Something that happened yesterday.. Virgin Atlantic became 25 years old... but more importantly for the geeks amongst us, Virgin made an order for more aircraft - this time more Airbus A330's. Hang on. This from the airline that said "4 engines 4 longhaul". They're also on the warpath for Boeing 787-9's and Airbus 350's. Now there is a sign that someone has visited the … [Read more...]
Come in BMI.. your time is up!
Well for us BMI Diamond Club members, the end is finally nearing in the Love-Hate forced takeover of BMI by Lufthansa. Like any couple heading up the isle, there has been squabbles, backtracking, leagel fights.. leaving the children (in this case, BMI staff and BMI flyers) waiting for the outcome. But today, it seems "LHBD Holding Limited" exists as a holding company in … [Read more...]
Airplane p0rn – Alaska Airlines 737 Salmon-Thirty-Salmon
As if I've forgotten - Time for some airplane p0rn. This week - it's the turn of Alaska Airlines and it's painted-up 737... Behold - the Salmon-Thirty-Salmon! … [Read more...]
Paris Air Show Day 5: Pretty Graphs at last
Now that I'm sitting at my desk and for once not cursing CA and their "wonderful" AV products, it's time to get down to the nitty gritty of Paris 2009 - or "The year when 10 Wide Body jet is considered a big order" New orders on day 5 - Olympic Airways join the Dash-8 400 party with an order for 5, option for another 5 So lets put this into graphics. So what are … [Read more...]
Paris Air Show Day 4: More Narrow body twins vicar? – CO61 Incident
And Welcome to Day 4 New Orders: - China Eastern plump for 20 A320's - Afrijet's order for four ATR 72-500s - Aigle Azur - 1 A319 - Zest Airways Inc (ZestAir) of the Philippines - 1 A320 - Possible big order from WizzAir of 50 A320's. - MC Aviation Partners (lessor) has ordered 2 737-800's Alas, more important things are happening in the air today - with the death … [Read more...]
Paris Air Show Update Day 3
Sorry - no fancy graphic today as it's been a day from hell (and when I find the ****** who wrote the Conflicker virus, I will rip them to bits - then leave them to the rest of the office) Order update Royal Air Maroc - 6 ATR's of sorts. IFE Update - Panasonic have been mentioning that their iPod merging equipment is going nicely... on the following airlines: Singapore, … [Read more...]
News: Meanwhile…
Airline updates: British Airways Oh BA. Dearie me :( There's not much else to say other than good luck to those involved. Alas, a smaller BA might emerge after this dip and bust is done and dusted. All we can hope is that the minimum of jobs are hit - because no matter what goes on - in each one of those companies... there are people still. Singapore Airlines … [Read more...]
Paris Air Show Day 2: More Orders… and what about IFE
Welcome to yet another review of day to at Paris ... and if we're blunt, not a lot from those IFE units and suppliers today. However Thales (who are providing the IFE on the new QR birds) seem to have a new weez... Wireless IFE Of course, wireless seems to be one of those buzzwords, so we're looking at wireless in terms of Cabin control and systems. Of course - pumping … [Read more...]
Paris airshow and IFE – What’s hot?
Well this week the Paris Air Show is off and running. Obviously, I'm not there (my purse strings are limited y'know), so I'll be analysing some of the stuff coming from Flight International, Cranky, and a few other sources to make some sort of sense of whats going on in the world on In-Flight Entertainment Lets look at the free entertainment first - the world out of your … [Read more...]
Sunday Soapbox – Food.. Make an effort please!
Now moving to a subject close to my heart - Food. I don't expect the finest gourmet dining whilst in the air. Heck, in economy, I expect to be give something resembling food and be done with it. What I don't expect is this: Ok, I'll vaguely attempt to ignore the bad attempt at Salad (hey, chuck some green leaves together), the abomination of Pudding (A triple … [Read more...]