Economy Class & Beyond

Boeing goes on the defensive over the 787

by

It seems Boeing is going on the defensive on the 787 project, with the company stating the plane is "100% Safe to Fly". In a conference call, Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP and 787 chief project engineer Mike Sinnett spoke to reporters during a Wednesday conference call from the company. Due to the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board investigation of the JAL APU … [Read more...]

More JAL 787 problems – Fuel leak this time

by

Things are going from bad to worse for JAL and their 787's, with reports today of a second 787 in an incident at Boston. A second 787 suffered a fuel leak incident at Boston, where after the plane left the gate, about 40 gallons (151 litres) of spilled fuel was found. Passengers and crew were de-planed (187 passenger, 11 crew), with no one hurt,and the plane re-entered … [Read more...]

JAL 787 Fire incident at Boston – More trouble for the Dreamliner

by

It seems the 787's are starting to run into real trouble, as a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 operating a Tokyo-Narita to Boston service has suffered an a fire after landing at Boston. It seems that a battery in the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) had overheated, causing the combustion. No passengers or crew were aboard the plane at this this point when the fire occurred. Carol … [Read more...]

When will Berlin Brandenburg Airport open? Umm. No-one knows now….

by

In what is descending into farce, it seems that the opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport has now been delayed indefinitely. The airport was due to open on 27th October 2013, but it seems this has been put back again. Currently, the airport's opening has been shifted 3 times already and is already 2 years late in opening. Details are thin on the ground but according … [Read more...]

Priority Club messes again with reward nights

by

It seems Prioirty Club is having a ball with the free nights you can redeem with according to https://secure.priorityclub.com/hotels/us/en/global/offers/freehotelnight. From 18th January 2013, a new price banding is coming out: (Click to enlarge) Or for those textual inclined: Band 1  - 10,000 Band 2  - 15,000 Band 3  - 20,000 Band 4  … [Read more...]

Safety Video Saturday: Oman Air

by

It's Saturday again, so it's time to place your seat in the upright position, stow your tray table and ensure your seatbelt is fastened as we go to this week's safety video. This week, it's Oman Air demonstrating safety aboard their aircraft: Another safety video next week! … [Read more...]

United commences its first International 787 services, puts others on hold

by

As some of you will know a United 787 was chartered for the Star MegaDo, and has been doing some domestic runs. Well today, United Airlines commences its international 787 operations with segments between Los Angeles and Tokyo Narita. However, there is a down side it seems according to Flight due to reliability issues with the new 787's. Services from Houston-IAH to … [Read more...]

Air Asia receives the first A320… with Sharklets

by

After revealing a few weeks ago that Airbus had completed testing and certification of their Sharklet equipped A320 aircraft operating with CFM engines, it appears the first delivery has gone out to Air Asia. The first delivered A320 with Sharklets for Air Asia - Image - Airbus SAS Detail shot of the Sharklet with the tailfin. Image - Airbus SAS. Sharklets are an option … [Read more...]

Fare rises hit the United Kingdom

by

As the new year begins, the only real certainty in life - will be increase in rail and bus prices today. UK National Rail Companies will have their own prices rises depending on the route, with an average increase of 4.2% in England, 3.9% in Scotland for season tickets. Some routes will be going up a lot more than this. It pays to look at the National Rail Web site to see … [Read more...]

LAST CHANCE: BMI Diamond Club to Avios Conversion Deadline is TODAY

by

For those of you outside the UK (and not in Australia or New Zealand) TODAY is the final chance to convert your BMI Diamond Club Miles to Avios. If you fail to do so today, your bmi Diamond Club miles will be zeroed off. Additionally this is the last day to apply for your Diamond Club to BA Executive Club Tier match. You've got till 23:59GMT/ZULU TODAY to do it. Also … [Read more...]