Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (16th December)
We’re over halfway through December and closing in on Christmas. But even as we battle through crowds and people, it’s time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Another Zurich photo of a Santa Tram… as the photo for this week didn’t work how I wanted Snapshots Two snapshots...
From Miles to Smiles
Amp Up the Excitement: 5 Thrilling Adventures in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Nestled beneath the watchful gaze of awe-inspiring Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna in Costa Rica is a haven for adventure seekers. This colossal volcano may now be dormant, but it once roared with fervent energy, frequently spewing molten lava onto the surrounding slopes and villages. Untamed wilderness embraces the town, where...
Economy Class & Beyond
Turkish Airlines signs for an Airbus 220 aircraft
Well, it’s an airshow and a few months “late”, but Turkish Airlines has signed a massive order with Airbus.  The order for 220 aircraft is split down the following lines: 150 Airbus A321neo family aircraft 50 Airbus A350-900 15 Airbis A350-1000 10 Airbus A350F This follows two orders from the...
Economy Class & Beyond
ITA Airways to add Rome-Fiumicino to London City Airport
ITA Airways is launching a new route from Rome Fiumicino to London City Airport.  ITA Airways Airbus A220 – Image, ITA Airways/London City Airport  It marks the first time an airline has picked up the Rome-FCO – City Airport pair since the pandemic changed other airlines’ priorities. The airline plans to launch...
Economy Class & Beyond
What’s the busiest train station in the UK? The answer might surprise you…
The Office of Rail and Road has published its End of Year statistics on the busiest stations in the United Kingdom. And in a surprise – Waterloo is no longer the busiest station in the United Kingdom. So where is it? The answer is… London Liverpool Street.  Liverpool Street of course is...
Economy Class & Beyond
Virgin Atlantic boosts its Summer 2024 Transatlantic operation
Virgin Atlantic is planning on boosting its operations in the USA for Summer 2024. Let us see what they have in store. Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350 – Image, Economy Class and Beyond  The airline plans to add a seventh daily flight to New York-JFK (in collaboration with its joint venture...
Economy Class & Beyond
SNAPSHOT: British Airways 749 Europort Basel-Mullhouse-Frieburg to London Heathrow (EuroTraveller)
It’s time for another Snapshot looking at the passenger experience on British Airways 749 between EuroAirport Basel-Mullhose to London Heathrow in EuroTraveller (Economy Class). Re-routing and check-in initially, I was routed to travel back between Zurich and London Heathrow. However, due to weather conditions, British Airways pulled all remaining Zurich flights. The...
Economy Class & Beyond
Turkish Airlines to improve connectivity to Birmingham Airport
Star Alliance carrier Turkish Airlines is ramping up its operations to Birmingham Airport in the United Kingdom for Summer 2024.  Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-900ER – Image Economy Class and Beyond  The airline is to expand its operations from 14 flights a week (operating double-daily) to 18 flights a week.  From...
Economy Class & Beyond
British Airways adds routes from Gatwick and London Stansted
We’re going to stick with British Airways and its network, as there appears to be an expansion of its operations From Gatwick to Agadir Agadir will join the British Airways short-haul network from 31st March 2024. The route will operate four times weekly, using  British Airways’ Gatwick short-haul subsidiary, BA...
Economy Class & Beyond
Avolon adds another 100 Airbus A321neo to its backlog
It seems that Avolon (an aviation leasing company) has brought itself an early Christmas present, by them ordering a further 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft.  The additional order will take its total order for the A321neo to 190 aircraft, securing its medium-term delivery pipeline of single-aisle aircraft. A delivery timeline was...
Economy Class & Beyond
British Airways to offer Avios-Only flights to… Dubai
British Airways has rolled out a selection of flights, which were bookable with Avios Only (ie, bookable with Avios via the British Airways Executive Club, and not open to the normal booking engines). So far, they’ve all been short to medium-haul routes. Well, it seems the airline is dipping its...
Economy Class & Beyond
SNAPSHOT: British Airways 772 – London Heathrow – Zurich Airport (Euro Traveller)
It’s time for another Snapshot, looking at the Passenger Experience aboard British Airways between London Heathrow and Zurich in Euro Traveller (Economy Class). In case you’ve forgotten how we do travel write-ups on Economy Class and Beyond, we have two major travel writing styles: Trip Reports – These are full deep-dive reports...
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER departing Zurich Airport
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have a United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER in post-merger paintwork, as it prepares to depart Zurich Airport from the E Dock bound for Newark International Airport. United Airlines operates a fleet of 36 active Boeing...
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (9th December)
Hallo und Grüezi im Zuirch. Or rather, where I was today. I suspect when I hit publish, I’ll be somewhere at Heathrow waiting for a coach. Nonetheless, it is Saturday, so it must be time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond, as I celebrate the last hours of...
Economy Class & Beyond
When weather comes into play, desperate times calls for odder actions (or – I’ve got a cross-Swiss trip)
Good afternoon. Well that’s a lie, and I know it. I’m writing this after a pleasant morning in Zurich… to find my onward flight back to London is in the bin. I should declare at this stage, the original flight I selected had been cancelled, and I’ve been moved onto...
From Miles to Smiles
Boating Bliss: discover how to easily get around Lake Atitlan by boat
Lake Atitlan, nestled in the highlands of Guatemala, is a breathtaking destination known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant indigenous culture. One of the best ways to explore this enchanting region is by using lanchas, traditional Guatemalan boats. This mode of transport can be a breathtaking experience once you...