Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (29th July)

It’s that time of the week again – with week one of the school holidays done and the thoughts of Christmas Chocolate buckets already on the horizon, it’s time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. 

The Raging Bull (or Ozzy the Bull) from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, is now in his new home at Birmingham New Street Station. And yes, it moves. 

TRIP REPORT: Back to Innovation, Back to Hamburg.

We’re… progressing slowly through this. Most of the stuff has been written now, with images finding their homes so hopefully, I might pick up the pace… depending on the real world(tm).

• When Charging Cables go missing (or a trip to Saturn) 
• Sights of Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 (What you might have missed)

Passenger Experience

• UK Border to allow eGate use for persons over 10 years old – More chances to get stuck at the eGates
• Air Canada moves to Dubai International Terminal 3 to co-locate with Emirates – Well, it might shorten the walks a little at Dubai.
• The Ultimate Catering Experience on the ground? Greggs opens a branch at London Gatwick Airport – One Steak Bake, please.
• Lufthansa expands pre-flight meal selection, whilst boosting other passenger experiences – Well, pre-flight ordering is a plus. Good kid’s entertainment too. Powered coffee… meh.

Aircraft News

• Return of the SuperJumbo – Etihad Airways returns its Airbus A380 to service – ITS BACKKKKKKKK
• easyJet’s fleet renewal continues – One-Fifth, now A320neo family… – Over 60 NEOs now. All Airbus has to do is keep up with production rates…

The Business of Aviation

• Iberia joins the British Airways/Qatar Airways Joint Venture – It’s amazing what you can do when you own a percentage of a company.
• UK Civil Aviation Authority takes enforcement action against Wizz Air, opens the path to claims – Time to pay up, Wizz Air.

IFEC

• SWISS to offer free long-haul messaging as it revamps its connectivity options – Bye-bye, pay per Megabyte.

Pretty Pictures

• British Airways Airbus A320neo “Better World”

Next Week

With some of the bigger parts of the trip report unlocked, I should be able to get maybe three parts out next week (trust me, writing trip reports are harder than it looks).

On top of that, we’ve got a busy summer season still, with airlines still producing headlines in what normally is a quiet time of year. We’ll keep an eye on things that amuse me over the coming week.

Until then, Happy Landings!