Economy Class & Beyond

A new Jetstar on the horizon: Jetstar Hong Kong

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After the failed attempt to create a premium carrier with Malaysia Airlines, Qantas is to try again to make a new airline. With it's Jetstar unit, Qantas and China Eastern Airlines are joining together to create a new budget carrier for the Chinese market Both airlines will be equal partners in this venture. The plan is to tie the networks together, with Jetstar Asia based … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – BMI Airbus A320

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It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, it's a British Midland International Airbus A320 at Birmingham Airport, waiting to operate a flight the early morning Lufthansa to Frankfurt-am-Main (Click for the large version) More airplane art next week! … [Read more...]

Airplane Refit Saturday – Qantas 747-400

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It's Saturday, and on a twist of on Airplane Repaint Saturday, this week it's Qantas refitting and repainting one of their Boeing 747-400's and installing A380 interiors inside the plane. And yes, they show economy being refitted too. More airplane repainting next week! … [Read more...]

Iberia Express to launch on Sunday

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IAG and Iberia are pushing the launch of Iberia Express, which is due to commence on Sunday 25th March with the aim to “restore profitability to short and medium-haul routes” Formed as a chance to take on the now dead Spanair, and to attempt to offer a higher value proposition than some Low Cost carriers, there is a fair olde list of destinations up for grabs. The first … [Read more...]

Lufthansa sets out expected dates for 747-8i

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Lufthansa has been speaking to Flight about when it expects the 747-8i's - and the date for your diary is is the 23rd April. This is ahead of the planned introduction to service in May. Like the 787, there have been some delays with the delivery of the 747-8i series aircraft, but the first delivery has been made to the Government of Qatar (after an appropriate re-fit). The … [Read more...]

The new APD numbers, now confirmed for 2012/2013.

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And the exact response is from the travelling public is "Open your wallets and scream" at yet another attempt by this government to milk the traveller out of every spare coin they have. Here are the Air Passenger Duty  figures for that are due to go into effect, from 2011 to 2012, and the new figures that meet the 8% Retail Price Index rise for 2013 APD. BAND A … [Read more...]

JAL Confirms 787 Delivery Date: 25th March

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Japan Airlines has formally confirmed that Boeing is due to deliver their first Dreamliner to the group on the 25th March 2012. More details of the plane have been revealed - in particular - the seating: Business Class: 42 in a 2-2-2 layout - The JAL Shell Flat Neo seats configured ina 60.2-inch pitch, a 21.3-inch width, 171 degree recline and a 15.4-inch IFE touch … [Read more...]

The UK Budget and how it will hit you (in traveller terms)

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Well the UK Budget has been announced today, and at GhettoIFE towers, it's time for a quick look at what Transport related items have come up... Aviation: Air Passenger Duty is confirmed as up from the 1st April 2012. However buried in the Red book this year is an ominous line: 2.158 Aviation tax: rates – Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates will rise from April 2012, … [Read more...]

Three Virgins get together and link programmes…..

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The three big Virgin Airlines have finally seen a bit of sense, and fully linked their Frequent Flyer Programmes together. This includes: Virgin Atlantic Airways (Flying Club) Virgin America  (Elevate ) Virgin Australia (Velocity) This means if you're a member of one of the above programmes, you can earn and redeem miles - and more importantly earn  status points … [Read more...]

AirBerlin formally joins OneWorld

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Amazingly, Oneworld finally has a new airline in it's stables, and it is indeed Air Berlin which takes its place at OneWorld formally today. Air Berlin formally joins as a full member of OneWorld, with all the usual features (Earning/Redeeming miles on Oneworld metal and Oneworld members able to earn on Air Berlin) NIKI will also be joining Oneworld as an affiliate member … [Read more...]