Economy Class & Beyond

LO: Not a whole LOT of fun – LOT’s 787’s delayed to April 2012

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It's that time of the week to bash the 787 project again, and the news comes in from Boeing and LOT that the delivery of LOT's first 787 has been pushed back to April 2012.The delivery schedule has now been modified to so the first unit arrives in April, and the other four will arrive between August and November 2012. LOT notes: "In the light of this information, and of the … [Read more...]

IB: Memo signed – 8 Airbus A330’s on the way

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Well International Airlines Group has been busy, with an annoucemnt they've signed an Memorandum of Understanding for new Airbus aircraft.They are looking at aquiring 8 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with options for a further 8.Subject to negotiations and agreements, these are in line for delivery between Autum 2011 and spring 2014, with the aim of withdrawing Iberia's Airbus A340 … [Read more...]

CO: Another Day, Another Cut.

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It seems that the Continental side of United is aligning itself more to United, with the removal of free inflight snacks on US Domestic runs. Or as we know them better - the oversalted pretzels that are in a bag so tough to get into, yet so few of them. It's actually quite sad - Continental were the last hold out of free in-flight meals in all classes up till a year or so … [Read more...]

Buggies – controlled and about time too

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This as you know is a travel blog. And alas, travel sometimes involves... Buses.Now, as we all know, buses are hateful things that 1) never turn up on time 2) overloaded when I get on and 3) full of buggies it seems in the West Midlands.Why do I hate buggies?Well it's the not the buggies per say I hate - it's more of the the people who push them around, who seem to think the … [Read more...]

Airplane p0rn – Air Canada Jazz CRJ-200

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It's Sunday again, so it's time for some airplane p0rn. This week, it's an Air Canada Jazz CRJ-200 (what some consider the lousiest excuse of a plane - and I'd agree) taxing in the evening sunset at Washington Dulles International More of course, next week! … [Read more...]

OA: Drops Routes, starts new ones, blames the EU.

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Olympic Airways are in a bit of a pickle after the European Union comptetion commision denied them a merger with Aegean Airlines. Whilst Olympic and Aegean are going to appeal, the troubles are now manfesting in route cuts from:Brussels London HeathrowLondon GatwickParis ViennaThese Services will end on the 27th March. Instead Olympic will focus on South Eastern Europe with … [Read more...]

ME: SkyTeam confirms MEA to join.

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The "Quality" airline alliance that is SkyTeam has confirmed that MEA is to join the alliance after negotiations.This makes it the second Middle Eastern airline to sign up to SkyTeam (along with Saudi Arabian Airlines)Membership is set for 2012, allowing system integration and code-share integration.MEA operates a fleet 15 aircraft, mainly Airbus A330-200s, A321-200s and … [Read more...]

LH: Project A380 – Full speed ahead

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Lufthansa has completed it's first run from Frankfurt to New York JFK International, and has announced it's expecting it's A380 delivery scheduled to be unaffected after the Qantas QF32 Incident.The Lufthansa A380 fleet will be up to 8 members by the summer of 2011. The JFK service is a prelude to the second A380 service operated by Lufthansa - to San Francisco. In addition, … [Read more...]

TC: Yes – even Charter Operators are now having to pile on fuel surcharges

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In what will come as a shock to some, the Tour operator Thomas Cook has decided to levy a fuel surcharge. This is due to the spike in fuel prices.For Short Haul Holidays (Think Europe), you're looking at £15 a person a holiday. For Long Haul Holidays (Anywhere else), it's now £40 extra. The surcharge will apply to all new bookings that include a Thomas Cook flight … [Read more...]