The Star Alliance turns 19 tomorrow, Saturday the 14th of May. The network is now an “adult” with 27 member airlines carrying almost 638 million passengers annually. This compares to SkyTeam with 20 airlines and 588 million passengers annually and Oneworld with 15 airlines and almost 513 million. Starting with just five airlines, the network has grown to include: I have flown 159 times with nine Star Alliance members for a total of 424,788km (263,951 miles), almost ten times around the earth! This represents 14% of all my flights and a third of the distance I have ever flown! The Star…
Airline News (Friday)
Category Archives for Airline News (Friday).
“Flyadeal” to Fly – Saudia’s new Airline marks shakeup in Kingdom’s air carriers
What do you think of the name “Flyadeal”? Flyadeal is the name of a new budget airline that will launch in Saudi Arabia in mid 2017. Owned by the country’s flag carrier Saudia, the new airline will fly both domestic and international routes from a hub in Jeddah using Airbus A320s. Saudia are saying they want to take advantage of rising tourist numbers in the Kingdom. The carrier certainly puts its pricing intention up front! Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudia’s director general was reported to say: “The new airline aims to deliver value for money to cost-conscious customers.…
World’s longest flight in search of a reason -Emirates delays Panama…again
In the world of airlines, having the longest flight seems to be the holy grail of marketing. I do not know why anyone would think it is a good thing to celebrate sitting for over 16 hours scrunched up in a seat with 31 inches of leg room surrounded by people who have not washed for almost a day. For me that would mean four hours of computer work, a novel and a dozen episodes of Big Bang Theory! True, many First Class travellers would relish the chance to extend their cushioned comfort! Years ago,…
Air New Zealand’s Australia/USA/London Specials
Air New Zealand, my fourth favourite airline* are offering special fares this next two weeks to destinations in Australia, NZ, the UK and USA. For Aussie passengers, there are deals to four US destinations: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu and their new Houston hub. Sydney to Houston is $A958 in Economy plus add a bag for $1 or $A2,631 in their wonderful Premium Economy. Melbourne to Houston is $A941 in Economy plus add a bag for $1 or $A2,614 in Premium. One way fares are actually higher than round trip! You fly via Auckland. For US customers, the sale…
Virgin America’s New Logo…um wait a sec…
Virgin America revealed their new logo today. Yes it does look like what you think it looks like… Interestingly it bear’s some resemblance to Aibnb’s logo which caused a stir when it was launched: It is an April 1st Prank but many people thought it was serious.Virgin have described this new logo as “A labor of love” and say “Fundamentally, this is a human-centered brand – one that hits you where it hurts.” They further say: ” They further say: “The combination of sharp angles and sleek, sexy, supple curves are meant to surprise and delight…
Spicejet’s Non -Airborne Happy Holi Celebrations
I love Festivals and cultural events around the world. Today is Purim in the Jewish calendar, Maundy Thursday in the Christian one and for Hindus, it is Holi. Holi is known as the festival of colours or the festival of love and believed to signify the victory of good over evil. Those who celebrate do so by throwing brightly coloured, perfumed powders, and coloured waters at everyone! The Festival has given birth to The Colour Run which is billed as “the Happiest 5k on the Planet”,with 300+ events in 50+ countries. Last year, Spicejet organised a…
The airlines that vanished in 2015
Over 50 carriers failed in 2015. Many of them, frankly won’t be missed. I have flown none of them (and in some cases it seems no one else flew them either!). There were some very long standing airlines that went under and a couple that lasted just a short time including one that had planes in the air for under month. Man dream of being a Richard Branson but for every successful startup there are hundreds of shuttered dreams. To survive, I believe an airline needs to have seven things: A demonstrated diversified real market. “build it…
Qantas returns to San Francisco
There are few experiences worse than getting off a 14 hour flight and encountering LAX customs and immigration. Walking through miles of grey corridors one encounters a huge understaffed space. The custom agents have been rarely welcoming. San Francisco, by contrast is a joy. One agent asked me why I flew through SFO and I told him “because you guys are a delight“. Much nicer airport, friendlier staff and easier to connect. (Plus I prefer the Bay area to its rival down the coast!) This is why I am so excited to see SFO is back on the…
Tiny Intersky insolvent
Austrian airline Intersky ceased flying immediately this week. The cessation was caused by the company that owned four of the planes leased by Intersky recalling them over unpaid leasing charges.The company reportedly owes five million Euros mainly to airports in Europe. A potential investor then withdrew their interest in the airline. The airline’s only owned plane flew the carrier’s last service from Zürich, Switzerland to Graz, Austria. The video below shows Intersky Dash 8 taking off from Graz for Zurich two months ago. Intersky, started operations in 2002. They flew charter and scheduled flights from Graz and Salzburg to…
Transaero Terminated
Out of the 90 carriers I have flown, none have been Russian. I had wanted to try private Russian airline Transaero’s legendary Imperial First Class with its gold embroidered seats, cotton sheet sets and special China! Its First Class came 16th in the world’s First Class cabins. Alas not to be for the airline closed their doors on 26 October 2015, days from their 24th Birthday on 5 November. Transaero had aimed to keep flying through to 15 December but its operating certificates were revoked after Russian banks withdrew support. The safety authorities then determined that Transaero’s massive debt posed a hazard…
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