This weekly post is my ‘round tuit’. Included are stories which caught my eye and others which I couldn’t cover in-depth during the week, but thought Flight Chic readers would want to know about.
Better connections in Europe and a LEVEL playing field abroad.
1. Launching LEVEL
https://twitter.com/flywithlevelEN/status/842768721709948928
IAG’s LH/LCC LEVEL launch June Barcelona to LAX, Oakland, Buenos Aires & Punta Cana. 2 new Airbus A330s (293Y 21PY). Initially Iberia crew pic.twitter.com/FwzfhDRLbq
— Max Kingsley-Jones (@MaxK_J) March 17, 2017
IAG's LCLH unit Level to fly to LA, Oakland, Buenos Aires, Dominican Republic from June from Barcelona — more locations on the horizon pic.twitter.com/lff13TIPIf
— Robert Wall (@R_Wall) March 17, 2017
LEVEL – IAG's new long-haul low-cost airline based in Barcelona. Use Iberia crew&2 A330 a/c. Ops. frm Jun. #avgeek https://t.co/dDR7L1wGQK pic.twitter.com/Fuplrhg4bo
— ✈ 𝓓𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓭 𝓢𝓽𝓾𝓭𝓭𝓮𝓷 (@wings_around) March 17, 2017
New breed of airline upends world travel https://t.co/VpQQ4W6hZR
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 18, 2017
2. Stella!
In preparation for Winter Storm #Stella, check your flight status with your carrier before leaving for the airport. #snowmageddon2017 pic.twitter.com/DGaDnF1ulT
— The Voice of Airports (@airportscouncil) March 13, 2017
On a normal day, in 12 hours hundreds of flights land at JFK. Thanks to Storm #Stella, on Tuesday that number was 2. https://t.co/a94qVoRhed pic.twitter.com/wo188ud2u9
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 18, 2017
To recap how out of sorts flights in the US northeast were today, here is every plane that landed at @JFKairport between 4:30am and 4:30pm. pic.twitter.com/VHC1GZhZfj
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 15, 2017
#DYK #airports can buy snow removal equipment with Passenger Facility Charge user fees? That's just 1 way the PFC works for you. #Stella pic.twitter.com/1Wi7nhWs5w
— The Voice of Airports (@airportscouncil) March 14, 2017
3. About those ‘Fair and Open Skies’
Our Future Our Fight? Delta squandered int'l opportunities for decades. Delta has no inherent "right" to carry a passenger, "own" a market. https://t.co/qGiZ3C7Ffy
— Will Horton (@winglets747) March 13, 2017
4. Self-service can be a beautiful thing.
SITA’s Drop&Fly bag drop unit wins prestigious 2017 @iFDESIGNAWARDits for intuitive design. #PTEAmsterdam https://t.co/bu9eDKooLc pic.twitter.com/RxVWlc6f0U
— SITA (@SITAonline) March 13, 2017
5. Captain Sullenberger speaks out on the dangers of Lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries pose a significant safety risk on airliners; Trump admin. must act now to protect travelers. https://t.co/9NSwOSVMUC
— Sully Sullenberger (@Captsully) March 13, 2017
6. Common myths on the causes of cabin discomfort.
Aircraft Cabin Experts Dispel the Biggest Comfort Myths: https://t.co/K3SdxACUid #PaxEx #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/7EO25V8d8f
— APEX (@theAPEXassoc) March 13, 2017
7. KLM and TU Delft launch new innovation partnership.
Must say: The enthusiasm of @KLM and @tudelft for #PaxEx innovation was delightful and contagious. Kudos to both! @theAPEXassoc https://t.co/EmtkQ0BRUK
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
8. New U.S. administration plans cut-backs to airport security.
Three airport security programs axed under Trump budget https://t.co/WRm4ZWSlLP pic.twitter.com/d13Gz4khel
— The Hill (@thehill) March 17, 2017
9. Lay-offs at Boeing
Big money flows to the top as a number of Boeing workers issued layoff notices or giving up defined benefit pensions https://t.co/gUI7Mp3Gtp
— FlyersRights (@KendallFlyers) March 18, 2017
10. Impressed by the quality of the facilities and the range of capabilities at Lufthansa Technik Malta.
A brief history of LHT Malta operations. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/lmnk4gYl4x
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
A full portfolio of LHT services available in Malta. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/BHbkwdwZR3
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
Six Million Man Hour operations. They can rebuild it. They have the technology…#LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/0fhLsCkJUs
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
LHT Malta can perform D-checks, an inside and out repair and maintenance interval which can take 40,000 man hours to complete. #LHTAvDays
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
Most common services performed at LHT Malta are C-checks (comprehensive). Also performs major mods and end of lease. #LHTAvDays
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
In mod mode: A Lufthansa A330-300 undergoes C-Check. Monuments, carpets & then seats will be installed in the 30-day process. #LHTAvDays 🇲🇹 pic.twitter.com/RZFaKkEBVT
— APEX (@theAPEXassoc) March 17, 2017
Passengers are *extremely* rough on aircraft interiors; which basically keeps the MRO business and suppliers doing very well. 😉 https://t.co/UwzZ0ZENrf
