SAS

• New cabin on intercontinental routes - SAS

Estonian Air suffers

• Estonia's National Airline Is Officially Bankrupt – Skift

Airbus financial results

• Dissection of the 2015 Airbus order book - Leeham News and Comment
• Airbus on Twitter: "Airbus deliveries in 2015 #AirbusResults https://t.co/wTFnn02kaf"
• `Full' Heathrow Adds 1.6 Million Passengers Aided by Bigger Jets - Bloomberg Business
• Virgin Atlantic Poised for $4.3 Billion Airbus A350 Deal - Bloomberg Business
• Airbus's New Technology Can Track and Take Down Rogue Drones | Travel + Leisure
• ANA set to place A380 order - Business Traveller

Al Baker is the most entertaining man in aviation

• Qatar Airways' CEO Has Sharp Words for Delta & American - AirlineReporter : AirlineReporter
• Qatar Airways goes Hollywood but dresses down LAX - Runway GirlRunway Girl
• Incensed by 'bullying,' Qatar Airways considers leaving oneworld - Doha News

United needs to come around

• United Airlines’ Quest to Be Less Awful

Etihad will finally deliver in the US

• Etihad Airways Enhances US Operations With Equipment Changes In... -- ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
• German court rules against Etihad-Air Berlin codeshares

The ME3 in the US

• Where will the ME3 expand into the US this year? : AirlineReporter

Air France says adieu to last 747

• Where will the ME3 expand into the US this year? : AirlineReporter
• 747 Forever - 40 years of romance
• Then and Now: 45 Years of Boeing's 747 Passenger Experience

Largest operators of aircrafts

• Largest Operators - Album on Imgur

Will commercial aircrafts be piloted by only one person?

• Boeing, Airbus and BAE Systems could ditch their under EU plan to improve safety | Daily Mail Online
• The surprising possibilities of the C Series AHMS
• Pilots are losing their flying skills says US report - Telegraph
• Germany plans compulsory drug tests for pilots | Safety content from ATWOnline

Still no sign of the MH370

• MH370 search team finds second shipwreck - BBC News

Flying with the door open?

• Open Airplane Door on Flight to South Korea | Travel + Leisure

Animals creating chaoes

• Air India Flight Turns Back After Passengers Spot Rat
• Bangkok airport apologizes for snake found on luggage cart - Las Vegas Sun News

2015 was really safe

• 2015 was the safest year in aviation history - Telegraph
• What are the world's safest airlines for 2016? - CNN.com

Long haul low cost to/from the US

• Former Tech Exec's New Offering: $199 Flights To Europe From LAX And SFO - Forbes

An app to sawp seats

• Ticketed passengers can now swap seats with new app | IT & Distribution content from ATWOnline

Uber to enter the travel planning game?

• Uber Travel may challenge Expedia, TripCase, everyone - if it's serious - Tnooz

That crazy concept might be more real than we thought

• SkyDeck Concept Creates the Ultimate Window Seat - AirlineReporter : AirlineReporter

A carry-on that follow you every step of the way

• This smart suitcase literally follows you around so you'll never have to drag or carry a bag again | Business Insider

New airport expansions set to open

• Volunteers required to test out Dubai's new Concourse D ahead of its opening - Airport World Magazine
• Hong Kong celebrates the opening of its new $10 billion Mi...

ANA Star Wars

• R2-D2™ ANA JET Flight Ceremony Los Angeles International Airport
• "STAR WARS: The Force Awakens" World Premiere Hollywood
• ANA Returns to Sydney in Style with the R2-D2 Star Wars Dreamliner - AirlineReporter : AirlineReporter
• Fans with the R2-D2™ ANA JET - YouTube (video)
• SHOP | ANA STAR WARS PROJECT

Happy birthday Airbus

• The timeline | Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer

App in the Air

• App in the Air - We added new Profile Statistics

Kayak Snap

• Kayak to Launch New Text-Based Travel Service – Skift

McKinsey's future of travel

Facebook and the future of travel | McKinsey & Company

Post-booking price checking app

• FairFly: Rebooking your flight at a better price.

