Economy Class & Beyond

1st April news: Virgin to launch Glass bottomed plane

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Well it wouldn't be the 1st April without some silliness, and today is no different. Apart from Google Treasure Maps, today Virgin Atlantic launches a Glass Bottom Plane. Virgin say: Today we've announced that our world-class engineering crew have been secretly working on the design and production of the world's first-ever glass-bottomed plane, created to ensure passengers … [Read more...]

Emirates to introduce fuel surcharges on awards

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It seems Emirates is joining the fuel surcharge party with awards. Fuel surcharges will apply to all awards in the Skywards scheme from 31st March 2013. You'll be able to pay the Fuel Surcharge in either cash or more Skywards miles and will form part of the taxes and surcharges. Emirates say: Until now, the surcharges have been excluded from Emirates Skywards reward … [Read more...]

A350 Watch: MSN1 gets engines

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From one new plane to another as we keep a beady eye on Airbus and the work going on with the upcoming Airbus A350-900. The good news is today that the first A350-900 - MSN1 has got a pair of flight ready engines, with the first one hung on it. Pictures are always good so lets have some: Ready to be hung Being installed onto the aircraft Slung onto … [Read more...]

787 Watch – Extended Twin Engines Operations to be limited?

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ETOP's - Or Extended Operations is an important thing for twin-jet engined airliners, as it defines the ability of an aircraft of an aircraft to be in range of an airport if one of the two engines fail on a aircraft. ETOP's rating can be found for both narrow-body and wide-body operations... such as the Boeing 787. According to … [Read more...]

Turkish Airlines to increase services to Edinburgh

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Turkish Airlines are preparing to increase their services to the Scottish capital. The current service operates 4 days a week between Istanbul and Edinburgh. This is due to a 5 day a week service from 31st March. The next jump to a 7 day a week (daily service) will be from 20th May. The route is operated by Turkish Airlines Airbus A319 and Boeing 737-800, with … [Read more...]

Hawaiian Airlines to add A321Neo’s to fleet

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It seems Hawaiian Airlines has caught the Airbus narrow body bug, with the announcement of a firm order of 16 Airbus A321neo aircraft. Hawaiian airlines will have options for another 9 aircraft on top. The aircraft will have 190 seats in a two class layout. Deliveries will be between 2017 and 2020. Hawaiian airlines will be targeting these birds for use between the islands … [Read more...]

The 787 continues testing

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A Boeing 787 has taken to the air today as part of the test campaign to get it certified for type and commercial flight again. This was the first time one took to the air since 11th February 2013, and the 2nd time since the commercial fleet was grounded - which is going on for over 2 months. The flight today was a 135 minute "check flight", using a LOT Polish Airlines 787 … [Read more...]

Norwegian Air Shuttle to launch long haul services with… A340’s.

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An unanticipated falllout of the 787 battery issue is the case of Norwegian Air Shuttle who have been due to launch a new services operated by their 787's from May. As the 787's are still not certified for flight, it i has meant that Norwegian have had to go shopping for capacity. In the narrowbody airlplane market, it's not difficult to russletl up planes in a hurry - … [Read more...]

SAS changes European short haul product

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It seems SAS is going to try something different to aid its recovery, with the scrapping of the current business, premium and economy fares on domestic and short haul legs, with in the introduction of SAS Go and SAS Plus . With the Go fare, you'll get: - One piece of checked luggage - Complimentary tea and coffee - Buy on Board food Meanwhile, the plus fare is a bit … [Read more...]