Ok - not the greatest of offers, but every penny counts these days
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Valid Class: Tempo (Economy - Y)
Promo Valid Until: 06/08/09
*Terms and conditions.
* booking made between 13/07/2009 and 06/08/2009
* outbound flight made between 13/07/2009 and 14/12/2009, depending on the destination.
* return flight between 13/07/2009 and 14/12/2009, depending on the destination.
* immediate payment over the website and issuance of an e-ticket
* class of travel: Economy (Tempo)
* minimum price of ticket before the reduction and application of any taxes, surcharges and service charges: £200
Not the greatest of offers, but hey. A penny there, a penny here. It all adds up. No mention of miles in the T&C's, so assume it'll qualify for the miles under your SkyTeam plan...
Friday, 31 July 2009
Airline news Roundup
Well it's near the end of the week (and it's been awful here) so lets do some news that might affect you.. or not
BA's food Debcale
Need I say much more? No signs of climbdown or anything alas.
Qatar Wuss out - I mean "reassured by Boeing" over 787
Showing that indeed airlines are slaves to airframe makers sometimes, it seems Qatar are happy with the "reassurance" of the 787 programme, with the threat of cancellations (30+30) seem to be put aside for now.
Saying that, they're accepting only frames from 2012, and not the overweight planes. Boeing have their work seriously cut out I suspect...
Southwest heads to the Frontier
Seems as though its bargin time in the US Aviation industry as SouthWest Airlines are putting in a bid for Frontier Airlines, citing as strongest bid by all interested parties, including Frontier employees, management and its creditors.
How they'll operate it is anohter matter - SouthWest is 737-xxx shop, where as Frointier is an Airbus A32x and a Dash shop - be it as wholey owned to start with. However, with economies of scale - I doubt that a mixed fleet will last for long for...
Of course - the courts could just sell everything to Republic Airlines... Speaking of which...
Republic of Hawiai. A bit of Mokulele anyone?
With Republic Airlines seemingly spreading itself far and wide, it investment in Mokulelele is paying off with higher passenger numbers. However profit is eluding them (which lets face it - not many airlines are turning that much of a profit these days)
And speaking of losses....
Singapore looses money behind the sofa, Lufthansa tries not to loose much more
Seems like all the big airlines are feeling at the moment, with SIA loosing over $212 million, and Lufthansa making a small profit of $8 million. Seems like cargo, pax and trade is down across the board.
Stand by for more cuts.
Ethiopian Airlines go for it - Orders A350's and 777's
I'll freely admit this was off my radar, but Ethiopian are going for a major expansion with the orders of 5 777-200LR's and 12 A350's. With what longhaul fleet they have a the moment (767's) this is one heck of an expansion combined with the 787 fleet on order.
And they've tied up with Lufthansa to share M+M earning and rewards - Who can sniff a possible entry into Star Alliance here?
Turkish Airlines have spare cash to splash - Orders 777's
It seems the experience of leasing the Jet Airways 777's is paying off with TK ordering an extra 7 aircraft, taking the ordering commitment to 12 777-300ER's. Depending on the configuration used, I suspect this is going to work out very well for TK with a good First class product and reasonable C and Y....
That's it for news. I'll think of some airplane p0rn to go online tomorrow...
BA's food Debcale
Need I say much more? No signs of climbdown or anything alas.
Qatar Wuss out - I mean "reassured by Boeing" over 787
Showing that indeed airlines are slaves to airframe makers sometimes, it seems Qatar are happy with the "reassurance" of the 787 programme, with the threat of cancellations (30+30) seem to be put aside for now.
Saying that, they're accepting only frames from 2012, and not the overweight planes. Boeing have their work seriously cut out I suspect...
Southwest heads to the Frontier
Seems as though its bargin time in the US Aviation industry as SouthWest Airlines are putting in a bid for Frontier Airlines, citing as strongest bid by all interested parties, including Frontier employees, management and its creditors.
How they'll operate it is anohter matter - SouthWest is 737-xxx shop, where as Frointier is an Airbus A32x and a Dash shop - be it as wholey owned to start with. However, with economies of scale - I doubt that a mixed fleet will last for long for...
Of course - the courts could just sell everything to Republic Airlines... Speaking of which...
Republic of Hawiai. A bit of Mokulele anyone?
