Latest news with #JoannaBailey
Glasgow Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
JD Wetherspoon confirms return of popular chicken bites
Wetherspoon's £6.49 chicken bites were listed as "temporarily unavailable" on pub menus across the UK from as far back as April. The Wetherspoon staple features 10 crispy chicken bites, chips and an array of sauces. Fans have been questioning the whereabouts of the popular dish online since its disappearance. One fan, posting on the Reddit group r/Wetherspoons, said: "It has been over one month without the chicken bites on the menu and I physically can't do this. Where have they gone? "My beautiful, mouthwatering, crisped bites, that even the heavens have blessed with an angel's touch, where have you gone. "I suffer with agony and mourn every second without you in my spoons pub. "For real though, whats actually happened to them?? They're still on my local pub menus but they're never in stock." Discontinued UK sweets and chocolates While others have been calling for the speedy return of Wetherspoon's chicken bites, with this fan adding: "Whatever it is give me a waiver to sign and give me those chicken bites." JD Wetherspoon confirms return of its chicken bites Wetherspoon has now confirmed the popular chicken bites have returned to "all" pubs across the UK. A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson said: "Chicken bites are now available in all Wetherspoon pubs." I am delighted to confirm that the iconic Wetherspoon chicken breast bites are back. Goodness knows what that was all about. On the downside, I just ordered the last portion in the Brit, Plymouth, so don't rush down. @jdwtweetsuk — Joanna Bailey (@OhJoBails) May 19, 2025 The spokesperson did not reveal why the chicken bites had been removed from Wetherspoon menus. Following the return of the popular chicken dish, customers have rushed to social media to express their delight. i love you, wetherspoon chicken bites. — chewday 🤠 (@tuesdayPTCG) May 26, 2025 One person, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: "I am delighted to confirm that the iconic Wetherspoon chicken breast bites are back. "Goodness knows what that was all about. "On the downside, I just ordered the last portion in the Brit, Plymouth, so don't rush down." Another fan added: "I love you, wetherspoon chicken bites." RECOMMENDED READING: Other items axed from Wetherspoon menus While chicken bites have returned to Wetherspoon pubs, there are three other items axed from its menu that won't be returning. Steaks, mixed grills and gammon were removed permanently from pub menus across the UK on May 14, 2025.
The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
JD Wetherspoon confirms return of popular chicken bites
The Wetherspoon staple features 10 crispy chicken bites, chips and an array of sauces. Fans have been questioning the whereabouts of the popular dish online since its disappearance. One fan, posting on the Reddit group r/Wetherspoons, said: "It has been over one month without the chicken bites on the menu and I physically can't do this. Where have they gone? "My beautiful, mouthwatering, crisped bites, that even the heavens have blessed with an angel's touch, where have you gone. "I suffer with agony and mourn every second without you in my spoons pub. "For real though, whats actually happened to them?? They're still on my local pub menus but they're never in stock." Discontinued UK sweets and chocolates While others have been calling for the speedy return of Wetherspoon's chicken bites, with this fan adding: "Whatever it is give me a waiver to sign and give me those chicken bites." JD Wetherspoon confirms return of its chicken bites Wetherspoon has now confirmed the popular chicken bites have returned to "all" pubs across the UK. A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson said: "Chicken bites are now available in all Wetherspoon pubs." I am delighted to confirm that the iconic Wetherspoon chicken breast bites are back. Goodness knows what that was all about. On the downside, I just ordered the last portion in the Brit, Plymouth, so don't rush down. @jdwtweetsuk — Joanna Bailey (@OhJoBails) May 19, 2025 The spokesperson did not reveal why the chicken bites had been removed from Wetherspoon menus. Following the return of the popular chicken dish, customers have rushed to social media to express their delight. i love you, wetherspoon chicken bites. — chewday 🤠 (@tuesdayPTCG) May 26, 2025 One person, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: "I am delighted to confirm that the iconic Wetherspoon chicken breast bites are back. "Goodness knows what that was all about. "On the downside, I just ordered the last portion in the Brit, Plymouth, so don't rush down." Another fan added: "I love you, wetherspoon chicken bites." RECOMMENDED READING: Other items axed from Wetherspoon menus While chicken bites have returned to Wetherspoon pubs, there are three other items axed from its menu that won't be returning. Steaks, mixed grills and gammon were removed permanently from pub menus across the UK on May 14, 2025.
