Economy Class & Beyond

Its the Easter Weekend – so welcome to rail engineering works

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As we head into the long Easter weekend, the UK rail network responds in its usual way -  by closing parts of network to shut down in bits and bobs to allow engineering work. London Paddington Train Station - Image, Economy Class and Beyond Major works include Heathrow Express 14th and 15th April - Every 30 minutes 16th April - Every 15 minutes … [Read more...]

SNAPSHOT: British Airways 294 in World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)

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It’s time for another snapshot - this time featuring British Airways 294 in World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy). The Plane It's a Boeing 777-200ER. This one is refurbished compared to some of the Boeing 777s in the British Airways fleet. The Seat This time, I would be sat in World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy cabin) as opposed to World Traveller (Economy … [Read more...]

SNAPSHOT: American Airlines 47 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare

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Time for another snapshot - this time focusing on American Airlines 47 between London Heathrow to Chicago O'Hare. For those who haven't encountered how I do trip reports on this blog: Trip Reports - These are full deep-dive reports taking you deep into the passenger experience looking at the big things as well as the small things Snapshots - These are bite-sized … [Read more...]

ATR and Geven to introduce a new seat… and its a major improvement

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ATR have been working with Geven seating (their current major supplier) to introduce a new seat for the ATR42-600 and ATR72-600. And it's an important seat. Why? Let's look at current seat - this is pitched at 30" (although carriers do pitch it lower). This was introduced by Geven in 2011 - a long time ago in seating terms. The current ATR Seat by Geven ATR … [Read more...]

As United discovers the term “contrition”, competitors dig in….

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I'm sure you're all aware of United Airlines incident aboard United Express Flight 3411 on Sunday evening... and the resulting fall-out of it. It seems that United has discovered the term "contrition" with their latest press release Although it's taken near enough 48 hours to get that apology out into the world. Not ideal. Meanwhile, other airlines are taking the … [Read more...]

Re-examining the Stelia Aerospace Celeste seat – who’s buying it?

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A couple of years ago, I looked at a seat that was impressive in its space - the Stelia Aerospace Celeste seat. But no-one had touched it in terms of orders. And that has been a shame as it is an interesting premium seat. Until now it seems. Stelia Aerospace has refocused its plans, and have redesigned the Celeste seat it to be a regional business class seat for narrow … [Read more...]

British Airways and Iberia go for the slimline Recaro SL3510

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Last week at Aircraft Interiors Expo, a representative of Recaro revealed that they had landed an order from a big legacy airline for their SL3510. Sadly, they did not disclose it to me directly. Recaro SL3510 seats at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2016 - Image, Economy Class and Beyond In a press release, Recaro confirm that the next customers for the slimline SL3510 … [Read more...]

#ToFlyToMeh – Has British Airways Club Europe meal service sunk to new lows?

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Last week, I flew British Airways short-haul in Club Europe. And normally, you know what you're going to get on a short flight between the UK and Germany – something that is comical and small. However, there had been a change in the catering recently. And I think we need to step back a minute and work out what's going on with this airline - because I'm struggling to see any … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – Lufthansa Airbus A321 at Hamburg Airport

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It's Sunday again, so its time for some more airplane art. This week, a Lufthansa Airbus A321 is preparing to depart Hamburg Airport as evening closes in. This Airbus A321 has a bit of interesting history behind it. Whilst it is in standard Lufthansa house colours (and has been part of the Lufthansa fleet since 1998), this plane was previously in a retro livery to … [Read more...]

Merseyrail Strike – 8th April

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Today marks the running of the Grand National - a steeplechase horse race. And it's the perfect day for Rail and Maritime Trade Union to walk out on strike over driver only operated trains. As such services on Merseyrail - the local train provider in the Liverpool area - are on reduced timetables for most of the day. Mersyrail Class 507 Train at Liverpool Central - by … [Read more...]