With Republic Airlines seemingly spreading itself far and wide, it investment in Mokulelele is paying off with higher passenger numbers. However profit is eluding them (which lets face it - not many airlines are turning that much of a profit these days)
And speaking of losses....
Singapore looses money behind the sofa, Lufthansa tries not to loose much more
Seems like all the big airlines are feeling at the moment, with SIA loosing over $212 million, and Lufthansa making a small profit of $8 million. Seems like cargo, pax and trade is down across the board.
Stand by for more cuts.
Ethiopian Airlines go for it - Orders A350's and 777's
I'll freely admit this was off my radar, but Ethiopian are going for a major expansion with the orders of 5 777-200LR's and 12 A350's. With what longhaul fleet they have a the moment (767's) this is one heck of an expansion combined with the 787 fleet on order.
And they've tied up with Lufthansa to share M+M earning and rewards - Who can sniff a possible entry into Star Alliance here?
Turkish Airlines have spare cash to splash - Orders 777's
It seems the experience of leasing the Jet Airways 777's is paying off with TK ordering an extra 7 aircraft, taking the ordering commitment to 12 777-300ER's. Depending on the configuration used, I suspect this is going to work out very well for TK with a good First class product and reasonable C and Y....
That's it for news. I'll think of some airplane p0rn to go online tomorrow...
Thursday, 30 July 2009
BMI sticks knife in BA - BMI Diamond Club members fall about laughing.
Well if you're going to stick the boot in, you might as well try and do it in some style. BMI has responded to BA's cuts with some choice quotes
Source: http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/6595/27/lang,english/
Following BA’s announcement this week that it will no longer offer meals on short-haul flights, bmi, the number one airline out of London Heathrow’s Terminal 1, reconfirmed its commitment to offer food on all domestic and European routes.
Err. Hang on two seconds. Food is complimentary in Business, however step away into Economy, and it's paid for (unless you're a BMI Blue+ member or above. Other Star Alliance Elites need not apply)
bmi’s Managing Director, Peter Spencer, commented: "It’s interesting to see that BA has decided that removing inflight catering should be part of its ongoing cost cutting programme"
Didn't BMI do this and call it Modularisation in 2006? Replace the Food product with a By On Board (BOB option)?
“bmi continues to be a major force in domestic flying and as the second largest airline flying out of Heathrow we offer a value for money service in contrast to BA’s cost cutting and the low-cost carrier alternatives.”
Yes BMI. Being second is something to indeed shout about.
"The importance of bmi’s dining offering was also underlined in June this year when the airline opened the doors to its new international lounge, bmi Number One Heathrow where a range of delicious food is available including steaming hot soup from a stunning custom-made black Aga"
The BMI Aga. And no mention of course that the Number One lounge at LHR is limited to International flights only (except Dublin). So if you're flying Domestic routes or to Dublin's fair city, you're relegated to the BMI Domestic Lounge... which is pants.
Is that any way to run an airline?
Source: http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/6595/27/lang,english/
Following BA’s announcement this week that it will no longer offer meals on short-haul flights, bmi, the number one airline out of London Heathrow’s Terminal 1, reconfirmed its commitment to offer food on all domestic and European routes.
Err. Hang on two seconds. Food is complimentary in Business, however step away into Economy, and it's paid for (unless you're a BMI Blue+ member or above. Other Star Alliance Elites need not apply)
bmi’s Managing Director, Peter Spencer, commented: "It’s interesting to see that BA has decided that removing inflight catering should be part of its ongoing cost cutting programme"
Didn't BMI do this and call it Modularisation in 2006? Replace the Food product with a By On Board (BOB option)?
“bmi continues to be a major force in domestic flying and as the second largest airline flying out of Heathrow we offer a value for money service in contrast to BA’s cost cutting and the low-cost carrier alternatives.”
Yes BMI. Being second is something to indeed shout about.
"The importance of bmi’s dining offering was also underlined in June this year when the airline opened the doors to its new international lounge, bmi Number One Heathrow where a range of delicious food is available including steaming hot soup from a stunning custom-made black Aga"
The BMI Aga. And no mention of course that the Number One lounge at LHR is limited to International flights only (except Dublin). So if you're flying Domestic routes or to Dublin's fair city, you're relegated to the BMI Domestic Lounge... which is pants.
