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...]

Yes. This for the UK crowd. I'm sure the rest of the world can spend this Clinton Cards/Hallmark holiday in the way I'm going to spend it.  So you're leaving it rather late to order the flowers aren't you? And when I say late.. I mean.. it's 15:30ish as we head to press, and you're after something that won't get you shouted at when you've picked up flowers from a Petrol … [Read more...]

After the discovery of World War II ordnance, it has thankfully been removed safely. The net result is London City Airport is re-open for business. According to Robert Sinclair, CEO of London City Airport “The World War Two ordnance discovered in King George V Dock has been safely removed by the Royal Navy and Met Police. As a result, the exclusion zone has now … [Read more...]

UPDATE: London City Airport has re-opened to traffic - See the new post If you've got plans to be arriving or departing into London City Airport on Monday, you'd better make new plans. According to the Metropolitan Police, World War Two Ordnance has been discovered in the River Thames at George V Dock in E16. The net-result is that London City Airport will be … [Read more...]

Well it seems the Internet leaks are pushing Lufthansa to reveal their new paint scheme earlier than planned Leaks started appearing on Twitter this morning - with some tweets coming in showing the new paint-work. This is it! @lufthansa’s new livery. @staralliance #LufthansaBlue @lufthansaNews #ExploreTheNew @BoeingAirplanes #newlivery @aerode @McWhirterAlex … [Read more...]

Breaking late this evening, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted 4:0 against Boeing, in the case it raised against Bombardier and it's C Series aircraft. Bombardier CSeries CS100 - Image, Bombardier The US ITC voted unanimously that there was no harm to Boeing - and that the threatened import tariffs will not be applied. No reasons were given. US ITC … [Read more...]

Lufthansa group is big - let's not beat around the bush. In its pocket is Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines and Swiss - as well as a few others here and there. Up until now, the individual airlines have been specifying individual configurations for their fleets. That's set to change as the airline specifies a standard for its inbound A320neo … [Read more...]

It seems the sell off of Niki is down to one candidate - with International Airlines Group being the sole party left. Niki Airbus A320 (old colours, Shot 2012), Image - Economy Class and Beyond According to Reuters, Niki - the insolvent unit of Air Berlin is now exclusive talks over the fate of the airline. Bild states the bid is worth around €40million. There's a … [Read more...]