Economy Class & Beyond

Japan/Asia 2012 Trip – More pictures and Videos Online!

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As my body hasn't adjusted to any time zone change this trip (and trust me - it's rather annoying), I've been busy uploading content for the trip report. And there's a LOT of it. Preparing for the off - http://www.photoblog.com/kevincm/2012/02/19/preparing-for-the-off.html To Birmingham Airport, Birmingham to Frankfurt with BMI (Lufthansa) … [Read more...]

Peach Aviation takes to the Air

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Well the Japanese Low Cost Carrier war has finally engaged, with Peach Aviation taking to the air yesterday. The first two domestic runs - Osaka's Kansai International Airport  to New Chitose Airport and Osaka-Fukuoka have now commenced, operating 3 times daily services between these cities. Coming soon are the Osaka-Kagoshima service and a twice-daily Osaka-Nagasaki … [Read more...]

Singapore Changi: The LCC’s are coming to T2 as the Budget Terminal is shut for rebuilding

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In plans to expand further, it seems Singapore Changi Airport will be doing a big shuffle over the next few months, with the current "Budget Terminal" closing, and a new Terminal - to be known to all as Terminal 4 to provide Low Cost Carrier Facilities. The current budget terminal was opened in 2006, and expanded in 2008 to handle 4.6 million passengers a year. This alas … [Read more...]

Singapore Airlines to increase fuel surcharges

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Not so good news if you're planning to fly Singapore Airlines in the future, with them announcing that fuel surcharges are on the way up. Like most carriers, it's being stung by the cost of fuel, and has kindly decided to pass that onto the customer. Which isn't nice The surcharge is dependent on Class of Service and Distance from Singapore, applying to all Singapore … [Read more...]

Nothing says welcome home like delays and packed commuter trains

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Well arriving back in London was a mistake at peak time. Firstly it seems the Great Western Mainline was on one today, with a 30 minute delay thanks to delayed freight trains and incorrectly suspected signals... and trouble getting into Paddington itself. The taxi driver wasn't as much as a rip off agent as some of the back cab drivers are, and got me to Marleybone in a … [Read more...]

Last stop in Korea: Back to Incheon

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Well a nice short over has come to an end, and therefore it's time to begin to end this long burn trip. But first, there is a (hopefully) lovely flight coming up with Asiana coming up. I'm just dreading the final bit of the journey - from Heathrow, through London, and finally back to Birmingham. And whilst I could take a coach home... I'm sure you'll understand that I'll … [Read more...]

IAG (BA+Iberia) numbers are out and good…

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The IAG Group has released its latest numbers, and all is going well it seems, making profits of £410 million. £190m in 2010, with revenues up 10.4 per cent. Pre-tax profit was up from £70m in 2010, to £426m However, with all these good numbers, there is a heck of a sting in the tail. And that's in the form of the Air Passenger Duty collected, which comes in at a whopping … [Read more...]

Emirates introduce a varible fuel surcharge

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It seems even the darling of the Middle Eastern airlines - Emirates -  is suffering with the current round of fuel prices and is to institute fuel surcharges on its flights The airline will be introducing the surcharge for all tickets issued from 1st March 2012. Of course, like any surcharge it's comparatively confusing depending on you're going and the class you're … [Read more...]

O’Leary on the 737-MAX… APD and “Boris Island”

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The shy and retiring CEO of Ryanair Michael O'Leary has looked at the new 737-MAX project. And his words on it could be worrying for Boeing with the amount of planes Ryanair has ordered in the past. Talks are ongoing, but the shy CEO stated that re-engineered plane is a "dog's dinner of a design", and that it had been drawn "on the back of a fag packet as a response to the … [Read more...]