by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 17, 2018 | 777, Featured, Moscow, Route Announcements, Swiss |
With demand expecting to be through the roof, SWISS has announced that will deploy a Boeing 777 to fly to Moscow during the 2018 World Cup later this year.
Specifically, SWISS has announced that a 777 will make the roundtrip between Zurich and Moscow (DME) on June 15 and 16, and again on July 16 and 17.
On those days, the 777 flights will be LX1326 that departs Zurich at 12p, arriving in Moscow at 4:25p while LX 1327 will depart Moscow at 5:45p, arriving back in Zurich at 8:15p.
Booking is obviously open for these unique flights…….
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 16, 2018 | A380, Airbus, Emirates, Featured |
The A380 has been making news over the past few months, but not in a positive manner.
Rumors have been swirling around Toulouse that the A380 program is on life support, and only being kept alive by a faint chance that a single airline can save it from the scrap pile. To rekindle said rumors, Airbus once again stated on Monday (January 15) that the A380 program is at risk unless substantial orders come in. Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer, John Leahy, spelled it out very succinctly: “If we cannot work out a deal with Emirates, I think there is no choice but to shut down the program”.
Emirates and their decision whether or not to order additional A380s will either allow the program to limp along for a few more years or begin it’s immediate descent into obscurity. Expectations had been for Emirates to place a substantial order in 2017, but that never happened, thus the A380 program is now in perilous peril (for you Holy Grail fans out there). Either way, the A380 program seems doomed, whether now or in a few years.
Emirates had the chance to step up during air shows in 2017 when large orders are typically announced. It’s good publicity for both Emriates and Airbus to make such splashy announcements. However with no A380 announcements at any airshows, it doesn’t take a genius to read between the lines that either 1) Emirates is tired of the A380 and is looking towards a 2-engine replacement in the 777x, or 2) Emirates is squeezing Airbus into some ridiculously attractive discounts since Emirates is the one that has all leverage at this point.
Either is plausible, but I think option 1 might be what is playing out here.
If memory serves, Airbus had predicted a healthy market for over 1,100 A380s to fill the sky but since the types inception in 2005 only a few over 200 have ever been delivered. 95 are still in queue for being built, with most of those going to Emirates and a few to leasing agent Amedeo. Not good when the existence of the entire A380 line hinges on one carrier.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 14, 2018 | Cargo, Featured, On Board Experience, Passenger Experience |
Beginning Monday January 15, passengers travelling with ‘Smart Luggage’ powered by Lithium batteries will no longer be able to check their luggage into the cargo hold of their aircraft unless the batteries can be removed and brought into the cabin.
The rule also applies to carry-on luggage. In order to be able to bring your ‘Smart’ carry-on on board, you must be able to power off the bag or remove the battery altogether. If the bag can not be powered down, or if the battery can not be removed, the bag will not be allowed onto the aircraft.
The IATA has recommended this rule to its 300 airline members in an attempt to prevent fires from starting from faulty batteries and luggage electronics. It is not a government imposed restriction so its impact will be felt world-wide.
If your ‘Smart’ luggage is powered by traditional batteries (AA, AAA, etc), your luggage is exempt from the ban, however you may need to demonstrate to the airline that your bag is compliant when checking it.