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
11. Learned a lot about LHT’s work delivering new FlyNet connectivity system, and got to take it for a joy-ride.
While taking care of connectivity needs of Lufthansa, LHT plans to offer its connectivity solutions to airlines around the 🌎. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/h52KOKqfSp
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
LHT Capabilities. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/sP3vhvy6el
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
And more… pic.twitter.com/jIA7VfNGhf
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
This little bin box controls the entire #WiFi and #IFE on this @lufthansa #A321. @LHTechnik can install 20 of these per month! #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/OuQnbx0hJU
— Enrique Perrella (@Enrique77W) March 17, 2017
Here's the star of the show! #LHTAvDays (Actually, the whole team here at LHT are ✨) pic.twitter.com/jtIgq08ois
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
#LHTAvDays More than 50 planes equipped with satcom @LHT and delivering more every day @ a 4 day TAT pic.twitter.com/4JxkOPvyNw
— BuchAir (@Buch_Air) March 17, 2017
Onsite in MLA🇲🇹: The 57th Lufthansa Group A320 is readied for GX connectivity. Special layovers can be fully installed 4 days. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/KLLIxdIksQ
— APEX (@theAPEXassoc) March 17, 2017
This is the #WiFi antenna that feeds ~50 passengers with signal. The @Airbus #A321 needs ~4 of these to feed a full load of PAX. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/ZVxuxGOBXf
— Enrique Perrella (@Enrique77W) March 17, 2017
The wireless access point (WAP), designed by @LHTechnik takes only 20 mins to install, plus wire runs. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/1oBuKl5erd
— Paul Thompson (@FlyingPhotog) March 17, 2017
The stripes on this radome cover aren't just stylish. They're ⚡️protection. #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/rMJ8jCWBJq
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
And we're online. Well done, @Lufthansa @LHTechnik @Honeywell_Aero @InmarsatGlobal! 🏆 #LHTAvDays #WifiThatFlies pic.twitter.com/hZKirPh7Wa
— Airline Reporter (@AirlineReporter) March 17, 2017
#avgeek @lazydaycool Really got into the nitty-gritty, checking out the wiring for the FlyNet connect system. #LHTAvDays cc: @theAPEXassoc pic.twitter.com/NEEGD23a9g
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
12. Wrapped up the day with a peek at the LHT Frankfurt facilities.
.@LHTechnik Frankfurt, planes waiting for their 'HOW' overnight maintenance. To keep ✈️ flying in the day.#LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/ODKTfrJITi
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
13. Engine maintenance is intricate and beautiful.
A321 Engine overnight maintenance at @LHTechnik Frankfurt #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/NRfPYPDvYJ
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
Row of engine blades awaiting inspection @LHTechnik Frankfurt #LHTAvDays pic.twitter.com/Pm2tXCfrGh
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
These blades came off this A330-300 engine. pic.twitter.com/hMUWceR4Mv
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 17, 2017
NB I was invited by Lufthansa Technik to join aviation journalists on a visit to their MRO facilities in Malta and Frankfurt, and for a first trial of the new FlyNet European connectivity services, powered by Inmarsat. LHT arranged travel and accommodations. My reporting of the event is independent.
14. Two weeks to go until we know the winners! Details on the Crystal Cabin Award finalists.
These ideas will improve air travel in 2017 Crystal Cabin Finalists https://t.co/MSOtcQKCZf via Aircraft Interiors Int'l Magazine
— FlightChic | ✈️💺 (@designerjet) March 12, 2017
15. What to expect onboard MAS A350
16. Airbus lays ground work to support growth in Asia with plans for new Training Centre.
Airbus to establish a 100% owned Training Centre in Delhi to support India's need for pilots & maintenance engineers https://t.co/ktyrip8hhY pic.twitter.com/JQXB7W84vz
— Airbus (@Airbus) March 17, 2017
17. Trouble brewing for Polaris?
United’s Zodiac Gripe & Lufthansa’s Boeing 777X Seat – here's this week's top #PaxEx news: https://t.co/GYXGxUT3mX #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/lNwenxNQEF
— APEX (@theAPEXassoc) March 17, 2017
18. Baby onboard.
#PaxEx FAQs: What Happens When a Baby Is Born in Flight?https://t.co/J4olEJ1mOv #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/QZJTmpdhHz
19. Pie Day travel inspiration.
Pi is an infinite number. Travel has infinite opportunities. Happy #PiDay. pic.twitter.com/2mClHONKIN
— Delta (@Delta) March 14, 2017