Economy Class & Beyond

What turns a plane into a flying lab (aboard The Lufthansa Flying Lab)

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Turning an in-service aeroplane into a flying laboratory can be a challenge. How do you turn a plane into one? Well, there's a lot of planning to turn an aeroplane into a lab. And there's a lot of cabling to start with. In terms of studio space, there isn't a lot - with the galley and the aft business class section being converted into a studio … [Read more...]

Exploring the ViaSat WiFi system with American Airlines

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Recently, I've had some serious time aboard the American Airlines A321T - the transcontinental planes that are used between New York to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Both of the planes I flew on featured the ViaSat on-board WiFi system (compared to the Gogo or Panasonic Systems installed already on board some of the American Airlines fleet). So how does it stack … [Read more...]

The Dublin US Pre-Clearance Experience – Room for improvement?

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Flying into the USA yesterday, I was routing via Dublin - and this means utilising US Pre-Clearance at Dublin Airport. Follow the signs. Some useful pointers first. The US Pre-Clearance area is on a lower floor. Follow the from the gate area, and head downstairs And get comfy. Summer time traffic is causing up to 60 minute queues at the moment. You'll … [Read more...]

Dear Airport User Experience designers. Fix this. Please

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I decided when checking in my Aer Lingus flight today - I would try the new Self Check-In kiosks at Birmingham Airport These baggage weighing, take money, print boarding passes. As the queue was a little long (and I still love paper boarding passes), I decided to check in. First thing it asks is your Passenger Name Record (PNR). I was then presented with this UX … [Read more...]

Delta continues its IFE push with seat-back screens

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IFE (In-Flight Entertainment) and seat-back screens seems to be a hot topic at Delta Air Lines, who are continuing to install the devices in its fleet. The airline has recently had its 600th aircraft installed with seat-back IFE screens. Delta Studio seat-back screens - Image, Delta. The Delta Studio product is now installed on 600 aircraft in the Delta fleet, and … [Read more...]

Virgin Atlantic tries to placate the border queues

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EDITORS NOTE: Dear Readers - this week, I've been going through a very rough patch - and a lot of you have been understanding and wonderful. Five people however decided this was the perfect time to show their spelling and grammar prowess and invade the comments section It wasn't appreciated at a point where my mind was looking and comforting others. To my critics - Believe … [Read more...]

Remember: Don’t over do it on alcohol at the airport

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With the UK Summer Holiday season now in full swing, there are of course some who take their drinking... a little too excessively. The UK Government launched a programme to coincide with the holiday's called "One Too Many", with some rather ominous threats. The programme has a rather dry set of agreed a voluntary code of practice which  has been developed by … [Read more...]

Etihad to offer more buy-on-board options

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Etihad are expanding its buy-on-board options aboard its services for those customers who want a few more amenities in economy class. The airline is expanding its options in Economy Class, with new snack options from Munchbox and Freakin’ Healthy. According to the airline, the snacks promise t deliver healthier food options using natural ingredients, no added sugar … [Read more...]