Economy Class & Beyond

Hong Kong E-Channel… Darn useful

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PREFACE/CORRECTION: Some of this article (including a couple of images and a list of airlines) is based on the post from Australian Business Traveller at http://www.ausbt.com.au/fast-track-for-frequent-flyers-at-hong-kong-airport. Other bits of the post came from the Hong Kong Government Web Site and Wikipidea. Whilst some of this post came from my actual experience with … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – LuxAir Dash-8 Q400

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It's Sunday again so it must be time for some more airplane art. This week, it's a LuxAir Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 taking off from a rather overcast Barcelona Airport The image is clickable if you want to see a larger version – and yes you can keep them for your desktops! More airplane art next week! … [Read more...]

Air Asia confirms an order for another 100 A320’s

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Air Asia is opening the chequebook again and has placed an order for an additional 100 Airbus A320 series aircraft to aid its expansion. The order is split in two with 36 A320 CEO (Current Engine Option) and 64 A320 NEO (New Engine Option). The order has been in discussion since Farnbourgh 2012, and has taken time to come to fruition. This will swell the AirAsia … [Read more...]

Qatar Airways to fly their 787 on Doha – Perth Route

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Now that Qatar airways are getting their 787 aircraft, they now are setting up routes for them. We all know they've been doing shuttle runs from Doha to Dubai, and have today launched Doha to London Heathrow today with one rotation due to operate as a Boeing 787. The next rotation has been announced, which will stretch the legs of the 787 from Doha to Perth - and help it … [Read more...]

New LHR T2 continues apace… but where are some airlines ending up?

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London Heathrow T2. For some of you, you'll have flashbacks to the Europa Terminal as it used to be called. Well, that's all changed as the new Heathrow T2 is nearing completion. Roof of the new LHR T2 - Image BAA. Well to no-one's surprise, T2 will be the home of Star Alliance with plans for all Star Alliance airlines who operate in and out of Heathrow to move into … [Read more...]

More 777’s on the way China Airlines, Turkish and a delivery for AA

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In the rush of yesterdays sale of 49% of Virgin Atlantic from Singapore Airlines to Delta, there was some other interesting news of a Boeing 777 nature. And it seems the popularity of the 777-300ER continues with two airlines signing for more aircraft. First up is China Airlines, who are to order 6 777-300ER's. China Airlines 777-300ER's are due to replace the airlines … [Read more...]

Walsh vs Branson. No £1 million. How about a Kick in the Groin instead?

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Oh dear. The children are out in force today. Yesterday, Richard Branson wanted to bet Willie Walsh £1 million that the Virgin Atlantic brand would be around in 5 years time. Willie Walsh responded he'd prefer a knee in the groin. Well, the children get their wish, with Richard Branson accepting the bet of a Knee in the Groin. In a blog post, Richard Branson … [Read more...]

Delta confirmed to buy 49% of Virgin Atlantic

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Delta finally does what it wanted - and has gone ahead to acquire the 49% of Virgin Atlantic that Singapore Airlines was selling. For the cool sum of $360 million (£244 Million), Delta gets more access to Heathrow, and the ability to set another joint venture across the Atlantic. For Richard Branson - 51% of the airline is still held by the Virgin Group with it's own brand … [Read more...]

Iberia unions call off Strike Action

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In a bit of good news as we head towards the Christmas travel season, the unions that represent staff for Iberia have called off their planned strike action. The action that was meant to take place on: 14th December 17th December 18th December 19th  December 20th December 21st December The unions have called off this actions as they do not wish to harm … [Read more...]

£1 Million says we’ll be around in 5 years – Virgin and BA in a war of words

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If there's anyone who can milk the media, it's Richard Branson. With reports that Delta are going to snap up the 49% of Virgin Atlantic, IAG head Willie Walsh has been talking of the Virgin Atlantic brand going away. Willie Walsh told the press aboard a London - Seoul flight that  that he couldn’t see Delta wanting to operate the Virgin brand. "If they do, what does it say … [Read more...]