It’s time to continue a review of 2014 as seen through my eyes, as I recap the ups and downs of the aviation world during the year. In this episode, I’m going to look back from July to September
July:
Top of the month was the sad news that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was lost of Ukraine, with all passengers and crew dead, sparking major diplomatic rows against Europe and Russia.
The Airbus A320neo rolls out
BoardingArea.eu launches!
US Airways doubles its Charlotte to London route
I talk about one of the most important things that you need as a traveller - a Power Bank
Travelling by London buses? Cash fares are a no-no
Boeing makes luggage bins more interesting. And a future where everyone will have the same sized carry on bag.
Farnborough 2014 came and went with lots of orders – and the launch of the Airbus A330neo
Swiss introduces more way to milk your wallet – called Swiss Choice
Ryanair grows up more, and stops charging for its Mobile App
Shorthaul A380? Emirates to fly an A380 between Dubai and Kuwait
Cathay Pacific begins to draw down A340 operations from Europe
The US FAA suspends flights to Tel Aviv, with US carriers following orders. Other carriers follow after a missile landed near Ben Gurion airport.
Vodafone attempts to introduce lower price roaming
American Airlines boost USA to London services
Flybe heads back to London City Airport
Delta improves its In Flight Entertainment options
WestJet looks to expand… with Boeing 767s
Forgot to dispose of your drugs? Jetstar has you covered.
Skymark get their A380 order pulled by Airbus
August
Aeroflot subsidiary Droblet has its plug pulled in the wake of sanctions
Air New Zealand and ANA fight to have the first 787-9 with passengers in the air
I talk about using your Starbucks rewards card internationally
AA trims its network for winter 2015
After the wake of MH370 and MH17, plans are announced to bring Malaysia airlines back into state ownership
Etihad confirms the terms it wishes to buy 49% of Alitalia
I whine about Las Vegas and the cult of resort fees
Air Berlin introduces “Bidding for Upgrades“
Lufthansa is to send a 747-8i to Tokyo Haneda
Airbus take their A350 around the world in the certification campaign
The US “Mobile Passport” app - A good idea?
Bardarbunga makes lots of rumbling sounds, but doesn’t cause that much aviation chaos. Thankfully
Emirates takes the fight to Etihad, with more Italian services
Is your ESTA in date? I walk you through the ESTA process as the USA charges you $14 to enter the country…
British Airways chucks up it booking fee, introduces holds
COMAC take their C919 closer to a complete plane
September
Boris Island goes in the bin. But what next?
Got BitCoin? Spend it with Air Lithuanica
Amsterdam Schiphol introduces free WiFi
Virgin Atlantic trims its International network from a tree to a small bonsai bush…
Virgin Atlantic Little Red teeters, then falls.
Emirates doubles up on its new Brussels service.
Ryanair signs for a new varient of the 737 MAX – the 737 MAX 8 200
The Bombardier CSeries returns to flight testing
I maintain that travelling with checked luggage is not a sin
Marriott introduces Housekeeping Tip envelopes. Why not pay their staff more?
Canada announces a $7 ETA fee to enter the country
Is it possible to do an International to Domestic connection at Chicago O’Hare Airport in under an hour? Amazingly, YES.
Aegean airlines change the qualification requirements for their Star Alliance Gold. Non Europeans up in arms, Europeans carry on.
London Underground tease about plans for a 24 hour tube service
I stay at the Luxor and regret it.
The Airbus A320neo takes its first flight
Icelandair tries to show a different idea when it comes to stopovers
The Airbus A350 gains formal type certification, allowing the aircraft to be delivered to customers
Next up – October to December.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – The new name for GhettoIFE (and a lot more pronounceable). Expect in-depth coverage, analysis, route news as well as humour and madness as I only know how.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European readers.