Economy Class & Beyond

What’s in…. the Hyatt Platinum Pack?

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I'm sure a lot of us took advantage of the MilePoint Premium upgrade - if for one thing: Hyatt Platinum status. Whilst I notch up a good number a nights in Hyatt properties over a year, I tend to either 1) Miss the number of nights and 2) Miss the night stay credit (no thanks to the Hyatt O'Hare sadly who seem to mess up my nights and stay postings every time recently) So … [Read more...]

GOL goes for the 737-MAX

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GOL of Brazil has put a nice tidy order in with Boeing for the purchase of 60 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. At US$6 Billion at list prices, GOL has made the largest aircraft order from a single airline in South American history (although... who pays list prices for aircraft is still a question yet to be answered) GOL CEO Paulo Kakinoff,  says "The decision to order Boeing 737 … [Read more...]

Kingfisher Airlines grounded until 4th October at the earliest

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Lets go back to our troubled friend in India - Kingfisher Airlines who seem to be back in trouble again. After pruning back their network, having their Oneworld membership suspended shortly before it was due to join, failing to pay staff and disagreements with the Indian Aviation authorities, Kingfisher is battling once again with its employees. The unreset from the … [Read more...]

Collect BAA Worldpoints? Only at Heathrow from 1st January 2013…

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BAA has decided to re-focus its WorldPoints loyalty programme, by focusing on  Heathrow only. This means after 31st December 2012, you will not be able to pick up WorldPoints at the following airports: Aberdeen Glasgow Stansted Southampton You will still be able to collect and use Worldpoints and Worldpoint vouchers up until 31st December 2012 at all BAA … [Read more...]

Qatar Airways still unhappy with 787 delays…

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Qatar Airways is losing patience with Boeing it seems over the 787 Dreamliner deliveries - and the lack of thereafter. So much so that the CEO - Akbar Al Baker - is stating this is threatening the growth of  the airline. It seems that the 787's destined for Qatar are suffering from what Al Baker describes as a "a creeping delivery date", with the first unit shown off at … [Read more...]

Cathay Pacific upgrades its Regional Business Class

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Cathay Pacific is upgrading its Regional fleet of aircraft to feature a new business class cabin, and a new business class seat. The seat will offer a 47" pitch and a 21" width in a shell seat design. But how does that look in the flesh? Images - Cathay Pacific Well... it is green. Seats are controlled with independent controllers controlling recline, … [Read more...]

Approaching the end: BMI Diamond Club *UPDATED*

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With latest email from BMI, it seems anything useful with BMI Diamond Club is coming to the end. During the past few months, we have been in contact with you regarding a number of changes that have been made to the Diamond Club, following the sale of bmi to IAG, the owner of British Airways. Following a detailed review of the Diamond Club, we would like to announce a series … [Read more...]

Japan-China loads suffering due to island disputes

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Senkaku in Japanese Diaoyu in Chinese and Diaoyutai in Taiwan.  A small set of islands that has caused major trouble in China after controlled by Japan, but are claimed also by China and Taiwan. Already, there has been impact on the Chinese Mainland with Japanese business attacked. Well it seems as a tag on result has now arrived at the door of the aviation industry. All … [Read more...]

Thai Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A380

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Thai Airways International has today taken delivery of its first Airbus A380 at Toulouse.  This makes Thai the 9th operator to fly the A380, with their first aircraft called "Si Rattana" - or Majestic Jewel. Images - Airbus SARL. Thai has a total of six A380's on order configured in a 507 seat layout of: 12 in Royal First Class (configured as pitch of 83 … [Read more...]

Sector Aviation maps out BMI Regional’s Future

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Most of my regular readers will know of the sale of BMI Regional from IAG that Sector Aviation picked up. Sector Aviation trading as BMI Regional has secured the BM IATA code (as opposed to the BD IATA code that British Midland were using), and more importantly - have announced more of their network. From 28th October when BMI Regional stands on its own two feet they will … [Read more...]