Economy Class & Beyond

Virgin puts its money on the table – progressing with “Due Diligence” of BMI

12/12/2011 by Kevincm

Well it seems Virgin has finally found the guts to put it's money where it's mouth is, and has put a rival bid on the table for British Midlands Airways Ltd (also known as BMI, British Midland International) according to Bloomberg Virgin Atlantic has been granted "due diligence" to create a bid that will trump International Airline Group's (British Airways and Iberia) bid … [Read more...]

Airplane Art: ANA 777-200ER

11/12/2011 by Kevincm

It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some airplane art. This week, it's a All Nippon Airlines Boeing 777-200ER taxing at Los Angeles International Airport More airplane art of course next week! … [Read more...]

Airline Repaint Video Saturday – Delta 747-400

10/12/2011 by Kevincm

Well, I've given up trying to find new safety videos for a bit as I seem to going around in circles finding new good ones. So for the remainder of December, it's going to be "Airline Repaint Video Saturday". Not the snappiest of titles, I'll grant you that, but it sort of works. This week, it's an extended cut of a Northwest (remember them?) 747-400 being repainted into … [Read more...]

Denver Run: Trip Pictures and videos – Now live!

10/12/2011 by Kevincm

Good news! The pictures from the Denver trip are now live over in my Photoblog And here they are listed for your amusement: Aer Lingus BHX-DUB and Travelodge Swords- http://www.photoblog.com/kevincm/2011/12/01/denver-mileage-run-birmingham-to-dublin-travelodge-swords.html United/Continental Airlines DUB-EWR - … [Read more...]

Ryanair is at it again – Hikes Baggage and Boarding card costs

09/12/2011 by Kevincm

The cowboys of the sky are at it once again. The Low Fares Airline (Note Low Fare - not low Excesses) Ryanair has announced changes to some of their fees. And these are eye-watering. From 15th December 2011, checked luggage bookings made online for “peak travel periods” (which Ryanair determines as June, July, August, September and “Christmas”) will increase by £5 to £25 … [Read more...]

What’s this? A letter? For me?

09/12/2011 by Kevincm

Well I came in last night to find this sitting on my doormat from Lufthansa Ooh What wonders lie inside it? Well - not a lot. However, it's nice for an airline to actually use it's customer database to do some "Fuzzy feel good stuff" as opposed to usual hard marketing sell. Two thumbs up Lufthansa! … [Read more...]

Scottish Travel Situation: Police Advise “Do not travel”

08/12/2011 by Kevincm

It seems the high winds and rain in Scotland are causing havoc with the Met Office issuing a Red Alert serverity warning for the area. Edinburgh and Glasgow airports are currently open, but delays and cancellations are expected later today as wind speeds increase. Rail services have been impacted, with services reduced and cancelled, with ScotRail issuing a temporary … [Read more...]

APD Consultation decends into farce – nothing to change at all. Except more APD.

07/12/2011 by Kevincm

Yesterday the UK Government posted it's response to the Air Passenger Duty Consultation. And the airlines aren't impressed in the least. The consultation is at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/condoc_responses_air_passenger_duty.pdf for those who want to fall asleep. HM Government has decided to change... nothing. All rises and income streams will go ahead as planned. … [Read more...]

MAS to set up new “Regional Premium Airline”

07/12/2011 by Kevincm

It seems Malaysia Airlines is trying new ideas to boost income and profits, with the announcement today of the creation of a new regional premium carrier by the second half of 2012. The carrier will be operating key business routes out of Kuala Lumpur within a 4 hour range, connecting Malaysia to core cities in South Asia and Greater China in the first instance ,with … [Read more...]

Willie Walsh and APD… launches a new attack.

06/12/2011 by Kevincm

It seems IAG and British Airways aren't happy with the state of the planned APD increase at all. To the point where they are now accusing the government of costing new jobs. According to British Airways: The planned 800 people that they were planning to recruit has been knocked down to 400 The planned re-introduction of a stored 747-400 has been put on hold for the … [Read more...]