The Up Front
@theupfront.media
In-depth, independent aviation journalism for the digital age — up front with what we write, how we write it, and the way we operate.
Read and subscribe for more: https://theupfront.media
Read and subscribe for more: https://theupfront.media
OUT NOW: The Up Front Update!
Lufthansa crosses its fingers for 787 Allegris business next May, why Finnair is flying to Australia, what JAL’s A350 JFK fenderbender means for the industry, trends around temporary lounges, and a fantastic throwback 1977 video!
theupfront.media/update-27-lu...
Lufthansa crosses its fingers for 787 Allegris business next May, why Finnair is flying to Australia, what JAL’s A350 JFK fenderbender means for the industry, trends around temporary lounges, and a fantastic throwback 1977 video!
theupfront.media/update-27-lu...
Update #27: Lufthansa 787 Allegris update, Finnair to Melbourne, JAL’s A350 IROPS, temporary lounges and air travel in 1977
May 2026 hopes for Lufthansa 787 Allegris business, why Finnair is flying to Australia, what JAL’s A350 prang means for the industry, trends around temporary lounges, and a fantastic throwback 1977 vi...
theupfront.media
December 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
OUT NOW: The Up Front Update!
Lufthansa crosses its fingers for 787 Allegris business next May, why Finnair is flying to Australia, what JAL’s A350 JFK fenderbender means for the industry, trends around temporary lounges, and a fantastic throwback 1977 video!
theupfront.media/update-27-lu...
Lufthansa crosses its fingers for 787 Allegris business next May, why Finnair is flying to Australia, what JAL’s A350 JFK fenderbender means for the industry, trends around temporary lounges, and a fantastic throwback 1977 video!
theupfront.media/update-27-lu...
Reposted by The Up Front
"Nerdily entertaining" is absolutely what we were going for with the @theupfront.media seat-spotting Christmas Quiz, and only too delighted by the @lonrec.bsky.social comparison!
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
December 19, 2025 at 11:05 AM
"Nerdily entertaining" is absolutely what we were going for with the @theupfront.media seat-spotting Christmas Quiz, and only too delighted by the @lonrec.bsky.social comparison!
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Reposted by The Up Front
Feeling festive? Break out the mince pies and seasonal beverages — it's time for our first annual airline seat Christmas Quiz!
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Enter now: The Up Front Christmas Quiz 2025
Win fabulous prizes and world renown by entering the first version of what is sure to become a beloved and cherished tradition — our Christmas Quiz!
theupfront.media
December 18, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Feeling festive? Break out the mince pies and seasonal beverages — it's time for our first annual airline seat Christmas Quiz!
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Feeling festive? Break out the mince pies and seasonal beverages — it's time for our first annual airline seat Christmas Quiz!
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Enter now: The Up Front Christmas Quiz 2025
Win fabulous prizes and world renown by entering the first version of what is sure to become a beloved and cherished tradition — our Christmas Quiz!
theupfront.media
December 18, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Feeling festive? Break out the mince pies and seasonal beverages — it's time for our first annual airline seat Christmas Quiz!
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
Enter now and win FABULOUS PRIZES, feature on our leaderboard for WORLD RENOWN, and have a bit of fun with the fiendishly difficult ones…
theupfront.media/the-up-front...
OUT NOW: Why Safran is selling its IFE unit, the genuinely baffling Lufthansa Group “new” brand, some juicy details about ANA’s new The Room FX seat, more information about American’s A321XLR, and how three new lounges are moving the needle in different ways.
theupfront.media/update-26-sa...
theupfront.media/update-26-sa...
Update #26: Safran sells SPI/RAVE, Lufthansa Group “rebrands”, ANA’s 787 The Room FX, American’s A321XLR, and three interesting new lounges
Why Safran is selling its IFE unit, the genuinely baffling Lufthansa Group “new” brand, some juicy details about ANA’s new The Room FX seat, more information about American’s A321XLR, and how three ne...
theupfront.media
December 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
OUT NOW: Why Safran is selling its IFE unit, the genuinely baffling Lufthansa Group “new” brand, some juicy details about ANA’s new The Room FX seat, more information about American’s A321XLR, and how three new lounges are moving the needle in different ways.
theupfront.media/update-26-sa...
theupfront.media/update-26-sa...
Reposted by The Up Front
The final part of this incredible long-read from @garius.bsky.social is genuinely epic.
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Bringing her home: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 5
The crew of the California have to deal with their biggest challenges yet: African rivers, and a flight longer than their flying boat was ever designed to make.
theupfront.media
December 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The final part of this incredible long-read from @garius.bsky.social is genuinely epic.
