Economy Class & Beyond

What I’m looking forward to at AIX 2015

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Well, tomorrow takes me back to Germany - and somewhere were I haven't been in years - and that's Hamburg (If I'm honest, the last time I was there was when I was... 9 or 10 years old. Considering I'm nearing 40 this year, it's been a long time). Sadly - whilst I'll have little time for sightseeing as I'm going to be busy at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2015. Aircraft … [Read more...]

Copa Airlines signs big – orders Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9s

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Copa Airlines have got the big cash out, with the airline agreeing an order for 61 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft The exact split between the two models have yet to be decided. The planes will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines. At list prices, this order will be worth US$6.6 Billion (although to be honest, I'd be surprised if Copa is paying anywhere near list … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – US Airways Boeing 757-200

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It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some more airplane art. This week, resting between flights in the warm January Honolulu air is an US Airways Boeing 757-200, as it is loaded for the return journey back to the mainland USA. The "former" US Airways operated a fleet of 20 Boeing 757-200 aircraft, 15 configured with an international configuration and five in a … [Read more...]

Two-Class Emirates A380s on the way to Copenhagen

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Another day, another Emirates capacity boost, with the airline upgrading its route between Dubai and Copenhagen - with the airline swapping the existing Boeing 777-300ER for a new variant of the Airbus A380 from 1st December 2015. However, the A380 that will be used in this deployment will be different from the norm in the Emirates fleet - in that it will be a two class … [Read more...]

Finnair to launch A350 services with short and long haul routes

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Finnair - the third Airbus A350 operator (and the first A350 operator in Europe) have announced its plans for the introduction of the A350 into service. Finnair A350 Tail - Image, Airbus via Finnair Finnair will deploy its first Airbus A350 initially on short-haul routes - much like any airline that wishes to boost its crews knowledge and flight hours aboard an … [Read more...]

Emirates to offer double A380s to Zurich

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Emirates is continuing to expand its Airbus A380 operations at Zurich Airport, with the airline swapping out an existing Boeing 777-300ER service, and converting both flights to Airbus A380 operation. Emirates Airbus A380 from above at Heathrow - Image Economy Class and Beyond Flight pair EK85/EK86 will be the flights that are converting over, with EK87/88 remaining as … [Read more...]

Using Points Tactically – Or How I saved £500 or so.

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I'll be honest - my use of points has been restricted in the past mainly to the odd hotel stay, or the odd redemption around Europe (or the long haul Asia trips). However, I don't tend to judge what is a "good" redemption or what is a "bad" redemption. I'd rather say that value is in the eye of the beholder. An example: I once redeemed 18,000 Qantas miles for an … [Read more...]

French Air Traffic Controllers due to go out on Strike (8th and 9th April)

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Time for another strike - this time from the French Air Traffic Controllers who are deciding to spend 48 hours from 06:00CET 8th April to 05:59 10th April. The strike has been called by SNCTA, who are calling for action over working practices as well as the retirement age (currently 59 for air traffic controllers) Airlines have been asked to cut their services, the … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – Delta Air Lines Boeing 717

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It's Easter Sunday, which means firstly - Happy Easter - and secondly, time for some more airplane art. Many thanks to the readers who have put my spotting skill to shame as usual. But then again, you try playing spotting the different between an MD-80, MD-90 or a Boeing 717 (MD-95). On final approach to Chicago O'Hare International airport on a warming spring day (to the … [Read more...]