Over the last year or so airlines have really been struggling trying to find a suitable level ground to overcome the credit crunch. We have already seen huge amounts of airlines go into administration because of the increase in aviation fuel prices. It was rumoured that BA only recently asked employees to work a month without pay to help the company overcome huge amounts of losses.

But it seems as though no frills flights are being hit the worst, as they have always given low cost flights which they really cannot afford to do at the moment. Because of this problem, Ryanair are said to want to change the way people fly by making them stand up so more people can actually fit on board.

The planes will have basic stools in which people can sit on and tie a seat belt around their waist. It is said that Chief executive Michael O’Leary has already held talks with US plane manufacturer Boeing about designing an aircraft with standing room. Ryanair have indicated that they could in fact get up to 30% more people on board. They also said that it would completely be adhering with safety procedures.

There are also other plans that are in progression for Ryanair such as making people actually pay a pound to use the on board toilets. They are also making people carry their luggage all the way to the aircraft as this alone could save the company millions of pounds.

But personally I think making people stand up on an air craft is something that is not to my liking and won’t be for a lot of people. A simple fact is that a lot of the population are afraid of flying. By allowing these people to stand up on the aircraft it is only going to make people panic a lot more, can you imagine there is bad turbulence and people are standing up they are going to be in for the shock of their life.

The company may well be taking the wrong approach, as people will not mind paying a bit extra to actually go on a plane and feel relaxed and comfortable. Ok, making people pay for the toilet is fine, but making people stand up when they are already scared just will not work. Think about it this way even trains have seats and these are no way near as scary as flying.

For 0871 Numbers, international phone numbers and 0800 number services

[tags]ryanair, flights, air, travel[/tags]

If you have ever dreamt of taking your partner on an exotic surprise holiday, you should consider flying exclusively with a private jet to your dream destination. There is no better way to travel than on private jet, ensuring full privacy and tailor-made luxuries during your journey.

With private charter flights you don’t have to worry about flight cancellations or whether you will be forced to sit away from your partner next to an obese man talking to himself throughout the flight. Charter jets have become increasingly popular as prices have dropped.

Many business-people enjoy travelling via charter jet, as well as pop stars and celebrities, since it allows them the space to relax as well as conduct business. Even those who have never been to a celebrity wedding or made the pop charts can afford to fly by private charter jet these days.

A quick internet search will return an array of private charter jet providers, as well as revealing evidence of its reputation and feedback. Choosing a charter flight provider is an important decision so be sure to find one which suits your requirements.

When deciding which jet to fly look at different factors than simply the company’s reputation. Are you interested in flying in a luxury jet or a helicopter? Most charter companies offer jets with every amenity you can imagine, while others offer no-frills ways of getting around. Most will have pictures of the jets so you can pick the one which will suit you.

You should also keep safety considerations in mind when choosing a private jet provider and this should be relatively easy since most companies will post their safety policies on their websites. Do some research to find out what people are saying about the private jet provider you are interested in. When you know that your jet is up to standard and flown by a responsible charter company you should be able to travel with ease and peace of mind.

And most important, make sure you consider how much you are willing to spend. There are plenty of companies who will cost a fortune to fly, and while they contain the best amenities you may want to consider looking for cheaper charter flights with similar or comparable amenities based on need rather than extravagance.

The best thing about charter flights is that it diminishes the need to wait in long queues air airports, or making multiple connections to get to your desired destination. The ease of travel is worth the cost of the ticket.

John McE writes articles on a number of subjects including jets and aviation. For the hire of private jets, commercial jets and freight aircraft try Air Partner, a world-class company which provides every type of aircraft, for every conceivable mission, in every part of the planet.

[tags]private jets, charter flights, air flights, private charter flights, charter jet flights[/tags]

Over the years, air travel has become such a common means of transportation that new airlines have tried their hands at offering this service. However in past decades, only a few have managed to succeed and remain in business. This was due to a variety of reasons ranging from overall good service, steadfast reputation, and dependability. There remains three national airlines that have proved themselves over the years; Air Canada, WestJet and CanJet.

AIR CANADA

September 1, 1937 marked the first flight of then, Trans- Canada Air Lines, on a 50 minute flight between Vancouver and Seattle. By 1964, the airline had grown to form Canada’s first national airline company and changed its name to Air Canada. In 1989, the company became privatized. Today, Air Canada has become the largest, full-service Canadian airline, and is the eleventh largest commercial airline worldwide.