The miles addiction

• Help, I’m Addicted to Frequent-Flier Miles -- The Cut

Turning an airplane

• The Art of Turning Around an Airplane - The New York Times

ZRH gets a lots of Qatari jets

• Qatari ex-emir’s broken leg sees 9 ‘emergency’ landings in Zurich despite night flight ban — RT News

Delta CEO is person of the year

• Person Of The Year: Delta Air Lines’ Richard Anderson | Commercial Aviation content from Aviation Week
• Richard Anderson - Aviation Week’s Person of the Year 2015 — Civil Aviation Forum | Airliners.net

No more hover boards

• Operational updates | About Emirates | Emirates United Kingdom
• Russell Crowe rages against airline hoverboard ban - CNET
• Chinese hoverboard market in chaos after Amazon demands they stop exploding

BA goes reward flight on iOS

• BA on your mobile | British Airways

Why does British Airways avoid French airspace?

• What's going on in France tonight ? - Page 2 - FlyerTalk Forums
• British Airways on Twitter: "@cubedweller We're unaware of any reasons why this would be, Alex. ^Cec"

New LHR approach over continental Europe

• Heathrow holding times trial enters permanent operation
• ATC improvements reduce London Heathrow stacks | Air Traffic Control content from ATWOnline

Did Malaysian really fly in the wrong direction?

• Malaysia Airlines MH132 flies in wrong direction for almost an hour | News | DW.COM | 27.12.2015
• Malaysia Airlines aircraft given wrong flight plan | Safety content from ATWOnline
• Incident: Malaysia A333 over Tasman Sea on Dec 25th 2015, crew, dispatch and ATC out of sync

Beacons arrive at MUC

• Lufthansa apps on your smartphone or tablet - Lufthansa ® United Kingdom

Airports hit record PAX numbers

• Frankfurter Flughafen Fraport mit mehr als 60 Mio. Passagieren (in German)
• Flughafen Frankfurt verliert international an Bedeutung - SPIEGEL ONLINE (in German)
• Hartsfield-Jackson First Airport to Serve 100 Million Passengers in a Single Year

Virgin Atlantic gets creative for its financing

• Virgin Atlantic raises cash against Heathrow airport slots | Finance & Data content from ATWOnline

Virgin America gets new Airbus planes

• Virgin America to lease 10 new Airbus A321neo aircraft | Reuters

Mistubishi delays aircraft

• MRJ airliner delay won’t disrupt jobs here, says local partner | The Seattle Times

CityJet orders more SuperJets

• Irish CityJet to option 6 more Russian-made airliners — RT Business
• CityJet seals new $210m jet options to expand - Independent.ie
• Investor in talks to buy Irish airline CityJet

The CS100 get the greenlight

• Bombardier CS100 passenger jet is given the all-clear for take-off - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

The future of Sharm el-Sheikh is uncertain

• Egypt plane crash: Airlines extend suspension of Sharm el-Sheikh flights - BBC News

A real fake bomb freaks Air ...

Travel security advices

• Lebanon Travel Warning
• My Travel Risk | AngelList

SIN meets Star Wars

• Changi Airport Singapore Starwars
• Star Wars at Changi - Paul Papadimitriou | Facebook

The BA 767

• Boeing 767-300 | About BA | British Airways

Qatar Airways fumbles A350 launch in New York

• Report: Qatar Airways chief has harsh words for Delta’s CEO | The Biz Beat Blog
• Qatar Airways aborts takeoff on first Airbus A350 flight from US | Daily Mail Online

Emirates retires aircrafts and expands airline deals

• Emirates to retire 26 planes next year as it modernises fleet with new Airbus A380s | The National
• Emirates World Interviews | Inflight entertainment | Emirates United Kingdom
• Malaysia Airlines Strikes A Deal With Emirates — Civil Aviation Forum | Airliners.net

Etihad wants to be there for the long run

• Etihad Airways wins ‘World’s Leading Airline’ award for seventh consecutive year
• Interview: Etihad CEO Downplays Rivals' Complaints to Focus on the 'Long Game' – Skift
• Etihad debuts swanky new frequent-flier lounge at New York JFK

Luxury seats …with a view

• Opulent Air Travel Is Reaching a New Level of Lunacy with Seats On Top of the Plane

A chocolate egg with a plane

• Kinder Surprise Airbus

The lunacy of designers thinking about air travel

• Here's What Makes Flying Suck, and How Designers Would Fix It | WIRED

The battle of travel planning apps

• TripIt - Travel Itinerary - Trip Planner
• TripCase Travel App: Manage Itineraries, Trips & Flights
• WorldMate - Travel Smart. Organize your itinerary and book your travel on iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows Phone
• Official Gmail Blog: Sharing travel plans and memories with Inbox by Gmail

