787 drawn across USA

I love this. Randy Tinseth, vice president, marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle shared in his blog that a 787-8 with GE engines,  on an  18 hour 9,000 nautical miles Maximum ETOPS (Extended Operations) Duration flight test managed with its flight path to effectively draw the numbers 787 and then the Boeing Logo! Here is what it looked like.  Related Posts See 787 handed over to ANA – LIVE

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United and Continental – Married at last!

Once upon a time there was a USA airline that I really liked.   Texas based Continental Airlines flew to 140 cities with an attitude to service I really liked. Between 1991 and 2001, I flew Continental the equivalent of two trips around the world. I ranked them consistently the best US “legacy” airline for a while In the same story was Continental’s beau- United airlines.  I have long had a love hate relationship with them. Flew United a lot but don’t ever feel I really bonded – especially when they served me up some of the worst flights I have been on. I have travelled 103,586…

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Wednesday Weirdness: I don’t wanna go to work

There are some very drastic ways not to go to work. On Sunday 12th February,a British Airways flight en route between  Tokyo and London with 150 passenegrs, a note  was reportedly found scrawled on one of the  toilet doors:  “The bomb on board will explode at 16.00 GMT unless our demands are met.” Terrorist? Disgruntled passenger? Flight Attendant? Well on touchdown, Flight attendant Mathew Davis was arrested when the Boeing 777 landed safely at Heathrow after its 10,000-kilomtre (7 000 mile) journey. His DNA,  mugshot and fingerprints were taken at the Heathrow Airport Police station. The next day…

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Farewell BA Bangkok – Sydney Trip Report

This is the fourth time I have flown British Airways on this sector- and my last. BA will cease flying this route from this Friday March 3rd.  Qantas will terminate its Bangkok to London services on March 26th and its planes will turn around in Bangkok. Instead both airlines will “swap” passengers at Bangkok. The same thing is happening with their Hong Kong flights. Both airlines will maintain their services via Singapore (the “Kangaroo Route”). This shorter “hop” will be where all through Australia-London passengers will be fed. Passengers going via Hong K and Bangkok will be choosing to stop. I have some disquiet about how…

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Reflections on Gulf Air

This week I fly from the Middle East to Paris where I will be competing in the Paris Half Marathon.  Then I have a quick train trip to see friends in Amsterdam! See map below. Last week, I landed at my 195th airport in my life: Bahrain in the emptiest plane I have ever been on. It was an Etihad 777 from Abu Dhabi that I swear was 10 to 15% full. Crew said the large plane was used because it was transporting freight. Arrival at Bahrain  was frustrating because of the “security situation” (petrol bombs, tear gas, rubber bullets…

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China Southern’s Third 380 and Airbus CEO Reassures

China Southern  has been flying their first A380s on domestic routes within China. This means they have had the world’s largest number of passengers on a single domestic flight surely? I have been advised they will start flying their A380 in March from Beijing to Hong Kong. The timetable says: Flight:  CZ310  will leave Beijing (PEK) at 0850 and arrive at 1220 into Hong Kong (HKG). It then returns as CZ 309 departing at 1440 and arriving 1750 back to Beijing. I can’t wait to fly it – I have been on the other six airline’s flying 380s;…

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Security Thieving [Updated]

At Auckland International Airport two years ago, I encountered a petty official at the security check point with a petty attitude. I placed my computer on the conveyor belt and waited for it to go through. She insisted that I proceed through the X ray machine before my laptop did but I would not leave my computer unwatched. I see people throwing wallets, keys and watches into the open trays and then marching on through the metal detectors, leaving the stuff on then conveyor belt, ready to be pushed through – by anyone. I put those items…

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This week: 20 to 26 February, 2012

So how was last week? This week I am back with Etihad up to the Middle East.  Am wondering what they will do with my Platinum card (last time I flew them I was Gold). In Melbourne (where I am starting my journey from), they use the Air New Zealand lounge which is a very nice one. Safe travels to you!

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