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Reposted by The Up Front
Just an incredible story told incredibly well.
Well worth reading all five parts.
Well worth reading all five parts.
The final part of this incredible long-read from @garius.bsky.social is genuinely epic.
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Bringing her home: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 5
The crew of the California have to deal with their biggest challenges yet: African rivers, and a flight longer than their flying boat was ever designed to make.
theupfront.media
December 9, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Just an incredible story told incredibly well.
Well worth reading all five parts.
Well worth reading all five parts.
The final part of this incredible long-read from @garius.bsky.social is genuinely epic.
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Bringing her home: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 5
The crew of the California have to deal with their biggest challenges yet: African rivers, and a flight longer than their flying boat was ever designed to make.
theupfront.media
December 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The final part of this incredible long-read from @garius.bsky.social is genuinely epic.
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Out now for all to read for free — but you can support our work bringing you more incredible stories like this by subscribing for the price of a couple of coffees a month!
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Reposted by The Up Front
Also, find out what our award-winning workshop from last week's RedCabin summit — we are genuinely chuffed at the recognition! — was all about.
(Hint: @thatjohn.bsky.social's mother's holiday photos from her trip to Japan last year at 84 are very much related.)
(Hint: @thatjohn.bsky.social's mother's holiday photos from her trip to Japan last year at 84 are very much related.)
December 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Also, find out what our award-winning workshop from last week's RedCabin summit — we are genuinely chuffed at the recognition! — was all about.
(Hint: @thatjohn.bsky.social's mother's holiday photos from her trip to Japan last year at 84 are very much related.)
(Hint: @thatjohn.bsky.social's mother's holiday photos from her trip to Japan last year at 84 are very much related.)
OUT NOW: our weekly roundup explains what's going on at the boundaries of premium economy and business class — including changes from TAP Air Portugal and Lufthansa's Eurowings — plus lessons from the A320 avionics and IndiGo meltdowns, and much more…
theupfront.media/update-25-ta...
theupfront.media/update-25-ta...
Update #25: TAP’s “premium economy”, Eurowings’ Berlin boost, A320 avionics and IndiGo’s meltdown, airport wheelchair “scams”, and airline design disasters
What TAP's new cabin means for the rest of premium economy, why Eurowings’ Berlin "Capital Express" is growing, what the industry can learn from the A320 avionics issue and the IndiGo meltdown — and w...
theupfront.media
December 8, 2025 at 5:22 PM
OUT NOW: our weekly roundup explains what's going on at the boundaries of premium economy and business class — including changes from TAP Air Portugal and Lufthansa's Eurowings — plus lessons from the A320 avionics and IndiGo meltdowns, and much more…
theupfront.media/update-25-ta...
theupfront.media/update-25-ta...
The conclusion to the remarkable story of the California Clipper's WW2 circumnavigation is now up on our website for subscribers!
It'll be free for all readers on Monday.
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
It'll be free for all readers on Monday.
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Bringing her home: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 5
The crew of the California have to deal with their biggest challenges yet: African rivers, and a flight longer than their flying boat was ever designed to make.
theupfront.media
December 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The conclusion to the remarkable story of the California Clipper's WW2 circumnavigation is now up on our website for subscribers!
It'll be free for all readers on Monday.
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
It'll be free for all readers on Monday.
theupfront.media/bringing-her...
Reposted by The Up Front
OUT NOW: @theupfront.media Update: what you need to know about #PaxEx this week.
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
Update #24: New transatlantic narrowbodies, Air Canada’s big fleet rejig, more Lufthansa news, and the airline civility debate…
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media
November 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
OUT NOW: @theupfront.media Update: what you need to know about #PaxEx this week.
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
OUT NOW: @theupfront.media Update: what you need to know about #PaxEx this week.
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
Update #24: New transatlantic narrowbodies, Air Canada’s big fleet rejig, more Lufthansa news, and the airline civility debate…
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media
November 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
OUT NOW: @theupfront.media Update: what you need to know about #PaxEx this week.
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
Iberia and Air Canada make A321XLR (and MAX) moves, Air Canada swaps planes with Rouge, Lufthansa's new livery and new FRA first class area, and we're back to "civility" on board…
theupfront.media/update-24-ne...
Reposted by The Up Front
JUST OUT: our in-depth analysis of @safran-group.com's plans to offshore the manufacturing of thousands of seats a year from France and the US to the new D33 aviation manufacturing cluster in Dubai.