Uncertainties over Egypt

• Russian plane crash: Egypt says no terror evidence yet - CNN.com
• British Ambassador in Egypt Announces ‘Finalized Plan’ to Resume Flights to Sharm El-Sheikh | Egyptian Streets
• Air France flight from San Francisco to Paris diverted to Montreal after threat - CNN.com

Air India can't find enough cash

• Air India's $4.5 Billion Bailout Fails to Avert Grounded 787s - Bloomberg Business

Good news for U.S. air travel

• U.S. Airlines Post Higher Than Usual On-Time Results in 2015 – Skift
• Results Are In: Best and Worst U.S. Airports in 2015
• DOT orders airlines to comply with the law and pay passengers for damaged baggage | Road Warrior Voices

Toss the bag!

• 'Toss the bag' and other games airport staff play with your luggage - Telegraph

The abandonned 747s mystery

• Malaysia hunts owners of Boeing 747s left at airport - CNN.com
• Virgin Galactic to Hurl Rockets to Space From Boeing 747 Jet - Bloomberg Business
• Fate of iconic 747 jumbo jet in the hands of Russians … and if they don’t save it, no one will | National Post

Drawing the experience of air travel

• Artist Hilariously Illustrates His Flight From New York To Berlin | Bored Panda

LHR delayed decision angers UK businesses

• Heathrow Airport runway decision delayed until summer - BBC News
• Stop Heathrow runway dithering or I'll take British Airways elsewhere, warns Willie Walsh - Telegraph
• China's aviation boom drives airport building frenzy | Reuters

U....

Women in the aviation industry

• All-Female Flight Crew a First for Ethiopia Airlines
• Indonesia's Lion Air grounds pilot for 'offering flight attendant as compensation' for delay, SE Asia News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
• China’s Secret to a Booming Aviation Industry: Sexism - Fortune
• A hazing ritual forced Chinese female flight attendants into overhead bins - The Washington Post

Air travel after the terror attacks

• Reports: Russia demands Lebanon shut down airspace for Russian military drills - Vox
• Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes - BBC News
• Worldwide Travel Alert
• Sécurité: les personnels Air France inquiets (in French)
• Blonde bomber: Police believe Hasna Aitboulahcen was part of a terror cell planning an attack on Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport | DailyTelegraph
• Perquisitions à Roissy : des signaux de radicalisation découverts - Le Point (in French)
• Toulouse Airbus site bomb alert: 200 people evacuated after '3 drinks cans connected with wire' found in engine - Mirror Online
• Turkish plane diverted to Canada over bomb threat - BBC News
• SIA confirms bomb threat on flight from San Francisco - Channel NewsAsia
• Bomb scare: Changi Airport chairman was on Singapore Airlines plane, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
• Four Middle Eastern passengers kicked off plane after woman said she saw dynamite text | World | News | Daily Express
• US Muslim forced off plane cites Islamophobia

Proof that SIN is good for layovers?

• S'pore couple camp at Changi Airport for 7 months: There's free Internet, electricity, water, AsiaOne Singapore News

Cathay returns at LGW

Cathay Pacific 'to return to London Gatwick with A350' - Business Traveller

Europe and the US versus the Middle-Eastern carriers

• France and Germany's Transport Ministers Add to the Open Skies Battle With Gulf Carriers – Skift
• Lufthansa cancels Munich-Dubai service - Business Traveller
• DL Severs Ticketing With EK — Civil Aviation Forum | Airliners.net

What is Qatar announcing for the US market?

• Qatar Airways Set For "Historic" Announcement

JetBlue goes Amazon

• JetBlue Launches Amazon Streaming on All Planes Equipped With Fly-Fi – Skift

Emirates adds bigger IFE screens in all classes

• Emirates Introduces New Generation IFE That Is Best In Class | TheDesignAir

Pay for Wifi with United miles

• United to Let Travelers Trade Miles for Wi-Fi in the Sky

170m USD worth or air miles!

