Economy Class & Beyond

What’s in… the Turkish Airlines Status Kit?

by

As a lot of you know, BMI has left Star Alliance. Now whilst I matched to Lufthansa Miles and More Senator, lets be blunt - unless I'm extremely creative 100,000 miles to re-qualify for SEN is going to be an impossibility. So I have to look to other possibilities - and Aegean and Turkish Airlines seem to be matching BMI status for status. Although Aegean has a lower … [Read more...]

United abandons Houston – Auckland plans, 1300 jobs for the cut

by

It seems the decision to allow Southwest Airlines to operate international routes from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) has created a backlash from United Airlines. When Houston City Council agreed with Southwest airlines to build a $100 million International clearance and arrivals terminal United were "unhappy" to say the least. It seems that "unhappiness" has now had serious … [Read more...]

Swissport baggage handlers strike to go ahead at Stansted

by

Just in time for the holiday weekend, Baggage handlers at Stansted Airport in Essex working for Swissport are to engage in industrial action. The Walk out will be between 05:30 on Saturday 2nd June 2012 to  05:29 Wednesday  6th June. The dispute is over working patterns and rosters. Richard Prince, of Swissport Stansted, said passengers should not be … [Read more...]

London Underground rolls out the WiFi

by

Good news if you're coming to the UK for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and are baulking at the cost of data roaming. Transport for London with Virgin Media have activated the first WiFi hotspots at London Underground stations, connecting from station level to platform level. The first stations that will have WiFi are: Oxford Circus  Stratford, Liverpool … [Read more...]

Still wanting to make a Diamond Club redemption on Star Alliance airlines? You’re cutting it fine on the final day…

by

Well today is the final day to get your redemptions in on Star Alliance airlines with BMI Destination Miles. If you've left it till today after multiple warnings, here's a few heads up on the day: Turkish Airlines have let a few more flights back into the system, and are bookable Singapore Airlines have pulled all inventory on Diamond Club LOT have pulled any … [Read more...]

£20 Lufthansa Voucher up for grabs…. from Lufthansa!

by

It seems Lufthansa is in the mood to give away vouchers for once on for its United Kingdom customers. Whilst not as generous as the $60 voucher that was offered to the USA, the £20 vouchers are always welcome. Head to http://promotions.lufthansa.com/queens-jubilee to get a voucher Of course there are T&C's. The voucher can be redeemed between 31/05/2012 and … [Read more...]

Diamond Jubilee Weekend upcoming – expect travel madness

by

For those who aren't resident to the United Kingdom, it was decided to bin the late May Bank Holiday this year, and replace it with a Diamond Jubilee 4-day weekend. This begins on Saturday 2nd June and goes through to Tuesday 5th June. And if there's a Public Holiday/Bank Holiday, this is normally an excuse for any travel provider to really mess around with schedules and … [Read more...]

Planning a BMI Star Alliance redemption? Don’t bother

by

Seriously, I wouldn't bother right now making that Star Alliance redemption now. And this is the advice I'm now offering due to a lot of factors now coming together: Turkish Airlines were the first to pull their inventory LOT were close behind pulling their inventory And now reports of Singapore Airlines also pulling their seats Whilst it isn't too late to make a … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabian Airlines rebrands to Saudia, formally joins Skyteam

by

Well it seems Skyteam is making a major attempt to take on the some of the Middle Eastern airlines as Saudi Arabian Airlines formally joins Skyteam today. And to mark the occasion, there's a re-brand for the airline as they change from Saudi Arabian Airlines to Saudia - not that you could tell from their website, Skyteam's website or anywhere else for that matter. The … [Read more...]