Economy Class & Beyond

British Airways to launch “The First Wing” at Heathrow

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British Airways has rightly come in for major bashing the past few days with rumours of Buy-on-Board circulating (and my thoughts on this are coming soon). But occasionally, BA can make the effort to improve the passenger experience. For its next trick, it is to launch a new facility at Heathrow Terminal 5 - called "The First Wing". The First Wing Check-in Zone - Image, … [Read more...]

The newest inflight amenity on Delta: Slippers

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Let's face it: Amenities in Economy Class can vary between non-existent (paging American Airlines) to mediocre (Paging British Airways) to "better than nothing" (Paging Qatar Airways). Delta is seeking to improve the Economy Class passengers lot, with the introduction of slippers between the USA and Japan. Slippers in Economy - Image, Delta. The slippers will … [Read more...]

When will I learn not to use certain Travel Agents (TravelBag)?

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I'm off to the USA soon - mainly to catch up with people, do a little photography - or what I call my October break, However, I'd had my fair share of fun sorting out a ticket - mainly as prices have been fluctuating wildly (even though there's a sale in progress), and the final insult which I got today when booked the ticket. The travel agent in … [Read more...]

London City Airport runway closed due to protesters on the runway

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It seems runway invasions are the flavour of the month, with London City Airport's runway being closed due to a protest. The protesters managed to bypass the security areas, and gain access to the runway. In a series of Tweets, London City Airport explains the current situation Runway is currently closed due to protestors on site. Police are present and we'll … [Read more...]

Lufthansa to offer TSA PreCheck!

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Lufthansa is continuing to innovate on the ground, with the announcement that the airline will be participating in the US TSA's PreCheck programme. Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i at Chicago O'Hare - Image, Economy Class and Beyond TSA's PreCheck programme as you're all aware is the expedited screening programme in the USA for trusted passengers, allowing you to pass through … [Read more...]

Finnair to offer WiFi aboard the Airbus shorthaul fleet

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Finnair have partnered with ViaSat to deploy in-flight WiFi for its short-haul fleet, and adding some more WiFi to the skies. Finnair Airbus A320 - Image, Finnair The installation of the hardware to enable in-flight WiFi will commence in May 2017, with a target completion of June 2018. The ViaSat solution will be deployed to Finnair's A320 family fleet - a total of … [Read more...]

Want to transit through Qatar/Doha? That’s an Extra QAR35 please….

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If you're planning to transit through the State of Qatar, it's going to be a little more expensive, as Doha Airport (or Hamad International Airport) is seeking to impose a 35 Qatari riyal fee. Wanna see this BearLamp? If you're transiting or leaving Hamad International Airport in Doha - it's going to cost you QAR35! The Passenger Facility Charge of QAR35 (About … [Read more...]

Airplane Art Special: A visit to the control tower of Heathrow Airport

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As part of US National Aviation Day last week, as part of the tour I was on of Heathrow Airport, I was granted a special visit to somewhere you don't go to normally. And that is the control tower at Heathrow Airport American Airlines Boeing 777 being towed with Heathrow Tower in the background - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The structure itself is tall at 87 metres … [Read more...]

Twenty American Airlines MD-80s go into retirement…

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... and as much as like the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 for photos... I'm not going to miss them. American Airlines MD-80 at Dallas Fort Worth, Image - Economy Class and Beyond The MD-80 fleet is still numerous in number, with 61 MD-80 type aircraft left in the operational fleet of American Airlines. Twenty of the type today retired to Roswell - to be placed into … [Read more...]

Delta to move all operations to Heathrow Terminal 3

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Delta Air Lines is going to get a bit more comfortable with Virgin Atlantic, as Delta moves all its London Heathrow departures from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3 Services will switch over to Terminal 3 exclusively from the 14th September. Currently, flights to Boston, New York-JFK and Seattle currently operate from Heathrow Terminal 3. Services to  Atlanta, Philadelphia, … [Read more...]