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Expert shares simple daily habit that makes you more productive
'No shoes in the house' is a common rule for many Aussie households. For some, wearing shoes inside is considered downright gross. But what happens if this habit is actually holding you back from being your most productive self? For some people, especially those with ADHD, wearing shoes inside actually helps them get more done. Across TikTok and Reddit forums, people have shared how it makes them more likely to jump up and put a load of washing on, vacuum the lounge or even just move around more, instead of doom-scrolling on the sofa. And according to an expert, this quirky hack might actually have some truth behind it. Joanna Bailey, a clinical psychologist and the director of Bluebird Psychology, says while wearing shoes indoors isn't a 'miracle fix' for productivity issues, it can still be one of the small, creative tools to try out. The science behind the shoe hack While there aren't any published studies directly linking indoor footwear with improved productivity, Ms Bailey, who has ADHD herself, says there are some convincing psychological reasons why it might work. For many, putting on shoes is a mental cue that it's time to get moving, just as people find dressing in work clothes, even at home, helps them feel more focused. 'Wearing shoes creates a psychological 'work mode',' she tells 'And can signal readiness to leave the house or start an active task'. This can act as a mental cue to shift from 'relaxation/home mode' into 'get-things-done mode,' she explains. And for people with ADHD, who often struggle with switching between states (often called 'task initiation' or 'switching'), that external cue can be a game-changer. 'Putting on shoes can help signal a shift in context — a strategy known as 'environmental scaffolding',' she says. There's also a sensory aspect to it. Many people with ADHD are especially sensitive to certain textures or sensations, and putting on shoes helps them avoid distractions like a cold or dusty floor, freeing up mental energy for focus. And then there's the movement factor. Most of us associate putting on shoes with being outside, being active, or running errands. So Ms Bailey says that putting them on inside can create a mental link that makes a person feel more ready to move around. Another reason why it might boost productivity is that it could be part of a person's 'getting ready routine'. 'These sorts of routines can act as an anchor to start the day with intention and momentum,' she says. 'Repeating a ritual (like putting on shoes) can reduce decision fatigue and mental clutter.' It's not a one-size-fits-all solution Of course, this won't work for everyone, and Ms Bailey is quick to point out that personal preference is key. 'For some, wearing shoes inside can feel uncomfortable, restrictive or even distracting,' she notes. 'For others, it can be grounding and empowering.' And like many ADHD strategies, it's all about trial and error. One person might love it, another might prefer slippers, warm socks or going barefoot. And for those without ADHD, she encourages personal experimenting as well. If it works for you, great. If not, there's no need to force it. Other ADHD productivity hacks Whether or not you try the shoe hack, Ms Bailey suggests people think about what signals your brain to switch into focus mode. This could include things like working in a specific chair or at a certain desk. You could also try 'body doubling,' which is working alongside someone else who's doing their own tasks. Another trick is the 'one more minute rule,' she says. 'When you're feeling stuck, tell yourself you'll do the task for just one more minute. This tricks the brain into continuing beyond that minute once started.' Breaking tasks into micro-tasks may also prove effective. For example, instead of aiming to clean the whole kitchen, start with just putting one dish in the dishwasher.