And whilst we're on the subject of food itself, it's interesting to note from feedback on Flyertalk that if you're using a Gold Upgrade Voucher (GUVs) - or in some cases not - Food isn't being loaded up, and the onboard service is getting very minimal in business class - to the point where GUV users in the end get a bigger seat (if they're lucky) and Economy food.
Is that any way to run an airline?
Of course... if in doubt - blame the economy for any ills....
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
BA cuts food in Shorthaul travel, takes one step closer to the race to the bottom
BA. The worlds cash-strapped airline seems to be going for broke on the savings front. As well as getting staff to work for nothing or on sabbatical, a pay cut from the flight deck of 2.6%, and of course WeeWhille working for nothing in July seems to be finally looking to its onboard product... and is promptly making cuts to food.
Now this has been mumuring around the net, but in basic terms
The race to the bottom is one full service airlines can't get involved in - for the simple reason, with the diversity of the crews, airplane types, service contracts - they will only loose.
Lets hope this is a short term option and that BA can dig itself out of this hole.
Now this has been mumuring around the net, but in basic terms
- EuroTraveller - No food for flights under 2.5 hours (Band 1, Band 2, Band 3A) Except for Breakfast, it's birdseed - I mean the skybites snacks.
- Club Europe - Cutbacks in food styles and Band 1 and 2 food styles merge. And don't expect warm towels. Coffee is now instant too.
- And there are changes in catering on World Traveller flights under 10 hours (hint - its a sandwich and watercuplet now), Club World has its 2nd meal service "enhanced" to a minimal size whilst increase the snack bar, and First alas has little changes here and there
The race to the bottom is one full service airlines can't get involved in - for the simple reason, with the diversity of the crews, airplane types, service contracts - they will only loose.
Lets hope this is a short term option and that BA can dig itself out of this hole.
We apologise for the delay in the next post...
Sorry I haven't posted recently - things in the real world (tm) are taking over my life.
I'll have some content a bit later on - if I wake tonight...
I'll have some content a bit later on - if I wake tonight...
Monday, 27 July 2009
Sir.. you realise a Whip is a WMD?
Ah. You've gotta love the alternative communities.
This gem from the San Francisco Chronicle
Of sex toys, weapons and airplanes - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/steinberg/detail?entry_id=43569 Now for those in the know, a whip is hardly a weapon. But as of course it's metal, the TSA in Seattle has a field day (TSA and Seattle and me don't go together... I sympathise completely).
" I watch her face as she digs through the cuffs, the latex straps, the blindfold, the ziplock bag with condoms, rubber gloves and lube, the ziplock bag with miscellaneous nipple clamps, butt plug, and so forth, Mark Chester's wonderful spandex full-body bondage bag (if you don't have one, you should, but that's another story), the wonderful soft leather scratch gloves with the sharp metal points scattered across the palm and fingers. Her face stays 100% deadpan throughout, an impressive show of professionalism."
Well at least they remained professional and non freaked out. Makes a change (and people wonder what's in my kippy bag - here's a hint: don't ;))
"Finally she finds what she's looking for -- what I knew she would get to sooner or later -- my springy little whip with the 6" metal handle, the whip that no one knows seems to know how to categorize"
I'll ding you 5 points for the z in categorise, but alas, this is your own fault alas. As much as the TSA in Seattle seem to wreck anything, there are sometimes a toy shouldn't travel ;)
You can't take this on the airplane," the security guard says definitively, looking me staunchly in the eye.
I'm trying not to fall about laughing. Ok. That lasted all of 5 seconds. Sometime "vanillas" do need a push in the right direction. But professional at least.
So finally...
When you pick up your luggage, don't forget that this one is a plastic bag," she says as I start to leave.
Like everything, planning is so key to anything in life ;)
This gem from the San Francisco Chronicle
Of sex toys, weapons and airplanes - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/steinberg/detail?entry_id=43569 Now for those in the know, a whip is hardly a weapon. But as of course it's metal, the TSA in Seattle has a field day (TSA and Seattle and me don't go together... I sympathise completely).
" I watch her face as she digs through the cuffs, the latex straps, the blindfold, the ziplock bag with condoms, rubber gloves and lube, the ziplock bag with miscellaneous nipple clamps, butt plug, and so forth, Mark Chester's wonderful spandex full-body bondage bag (if you don't have one, you should, but that's another story), the wonderful soft leather scratch gloves with the sharp metal points scattered across the palm and fingers. Her face stays 100% deadpan throughout, an impressive show of professionalism."
