Economy Class & Beyond

And so it came to pass – JAL files for Bankruptcy protection

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It's done. Japan Airlines (JAL) has filed for bankruptcy protection. A turnaround organisation says it plans to inject about 300bn yen into JAL, with a 600bn-yen credit line and get 730bn yen in debt waivers.  With stock at an all time low, it will be de-listed from the Japanese Stock Exchange on Wednesday 20th. In practical terms:  flights will continue as … [Read more...]

The Fallout of the changes at BMI…

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Well it's been a good few hours since BMI has announced its latest method of death spiral. Lets take a closer look to see how this is going to happen - step by step (I've excluded the end of Manchester Long Haul for this exercise). Wet-Lease to Lufthansa Italia/Lufthansa Mainline - A sign on the beginning when an A319 were shifted away from BMI Mainline duties to help … [Read more...]

BMI takes another step to becoming Lemming Airways…

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BMI today announced it's to drop it's Business Class product on the following routes London Heathrow - Glasgow London Heathrow - Edinburgh London Heathrow - Dublin London Heathrow - Belfast and instead to introduce a "Flexible Economy" product instead. For long time readers, you've guessed correct - BMI have once again to been to the Strategy Boutique and picked … [Read more...]

Another Aircraft Skids – Iran Air A300 comes off at Stockholm

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It seems that the skidding season is in full flow this year with an Iran Air Airbus A300 coming off the runway. Flight IR762 on Saturday 16/1 with service from Stockholm to Tehran, 149 passengers aboard, left the runway at low speed shortly after beginning its take-off roll, forcing the runway to be closed. No passengers or crew were injured, and the airframe itself … [Read more...]

Airplane p0rn – BMI A330 at Manchester

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It's Sunday again, so it's time for some more airplane p0rn.  This time another one from the archive, and one that will pass into history soon with a BMI Airbus A330-200 taxing for a Barbados departure from Manchester Airport. The A330 fleet was shifting in its entirety to London, where one will remain to serve the Saudi routes, and the remaining two will be returned to … [Read more...]

Maximing LHR-ORD – Part II – Segmentally Yours.

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Ok - I'm behind schedule (as usual) so here's part two of the LHR-ORD post. So you remember the numbers? Good.  I skipped Code shares for one reason - I wasn't willing to handle them at this juncture. BMI offer the UA flights of LHR-IAD-ORD and back for £362, with a £2 discount for going direct. CO is one who also offers cheaper fares - £330 on … [Read more...]

Baggage fees. Hint: They’re going up. Again.

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Airlines and Shareholder love more income. Alas, they're targeting the consumer once again with more baggage rises. A quick overview (Note if you have some sort of Elite Status with the airline or alliance, it will probably reduce these costs to nothing): United First Bag:  $25 at the counter,  $23 online for a US Domestic Second Bag: $35  at the … [Read more...]

Richard Quest on… Miles.

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Of course, there are wonder-people like Gary, Lucky and of course Randy Petersen, who are in the millions of miles. However, some of us are in the mere hundred thousands (or thousands in the case of some programs).  For those of us, we just muddle through. Although this space might get a bit more crowded thanks to increased perception through George Cluneys "Up in … [Read more...]