Euronews
18-04-2025
- Euronews
Deep snow, thick ice and zero delays: Inside the Arctic Circle airports that never cancel a flight
ADVERTISEMENT Flying into Inari in the far north of Finland felt like landing at the end of the world. In every direction, trees and snow. Now and then, we got a glimpse of warmly lit cabins, and occasionally sprawling resorts, dotted amongst the trees. It was snowing, and the temperature hovered around five degrees below zero. As we touched down on the icy runway, I'll admit I felt a flicker of concern about the stopping power of the Finnair Airbus A321 that had brought us up from Helsinki. Descending into Ivalo Airport, the outlook was bleak to say the least. Joanna Bailey But Ivalo Airport was well prepared, and the landing was smooth and uneventful. We rolled gently to the end of the 2,500-metre runway, slowing steadily as the pilots avoided heavy braking in the snowy conditions. An up-and-coming destination Ivalo Airport is the gateway to Inari, Finland 's largest municipality by area, but also the most sparsely populated. Part of Finnish Lapland, it offers a wealth of winter experiences, just without the elves or the man in red. This is a winter wonderland for the more discerning traveller: fantasy-level snowfall, breathtaking landscapes, and endless possibilities for activity—or inactivity. Husky sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, reindeer herding —Inari has it all, and then some. If you love a bit of snow fun, Inari is an undiscovered gem that lacks the overcrowding of many other resorts. Joanna Bailey If you prefer to relax and simply soak up the scenery, you're in luck. Saunas abound in this frozen land. At the beautiful Star Arctic Hotel, where we stayed, some cabins featured private saunas, while others had full glass ceilings for aurora watching right from your bed. Related Facial recognition and phone-based boarding passes: Why the future of flying could be paperless Travellers have been bathing at this spa town for 3,000 years. What's it like in 2025? Here in Saariselkä, accommodation options are plentiful, but the Star Arctic is super convenient for the ski slopes and for the entrance to the longest toboggan run in the country. Plummeting down Kaunispää hill, it descends 1.8 km deep into the forest, dropping around 180 metres. However you choose to get out of your resort, as soon as you do, the landscape will take your breath away. Inari is wild , exhilarating, bleak, terrifying and jaw-droppingly beautiful all at once. The sunset in Inari was shrouded in low cloud, signalling we wouldn't be lucky enough to see the aurora on this visit. Joanna Bailey Unlike more popular Lapland destinations like Rovaniemi, it has not suffered from overtourism . In fact, it's probably one of the most unspoiled places left in Western Europe. 'That's Russia over there,' my snowshoeing instructor noted, pointing at the endless sea of pine trees stretching as far as the eye could see. 'Of course, you can't see the borders from here,' she chuckled. Remote wilderness is closer to you than you think. Joanna Bailey Inari has become a rising star for adventure seekers wanting to experience the real Lapland. Last winter, nine international airlines operated seasonal services to Ivalo Airport, including a new route from British Airways - its most northerly destination to date. Finnish Lapland, in general, is becoming increasingly popular year on year. Across the Finavia-managed airports of Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo, Kuusamo, and Kemi-Tornio, 1.8 million passengers arrived in 2024, up almost 20 per cent on the year before. How do they keep the runways clear? With average temperatures plummeting as low as -18 degrees and around 200 days of snow a year, how can these airports safely handle all these flights? Back in Helsinki, I caught up with Finavia's Pyry Pennanen, head of airfield maintenance, to find out more about what goes into keeping airports operating in such extreme conditions. ADVERTISEMENT 'We basically promise summer-like conditions in our runways year-round,' says Pennanen. 'But in Helsinki, winter is a very real thing.' Pyry has worked in Finavia for almost 14 years, and has been head of airfield maintenance at Helsinki for seven. Joanna Bailey Helsinki is a different proposition from Ivalo. Handling an average of 350 departures a day, it's an important international hub, with several flights landing and taking off every hour. With around 100 days of snow a year, keeping the runway clear is essential to maintaining Helsinki's reputation as an airport that runs like clockwork. 'To keep the aircraft on schedule, we have 13 minutes to clear the runway, but we can do it in 11,' Pennanen explains. 