Economy Class & Beyond

Welcome to the USA. With Poor Planning and inadequate staff (Philly Airport)

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There's nothing like coming to the USA, and being a victim of poor planning and having inadequate staff. Good evening from what is turning into a class one ominishambles of a trip from Philadelphia Airport. But I'm not going to focus on American Airlines performance today... (that's later). Rather, it's the turn of the US Customs and Border Patrol and my old friends - the … [Read more...]

KLM to return to London City Airport

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KLM is returning to London City Airport in 2017, with up to four services a day between London City and Amsterdam in the offing. KLM CityHopper Embraer E-Jet - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. The airline returns to the heart of London after an absence of 8 years. In the first instance, the airline will operate a daily service between Amsterdam Schiphol and London … [Read more...]

Hello Digbeth my old friend…

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(apologies to Simon and Garfunkel and The Sound of Silence). ... I've come to pass through again.  Say hello to the evening light. Say hello to the coach that's there.  To take me so I can fly by air.  With songs, that never seem to change  And no delays.  Touching... the sound of silence.  (Sorry, I. An only stretch … [Read more...]

Ryanair takes the fight to Lufthansa – Frankfurt-am-Main base confirmed

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Its been bubbling along quietly the past few days, but it seems Ryanair is going to do something it said it would never do - and that's open a base at Frankfurt-am-Main Airport. Ryanair Boeing 737-800 taxing at Birmingham Airport - Image, Economy Class and Beyond.  This will be Ryanair's 85th base in Europe. The airline is planning the following operations for Summer … [Read more...]

British Airways takes the fight to Norweigan – launches Oakland route

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It seems British Airways is finally waking up to the growing threat out of its Gatwick hub (long over-ignored) with the announcement of a new route between London Gatwick and Oakland in California. Three Class British Airways Boeing 777-200ER at Denver - Image, Economy Class and Beyond British Airways will be operating this route 4 times a week in the initial … [Read more...]

SNAPSHOT: American Airlines 710 Chicago to Dublin

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We've had some snapshots of the outbound flights, some hotels. It's now time to look at the inbound flights, and American Airlines 710 between Chicago and Dublin Boarding Boarding was from the far end of the K gates at Chicago O'Hare International. It didn't help the lounge called for the flight... at the final call. I love O'Hare. The Plane It's an Airbus A330-200 - the … [Read more...]

SNAPSHOT: Hyatt Regency O’Hare

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Time for another hotel snapshot - this time looking at one of the properties I end up most in the USA - The Hyatt Regency O'Hare. Location The hotel is in Rosemont, near O'Hare International Airport, next to a conference centre and Rosemont CTA station. The Hotel The hotel is split into a main block, a conference area on the ground floor, the International level and … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – Lufthansa Boeing 737

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It's Sunday, and it's time for some more airplane art. This week, Lufthansa withdrew its last Boeing 737 from front-line service as it said farewell to the type. Boeing 737-500 at Frankfurt-am-Main. Lufthansa Boeing 737-300 at Zürich Lufthansa Boeing 737-500 at Frankfurt-am-Main Lufthansa has operated the Boeing 737 type in some form since its … [Read more...]

SNAPSHOT: Radisson O’Hare

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Time for another snapshot - this time - we're going to look at hotels. First up, the Radisson O'Hare near Chicago O'Hare airport. Location The Radisson O'Hare is in Des Paines - around 10 minutes by cab or shuttle bus from O'Hare International airport (depending on traffic). It's near the All-State Arena, and a massive Target. The Building It's a low-rise two-floor … [Read more...]

SNAPSHOT: Iberia 6725 Madrid to Chicago

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Time for another Snapshot - this time looking how Iberia does long haul service. This time, we're going from Madrid to Chicago aboard Iberia 6725. Boarding Boarding was from the RSU section of Terminal 4S at Madrid Airport. By the time I had arrived, boarding was in full swing with Group 2 about to board. I slipped into the priory queue... to be greeted with a queue to get on … [Read more...]