Economy Class & Beyond

Fallout from the UK budget – APD on the rise again

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There are some things in life that are certain - being born, dieing, suffering from a stinker of a cough/flu, and of course, taxes. The one certainty there has been over the past few years is that Air Passenger Duty (APD) which is levied on flights departing the United Kingdom is going to shoot up. Again. So, how much extra are you going to be spending from Chancellor … [Read more...]

Lufthansa strike action

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Another day, another set of strikes. This time the strikes are by the ver.di union as they take action against Lufthansa over pay in Germany. The strike runs form 05:00 to 12:00CET, with short haul flights operating from Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne all hit, leading to 514 cancellations. The full list is at … [Read more...]

Ryanair goes for more Boeing 737-800’s

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Well it's been coming, and it seems Ryanair and Boeing have come to terms over a new order, with Ryanair going for 175 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. These will compliment Ryanair's current 737-800 fleet, with 75 aircraft to be used to replace some existing aircraft, whilst 100 aircraft are to be used for expansion purposes. Delivery of the aircraft will be through to December … [Read more...]

Asiana Airlines to operate their new 3 class product between ICN and JFK

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If there is an airline who I have a soft spot for, it's Asiana Airlines. Whilst  I find whilst their hard product may not be the best out there compared to some (if you've been on a long trip on a Wedgie Bed... it's not great, but it's not bad), the soft product and the sheer warmth of their crews has made me choose Asiana more than not. Well, there's good news for … [Read more...]

Lion Air goes to Airbus for expansion

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Indonesia's Lion Air is performing another expansion. - but instead of turning to Boeing like it has done in the past, it is now turning to Airbus. The order is a mix of both old and new designs within the A320 Family, with a total of 234 aircraft. The splits are: - 60 A320Ceo aircraft - 109 A320Neo aircraft - 65 A321Neo aircraft The aircraft will be delivered from 2014 to … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – Delta Boeing 767-400ER

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It's Sunday, so it must be time for some airplane art. This week, it's a Delta 767-400ER taxing in the sun at London Heathrow Airport after arriving from the United States The image is clickable if you want to see a larger version – and yes you can keep them for your desktops! More airplane art next week! … [Read more...]

Safety Video Saturday – China Airlines

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It's Saturday again, so it's time to stow your bags, secure your tray tables and place your seat in the upright position as we go to this week's safety video. This week, it's China Airlines demonstrating safety aboard their aircraft Another safety video next week! … [Read more...]

It’s World Sleep Day… so which hotel beds do I remember best?

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According to some, it's World Sleep Day today. So this is probably the flimsiest excuse I need to do a quick review of hotel beds I've wound up in. Lets start from the good and work slowly downward..... Give me that bed!  The Hyatt Regency Bed As slept in Chicago and Atlanta. As shot - a Double-Double in Chicago. If there was a bed I wish I could I could … [Read more...]

When a travel company says sorry…

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As I've starteds my new job recently, I've also had to change the way I travel in the morning and evening. On the plus side, I don't have to through Birmingham City Centre each day. On the down side, I have to take a bus and a tram. Wait... Birmingham has a tram? Indeed it does - the Midland Metro. Tram at Jewellery Quarter station- Image - Muggins, off the … [Read more...]

China Airlines to NOT set up an LCC

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Update: retracted according to ATW - http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-data/news/china-airlines-launch-lcc-taiwan-0314 That would been interesting... Very interesting. Oh well. There's still is the question of how Taiwanese airlines will tackle the low cost carriers.... China Airlines of Taiwan (as opposed to Air China which is based in China) is to set up a Low Cost … [Read more...]