by LondonCity
Sat Feb 10, 2018 10:29 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: First Class, Garuda Style: Jakarta to London on the Boeing B 777-300ER
Replies: 6
Views: 11255

Re: First Class, Garuda Style: Jakarta to London on the Boeing B 777-300ER

Great report. But how can GA justify the expense of offering first class on only *one* route !

And I believe it's not even a daily service to LHR so that first class lounge at CGK must be unused for most of the time.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sun Dec 24, 2017 11:56 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Weekend trip to Budapest on FlyBe (SEN) and BA (LHR)
Replies: 8
Views: 6886

Re: Weekend trip to Budapest on FlyBe (SEN) and BA (LHR)

Flybe has a habit of starting routes and then dropping them soon after. As you know this airline is loss-making and at the present time it is changing routes/schedules in a bid to become profitable. This winter saw the axing of LCY-CWL and from next month it is axing Shetlands. http://www.shetlandti...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Dec 15, 2017 4:25 pm
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: SIA to charge for advance Y seat reservations for the cheapest or "Lite" fares
Replies: 9
Views: 1398

Re: SIA to charge for advance Y seat reservations

You need to read the piece again and change your title. That is not quite what it says. "But from January 20 economy passengers buying the cheapest or “Lite” fares will have to pay a fee starting from US$5 per sector." SQ has added "lite" fares in Y which have different allowanc...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Dec 15, 2017 2:53 pm
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: SIA to charge for advance Y seat reservations for the cheapest or "Lite" fares
Replies: 9
Views: 1398

SIA to charge for advance Y seat reservations for the cheapest or "Lite" fares

Singapore Airlines will charge economy passengers a fee should they wish to pre-reserve a seat starting January 20 next year. The new tariff rules are fairly complex and I sympathise with airline staff, working under pressure, who have to unravel them all. https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Dec 08, 2017 10:59 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Air Asia 9M-AFW AK703 KUL - SIN
Replies: 2
Views: 3748

Re: Air Asia 9M-AFW AK703 KUL - SIN

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... 30-minutes
-->

Thanks for a detailed check. In years to come maybe you can try the new rail link (although it will be quite a while before it opens).

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... 30-minutes

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Dec 08, 2017 10:56 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Air Asia 9M-AHQ AK702 SIN - KUL
Replies: 9
Views: 6376

Re: Air Asia 9M-AHQ AK702 SIN - KUL

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... 30-minutes
-->

Good report. I just wonder how long there will be so many flights between the two cities when the high-speed rail link opens.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... 30-minutes

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sat Oct 07, 2017 5:33 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: More cost cuts at Garuda - may ditch F Class
Replies: 19
Views: 3868

Re: More cost cuts at Garuda - may ditch F Class

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... amsterdam/
-->

mercure1 - What Nikkei does not mention is that Garuda has decided to axe first class from one its busiest routes. namely Jakarta-Amsterdam.


https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... amsterdam/

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:58 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: How is Flybe doing at Heathrow?
Replies: 26
Views: 5710

Re: How is Flybe doing at Heathrow?

What must the business passenger think when arrivng into LHR with EK or SQ after a business/first class A380 experience ? What a contrast when he or she changes from an A380 to a Q400. True, but the same could be said of any A380 service anywhere with an onward commuter aircraft sector. Why single ...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:56 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: How is Flybe doing at Heathrow?
Replies: 26
Views: 5710

Re: How is Flybe doing at Heathrow?

What must the business passenger think when arrivng into LHR with EK or SQ after a business/first class A380 experience ? What a contrast when he or she changes from an A380 to a Q400. I'd say passengers on those airlines would / should be better off using Flybe's network from the likes of MAN or B...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:40 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: How is Flybe doing at Heathrow?
Replies: 26
Views: 5710

Re: How is Flybe doing at Heathrow?

What must the business passenger think when arrivng into LHR with EK or SQ after a business/first class A380 experience ?