'The most we have to do is around once per hour if it's really snowing, but on the worst days, it can be once every 20 minutes.' Related This pilot specialises in dangerous airport landings. Here's what he wants passengers to know Airport theory, seat squatters and check-in chickens: Why these viral travel trends are a disaster Delivering this speedy clearance is a team of around 15 machines that all head out together to make the 3,500-metre runway safe. The crown jewels of this bizarre ballet of beasts are the Vammas PSB 5500 sweeper blowers, developed in partnership with Helsinki Airport. ADVERTISEMENT The PSB machines will go out in teams of eight, clearing the entire runway in 11 minutes. Joanna Bailey These 31-tonne monsters stand 3.7 metres tall and stretch a massive 25 metres long. They can clear a 5.5 metre span of runway in just 11 minutes, thanks to their unique trifecta of snow-clearing features. Designed to plough, sweep and blow (hence the PSB in the name), the process begins with a spring-loaded cutting edge on its nine metre plough, keeping contact firm on uneven surfaces. Behind that, a dense broom made of stiff metal bristles sweeps up any stubborn ice on the ground. Finally, the powerful jet air blower shoots loose snow and ice away from the runway at speeds of more than 400 km an hour. The 'brush' is not one you'd want to use on your hair! Joanna Bailey Joining the convoy is a terrifying-looking machine, a self-propelled snow blower made by Overaasen in Norway. A towering 4.5 metres tall, this 1,500-horsepower behemoth can smash even the most stubborn ice off surfaces, clearing up to 10,000 tonnes an hour and casting the snow 35 metres away from the runway. The towering snow blower looks like a combine harvester, but with sharper teeth. Joanna Bailey 'The most challenging conditions are when we have freezing rain,' says Pennanen. 'When it's minus ten and the freezing rain is still falling, it's very difficult to deal with.' ADVERTISEMENT In these conditions, the expansive de-icer comes into play. Spraying potassium formate on the runway surface will melt the ice in under an hour, and keep the surface ice-free for several hours beyond. The chemical is readily decomposed and contains no nitrogen, making it safe for the environment. Finnavia has opted for eco-friendly potassium formate to melt stubborn ice. Joanna Bailey Smaller beasts like wheel loaders, tractors, lorries and chemical sprayers also help keep the runways clear. In all, Finnaiva's fleet in Helsinki spans around 200 vehicles that work from October to May. In the months in between, the team carries out essential maintenance on the vehicles to keep them mission-ready for the coming winter. In the Arctic Circle, conditions are even more extreme In Finnish Lapland, snow usually covers the ground from early November to late May (although it was worryingly late to arrive in some parts last winter). Across the region, you can expect from 25 cm to as much as a metre of snow on the ground throughout the winter. With over 200 days of snow in a typical year, Finavia's Lapland airports have their work cut out. Yet, as a company, Finavia has never had to close an airport due to inclement weather, and the number of cancelled or delayed flights is minimal. ADVERTISEMENT Up in the Arctic Circle, Ivalo Airport sees more snow than most. Ivalo airport is tiny, employing just 25 people during the summer months. Joanna Bailey 'We operate in winter conditions for seven months,' says Jarmo Pyhäjärvi, Ivalo Airport manager. 'We are the most northerly airport in the European Union, and we operate in Arctic conditions.' Like Helsinki, Ivalo Airport has a fleet of machinery to keep the runway and taxiways clear. These include plough-sweep-blow units, high power snow blowers, tractors, brush blowers and more. Related Paris, Istanbul, Madrid: Which European airports are finally exceeding pre-Covid passenger levels? One of the world's busiest airports is piloting using AI to assist air traffic control Because the airport is so small, its staff headcount is low. In the winter, it doubles from its summer level of 25 employees to around 50. Fifteen of these people will be trained to work on maintenance, keeping the airport clear of ice and snow. ADVERTISEMENT 'Many of the staff will have a double role,' says Finavia's communications manager Elina Suominen. 'One minute they might be checking in a bag, the next they're doing security, or driving a snow plough.' Employees at Ivalo will be trained to do several jobs, often swapping job roles during their shift. Joanna Bailey Seeing these big snow-clearing beasts in action was astounding. The sheer power of the vehicles and the incredible volume of snow they move is incredible, with clearing operations performed not at a slow plod, but at speeds of 40 to 50 km an hour. Across all its airports, Finavia uses sunken sensors to monitor the conditions on the runway. Tiny changes can be tracked, giving the operator early warning of incoming weather, sometimes six to eight hours in advance. As with Helsinki, it is not so much the snowfall that's a problem, but rather the temperature itself. When the freezing rain hits in Ivalo, the lower number of flight arrivals means their strategy for clearance is slightly different. ADVERTISEMENT When we visited, the runway was beautifully clear, despite the inclement weather. Joanna Bailey 'We do what we call precision management maintenance, which means that the runway is cleared just before the flight comes in,' explains Suominen. 