Last year in my controversial post on my ten worst airlines, I nominated Spirit as the third worst airline in the world (and worst in the USA). Now a satirical post highlights how bad they are! In an Onion report, the FAA is quoted as saying that passengers should boycott the carrier: “Nobody with any shred of dignity should ever fly Spirit Airlines, the report states” The article while intended to be humorous has major elements of truth: The airline touts its low fares, but it costs $45 to check your bag at the airport,…
Branson’s flight a drag
In 2010, Virgin Atlantic Sir Richard Branson made a bet with Air Asia owner Tony Fernandes over who’s Formula 1 Racing team would finish higher in the 2010 season. Whoever’s team won would have to serve as a flight attendant on one of the other airline’s flights. Fernandes won. Branson will fly dressed as a flight attendant on Air Asia’s Perth to Kuala Lumpur flight next Sunday May 12th. He will carry out all of the responsibilities of a flight attendant on the six-hour flight. Fernandes who worked for Branson at Virgin in the 1980s said: “who would have thought my mentor will…
Protect your Bags!
Something to strike fear into the hearts of passengers who check bags in. Italian authorities 18 months ago, installed hidden cameras at several airports across Italy. Police then viewed over 2,000 hours of footage taken by these cameras. The footage showed Alitalia baggage handlers deliberately picking luggage locks, cutting open suitcases and stealing money, electronics, jewellery and other items. One employee was taped while attempting to break into a suitcase by stabbing it multiple times. Take a look: The Italian National Police arrested 86 Alitalia employees as a result of the footage. The thefts occurred on board Alitalia planes and in areas…
787 takes to the sky -Who, Where and Why
After a three-month break from mid January until late April, an elaborate battery fix and two US test flights, the 787 is back in the air. I have previously described the changes that are being installed by 300 Boeing technicians to the planes across the world. Interestingly, the Japanese authorities have insisted on additional alterations in addition to the changes mandated by the FAA. They have insisted ANA and JAL install battery monitoring systems to monitor the battery performance and to carry out an inspection program to battery changes are working effectively. These additional precautions do not apply to any other airlines flying 787 Three questions: Why has the US FAA not…
Horrific 747 Crash
The 747 is one of my favorite planes. Last Monday, 29th April, a National Airlines 747-400 (registration N949CA) crashed shortly after take off from a refueling stop at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. All seven on board perished. The Taliban claimed responsibility but it looks to me more like the plane stalled just after take off. A camera captured the extraordinary crash (NB video is disturbing and contains “bad” language) RIP to the crew of National Airlines flight 102. Related Posts “Damn it, we’re going to crash” AF447
Spring Airlines introduces themed uniforms
Would you fly this airline? Spring Airlines, a Chinese low cost carrier is introducing a series of themed flights for passengers: We’re mixing up our flights with some fun onboard themes – like these maid and butler costumes. What’s your favourite theme that you’d like to see onboard a Spring Airlines flight? Let us know .. and we’ll try our best to make your dream come true. Online reaction has been mixed: You’ve gotta be kidding me. Objectifying [sic] flight attendants is the last marketing/promotion strategy you wanna use. I wonder what your passenger demographics look like.…
No drinks on Turkish?
What happens when societal attitudes impact on an airline’s on board offerings? When I flew with Turkish airlines last year, their on board catering blew me away. Catering that included an impressive wine list. Whilst researching the airline, I was interested in the number of conservative Turks who lambasted the airline’s “lax attitude to alcohol” which is viewed as incompatible with religious practice. For an airline that has the slogan “Globally Yours”, this gives room to potential conflict. In February this year, the airline stopped serving alcohol on most domestic routes “due to logistical considerations.“. The airline…
Qantas to Bangkok-Trip review
This was no ordinary flight for me. According to my flightmemory, it was my 950th flight ever. In addition, it was my 275th flight with Qantas and my 24th on an Airbus A330. Booking: 9 out of 10 Qantas’ booking engine is very streamlined. Six steps take you from enquiry to payment. If you are logged in as a Qantas Frequent Flyer, then the amount of information required to be typed in is minimal. Thanks to Skyscanner, I found the same fare on another website for $249 less. This saved me almost a third of the fare. It has annoyed me…
Keeping track of exchange rates
Look up the monetary conversion rates before you go. Finding out that your dollars won’t go as far as they do back home is a nasty shock. I use currency xe online – its also a downloadable app If you prefer a paper based tool, gocurrency has a tool that allows you to perform a currency calculation and print it on paper tuck into your wallet or handbag.
Introducing the British Airways A380
Revealed this week an A380 for the tenth operator of the A380 British Airways. The plane is due to be delivered by July, 2013 followed by three more this year and then another eight after that to make a grand total of 12 for the carrier. The plane will be flying initially between – London and Los Angeles from 15th October (as BA268 and 269) – London and Hong Kong from 15th November as BA25 and BA26 The BA A380 will have 469 seats in a four class set up: 1. BA First Class –…
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