Well at least they remained professional and non freaked out. Makes a change (and people wonder what's in my kippy bag - here's a hint: don't ;))
"Finally she finds what she's looking for -- what I knew she would get to sooner or later -- my springy little whip with the 6" metal handle, the whip that no one knows seems to know how to categorize"
I'll ding you 5 points for the z in categorise, but alas, this is your own fault alas. As much as the TSA in Seattle seem to wreck anything, there are sometimes a toy shouldn't travel ;)
You can't take this on the airplane," the security guard says definitively, looking me staunchly in the eye.
"Why not?" I ask in all innocence.
"It's a weapon," she informs me.
I roll my eyes for dramatic effect. "That's not a weapon," I object plaintively, "it's a toy."
She continues to look me in the eye, neither humored nor annoyed -- like I say, very professional. "Whatever it is, you can't take it on the plane."
Ah. The classic "is it a toy" discussion. Been there. Done that. Classed it as an artistic implement in my lost luggage... but at least she's remained professional. To be honest, you can do a lot more damage with the gloves - but that of course is besides the point...I'm told that I can take the whip back to the ticket counter and ask them to check it through as a separate piece of baggage. "Sometimes they'll do that, sometimes they won't," the baggage inspector warns. I pick up the bag, then the whip. For the first time, her face softens. She really doesn't hold it against me that I'm traveling with a whip.
"Tell them that security said you couldn't take it on the plane," she offers. "That should help." I thank her for the advice.
She's human. Maybe there is a human side to the TSA after all. And maybe she's non-judgemental. Big thumbs up there. Now lets head to the ticket desk to wake up a ticketing person..."What is it?" the ticket agent asks as she types someone else's flight information into her computer.
"It's a whip," I say matter-of-factly, holding it up to show her.
The ticket agent stops typing, looks at the whip, looks at me, looks back at the whip.
"I won't ask," she says, as if to herself.
"I'll tell you anything you want to know," I say with exaggerated solicitude.
"That's all right," she declines.
I'm trying not to fall about laughing. Ok. That lasted all of 5 seconds. Sometime "vanillas" do need a push in the right direction. But professional at least.
So finally...
When you pick up your luggage, don't forget that this one is a plastic bag," she says as I start to leave.
I look at her and we both smile. "Don't worry," I say, "I won't forget."
Ahhh. And all is well in the world. However, if you're planning to take "alternative props" with you, plan to 1) pack in your hold luggage, 2) collect TSA inspection forms, and 3) put proper and descriptive description of items.Like everything, planning is so key to anything in life ;)
Sunday, 26 July 2009
787 Update - Can we fix it? Yes we can... eventually!
(I started typing this - then work got in the way. And Drink).
It seems Boeing has hired Bob the builder to sort a fix to ZA001 - the first flying frame. And the good news is they've found where and how to fix it.
The bad news is it's in the back end of beyond.
As usual, Jon at FlightBlogger at has the full technical breakdown, but to sum up a few points:
And whilst this is going on - its good to know these tests are happening, and that they're validating correctly. The fact that its annoying the heck out airlines is besides the point
There's also a viscous rumour going around there may be (dread the thought) a SECOND customer for 747-8I (the passenger version)... and we should look east to the next set of orders....
It seems Boeing has hired Bob the builder to sort a fix to ZA001 - the first flying frame. And the good news is they've found where and how to fix it.
The bad news is it's in the back end of beyond.
As usual, Jon at FlightBlogger at has the full technical breakdown, but to sum up a few points:
- Slippage. Like the A380/A400M programmes, the time lines are lengthening. 6 weeks to 3 months is now the estimate for Airplane 1 (the first production 787).
- Desgins are being fiddled with so the stresses don't migrate to different parts of the plane.
And whilst this is going on - its good to know these tests are happening, and that they're validating correctly. The fact that its annoying the heck out airlines is besides the point
There's also a viscous rumour going around there may be (dread the thought) a SECOND customer for 747-8I (the passenger version)... and we should look east to the next set of orders....
Friday, 24 July 2009
Breaking news - OpenSkies to suspend AMS-JFK
Well don't say I didn't see this coming an mile off when I posted http://www.ghettoife.com/2009/07/psst-wanna-buy-airline.html
OpenSkies have now confirmed that Amsterdam to New York JFK is suspended from 16th August.
