Frequent Traveller - News & tips for frequent travellers!

Qantas and Airservices Australia aspire to the future

2008-10-22T04:13:18-07:00

Qantas said today that its inaugural A380 service between Los Angeles and Melbourne had saved thousands of kilograms of carbon emissions under a joint initiative with Airservices Australia and the Asia and South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions group (ASPIRE).

ASPIRE involves Airservices Australia, the United States Federal Aviation Administration and Airways New Zealand working with airlines on a series of demonstration flights to highlight the potential for reducing emissions on trans-Pacific flights.

Under the ASPIRE initiative, Qantas’ first A380, operating as QF94 used electrical power on the ground in Los Angeles rather than running its auxiliary power unit, and was given:

priority clearance from air traffic control for taxiing and departure;
a priority departure route out of Los Angeles and unimpeded climb through to cruise altitude, allowing it to reach its optimum cruise altitude as quickly and efficiently as possible;
a user preferred route for the most efficient path taking into account winds and aircraft weight and;
two real time updates of current weather and wind conditions that allowed the flight crew to modify their flight path.

Qantas Chief Risk Officer, Mr Rob Kella, said the flight demonstrated that a high level of co-operation between all sectors of the aviation industry could achieve world’s best practice efficiency.

“Airlines like Qantas are investing billions of dollars in the most fuel efficient aircraft and in reducing the environmental impact of their operations,” Mr Kella said.

“By working with key industry partners like Airservices Australia, we can fly the most fuel efficient flight paths which, if translated across our fleet, would deliver significant reductions in fuel burn and reduced impact on the environment.”

Virgin Blue launches Newman Karratha services

2008-10-20T19:46:41-07:00

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines will step up its commitment to Western Australia with the launch of two new destinations along with an additional flight between Perth and Broome.

The carrier will begin flights to two of WA’s key mining communities, today launching daily direct services between Perth and Newman and double daily flights between Perth and Karratha.

In traditional form and in honour of its foray into the WA mining market, Virgin Blue has announced a special “ORE-SOME $9*” sale fare (inclusive of taxes and surcharges) one-way between both destinations and Perth. 1,000 fares will be up for grabs via www.virginblue.com.au at 5pm WA time (7pm AEST) for one hour or until sold out. Flights are for travel in November and December 2008.

Virgin Blue’s first flight to Newman will touch down at 9.10am and the inaugural flight to Karratha will land at 2.30pm. On board both flights will be a strong Virgin Blue contingent, including Senior Executive (and former Newman local) Richard Tanner, as well as VIP Guests from the corporate and mining sectors.

Flight Schedules

Qantas creates history with A380

2008-10-20T04:53:13-07:00

Qantas today became the first airline to operate commercial A380 flights between Australia and the US West Coast, when its inaugural A380 service departed Melbourne for Los Angeles.

The flight left Melbourne at 11.15am, and is scheduled to land in Los Angeles at 7.30am, where it will be met by Qantas Ambassador-at-Large John Travolta, Australian entertainment legend Olivia Newton-John and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said Qantas’ decision to fly its first commercial service to the United States was a mark of its commitment to growing the trans-Pacific market.

“We have operated air services between Australia and the United States since 1954 and have invested significantly over our 54 years of operation to develop these routes.”

Today, we offer 47 services a week to the US, plus daily extensions to New York. In fact, we offer more services to the USA than any other international market with the exception of New Zealand,” he said.

Mr Dixon said Qantas would follow its Melbourne-Los Angeles inaugural A380 service with its first Sydney-Los Angeles service on Friday, 24 October.

The Qantas A380 is configured with 450 seats in four cabins – 14 in First Class, 72 in Business Class, 32 in Premium Economy and 332 in Economy Class – with interiors designed by world renowned Australian industrial designer and Qantas Creative Director Marc Newson.

Mr Dixon said Qantas would take delivery of three A380 aircraft by the end of 2008, and have eight in service by the end of 2009. Its 20-strong order would be delivered by the end of 2013.

