Big news from British Airways today as they add a new level of membership to their Executive Club scheme... the wonderful colour of BRONZE. So lets get to the skinny. To Qualify for Bronze you'll need: 300 Tier Points 2 Qualifying Flights OR 25 Single Sectors And for that, you'll get Business class check-in Seat selection from seven days before … [Read more...]
All not well on the good ship AirFrance-KLM – CEO Resigns
All seems not to be good at Air France-KLM, with the CEO of the group and Air France itself - Pierre-Henri Gourgeon resigning. The group has reacted with Alexandre de Juniac becoming CEO of Air France, and Jean-Cyril Spinetta appointed as chairman and CEO of the Air France-KLM group - these two gentlemen were instrumental in setting up the merged Air France-KLM entity in the … [Read more...]
BMI – More rumours as the vultures circle…
As we continue on the path to uncertainty, it's time to catch up on the weekend's news and rumours over BMI and it's future. In the Financal Times, they report Virgin Atlantic and Etihad have had talks on forming a Joint Venture to take over BMI. Apparently, bids for the sale of BMI were due on Friday. Etihad itself is looking at how it could integrate BMI's short and … [Read more...]
BREAKING: IAG tables an offer to Lufthansa over BMI
Breaking at Sky News, IAG (International Airlines Group - owners of British Airways) appears to have tabled an offer to Lufthansa to buy BMI. If this is the case, this is big news, as it will open up the question of the Competition Commission and British Airway's dominance of London Heathrow. According to the post, discussions are at an early stage, and could involve … [Read more...]
Air Canada strikes – halted for now after Goverment Intervention
Air Canada seems to be having labour issues, and was facing a strike from it's 6,800 flight attendants. This has been halted due to a "procedural move" by the Canadian Labour minister Lisa Raitt that prevents the crew from legally going on strike. The strike action has been referred up to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to determine if a strike disrupting … [Read more...]
O’Leary want to remove toilets from the plane – world yawns
That shy and retiring CEO of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary today has been grabbing the headlines as it proposes to reduce the amount of toilets on-board their 737-800's from three to one. The says by doing this, he would be able to reduce fares by a grand total of 5% on a flight by adding an whole extra row of seating in a 737-800, estimating a fare would fall £2 from £40 to … [Read more...]
Emirates suspends a Houston trip to start Dallas services
Interesting news today from Emirates who have confirmed that to start up their new Dallas service, they'll be utilising one of the Boeing 777-200LR's that is assigned to the Houston service. Therefore the following of flights are suspended from the timetable from 31st January, to allow the Dallas service to commence on the 1st February. EK213 DEPART DXB 02:45 ARRIVE IAH … [Read more...]
Dear Sir Richard Branson. Buy It or Put up and Shut Up… (the sale of BMI)
I'm probably going to win no supporters over at London Heathrow Terminal 3, but really the whining from Virgin Atlantic over the sale of BMI is getting intolerable from over there. As we all known, Lufthansa is trying to get shot of it's BMI subsidiary, and of course as I reported earlier this month, Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic fame is after BMI as usual, and … [Read more...]
Adria Airways cuts more routes
Poor old Adriana Airways. Feeling the pinch from all corners, it's cutting another couple of routes - this time it's connections left, right and centre. Up for the chop are routes from Ljubljana to: London Gatwick Paris Toulon Warsaw Banja Luka These terminate at the end of October. Adriana Airways is in the process of restructuring at the moment in a deal … [Read more...]
American Airlines to retire up to 11 757’s…
According to Flight, it seems that American Airlines are modifying their fleet. with the carrier announcing it is to remove up to 11 757-200's from service during 2012. As part of an effort to reduce capacity, it's retiring 11 birds due to due to costs, jet fuel costs, and of course, the economy (when in doubt, blame the economy).. Speaking of fuel prices, a hedge of $29 … [Read more...]