'The snow protects the runway from the freezing rain, and we let it work as a shield and only take it off at the last moment. This way we don't need to use any chemicals.' Pyhäjärvi recalls a winter in 1999 when the temperature dropped to an eye-watering minus 50 degrees. The most recent extreme temperature event, in 2023, saw the mercury drop to minus 35. Even then, the airport cancelled just one solitary flight, maintaining all other operations as normal. Amazingly, Ivalo Airport does all this with net-zero emissions . In the last 10 years, the airport has cut its emissions by 98 per cent through the use of renewable energy. The remaining two per cent is offset through approved programmes. Its snow-clearing machinery all runs on biofuels. Innovating for even safer Arctic Circle flights Companies like Finavia are essential in developing the technologies and equipment required to keep the world's most extreme airports open all year round. ADVERTISEMENT Most recently, Ivalo Airport has worked with a number of Finnish companies to test autonomous snow-clearing operations. Working with Nokian Tyres, snow removal equipment manufacturer Vammas (Fortbrand), energy company Neste and machinery manufacturer Valtra, they developed a new concept for optimising snow removal at remote airports. The vision is that, when airports like Ivalo are closed for the night, or running on a skeleton crew, and the snow starts to fall, an autonomous tractor will spring to life. Using optimised, predefined waylines, the tractor will clear the runway of snow, making it safe for the next plane to land. If it's running low on fuel, it will refuel itself using low-emission biodiesel. Finavia has been testing autonomous snowploughs to improve efficiency at its airports. Finavia Pilot projects have been very promising, although the autonomous tractors aren't being used yet. Nevertheless, Finavia is confident of success in the longer term. Also testing autonomous operations is fellow Arctic Circle operator Swedavia, manager of Sweden's airports. This winter, it has tested eight PSB machines in autonomous mode, and it is keen to roll this out to actual operations. ADVERTISEMENT Related New competitors could slash Channel Tunnel rail fare by 30 per cent in the next 15 years Some airlines are banning power banks on flights. Here's what travellers need to know 'We are still in the testing phase, but this winter we have made major steps forward,' says Ali Sadeghi, chief asset officer of facilities and systems at Swedavia Airports. 'These additions to our snow clearance fleet are a strategic step and will help us make Swedavia's snow clearance more safe, efficient and predictable as well as climate friendly.' Like Finavia, Swedavia has not had to close an airport because of bad weather for a very long time. 'Stockholm Arlanda Airport has an excellent record of dealing with snow,' adds Sadeghi. 'We have never closed the airport due to snow or bad weather in over 60 years.' In Oslo, autonomous snow clearing is already underway. Avinor Next door in Norway, Oslo Airport undertook intensive testing of autonomous ploughs for over a year, deploying them in daily operations in 2021. Up to six enormous machines move simultaneously, all with no driver onboard, controlled either from a command vehicle or from the comfort of an office desk. Powered by cloud-based software known as the Yeti Autonomy Service Platform (YASP), developed by Yeti Move, the vehicles are connected so that they know where to go and what to do. There are high hopes that such advancements could make snow clearance operations even more eco-friendly in the future. ADVERTISEMENT 'YASP ultimately cuts fuel consumption and emissions,' John Emil Halden, COO of Yeti Move, tells Business Norway. 'Our solution optimises power use by ensuring operations are consistent at all times. Also, well-planned operations with autonomous vehicles will reduce the driving needed to complete the job, and fewer vehicles are needed overall.' As a traveller, I remain in awe of these incredible airports and their ability to keep flying regardless of the conditions. And I am thankful, because without airports like Ivalo, it wouldn't be so easy to discover the wonders of the truly unspoilt corners of the world.
