Qantas first formed on the 15th of November, 1920, 96 years ago this month. For its first 24 years, it carried only its name on the tail of its aircraft: Qantas, short for Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services. The Australian carrier adopted the flying kangaroo in 1944. The symbol was itself adapted from the Australian one penny coin. The airline has changed its symbol four times since. In 1947, with the arrival of Lockheed L749 Constellations on the Sydney to London route, a 63 hour multi-stop service known as “The Kangaroo route”. To celebrate the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Local Ferry in the Maldives
Spending some time in the Maldives (my 62nd country). This nation consists of 1000+ islands in the middle of the Indian ocean southwest of Sri Lanka… Few of the citizens of the Maldives ride between the islands in private seaplanes or speedboats. They use a network of ferries. Here is our ferry from the island of Maafushi to the capital Male. Route 311 operates six days a week and is operated by MTCC (Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc). It costs around $US3 for the 90 minute ride. Passing traffic: Arriving in the capital Male: A very…
Malaysia Airlines Airbus 330 Business to Kuala Lumpur
ADL Adelaide, Australia to KUL Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia MH136: Scheduled Departure: 08:40 Arrival: 14:55 Distance: 5,689 km -3,535 miles I have been flying very regularly between Australia and Asia for the last three years. Often these flights have been with Malaysia Airlines (MH) because of their good fares, excellent service and One World connection. Despite the troubles Malaysia Airlines have had, I have kept flying them. Malaysia currently fly from five Australian ports. On this occasion, I chose a flight from the city of Adelaide. This route was first for me. Malaysia currently fly from five Australian ports. On this occasion, I chose a…
Obnoxious Flyers increase–why?
He was seated two seats ahead of me, on the last (and delayed) service between two major Australian cities. Soon after take off, it became clear he was drunk. He started off with what seemed to be funny banter, turned into mocking behaviour and then became full on racist and sexist abuse of cabin crew and neighbouring passengers. In all of the 1140 times I have flown, I have seen passengers whose behaviour was less than ideal but there has only been one flight where I have feared for my safety. I have I have been…
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