What a contrast when he or she changes from an A380 to a Q400.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:57 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: DI (Norwegian UK) begins LGW-SIN
Replies: 75
Views: 16600

Re: DI (Norwegian UK) begins LGW-SIN

They are not competing again sq, ba or qf. Me3 really get a lot of the non business traffic here and the fares are really low and they have great schedule and the perception of high end y product. Yield will be very low here for Norwegian. But its value-for-money Y+ product will appeal to cost-cons...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:23 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Air France starts Seattle and Taipei in 2018
Replies: 65
Views: 27468

Re: Air France starts Seattle and Taipei in 2018

Taipei isn't new either. Indeed. Also years ago Air France, BA, Lufthansa (Condor) and Swiss all started Taipei services. They all used modified names so as not to annoy the Beijing govt. But after a couple of years they all axed their Taipei flights presumably because of lack of profits. KLM is th...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:42 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Icelandair outlines intial 737MAX8 routes
Replies: 15
Views: 6563

Re: Icelandair outlines intial 737MAX8 routes

steman wrote:
TXL is new I think.
They don´t currently fly to Berlin. Only WOW Air operates from SXF to KEF. I guess they will fill the void left by Air Berlin.


You are correct. The TXL flights were announced recently when Air Berlin's future looked in doubt.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:42 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: United opens new summer seasonal routes from EWR to OPO, KEF and ZRH as well as route extensions
Replies: 90
Views: 15914

Re: United opens new summer seasonal routes from EWR to OPO, KEF and ZRH as well as route extensions

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ ... -1-4558048
-->

Seems UA is scrapping one of its EDI-EWR services in 2018. Competition from Norwegian ?

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ ... -1-4558048

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:21 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Cathay Pacific to axe Dusseldorf
Replies: 23
Views: 8373

Re: Cathay Pacific to axe Dusseldorf

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... usseldorf/
-->

News now confirmed by CX.

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... usseldorf/

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:12 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Garuda reduce LHR frequency; axe F class at AMS
Replies: 19
Views: 4633

Re: Garuda reduce LHR frequency; axe F class at AMS

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... n-service/
-->

Garuda has once again revised its CGK-LHR schedules.

This time the x3 weekly flights remain (but the Sunday service is removed from the schedule) and all will be non-stop CGK-LHR and return.


https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... n-service/

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Sep 06, 2017 8:23 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Garuda reduce LHR frequency; axe F class at AMS
Replies: 19
Views: 4633

Re: Garuda reduce LHR frequency; axe F class at AMS

LHR seems to be doing pretty bad, even if it is one-stop. AMS seems to perform better, because it is a historic destination + having lots of demand on the route. Also, CGK is pretty poorly connected to Europe. LHR on GA, AMS on GA (direct) and KL (via KUL) as well as direct flights to IST on TK. On...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Sep 06, 2017 8:21 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Garuda reduce LHR frequency; axe F class at AMS
Replies: 19
Views: 4633

Re: Garuda reduce LHR frequency; axe F class at AMS

Their First Class offering is head and shoulders over BA, are they still offering this at LHR? https://www.flightradar24.com/BAW82GD/ec242cf The news piece suggests LHR-CGK will retain first class. It is from AMS that first class is being removed. https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Aug 30, 2017 8:56 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Finnair to launch Nanjing in 2018
Replies: 33
Views: 5016

Re: Finnair to launch Nanjing in 2018

MaxTrimm wrote:
Very impressive Asian network these guys have going. What's next? Shenzhen?


But wouldn't Shenzen be considered too near HKG to be worth serving ?

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Aug 30, 2017 8:41 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: PAL outlines A350 strategy, to launch MNL-NYC
Replies: 75
Views: 17627

Re: PAl outlines A350 strategy, to launch MNL-NYC

IrishAyes wrote:
PAL should consider joining an alliance to help improve connectivity within the U.S.


But would any alliance want PAL ? It's rather unstable and doesn't know what it wants.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Aug 30, 2017 11:41 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Finnair to launch Nanjing in 2018
Replies: 33
Views: 5016

Finnair to launch Nanjing in 2018

The news is not yet widely available but Finnair will be starting service to Nanjing (mainland China) on May 13 next year. There will be x3 A330 flights weekly in summer reducing to x2 weekly in winter. Back in May, Finland secured more overflying rights from Russia and some of these are being used ...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:42 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Gun discharged in error at Berlin TXL
Replies: 13
Views: 2092

Gun discharged in error at Berlin TXL

https://www.thelocal.de/20170821/bodygu ... um=twitter
-->

It happened earlier today when passengers were boarding an EW domestic flight to Cologne.

Thank goodness that nobody was injured.

