It’s time for me to look back on my year in flying, as I dive into my numbers.
The big numbers for 2024 – a much busier year than previous years. If 2023 was the year I started flying again, 2024 was back into travel mode.
| Route | Carrier | Distance | Equipment | Class of Service |
| BHX-DUB | Ryanair | 200 | Boeing 737-800 | Y |
| DUB-PHL | American Airlines | 3272 | Boeing 787-8 | C |
| PHL-SFO | American Airlines | 2521 | Airbus A321neo | C |
| SFO-JFK | American Airlines | 2586 | Airbus A321 | C |
| JFK-LHR | American Airlines | 3451 | Boeing 777-200ER | C |
| LHR-DUB | British Airways | 280 | Airbus A320neo | C |
| DUB-LCY | BA CityFlyer | 298 | Embraer E190 | C |
| LHR-ORD | American Airlines | 3953 | Boeing 787-8 | Y |
| ORD-LHR | British Airways | 3953 | Boeing 777-200ER | C |
| LHR-HAM | British Airways | 464 | Airbus A321neo | C |
| HAM-LHR | British Airways | 464 | Airbus A320neo | C |
| LHR-ARN | British Airways | 911 | Airbus A320 | C |
| HEL-HKG | Finnair | 4859 | Airbus A350-900 | C |
| HKG-SIN | Cathay Pacific | 1587 | Airbus A350-900 | C |
| SIN-BKK | Jetstar Asia | 876 | Airbus A320 | Y |
| BKK-HEL | Finnair | 4916 | Airbus A350-900 | C |
| BMA-HEL | Finnair (Norra) | 253 | ATR72-500 | Y |
| HEL-BMA | Finnair (Norra) | 253 | ATR72-500 | Y |
| ARN-LGW | Norweigan Air Shuttle (Sweden) | 919 | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | Y |
| LHR-ORD | American Airlines | 3953 | Boeing 787-9 | Y |
| ORD-LHR | British Airways | 3953 | Boeing 787-10 | Y |
Total 21 Segements, 43,922 miles of service flown.
This year has been a lot more “flying for me” rather than just the usual mix. Here’s the list of trips I documented:
- Polishing Silver – A Tier Point run with Ryanair, American Airlines and British Airways – BHX-DUB (FR), DUB-PHL, PHL-SFO, SFO-JFK, JFK-LHR (AA), LHR-DUB, DUB-LCY (BA)
- Surprise, Surprise! Transatlantic surprises with American Airlines and British Airways – LHR-ORD (AA), ORD-LHR (BA)
- Exploring Innovation in Passenger Experience… in a rush – To Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024 with British Airways – LHR-HAM, HAM-LHR (BA)
- Taking the Long Way (and Back) to Singapore – with Finnair, NoRRA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Jetstar and Norweigan Air Shuttle – LHR-ARN (BA), BMA-HEL, HEL-HKG (AY), HKG-SIN (CX), SIN-BKK (3K), BKK-HEL, HEL-BMA (AY), ARN-LGW (D8)
- There and Back Again – Catching up with friends with Chicago with oneworld airlines – LHR-ORD (AA), ORD-LHR (BA)
Breaking the segments down
Class of Service
I’m honest – I’m surprised at this, with business class becoming much more of a sight than in previous years, with 13 business class segments and eight economy class flights. No premium economy segments showed up for me this year.
| Short Haul Economy | 5 |
| Short Haul Business | 8 |
| Long Haul Economy | 3 |
| Long Haul Business | 5 |
Legacy airlines continue to dominate for me, with only Ryanair, Jetstar Asia and Norweigan Air Shuttle showing up in the LCC category. Everyone else is a legacy.
Aircraft
Whilst a tube with wings and an engine is just that, some love makes and models. Short Haul, it’s mostly been an Airbus show, with only a smattering of Boeing 737s and ATRs. Equipment is almost a 50/50 balance between single and narrowbody… with a smattering of regional flying.
| Regional Aircraft | 3 |
| Single Aisle | 8 |
| Widebody | 7 |
In the long haul, it’s mostly Boeing, split between the classic 777-200ER and its upstart – the 787, with the A350 taking the rear.
Oh, there are two ATRs and a single Embraer too. Can’t forget that.
New to me
In terms of airlines, both Jetstar Asia and Norweigan Air Shuttle are new to me this year.
Hiding Jetstar A320
as well as flying on a Boeing 737 MAX for the first time (how I’ve skipped them until now, I’m struggling to work out).
In terms of products, a lot of new things, from Finnair’s AirLounge, American Airlines Concept D, and British Airways Club Suite (Collins Vector) right down the Series 3ST on Norra. You can take a look at my thoughts on seating here
In terms of airports, Stockholm Bromma was the only one completely new to me airport – and that could be at serious risk as BRA withdraws from the facility.
Otherwise, the only new facility was Singapore Changi Terminal 4.
Changi Terminal 4 Arrivals hall
Next Year
After the announcement by British Airways, change is in the air. I do have complete my Silver requalification – but at the numbers British Airways wants (and unless cooler minds prevail), I will be looking for a status match or a way out of “The Club”.
A year of change is ahead, I strongly suspect.
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