Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 8 February, 2010 in Featured Post
British Airways boss Willie Walsh has issued a defiant new warning to cabin crew, telling them that management will recover lost revenue from a strike “by any means we can”.Writing in British Airways News, Mr Walsh said the ongoing dispute with the Unite union was “not...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 5 February, 2010 in British Airways
British Airways has posted narrower-than-expected pre-tax losses of £50 million for the third quarter, raising hopes that the airline may have emerged from the worst of the downturn.Analysts had predicted the flag carrier would sink a further £151 million into...
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 4 February, 2010 in Savings and Deals
British Airways has begun selling fully-flexible Business Class fares for less than standard Economy tariffs on up to three quarters of its short-haul route network.The flag carrier is undercutting its full-fare Economy seats on European services, meaning that passengers who need a flexible ticket can save money by flying Business Class.BA’s cheapest fares will continue to be...
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 4 February, 2010 in Ryanair
Air passengers in Ireland could benefit from lower fares following Ryanair’s announcement that it will directly compete with Aer Lingus on several of its popular sun destinations.Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has confirmed that the low-cost airline...
Post by Martin Rivers on Wednesday 3 February, 2010 in easyJet
Pope Benedict XVI won’t have to worry about finding cheap flights for his forthcoming trip to the UK, thanks to a generous offer by easyJet to fly him for free.The low-cost carrier said His Holiness could choose any of its routes between Rome and the UK, even throwing in...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 2 February, 2010 in easyJet
EasyJet has revealed details of its first new routes for 2010, opening up connections between Gatwick Airport and the German cities of Düsseldorf and Hamburg.The new air links are the first of about 70 services due to be announced by the low-cost carrier this year, bringing the total number of routes it operates to more than 500.EasyJet had already confirmed plans to expand at Robin Hood...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 2 February, 2010 in British Airways
British Airways will today appear at the High Court to defend its decision to impose new working arrangements that have enraged the airline's 13,000 cabin crew.In a court case that is expected to last all week, the flag carrier will claim it was forced to roll out the new conditions after posting record losses during the recession.Union bosses have taken British Airways to court even as...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 1 February, 2010 in Ryanair
Ryanair has scored in the bottom ten of an “ethical ranking” of 581 firms, sitting alongside controversial oil and gas companies such as Halliburton and Chevron.The low-cost carrier was placed 575 in the survey, which evaluates firms for their environmental performance, corporate social responsibility and consumer relations.Geneva-based Covalence drew up the “reputation index,”...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 29 January, 2010 in Other airlines
Continental Airlines is boosting the number of flights it operates from London Heathrow Airport to New York Newark Airport with two extra daily services.A fourth daily flight departing in the early evening will be added to Continental’s schedule on 28 March, followed by the addition of a fifth connection later in October.The American carrier is also improving services on all of its...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 26 January, 2010 in Other airlines
Flying long-haul in Economy is about to get a whole lot more comfortable, following the release of Air New Zealand’s brand new lie-flat configuration, dubbed the Skycouch.
The picture gives a stark...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 25 January, 2010 in Industry Insider
British Airways cabin crew today headed to the ballot box in a strike vote that some say will determine whether or not the loss-making flag carrier can survive.The Unite union began polling staff today, giving its members a second opportunity to walk out in...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 22 January, 2010 in Other airlines
Air France has clarified its policy for obese flyers following widespread media reports that the French flag carrier will insist some passengers buy two seats.The airline denied that it plans to force certain customers to purchase a second seat, saying...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 22 January, 2010 in Other airlines
Passengers of US Airways Flight 1549 – the plane that crash-landed in the Hudson River last year – are being given a unique opportunity to re-live that fateful day.A salvage yard in Kearny, New Jersey has listed the Airbus A320-214 for sale in an online auction. Buyer...
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 21 January, 2010 in Ryanair
Michael O’Leary’s bid to make air travel affordable for all appears to have suffered a setback, following news that Ryanair expects to increase its fares.The airline – famed for its £1 seat sales – will hike prices by up to ten per cent on Irish flights...
Post by Martin Rivers on Wednesday 20 January, 2010 in British Airways
British Airways cabin crew will not stage industrial action over Easter, Unite has announced.Cabin crew at British Airways are heading to the ballot boxes next week, and it had been feared that a vote in favour of walkouts would result in travel chaos for hundreds...
Post by Martin Rivers on Wednesday 20 January, 2010 in Ryanair
Passengers are bracing for delays and cancellations at airports across Ireland today as the country’s air traffic controllers prepare to stage a walkout.Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport and Cork Airport will all be affected by the industrial action, which is...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in bmi
Bmi has become the latest British carrier to rein in its premium offering by scrapping Business Class on all short-haul routes.From 27 January, Heathrow Airport’s second largest carrier will replace its premium perks with “enhanced service” for passengers travelling on Flexible Economy fares.The benefits of booking one of the new fares include access to lounges, guaranteed seating...
