Airline Nation

To celebrate its new non-stop route between Zurich and San Francisco, Swiss International Air Lines has come up with a colourful “flower power” San Francisco livery on one of its Airbus A340-313X.

Taking off soon are Lufthansa’s new Airbus A380 planes, which have been lavishly decorated—in the first-class cabin, at least. Gone are the tiddly toilets and basins, and in their place are separate washing and changing rooms.

Air New Zealand has unveiled a new economy class seat dubbed the “Skycouch” to provide a lie-flat experience once reserved for premium cabins.

You better believe it! Ryanair spokesman, Stephen McNamara, in an interview with the Irish Times, states the airline will proceed with plans to charge passengers for using toilets during short haul services of under 1 hour.

Boeing’s orderbook for the 787-3 has dwindled to zero following a decision by Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) to convert its remaining 28 orders for the short-range variant to the long-range 787-8.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is expected to file for bankruptcy today, and announce drastic cuts to its workforce as the ailing carrier seeks to restructure.

The aircraft – which was meant to be in operation in time for the Beijing Olympics – would start flying from Seoul to London in time for the Games, chairman and CEO Yang Ho Cho confirmed. Speaking today at the launch of a sponsorship of a multi-media guide at the British Museum, Cho said: “The UK market is important for Korean Air as London [Heathrow] is one of the most important hubs for Europe.

Air France this morning took delivery of its first Airbus A380, the first European carrier to receive the type. … Registered F-HPJA, the aircraft will make the short delivery flight to Air France’s base at Paris Charles de Gaulle today before entering commercial service, on the route to New York JFK, on 23 November.

British Airways says 800 workers have volunteered to work for nothing for up to a month, following its request to cut costs.
[From 800 BA workers set to work unpaid]

Malaysian long-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X is considering destinations in North America and new destinations in Europe, possibly using Airbus A340-300s.
AirAsia X says the North American schedule is at least 1-2 years away once they can lease enough Airbus A340s.