Economy Class & Beyond

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (8/9th January)

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Well, we're a week into 2022. It must be time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. The City of Liverpool, from Port Sunlight Park in The Wirral.  It's been a funny old week at Economy Class and Beyond as the world starts to wake back up from its Christmas and New Year stupor. Suffice to say, Lrrr from the Planet Omicron Persi 8 is still doing its … [Read more...]

Iraqi Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A220

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The business of aviation goes on, with Iraqi Airways taking delivery of their first Airbus A220. Iraqi Airways Airbus A220-300 - Image, Airbus.  This is the first of five aircraft Iraqi Airways will be taking delivery of, with the airline taking the larger Airbus A22-300. The aircraft was delivered from the Airbus facility at Mirabel, Canada. Upon … [Read more...]

UK scrap pre-arrivals testing (today) and PCR tests (Sunday)

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There's good news for travellers to the United Kingdom today, with the need for Pre-Departure Testing to be scrapped from 4 am today (7th January), as well as PCR Day 2 tests from Sunday 9th January. The move (which was described as temporary) was a vain attempt to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. Of course, this is now the dominant variant in the UK. What … [Read more...]

Allegiant Air to order Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

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It seems Boeing is off to a swinging start to 2022, with them gaining a signed order from Allegiant Air.  Allegiant Boeing 737-MAX's - Image, The Boeing Company The order is comprised of 50 737 MAX jets, with options for 50 additional. Terms and pricing were not disclosed.  It marks Boeing's first U.S. ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) deal (with other carriers choosing Airbus … [Read more...]

Norse Atlantic Airways gains its Norwegian Air Operating Certificate

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Norse Atlantic Airways has taken a major step to fly - with the airline being issued its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.  Norse Atlantic Airways first Boeing 787-9 - Image, Norse Atlantic Airways This move, according to the airline - puts the airline on track for the commencement of transatlantic flights in spring … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – British Airways Boeing 777-300ER on tow at London Heathrow

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It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have British Airways Boeing 777-300ER at its home base of London Heathrow being towed away from the Central Terminal area and Terminal 5 over to the maintenance pads. British Airways operates a fleet of 16 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in its long-haul fleet. The airline also operates the Airbus … [Read more...]

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (1st/2nd January)

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It's that time of the week again - even as we go into the new year, it's time for a double-edition of Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Yes. I've rather enjoyed having most of this week off. I built Lego Flowers with a friend for some of it. And yes, it's an 18+ model with 756 fiddly bits. I swear I had better coordination when I was younger...  Review … [Read more...]

REVIEW 2021: My Year in Travel (or still not a lot of it)

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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...]

REVIEW 2021: Well had more ups and downs than some rollercoasters

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Well, we're coming to the end of 2021. How has travel been for you? A slimmer industry With the bloodbath of 2020 behind us, airlines have emerged slimmer than they were before. This has caused route maps to be redrawn, jobs to be lost - and at a time when more passengers are travelling - some are hiring and some a realising they've cut back too hard when staff go off … [Read more...]

Wizz Air to boost connectivity out of Gatwick Airport from March onwards

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Ultra Low Cost carrier Wizz Air continues its expansion plans, with the airline adding capacity out of London Gatwick Airport. Wizz Air Airbus A321 Birmingham Airport, Image, Economy Class and Beyond The airline will launch a new base out of Gatwick, operating to 15 destinations from the airport, with a mixture of year-round and seasonal routes. Here's a convenient list … [Read more...]