. 

AIX Post-Show Coverage

We’ve kicked off our Aircraft Interiors Expo Post Show Coverage. This is the time were I dig beyond the headlines and look at some of the ideas, products and concepts shown

• Delta Flight Products unveils the Air4All Demonstrator – The most important demonstration of AIX? – I maintain this was the most essential development of AIX this year.
• ATR Aircraft unveils new premium cabin options – Introducing ATR Highline – It’s amazing what you can do with a 72-seater Turboprop and the possibilities it offers
• Airbus launches the Airspace Cabin for the Airbus A220 Family – Changes inbound to the A220, starting as an option in 2025.

Snapshots

Some snapshots from my recent Hamburg Trip. Two so far, a third to come next week.

• British Airways 974 London Heathrow to Hamburg (CLUB EUROPE)

Passenger Experience

• Emirates to add its Premium Economy product to two routes to India – Good news for A380 travellers between Dubai and India
• Austrian Airlines to introduce “Tastefully Austrian” – a new dining concept – Good news, The Viennese coffee service is back
• Qantas unveils more “Project Sunrise” information, with Premium Economy and Economy Seating – Planning to spend 22 hours in a carbon fibre and titanium tube? Here’s what it will look like inside.

Routes and Networks

• Qantas and Jetstar to set up a base at West Sydney International Airport – What’s that Skippy? Are they setting up a base 27 miles away from Central Syndey near the Blue Mountains? We’ve got to go and help?
• Ryanair to add Tirana (Albania) to its network – A new gateway for the carrier as it continues to extend its reach
• British Airways to add Fuerteventura to its Gatwick network – Winter Sun and fun from Gatwick
• Finnair to add Wroclaw and capacity across its network for Summer 2024 – European expansion for Finnair in Summer 2024. Yes, Summer ’24 announcements are a thing
• Air Canada to launch Vancouver to Singapore – Back to Changi after a 30 year or so break.

Pretty Pictures

• Condor Airbus A320 (old livery) at Hamburg Airport

 Next Week

It’s the Paris Air Show next week, with most of the aviation media camped out (along with movers, shakers and buyers) at Le Bourget.

And as you’ve probably guessed, I’m covering this from the comfort of a coffee shop. I have reasons not to be in Paris sadly  (and not just time I can take off to enjoy the heat and miles of walking at Le Bourget).

Economy Class and Beyond will be conducting its usual coverage – and that means we’ll be firing up a “Daily Digest” of orders, letters of intent, and memorandums of understanding, going through the headlines and condensing them into one convenient post (usually around 19:00/20:00BST/20:00/21:00CET).

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Beyond Paris, we’ll be continuing our post-AIX coverage, with news, views from the show, as well as our usual news – however thin it might be.

Until then, Happy Landings!