Economy Class & Beyond

British Airways fiddles with hand luggage allowances and boarding procedures

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It seems British Airways are changing a few things and making life a tiny bit more complex with boarding and luggage. British Airways A320 at Heathrow Airport - At risk of luggage and boarding issues - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. Firstly, boarding the aircraft will be slightly different, with the boarding order changed. In the past British Airways Executive Club … [Read more...]

Expecting free bags to come back? Forget it Says United’s Jeff Smiesk.

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Firstly, my apologies for the lack of posts this week. It's been one hell of a week in the real world - and it might lead to a few new articles here about IT security and keeping yourself secure on the road. If there any further sign that airlines want to milk more money out of you, lets turn our heads to United Airlines very own Jeff Smisek, who according to Reuters has … [Read more...]

The perfect Passenger Experience? Arriving at London City Airport

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I've talked about why I enjoy going through London City Airport a few times - but to demonstrate the point, I arrived into the airport yesterday. Here was the timeline from getting off the plane to getting on the Docklands Light Railway: Minute Zero: Doors open, and out of the plane Minutes One Through Three: Walk to the border Minute Four: Pass the UK Border … [Read more...]

Protests at Heathrow expansion forces a runway closure

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The Plane Stupid group today caused chaos at London Heathrow Airport when 13 of their protesters breached a security fence, and chained themselves together on  a runway - in a protest against Heathrow Expansion. The incursion occurred at 03:30BST with a runway closed for 3 and a half hours for them to be cleared.  The affected runway reo-pend to traffic at 06:20BST. By … [Read more...]

Hamad International Airport – It needs a passenger experience makeover.

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Good morning? Yes, it is morning I suppose from Hamad International Airport. Or as I'm calling it - "Hot Mess International". I'm sorry Hamad International Airport - Your cute bear lamp cannot save you from a hot mess of an airport. I'm sure you're aware of the mess I had of transit through here last time. Well, this time - I've had more fun this morning (and I'm … [Read more...]

Paris Orly gets a new oneworld lounge for OpenSkies and British Airways

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Paris Orly Airport. Words that can send shivers down anyone's spine. However, there's news of a welcome change at the airport, with the launch of a new lounge. The lounge is called 212 Orly West, and is operated by OpenSkies and British Airways... and it looks... rather nice. Images oneWorld/British Airways The lounge takes its inspiration from the New York loft … [Read more...]

Frankfurt Airport *does* have free Wifi…. and it works…

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Good morning/afternoon/I've lost the plot on time zones from Frankfurt Airport. Frankfurt Airport Flapperboard departure board - Image, Economy Class and Beyond It seems Frankfurt Airport has finally got onto the bandwagon of offering free at through the terminals at last. In the past, this was limited to 30 minutes or so via a ridiculous signup method that required you … [Read more...]

The joy of bussing… at Heathrow (or the hell of Gate T5-A10)

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Good morning from Terminal 5, where I'm pondering what designer built this wonderful place... because there are certainly never enough gates at Terminal 5. Why? I'm at everyone's non-favourite gate at Terminal 5 - A10.  For the uninitiated, T5-A10 is the bussing gate at Terminal 5A - for when an airline runs out of gates. And it's a miserable place to be. And … [Read more...]