Economy Class & Beyond

Plans for Thames Estuary airport to be pulled

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The plans for Thames Estuary Airport - or to some, better known as "Boris Island" looks like to be heading to the bin, according to the BBC and the Financial Times (Paywall). Thames Estuary Airport - or Boris Island. Rendering, Foster + Partners. Sir Howard David, who is leading the commission states in its report: "We are not persuaded that a very large airport in the … [Read more...]

Airplane Art Extra – Qatar Airways A350 breaks cover

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It's Monday, and I'm still a few days behind on releases - so its time for some Airplane Art Extra as Qatar Airways and Airbus have released images of the the first Qatar Airways A350 to be delivered to the airline. The first Qatar Airways A350 rolled out of the Toulouse Hanger - Note the missing engines. The Qatar Airways A350 ready to roll out of the paint shop - Image … [Read more...]

COMAC moves ahead with the C919

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At GhettoIFE, we do like looking at new and shiny aircraft - both those in the air, and those in developement. COMAC - The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China - has been working away on its answer to the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families (as well as the impending competition from the Irkut MC-21) - The C919. C919 model, Model COMAC Their aim is deliver a narrow body … [Read more...]

Germanwings strike tommorow (29th August)

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All is not well with Germanwings, with a strike in the offing from the Vereinigung Cockpit Union tomorrow. Germanwings Airbus A319 taxing at Heathrow - Image GhettoIFE The strike is over pilots who want the airline to maintain its current retirement benefits -  where they can retire early at 55 and continue to receive some of their wages. Germanwings owners - Lufthansa - … [Read more...]

Etihad outlines its A380 and Boeing 787 plans

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Etihad Airways is fine-tuning its Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 operation plans as these new planes are readied to enter service as the airline announced via Twitter yesterday: From the Eithad Twitter feed The A380 plans call for the superjumbo to operate daily on all three flights between London and Abu Dhabi from May 2015, whilst Sydney will convert to a mixed A380/Boeing … [Read more...]

British Airways increases booking fee, introduces hold charges

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Fees are one of those things that either seem to increase or multiply. British Airways is doing both it seems. First up is the annoyance of the credit card surcharge, which applies to bookings paid with a UK billed: Visa Credit Card MasterCard Credit Card American Express Credit and Charge Card (Including BA's own Amex Card) PayPal Account The fee goes up from £4.50 per … [Read more...]

Heathrow Express Suspended this weekend

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For those who are coming into the United Kingdom via Heathrow Airport, and want to get to London, you have the choice of the fast train (Heathrow Express), the slower train (Heathrow Connect) and the London Underground (very slow, but gets you there) to speed you the city. The Heathrow Express area of Paddington Station - Image GhettoIFE. Heathrow Express train departing … [Read more...]

Trying to stow away at Birmingham Airport isn’t a great idea

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I've got to admit, I do have some time for my local airport - Birmingham Airport, even though I don't frequent it as often as I should. Birmingham Airport at Night - Image GhettoIFE It's network whilst focusing on Low Cost Carriers and European Carriers (connecting traffic onto the hubs of Paris CDG, Amsterdam and Frankfurt), with a reasonable Star Alliance presence makes … [Read more...]

Emirates adds another service to Rome, goes after Etihad

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There's going to be one heck of a capacity boost to Rome, with Emirates adding a third daily service between Rome-FCO and Dubai this winter. The two services that currently operate to Rome utilise a pair of Airbus A380 aircraft on this route (which has around 517 seats in the high density version of the aircraft, 489 seats in the low density version). Emirates Airbus A380 … [Read more...]

Volcanowatch 2014- Bardarbunga takes a risk to aviation to Orange Alert

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Once again, its time to hold onto your hats as another Icelandic volcano could look like cause some chaos.  The last eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010 caused major disruption to both European and Transatlantic routes (and almost caused me to miss a trip to Atlanta). This time, the Icelandic volcano Bardarbunga is increasing its activity, with signs of onward management … [Read more...]