Headquarters for the airline is based in Montreal, Quebec running from the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport with hubs in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. The airline employs approximately 24,700 full time employees, and according to records from 2008, served approximately 33 million passengers to 170 destinations on five continents. Most of Air Canada’s national flights offer two classes of service, which are Executive/Executive First Class and Economy Class. They do, however, offer a three class service on selected European flights; Executive First, Economy, and Premium Economy, The goal is to provide a more comfortable flight in the cases of longer trip times.

Over the years, Air Canada has been recognized with several awards and continues to do so by constantly looking for ways to improve the services they offer as well as upgrades to the fleet. They are also scheduling several new non-stop flights in 2009 to follow up the increase in non-stop flights added in 2008.

WESTJET

This airline has been in business for approximately twelve years now (since 1997) and has earned the reputation of being the caring and friendly airline. For the third year in a row they have been awarded the title of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture by the Waterstone Human Capital. WestJet strives to keep the commitment they have made to provide safe, friendly, and affordable air travel service.

The company is the second largest carrier in Canada and based out of Calgary, Alberta. They employ approximately 7500 people and the airline is unique in the fact that they are a non-unionized airline. The fleet consist of approximately 80 planes (Boeing 737’s exclusively) and they fly to 55 destinations. Their first flight departed on February 29, 1996 and the company then only consisted of 220 employees. By the end of 1997, they had served their one millionth customer.

The company has grown by leaps and bounds and is predicting that by 2016 that they will have become one of the top five most successful international airlines in the world.

CANJET AIRLINES

CanJet Airlines is a division of the IMP Group Limited, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is Canada’s newest addition to the airline family of full-service charter flights. The small airline operates with a fleet of approximately 7, Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured to 189 seating capacity. At present they serve over 14 destinations and include coast to coast flights from Halifax to Calgary and Vancouver, nationally and several larger US cities as well, such as New York LaGuardia and Orlando, Florida. They also have several international flights available.

The airline saw its first flight in 1999 but merged with a second small airline, Canada 3000 in 2001. CanJet re-launched successfully on June 20, 2002 as an independent airline. They have an employee base of approximately 600 and have 31 flight destination based from their two hubs, Halifax and Montreal.

Of all the airlines within Canada, these are the top three competitors. Many of them have subsidiary airlines, such as Air Canada’s Jazz airline, which runs shorter runs in specific designations only. All three plan for expansion over the next few years so it will be interesting to see how they each progress.

Need information about flying, flights and airports? Our airline information pages tell everything you to need to know about booking cheap tickets online including great deals on last minute flights and more!

[tags]flights, last minute flights[/tags]

Scheduled flights leave at regular intervals with tickets being sold up to the day of the flight to the general public, whereas a charter flight is normally booked in advance as part of a private travel arrangement.

Charter flights are normally filled by tour companies, who sell the flights as part of a holiday package including accommodation, catering and activities. The holiday company book the whole plane and then sell the seats in their travel agents or on their websites. Sometimes large companies or organisations will organise charter flights instead of regular flights, as it can mean a reduced expenditure.

In the past charter flights have only been available to tour companies, but recently airlines have opened up charter flights to the general public. The savings which can be made can be sizeable, although to optimise the discount occupancy must be maximised.

When buying charter flights, you can get some great deals by buying independently, or booking at the last minute. This type of strategy for reducing the expenditure does requite some flexibility in the schedule, but can mean some staggering savings.

Scheduled airlines can charge a large price for tickets bought at the last minute, because these last minute tickets will always end up being purchased. Charter flights however, are faced with the opposite circumstance. Charter flights tend to be booked well in advance, so as the flight approaches any empty seats are likely to be sold at reduced rate, as the tour operator scrambles to maximise their profits, or minimise their losses.

Charter flights normally have much harsher rules on ticketing than scheduled departures, often denying people refunds on cancelled tickets. Airlines mitigate this by permitting transfer of tickets to another person for a small fee.

Because charter airlines tend to be reasonably small, with relatively small profit margins, they tend to be more vulnerable in terms of financial stability when compared to major airlines. In recent years there has been several examples of airlines going out of business leaving customers with some useless tickets, sometimes even failing to inform their customers of their bankrupt and defunct status. Added to this, tour operators will sometimes cancel flights at the last minute because they have failed to sell a sufficient number of seats to make the flight financially viable.