Post by © Cheapflights Ltd on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in Other airlines
It’s no secret that running an airline can be a dirty job – just look at the myriad problems facing BA – but that adage takes on a whole new meaning at Riau Airlines.According to Indonesian press reports, Riau chairman Teguh Triyanto has implemented a new policy...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 19 January, 2010 in Other airlines
JAL Japan Airlines has reassured its customers that flights will continue and all bookings will be honoured in spite of the flag carrier filing for bankruptcy today.Government money has been earmarked to keep the airline flying while a massive corporate...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 18 January, 2010 in Industry Insider
Both sides of the dispute between British Airways and its cabin crew have ramped up the rhetoric following news that a second strike ballot will be held next week.Unite, which represents the vast majority of British Airways cabin crew, said that its members are "as...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 18 January, 2010 in Other airlines
Air India has suffered the latest in a string of damaging blows to its reputation after a stowaway managed to hitch a ride on one of its flights by hiding in the toilet.The security breach, which dates back to Christmas Day, occurred when an Indian...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 18 January, 2010 in Ryanair
Ryanair is once again considering charging for its on-board toilets, The Irish Times reports, despite admitting last year that the surcharge was a publicity stunt.Chief executive Michael O’Leary came clean last year when he confessed that the toilet fee “is not likely to happen, but it makes for interesting and very cheap PR”.But that assessment now appears to have been revoked by...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 18 January, 2010 in Industry Insider
Cabin crew working for British Airways have notified the flag carrier that they will begin a new strike ballot next week, following the continued stalemate over changes to working practices.Staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of walkouts over the...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 15 January, 2010 in British Airways
Haitian relief efforts have been given a welcome boost following news that British Airways is chartering a Boeing 747 capable of carrying 50 tonnes of aid to the Caribbean island.BA chief executive Willie Walsh described the humanitarian situation in...
Post by Martin Rivers on Wednesday 13 January, 2010 in British Airways
British Airways has announced that it will spend £100 million on upgrades to all of its First Class cabins – bringing to an end months of austerity ushered in by the economic downturn.Bloomberg reports that the flag carrier began revamping its Boeing 777 and 747...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 in Virgin Atlantic
Domestic carrier Flybe is reporting positive feedback about its newly introduced through-check service for customers with onward Virgin Atlantic flights.The airline introduced the service in December, enabling passengers to print one single boarding pass for both their Flybe flight and their onward connection.Travellers making use of the through-check deal can also check in their bags for...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 in Other airlines
People with peanut allergies have a new champion in the sky now that Air Canada has unveiled plans for a mandatory buffer zone around vulnerable passengers.Air travel is notoriously troublesome for people with nut allergies as few carriers ban the snacks and...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 in Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook has become the first charter airline to give passengers the choice of checking in online, though it's charging £12 per person for the privilege.While printing your own boarding pass has long been the norm for scheduled travellers, the convenient service had until now eluded people travelling with charter carriers.But that's no longer the case, with Thomas Cook now...
Post by Martin Rivers on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 in Industry Insider
British Airways is bracing itself for a backlash today after reports that cabin crew have begun deliberately wasting money in protest of changes to their working conditions.According to The Telegraph, disaffected staff are routinely pouring vintage wine served to...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 11 January, 2010 in easyJet
Book by midnight Tuesday, 12 January: EasyJet has unveiled what it claims is its “biggest ever sale,” slashing 25 per cent off the cost of its entire route network.The low-cost carrier is offering discounts on every seat, every route, every day for all flights between 3 February and 14 July.Alongside its cheap flights promotion, easyJet is also cutting the cost of hotel accommodation...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 8 January, 2010 in Other airlines
Qantas subsidiary Jetstar and Malyasian carrier AirAsia have made history by announcing that they will form the world's first ever alliance between low-cost carriers.The agreement will see both airlines pooling their inventory arrangements as well as cooperating closely on procurement, fleet specifications and passenger facilities.It is expected that the partnership will save the two...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 8 January, 2010 in London Gatwick
Aer Lingus is cutting the volume of flights it operates out of Gatwick Airport, less than one year after opening a new base at the London gateway.The number of aircraft Aer Lingus has based at Gatwick will fall from five to three by the end of March, reversing...
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 7 January, 2010 in Industry Insider
British Airways and the Unite union have agreed to resume talks in a move that could spell an end to the threat of industrial action by disaffected staff.The flag carrier was nearly brought to its knees in December when cabin crew voted overwhelmingly in favour of a...
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 7 January, 2010 in Other airlines
We've all heard of pickpockets operating on bus and train networks, but most of us probably assumed our valuables are relatively safe when we're in the air.Not so, however, according to French police, who are investigating the theft of thousands of euros from...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 4 January, 2010 in easyJet
EasyJet has announced that it will operate two new routes from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to the Turkish resort of Bodrum and the Greek island of Rhodes this summer.The addition of the services follows news that easyJet is basing its tenth plane at the airport, and it comes alongside wider expansion which will see 21 new routes added to its network.Many of the additions are...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 4 January, 2010 in Ryanair
Ryanair acted "puerile" and "childish" when it switched its free payment method from Visa Electron to Mastercard Prepaid, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has claimed.OFT chief executive John Fingleton launched a scathing attack on Ryanair in The Independent,...