“By the end of 2009, when our eighth aircraft has been delivered, Qantas will offer daily A380 services to Los Angeles from Melbourne.”

He said the airline’s first A380 services to London, via Singapore, would commence in January 2009.

Qantas A380 Naming Ceremony

2008-10-14T05:30:07-07:00

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QantasLink reaches half a million target for breast cancer

2008-10-14T05:05:04-07:00

QantasLink today announced it had raised $516,000 in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) as part of its Diamond Partnership commitment.

The airline donated the funds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation at a celebratory community breakfast in Emerald, Central Queensland, this morning. Qantas Group General Manager Regional Airlines, Mr Narendra Kumar, said QantasLink had exceeded its original fundraising target of $500,000 by holding a range of events throughout regional Australia during the last year.

“We are pleased to have exceeded our commitment, and congratulate the people of regional Australia for their generosity in helping us to reach this great result. “Throughout October last year we donated $1 for every passenger travelling on a QantasLink service to NBCF. This initiative alone resulted in regional Australians helping us to raise over $350,000.

“Statistics show that awareness of breast cancer treatment and prevention options in regional Australia is significantly less than in city areas. We hope these vital funds raised for breast cancer research will ultimately help to fund a cure,” Mr Kumar said.

Mr Kumar said the airline’s partnership with NBCF was launched in October 2007 by painting a QantasLink Bombardier Q400 aircraft pink to increase awareness of breast cancer in regional Australia.

“The aircraft, known as the ‘Pink Link’, has been operating across our regional network for over a year. It has transported a number of NBCF Ambassadors to attend QantasLink Pink Link festivities in towns across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, ACT and Tasmania.

A special range of merchandise was also developed, including pink caps, pink key tags and models of the QantasLink ‘Pink Link’ plane. To purchase any of these products please visit www.pinklink.org.au.

Virgin Blue brings new jet aircraft era to Mildura

2008-10-12T20:01:36-07:00

Virgin Blue Airlines will make its first foray in to north-west Victoria today, taking off from Melbourne at 10.40am and touching down in Mildura at 11.40am for the first time.

The carrier will be bringing a full flight of Guests to celebrate Virgin Blue’s expansion in to rural Victoria.

Mildura represents the ideal destination for Virgin Blue to operate its brand new executive style EMBRAER E-Jets, which are earmarked to fly to new regional centres which have potential for growth, competition and market stimulation. The E-Jet has 78 seats, 2x2 leather seating and is tailored to suit smaller markets.

Flight Schedules

Qantas to reduce fuel surcharges

2008-10-08T05:53:09-07:00

Qantas announced today it would reduce its international fuel surcharges in response to recent falls in oil and jet fuel prices. The changes will apply to bookings made on or after Thursday 9 October 2008. The Executive General Manager of Qantas, Mr John Borghetti, said the new international fuel surcharges (one way) would be:

From Australia	New surcharge ($A)	Previously ($A)
UK and Europe	$190	$210
Mainland USA, Canada, South America, South Africa and India	$150	$165
Asia, Pacific, Honolulu	$110	$120
New Zealand	$65	$70

“Although the price has fallen below US$100 a barrel in recent days, oil remains very volatile and a major challenge for the airline industry,” Mr Borghetti said.

Mr Borghetti said the surcharge reduction would be accompanied by domestic fare reductions.

“Qantas domestic and QantasLink regional fares across a range of routes will be reduced by approximately 2-3 per cent,” he said.

Mr Borghetti said at current oil prices, and even after hedging and fuel saving measures, the Qantas Group’s fuel bill this year would still be $1.3 billion higher than in 2007/08.

Qantas aircraft diverts to Learmonth

2008-10-07T02:24:28-07:00

Qantas said today that a number of passengers and crew sustained injuries, including fractures and lacerations, on board QF72 this afternoon en route from Singapore to Perth following a sudden change in altitude.