Though there are pitfalls to charter flights compared to traditional scheduled departures, but the savings can make all this worth it. Cost, flexibility and reliability are all considerations when you’re booking a flight.

John McE writes articles on a number of subjects including jets and aviation. For the hire of private jets, commercial jets and freight aircraft try Air Partner, a world-class company which provides every type of aircraft, for every conceivable mission, in every part of the planet.

[tags]charter flights, charter flight, charter jets, air partner[/tags]

You save for it all year, so going on holiday should be as stress free as possible and having to get up early & go through all the hassle of getting to the airport can be a real pain. It’s the same when you land back late at night and you can’t face the journey back home, especially if public transport isn’t even running! Cheaper flights are often at unsociable hours, or you may have been on a long flight, when it can be dangerous to then drive whilst tired. There is a solution! Book an airport hotel.

Using a hotel at the airport (especially if you have an early or late flight) can make a huge difference to your travelling experience. Don’t want to catch a transfer bus? Then order valet parking instead and someone will meet you at the airport and park your car for you - what could be easier? If you have an early start and you live a little distance from the airport why not extend your vacation and start it a night earlier in luxurious surroundings.

Airport hotels vary dramatically in size, style and price. There is everything from 5* luxury through to budget B&B’s, hotels with walkways straight into the terminal or those that have a shuttle bus transfer to reach check in. There are also hotels more geared to business travellers and those for leisure. Whether you are choosing a hotel for the first or last night of your holiday, you need to decide the following:

* Your budget for the stay
* Number of rooms and total people staying
* The standards you are used to when staying in hotels - budget, mid range or top end! Unless you use all the facilities of the hotel you choose, then it’s not worth paying out for something you don’t actually need
* How far you want to be from the airport terminals
* Consider your check in time and the time taken to reach check in from your hotel
* Do you need car parking as well? Consider an airport hotel with parking, which often works out cheaper than parking alone
* Check whether each hotel offers a transfer service to the airport terminal. These may not be 24 hour and/or may charge a fee.

Benefits of pre-booking an airport hotel

* Save Money - you can save up to 60% on standard rates!
* Save Time - no need to trawl through hotel websites trying to find the best price - an online search will give you the full hotel details and locations so you can select the right hotel for your needs.
* Guarantee your room - at peak times, many hotels are sold out and will only have rooms available at full price. Book ahead and guarantee your room at the best price.
* Compare companies on line and secure the best price for your needs from the comfort of your own home or office.
* Rest and Relaxation - by not having to travel early or late you can rest and relax, making your overall journey more pleasurable. You can unwind with a meal, a drink or even use the leisure facilities that many hotels offer.

Airport Hotels are the best way to start your break if you have an early morning flight or late night return & there are a range of packages all designed to meet your needs; be it a business trip, a family holiday or just somewhere to rest your head.

Pre-book your stay and save money! You can also book an airport hotel WITH parking for a convenient, complete package which often costs less than parking alone!

To get your holiday off to a stress free, relaxing start, book a complete package that will provide you with a night’s stay in a comfortable and friendly hotel and will also give you the choice of on-site and secured parking, along with transfers to and from the airport! An airport hotel with parking is perhaps the most convenient and stress free way of embarking on your trip.

Airport Hotels WITH Parking

On site parking at the hotel provides the easiest and quickest route to the airport whereas parking your car at a secured car park will give you greater peace of mind. For a more luxurious start to your break, try a hotel with Meet and Greet parking. Have your car delivered back to you at the airport for a speedy getaway after your travels.

* Save Your Money - book early to make savings of up to 60% on the price of booking your airport hotel and parking separately!
* Save Your Time - forget motorway queues on the day of travel; forget trying to find a parking space or a hotel room when you arrive at the airport and even forget having to ring around for availability - an online search will give you full details long before you travel so you can select the right deal for your needs.
* Guarantee a hotel room and your own parking space - at busy times, most hotels and car parks are full - so plan ahead and ensure your room and space are reserved for you.
* Compare online - with ease you can check the best prices and deals online, from the comfort or your own home or workplace.
* Rest and Relaxation - by staying overnight you can avoid the stress of travelling to the airport in the early hours with small children. You can unwind with a meal or drink and use the facilities, such as the swimming pool or gym, safe in the knowledge that your car is parked securely while you are away. You’ll also get a good night’s sleep in the comfort of your hotel room before you set off on your holiday.

