Economy Class & Beyond

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (14th June)

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Another week has passed and as we all attempt to find some normality in the world, it's time to take a brief look back at the week in Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Keep your distance. Welcome to the world of social distancing and seeing if people can keep two meters apart. Quarantined UK Arrival Quarantine goes live - And the UK goes through with its useless … [Read more...]

Travel Technology: Apple iPhone SE (2020 Edition)

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Time for a Travel Technology piece... one admittedly I didn't want to write, this time focusing on the Apple iPhone SE (2020 edition). Price as reviewed: £469 Configuration: (Product)Red, 128Gb storage Why do you need yet another phone? (Yes. I can hear my mother say this, far away...) I've been daily-driving an Apple iPhoneXS for the past year and a half … [Read more...]

US Department of Transportation to distribute face coverings

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The US Department of Transportation is taking steps to help passengers to protect themselves when travelling, with the agency preparing to distribute nearly 100 million face coverings. Face masks are needed at most airports. Some face masks will be distributed in airports if you're lucky (O'Hare Terminal 5 - Image, Economy Class and Beyond) The face coverings will be … [Read more...]

British Airways updates its meal services

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British Airways is taking steps to improve its onboard meal service, with new bento-style boxes being offered from the 16th June. To quote a famous Youtuber Akidearest... what's in the box? - Image, British Airways   British Airways had to make temporary adjustments to their onboard catering while they worked on a new solution with our catering suppliers that … [Read more...]

No Mask, No Ride: Uber requires passengers to wear face coverings in the UK

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If you're starting to move around as the UK lockdown begins to lift next week, you'll need a face covering of some sort when taking public transport. Now, this will include Uber, who are introducing this too. Uber UK will require passengers to have and wear a face covering when using their services from the 15th of June.In a message to their users, they said. We're … [Read more...]

British Airways finally reacts – extends Executive Club status

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British Airways.... oh where to start. In recent weeks, it hasn't done a great job for itself. Apart from penny-pinching with service, selling art and threatening their pilots and crews with new contracts, their customers have been left in the dark in loyalty terms of what is happening next. When the pandemic broke, the reduced its requirements to earn elite status by 30% … [Read more...]

United Airlines adds health screening questions to check-in

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United Airlines is updating its check-in process, with health questions now added. The process - called "Ready-to-Fly" asks customers to confirm they have not experienced COVID-19-related symptoms in the 14 days before flying. It's part of the "United CleanPlus" initiative that the airline is rolling out. It asks customers to review a checklist, and click accept during … [Read more...]

Gatwick Airport to reopen North Terminal

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Gatwick Airport is gearing up for more traffic, and is preparing to reopen the North Terminal. The main messages from Gatwick Airport The North Terminal will reopen on the 15th June. In line with this, operating hours at the airport will increase to 06:00 to 22:00 daily (compared with the limited runway and terminal opening hours that were put in place in March) The … [Read more...]

Cathay Pacific gets bailed out by the Hong Kong government

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It seems that that Cathay Pacific of Hong Kong has finally have to consider a bailout as it navigates these troubling times.  Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER at Hong Kong International - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The bailout - or "recapitalisation plan" is split into three parts Tranche A: Cathay Pacific will issue HK$19.5 billion in preference shares with detachable … [Read more...]

UK Arrival Quarantine goes live

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After political debates as well as protests, it seems that the Arrivals into the United Kingdom Quarantine programme has finally gone live. This will apply to all arrivals into the United Kingdom, be it by aircraft, ferry or train. It applies to both UK Nationals and visitors. On arrival, passengers will be required to provide an address where they … [Read more...]