• Billionaire Charges $170 Million Painting to Get Airline Miles

Jetlovers

• Layovers on JetLovers - Your Flight Club

Google creeps into travel

• Google Claims Mobile Search Result Impacting Yelp, TripAdvisor Is Bug | Re/code
• Airlines warned giving Google any data will ensure you're hostage to it for life
• Google Tries to Remove Mobile Friction With Instant Booking Push – Skift
• Online Traffic to Airline Websites Predicts Passenger Numbers, Report Says - APEX | Airline Passenger Experience

Startup lookout

• TravelRavel - Taking a stress out of booking
• TIMEJET | Time flies with us

Luggage weight sharing?

• Edwin asks us if it would be possible for poeple to share the weight they're checking into the hold.

For wine lovers

• The Easiest (and Cheapest) Way to Travel with Wine - Condé Nast Traveler

KLM goes Messenger

• KLM confirms Facebook Messenger play

We don't know what Airbus is thinking

• Airbus Crazy Patent Watch: Detachable Cabins Edition

The renaissance of supersonic planes

Terror attacks

• Bomb threats force 2 Air France flights from US to Paris into emergency landings — RT News
• Metrojet Crash In Egypt Was Result Of 'Terrorist Act,' Russia Says
• Exclusive: Investigators '90 percent sure' bomb downed Russian plane | Reuters
• UK Holiday Jet 'Came Within 1,000ft Of Missile'

The new airport security reality: insoucring?

• 4 passengers removed from Spirit Airlines plane in Baltimore; flight was Chicago-bound, officials say | abc7chicago.com
• The TSA’s security screening is worse than you even imagined - Quartz
• TSA failed to catch man with loaded gun on airplane | WFLA.com

Paul narrates how liquids in his carry-on failed to be detected at TSE, IST and ZAG

Emirates goes 2 class and jetpacks

• The plane with the most seats in the world - CNN.com
• Two guys wearing jetpacks fly alongside an Airbus A380

Happy 20, EasyJet (but are you sure about those uniforms?)

• EasyJet is now 25: Who's shaking up the travel industry today?
• EasyJet unveils futuristic LED-studded uniforms for 2016 - Telegraph

The Air Astana experience and its IFE

• In-Flight Entertainment
• Bluebox Ai
• Air Astana on Twitter: "We are happy to hear that you have enjoyed your first flight with us! ✈ https://t.co/i76NPOJh0i"

Etihad's upgrade bidding system

• Plusgrade | revenue upgrade platform for the airline industry
• Guide to Bidding on Flight Upgrades for Premium Seats

Is Twitter a better way to handle customer service?

• Alex Hunter on Twitter: "@EtihadHelp Hi, I need help cancelling a trip due to hospitalisation. Can you help? Tried calling but can't get through to a human."
• British Airways on Twitter: "@cubedweller Hi Alex, please DM your booking ref and email address and we'll look into this for you. Thanks. ^Linda"

Paul narrates his nightmarish Turkish flight cancellation incident

Paul and Alex both flew in the same "Pope plane" by Croatia Airlines

The state of maintenance

• DGCA report finds Air India operated 787 with only 4 of 47 screws installed - Bangalore Aviation
• The Disturbing Truth About How Airplanes Are Maintained Today | Vanity Fair
• Should there be a Carfax Record Report for commercial airliners? | George Hobica | LinkedIn

Paul narrates how a third of his SWISS flight wasn't allowed to board

Lufthansa experiences a very bad strike

• Lufthansa cancels 1,000 flights as staff walks out - Nov. 9, 2015

The Norwegian experience

• Norwegian 787 Dreamliner
• jon bradford on Twitter: "Getting flashbacks. If @VirginAtlantic launched today, it would look something like @Fly_Norwegian transatlantic. /cc @papadimitriou"

The modern Turkish experience

• Turkish Airlines New Planet TV 2015 (IFE System) - YouTube (video)
• Turkish Airlines - Fleet - turkishairlines.com

IST

• TAV Istanbul Ataturk Airport

—
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If we're missing somewhere, or for any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X

SHOW NOTES

Captains' Hat Tips

Thanks to Kendall (TXL) for stating that we were one of the best sources of industry news, to Greg (BRS) for his weekly contributions and Vicky (ATH) for her suggestions.

