Economy Class & Beyond

Remembrance Sunday – 8th November

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It’s past 11:00 in the United Kingdom, where we pause on the Sunday closest to the 11th of November to pay our respects to those we have lost in conflict- even in these dark times. It is Remembrance Sunday.  Birmingham Council House wearing it Poppies with pride Whilst the commemorations this year may be a lot smaller - and distanced - than usual services that are … [Read more...]

SNCF to offer free COVID-19 testing at limited stations

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French rail operator SNCF is to offer COVID-19 testing - free of charge-  outside some of its trains stations in France, as part of mobile screening. SNCF/Loxamed Mobile COVID testing outside Gare du Lyon - Image, SNCF The mobile screening units can handle 200 tests a day, and the test will be offered free of charge. The testing is being offered to both visitors … [Read more...]

Virgin Atlantic to add St Vincent to its network

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Virgin Atlantic is crossing the Atlantic again, with plans to launch a new route to the Caribbean - flying to St Vincent. Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330-300 arriving at London Heathrow - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The new service will start in June 2021, operating twice a week between London Heathrow to St Vincent. It will operate using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, … [Read more...]

Hi Fly to drop it’s Airbus A380

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After three years of operation, it seems that Hi Fly is to cease flying the Airbus A380 and will return the aircraft after it completes its lease. Hi Fly Airbus A380 at the Paris Air Show 2019 - Image, Hi Fly. The airline operates a single Airbus A380 (ex Singapore Airlines). It is planning the phase-out of it’s Airbus A380 at the end of the lease term later this year. … [Read more...]

United Airlines to offer free COVID-19 testing on Newark to London route

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United Airlines trying to push forward with reopening precious air bridges, with the announcement it is trial COVID-19 tests from Newark to London Heathrow on limited flights. United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER at  London Heathrow, Image Economy Class and Beyond.  From 16th November through 11th December, the airline will offer rapid tests to every passenger over 2 years old … [Read more...]

Boots to offer private COVID-19 testing

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Boots (a chain of chemists in the U.K.) is to offer private COVID-19 testing for customers. For those pondering travelling to the UAE and or other counties, this could be very useful. The service initially rolled out to ten stores - in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow for customers travelling to UAE. The chemist plans to roll out a wider service to over … [Read more...]

Cathay Pacific to dissolve Cathay Dragon, makes further cuts

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Some bad news out of Hong Kong today, with Cathay Pacific group making some hard cuts - with Cathay Dragon (Dragon Airways) to be shut down. Cathay Dragon Airbus A330-300 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The move to close Cathay Dragon comes as part of a restructuring effort by the airline. The group will seek regulatory approval … [Read more...]

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (18th October)

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It's that time of the week where I assemble my writings, make sure things look like I've grammar checked them and ponder the meaning of life. It's time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond.    Even Gnomes know to wear a mask - Nottingham Transport Museum (Great Central Railway, Nottingham). UK Travel Corridors  UK Government updates its travel … [Read more...]

To Fine, To serve – British Airways fined £20 million over date breach

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It seems the data breach that involved British Airways has come back to haunt them, with the UK Information Commissioners Office (ICO) fining the airline £20 million for failing to protect the personal and financial details of over 400,000 if its customers. British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner approaching Heathrow - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The ICO breaks … [Read more...]

Qatar Airways – Sofia returns, frequencies increased in parts of its network

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Qatar Airways is planning to boost its network again, adding Sofia and Bucharest back to the network, as well as increasing frequencies on parts of the network. Qatar Airways Airbus A350-900 at Hamad International Airport, Doha - Image, Economy Class and Beyond.  Sofia (Bulgaria) and Bucharest (Romania) will rejoin the network, with a 3 times a week service, marking it the … [Read more...]