Economy Class & Beyond

787 Update: United goes for swoosh, Ethiopian shows off a product.

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Time for another 787 update. Firstly, United Airlines have updated how their Boeing 787-8's are going to look. Alas, no tulip to return, not nice conservative blue with a gradiated tail. Instead, it's still the old Continental colour scheme with a swoosh on the side of it. Images - The Boeing Company Very Swooshy. For those who remember the pre-production test … [Read more...]

Farnborough Day 3 Roundup

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Day 3 of Farnborough 2012 has come to a close, so let's see what's shaking and who has brought what... Mitsubishi Aircraft and SkyWest Airlines have agreed in principle to buy 100 Mitsubishi Regional Jets MR90's.  The aim is to run them with Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engines.  The final tickboxing should be in the next few weeks subject to contract. You'll find them … [Read more...]

Virgin Atlantic firms up plans for its Moscow service

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It seems the planning of Virgin Atlantic's new service to Moscow is slowly firming up according to Skynews with confirmation of equipment type that Virgin are going to deploy on the route. It's going to be an Airbus A330 with the new Virgin Atlantic Long Haul product in it - settling the first big question from my last Virgin to Moscow post - which product Virgin would … [Read more...]

Heathrow Express partners with BAA WorldPoints to earn points!

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For those of you who go in and out of Heathrow on the train often enough, you're probably paying hand over fist for Heathrow Express tickets. Well, there's a chance for a bit of claw-back with Heathrow Express joining the BAA WorldPoints programme as an earning partner (as well as a redeeming partner) Point earning is simple enough. Book online at … [Read more...]

UK Immigration: Queues still long

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I think we all remember (with a shuder) the waiting time that London Heathrow and other UK ports of entry suffered earlier this year. Well it seem that Heathrow entry is slowly heading towards the magical 45 minutes for those who are non-EU residents. Although some have witnessed longer queues than that. And of course the politicians are arguing. as usual. Queues at … [Read more...]

Farnborough 2012 Day 2 – News Roundup

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Day Two of the Farnborough 2012 has flow - so let's see what big news has hit The big headline of the day goes to Cathay Pacific who have signed for 26 of the re-versioned Airbus A350-1000 - with Cathay ordering 10 on top of the original 16 A350-1000's ordered.  This makes Cathay Pacific the largest planned operator of the A350-1000 which will fly up to 8,400nm with the … [Read more...]

Wizz Air takes the Wizz – to charge for “Large Hand luggage items”

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Yes, you read that right. Wizz Air is copying that wonderful customer service lead airline "Spirit Airlines"  and going to conduct a trial on the London Luton to  Katowice route. If you're carrying a "small" carry on (sized to 42x32x25cm), you'll get it aboard for nothing. Those with larger carry on items will be paying €10 for bags up to 55x40x20cm. Both carry on sizes will … [Read more...]

Farnborough Day 1 Roundup

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As the first day of Farnborough 2012 draws to a close, lets take a look at what has been creating headlines today: Top of the bill goes to Steven Udvar-Hazy's Air Lease who have placed an a firm order for 60 Boeing 737 Max 8 and 15 Boeing 737 Max 9s with  "reconfirmation rights" for 25 more. Expect those to be leased to airlines quickly when they arrive... Airbus … [Read more...]

Delta to introduce Boeing 717’s into their fleet

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It seems that a deal has been hammered out over the 717's with Delta and Boeing, Southwest Airlines. The agreement is for 88 Boeing 717-200's to be leased from Boeing Capital or subleased from Southwest Airlines, with 3 aircraft a month to be delivered from August 2013. The year-on-year delivery plan looks something like this: 16 to be transferred in 2013 36 to be … [Read more...]

Virgin Atlantic eyes Moscow

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It seems that Virgin Atlantic appears to be dusting itself off after the failed BMI takeover bid, with an announcement today that Virgin Atlantic is intending to build a short-haul and medium hub out of it's London Heathrow base. To do this, Virgin Atlantic is going to need the slots that were surrendered by British Airways/IAG. Traffic between London and Moscow is … [Read more...]