The flight, operated by an A330-300 aircraft with 303 passengers and 10 crew, diverted to Learmonth in Western Australia and landed at approximately 3.30pm local time. The flight had been due to land in Perth at 3.50pm. Emergency services, including medical attendants, met the aircraft on landing. Qantas said there were no details available at this stage as to what caused the altitude change.

American Airlines to Filter Internet Service

2008-10-06T14:46:50-07:00

American Airlines said on Tuesday that it would filter an in-flight Internet service to block pornography sites after complaints from flight attendants and passengers.

American said it was working with a technology provider, Aircell, to allow filtering of its nascent Internet service.

American, said it had not received reports that passengers were viewing “inappropriate content” on the Gogo in-flight service but said filtering was “an appropriate measure to take.”

via NYC Times

Trump International Tower Hotel - Chicago

2008-09-27T15:30:21-07:00

Only Donald Trump would have the nerve to open a hotel — at $400 a night and up — in a building still under construction. The upside, for Mr. Trump, is that he has money coming in. The downside, for guests, is that arriving at the hotel means navigating scaffolding and plywood barriers. Construction also brings extra noise (I heard drilling from my room, although not until 11 a.m.) and extra dirt on the floor-to-ceiling windows. Worse, some of the rooms with the desirable Chicago River and Lake Michigan views are unavailable because there are cranes blocking the east side of the building.

Despite all of that, there are wonderful aspects to the Trump, especially if you’re into excess. One of the first things you’ll see in your room is a bottle of water that costs $25.

via NYC Times

More unions on board for Alitalia plan

2008-09-26T04:35:06-07:00

Representatives of Alitalia's flight attendants on Friday agreed to a rescue plan for the bankrupt airline as the government continued talks to bring all unions on board.

The ANPAV union signed the deal, agreeing to some 1,300 layoffs among flight attendants, the group's president, Massimo Muccioli, said during a news conference held at the premier's office.

Negotiations with the pilots union and other groups that have opposed the plan were still ongoing.

Alitalia's survival chances got a boost Thursday when aviation authorities allowed the airline to keep flying after Italy's biggest union withdrew its objections and agreed to the plan, which envisions selling the company's good assets to a group of Italian investors.

The plan had originally been withdrawn by the investors after some unions balked at layoffs, route eliminations and other concessions, but after Thursday's breakthrough officials said the new Alitalia could be in place by mid-October.

via USA Today

BA cancels flights from Heathrow

2008-09-26T04:23:52-07:00

British Airways cancelled more than a dozen flights Friday following an air traffic control computer glitch a day earlier, the airline said.

British Airways flights within Britain and Europe headed to or leaving from Heathrow Airport were affected Friday. Other airports were back to normal.

The computer problem happened Thursday afternoon at a control centre outside London run by air traffic control company Nats. The problem resulted in a restriction of the number of planes entering British airspace.

Air traffic control company Nats has had computer problems on several occasions since opening its control centre in Hampshire in 2002.

"We take every step to avoid any problems but are always aware that in maintaining and updating highly complex systems we can experience difficulties," Nats' operational performance director Ian Hall said in a statement.

via USA Today

Shareholders OK Delta Northwest Merger

2008-09-26T03:40:00-07:00

Delta Air Lines shareholders gave the go-ahead Thursday to the company's purchase of Northwest Airlines by approving the issuance of new stock as part of the transaction.

The vote, which was overwhelmingly in support of the deal, came at a meeting near Atlanta. Earlier in the day, Northwest shareholders approved the combination during a meeting in New York.

The deal announced April 14, which would create the world's biggest carrier, still requires Justice Department approval. One other potential hurdle for the deal is a federal lawsuit seeking to block the deal that is set for trial Nov. 5 in San Francisco.

Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson, who will keep his position after the combination, would not discuss the lawsuit, but he indicated the carrier maintains its goal of completing the deal by the end of the year.

"We are still focused on that timeline and believe we can accomplish the timeline as stated," Anderson told reporters after the Delta shareholder vote.

