Economy Class & Beyond

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...]

FTA Awards: BMI wins a Special Recognition Award

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Those of you with long memories will remember GhettoIFE's home airline (before I switched to British Airways) of bmi  British Midland International, and the joy of BMI Diamond Club Why was it so filled with joy? It had great value redemptions, it was easy to earn miles, easy to obtain and retain status and apart from the ICC, it had one of the first social media outlets … [Read more...]

Well that could had been worse….

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And we learn that not all AA Y seats are the same. This is one row back from the seat I sat at last time on an AA 777. Just a TAD more space than last time. Now time to rest at my usual haunt for a while, before the madness of a Chicago weekend kicks in... … [Read more...]

IAG to firm up more 787’s

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International Airlines Group - the owners of British Airways and Iberia is planning to convert the 18 options it has for Boeing 787 aircraft into orders. The 787's will be used in part to replace existing Boeing 747-400 aircraft in the British Airways fleet. Deliveries are scheduled from 2017 to 2021. Currently, IAG has orders for 24 787's - split into eight 787-8's and … [Read more...]

Air Samoa introduces “pay by weight”… Including how much you weigh…

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Samoa Air isn't that bigger carrier if I'm honest - covering American Samoa routes. However, it has introduced a new policy that will be watched by some airlines - paying by weight Now, we're used on some airlines to pay by weight of your luggage - but Samoa Air puts a new spin on this: the weight of your luggage and your personal weight. Rather than pay for a seat, … [Read more...]