Passengers are being rerouted via London on LHR-JFK Club World services.
A quick and nimble move according to the press release. I'd say more like the slow end of OpenSkies with the decline of premium traffic on all sectors.
OpenSkies have now confirmed that Amsterdam to New York JFK is suspended from 16th August.
Passengers are being rerouted via London on LHR-JFK Club World services.
A quick and nimble move according to the press release. I'd say more like the slow end of OpenSkies with the decline of premium traffic on all sectors.
IFE News - It's been busy...
Ok- a quick roundup in the world of In Flight Entertainment (yes - on topic for this blog for once!)
US Airways signs with GoGo for Wireless connectivity - Leapfrogs United.
Yes - my favourite airline has leapfrogged United and has decided to plump for GoGo wireless, and will be installing it in A321 aircraft. With a 50 aircraft deployed currently and an additional 15, that is a sizeable chunk of its fleet.
Of course, don't expect it over water, and a very limited deployment to start with. United is deploying WiFi on its PS services initially... but snails seem to move faster than some of United's Business plan...
Continental - We do TV!
Continental is seeming to continue with its push to introduce more live TV options, with a formal launch of an 80 channel PAYG system. Little discussion of Inflight Internet though. Initial deployment is on the 737-9 fleet with the rest of the US Domestic fleet to follow
Singapore Airlines - 777-300 IFE Refit
Yes - Singapore Airlines who's cabins look very nice tyvm will be doing a refit to 7 of their 777 fleet to bring it into line with their A380/B777-300ER, whilst confirming they will be dropping the remainder of their 747-400 fleet next year. For those considering redemptions with Singapore airlines (who sometimes need to be reminded they're members of Star Alliance) - this will impact - Check your tickets carefully and check premium award levels. Something tells me these are dropping quicker than you can say "Sell Virgin Atlantic!!!"
Delta - More WiFi.. for ETOPS?
Yes, the airline that tells you smoking is not allowed is updating their ETOPS 757's with WiFi. Deployment for these could be anywhere, with an eye to using WiFi internationally. If so, that would be a major coup for Delta... Speaking of more intenrational...
Lufthansa - Brining back the Connextion?
Brought to you from EuroHansa the airline that has far too money as it snarfles up any spare airline, it seems they want to reintroduce what was Boeing Connnextion - a WiFi/Satalite internet service. Part of the reason why it was shut down was lack of use and cost. Now it seems, with more people with netbooks and execs wanting to work more on the road... and people using MSN/Twitter/Facebook to catch up with the world, it seems that Connextion is being targeted FLEETWIDE.
Now if that is truly the case, I'd expect some seriously good pricing to make it work and a real en-mass deployment - and enough of a hit of it for other EU Airlines to take note of whats going ion
US Airways signs with GoGo for Wireless connectivity - Leapfrogs United.
Yes - my favourite airline has leapfrogged United and has decided to plump for GoGo wireless, and will be installing it in A321 aircraft. With a 50 aircraft deployed currently and an additional 15, that is a sizeable chunk of its fleet.
Of course, don't expect it over water, and a very limited deployment to start with. United is deploying WiFi on its PS services initially... but snails seem to move faster than some of United's Business plan...
Continental - We do TV!
Continental is seeming to continue with its push to introduce more live TV options, with a formal launch of an 80 channel PAYG system. Little discussion of Inflight Internet though. Initial deployment is on the 737-9 fleet with the rest of the US Domestic fleet to follow
Singapore Airlines - 777-300 IFE Refit
Yes - Singapore Airlines who's cabins look very nice tyvm will be doing a refit to 7 of their 777 fleet to bring it into line with their A380/B777-300ER, whilst confirming they will be dropping the remainder of their 747-400 fleet next year. For those considering redemptions with Singapore airlines (who sometimes need to be reminded they're members of Star Alliance) - this will impact - Check your tickets carefully and check premium award levels. Something tells me these are dropping quicker than you can say "Sell Virgin Atlantic!!!"
Delta - More WiFi.. for ETOPS?
Yes, the airline that tells you smoking is not allowed is updating their ETOPS 757's with WiFi. Deployment for these could be anywhere, with an eye to using WiFi internationally. If so, that would be a major coup for Delta... Speaking of more intenrational...
Lufthansa - Brining back the Connextion?