Northwest shareholders will get 1.25 shares of Delta stock for each share they own if the combination is completed. That values Northwest at roughly $2.8 billion, based on Delta's current stock price and the 277 million Northwest shares outstanding or still to be issued as part of its bankruptcy reorganization plan. That's about $800 million less than the value when the deal was announced April 14.

The combined airline would be called Delta and keep its Atlanta headquarters. Northwest would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta during the integration process. Delta hopes to obtain a single Federal Aviation Administration operating certificate in 15 to 18 months.

via USA Today

'Breakthrough' may keep Alitalia in business

2008-09-25T04:15:09-07:00

Alitalia's four major union confederations signed off on a resurrected rescue plan Thursday to keep the bankrupt Alitalia airline aloft, signaling a possible breakthrough just as civil aviation authorities were considering whether to ground Italy's flagship carrier.

While the deal still lacks crucial backing from pilots and flight attendants, there was a mood of cautious optimism.

Alitalia's administrator, Augusto Fantozzi, said a new Alitalia could be relaunched by mid-October, but he appealed to travellers to book flights on the national carrier to secure its future.

"Alitalia flies, and it continues to fly, but there has been a reduction in the sale of tickets due to the public's understandable uncertainty and doubts. ... We need to say, 'Buy Alitalia tickets,'" Fantozzi told a press conference.

He said ticket sales were down by 100,000 during September, as tough negotiations with unions put Alitalia's future in doubt.

via USA Today

Carbon Planet Calculates Flight Emissions

2008-09-09T06:55:10-07:00

Ever been curious how much of an impact your flight has on the environment? The Carbon Planet Flight Emissions Calculator estimates roughly how many tons of CO2 your airline is dumping into the atmosphere each time you fly.

Alitalia files for bankruptcy protection

2008-08-30T05:02:30-07:00

Alitalia said Friday it has filed for bankruptcy protection, taking the first step in a plan to restructure and downsize Italy's failing national carrier.

The company said its board had asked the government to appoint an administrator and had declared insolvency to a Rome court.

Augusto Fantozzi, a tax law expert and former finance minister, is expected to be tapped as the government-appointed administrator.

The government and others involved have been secretive about the negotiations to save the state-run carrier, but the plan reportedly envisages the breakup of Alitalia into two parts.

The profitable assets will be taken over by a group of Italian investors ready to inject $1.5 billion into the airline. The bad assets will be spun off into a separate company for liquidation.

The plan is the latest attempt by the government to sell its 49.9% stake in the loss-making airline following a failed bid by Air France-KLM earlier this year.

via USA Today

NYC worst US city for flight delays

2008-08-26T07:27:23-07:00

The US department of transport has released figures regarding air travel delays during the busy US summer travel season.

John F Kennedy International (JFK) in New York was worst among North America’s 40 busiest airports, with less than 55% of flights arriving on-time
LaGuardia (LGA), also in New York, was the 2nd worst with 58% on-time arrival rate
Rounding out the NYC trio was Newark International (EWR) with a 60% on-time arrival rate
- For reference, the average at all other major airports was 74%
JetBlue was the worst performing airline in July with less than 70% on-time arrival rate
American Airlines was worst in June, with only 58% on-time arrivals

So, if your travelling to the US and would like to avoid delays, consider flying to Salt Lake City (on Southwest Airlines). SLC had nearly an 86% on-time performance, and as usual Southwest was the major carrier with the best on-time performance. Here is the full report

via More than Points

Delta to introduce inflight Wi-Fi

2008-08-04T07:17:10-07:00

Delta, following the lead of its competitors, has announced plans to rollout wireless broadband internet access on all its domestic mainline fleet by mid-2009.

"Delta is joining with Aircell®, a 17-year leader in airborne communications for business and commercial aviation, to install the company’s Mobile Broadband Network on the carrier’s domestic fleet. The system, Gogo™, will enable Delta customers travelling with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the Internet, corporate VPNs, corporate and personal e-mail accounts, as well as SMS texting and instant messaging services. Gogo will be available to customers for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours.