Euronews
30-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
New life for old jets: How cabin refurbishments deliver on sustainability as well as comfort
ADVERTISEMENT While the pandemic disruption might feel like a lifetime ago to most of us, aviation is still recovering. Supply chains aren't functioning as they should, and deliveries of new aircraft have been stalled. With airlines forced to hold onto aircraft for longer, many have taken the plunge and decided to update these old planes with brand-new interiors. Usually, new cabins are debuted on brand new jets, but as these jets aren't coming fast enough, passengers flying in older aircraft are now being treated to updated cabins. Etihad recently announced it would invest around $1 billion (€920 million) in refitting its Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft as new planes are taking too long to arrive. Emirates is going even further, spending as much as $5 bn (€4.6 bn) on new interiors for its planes. Euronews Travel went to see what goes into making an old aircraft look like new, and how these cabin refurbishments deliver more than just passenger comfort. How to make an old aircraft look brand new Although airlines like Emirates and Etihad are spending billions on new interiors, you're unlikely to experience them unless you're flying long haul. Airlines are taking care of short-haul flyers too, however, with several carriers undertaking significant overhauls of their smaller planes. Finland's flag carrier Finnair has recently undertaken a refit of its long-haul Airbus A330 fleet, installing its new business class interiors to bring it into line with its newly delivered A350s. With that complete, it was time to turn its attention to its regional aircraft. Getting a revamp now is Finnair's fleet of 12 Embraer E190s, which have an average age of 16.8 years. Operated by its regional partner Norra, some of these aircraft are pushing 19 years old, but thanks to a fresh new look, you'd never know it. 'We see this renewal as an important investment in travel comfort, and our aim is to provide a harmonious, fresh and inviting travel environment for our customers,' explains Eeva Mttila, engineer at Finnair Technical Operations. Finnair invited Euronews Travel to Exeter Airport in the UK to see one of the Embraers undergoing its refit. To avoid disruption to flight schedules, Finnair timed these refits with scheduled maintenance visits, when the aircraft would've been out of action anyway. Even better, when maintenance is carried out on the aircraft , the seats are removed as part of the process. This time the engineers simply installed the new seats. Finnair's Embraer aircraft are undergoing maintenance and cabin refitting at the same time. Joanna Bailey It takes around a month to carry out the maintenance on the aircraft. Simply refitting the cabin wouldn't have taken as long, but by combining the two processes in one visit, there's less downtime for the planes. Exeter Aerospace, based at Exeter Airport, are able to take care of both jobs, making the process seamless for the airline. Just two pairs of seats were installed when we visited. Joanna Bailey When we arrived, the aircraft was empty except for two pairs of seats that had been installed just so we could try them out. Despite their slimline appearance, the seats were remarkably comfortable, with plenty of legroom and good support for your back. The light grey leather finish looks fresh and modern and will give the aircraft an airy, spacious feel. The new seats are elegant, ergonomic and modern. Joanna Bailey The carpet wasn't installed when we visited, but that will also be replaced. These changes bring these regional jets in line with Finnair's main fleet, using similar materials, colours and finishes. There's even a small wood panel by the entrance door that echoes the airline's use of wood in its business class cabins for long-haul flights. These planes will fly to several destinations in Finland and Europe, including Manchester, Edinburgh, Paris and Dublin. Flight times average around an hour and a half, so the journeys are fairly short. But will all planes have the new cabin? 'Right now, if you fly an Embraer route, you might have the renewed cabin, or you may not - it's a matter of luck,' explains Marjo Hamalainen, communications partner at Finnair. 'But as we move forward with the renewals, you are more and more likely to get the renewed cabin, and by spring '26, we'll have the entire fleet renewed, and then you are guaranteed to experience the renewed cabin.' So far, three aircraft have been completed and this fourth one is almost finished. By May, six will be done. During the peak summer, Finnair needs all its Embraers back in service, so there's a short break before the process starts again in the autumn. By this time next year, all 12 aircraft will be flying with the new cabins. ADVERTISEMENT Why are airlines keeping older aircraft longer? It may seem like a cop-out to keep blaming the pandemic, but for aviation, the knock-on effects are real. Aerospace manufacturers of all shapes and sizes have struggled to re-establish production lines, and broken supply chains have taken time to mend. Emirates had planned to begin receiving Boeing's brand new 777X aircraft in 2020, but it still hasn't had a single delivery. Boeing's latest promise was for arrival in October 2025, but the airline's management remains sceptical. With no new planes to fly, it has to hold onto its older aircraft for longer, hence the massive multi-billion dollar refurbishment programme. The project was originally meant to include 120 aircraft at a cost of $2 billion (€1.8 billion). But as production delays ground on, Emirates expanded it in 2024 to 191 jets. In early March, Emirates CEO Sir Tim Clark revealed an even further expansion, with a total of 220 aircraft to be refurbished at a cost of $5 billion ($4.6 billion). "We have no choice," Clark told reporters at the ITB tourism fair in Berlin on 5 March. "This is the only way we could sustain the network, grow the network." ADVERTISEMENT 'The main driver for this refurbishment program was the delay in the delivery of new aircraft,' explains Ahmed Safa, Head of Engineering at Emirates. 