Brought to you from EuroHansa the airline that has far too money as it snarfles up any spare airline, it seems they want to reintroduce what was Boeing Connnextion - a WiFi/Satalite internet service. Part of the reason why it was shut down was lack of use and cost. Now it seems, with more people with netbooks and execs wanting to work more on the road... and people using MSN/Twitter/Facebook to catch up with the world, it seems that Connextion is being targeted FLEETWIDE.
Now if that is truly the case, I'd expect some seriously good pricing to make it work and a real en-mass deployment - and enough of a hit of it for other EU Airlines to take note of whats going ion
Thursday, 23 July 2009
UK Goverment gets a clue - All Change on the GWML!
Ok - a slight deviation from the norm - I'm going to talk about those things that go on wheels and snake across the country side and cities - Trains and Railways (I promise not to make a habit of this).
Something that has been on is the lack of continuing Electrification of the Railways in this country. Where Diesel powered trains are all well and good, the perceived environmental damage diesel does, the extra weight needed to lug the fuel and engine (and least of all if you're downwind of a InterCity 125 its gas mask time).
Of course, there was also the small matter of privatisation of the railways in the 90's that ground any major project to a halt - with companies investing in short term solutions as the franchise length is very very short.
So HM Government has actually got a good idea from the strategy boutique and have concerted on getting a major segment of the UK Railway System updated - the Great Western Main Line between London Paddington and Swansea, with infiles to Oxford, Bristol and Bath
Source: Network Rail and Department of Transport.
There's also a little inflill scheme between Manchester and Liverpool too..
Source: Network Rail and Department of Transport.
Well. It's a start. The Government of the day tends to slide rail priorities down further than a fireman sliding down a pole - with air travel branded as a villain. If the UK is hell bent on meeting its "green" credentials, then there must be more schemes to increase our usage of rail, and increase electrification (for example, smaller infill projects to connect parts of the network electricity (eg, Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, Birmingham to Nuneaton) to big electrification projects (Midland Main Line, HSL2).
Something that has been on is the lack of continuing Electrification of the Railways in this country. Where Diesel powered trains are all well and good, the perceived environmental damage diesel does, the extra weight needed to lug the fuel and engine (and least of all if you're downwind of a InterCity 125 its gas mask time).
Of course, there was also the small matter of privatisation of the railways in the 90's that ground any major project to a halt - with companies investing in short term solutions as the franchise length is very very short.
So HM Government has actually got a good idea from the strategy boutique and have concerted on getting a major segment of the UK Railway System updated - the Great Western Main Line between London Paddington and Swansea, with infiles to Oxford, Bristol and Bath
Source: Network Rail and Department of Transport.
There's also a little inflill scheme between Manchester and Liverpool too..
Source: Network Rail and Department of Transport.
Well. It's a start. The Government of the day tends to slide rail priorities down further than a fireman sliding down a pole - with air travel branded as a villain. If the UK is hell bent on meeting its "green" credentials, then there must be more schemes to increase our usage of rail, and increase electrification (for example, smaller infill projects to connect parts of the network electricity (eg, Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, Birmingham to Nuneaton) to big electrification projects (Midland Main Line, HSL2).
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Kip Hawley on why Mascara and Lipstick are treated differenty
As some may know, I'm not a fan of Kip Hawley when he ran the TSA.
Actually. Scrub that. I wasn't a fan of Kip Hawleys TSA full of stop (something about wrecking my luggage, damaging equipment inside the luggage and not ringing me back after 2 kindly worded emails)
So I found this gem today on Youtube.
So if it's solid - it won't destroy an aircraft, yet if its slightly liquid, its a WMD. Of course, put it in the bag and it becomes insta-safe.
What did we all say many moons ago about Kippy?
That's right. - KIP HAWLEY IS AN IDIOT
(the 787 is update is tomorrow - I knew I should had done structural engineering instead of IT..)
Actually. Scrub that. I wasn't a fan of Kip Hawleys TSA full of stop (something about wrecking my luggage, damaging equipment inside the luggage and not ringing me back after 2 kindly worded emails)
So I found this gem today on Youtube.
So if it's solid - it won't destroy an aircraft, yet if its slightly liquid, its a WMD. Of course, put it in the bag and it becomes insta-safe.
What did we all say many moons ago about Kippy?
That's right. - KIP HAWLEY IS AN IDIOT
(the 787 is update is tomorrow - I knew I should had done structural engineering instead of IT..)