“Delta remains committed to providing a travel experience that maximizes the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering them even more productivity options,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. ”Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and we’re responding by rolling out the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky. Beginning this fall, our passengers will have the ability to stay connected when they travel with us throughout the continental U.S.”

Gogo will be offered initially on Delta’s fleet of 133 MD88/90 aircraft and will rapidly expand to the remaining domestic fleet of more than 200 Boeing 737, 757 and 767-300 aircraft throughout the first half of 2009. The airline expects to have more than 330 aircraft complete by summer 2009. The full fleet agreement between Aircell and Delta will provide a consistent, convenient experience for customers travelling on the airline who wish to use the Gogo Internet service."

New Qantas Domestic Business Class lounges

2008-07-03T18:59:00-07:00

Qantas said today it would open new, dedicated Domestic Business Class Lounges within its key airport terminals in Sydney and Melbourne in July.

Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said the new lounges would provide theairline’s Business Class customers and top tier Qantas and oneworld Frequent Flyers with an exclusive space to relax or work prior to their flight.

“Our new lounges have been purpose-built to provide space, increased privacy and a range of business services for our premium customers,” Mr Borghetti said.

Qantas Domestic Business Class Lounges will include:

quiet work suite
computer access and complimentary wireless Internet
premium selection of hot and cold food
barista service
separate bathroom and private shower suites
lighting created by renowned Dutch design label, Moooi

Qantas Domestic Business Class Lounges will open in Sydney on 5 July, in Melbourne by the end of July, in Canberra in October and in Perth in 2010. Qantas’ Domestic Business Class Lounge opened in Brisbane on 30 June.

Mr Borghetti said the new lounges were part of an extensive upgrade of Qantas’ domestic airport facilities.

“Qantas is the business travellers’ airline and our facilities are designed to meet their particular needs,” he said.

“The existing Qantas Club will continue to be a dedicated space for our Gold Frequent Flyers and customers with a Qantas Club membership.

”Other recently updated Qantas services include complimentary wireless connectivity in all Australian Qantas Clubs, dedicated Meeting Rooms in Sydney and Melbourne, and Qantas Web Connect workstations in gate lounges offering PCs, power charging outlets and wireless connectivity hotspots in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

Technorati Tags: Qantas,Business Class,Qantas Club,Business Class Lounges,Airlines,John Borghetti

Earn Double Asia Miles at Novotel Hotels

2008-07-03T01:03:34-07:00

Are you ready for a relaxing city break? With Novotel's City Breaks package you can visit major cities across the globe and enjoy a wide range of hotel privileges during your stay.

Simply stay in any one of 150 participating Novotel hotels, located in 35 countries and be rewarded with Double Asia Miles! Offer is valid between 1 July and 31 August 2008.

For full details visit the Asia Miles web site.

Technorati Tags: Asia Miles,Cathay Pacific,Marco Polo,Novotel Hotels,Accor Hotels

CX warns profit to disappoint

2008-07-02T13:27:57-07:00

Cathay Pacific Airways warned yesterday that its profits would be "disappointing'' this year because of rapidly rising fuel costs.

The Hong Kong-based airline said it paid 60 percent more for jet fuel in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2007.

The most recent spot price for jet fuel was more than 90 percent higher than the company's average price last year, it said.

Earnings during the first-half and full-year periods "are expected to be disappointing,'' the carrier said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. "It is not possible to estimate accurately the effect of high jet fuel prices on the 2008 financial results.''

The airline hiked its ticket surcharge by 37 per cent last month to help offset high fuel prices after receiving approval from regulators.

Cathay shares fell 5.4 per cent to close at HK$14.06 after the warning. Its stock has shed more than 27 percent this year amid worries over fuel prices.

via The Economic Times

Technorati Tags: Airlines,Cathay Pacific,Fuel

New Qantas Frequent Flyer Program

2008-06-30T08:13:58-07:00

Qantas today unveiled its new Qantas Frequent Flyer program, offering over five million members the option of using points to book any seat on any Qantas or Jetstar flight.

