Economy Class & Beyond

EU261 to be updated

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EU261/2004 - or as some know it - the rules that govern how airlines and passengers act together, along with remedies is on the course to being updated. Subject to the approval of EU member states and the European Parliament, the new laws are due to come into effect from 2015. The reforms are in an attempt to clear up ambiguities and set down maximum times. Some highlights … [Read more...]

FAA Approves the Boeing 787 fix

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It seems that Boeing has made enough of the right noises to get the fix approved and passed by the FAA, with the FAA approving Boeing's proposal to fix battery issues on the 787, allowing them conduct limited test flights on two aircraft even as a safety investigation continues. The fix involves three layers of protection to prevent overheating of the lithium-ion batteries … [Read more...]

Alitalia boosts services at London City

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It seems London City Airport is doing a good job of pull inning in more services with Alitalia adding an extra service. Alitalia will add extra services Milan Linate and launching a new route to Rome. Milan-Linate - London City will increase to 18 flights a week for the current 11 from the 31st March Meanwhile, on the 1st April, the Rome - London City route will open … [Read more...]

Lufthansa joins the Sharklet Club

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Well it seems those aircraft with sharklets are appearing in more places now, with Lufthansa taking delivery of its first Airbus A320 with Sharklets. Image - Lufthansa AG. As regular readers know, a Sharklet is a wingtip device that is replacing the wingtip fence that has been seen on many an A319/A319/A320/A321/A380, with the aim of reducing fuel burn and increasing … [Read more...]

Finnair joins the AA/BA/IB Transatlantic Joint Venture

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For those of you who use oneworld to get across the Atlantic, an interesting option is opening up the form of Finnair joining the American Airlines/British Airways/Iberia Joint Venture. Finnair will add its its AY code to some of the current Joint Venture between North America and the European Union as well as adding codes between plus Norway and Switzerland. Meanwhile, AA, … [Read more...]

Lufthansa Business Class sale fares loaded

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Lufthansa has loaded some reasonable Business Class fares for departures from the United Kingdom. Destinations and prices start as listed: Abu Dhabi £1,599 Addis Ababa £1,499 Amman £1,099 Bahrain £1,699 Bangkok £1,729 Beijing £1,729 Beirut £1,149 Busan … [Read more...]

Virgin Atlantic asks “Where’s Wally?”

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Or for those in other territories, "Where's Waldo?" To celebrate 25 years of Where's Wally/Waldo, you'll find him plastered on the side of a Virgin Atlantic 747-400 on "Barbarella"  (Registered as G-VROM), flying between London, the United States and the Caribbean There's Wally! Of course, Virgin Atlantic President Richard Branson was rolled out to celebrate … [Read more...]

787 Update: Thomson Airways cuts 787 from May and June

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UK leisure carrier Thomson Airways (part of TUI) was meant to be the UK launch carrier of the 787, with services commencing on the 1st May 2013. However, this launch has been suspended due to the ongoing issues with the Boeing 787 and the batteries inside it that have been giving Boeing a major headache.  Thomson Airways 787's are not part of the "currently grounded fleet of … [Read more...]

Lufthansa cuts services from Berlin Tegel

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The fallout of replacement Berlin Airport continues, with Lufthansa making a major retreat and service axe for services from Berlin-Tegel. Two aircraft out of the fifteen based at Berlin-Tegel will be pulled, a mixture of service reductions and cancellations. Here's what's known so far: Services withdrawn from … [Read more...]

British Airways confirm first A380 routes

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British Airways have confirmed the routes the first A380's will be rostered on. London Heathrow - Los Angeles - Commences 15th October 2013 London Heathrow - Hong Kong - Commences 15th November 2013 Exact schedules are on BritishAirways.com as the timings and flight numbers do vary.   Tickets for both routes are on sale today. Whilst these will be the first regular … [Read more...]