Late back from your holiday? Then stay at an airport hotel on your return and enjoy that last night of freedom before heading back to the real world.

My Travel Extras offer you the chance to pre-book Airport Hotels, at 26 UK Airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow. We offer online Airport Hotel booking from great value 2 star hotels through to luxurious 5 star hotels with all the facilities you could wish for.

[tags]airport hotels,airport hotel with parking,UK airport services,Gatwick,Heathrow,Stansted,Manchester[/tags]

How to save money on airport parking

Unless you like paying over the odds, you should never ever just turn up at an airport car park, without pre-booking your parking for the period of your travel!

Travelling to destinations around the world is more accessible than ever, thanks to the quick & easy access to cheap flights and accommodation. However, when it comes to the parts of our holiday we carry out in the UK, we consistently pay too much, especially when it comes to airport parking.

Airport car park charges can be up to 60% more than the pre-booked internet prices that are available online & the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the best prices. These prices are withdrawn as you get closer to the departure date and are subject to availability, but you can still save money, even if you leave it to the departure day to pre-book your parking! Parking prices at UK airports are also cheaper at certain times of the year, so if you can choose when you travel, then selecting off-peak dates could save you up to a THIRD.

Why should I consider pre-booking airport car parking?

* To save money - pre-booked prices can represent great savings over just arriving at an airport car park. You can save up to 60% on the cost of parking your car, as opposed to turning up & paying on the day.

* To save time - no need to queue up to pay your car park charges on your return to the UK. Plus, with Meet & Greet options, you can save even more time by going directly to the terminal and your car is valet parked for you.

* To guarantee your parking space - if you have pre-booked your car parking, the space is guaranteed and at peak times, airport car parks can get very busy.

There are lots of different types of car park available & not all types are available at all airports. Once you’ve found the cheapest price it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the best option for you. Here’s a quick guide to what your choices usually are:

On-site parking

This is the name given to car parks operated by the British Airports Authority (BAA). It basically means that the car park is on BAA land, but occasionally ‘off-site’ car parks can actually work out to be closer to the terminal building.

Off-site parking

Simply any car park that isn’t part of the airport complex itself. In other words this is the name given to the (invariably cheaper) car parks operated by third-party companies, which lay on regular transport (transfers) to the terminal building. The best of these are just as quick and convenient as on-site, if not more so!

Meet and Greet (sometimes known as Valet parking)

You drive to the terminal and are met by a driver who takes your car keys and then parks your car for you. Then, when you return to the UK, the car will be waiting back at the terminal building again, for you to drive straight off home. Some companies also offer to valet your car, or even service it before returning it to you as well. This is a great service, but will usually be expensive.

Airparks

Airparks offer low cost off-airport parking. Promoting a focus on value and excellent customer service means repeat customers are a strong business for Airparks who spread their reputation largely through word of mouth, offering friendly staff and efficient service. Although the car parks are not within the airport boundary, the transfer times are very good and their competitive rates make them very popular.

Local car parks

Occasionally, small companies with spare land offer their own airport parking services & try to undercut the mainstream competition on price. On the downside, they generally don’t offer anything like the same level of security; almost all airport car parks have 24 hour CCTV and guard patrols, whereas local services may be less secure and availability is more limited, so check first and weigh these downsides against the price if considering one.

It’s generally advisable to use a recognised supplier of airport parking as they will be only offering secure car parking & you can park your car & relax on your holiday with peace of mind.

Another reason for checking out airport parking prices online is if you are considering taking a taxi to the airport. You could actually save up to half the taxi fare by pre-booking airport parking instead! Or why not consider booking a hotel packaged WITH parking. At certain times of the year, especially August and September, a hotel & parking package can work out to be up to 20 pounds cheaper than parking on its own! If you have an early check-in time, staying overnight in an airport hotel takes all the stress out of getting to the airport on time & leaves you relaxed & ready to fly.

The bottom line is never pay on the day; if you see someone putting money into a parking machine at the airport, then why not do them a favour and suggest they pre-book their airport parking next time they travel to save themselves up to 60% in charges - they’ll probably thank you for it!!

Use My Travel Extras to pre-book airport parking at all of the UK’s major airports, as well as car parking at Dover & Southampton Ports. Compare airport parking prices & check availability, with secure online booking at 26 UK Airports.

