I am flying from Dubai to Bangkok in December and I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of options for the 5000km/3000 mile flight. There are hundreds of viable Business Class and Economy Class options. If I travel the hour and a half journey by car to Abu Dhabi, there are hundreds more. While only three airlines (FlyDubai, Emirates and Thai) run direct services, they still have ten direct services a day between them. Multiple indirect services go via a whole range of fascinating stopover places! Kazakhstan anyone? So I kept playing and searching. I found in…
Abu Dhabi
Tag Archives for Abu Dhabi.
“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.…
The airlines that failed in 2014
Overall, fewer carriers seemed to fail in 2014. For many airlines, it was a much more profitable year. Of concern was how many of the carriers that collapsed were only flying for months. I am tempted to call 2014 “the Year of the shortlived airline”. Air One Italy: 23 November, 1995 to 30 October, 2014 Fleet: 10 Alitalia’s low cost subsidiary never quite made sense. Following the takeover of Alitalia by Etihad, Air One was shut down. AirTran USA: 26 October, 1993 to 28 December, 2014 Fleet: 138 Destinations: 72 (at peak) On 28…
Etihad unveils flying hotel!
I am most envious of those who got to fly to Abu Dhabi to see the launch of flag-carrier Etihad’s A380 last week! The feature that has grabbed the world is the creation of “The Residence”. This announcement of these features have trumped Korea’s on board duty free shop and Emirate’s First Class showers! The 11 square metre (125 sq ft) Residence will be located at the front of the Upper deck and consists of three rooms: a living room, bedroom with double bed, and private bathroom with shower. Both living room and bedroom feature…
Qantas/Emirates: Positive, Negative, Alternative
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJmj_KgH_x8 With a spectacular flyover Sydney by two Airbus A380s, the Qantas/Emirates “partnership” was officially “birthed” a week ago. Announced in July, 2012, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce claimed this was the most important deal in the 92 year history of the airline. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission gave final approval for the alliance after deciding that the deal will not lead to negative effects for passengers. It however, rejected Qantas’ argument that its international operations face a ”terminal decline” without the Emirates alliance. There are lots of pluses for Qantas passengers but I have yet to…
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…
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!
Trip Report: Etihad Evaluated
Nine years ago, Etihad did not exist. Today the airline flies over seven million people to 82 destinations in 64 planes. They have the record for the fastest growing airline in the world and for one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history, ordering at Farmborough in 2008, 205 aircraft – 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights. They sponsor football fields in Australia and the UK, the Irish hurling championships, some teams and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. They have won awards for being the “World’s Leading Airline” in 2009, 2010 and 2011. They have also…
Etihad World #1 Airline
Etihad, the Abu Dhabi based airline has won for the third year in a row the award of World’s Leading Airline 2011. Check out of the video of the awards. The award was previously won by Singapore in 2008. Prior to that British Airways had gained the award every year from 1994 to 2007 with the exception of 2003 when Virgin Atlantic won. Other winners are listed here: http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2011-1 They included Qatar Airways for leading Business Class and Cathay Pacific Airways obtaining Leading Economy Class. No US airline got an award except for American Airlines for their…
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