Economy Class & Beyond

Oman Air joins oneworld alliance

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The alliance's memberships shift again, with Oman Air joining the oneworld alliance. Oman Air becomes the 15th member of oneworld, providing the alliance with a new hub in the Middle East and creating new opportunities for global travel. It will be a full member of the oneworld alliance. The airline, with its hub at Muscat International Airport, serves 42 destinations … [Read more...]

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (28th June

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As we pass from the Summer Solstice and slowly back into the darkening nights, it's another scorcher of a weekend in the City of Birmingham. But time moves on, as it's time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Birmingham City Centre from New Street Station, facing towards The Rountunda (left) and the Bullring centre, with the tracks leading out to London, Coventry, … [Read more...]

Coming to Birmingham for the Black Sabbath Gig? Plan ahead!

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Next week, Black Sabbath will perform for the final time in Birmingham in their farewell gig at Villa Park. But you're going to need to get around, least of all, if you have tickets to the Back To The Beginning Gig. Black Sabbath Bridge and Bench, Broad Street, Birmingham Villa Park/Villa Ground? Villa Park or The Villa Ground is home to Aston Villa Football Club … [Read more...]

London Northwestern Railway introduces its new commuter trains

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Recently, London Northwestern Railway (part of West Midlands Trains) introduced its new trains, the Class 730/2. The electric Class 730/2 fleet is made up of 36 five-carriage trains – a total of 180 new carriages. Like most new electric trains from Alstom (nee Bombardier), these are based on the Aventra family of trains(which is deployed on The Elizabeth Line, London … [Read more...]

Air Canada expands its Air+Rail options, with Lufthansa Rail Express

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Air Canada is expanding its Air+Rail operation with an extension of its codeshare agreement with Lufthansa to include Lufthansa Express Rail services at Frankfurt Airport, operated by Deutsche Bahn. This agreement will allow for intermodal itineraries to be booked in one reservation, offering greater flexibility, more choice, and added convenience to connect with Air … [Read more...]

Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways enhance lounge access benefits for passengers with status passengers from 1st July

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As ITA Airways continues to be further borgified by the Lufthansa Group, frequent flyer benefits continue to be extended. Lufthansa Frequent Travellers (sometimes known as FTL status)  will be able to use the ITA Airways lounges from July 1, 2025 and thus benefit from an even more comprehensive lounge network. This will significantly expand the lounge network, especially … [Read more...]

Delays on the Piccadilly Line – new trains entry-to-service delayed

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For those of you looking forward to riding on the new Piccadilly Line trains (especially for those who travel from Heathrow into Central London), the rollout of the new trains has been delayed. Entry into service is now targeted for the second half of 2026.  The new rolling stock (2024 stock) was originally meant to enter service in 2025. Some trains have been … [Read more...]

Scandinavian Airlines to return to Mumbai!

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Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is preparing to relaunch a route to somewhere it hasn't been for 17 years - Mumbai, India. The move comes as the airline works to expand its intercontinental network, strengthening ties between India and Scandinavia, with smooth transfers to Europe and North America. The route will be a year-round operation, launching on 2nd June 2026.  … [Read more...]

SWISS unveils its first A350-900 – SWISS Wanderlust

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SWISS is nearing the point where it will introduce the Airbus A350-900 into its fleet. The first aircraft has rolled out, with a very different livery, with a story to match The livery - called ‘SWISS Wanderlust’ - was rolled out at Airbus’s Toulouse factory  The delivery of the new Airbus A350 marks a further milestone in the SWISS story. And to mark the … [Read more...]