Post by Martin Rivers on Wednesday 23 December, 2009 in Savings and Deals
British Airways today unveiled its latest global flight and holiday sale, apparently undeterred by the threat of a strike ballot by staff in the New Year.The sale features some eye-catching deals such as return flights to New York from as little as £299 (saving £63) and return flights to Sydney for £669 (saving £146).But many travellers could be put off the looming threat of new...
Post by Martin Rivers on Wednesday 23 December, 2009 in Airline News
Flying with a no-frills carrier might not be as bad for the environment as you think, according to new research from Liligio.co.uk.The travel search engine found that while the emissions from any plane journey are substantial, airlines like easyJet and Ryanair are...
Post by Martin Rivers on Wednesday 23 December, 2009 in Other airlines
British Airways has been dealt a fresh blow in its bid to forge closer ties with American Airlines after the US Department of Justice voiced concerns about “competitive harm”.The two airlines have twice before tried and failed to secure a transatlantic tie-up...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 21 December, 2009 in British Airways
Unite may view it as a "bad day for democracy," but in the eyes of most reasonable people British Airways surely deserved its resounding victory at the High Court last week. The proposed strike over Christmas and the New Year would not only have spelled misery...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 21 December, 2009 in Ryanair
Ryanair passengers will from early 2010 have to pay £5 per flight, plus the cost of ink cartridges, to print boarding passes emblazoned with third-party advertising.The low-cost carrier says it will introduce the system next year, following the lead of flag...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 21 December, 2009 in Flybe
Flybe and CityJet have boosted capacity on their UK connections to Paris and Antwerp after Eurostar passengers were hit by a third consecutive day of cancellations.A total of 55,000 Eurostar customers have now been affected by the disruption, which began on...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 14 December, 2009 in British Airways
Today's news that British Airways staff will go on strike at the height of the Christmas rush leaves up to one million not-so-festive travellers facing gridlock at UK airports.
Both sides in the dispute say they still want to reach an amicable solution, but with nine out of ten staff voting for industrial action it seems likely the strikes will go ahead as planned – spelling...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 14 December, 2009 in British Airways
British Airways staff have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a move that will create misery for thousands of passengers during the Christmas period.Cabin crew working for British Airways went to the ballot box over industrial action following a long-running dispute about pay freezes, job cuts and changes to working practices.British Airways had emphasised the "urgent need...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 14 December, 2009 in Flybe
Flybe has announced details of 16 new routes it plans to operate next summer.The low-cost carrier will expand its route network at several UK bases, including Birmingham, Exeter, Gatwick, Guernsey, Jersey, Manchester and Southampton airports.Among the new additions featured in Flybe's summer 2010 timetable are flights to Verona in northern Italy and flights to the popular French port city...
Post by Martin Rivers on Monday 14 December, 2009 in Ryanair
Ryanair routinely adds up to 30 per cent to its advertised fares by charging extra for credit card bookings and check-in luggage, research by Which? Holiday shows.
The consumer watchdog compared the luggage and payment fees of four airlines – bmibaby, easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair – on flights to Paris, Malaga, Rome and Faro.
It found that Ryanair was the worst offender...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 11 December, 2009 in British Airways
British Airways has revealed that its much-vaunted new premium-only service from London City Airport to New York is already profitable after just ten weeks.
The flag carrier launched the service amid significant fanfare in September, even christening it with the prestigious BA001 flight number previously used by Concorde.
Despite initially predicting the route would only...
Post by Martin Rivers on Friday 11 December, 2009 in easyJet
EasyJet's band of merry men will be marching on Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster next spring following a major shake-up of the airline's route network.
The outlook for the gateway had been grim after owner Peel Holdings moved to sell off assets and Ryanair pulled its popular Dublin connection from the base.
But airport bosses confirmed a reversal of fortunes yesterday...
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 10 December, 2009 in AirAsia
Low-cost carrier AirAsia has been crowned Brand of the Year at the Media's Agency of the Year Awards in Singapore – the airline's second media coup this week.Asia's most successful low-cost carrier scooped the accolade just two days after becoming the airline with the largest number of followers on social networking giant Facebook.The company has embarked on several marketing...
Post by Martin Rivers on Thursday 10 December, 2009 in Ryanair
Michael O'Leary, the charismatic chief executive of Ryanair, has insisted his airline's headline-catching ancillary charges have nothing to do with making money.In an unusually complaisant interview with The Wall Street Journal, Mr O'Leary said that Ryanair imposes the charges in order to boost efficiency, rather than raise revenue.The airline boss even revealed that he has an...
Image provided by Flickr user Disbona
