Economy Class & Beyond

Last stop in Korea: Back to Incheon

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Well a nice short over has come to an end, and therefore it's time to begin to end this long burn trip. But first, there is a (hopefully) lovely flight coming up with Asiana coming up. I'm just dreading the final bit of the journey - from Heathrow, through London, and finally back to Birmingham. And whilst I could take a coach home... I'm sure you'll understand that I'll … [Read more...]

IAG (BA+Iberia) numbers are out and good…

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The IAG Group has released its latest numbers, and all is going well it seems, making profits of £410 million. £190m in 2010, with revenues up 10.4 per cent. Pre-tax profit was up from £70m in 2010, to £426m However, with all these good numbers, there is a heck of a sting in the tail. And that's in the form of the Air Passenger Duty collected, which comes in at a whopping … [Read more...]

Emirates introduce a varible fuel surcharge

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It seems even the darling of the Middle Eastern airlines - Emirates -  is suffering with the current round of fuel prices and is to institute fuel surcharges on its flights The airline will be introducing the surcharge for all tickets issued from 1st March 2012. Of course, like any surcharge it's comparatively confusing depending on you're going and the class you're … [Read more...]

O’Leary on the 737-MAX… APD and “Boris Island”

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The shy and retiring CEO of Ryanair Michael O'Leary has looked at the new 737-MAX project. And his words on it could be worrying for Boeing with the amount of planes Ryanair has ordered in the past. Talks are ongoing, but the shy CEO stated that re-engineered plane is a "dog's dinner of a design", and that it had been drawn "on the back of a fag packet as a response to the … [Read more...]

Kingfisher: Vijay Mallya – It’ll be fine… honest….

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It's time to turn back to the soap opera that is Kingfisher Airlines, with Vijay Mallya telling employees on Monday that he hopes to conclude negotiations by next week with groups who could provide much-needed new funding the airline according to the Times of India Vijay also calls the attacks on the media "unscrupulous" and "sensationalist." Sorry Vijay, when I see a … [Read more...]

Korean Air to upgrade Seoul ICN to Frankfurt… to A380 operations

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Korean Air has decided to deploy an A380 to Frankfurt in a move that has surprised some (as London was on the cards). It seems the money in Frankfurt and trade links are more important than a city name... and people who will pay and fill those business class seats  - so business sense rather than pride. (although Korean Air has expanded its route to London recently - even … [Read more...]

Airplane Art – ANA Boeing 777-300 “Pokemon Jet”

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It's Sunday, and I'm now in the Fragrant Harbor, so it must be time for Airplane Art. Of course visiting Japan means "Ooh, an ANA plane. Ooh JAL. Ooh... another ANA plane. But they do love their special edition liveries out here... and to celebrate, I did catch a Pokemon jet (well two of them), as I caught But it seems I have not caught them all sadly. So here's the … [Read more...]

Hello from HKG!

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Good afternoon from Hong Kong Airport! ANA deliverered again - that's the good news. The bad news that at 12:40, it was Asia rush hour. Net result.... 30 minutes to clear immirgation.... Anyway, guesses where I'm headed next? … [Read more...]

Back to Haneda

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Good morning from the ANA lounge at Haneda Airport. I'm readying for yet another flight on this trip, and have had a whale of a time. But the time is coming to an end, and it's off from the Land of the Rising Sun to The Fragrant Harbor. And the Udon noodles they have at the ANA Lounge are excellent! It's been an interesting trip so far... although my credit card … [Read more...]