[tags]airport parking,airport car parks,parking at airports,port parking,airport valet parking[/tags]

Possibly one of the most stressful aspects of travelling abroad can be your time spent at the airport. Once you have checked in, you have to spend your time in a crowded departure lounge, waiting with hundreds, if not thousands of people, surrounded by expensive shops, offering overpriced drinks & snacks!

Why not make yourself feel like a VIP on your next holiday flight, by booking into an airport lounge? Escape the hustle and bustle of the busy airport terminal for up to three hours before your flight and enjoy free drinks, snacks, newspapers and magazines.

What can I expect from an airport lounge?

* To be treated like a VIP
* Complimentary snacks & Beverages (excluding champagne)
* Newspapers & Magazines
* Comfortable chairs & soft furnishings
* Business desks
* Televisions

Airport lounges are not just for business class passengers and offer comfort and style for a surprisingly affordable price. Families are also welcome in some of our lounges; for instance, at Heathrow airport, there is a special kid’s area along with separate quieter areas for the adults. There is also a flight observation deck for everyone.

Although you have to pay to make use of a VIP lounge, you may find that you SAVE money overall. If you normally buy food & drink when you visit the airport, the fact that you receive complimentary drinks, snacks, newspapers & magazines, could make it work out cheaper than using the public departure lounge!

If you pre-book an airport lounge, you can use of it for up to 3 hours before your flight; make use of the facilities available, including televisions & internet access, toilets & showers, relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the public.

Here are just a few of the benefits of pre booking:

* Avoid queuing and paying for food and drink in the terminal, enjoy the complimentary drinks and snacks provided in the lounge
* Rest and relax in a quiet atmosphere before your flight and start your holiday early
* Check in up to three hours before your flight
* Don’t spend your time in departures watching a flight screen & crowds, check in and make use of the entertainment provided.
* Business facilities for working customers and a relaxing environment for leisure guests.
* Whether you are travelling for work or pleasure, an airport lounge has something to suit everyone.

Choose between a selection of Airport Lounges if you don’t want to be caught up in the throng of passengers, or simply need a quiet space to work. Fantastic value for money and the perfect way to begin a trip. Start your time away the right way, relaxed and ready to fly.

My Travel Extras offer you the chance to pre-book Airport Lounges, in 18 UK Airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow. Let us take the stress out of travelling through the airport, by upgrading your experience, at the best prices guaranteed. If you are looking to book an airport lounge for the first time, why not try the popular Servisair Lounges.

[tags]airport lounges,vip lounges,executive lounges,vip departure lounges[/tags]

When it comes to the difference between first class and economy flights, it can vary a great deal from airline to airline. Also, not every airline offers different classes, or an upgraded service. For those who do, the competition can be strong. First class flights can vary from everything from more leg room and more luxurious seating, all the way up to private suites with beds and a wine selection that would wow some of the finest restaurants. Of course, all of this depends on the airline and the type of aircrafts they have in their fleets. Airlines are not operating a business where there tends to be a lot of loyalty from their customers, so many continue to offer first class services to help them keep their customers coming back.

Economy class will provide you with a choice of private movies to view, or your coffee served in a china mug, as you would expect to see in a dining establishment. However, you will still be treated as fairly as passengers in the first class section. Some airlines have introduced a “premium” economy class on international flights which offer wider seating and a better seat adjustment so passengers can recline further. They also offer a higher quality and standard of food on the menu and a better beverage service, which is much appreciated when you are going to be on a plane for a ten to twelve hour flight. The cost for premium economy is not much different than the cost for regular economy class so it would no doubt be money well spent for a bit of added comfort.

Many airlines are looking at possibly dropping first class seating and simply offering a higher quality service in economy or the business class seating. The reason for this is ultimately, the prices they charge for first class. The special added extras are all very nice but many people are looking at things from a more practical side and to pay double of what you would for economy or business tends to bring people back down to earth.

For example, on average, a flight from JFK Airport in New York to LAX in Los Angeles costs approximately $360 for economy, but to take the same flight in first class will total $1360. Unfortunately, it is often reported that domestic first class service is far better from that found on international flights, so this is something you may want to investigate and consider before booking your next trip. Some people reported that the service was poor and the usual perks associated with “first class,” are non-existent during domestic flights. Granted, the flights are usually not very long but at the same time when you pay for first class flight tickets, that is what you want to receive once you have boarded the plane.