The Chief Executive of Qantas Frequent Flyer, Mr Simon Hickey, said the enhanced program combined a range of new and expanded benefits with the more traditional fixed points redemption option that had been available to members for many years. “These changes will establish the program as a world leader among loyalty programs in terms of the value it offers members and the breadth of product choices,” Mr. Hickey said.

He said that from today, Qantas Frequent Flyer members had three different options for obtaining award seats:

Qantas and Jetstar Any Seat Awards
Allows members to use points for any seat including taxes and charges on any flight with a QF or JQ number. Not all special promotional fares are available as Qantas and Jetstar Any Seat Awards and Award flights must be booked at least 24 hours before scheduled departure;

Points Plus Pay
Allows members to use a combination of points and a credit/charge card payment, for Qantas and Jetstar Any Seat Awards and in the Qantas Frequent Flyer online store; and

Qantas and Partner Classic Awards
The traditional option of using a set number of points for a limited number of seats on Qantas, Jetstar and partner airlines, with no change to the points required.

For full details regarding the new Qantas Frequent Flyer please click here.

Technorati Tags: Qantas,Qantas Frequent Flyer,Airlines,Frequent Flyer Points

QF to meet with aircraft engineers

2008-06-26T08:03:19-07:00

Qantas confirmed it will hold talks with striking aircraft engineers on Monday to try to resolve a wage dispute which has disrupted flights.

Qantas cancelled 19 domestic flights on Friday in the latest disruptions after members of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) walked off the job in four of the country's biggest cities in support of a 5 percent wage rise.

Their campaign has disrupted flights in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth over the past week, with Qantas offering a 3 percent wage rise to around 1,500 engineers.

Qantas has begun carrying out aircraft maintenance offshore and said it could permanently move jobs offshore if the rolling work stoppages continue.

The carrier is looking to employing engineers in London and the United States, possibly antagonising union members at home.

via Reuters

Technorati Tags: Qantas,Aircraft Engineers,Airlines

American Airlines to reduce workforce

2008-06-26T07:49:19-07:00

Management and support jobs will be cut by 8 percent as the world’s biggest carrier, American Airlines trims flights to counter surging jet-fuel costs.

The number of job losses wasn’t specified in a letter sent Wednesday to employees. Fort Worth, Texas-based American has said it will cut “thousands” of jobs as it shrinks operations later this year.

The letter is American’s first mention of the scope of job cuts that will accompany its 12 percent capacity reduction in the fourth quarter.

via thenewstribune.com

Technorati Tags: American Airlines,Airlines

Cathay Pacific fleet explained

2008-06-23T03:31:13-07:00

New inflight product is being progressively installed throughout the Cathay Pacific aircraft fleet, there will be a mix of aircraft used on Australia-Hong Kong routes and beyond. To help you better understand which aircraft will operate a particular flight, we have listed the various aircraft codes in the table below. To see aircraft seating plans, simply click here

Passengers wishing to travel together in the new Business Class should be advised that seats are contained in individual suites and are not in a side-by-side configuration.

Aircraft code	Aircraft type	Details
333	Airbus A330	3 class with FCL flat bed, JCL sleeper seat
33B	Airbus A330	2 class with JCL flat beds,YCL cocoon seats
330	Airbus A330	2 class with JCL seats
34C	Airbus A340	2 class with JCL sleeper seats
34D	Airbus A340	3 class with FCL flat beds, JCL sleeper seats
346	Airbus A340	3 class with FCL flat beds, JCL sleeper seats
74J	Boeing 747	3 class with FCL flat beds, JCL sleeper seats
74A	Boeing 747	3 class with FCL suites, JCL flat beds, YCL cocoon seats
744	Boeing 747	3 class with FCL flat beds, JCL sleeper seats
77A	Boeing 777	3 class with FCL suites, JCL flat beds, YCL cocoon seats
773	Boeing 777	2 class with JCL seat
777	Boeing 777	2 class with JCL seat