News of the week

The Russian airliner crash

• Russian plane crash: Flight 7K9268 crashed in Egypt
• Terrorists 'boasted' to Isil leaders about bombing plane, stranded Brits 'could face ten day delays' - as it happened on Saturday November 7 - Telegraph
• Russian plane crash: Quest finds it mysterious - CNN.com
• Sinai Metrojet A321 crash raises questions about Egypt, Russia - Runway GirlRunway Girl
• Egypt and Russia reject claims ISIL is behind airliner crash - 9news.com.au

Worrying working conditions for US Air Traffic controllers

• Some U.S. Air-Traffic Controllers Found to Sleep for Three Hours - Bloomberg Business

The Future of Air France

• Could Air France shrink like Alitalia? - Yahoo Finance
• AIr France's HR boss his shirt as he escapes furious mob - Telegraph
• Police arrest Air France workers in investigation of shirt-ripping scuffles involving executives - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
• Air France-KLM, Lufthansa Face New Challenge With Unions - WSJ ($)

The success of IndiGo

• IndiGo IPO subscribed more than six times

Russia Sukhoi finds a client

• Irish regional CityJet to lease 15 Sukhoi SSJ100s | Lessors content from ATWOnline ($)

China's Comec

• How China is playing Boeing against Airbus to build its own airplane industry - Vox

WHo will order the B747?

• Boeing Set To Lose Orders As Transaero Files For Bankruptcy - The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) | Seeking Alpha

Airbus ups and downs

• Airbus: What Transaero's Bankruptcy Means For The A380 Program - Airbus Group SE (OTCMKTS:EADSF) | Seeking Alpha
• Saudi Airlines Considering A380 Superjumbo Order as 747s Near Retirement - Bloomberg Business
• Airbus A380 Full Production List
• Airbus to Boost A320 Production - WSJ ($)
• Airbus's A320s are selling, its A380 is not | The Salt Lake Tribune
• Finnair A350 XWB: A new era begins - YouTube (video)

A new crazy seat patent

• What is with this hellish airplane seat arrangement from Airbus? | The Verge
• Airbus designs mezzanine to seat plane passengers on top of each other - Telegraph

The Residence, by Etihad

• Great Finale: Etihad A380 – “Apartment” The Best F — Trip Reports Forum | Airliners.net

News rows in the US3 v ME3 debate

• U.S. Justice Department Sides With Gulf Carriers in Open Skies Debate – Skift
• Emirates' Brilliant Response To Delta's Dubai Claims - One Mile at a Time

The passenger technologies at Dubai airports

• The future of airports | SITA

Advertising on your carry-on

• Skip the Baggage Fees by Turning Your Luggage Into an Ad | Travel + Leisure
• The Orion Mobile Luggage Advertising Billboard | Indiegogo

A smart travel lock

• AirBolt: The Truly Smart Travel Lock by AirBolt — Kickstarter

Boaarding pass barcodes could be a security risk

• What’s in a Boarding Pass Barcode? A Lot — Krebs on Security

CIA's advice: look cool

• To Travel Like a CIA Agent, Keep Your Story Simple | Big Think

Google and the workplace

• re:Work - JetBlue: Hiring crewmembers with the skills to thrive

Cathay refreshed its livery

• New Livery

US Airways gets a send off

• Final US Ai...

SHOW NOTES

Wishing well to Oscar Munoz

• United Continental CEO Oscar Munoz Suffers Heart Attack - WSJ

Alex & Paul's travels

• Attaché - YouTube
• - EXPIRED OPEN JAW FLIGHTS FROM MADRID, SPAIN TO MUMBAI, INDIA, RETURNING TO EITHER LONDON OR DUBLIN FOR ONLY £213/€290
• Cello Aviation
• Boeing 767-300 | About BA | British Airways

BA and OneWorld to grow network?

• British Airways' Parent Wants Another Airline and Finnair Is the Best Target – Skift
• Ryanair in talks on first interlining deals with long-haul carriers | Reuters

Qantas to fly direct to Europe?

• Qantas Boeing 787s could fly from Dubai to European cities - Australian Business Traveller
• Qantas is considering nonstop flights between Australia and the UK

The future of London Heathrow

• Heathrow Reveals a Vision for Its Third Runway Expansion – Skift

JetBlue farms potatoes at New York Kennedy

• JetBlue is Growing Potatoes at JFK Airport | Travel + Leisure
• JetBlue Opened a Potato Farm at JFK Airport -- NYMag

Hiroko Tabuchi's pictures of JFK TWA terminal

• Hiroko Tabuchi on Twitter: "Open House today at JFK's gorgeous TWA Flight Center, designed by Eero Saarinen, reopening soon as a hotel http://t.co/idbtQ8Jm3o"
• Hiroko Tabuchi on Twitter: "More shots from the TWA Flight Center open house today #OHNYwknd http://t.co/fIIqlDtMfq"

HKG delays third runway

• Asia's Busiest International Airport Has to Wait 10 Years for a New Runway – Skift

Fly for 2 dollars around Asia!

