Safety videos.. love ’em or hate em? Airlines have worked on different ways to get our attention for the crucial minutes of the safety briefing. Qantas last year launched a new video featuring real Australians sharing real activities and scenes from Australia. I loved last year’s video which I saw 40 times (yes I have that info recorded!). Apparently another 35 million people also watched this safety video aboard Qantas planes through 2016. Today February 1, 2017, sees the launch of the Qantas Safety Video 2017! I have been fortunate enough to have visited 14 of the 16…
Small plane, Big Service to Amman: Royal Jordanian’s Economy
DOH: Dohar, Qatar to AMM: Amman, Jordan RJ647 Embraer 175 Scheduled Departure: 12:30 Arrival: 14:25 2 hour 55 min flight Total distance: 1,047 miles / 1,671 km / 902 nautical miles Booking: 8/10 On this sector, it was a toss up between Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian. I figured it was time for a revisit with RJ as I have had more Qatar flights in recent days. While I believe, QR are the superior airline, RJ have a very solid, pleasant product. RJ’s website has been updated since I last used it. The improvements look visually good. The initial booking page…
Airline responses to US Visa freeze
Major airlines appear to be responding with flexibility at the current banning of the citizens of seven countries from entering the USA.If you know people affected they can contact their airline:- Air Canada: waiving change fees and allowing refunds Air New Zealand: Any customer currently booked to travel with Air New Zealand who finds that their travel is impacted should contact them directly to discuss options American Airlines: if your travel is impacted by this regulation, contact Reservations. British Airways: is offering refunds or rebooking options for US travel Delta: “will make every effort to contact…
The Trump Travel Bans – My Reaction
Update One: British dual nationals have now been exempted from the banning Update Two: People who have already been given permission to be in the USA may return there. This is blog about travel and not politics and I try not to cross boundaries. The events of this week have so shocked me, I need to make comment. I have been to New York many times and stared at the words on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming…
Air Asia to fly to the USA -UGH
Air Asia was once so bankrupt that when CEO Tony Fernandes bought it, he got it for pocket change. It cost him, just over one US quarter in 2009! Mr Fenendaz has worked hard to re-invent the company so it is now one of the largest low-cost carriers in the world with 176 planes (mostly Airbus 320s with some Airbus 330s for long haul) and 168 destinations. AirAsia has been named as the world’s best low-cost carrier for eight years in a row including in the year 2016. Now, the company has announced it has FAA permission to fly…
The world’s best airline: Qatar Airways Economy Dubai to Doha
DXB, Dubai International, UAE to DOH Doha Hamad International Airport Qatar: Qatar Airways QR1025 Scheduled Departure: 09:30 Arrival: 09:40 1hour 10 (In reality, a 40 min flight) Total distance: 235 miles /383 kilometres/ 207 nautical miles Since I first started flying Qatar Airways five years ago, they have never let me down. Consistently high service with leading edge on everything. I often wonder if on my next trip with them, I will be disappointed. Has not happened yet! Today, a review on my shortest flight ever with them! Was curious to see if they keep their standards up!…
Make Your Travel Better in 2017- My Seven key tips
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! I am obviously a big fan of travel and encourage people to just go explore the world and meet the people of their destinations. My aim is to create friendships and relationships across borders, see the world and grow personally. I do this by combining days off with leave, public holidays and unpaid leave to maximise the opportunities. Work Hard. Play Hard is definitely my motto! Too many people do…
Fixing Poor Passenger Behaviour
Following my post on Expedia’s annual survey of poor passenger behaviour, I have been considering how can airlines and authorities improve the situation? In 1993, Park, Robertson and Wu found that service value, passenger satisfaction, and airline image each have a direct effect on passengers’ behaviour. Meeting (or exceeding) passenger expectations raise passenger satisfaction levels and results in better behaviour. So what would I do to fix things?: Create more pleasant airports- compare the stress levels of passengers at Singapore airport with JFK! Rethink the check-in, security and boarding procedures which result in passengers doing…
How are Airlines addressing Poor Passenger Behaviour?
Coupled with the Expedia finding that almost a quarter of air travellers think other passengers are discourteous and the knowledge that air rage and discourtesy incidents have been climbing, I reached out to some airlines to ask them what they are doing about it. Responses were not helpful: We trust that our customers will act in a manner conducive to a pleasant atmosphere for all. JetBlue and We want every customer to enjoy a pleasant and trouble-free travel experience when traveling with us or any of our oneworld partners. American and Martin, we truly value…
Expedia names US Worst Passengers-I say its time to Ban reclining seats!
Expedia engages GfK market research company each year to identify the passenger behaviours that infuriate others. This year, 1,005 US citizens aged 18 and over gave their feedback. The good news, which not many have focused on, is that 79 percent of people believe that “for the most part, fellow passengers are considerate of one another”. But this means 21 percent of passengers are gripey with rest of the public. Interestingly, the top three poor behaviours people encounter on planes, are unchanged from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Airplane Etiquette surveys. In order of frustration caused: 1. The Rear…
Recent Comments