Recently, London Northwestern Railway (part of West Midlands Trains) introduced its new trains, the Class 730/2. The electric Class 730/2 fleet is made up of 36 five-carriage trains – a total of 180 new carriages. Like most new electric trains from Alstom (nee Bombardier), these are based on the Aventra family of trains(which is deployed on The Elizabeth Line, London … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2024: Kevin’s year in numbers
It's time for me to look back on my year in flying, as I dive into my numbers. The big numbers for 2024 - a much busier year than previous years. If 2023 was the year I started flying again, 2024 was back into travel mode. Route Carrier Distance Equipment Class of Service BHX-DUB Ryanair 200 Boeing 737-800 Y DUB-PHL American … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2024: A Year in Flight and Passenger Experience
Onto Passenger Experience... as well as some of the stuff I've enjoyed and endured over the year. Welcome to Part Two of Review 2024. Part 1: A look back in the mirror of headlines and trends Part 2: A Year in Flight and Passenger Experience Part 3: My Year in Numbers I'm leading off with this - these are based on personal experiences this year as opposed to … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2024: A look back in the mirror of headlines and trends
It's that time of year again when I look back at 2024. Welcome to Review 2024. Part 1: In the Mirror of Headlines Part 2: The Year in Kevin Part 3: Kevin in Numbers In Part 1, we're looking back at some of the passenger experience headlines as well as other things that caught my eye in the mirror of the year. And don't worry - British Airway's little … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2023: Kevin in Numbers
2023 has been... an odd year for me, in many respects. But it's time to look at my flights over the year and do some numbers. Because we do love numbers in this industry. Welcome to Part 3 of Review 2023... my year in numbers. Part 1 - Thinner seats and so on Part 2 - My year in Passenger Experience Part 3 - Kevin in Numbers My Flights for 2024 - 11 … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2023: Some passenger experience thoughts through the year
Onto Passenger Experience... as well as some of the stuff I've endured over the year. Welcome to Part Two of Review 2023. Part 1: Thinner seats, more passengers and more aircraft Part 2: Some Passenger Experience Thoughts about the year Part 3: My Year in Numbers I'm leading off with this - these are based on personal experiences this year as opposed to the … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2023: Thinner seats, more passengers and more aircraft
Time to dive into the headlines of the year, as well as trends. Welcome to part one of Review 2023. Part 1: Thinner seats, more passengers and more aircraft Part 2: Some Passenger Experience Thoughts about the year Part 3: My Year in Numbers New aircraft orders continue to flow It's been a busy year, with ATR Aircraft, Airbus, Boeing and Embraer all seeing … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2022: The year at Economy Class and Beyond – There is no such thing as normal…
Well, here we are. The back end of 2022 - the year that things returned to normal. Or did they? Here are my thoughts on a year of passenger experience at Economy Class and Beyond. Flights and Such Onto the stats for 2022, as everyone loves stats. Month From To Flight Distance Class of … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2022: A year of evolving change, with much more to come
As we head to the end of 2022, it's time for me to look back at the year and review some of the things that happened, as well as postulate what might happen in 2023. Food and Beverage - Swipe your card to continue As restrictions have loosened, the passenger experience has been slowly recovering to pre-pandemic levels. This can be seen even in long-haul economy class, … [Read more...]
REVIEW 2021: My Year in Travel (or still not a lot of it)
Welcome to the last part of Review 2021 at Economy Class and Beyond – This time focused on my travels. Or lack of them thereafter. A year mostly on pause For me the story of the year seems to be waiting, waiting and further waiting, for nations to open and other things to settle down. Whilst the "settling down" part took a major hit in November and December, things … [Read more...]