• - $2 FLIGHTS WITH AIR ASIA...CRAZY!!!!!

LOT goes bitcoin

• LOT Polish Airlines now accepts bitcoins as payment

New websites to score flying deals

• Flystein
• Flystein saved me $1,100 in airline ticket costs and all they got was this lousy blog post
• Build Multi City & Stopover Flight Deals #QuestOrganizer
• Skyscanner 4.0 for iOS
• Online flight comparison site Skyscanner set to be valued at £1bn - Telegraph
• Fareness - Discover When & Where for Low Airfare

Virgin America introduces Spotify

• Virgin America And Spotify Team Up For Free Inflight Music Streaming | TechCrunch
• Virgin America Puts the 'Multi' in Multimedia with Spotify and the New York Times. | Virgin America
• Virgin America Partners With Spotify, New York Times
• Virgin on Spotify

Virgin America's A320 Inside View

• Google Street View Your Next Mood-Lit Virgin America Flight

Netflix in the air

• Netflix wants to dominate in-flight entertainment with a streaming service in airplanes - Tech News - Digital Spy
• Now Streaming Netflix - At 35,000 Feet: Virgin America Teams Up With Netflix To Offer Travelers Free WiFi Access To The World's Leading Internet TV Network | Virgin America

Wifi on the transatlantic route

• Icelandair’s New In-Flight Wi-Fi Study Is a Thing of Beauty – Skift
• End of the inflight movie? Screens set to be axed from long-haul flights with carriers streaming content to passengers' phones and tablets | Daily Mail Online

Norwegian promises low prices to cross the Atlantic

• Norwegian Air CEO Says $69 Flights From U.S. to Europe Coming Soon - NBC News

The different perception about the passenger experience

• Southwest Airlines CEO Thinks Its Passenger Experience Is Just Fine – Skift
• United Airlines Acting CEO Rejects Notion It Has 'Lost' Its Frontline Employees – Skift
• Passengers Get What They Pay For Says IATA's Outgoing CEO – Skift

Compensation for delays

• Money Saving Expert UK Flight delay com...

SHOW NOTES

Captains' hat tips

Our thanks to Markus (STR), Cedric (CDG), Michael (FAB), Peter (BOH), Ivan (WAW), and Kendall (TXL) for their contributions to this episode and their feedback.
Note that due to the increasing incoming messages, we won't be able to thank everyone, nor reference all the news sent to us on each episode, for time's sake. please keep them going though! We really love the conversations and try to answer to each and everyone of you.

Special thanks to all those who hunted our last episode on Product Hunt.

News of the week

Disruption in air travel

• 3 Radical Ideas To Totally Disrupt Air Travel | Co.Design | business + design
• TEAGUE on Instagram
• The Disruptive Airline Concept That Puts Passengers First – Skift

LHR and pollution

• Heathrow CEO Says Volkswagen Scandal Will Help Fix Airport's Pollution Problem – Skift

Air India announces world's longest flight

• San Francisco to New Delhi flight could mark beginning of Air India’s turnaround | The Indian Express

Airline layoffs

• Air France Pilots Won't Budge, So The Airline Will Cut Flights and Routes – Skift
• Gatwick BA cabin crew face big pay cuts or redundancy | Business | The Guardian

Stop the leg room war

• Regulations.gov - FlyersRights.org

Innovation in seat design

• Seat-Maker Zodiac Falls as American Airlines Seeks to Sever Deal - Bloomberg Business
• The Qatar Airways A350 & a future double bed in business class
• New Saudia airliner offers ‘best seat in the world’ | Dr Asif Shahid
• The Aircraft Seat Supplier That Built a Business Designing a Better Premium – Skift
• 5 New Airline Cabin Features Changing the Way We Travel – Skift
• The Future of Flying Could Be More Like a Cruise – Skift
• Air Berlin Adds XL Seats To Long Haul Fleet
• This Brilliant New Design Makes the Middle Row the Best Seat on the Plane | Travel + Leisure
• Will Airlines Get Onboard With Easy-Boarding Side-Slip Seat? – Skift
• Airline seats with adjustable heights: Plan could spark mile-high fury | PerthNow
• We Found the Smart Aircraft Seat that Could Spare Millions of Passengers' Knees – Skift

