Monthly Archives: July 2015

British Airways reduces cabin hand baggage size, still remains generous

British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner G-ZBJC. Image Copyright Devesh Agarwal.

British Airways has always had one of the most generous hand-baggage (carry-on baggage) allowances in the world. Like its American counterparts, even in economy class, it permits two carry-on bags per passenger; one main carry-on bag, and one personal hand-bag / laptop bag. Compare this to the one piece allowed on almost every other airline. However, unlike the normal 7kg …

Read More »

Star Alliance announces round-the-world (RTW) fares in premium economy class

Air India Boeing 777-300ER VT-ALJ Bihar in special Star Alliance livery being wheeled out of the hangar.

With 11 of its member airlines offering a dedicated premium economy class cabin, Star Alliance, the world largest airline grouping is now offering a Round-the-World (RTW) fare in the Premium Economy Class. The 11 Star Alliance airlines which offer a dedicated premium economy class cabin include Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, EVA Air, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, …

Read More »

Qatar Airways in talks with IndiGo, denies interest in SpiceJet

Qatar Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner A7-BCF.

National carrier Qatar Airways has issued a statement denying any interest in picking up a stake in Gurgaon based SpiceJet. The middle-eastern carrier says This release is to confirm that Qatar Airways is not in talks to pursue a commercial stake in SpiceJet. There is no interest from the airline to engage in a partnership with the Gurgaon-based airline. Qatar …

Read More »

SpiceJet makes remarkable comeback. Reports highest ever Q1 profit of 71.8 cr

SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SPJ. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal.

Gurgaon based low fare carrier SpiceJet has made a remarkable comeback from its financial troubles just a little over seven months back. The airline has reported a net profit of Rs 71.8 crore (Rs 718 million) for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015-2016. This is the highest profit for the first quarter ever reported by the airline and the …

Read More »

Air Pegasus to start service to Chennai, Hyderabad, Tuticorin and Pondicherry

Air Pegasus ATR 72-500 VT-APA. I really like the smiley face on the nose of the aircraft.

Regional carrier Air Pegasus completed 100 days of operations yesterday. The airline currently operates to from its hub in Bangalore to Hubli, Trivandrum, Madurai and Kadapa and is planning to begin services to Chennai, Hyderabad, Tuticorin and Pondicherry shortly. Shyson Thomas, Air Pegasus “To serve the increasing number of sectors, we intend to lease in three more aircrafts in the …

Read More »

Spicejet offers tickets on EMI

Low cost carrier Spicejet, has launched an Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) scheme called ‘Book Now, Pay Later’. The scheme allows passengers to save up to 70% interest on deferred/delayed payment interest costs relative to traditional credit card fees and is valid on credit cards of Axis Bank, HSBC Bank, Kotak Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank which are issued in India. …

Read More »

Lockheed Martin to accuire Sikorsky

United Technologies has announced that it has reached an agreement to sell Sikorsky Aircraft to Lockheed Martin for $9 billion in cash. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and adjustments, is projected to close by year-end or in the first quarter of 2016. Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to fund …

Read More »

Delhi to be first 787-9 destination for British Airways

British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner G-ZBJC. Image Copyright Devesh Agarwal.

British Airways has announced that it will operate it’s first Boeing 787-9 dreamliner from London Heathrow to New Delhi. The airline will begin the dreamliner service from the 25th of October. The airline will initially operate the 787-9 five days a week and will increase to seven from late March. Flight Number Departure STD Arrival STA BA257 London Heathrow 1930 …

Read More »

Air India celebrates 1st anniversary with Star Alliance

July 11th marked the successful completion of one year of the Air India’s membership in Star Alliance. To mark this occasion the airline on 10 of it’s domestic metro flights, passengers were treated to an exclusive, personalized inflight experience with a chef on board who interacted with the passengers and assisted cabin crew in the service. The airline also organized …

Read More »

Pictures: New Indian carrier Flyeasy’s first Embraer E190

Soon to be launched regional airline Flyeasy’s first aircraft is out of the paint-shop with the airlines livery. After some tracing we believe the aircraft is ex-VP-CQZ (MSN 19000217) which is leased from flynas. The aircraft is a six year old Embraer ERJ-190. The aircraft will most likely be registered VT-VVA. The aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF34 …

Read More »

Lounge review: American Airlines arrivals lounge London Heathrow T3

American Airlines Arrivals Lounge T3 London Heathrow.

London is probably the busiest destination outside the United States for all three major US carriers, American, United, and Delta. While most of the lounges of US carriers cannot compete with those of their gulf or Asian rivals, they offer a service perfectly tailored to their north Atlantic premium traffic which is dominated by the business and corporate traveller, many …

Read More »

Boeing donates first 787-8 Dreamliner ZA001 to Nagoya airport

Boeing Japan President George Maffeo and Nagoya airport Nagoya, President and CEO Masanao Tomozoe, celebrate the donation of first 787-8 Dreamliner ZA001.

In a clear acknowledgement of the major role by Japan in the development and components of the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has donated the first 787 flight test airplane to Centrair International Airport in Nagoya. The city is considered home to the Japanese aerospace industry and Centrair is the only airport in the world from which both the 787 main wing …

Read More »

Infographics: Domestic performance of Indian carriers over last 12 months

The nightly aircraft line-up tail parade at the apron of Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore

Bangalore Aviation has produced a set of graphics which provide significant insight in the domestic operating performance of Indian carriers for the last 12 months. The source data is obtained from India’s regulator The Directorate General of Civil Aviation. On time performance One of the key selling points of IndiGo, India’s largest domestic airline, is, on time performance (OTP). As …

Read More »

Global distribution systems and airline ticket distribution in India

Airline global distribution system network. Graphic by Devesh Agarwal

With the recent news around Lufthansa levying a surcharge for all bookings via global distribution systems (GDS), the debate on airline distribution has returned to the forefront. We examine the distribution strategies of various airlines in the Indian context Despite the push by airlines to offer direct bookings via their websites, these global distribution systems still handle significant booking volumes …

Read More »

IndiGo aircraft order MOU expired. What questions investors should ask IndiGo.

IndiGo_A320 classic VT-INT. Photo: Devesh Agarwal.

India’s largest domestic airline Indigo filed a 557 page draft red herring prospectus (DHRP) which is a preliminary document towards an initial public offering (IPO). For 10% of the company, Indigo is targeting an IPO of approximately $400 million (Rs 2,500 crores), effectively giving the airline a valuation of $4 billion. The funds from the IPO are to be used …

Read More »

Air France, KLM and Delta offer special fares to the US from India and Dubai

Air France A330-200 Economy class cabin. Photo by Devesh Agarwal.

SkyTeam alliance members Air France, KLM and Delta Air Lines are offering special fares from three Indian cities to 20 destinations in the United States and Canada. A special fare on the Dubai Atlanta route is also being offered. A fare of Rs. 60,000 all inclusive is available under this Independence Day sale. Bookings have started and will be open …

Read More »
+OK