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
Safran plans to outsource Emirates seat production from France, US to Dubai as part of UAE manufacturing cluster push
Outsourcing 1000+ seats a year to a new line in Dubai’s aviation manufacturing cluster is a big move — and a risky one — for Safran
theupfront.media
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
JUST OUT: our in-depth analysis of @safran-group.com's plans to offshore the manufacturing of thousands of seats a year from France and the US to the new D33 aviation manufacturing cluster in Dubai.
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
JUST OUT: our in-depth analysis of @safran-group.com's plans to offshore the manufacturing of thousands of seats a year from France and the US to the new D33 aviation manufacturing cluster in Dubai.
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
Safran plans to outsource Emirates seat production from France, US to Dubai as part of UAE manufacturing cluster push
Outsourcing 1000+ seats a year to a new line in Dubai’s aviation manufacturing cluster is a big move — and a risky one — for Safran
theupfront.media
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
JUST OUT: our in-depth analysis of @safran-group.com's plans to offshore the manufacturing of thousands of seats a year from France and the US to the new D33 aviation manufacturing cluster in Dubai.
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
What's going on, why — and what will Safran's French unions think?
theupfront.media/safran-plans...
Reposted by The Up Front
this tweet definitely not written by an A340-600
Although, noting the press release: "The most important sub-fleets of Lufthansa will receive their own special livery" — got to say, if I happened to work on some of the *other* sub-fleets of Lufthansa, I might a bit left-out.
theupfront.media/how-do-you-s...
theupfront.media/how-do-you-s...
How do you solve a problem like Lufthansa? Airline, brand and passenger insights from its group Capital Markets Day, Part 1
Lufthansa is consolidating its 12–14 airlines, leaking out a new Lufthansa Group Lounge and brand concept, growing in longhaul and leisure — and there are passenger experience implications throughout
theupfront.media
November 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
this tweet definitely not written by an A340-600
JA BITTE.
Lufthansa's fantastic 100th anniversary livery will be painted on SIX aircraft types — the 787, 747-8, A380, A350-1000, A350-900 and A320neo.
More of this please.
Lufthansa's fantastic 100th anniversary livery will be painted on SIX aircraft types — the 787, 747-8, A380, A350-1000, A350-900 and A320neo.
More of this please.
November 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
JA BITTE.
Lufthansa's fantastic 100th anniversary livery will be painted on SIX aircraft types — the 787, 747-8, A380, A350-1000, A350-900 and A320neo.
More of this please.
Lufthansa's fantastic 100th anniversary livery will be painted on SIX aircraft types — the 787, 747-8, A380, A350-1000, A350-900 and A320neo.
More of this please.
Reposted by The Up Front
Also out today: part 4 of 5 of @garius.bsky.social's remarkable history of the California Clipper, the feat of commercial aviation that brought a Pan Am flying boat the wrong way around the world from Auckland to LaGuardia.
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
Christmas in Sri Lanka: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 4
The crew of the California Clipper are forced to spend Christmas in Sri Lanka. While there, their thoughts turn naturally to home.
theupfront.media
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Also out today: part 4 of 5 of @garius.bsky.social's remarkable history of the California Clipper, the feat of commercial aviation that brought a Pan Am flying boat the wrong way around the world from Auckland to LaGuardia.
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
Reposted by The Up Front
I went looking for this episode, and then my month became weird, so two installments of @garius.bsky.social's tale of the California Clipper tonight.
Trapped by Pearl Harbor, forced to fly home the long way around--which had never been done before by a commercial plane.
We want a movie!
Trapped by Pearl Harbor, forced to fly home the long way around--which had never been done before by a commercial plane.
We want a movie!
In 1941, Pan Am's California Clipper had to do something no commercial flight had done before: circumnavigate the world.
In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
In Part 3 of our series looking at her journey, the crew must work out, mid-air, how to fly her on regular gasoline. Something her Wright Cyclone engines were never designed for.
Into the unknown: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 3
Unable to source military-grade aviation fuel, our crew are forced to cross the Indian Ocean using regular gasoline. Something no Boeing 314 has ever flown on before.
theupfront.media
November 23, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I went looking for this episode, and then my month became weird, so two installments of @garius.bsky.social's tale of the California Clipper tonight.
Trapped by Pearl Harbor, forced to fly home the long way around--which had never been done before by a commercial plane.
We want a movie!
Trapped by Pearl Harbor, forced to fly home the long way around--which had never been done before by a commercial plane.
