Economy Class & Beyond

The more things change at 3:15am… 

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The more they stay the same.  Good morning from Digbeth Coach station in the heart of the Irish wiarter in Birmingham.     Well - good is a lie, but it's a term that will suffice.  Sometimes, I don't think the stressful parts of my trips aren't the flying part - it's the part getting to the airport that can be more stressful than not.  Take … [Read more...]

The Case of Two Trips running together….

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So in the constant comedy that are my first world problems  - I appear to have two trips running together. I am heading off to Chicago again shortly, but I have the an added complication of being at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2016 straight after. So, we have complexities coming in already of two trips running in together. Normally a Chicago Trip is a Wednesday to … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – Air France Airbus A320

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It's Sunday again, and it is time for some more airplane art on this Easter Sunday. This week it's an Emirates Airbus A380 landing at Birmingham Airport... Oh did that already. Let's try that again. ;) This week, it's an Air France Airbus A320 holding at the end of runway 15 at Birmingham Airport as it prepares to make the journey back to Paris Charles de … [Read more...]

Emirates commences daily A380 operations from Birmingham

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Whilst it may be Easter Day, the aviation business takes little heed of holidays. As a case in point - today, Emirates began its Airbus A380 operations between Dubai and Birmingham Airport. I of course was on the spot, covering the launch – and the plane touching down at Birmingham Airport A6-EOR was the plane of the day that commenced the formal start of A380 … [Read more...]

Brussels Airport to remain shut until at least Tuesday

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Brussels Airport is remaining shut after the attack on it on Tuesday. Earliest predictions from the airport now put reopening back until the 29th March at the earliest. Meanwhile, car parks are reopening to allow owners to pick up their cars, and some baggage can make its way home to its owners. Brussels Airlines are still operating out of Liege and Antwerp as … [Read more...]

Cathay Pacific’s first A350 takes to the air

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Another day, and another A350 takes to the sky for a new customer. This time the customer is Cathay Pacific. Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900, Image - Airbus Cathay Pacific has 48 Airbus A350 aircraft on order, split with 22 A350-900 and the 26 A350-1000. The A350-900s will be used to replace older A340-300s and Boeing 777-200s, replacing them on medium to long haul … [Read more...]

Easter Railway Engineering Works in the UK

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If it's a public holiday, it must be time the railways have a partial shut-down to allow for engineering works. Full works have announced at www.nationalrail.co.uk/easter, but for those who want a bite-sized version, here's my take (featuring airport connections). Heathrow Airport The good news is that we actually a have a service this Easter period (compared to … [Read more...]

Brussels Airport – closed through 25th March

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After the attack at Brussels Airport yesterday (22nd March), authorities were hoping to re-open the airport quickly. Sadly, this isn't going to happen, with Brussels Airport closed through 25th March. From the Brussels Airport site - http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/alarm/69875/. Those who are considering travel to Brussels Airport should check this regularly for … [Read more...]

Air Berlin suspends Stuttgart to Abu Dhabi route

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It seems that Etihad/Air Berlins plan to feed more traffic into its Abu Dhabi hub has taken a knock, with Air Berlin suspending its operation between Stuttgart and Abu Dhabi in June. Air Berlin Airbus A320 pushing back at Frankfurt Airport - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. The daily route - currently operated by an Airbus A320 - will be formally suspended on 1st June 2016, … [Read more...]

Air Canada signs with GoGo for International WiFi coverage

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Air Canada will be expanding its WiFi offering from the autumn. The airline will be expanding WiFi coverage from its North America network to a full international operation. Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER at Toronto Pearson International Airport (also operating to Vancouver) - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Air Canada will be using GoGo's 2Ku product - which allows for … [Read more...]