Europe Court challenges airline excuses for delays

• Floodgates open for flight delay claims | Money | The Guardian

A lucky landing

• Close call for valley-based Mesa Air Group flight - Story | KSAZ

United apologizes

• United CEO's Open Letter to Passengers: We Haven't Lived Up to Expectations – Skift
• United CEO talks coffee, bag fees and lousy flights - Chicago Tribune
• United Air (UAL) Pilots to CEO Munoz: Buyback Not Best Use of $3 Billion - TheStreet

United pampers

• Inside United's Secret Club for Top Fliers - WSJ
• United Airlines is surprising its best customers with free upgrades. This is how the program works. — Brian Sumers
• United Begins New Secret Upgrade Program for Its Best Customers – Skift

United innovates

• What Do You Know About United's Allegedly Creepy New App for Flight Attendants?
• United Airlines Hopes To Turn Corner With Friendlier Skies, Better Flight Management - Forbes

A non-smart Bluesmart?

• Luggage Review: Bluesmart Smart Carry-On

Quebec airport and the Apple Watch

• Québec Airport Becomes World’s First to Use Apple Watch to Help Planes Take-Off – Skift

AirAsia is an internet company

• Yes, AirAsia just called itself an internet company

Malaysian won't re-brand

• Malaysia Airlines to ramp up services to help win back...

SHOW NOTES

Shout outs

Special thanks to Michael (FAB) who corrected us (LGW is not a BAA airport anymore) and for his contributions you'll hear throughout this episode, to Nic (LHR) for his endorsement, Mohd (KUL) for the kind words and his question, to the Flying Blue employee Paul phoned to whilst being at MRU for being so kind and efficient.

Paul would also like to thank Bernard who invited him on his Analyse Asia podcast to discuss the state of travel in Asia (show notes):

https://soundcloud.com/analyseasia/episode-60-startups-air-travel-in-asia-with-paul-papadimitriou

…and to Mark (LHR) whose book, Skyfaring, helped him enjoy a 12 hours flight.

News of the week

Air Mauritius

• Flights to Mauritius: Vols vers Ile Maurice| Air Mauritius
• Air Mauritius orders six A350 XWB | Airbus Press release
• Airline upgrades: Bidding for business class | The Economist
• Flying Blue - The frequent flyer programme of AIR FRANCE and KLM

iPhone 6S and Apple Watch

• Plane Finder – Live Flight Status Tracker
• Airport Lounges: Reviews & Club Access Worldwide | LoungeBuddy
• Flightradar24.com - Live flight tracker!
• App in the Air - Top mobile app for flight tracking and exploring airports
• Emirates Journey Planner App for iPad & iPhone | Emirates United Kingdom

MH370

• Pilot spots large object off Reunion Island - CNN.com
• MH370 search is set to return to 30 sites previously ruled out | Daily Mail Online
• If Anyone Finds MH370, It Will Be the Men on This Ship - Esquire
• Family of Three MH370 Passengers Sue Malaysia Airlines
• Family of Three MH370 Passengers Sue Malaysia Airlines

Airplane Food

• Why is airplane food so terrible? - Quartz
• BBC - Future - Why does food taste different on planes?
• Restaurants Arrive in the Sky | TravelPulse
• Emirates has re-engineered dining at 30,000 ft so that airplane food tastes good - Quartz
• These travelers book longer flights for a better wine list - CNN.com
• Airlines with the best wine lists - Business Insider
• British Airways makes the unusual decision to serve British wine in First Class | Road Warrior Voices
• Future Technology - Automated Food Distribution System On An Airplane

The Concorde to fly again?

