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John Walton

@thatjohn.bsky.social

3.4K followers 260 following 3.9K posts

Editor in chief of @theupfront.media: in-depth independent aviation journalism for the digital age. Subscribe today! Journo, Japan travel expert, bon vivant, lover of gardens, fan of 22°C, crocheter, Champagne enthusiast. Big 🏳️‍🌈 w/the 🏳️‍⚧️, 🇪🇺 in 🇫🇷, he/him.

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · May 26

I couldn't be more excited to bring you my newest exciting challenge: The Up Front.

Creating, designing and building the site — and over 15,000 words of content at launch — with @garius.bsky.social has been nothing short of incredible.

Join us for a fresh new approach to aviation journalism.

The Up Front @theupfront.media · May 26

Hello and welcome to The Up Front — in-depth, independent aviation journalism on the topics that matter for the people who live and breathe the passenger experience in aviation: airlines, passengers, designers, manufacturers, and the supply chain and ecosystem that surround it all.

theupfront.media

The Up Front

In-depth independent aviation journalism for the digital age

theupfront.media

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 7h

I've spent the last couple of days trying to read between the lines of Airbus' services forecasting numbers for "modifications & upgrades", which includes cabins.

But it really does seem like Airbus is forecasting a sharp drop in that demand. Does that make sense to you?

The Up Front @theupfront.media · 7h

Our latest:

Airbus says its "modifications & upgrades" services business grew 18% last year — double some other segments — but Airbus expects 20-year growth of just 1.9% each year, on average.

That's less than half of some other segments from now to 2044.

Why?

theupfront.media/pro-readout-...

Pro Readout: Airbus’ services market forecast predicts drop in demand for seats and cabins “modifications and upgrades” business

Airbus says its aircraft modifications and upgrades work — including cabins and seats — have hit a peak in 2025, and forecasts strongly slowing demand for this category over the next 20 years.

theupfront.media

John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 7h

le french, he is a beautiful and multilayered language rich in nuance

John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 8h

Aha! Now that I *can* help with.

John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 8h

Sad professional fistbump of aviation journalist battling through Airbus' 20-year prediction numbers and compound versus year-on-year accounting maths…

John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 12h

oh no am i gonna be mEaN aBouT bA aGaiN

John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 12h

Why do those new BA lounges look like someone fed the 2014 Cathay/Ilse Crawford and Etihad/Landor/Facets lounges into an AI slop machine and said "make it a bit Union Jack-y"?

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 13h

I do love jam! But now I want a @kjcharleswriter.com historical romp through this world, like one foppish English chef and the devilish railroad baron’s son and their small army of pinafored waitresses and possibly some cowboys

Nono, definitely some cowboys

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 14h

Main's Wikipedia article is a Hollywood Hidden Queer CLASSIC:

• when her husband died it was "like losing a good friend. Like part of the family"

• her "marriage was a nontraditional one", "happy, but not particularly close",

and
oh yeah
also

• "had a long-term relationship with a woman"

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 14h

Just after 1m30s you'll hear the speak-singing from the fabulously statuesque* Marjorie Main, best known as Ma Kettle from the films of the same era.

* yes, I do mean "lesbian". Main was in a long-term relationship with fellow MGM player Spring Byington, according to her (Main's) biographer.

A handsome woman with sensibly short hair leaning on a couch and looking slightly away from the camera.

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 14h

I dare you to listen to the 1946 Academy Award-winning On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, the best known song from the movie, and not be earwormed for the entire day.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgr...

Judy Garland Sings “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” (Clip) | The Harvey Girls | TCM

YouTube video by Turner Classic Movies

www.youtube.com

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 14h

if you are only now learning about The Harvey Girls, it is a JUDY GARLAND film involving TRAINS that is also a MUSICAL revolving around the PASSENGER EXPERIENCE of catering to travellers on, I say again, TRAINS, and if you're not into at least two of those how on earth are we friends

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 14h

why YES that IS a 19-year-old Angela Lansbury high-kicking it in her 1946 US début, The Harvey Girls

regrettably, for reasons lost to time that now seem astounding, Lansbury's songs were dubbed by Virginia Rees, absolutely baffling to us all now

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 14h

Attention Japan travellers, new "don't believe them, Narita is easier for getting into the centre of Tokyo by public transport than Haneda" reason coming soon…

mainichi.jp/english/arti...

New express trains from Narita airport to Tokyo Skytree planned for FY 2028 - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- New express trains linking Narita airport outside Tokyo with the Tokyo Skytree broadcasting tower in just over 30 minutes are slated

mainichi.jp

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Reposted by John Walton

Reuters @reuters.com · 15h

'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 14h

This is my dance about how much transphobes suck.

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 16h

while shouting « priorité à droite, motherfuckers ! »

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 16h

genuinely though, I think my driving gives me away as someone who did not learn to drive in france

in this house we

~*~*~ live
laugh ~*~*~
~*~*~ yell LE CLIGNOTANT C'EST PAS DECORATIF, MERDEuuuh out the window regularly at junctions and roundabouts

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John Walton @thatjohn.bsky.social · 16h

i am often happy driving my 2017 citroën berlingo frenchly around france in a very french fashion

never am i so happy to be driving my 2017 citroën berlingo frenchly around france in a very french fashion as when i learn something else about driving a tesla

Wolfgang Bremer @wolfgang.bremer.co · 18h

Tesla is now selling a Model 3 Turn Signal Stalk Retrofit for $595. 😳

An expensive upgrade to bring back what they removed: the classic turn signal stalk. 🫣

First create a problem, now sell the solution for a premium. 💸

Innovation is important but great UX makes users’ lives easier, not harder. 😉