Technorati Tags: Cathay Pacific,Airlines,Aircraft

United Continental to co-operate globally

2008-06-19T02:06:24-07:00

Continental Airlines and United Airlines today announced a framework agreement to cooperate extensively, linking their networks and services worldwide to the benefit of customers, and creating revenue opportunities and cost savings and other efficiencies. In addition, Continental plans to join United in the Star Alliance, the most comprehensive airline alliance in the world.

“Continental's plan to partner with United and join the Star Alliance will provide substantial new opportunities for all of our customers,” said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO of Continental. “In a network business, there is significant value gained from linking with larger networks to provide truly national coverage and expanded global reach, and exploring new ways to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. As we experience some of the most challenging conditions airlines have ever faced, we look forward to the benefits of a new relationship with United and the other Star Alliance members.”

via united.com

Technorati Tags: United Airlines,Continental Airlines,Star Alliance

QF A380 now on sale!

2008-06-15T15:47:54-07:00

Seats on Qantas’ new flagship, the Airbus A380, went on sale today, ahead of the airline’s first A380 flight – from Melbourne to Los Angeles – on 20 October 2008. Qantas Group General Manager Sales and Distribution, Mr Rob Gurney, said the A380 would operate on selected flights from Melbourne and Sydney to the USA, and would be introduced progressively on selected flights from Sydney to Singapore and London from early 2009.

He said the first Qantas A380 would operate two return services each week between Australia and Los Angeles – one from Melbourne and one from Sydney, from 24 October.

With the introduction of a second A380 aircraft in November, the airline would operate:

two return Melbourne-Los Angeles A380 services each week – QF93 on Mondays and Wednesdays,
with the return QF94 operating the same nights;
and three return Sydney-Los Angeles services – QF11 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with the return QF12 also operating the same nights.

Technorati Tags: Airfares,Airlines,Qantas,A380,Rob Gurney

MH launch new website

2008-06-11T04:43:55-07:00

Malaysia Airlines has launched its new website, featuring the look and feel of Malaysian Hospitality, and more user friendly features.

Sporting vibrant colours which reflect the multi ethnicity of Malaysia, the new website is more intuitive, facilitating browsing, navigation, booking and purchase of air tickets.

A new prominent feature of the website is "Ask MH". This section enhances the airline's customer value proposition by providing visitors with a database of more than 200 Frequently Asked Questions relating to the airlines' product and services. If more clarification is required, customers can submit their questions via the "Ask a Question" section within "Ask MH" and their questions would be attended to by a dedicated team of customer relations officers.

Technorati Tags: malaysia airlines

Cathay not about to slash and burn costs

2008-06-11T03:58:24-07:00

Cathay Pacific Airways says it will not adopt a "slash and burn" strategy to cut costs in the face of soaring oil prices but rather redeploy capacity to its most revenue-generating routes.

CX chief executive Tony Tyler said there were no plans to cut routes. In Cathay's internal newsletter CX World, Tyler said: "What we want to do is redeploy capacity rather than cut, flying to where we can maximize our revenue."

Tyler said demand and bookings remain strong through the summer and beyond.

via hk.news.yahoo.com

Technorati Tags: Cathay Pacific,Tony Tyler

Tiger axes Newcastle flights

2008-06-10T18:03:27-07:00

Tiger Airways, will axe its daily service between Melbourne and Newcastle in the first sign that it too is feeling the pressure of rising jet fuel prices.

"Tiger has had to re-allocate its resources to meet the demand in its next stage of growth,'' Tiger Airways spokesman Matt Hobbs said in a statement.

"This has resulted in some unforeseen changes to the schedule, including the suspension of services to Newcastle from 11 August, 2008.''

Technorati Tags: Tiger Airways,Newcastle,Matt Hobbs