• The revival of Concorde - Telegraph
• Concorde flew for the first time 42 years ago - Business Insider

Airbus

• Airbus officially opens U.S. Manufacturing Facility | Airbus Press release
• BA owner IAG 'to sustain thousands of UK jobs' with order for 31 Airbus planes | Business | The Guardian
• Exclusive: Airbus tells A320 suppliers to cut prices 10 percent | Reuters

Mitsubishi

• Japan Aims to Crack the Aviation Market With Its First New Passenger Plane in Four Decades - Bloomberg Business

Boeing

• How a Boeing Sales Flop Became the World's Hottest Secondhand Jetliner - Bloomberg Business
• The First Boeing 727 Prepares for its Last Flight - AirlineReporter : AirlineReporter
• Boeing 747 production reaches last 20 orders for legendary plane : aviation
• British Airways' 747s Get A Refresh
• Korean Air is latest airline to get Boeing's newest, biggest 747
• The demise of the Boeing 747 is a sign of changing flight patterns | Business | The Guardian
• Boeing is looking at improving its Everett-built 767 jet, exec says | HeraldNet.com - Aerospace Blog
• Why flawless 777X folding wing functionality is important to #PaxEx - Runway GirlRunway Girl
<...

SHOW NOTES

Shout outs

Our thanks to all our listeners, we really appreciate your loyalty and your feedback! Special thanks to Neil (JNB), Zachary (SFO), Kendall (TXL), Michael (FAB), HhhHhm (AMS), Gen (PVG), Pieter (BOH), Markus (STR), Mica & Camille (LHR), Gray (TPA) and Mascha (AMS) for your messages.
And Don for episode 022, the feedback has been incredible.

News of the week

BA 777 on fire at Las Vegas

• British Airways plane catches fire at Las Vegas airport #BA2276 | US news | The Guardian
• KLAS ATC recording (audio)
• British Airways 777 Catches Fire in Las Vegas After Engine Failure - WSJ ($)
• British Airways pilot Chris Henkey had already cheated death once before | Daily Mail Online
• British Airways blaze pilot: 'I'm finished flying' - BBC News
• British Airways fire: Source cites fire suppression - CNN.com
• BA fire report suggests engine casing breach - BBC News
• British Airways 777 Engine Fire in KLAS : aviation
• PICTURES: Unclear whether BA 777 engine failure was contained
• Las Vegas British Airways fire horror: 'Lessons have been learned', says survivor of Manchester disaster - Manchester Evening News
• Passenger 'Starts Fires' On Holiday Jet To Egypt

Don't be stupid in an emergency evacuation

• Jason Sturgess on Twitter: "If you had a 3K Camera in your hand luggage and your waiting to get off a burning plane you are not just going to leave it! #britishairways"
• British Airways passengers fled a burning plane with luggage. Here’s why you shouldn’t do that. - The Washington Post
• What NOT to do when you are fleeing a burning plane - MarketWatch

British Airways unveils new First cabin

• Take A Look At The First-Class Seats In British Airways’ New Dreamliner | CONTEMPORIST
• New Singapore A380 Suites and Business Class Coming in 2017

Paul's curation of First and Business class news

• Seat 1A on Flipboard

First class for pets

• American Airlines First Class Cabins for Pets Travel + Leisure

Be mentored at 30,000 feet

• Mentoring flight | Information | British Airways

United CEO is fired on the spot

• United C.E.O. Is Out Amid Inquiry at Port Authority - The New York Times
• Did United Put a Whole Route in the Sky for One Very Important Passenger? - Bloomberg Business
• Ex-United CEO Has to Cooperate to Keep $29 Million Severance - Bloomberg Business

Iron Maiden embarks on World Tour on a 747

• IRON MAIDEN AND THE BOOK OF SOULS GO JUMBO ON MASSIVE 2016 WORLD TOUR
• Iron Maiden announce Book of Souls world tour | Music | The Guardian
• Bruce Dickinson: ‘Hell would freeze over before I'd stop performing’ | Music | The Guardian
• For the love of God, put me on the Iron Maiden plane | The Verge
• Iron Maiden: Flight 666 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Iron Maiden Frontman Bruce Dickinson Loses Airline Pilot Job
• Aircraft Maintenance | Cardiff Aviation
• Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson is close to getting his airline off the ground - Telegraph
• Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson to help set up African airline | Music | The Guardian
• World's longest aircraft is unveiled in UK - BBC News
• Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson makes emergency landing as plane runs low on fuel - Telegraph
• Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson sells private jets in Harrods | Music | The Guardian

ANA unveils the Star Wars Dreamliner

• R2-D2 and C-3P0 host 'Star Wars' aircraft unveiling

Don't believe Facebook flight hoaxes

• Faceb...