Report from thelocal.de

https://www.thelocal.de/20170821/bodygu ... um=twitter

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:27 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Easyjet pilot convicted for suffering ecstasy use
Replies: 2
Views: 2031

Easyjet pilot convicted for suffering ecstasy use

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08 ... g_share_tw
-->

The French pilot lost his job at EZY, received a piloting ban and was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08 ... g_share_tw

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Jul 26, 2017 11:05 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Euro Trip: United ORD-LHR & TXL-EWR-ORD
Replies: 18
Views: 8976

Re: Euro Trip: United ORD-LHR & TXL-EWR-ORD

Thanks for such a detailed report. Surprised you never took the TGV from Barcelona to Paris. The entire high-speed line between these two cities is now open and SNCF uses double-decker TGVs.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:53 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: AF/KL Managers Have No Confidence In Future Of Cooperation
Replies: 64
Views: 12652

Re: AF/KL Managers Have No Confidence In Future Of Cooperation

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... klm-report
-->

The news has made today's Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... klm-report

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:52 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: What is next for KEF?
Replies: 40
Views: 5173

Re: What is next for KEF?

http://icelandmag.visir.is/article/grow ... ions-looms
-->

One question not asked is where all these vistors arriving by air will stay ?.

Iceland is facing a shortage of hotel accommodation.

http://icelandmag.visir.is/article/grow ... ions-looms

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:15 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: LGW - main runway closed by burst tyre on TO
Replies: 22
Views: 6232

Re: LGW - main runway closed by burst tyre on TO

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transpor ... 89936.html
-->

The delays at LGW continue into the night.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transpor ... 89936.html

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Jul 14, 2017 1:48 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: UA regional British isles routes cuts
Replies: 122
Views: 18412

Re: UA regional British isles routes cuts

It is a big shame though, imo, that there are basically no direct flights from BHX to North America, especially at a time when EK has plans to make it's BHX to DXB service a twice-daily A380 affair. But according to this news piece, EK was previously flying x3 daily. https://www.businesstraveller.c...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:24 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: UA regional British isles routes cuts
Replies: 122
Views: 18412

Re: UA regional British isles routes cuts

AndrewJM70 wrote:
No great loss - UA is a dreadful airline. Let's hope that the gaps are filled with Norwegian and possibly Jet Blue in the future.


It's not the airline. It's the route ! As noted above no major city can afford not to have a lack of transatlantic air service.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Jul 14, 2017 9:55 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: UA regional British isles routes cuts
Replies: 122
Views: 18412

Re: UA regional British isles routes cuts

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... ork-route/
-->

Now confirmed by UA. BHX-EWR is scrapped after October 5.


https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... ork-route/

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:11 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Inaugural LCC Way – Air Asia X to Honolulu on June 28, 2017
Replies: 5
Views: 5113

Re: Inaugural LCC Way – Air Asia X to Honolulu on June 28, 2017

Those so-called "Flatbed" seats don't look flatbed to me. They're what we would call angled lie-flat.

If D7 were to advertise them as flatbed in Europe the ads would be oulawed.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri May 26, 2017 3:27 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: British Airways and Air Asia consider C919
Replies: 33
Views: 8427

Re: British Airways and Air Asia consider C919

Successful LCCs operate only ONE plane type. Maybe it's more of a political statement (to please the Chinese govt) rather than any serious intention on Air Asia's behalf.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sun May 21, 2017 6:41 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Cathay Pacific to restructure and to lay off many 100s of staff
Replies: 23
Views: 8601

Re: Cathay Pacific to restructure and to lay off many 100s of staff

Cunard - Your point has been taken. I'll take greater care next time.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sun May 21, 2017 1:16 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Cathay Pacific to restructure and to lay off many 100s of staff
Replies: 23
Views: 8601

Cathay Pacific to restructure and to lay off many 100s of staff

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2095127/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-sack-600-staff-amid-major Asia's major national airlines are falling on hard times thanks to competition from Gulf aviation and the emerging carriers of mainland China. Then came the arrival of LCCs. Thai Airways an...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sun Apr 30, 2017 11:26 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: DY set for Asian expansion: SIN-CDG/FCO/Scandinavia in 2 years
Replies: 27
Views: 4059

Re: DY set for Asian expansion: SIN-CDG/FCO/Scandinavia in 2 years

Really ?

How many times has DY talked about returning to Europe .. but nothing happened. Seems to be a way DY generates free publicity.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Fri Apr 28, 2017 11:20 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: SAS Sells two slots at LHR
Replies: 121
Views: 27314

Re: SAS Sells two slots at LHR

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... expansion/
-->

Confirmation about AA buying those slots from SAS for $75 million.

