Economy Class & Beyond

Etihad introduces Gold Elite

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Following on from Emirates, Etihad Airways have introduced their own top level programme - Gold Elite. To get Gold Elite you'll need to fly in 12 months: 125,000 tier miles or 60 tier segments For flying that many miles, you'll get the following benefits: - 75% bonus miles (up from 50% of the current Gold tier), - Access to the Etihad's Diamond first class check-in desks … [Read more...]

So where are passengers booking seats on a plane? BA tells you…

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So you're heading aboard a BA 747. And apart from 1A/1K, you know you're turning right and heading to the back of the plane. Which seat did you pick? Which one was there a hot fight over? British Airways seems to have the answers in this latest bit of fluff PR.... Window pips aisle in popularity (BA receives six per cent more bookings for window seats than aisle) Twin … [Read more...]

American Airlines to commence ERJ-175 service in August

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American is commence with Embarer ERJ-175's from 1st August 2013. The route list is far and wide, operating from American's Chicago Hub. The following services will switch - note that not all rotations will be operated with ERJ-175's and maybe operated with other equipment. As usual, check when you book, and don't make the mistake of booking a flight just for a specific … [Read more...]

LionAir crash at Bali – All survived

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LionAir Flight JT904 from Bandung to Denpasar (Bali/Indonesia) today landed short of the runway at Denpasar, ending up in the ocean about short of runway 09. All passengers and crew survived the impact, however there are at least seven passengers who were with head wounds and broken bones, whilst most passengers only had with wet clothes and bruises. 101 passengers and 7 … [Read more...]

Korean Air formalises 44% stake in CSA

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Skyteam member Korean Air has taken a 44% share in fellow member CSA Czech Airlines This will split the ownership of CSA Czech Airlines between the Czech Republic (56%) and Korean Air (44%). There is a provision that Korean Air must have a holding of 34% for up to five years. Korean Air will expand its network at Prague, with increased codeshares on CSA and connection … [Read more...]

Porter to head towards Bombardier C Series CS100

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Porter Airlines of Canada have signed a conditional order for 12 Bombardier C Series Aircraft - CS100's - with options for an additional 18, with purchase rights for an additional 6 Dash8-Q400's. The purchase of the aircraft is subject to an expanion of the runway at Toronto City Billy Bishop Airport  - which require approval from the authorities to expand the airport, as … [Read more...]

Emirates to launch a service to Stockhom

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Emirates continues its Scandinavian expansion by serving Stockholm - It's 2nd Scandinavian destination after Copenhagen. The service between Dubai and Stockholm looks a little like this EK157 DEPART DXB 07:15 ARRIVE ARN 12:00 EK158 DEPART ARN 13:55 ARRIVE DXB 22:25 Commences: 4th September 2013 Equipment Booked: Boeing 777-300ER ina 3 class As you're all probably … [Read more...]

Turkish Airlines signs for more narrowbody aircraft – this time 737’s…

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Turkish Airlines is busy bolstering its future fleet. After the announcement it was purchasing Airbus A320neo aircraft, the airline has gone to Boeing to further expand its fleet The airline will be ordering 95 aircraft - 70 on a new order, 25 on options. The break down is a mixed group: 65 Boeing 737-8 MAX 10 Boeing 737-9 MAX 20 Boeing 737-800's Delivery of the aircraft … [Read more...]

Emirates granted “Fifth Freedom” fights from Milan to New York

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In an interesting development, the Italian government has granted Emirates "Fifth Freedom" flying rights to operate between Milan-Malpensa and New York-JFK. The service will be a continuation of the Dubai - Milan service, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER The schedule looks a little like this: EK205 DEPART DXB 09:05 ARRIVE MXP 13:50 DEPART MXP 16:00 ARRIVE JFK … [Read more...]

Boeing completes 787 re-certification flight

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It seems Boeing has completed its testing with the 787 with a second flight to prove the battery fix the airframer has designed as it's "final certification for (return to) flight". The test flight was conducted with a LOT Polish Airlines 787 with a 2 hour sortie. Boeing state: "The crew reported that the certification demonstration plan was straightforward and the … [Read more...]