Economy Class & Beyond

Farnborough Air Show 2024 Day 1 Daily Digest – Early Boeing Wins

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It's the end of the day first day at the Farnborough Air Show. Let's see what announcements there are and any interesting titbits on the way. As usual, we'll be presenting this alphabetical order of the Civil Aircraft OEMs, followed by any other headlines that raise an eyebrow. Airbus Drukiair goes neo and XLR Only one for Airbus today, with Drukair - Royal Bhutan … [Read more...]

Qatar Airways unveils its Next-Generation QSuites

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Well, after trailing it for so long, Qatar Airways has unveiled its QSuiteNext Gen product. It was unveiled by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and others at a ceremony at Farnborough 2024. The redesigned Quad Suite will be equipped with movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens. The screens can be repositioned to the side to … [Read more...]

Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (20th July)

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If there's rain, sunshine and lots of kids about, it must be the summer holiday season in England at least. But it's still Saturday, with the world going around as usual. Time for Last Week at Econoy Class and Beyond. I'm not in Kansas any more. Worse. I'm in Solihull - The Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull. TRIP REPORT: Exploring Innovation in a Rush I had this … [Read more...]

DEEP DIVE: The A321XLR interior demonstrator – glimpses of a near future 

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With the Airbus A321XLR (the extra long-range version of the A321neo) coming along very shortly, Airbus showed off a cabin demonstrator of the possibilities of the type at Aircraft Interiors Expo. As the A321XLR clears a major certification hurdle, what can we look forward to seeing aboard? The A321XLR demostrator has been set up in a 2 and half-class configuration … [Read more...]

Airbus receives EASA type authorisation for the A321XLR

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Some big news as we head into the run-up to Farnborough, with Airbus receiving Type Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Airbus A321XLR. Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA handing over the Type Certificate for the Airbus A321XLR to Isabelle Bloy, Airbus A321XLR Chief Engineer. Photo: EASA This certification covers the … [Read more...]

Examining MAYA by Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics – the next step forward in seating?

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If there was one seat that brought the "wow" factor at Aircraft Interiors Expo this year, it was the Collins Aerospace and Panasonic Avionics MAYA concept. Now that the show is long over and I've had time to think - what does it bring to the table that will really set things apart from the completion? Let's start with the IFE side, where the technology side that … [Read more...]

ITA Airways kicks off its status match programme

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It seems that Status Matches are running rife at the moment, with ITA Airways being the next to offer a match. ITA Airways is targeting international frequent flyers with this match, with the offer open to those who hold addresses outside Italy. 19 airlines have been targeted with the status match.  You can find the list and what you can match … [Read more...]

TRIP REPORT: Exploring Passenger Innovation in a rush – Into Hamburg and The Ibis Budget, St Pauli

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Into Germany The IBIS Budget, Hamburg St Pauli/Repherbahn Exploring the latest in passenger experience… in a rush. Planning is Overrated. Other People’s Plans, Doubly So Flixing over to London and the joy of the Elizabeth Line British Airways North and South lounges BA974 London Heathrow to Hamburg Airport (Club Europe) Into Hamburg, The IBIS Budget, Hamburg … [Read more...]