The difference between the two classes of flight tickets in general lies between the service, cost, and what the individual flying feels is acceptable service. The flight service for first class is more attentive, has better food choices, and a number of “perks”. Plus, generally there is more room offered and a better comfort level. The seating is at the front of the plane, which is divided from the rest of the passengers in business or economy, giving the illusion of importance. There is also greater leg room. If the price of first class, even though it runs generally double to triple the price of an economy class ticket, does not trouble you, then check with your airline before booking your next flight to find out the specifics they offer, and see if it might be the right flight choice for you.

Find cheap flights and compare cheap tickets and last minute flights online at Cheapflights, providing the best selection and availability of cheap tickets and flights.

[tags]cheap tickets, last minute flights[/tags]

Today we sit at 35,000ft in a calm and relaxed environment watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster, sipping champagne with scant regard to the trials and tribulations that have led to this technology being available to us. But what did air travel used to be like before the giants of the sky such as the Boeing 747 ‘Jumbo Jet’ and Airbus A380 were even concepts on a drawing board? Welcome to the history of the airliner.

The exact definition of an airliner is not easy to quantify. However, if we consider an airliner an aircraft that carried many passengers in a commercial environment then this would be the Russian Sikorsky IIya Muromet. Considering the aircraft flew as early as 1913 they were very luxurious. Passengers were enclosed in an individual saloon and trappings such as wicker chairs were supplied along with a bedroom, lounge and bathroom. Electricity was provided along with heating for the lucky traveller. If it had not been for the start of World War I the following year commercial flights with these aircraft would have become frequent.

With the end of hostilities in 1918 commercial aviation began to once again flourish and many aircraft were developed to carry paying customers to destinations all over the globe. Aircraft such as the Farman F.60 Goliath and Jabiru, the Ford Trimotor and Douglas DC-2 and DC-3 were all highly successful passenger carrying aircraft. All these machines relied on piston engines (propellors) for their power. Whilst quick, they were to be rapidly made redundant for mainstream air travel with the introduction of the jet engine.

The first jet airliners specifically built to work with jet engines were the de Havilland Comet and the Avro Jetliner, with the Comet being the only one to actually enter service and production. The Comet unfortunately suffered a series of fatal crashes that were eventually traced back to a simple design fault, this being the use of square windows instead of the universally round windows seen today. Repeated pressurisation and de-pressurisation caused small cracks at the edges of the windows that over time caused catastrophic accidents during flight. These problem tainted the Comet project and it never managed to recover from these early tragedies.

A lack of confidence in the Comet, despite a hefty re-design, saw the Americans look to their own country for an airliner. This came in the form of the Boeing 707 that made its first flight in 1958 with Pan American. The price of the ticket for the flight was the same as that you would expect to pay for a piston powered flight across the Atlantic. This demonstrated the viability and added comfort and speed of the jetliner.

The Boeing 707 proved a huge success and was ordered by many airlines throughout the world. The aircraft ushered in a new era of air travel and improved versions of the 707 allowed even longer non-stop flights on routes such as New York to London, which were an instant success with passengers.

By the mid-1960’s the demand for another airliner for short range distances was evident. In 1968 the Boeing 737 went into service with German carrier Lufthansa and was an instant success. Today despite many different variants having been produced it remains Boeing’s most successful airliner. The 737 was a small aircraft designed for short range distances which was in direct contrast to the next airliner to be introduced by Boeing, the iconic Boeing 747 ‘Jumbo Jet’.

The Boeing 747 entered service in 1970 and whilst successful, suffered as it was replaced for smaller aircraft by some airlines as passenger numbers declined in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. Despite this the 747 remained a popular aircraft for long haul routes and still to this day operates worldwide with great success.

In 1974 the American airliner industry saw a serious competitor enter into the fold with the first Airbus A300 entering service. Despite being an aircraft with an excellent specification Airbus struggled to find their feet and it took the introduction of another aircraft, the Airbus A320, before they really emerged as a serious competitor to Boeing. The A320 was a very real option from the ultra-successful Boeing 737, and sold well to the world’s airlines.

It was just two years later that a new aircraft arrived that would attempt to change air travel forever, this aircraft was the iconic Concorde. Built in an Anglo-French agreement it entered service with British Airways and Air France in 1976. Concorde was like nothing the world had ever seen. Cruising at around 1,350mph at a height of 60,000ft. it flew at the edge of space at twice the speed of sound. It was not cheap to fly like this and the aircraft soon became the play thing of the rich and famous.

