Economy Class & Beyond

Cathay Pacific considers removing IFE units to save fuel

by

In an interesting move, Cathay Pacific is considering the removal of seat-back in-flight entertainment systems from its entire fleet. Why? To save weight and fuel IFE Systems add between one to two tonnes of weight on-board a plane. That weight has to be carried around where the plane goes, so more fuel is required.  Multiply that over a fleet of planes, and the savings … [Read more...]

Airbus introduces new seating idea… 2 small seats, 1 big one….

by

One of the things I love about the A320 series in comparison to the Boeing 737 series is the personal space you have in the cabin. And we're talking seat widths here with Airbus cabin 7 and 1/2 inches wider that the Boeing equivalent allowing up to 18" wide seats installed in blocks of  two pairs of three. Well Airbus is pushing a new seating option for installation on … [Read more...]

Avois.com has an up to 30% bonus offer on purchases

by

For those of you in Avios land, this is an offer that isn't great, but is reasonable if you're missing Avois. The offer is Buy Avios in quantities of 1,000 to 24,000  (in 1,000 Avois ) Image and data - Avios.com Whilst not great value at the lower levels, it improves after the 17,000 level and above. The Diamond Club offer of 20% more Diamond Club miles on … [Read more...]

Qantas in talks over its international division

by

Qantas is having quite a bad tine of it, what with strikes, high fuel costs, the high-value Australia Dollar, and the reorganisation of the business into different units. So much so, Qantas has hired Macquarie Group and set up an internal team to advise on defending potential private equity bids, according to Bloomberg. Qantas seems to wish to move into commerical … [Read more...]

BMI – New Partners Award Chart

by

The new award chart from BMI is out at https://www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-gb/loyalty-programmes/diamond-club/spending-miles/airline-partner-flights.aspx And it isn't pretty to say the least sadly. One way segments are allowed only on BMI fights. All other segments are return segments trip. No more cash and miles allowed except on BMI flights Single carrier itineraries … [Read more...]

SriLankan Airlines to join OneWorld… huh?

by

In what seems like a move to cover more of the Asia region, OneWorld is inviting SirLankan Airlines to the alliance. I'm still trying to work this out, but this is looking like a cover move after the Kingfisher Airlines debacle without actually having to have a member airline in India itself, whilst increasing the OneWorld footprint. The airline will formally join … [Read more...]

The slow removal of BD codes continues

by

The BMI route network is being slowly absorbed into the happy British Airways network. The following routes are up for changes, with BMI flight codes (BD) switching to British Airways flight codes (BA) From 27th June 2012 Belfast Dublin Manchester If you're affected by these changes you will be contacted directly. From 4th July … [Read more...]

IAG completes sale of BMI Regional

by

Lets have a good news story to end the day on. International Airlines Group has completed the sale of BMI Regional to Sector Aviation Holdings.  This move should go some way to saving the 330 jobs that are at BMI regional. The completed sale price of £8 million has been approved by the CAA, and thus Sector Aviation Holdings are in business. BMI Regional operate a fleet … [Read more...]

Singapore Airlines to go 4 times a day on London – Singapore Route

by

Well this is a turnup for the books with Sinagapore Airlines increasing its services to London Heathrow with a 4th service. Singapore Changi to London Heathrow SQ308 DEPART SIN 09:05 ARRIVE LHR 15:30 A380, DAILY SQ318 DEPART SIN 12:45 ARRIVE LHR 19:10 A380, DAILY SQ322 DEPART SIN 23:30 ARRIVE LHR 05:55+1 A380, DAILY SQ306 DEPART SIN 23:45 ARRIVE LHR 06:20+1 … [Read more...]