Flying like a Fijian -tips for all airline passengers, I reckon

A clever way to remind people to behave -including consiering what food you bring on to a plane. I just discovered this fun video from Fiji Airways which engages the Fiji Rugby team to give seven lessons on good flying. Introduced by Fiji Rugby coach Ben Ryan.  (Coach since 2013, Ryan took the team to become 2015 Rugby 7 winners. His work resulted in Fiji winning its first ever Gold Medal at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, for Rugby. Ryan was this year appointed to be Fiji Airways Ambassador. The airline is a sponsor of Fiji…

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My Middle Eastern Airlines Dilemma

I am flying from Dubai to Bangkok in December and I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of options for the 5000km/3000 mile flight. There are hundreds of viable Business Class and Economy Class options. If I travel the hour and a half journey by car to Abu Dhabi, there are hundreds more. While only three airlines (FlyDubai, Emirates and Thai) run direct services, they still have ten direct services a day between them. Multiple indirect services go via a whole range of fascinating stopover places! Kazakhstan anyone? So I kept playing and searching. I found in…

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The 787 joins the Red Kangaroo

Of the 93 airlines, I have ever flown, one-third of my flights have been with Australian carrier Qantas. I have flown their 747s a total of forty-two times plus 182 of their 737s, multiple 767s and 18 Boeing 717s (although this is really a McDonnell Douglas product). I never flew any Qantas 707s or 727s. [See Comment below] I have been  impatiently waiting for their red kangaroo logo to appear on the tail of a 787. In 2012, Qantas canceled 35 Dreamliners and delayed the options they had on 50 more. This week, the airline announced that their…

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I love these Southwest ads with Lipsyncing Employees

I am a sucker for airline commercials. I like the new Southwest ones which feature their staff lip syncing. I do wish they were really singing! The one above shows the employees (Customer Service Agent Michelle and Ramp Agent Matt) seeing the ad they performed in for the first time! In this one, the podium dancers are Alphonso, Las Vegas-based Flight Attendant, and Melissa, Orlando-based Flight Attendant. Dallas-based, Southwest Airlines has been flying for 45 years. It now has 715 Boeing 737s flying to 98 destinations across the USA, Mexico and the Carribean. I have…

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East West -Home’s Best!

These are taken on the beach near my home outside Melbourne. Sitting here, one can reduce stress by 90%! This week, I flew on my 1150th flight of my life! I have flown 88 times this year so far, a distance of almost three times around the world.  I am very blessed in what I see, experience and achieve. Despite working interstate a lot, coming back to “my beach” is one of the highlights of life. What about you? Where is your favourite home spot? Related Posts Local Ferry in the Maldives Malaysia Airlines Airbus 330…

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Tips for Thailand during Royal Mourning

Having been to Thailand at least 25 times in the last 20 years,  I have some affinity and insights into the country. Many outsiders are confounded about the very real grief being experienced across the country following the death last week of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). My thought is, imagine if you are staying with a friend and their father dies. You would expect grief and sadness. For Thais, the King has been more than a father to their country. It is only natural and right that there is such grief right now. In…

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Vale the King of Thailand

After a period of illness, the King of Thailand  passed away on 13th October 2016 at the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. His Majesty  was born on 5th December, 1927 at the Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. (His father was studying at Harvard). He was not named at birth. The auspicious name Bhumibol Adulyadej, meaning “strength of the land, incomparable power” was given to him by the then King. He grew up in Switzerland, following the death of his own father. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX assumed the throne on…

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Etihad goes Five Star

Etihad Airways has received the Skytrax “Certified Five Star Airline Rating” after a three month audit of the airline’s global product and service by Skytrax. A few couple of things about this are interesting: This brings the number of five star airlines in the world to nine: ANA, Asiana, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hainan, Qatar, and Singapore. Malaysia used to have a five star rating but that was lost. This means of the big Middle Eastern carriers, Qatar and Etihad are five stars and Emirates is four I am a little cynical about the rating…

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My 3rd (& 4th) 787 ScootBiz Bangkok -Singapore – Sydney

DMK Don Muang (Bangkok), Thailand  to SIN, Singapore  TZ291 Scheduled Departure: 08:40 Arrival: 14:55 SIN Singapore to SYD Sydney, Australia SC002 Scheduled Departure: 01:40 Arrival: 11:35 Total distance: 5,689 km -4,801 miles The choices of airlines and flights between Bangkok, Thailand and Sydney, Australia is immense. Thai, Qantas and Emirates fly directly. Cathay Pacific, Jetstar, Malayasia, Singapore Airlines, Air Asia, Vietnam Airlines all offer quick one-stop connections.  I have flown pretty much every option now! I took advantage of a great  Scoot deal paying just a few dollars more . for their “Business Class” for Singapore to Sydney than their regular…

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