Economy Class & Beyond

Still got a BMI Credit Card? Your Avios earning has increased… by LOTS!

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For those holdouts who have clung onto their last bit of BMI - the credit card - there is some excellent news from MBNA. In summary: A minor rebrand from "BMI Credit Card" to "Diamond Club Credit Card" Enhanced earn rate Double Miles on British Airways flight purchases with flights departing from the UK 10% Discount on British Airways flight purchases depending on … [Read more...]

FlyBe in talks of sale of slots

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Flybe isn't having a great time of it at moment and whilst its business model appears sound, it hasn't been pulling in the profits - rather making losses. The airline has been a source of speculation on the BBC - who are suggesting slots at Gatwick Airport could be sold, which has forced FlyBe to come out with a statement: "Flybe notes the recent speculation in the press. The … [Read more...]

First Airbus A350-900 rolls out of the paint shop

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.... and she's looking rather nice in Airbus house colours:   Images - Airbus S.A.S. MSN001 is getting though tests, engine installations and is being prepared for the finally battery of tests it will need to go under to allow clearance for its first flight this summer. And depending what products are installed in this plane, this could become a … [Read more...]

Etihad and South African Airlines form a Strategic Partnership

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Etihad and  South African Airways are expanding their other reaches it seems with a new partnership agreement. The agreement will initially cover codeshares on flights, as well as the option to examine options on joint procurement, training and maintenance. Etihad will place its EY code on SAA flights from Johannesburg to ten region destinations covering South Africa, … [Read more...]

Richard Branson becomes Air Asia X’s latest flight attendant…

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It seems Virgin boss Richard Branson has finally settled a bet with Tony Fernandes of Air Asia over who's F1 team would rank higher 2 and bit years ago. And now we see the results. Two words come to mind. Oh Dear. Images - Richard Branson's Blog - http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/lady-in-red Additional images (not for the faint hearted) are at the … [Read more...]

FlyBe to introduces fare locking

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UK Regional carrier FlyBe is trying a new tactic - Fare Locking. If you're looking at flights, but have yet to formalise anything, you can either spend £5 for a group or £1.99 per sector to hold a price for 24 hours. This will allow you formalise travellers.  If you do not take up the farelock, the fee will be refunded. The fares are included are their Essentials and New … [Read more...]

ANA prepares to resume 787 flights

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All Nippon Airlines is gearing up for flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner again. According to the airline: We have decided to resume the operation of our Boeing 787 fleet from  1 June 2013, after assuring first that required improvements are  undertaken and that the safety of the aircraft is fully secured. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern caused by … [Read more...]

Qatar Airways to launch Doha to Philadelphia

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Qatar Airways will be launching a route from Doha to Philadelphia. This will be first route that connects the Gulf region directly from Philadelphia to commence in 2014 with a daily service. Exact detail below: QR727 DEPART DOH 0:100 ARRIVE PHL 07:50 PHL 77W D QR728 DEPART PHL 10:40 ARRIVE DOH 06:15+1DOH 77W D Commences 02 April 2014 Operates Daily Booked … [Read more...]

Japan Airlines firms up 787 route relaunches

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Japan Airlines is on track it seems with its 787 fleet testing as it confirms the routes that are to resume/commence on the 1st June. In addition, JAL will have a second crack of launching the the Narita-Helsinki route due on the 1st July which was suspended initially due the the 787 grounding. The Japan Airlines 787 route list looks like this: From 1st June - Tokyo Narita … [Read more...]

Bombardier CSeries moves closer to first flight

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One jet I haven't talked much about is the upcoming Bombardier CSeries aircraft. The CSeries is going to be the next step up from the CRJ series of aircraft, with a design that would hold from 110 to 150 people in an aircraft. The first unit will be the CS100, with capacity for 110-125 passengers. The plane would be powered by 2 Pratt and Whitney PW 1500G Geared Turbofan … [Read more...]