The aircraft flew flawlessly until 2001 when an Air France flight crashed after take-off from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Concern over the safety of the Concorde design and the age of the air frames saw a re-design and re-introduction to service, which saw Concorde fly until 2003 when it was unfortunately retired on a permanent basis. This was despite entrepreneur Richard Branson offering to keep the aircraft in the sky re-branded under the Virgin banner. However the history between his company and British Airways always made this an unlikely prospect.

The 1970’s saw the introduction of many aircraft that continued to serve airlines through the 1980’s and 1990’s. Both Boeing and Airbus introduced many new airliners with increasingly impressive specifications. Currently the Boeing 777 introduced in the mid-1990’s has the longest range of any civilian airliner as well as Airbus introducing many new variants such as the Airbus A340 - a competitor for the Boeing 747.

Today both Airbus and Boeing have decided on different routes for their aircraft production. Airbus have introduced the Airbus A380 which is larger and has a greater capacity than the Boeing 747. The aircraft is a complete ‘double deck’ design and is truly now the king of the skies. Boeing have decided on a different approach to their aircraft design by introducing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This aircraft is designed to be able to access smaller airports that require passengers to travel less distance to catch their flight. It is interesting to see the different approach taken by the two companies, both of whom are sure to be successful with their respective aircraft.

Who knows what the future will bring as rumours indicate that supersonic travel may one again be on the agenda as plans are afoot to produce smaller supersonic civilian airlines. Whether this will occur or not remains to be seen but the years to come are sure to be exciting in the world of civilian air transport.

Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in Newcastle airport parking and Newcastle airport parking.

[tags]airport, airport parking, airliner, air travel, history of the airliner, concorde, airport parking[/tags]

Aeroplanes crash for a myriad of reasons, from mechanical issues to human error to more sinister reasons such as sabotage. Since there has been flight, there have been aviation disasters, from the Hindenburg tragedy to the generation-defining moments of 9/11; many of us have vivid memories of at least one air crash.

The main cause of aviation disasters is mechanical in nature - sometimes machines just break down and when this happens several miles above the ground with hundreds of people on board, it can well lead to a disaster. Mechanical failure is one of the most common reasons of an aeroplane crash but there are also many cases where a particularly skilled pilot can avert a crash in the case of mechanical failure - the recent Hudson River incident, for example in which pilot Captain Chesley Sullenberger landed an AirBus in the New York waterway after the engines failed when birds were caught up in them.

While a large number of aviation disasters can be attributed to mechanical failure, there are also a number of environmental factors which can sometimes lead to crashes. Though not confirmed, it’s suspected that the recent Air France incident was caused by violent weather conditions in a possible electrical storm, though there are still other options which could have caused the crash.

Bad weather - particularly electrical storms over large oceans - can cause havoc with instruments and can cause numerous electrical failures, especially if the plane is struck by lightning, which can cause anything from a small scale electrical issue through to fully nullifying all of the plane’s electronics or even destroying the plane mid-flight.

Human error is also sometimes credited as a cause of aviation accidents; there are a lot of stages to keeping an aeroplane in the air, and several of these sections are ran by humans and not automated. Air traffic controllers for example, provide one of the most vital services in keeping aeroplanes safe in the air and are often responsible for numerous planes at any one time. Though these people are highly trained, they can also be very stressed due to the nature of their work and mistakes can sometimes happen; the 2006 Gol Transportes Aereos Flight 1907 / ExcelAire midair collision for example in which the two planes collided above the Amazon Rainforest and the investigation led to the incident being blamed on a combination of both pilot and air traffic control error.

Air crashes can happen for a variety of reasons and in their wake, there are a great deal of procedures to go through, be they the investigation to ascertain the cause, legal in nature to claim compensation for the families of the victims, or safety recommendations being made to manufacturers to prevent future accidents.

As headline-grabbing as air disasters often are, and as tragic as they are for the families of the victims and the airline who provided the plane and pilots, it should still be noted that air travel is one of the safest ways to travel, particularly for long distances.

Thomas Pretty is an aviation expert with many years of experience in researching air disasters and their fallout. Find out more about aviation incidents at http://www.stewartslaw.com/

[tags]Aviation[/tags]