Economy Class & Beyond

Medium Haul Rail Travel done right – The Chiltern Mainline Silver Train

by

Trains can be much of a muchness in the UK, with train operators moving away from the ideas of comfort to the point where they  densifying them to a point where an airline executive would thin "Maybe that's a touch tight". Recent express and long haul stock have done not a lot to change this impression. Chiltern Railways some time ago tried to change their game with some … [Read more...]

ATR and Geven to introduce a new seat… and its a major improvement

by

ATR have been working with Geven seating (their current major supplier) to introduce a new seat for the ATR42-600 and ATR72-600. And it's an important seat. Why? Let's look at current seat - this is pitched at 30" (although carriers do pitch it lower). This was introduced by Geven in 2011 - a long time ago in seating terms. The current ATR Seat by Geven ATR … [Read more...]

Re-examining the Stelia Aerospace Celeste seat – who’s buying it?

by

A couple of years ago, I looked at a seat that was impressive in its space - the Stelia Aerospace Celeste seat. But no-one had touched it in terms of orders. And that has been a shame as it is an interesting premium seat. Until now it seems. Stelia Aerospace has refocused its plans, and have redesigned the Celeste seat it to be a regional business class seat for narrow … [Read more...]

British Airways and Iberia go for the slimline Recaro SL3510

by

Last week at Aircraft Interiors Expo, a representative of Recaro revealed that they had landed an order from a big legacy airline for their SL3510. Sadly, they did not disclose it to me directly. Recaro SL3510 seats at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2016 - Image, Economy Class and Beyond In a press release, Recaro confirm that the next customers for the slimline SL3510 … [Read more...]

#ToFlyToMeh – Has British Airways Club Europe meal service sunk to new lows?

by

Last week, I flew British Airways short-haul in Club Europe. And normally, you know what you're going to get on a short flight between the UK and Germany – something that is comical and small. However, there had been a change in the catering recently. And I think we need to step back a minute and work out what's going on with this airline - because I'm struggling to see any … [Read more...]

Air New Zealand select Acro Series 6 seating for A320neo

by

Air New Zealand have selected Acro seating to provide seats for their upcoming Airbus A320neo family aircraft Here's the press picture: Acro Series 6 Seating for Air New Zealand - Image, Acro And one with the seat and an Air New Zealand flight attendant. Acro Series 6 - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Air New Zealand will be deploying the Acro 6 in its … [Read more...]

Haeco and Airbus announce a way to increase overhead bin space

by

At Economy Class and Beyond, we're slightly obsessed about overhead bins. When I say slightly - see my piece last year about the Airbus vs Boeing overhead bin I wrote last year at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2016. But why? It's a big passenger experience thing. It allows people to stow their items without worrying about their safety too much. Of course there's a problem along … [Read more...]

Airbus proposes how to fit 80 extra seats in its A380

by

At Aircraft Interiors Expo, Airbus today revealed how it could put 80 extra seats in space that currently isn't being utilised well in the cabin. A380 model before the changes - Image, Economy Class and Beyond So where are the extra seats? New forward staircase - Airbus would move the current existing staircase - increasing more room at the nose on the lower deck … [Read more...]

Question of our time: Dan Dan Noodles or Wanton Noodles?

by

So this morning has been interesting so far, with me sampling the catering delights at the Cathay Pacific lounge at London Heathrow. Again. Yes. Don't look at me in that tone of voice. We're here, so let's deal with the question of our time. If you're at Heathrow Airport and you've (wisely) chosen the Cathay Pacific lounge as your departure lounge - which noodle dish … [Read more...]

BoardingArea