Economy Class & Beyond

Further adventures in Direct Currency Conversion (just decline it, seriously)

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When I was travelling to Romania, I needed to get some local currency out. Sometimes hard cash is a useful thing to have to hand (and in the end, I didn't need hard currency - but that's beside the point, it's better to be prepared than not). Rather than hitting a cashpoint at the airport (least of all they have the EuroNet ones which have... more than a few issues, which … [Read more...]

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (8th February)

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We've reached the end of another week, mainly filled with news, announcements and my asthma making a comeback when it is least wanted or expected. So whilst I'm still upright and can still hit letters on a keyboard, it's time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Pick your drug of choice, Subutamol, Budesonide with formoterol or Caffine.  Backtracks and U-Turns. … [Read more...]

Etihad Airways to offer daily flights with its upcoming service to Atlanta

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It seems that Etihad Airways is planning to expand its planned service to Atlanta, with a frequency bump announced by the airline. Etihad Airways Airbus A350-1000 - Image, Etihad Airways.  The new service, which connects Abu Dhabi to Atlanta, will initially launch on the 2nd of July 2025, initially flying four times a week is proving so popular that the airline has … [Read more...]

Norse Atlantic to lease a Boeing 787 to IndiGo

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In IndiGo's effort to expand its sphere of operations, it has converted the "Letter of Intenet" it had with Norse Atlantic into a wet lease agreement. The original Letter of Intent between the two parties covered the lease of six aircraft. This has been converted into a firm wet-lease agreement for one aircraft with IndiGo. The aircraft is expected to start operations … [Read more...]

Virgin Atlantic switches on Find My Share Item Location

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For those of you who travel with Apple devices and use AirTags (as well as other "Find My" compatible devices), Virgin Atlantic is the latest airline to integrate this function if your luggage decides to sprout legs when travelling. Passengers who have these can now use the new Share Item Location feature to privately and securely share the location of their AirTag or Find … [Read more...]

Fixing the barn door after the horse has bolted? British Airways adds clarifications to its planned changes to “The Club”

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Well, it seems there have been some changes to British Airways' "The Club" before it launches, as the airline tries to bolt the door on the barn, long after the horses have gone. Let's see what they offer, and if it's enough for you to go back to the BA Barn. Sector-based Earning returns as a Qualifying Option One of my big criticisms has been addressed, which is … [Read more...]

Viasat Connects STARLUX’s Entire Fleet with High-Speed IFC Solution

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STARLUX has launched enhanced service with Viasat’s high performance in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution, expanding their relationship. The phased rollout of Viasat’s high-speed, reliable in-flight Wi-Fi service will span STARLUX’s entire active fleet. In total, 48 aircraft, including Airbus A330-900s, A321neos, A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft will install or … [Read more...]

Lufthansa Group begins integrating ITA Airways into itself

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Lufthansa Group has started the process of integrating its new purchase - ITA Airways - into itself. And there is a lot of the menu, so strap in. All one happy fleet.  Frequent Flyer programme Miles & More members can earn and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights with immediate effect. At the same time, members of the ITA Airways frequent flyer program Volare can … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – TAROM Boeing 737-700 (SkyTeam) arriving at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport

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It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have a TAROM Boeing 737-700 in SkyTeam house colours arriving at its home base of Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport. TAROM has an active fleet of four Boeing 737-700s. The airline also operates the Boeing 737-800, ATR72-500 and ATR72-600 in its fleet. The airline is due to … [Read more...]

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (1st February)

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Dear readers, please collect your "I Survived January" medals on the table on the left. Drinks are on the right as we barrel into February. And for one last look back, it's time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. The Palace of the Parliament - Bucharest.  I'm currently working through my latest trip writing. The urge to write is battling the urge to cough, as my … [Read more...]