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... expansion/

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:34 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Air France/SIA will coooperate closely to combat Gulfies
Replies: 4
Views: 1484

Re: Air France/SIA will coooperate closely to combat Gulfies

Thanks for the update, mercure1. The initial news may have been released in 2016. But today's announcement definitely originated from AF's Paris HQ this morning. It is strange that, although the news came out as long ago as 2016 (as you say), both carriers have still not obtained govt approval. Sure...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Apr 13, 2017 12:48 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Air France/SIA will coooperate closely to combat Gulfies
Replies: 4
Views: 1484

Air France/SIA will coooperate closely to combat Gulfies

News emerged this morning from Paris. Air France and Singapore Airlines would seem to be following the Lufthansa Group in this regard in order to better compete with their Gulf-based rivals. This linkage is being rushed. These two carriers want to begin code-sharing on April 27. But they haven't yet...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:56 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: AirAsia X to relaunch KUL-LGW with 2 777-300ER
Replies: 85
Views: 30348

Re: AirAsia X to relaunch KUL-LGW with 2 777-300ER

AirAsiaX continually changing its mind. Latest news reported by ATW is that it wants to advance deliveries of its A350s from Airbus. These aircraft would be used both for London and its US plans. But I thought AirAsiaX already had allocated existing A330s to its proposed US services ? http://atwonli...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:51 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: SAS Sells two slots at LHR
Replies: 121
Views: 27314

Re: SAS Sells of two slots at LHR

That's an incredible amount to pay for just 2 slots, but I guess its the price to play. On a different note, doesn't United have slots that AC and Virgin are using to LHR? The record price was US$75. That's what Kenya Airways received when it sold its one and only LHR slot to Oman Air. The price is...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:20 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: ARIK A330 to Bordeaux?
Replies: 2
Views: 982

Re: ARIK A330 to Bordeaux?

https://www.naij.com/1081205-arik-air-g ... ights.html
-->

Aren't all normal commercial flights cancelled ?


https://www.naij.com/1081205-arik-air-g ... ights.html

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:42 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: TG-ed to TG's new F at J class prices to BOM
Replies: 14
Views: 9087

Re: TG-ed to TG's new F at J class prices to BOM

TG B787. "TG doesn't run this aircraft on long routes."

Not true. TG is already using the B787 BKK-FCO and it will be rostered for other European routes too.

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sat Mar 18, 2017 12:14 am
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Short long-haul trip to Europe on SQ Economy
Replies: 4
Views: 5349

Re: Short long-haul trip to Europe on SQ Economy

Thank you for an interesting check both of SQ and Eurostar. The Eurostar lounge at Paris Nord opened only a few weeks ago. It's supposed to be classy (by railway standards) compared to the original lounge which was smaller and basic. I see you too one of the original Eurostar (Alstom) trainsets. Mos...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Mon Mar 06, 2017 8:08 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: BA to offer less legroom than Ryanair on some planes
Replies: 31
Views: 6961

Re: BA to offer less legroom than Ryanair on some planes

BA is not the only one. Other Euro carriers are also cutting seat pitch on certain aircraft like the A320/321/

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:55 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Rumour: BER to get a new CEO
Replies: 27
Views: 3097

Re: Rumour: BER to get a new CEO

http://www.dw.com/en/berlins-unfinished ... a-37770830
-->

Here's the news in English from dw.de

http://www.dw.com/en/berlins-unfinished ... a-37770830

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:51 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: First Airline to offer 11 abreast on a 777X?
Replies: 31
Views: 10280

Re: First Airline to offer 11 abreast on a 777X?

http://aviationweek.com/airbus-a380/air ... ating-2017
-->

Aren't we more likely to see 11-abreast on the A380 ?

Airbus has already devised an 11-abreast configurarion for the A380.


http://aviationweek.com/airbus-a380/air ... ating-2017

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Tue Feb 21, 2017 7:27 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Air Asia publishes HNL schedule
Replies: 41
Views: 9366

Re: Air Asia publishes HNL schedule

Will be interesting to watch in a few years if such long-haul low-cost carriers gain traction on Trans-Pacific markets similar to what has happened across the Atlantic. Could be very bad news for legacy carriers. Of course much will depend on fuel prices in the years ahead as to whether D7 can sust...

Jump to post
by LondonCity
Sat Feb 11, 2017 9:57 pm
Forum: Trip Reports
Topic: Of storms and snow part 1: QF/EK SYD-MEL-SIN
Replies: 25
Views: 6681

Re: Of storms and snow part 1: QF/EK SYD-MEL-SIN

Hello Allrite - It's good that QF still provides decent catering free of charge on a short domestic flight. Here in Europe it's either very limited (and not very good) or BOB (buy on board).

Jump to post

Go to advanced search