Economy Class & Beyond

BMI – rumours swirling

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The Rumor-mill is swirling about BMI and its breakup. Currently, BMIBaby is being eye-balled by Monarch, and BMI Mainline is being eyed very closely by BA's owner International Airlines Group according to the Financial Times (Registration Req). Sir Richard Branson's time to put up or shut up is coming.... … [Read more...]

Alan Joyce writes to his Frequent Flyers. I fall about laughing.

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Maybe I see comedy in all it's odd forms (those who read my trip reports will understand that), but if Alan Joyce thinks the following is going to placate his flyers and build up the lost goodwill... he's in cloud cuckoo-land. Now that Qantas has resumed normal operations I would like to update you on what the recent decision by Fair Work Australia means for you. I … [Read more...]

Free WiFi in London from Nokia

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If you're heading into London during the next two months (the great Christmas rush), and are nowhere near a Starbucks (where they'll offer you Internet Access for free - no Starbucks card required) or a Weatherspoons (registration required, and to be honest crap WiFi in my local Weatherspoons) and need WiFi for some reason, then good news - Nokia of all people are offering free … [Read more...]

LOT 767 Gear up incident at Warsaw

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Major news from Warsaw, with news of a LOT Boeing 767 having to land with a landing gear failing to deploy before landing. Flight reports video footage from Reuters... and it doesn't look good. The 767-300ER - forming flight LO016 from New York  - Newark to Warsaw was carrying 220 passengers and 11 crew. Thankfully all were safely evacuated from the … [Read more...]

Singapore Airlines formally introduce “Scoot”

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It's been rumbling away for a few weeks, but today, Singapore Airlines launches another Low-Cost Carrier, called "Scoot" Image - FlyScoot.com Yes. That's what I was thinking too. Scheduled to begin operation in 2012, Scoot will operate Medium and Long Haul Services, aiming to "offer airfares up to 40% less of legacy carriers". Scoot will operate four Boeing … [Read more...]

I feel dirty……. (paying for luggage)

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... because I just paid for luggage. Yes. Handed over real cash to stow a bag in the hold. And worse than that - I'm flying FlyBe in December. Or in UK parlance - FlyMayBe. £14.99 to stow a bag - I ask you.... All because I want to bring back a few pressies on my next trip that are 1) liquid and 2) over a 100ml. And as much as another ferry trip and coach journey … [Read more...]

BREAKING: Qantas to be cleared for flight from 15:00 AEDT

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A literal grab from the Reuters/BBC News feed (before I close the computer down for the night). According to a breaking news headline, Qantas has been cleared to fly by the Australian Regulators from 15:00AEDT. Mentioned on the Qantas Twitter feed: Qantas resuming services today, subject to approval. All customers booked on afternoon flights should go to airport. Some … [Read more...]

Airplane art – BMI Regional ERJ-145

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It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some Airplane Art. This week, in light of the news that BMI Regional is in the process of being sold,  it's a BMI Regional Embraer ERJ-145 at London Heathrow Airport More of course, next week! … [Read more...]

Credit Cards in the UK – Hotels

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Ok, last up in our review of Travel Credit Cards in the UK - Hotel Credit Cards. And I'll be blunt - this is not a competitive sector at all. There are 3 (yes, THREE) Hotel Credit Cards we're going to look at, issued by two issuers. The big thing with all these cards is this: you'll only extract best value from them if you're brand loyal only to that hotel. Those of us who … [Read more...]