Lufthansa has taken delivery of their 11th Airbus A320neo. Whilst this isn't news by itself, this aircraft is the first of the class that has new Lufthansa livery - Lufthansa Blue. Lufthansa Airbus A320neo in Lufthansa Blue - Image, Lufthansa Group Lufthansa Airbus A320neo in Lufthansa Blue - Image, Lufthansa Group Registered as D-AINK, the plane left the Airbus … [Read more...]

It seems in the run-up to Farnborough 2018, airframers are pushing out the barrel with new concepts. Boeing has - and it's their Hypersonic Jet concept. Here's a rendering of it. t  Hypersonic speeds are speeds that are deemed over Mach 5. Boeing state that his design shown at American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference in Atlanta. The plane … [Read more...]

As many of you are away, Akbar Al Baker of Qatar Airways made an idiot level statement about women in executive roles at the IATA AGM (and I urge you listen to the interview) The audible gasp from the crowd as @qatarairways GCEO and @IATA Chairman Akbar Al Baker "jokes" only a man can be a CEO is amazing. Listen for yourself. @Qantas CEO Alan Joyce cutting him off was both … [Read more...]

Air Belgium (the start-up long haul carrier - planning to operate long haul routes out Brussels Charleroi) have decided to make use of one of their Airbus A340-300 aircraft... by hiring it to Air France. Air Belgium Airbus A340-300 at Brussels National Airport - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The Air Belgium Airbus A340-300 will fly for Air France between Paris CDG and … [Read more...]

Well, there must be something in the air in Europe at the moment, this time with Brussels Airlines pilots being called out on strike. Brussels Airlines Airbus A320 in Star Alliance livery at Barcelona El Prat Airport - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The pilots are due to walk out on Monday 14th and Wednesday 16th May. As a result, the planned flying programme for … [Read more...]

Those of you who thought International Airlines Group (IAG) were going have a clear shot at Norwegian Air Shuttle - prepare for a surprise. Norwegian Boeing 737-800 at Dublin Airport - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The wording of the press release is rather simple: The Board of Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS) confirms that it has received two separate conditional … [Read more...]

It's been a long time since I've written about Aliatlia and the dire straits it continues to find itself in. So it's not surprising that the EU Commission has finally taken an interest with the airline as it investigates if the €900 million in aid to the airline qualifies as breaking the state aid rules. Alitalia Embraer E-190 at London City Airport - Image, Economy Class … [Read more...]

Good morning from Coach 210 at Digbeth Coach station to Heathrow Central. And if you know what the above statement means, you should had worked out I'm on the move again, and beginning my long haul travels. Because it's been way too long since I was in a metal (or carbon fibre tube) across the pond. I'm on a simple two-segment trip - as much as I would like to build a … [Read more...]

The lunar calender has made its way around again, and at Economy Class and Beyond - we celebrate Chinese New Year and  The Year of the Dog. Or "Kung Hei Fat Choi!" Always good to see a happy Lion as it rests between dances - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. For those of you who have travelled far to return home and reunited with families for this important … [Read more...]