Economy Class & Beyond

MX: Mexicana – From bad to worse – Stops selling tickets.

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Things are heading into tailspin with Mexicana alas, with the announcement via Reuters that they have suspended selling tickets from Wednesday.Flights will continue to operate and existing tickets honoured.The unions are being called in today in a attempt to reach an agreement with management, although judging by the previous actions of the union, I would not be surprised if … [Read more...]

CX: Cathay flashes the cash – orders A350’s and 777’s….

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Well there seems to be some money floating around - this time in Asia with Cathay Pacific in the mood to buy.Cathay has signed a letter of intent to purchase 30 A350-900 aircraft from Airbus, whilst at the same time to exercise existing purchase rights for six Boeing 777-300ERs.Cathay expects the A350s to be delivered between 2016 and 2019, which Cathay say will form its … [Read more...]

Flambe! Engine Fire on a Monarch A320

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Drama over the skies of Birmingham this evening a Monarch A321 suffering an engine fire after take off (and for Birmingham Airport - that's high drama).A Monarch Airlines Airbus A321-200, on flight ZB932 from Birmingham to Tenerife with 213 passengers, departed Birmingham's yesterday, and during the initial climb, when the left engine emitted a loud bang,streaks of flames and … [Read more...]

Mexicana: Trouble ahead…..

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Mexicana has fallen, and has filed for bankruptcy protection both in Mexico and the USA after failing to reach a deal with trade unions on cost cutting.To stave of bankruptcy, the airline had proposed deep pay cuts for the crews, pilots and a 40% slash on staff. To which the unions disagreed too. Mexicana has said flights would continue while it restructured its … [Read more...]

BA vs Unite: Back to the table, away from the table, make signs at the table that mean nothing at all…

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It's been some weeks or days since I've talked about BA and Unite. So lets waste some pixel space seeing what both sides are at.BA and Unite have had a round of talks this week in an attempt to hold off any industrial action - and whilst no fruit is bearing at the moment, they will be meeting again next week.Both parties met at Acas, and discussed what they wanted under their … [Read more...]

FR: Don’t forget to book an extra seat if you’re taking a muscial instrument….

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The Daily Hate Mail once again publishes another scare story about Ryanair, with this time Three musicians were left stunned when they were forced to buy additional seats for their instruments. Flying from Frankfurt-Hann to Stansted, the believed they could take their instruments as hand luggage, but discovered before they could fly they couldn't with a cost of extra seats at a … [Read more...]

Airplane p0rn – United 777-200

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Another week passes, and it therefore time for some more airplane p0rn.This week, it's an United Airlines Boeing 777-200 in it's old colour scheme and with odd engine access cowling's, at Frankfurt-am-Main, readying for the long journey across the pond to somewhere in the USA. More airplane p0rn of course, next week! … [Read more...]

Another step towards Miles and More – HON Circle and Excutive Bonus miles now earnable on BMI.

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Well the long march continues, with Miles and More Members now able to earn Executive bonus and HON Circle miles on BMI. Normally, earning these bonuses is restricted to fully integrated (ie fully owned) members of Miles and More. FTL and SEN can earn 25% too (expect on BMI Baby flights). So for all Miles and more Members, this is good news. BMI announced that it would offer … [Read more...]

BA/VS: Both post losses.

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Earnings season is in full swing at the moment, with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic releasing their numbers today.And for both, neither is good reading.BA reported a pre-tax loss of £164m, larger than the £148m loss it made in the same period last year, whilst Virgin Atlantic announced a pre-tax operating loss of £132m in the 12 months to February.BA of … [Read more...]

AZ: Wha? You actually *FLY* Alitalia? How does £20 off sound?

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Let it not be said I pay attention to my inbox, as I had a lovely public voucher drop through it today for Alitalia.Providing you book between now and 31st August, and flying 1st November to 15th December, you can get £20 off using code AUTUMN2010 at the checkout providing you do it via www.alitalia.co.uk. Usefully, it's also valid across the network, apart from domestic … [Read more...]