'Boeing says the 777-9 is coming in 2026, but we certainly don't think our aircraft will come in '26, so we've had to increase the number of refurbishments.' Boeing's problems have been well documented, but it's not the only bottleneck. Airbus too, has struggled to get its products out of the factory on time. With the demand for air travel continuing to surge, airlines are keen to have as many active aircraft as possible. 'From Airbus, we should have 21 A350s now, but we only have four,' Safa explains. 'We want to add more destinations, which will require a lot more capacity. So the lack of new aircraft means more additions to the refurbishment programme are required.' Ahmed Safa, Head of Enginering at Emirates. Emirates The impact was noted by industry body IATA in December when it revealed the global average aircraft age had risen to a record high of 14.8 years. Pre-pandemic, it was just over 13 years. That increase of 1.8 years might not seem like much, but it's the first time since 1990 that the average age has gone above 14 years. ADVERTISEMENT That ageing fleet is not only a concern for the passenger experience but also for aviation's net zero goals . Technology in new aircraft delivers fuel burn (and associated CO2 emission) savings of around 20 per cent compared to older models It is seen as a key stepping stone to a greener aviation future . 'Manufacturers are letting down their airline customers and that is having a direct impact of slowing down airlines' efforts to limit their carbon emissions,' says Willie Walsh, director general of IATA. 'If the aircraft and engine manufacturers could sort out their issues and keep their promises, we'd have a more fuel-efficient fleet in the air.' Related Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways: The best and worst airlines according to passengers Delta, Iberia, Vueling: Which airlines were most on-time in 2024? Riyadh Air: a bold new chapter in Saudi Arabia's aviation journey Can a refurbished aircraft also be a greener aircraft? While new aircraft are taking their time to get into airlines' hands, refurbishment offers opportunities to green up the fleet they have. Passenger comfort is important, but so too are any sustainability improvements that can be made in the process. 'Sustainability is becoming ever more important for our airline customers,' says Etienne Helfer Aubrac, VP of sales and marketing at Safran Seats, an aircraft seat manufacturer based in France. 'A greener refurbishment can involve using lighter and more durable materials, integrating recycled components and optimising seat designs to reduce the carbon footprint over the aircraft's lifespan.' ADVERTISEMENT Finnair's refurbishment focused on improving passenger comfort but also considered the impact on the environment. Replacing the previous cloth seats with real leather would come with a high carbon cost. When cattle farming, tanning and transportation are taken into consideration, cow skin leather has a carbon footprint of approximately 110 kg of CO2 per square metre. And an aircraft cabin has a lot of square metres! Finnair worked with UK company Generation Phoenix to use sustainable leather in its new seats. Joanna Bailey 'They take leather offcuts that would otherwise end up in landfill and break them down into fibres,' explains Eeva Mattila, an engineer at Finnair Technical Operations. 'Then they use recycled water to turn them into a new recycled leather material.' This leather material has a carbon footprint up to 85 per cent lower than that of traditional leather, and it's more lightweight too. These benefits have made this product a popular choice for airlines, flying on over four million seats worldwide today. ADVERTISEMENT Weight saving is a significant focus for any airline. Every kilogram of extra weight means more fuel burned and more CO2 emissions. Refurbishing a cabin is a great opportunity to take some of the weight off the aircraft and create a more efficient plane. Finnair chose lightweight seats from Recaro for the refurbishment. Joanna Bailey Finnair's Recaro seats are widely used in aviation as they combine slimline, lightweight construction with ergonomic comfort. Using composite materials and high-performance plastics, the seats are able to withstand the punishment of many flights and weigh significantly less than the airline's old seats. When KLM refurbished its Boeing 737s in 2021, it also opted for recycled leather and installed similar Recaro seats, which were 20 per cent lighter than those they replaced. This, it said, reduced the total cabin weight by 700 kg, saving 184 tonnes of CO2 per aircraft per year. Air France picked carbon fibre and titanium for its Embraer refurbishment, designing an ultra-lightweight seat with recycled components and as little plastic as possible. Custom-made by French manufacturer Expliseat, each seat will be 30 per cent lighter than the current model. ADVERTISEMENT Air France had its new Embraer seats custom