"This approach is consistent with other fleet types where we do not have different safety cards for sub-fleets". Hmm, so how do you handle the extra escape door , just behind the ring on the "8-200" cattle-truck variant which Ryanair is betting the farm on? Whenever I board a plane, I count the seat rows to the nearest hole in the fuselage - fore and aft. The absence of a door, shown on "standard type-wide cards" would probably spook a few passengers as they look around to familiarise themselves during briefings. The standard passenger response - for a few years at least - would be "A 737 (*any* 737) - how do I get off if this thing heads south?" The advertisement tag-line (“Flown by Boeing test pilots. Do not attempt”) is just gold-dust. I really hope these things stay in the air. Mike

(Written on 20/11/2020)(Permalink)

Many years ago, my younger brother was flying in one of the University Air Squadrons in the UK. St Athan was closed for Runway resurfacing, so they were flying across to Brawdy, over in Pembrokeshire. RAF Brawdy was mainly accustomed to fast-jet trainers (Hawk), so little brother was amused when Brawdy called up with "confirm undercarriage down and locked". The response: "Bulldog 45, confirming undercarriage down and welded" merely evoked the laconic response: "Sorry four-five; continue approach". RAF ATC - ya gotta luv 'em!

(Written on 26/06/2020)(Permalink)

I take my hat off to whoever designed the innate strength of those Airbus engine nacelles! Land, scrape, take off again - not bad, just a shame that the damage to the engines had occurred during the bump. Rest in peace. Mike

(Written on 26/06/2020)(Permalink)

That will be a shame - we always choose the upstairs Club World mini-cabin - but this is, sadly, a business decision based around survival. The 747 has served well, but fuel efficiency is the name of the game for the coming time (even if oil customers are currently being paid to take the stuff away from the oilwell!

(Written on 08/05/2020)(Permalink)

Good lord, I thought this was an airliner forum!

(Written on 01/05/2020)(Permalink)

Looking at the bile being spilled hers, I am just *so* glad that the Colonies are no longer Britain's problem.

(Written on 27/03/2020)(Permalink)

This sounds like a competitive, globalised market working for the consumer; you may choose to apply brand loyalty or go for the lowest price. We plan ahead for our transatlantic trips and, as it happens, both the October hop and the Thanksgiving trip will be on British Airways. "Golden Tail"? I though that United adopted the lovely ex-Continental "globe" tail design after the merger?

(Written on 27/07/2019)(Permalink)

It has been fascinating to read through this entire chain of discussion on Saturday morning. Where America/California leads...….. Light blue touch-paper and retire.

(Written on 27/07/2019)(Permalink)

Err - wanna bet? It will be fascinating to see how Boeing's marketing teams respond to this challenge - and the corporate bonuses paid when the advertising bears fruit. Ryanair cannot afford to have one of these drop out of the sky post-reinstatement. Think of the circumstances - the world's worst-reputation airline (for customer service) is no longer annoying its customers, but killing them.... It would spell the end, even of Ryanair. Therefore, I would be confident that Ryanair will eventually fly the rebranded (and thoroughly re-rested and re-certified) MAX. They are still a lousy airline and I would never use them - the old reputation for c**p customer service shines through!

(Written on 19/07/2019)(Permalink)

Someone listened to The Donald!

(Written on 19/07/2019)(Permalink)