We want a movie!
OUT NOW: our weekly roundup, The Up Front Update, where we explore the context and implications of what's going on in business class, premium and luxury travel — and the world of passenger experience.
Also, we ask: what on earth is going on in this photo?
theupfront.media/update-23-du...
Also, we ask: what on earth is going on in this photo?
theupfront.media/update-23-du...
Update #23: Dubai orders, Ethiopian's Diamond, China Southern interiors, Qantas' new lounges, and LEVEL curtain questions…
What went down in Dubai, what's going on in the recliner-plus world, what's inspiring China Southern and tangerine, Qantas' lounge Cathayfication, and an odd curtain/tent/crew rest on LEVEL…
theupfront.media
November 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
OUT NOW: our weekly roundup, The Up Front Update, where we explore the context and implications of what's going on in business class, premium and luxury travel — and the world of passenger experience.
Also, we ask: what on earth is going on in this photo?
theupfront.media/update-23-du...
Also, we ask: what on earth is going on in this photo?
theupfront.media/update-23-du...
Reposted by The Up Front
The amazing story of the California Clipper gets better and better. An unexpected overlap with aviation today is the impending loss of 100 low lead avgas and the risks that could come with any unsuitable replacement fuel.
Also out today: part 4 of 5 of @garius.bsky.social's remarkable history of the California Clipper, the feat of commercial aviation that brought a Pan Am flying boat the wrong way around the world from Auckland to LaGuardia.
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
This time: it's Christmas in Sri Lanka.
theupfront.media/christmas-in...
Christmas in Sri Lanka: The remarkable journey of the California Clipper, Part 4
The crew of the California Clipper are forced to spend Christmas in Sri Lanka. While there, their thoughts turn naturally to home.
theupfront.media
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The amazing story of the California Clipper gets better and better. An unexpected overlap with aviation today is the impending loss of 100 low lead avgas and the risks that could come with any unsuitable replacement fuel.
Reposted by The Up Front
On this week’s AvTalk episode 346, we discuss the substantial order book from this week’s Dubai Airshow and we’re joined by @theupfront.media’s @thatjohn.bsky.social for a celebration of the Airbus A340-600. www.flightradar24.com/blog/avtalk-...
November 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
On this week’s AvTalk episode 346, we discuss the substantial order book from this week’s Dubai Airshow and we’re joined by @theupfront.media’s @thatjohn.bsky.social for a celebration of the Airbus A340-600. www.flightradar24.com/blog/avtalk-...
Incredibly, it's six months since we launched The Up Front!
Editor in chief @thatjohn.bsky.social and Publisher @garius.bsky.social reflect on how far we've come — and explain why we're renaming our paid subscriptions to Premium and Business, plus what's coming up:
theupfront.media/six-months-o...
Editor in chief @thatjohn.bsky.social and Publisher @garius.bsky.social reflect on how far we've come — and explain why we're renaming our paid subscriptions to Premium and Business, plus what's coming up:
theupfront.media/six-months-o...
Six months on: reflections from The Up Front editor in chief
Reviewing our first six months, renaming our subscription tiers, a new look for the Update, and a heads-up for what's next for the rest of the year
theupfront.media
November 21, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Incredibly, it's six months since we launched The Up Front!
Editor in chief @thatjohn.bsky.social and Publisher @garius.bsky.social reflect on how far we've come — and explain why we're renaming our paid subscriptions to Premium and Business, plus what's coming up:
theupfront.media/six-months-o...
Editor in chief @thatjohn.bsky.social and Publisher @garius.bsky.social reflect on how far we've come — and explain why we're renaming our paid subscriptions to Premium and Business, plus what's coming up:
theupfront.media/six-months-o...
Reposted by The Up Front
November 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Tomorrow we continue our series on the true story of Pan Am California Clipper's remarkable, forced circumnavigation of the globe in WW2.
In India, with Christmas looming, it's hard for the crew's thoughts not to turn to the families waiting for them at home. theupfront.media/the-long-way...
In India, with Christmas looming, it's hard for the crew's thoughts not to turn to the families waiting for them at home. theupfront.media/the-long-way...
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Tomorrow we continue our series on the true story of Pan Am California Clipper's remarkable, forced circumnavigation of the globe in WW2.
In India, with Christmas looming, it's hard for the crew's thoughts not to turn to the families waiting for them at home. theupfront.media/the-long-way...
In India, with Christmas looming, it's hard for the crew's thoughts not to turn to the families waiting for them at home. theupfront.media/the-long-way...