designed, achieving a 30 per cent weight saving. Air France As well as lighter seats and sustainable materials, Finnair's changes to the onboard lighting have also taken weight off the plane. Their decision not to install power to each seat, which probably wouldn't be needed on short flights anyway, was also driven by a desire not to add weight to the planes. For Finnair, the changes they are making to the Embraers will reduce the onboard weight by 150 kg per aircraft. Once all 12 have been completed, the airline will save about 135,000 kg of fuel annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 420,000 kg per year. That's the same as taking more than 400 cars off the road. Related Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in Europe for 2025 Airlines lobby against EU plan to monitor non-CO2 emissions from flights Fasten your seatbelt: The most turbulent European flight routes revealed What happens to the old interiors when aircraft are refurbished? Airlines have come up with a variety of innovative solutions to deal with their used seats and interiors. Depending on the condition of the materials, as well as the airline's policies, the components are reused, repurposed, or recycled. Material from seats can be reused in carpet yarn. Metal components are melted down and recycled. Plastics used in cabins can be harder to repurpose, but several companies are working on solutions to reuse and recycle them efficiently. ADVERTISEMENT Emirates came up with a novel idea for its old interiors, turning some of them into limited-edition travel luggage. From suitcases made using seat leather to toiletry bags fashioned from captain's chair fur, the airline has been upcycling all sorts of parts from its old interiors. Emirates has upcycled many parts of its aircraft cabins. Emirates 'Of course we worked wth suppliers to produce lighter materials and sub parts for the seats,' says Amhed Safa, 'but our contribution to the green effort has been bolstered by how we've repurposed and upcycled the removed parts, the surplus parts and the scrap parts.' Emirates wants to 'upcycle' almost everything it is taking off the aircraft. 'My mandate to the guys is anything that's destined for scrappage must be targeted for an upcycling activity,' says Safa. 'We started with the easier ones - the soft furnishings, leathers and fabrics, the curtains and the carpets and all that stuff. 'We've made huge strides there and produced some really cool stuff. Now the next step is to employ the appropriate skill set to help us look at the more solid elements from the cabin, the aluminiums and the composites and the other plastics .' ADVERTISEMENT Emirates does offer some of these products for sale, and Safa says the demand has been exceptional. But this isn't a profit-making exercise. 'When we first pitched the idea of recycling, we were inundated with interest from companies who wanted to take the stuff and then repurpose it and sell it for profit, and that went against the intent of our mission.' Emirates was determined to bring benefits to the wider community from its upcycling efforts. It has already donated thousands of products to schools, NGOs and community groups in several African countries, and has a plan to do the same in India, Pakistan and other places. While a small proportion of its 'Aircrafted by Emirates' range is available for sale to the general public, the proceeds from those sales will also go to support communities in need. For Finnair, its old seats, or at least some of them, have found a new home with other airlines. Although they're a bit tired for Finnair, budget carriers and airlines from developing countries will find they're just fine for their needs. Those that aren't being sold will be reused as much as possible or recycled. The old seats have been stripped out of the aircraft but will be reused. Joanna Bailey 'With some of the old seats, we've stripped them for parts,' noted Hamalainen. 'We're still using those seats until next spring, so we will still need some spares. We are recycling as much as possible.' ADVERTISEMENT Will the passenger experience really be as good? For the average passenger, the seats and amenities are the focus of whether they have a good flight or not. Not many would know or care how old the aircraft is, as long as it's comfortable and has everything they need. Airlines realise this and have focused refurbishments on getting the best from the equipment they have. These aren't cut-price refits; refurbishments are just as meticulously planned and executed as they would be in a brand-new aircraft. The finished result in the Finnair cabins. Finnair 'A well-executed refurbishment can bring an older aircraft up to the same comfort standards as a new one and sometimes even better,' says Aubrac. 'Airlines see cabin retrofits as an opportunity to create a high-quality onboard experience, just as they do with brand-new aircraft.' As well as changing the parts passengers see all the time, aircraft refurbishment often touches the parts of the plane we rarely encounter. Galleys, ovens, crew rest areas and even flight deck furnishings are frequently replaced as part of the process. While you might not get to see it, you will notice the difference in a happier crew , better food and well-managed processes. ADVERTISEMENT Next time you're on a plane, try to guess its age based on what you can see. Then look up its registration to see if you're right. While brand-new aircraft are great, if you have to fly on an old one, you'll be glad the airline invested in renewing the cabin so it feels just like new.