Analysis: The Boeing 747-8 Series - Win or Fail?
Believe it or not, people are still interested in Quad Engined jets still. But why?
A few reasons :
No ETOPS requirement. ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) of extending twin engine aircraft that at points during the joureny are greater than a 60 minutes' flying time from an divertion point with one engine inoperative. There are differnet grades of ETOPS Type Certification (90, 120, 180), and also different grades of ETOPS operator. Examples of ETOPS aircraft are the 737, 757, 767, 777, the A320 Series and the A330 Series.
They can lift heavy amounts. Belive it or not, there's an lot of cargo shifted by air. 747's are good at shifting stuff around either in the cargo bay... or as a cargo plane
C'mon. It's big and better! Well it's what you do with the size that matters to be honest - but in civil terms, the Boeing 747 is a very popular cargo and passenger plane.
So there are few Quad Engined large aircraft in common service - the Airbus A380 (which to lift that hulk in the air, 4 engines wouldn't a bad idea), the Airbus A340 (with those ammeniac engines and very low climb speed, it's still a wonder that can get in the air) and of course - the Boeing 747 Series (various subclasses).
And so, Boeing announced the 747-8 to the world - and the first airframe is slowly coming together.
Picture - Boeing Company.
The visible design change is that winglets are now out of fashion, and we're off to raked wingtips (turblance control... saves a lot of fuel in the long run). In addition, there are stretches of the main body too - and of course a new plane means new engines - this time 787 derived engines (a lot of 787 technology has made its way into this design - hence the 8 designator) from GE (GEnx class)
The 747-8 project has two major forks in it
My short analysis. The 747 is alas fading fast from view as a passenger airliner, and in fact is heading more towards its 2nd view when the 747 project was initiated those years ago - as a cargo jet.
Whilst the future of twinjet engined aircraft is assured thanks to ETOPS and the cost savings of not have four engines pushing at full power, there will still be a need for heavy jets that can take the cargo back and forth - and thus the need for more efficient and lower running cost aircraft. Hopefully the 747-8 will have some part in that.
(787 Update Analysis later on when I have time to translate the news into English)
A few reasons :
No ETOPS requirement. ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) of extending twin engine aircraft that at points during the joureny are greater than a 60 minutes' flying time from an divertion point with one engine inoperative. There are differnet grades of ETOPS Type Certification (90, 120, 180), and also different grades of ETOPS operator. Examples of ETOPS aircraft are the 737, 757, 767, 777, the A320 Series and the A330 Series.
They can lift heavy amounts. Belive it or not, there's an lot of cargo shifted by air. 747's are good at shifting stuff around either in the cargo bay... or as a cargo plane
C'mon. It's big and better! Well it's what you do with the size that matters to be honest - but in civil terms, the Boeing 747 is a very popular cargo and passenger plane.
So there are few Quad Engined large aircraft in common service - the Airbus A380 (which to lift that hulk in the air, 4 engines wouldn't a bad idea), the Airbus A340 (with those ammeniac engines and very low climb speed, it's still a wonder that can get in the air) and of course - the Boeing 747 Series (various subclasses).
And so, Boeing announced the 747-8 to the world - and the first airframe is slowly coming together.
Picture - Boeing Company.
The visible design change is that winglets are now out of fashion, and we're off to raked wingtips (turblance control... saves a lot of fuel in the long run). In addition, there are stretches of the main body too - and of course a new plane means new engines - this time 787 derived engines (a lot of 787 technology has made its way into this design - hence the 8 designator) from GE (GEnx class)
The 747-8 project has two major forks in it
| 747-8F - The Freighter version - this is the aircraft that seems to have garnered the most interest (and the most orders). In simple terms, it's a 5.7 meter stretch (one beyond the Upper deck, one behind the wingbox), a predicted MTOW (Max Take Off Weight) of 440,000 kg, 140,000 kg actual load weight and a range of 4,475 nmi when loaded. It also has a smaller upper deck section than a 747-400/747-8. | 747-8I - The Intercontinental (Passenger) Version - Designed for 467 people in a 3 class configuration, this will be Boeing's largest passenger aircraft. Again - it has a longer stretch in it (another 5.6 meters - in the twin deck and post the wingbox). However, the 747-8 in passenger terms has been overshadowed by its newer sibling - the 787 - which in many respects has cannibalised sales of of the 747-8I (the only airline ordering them in mass numbers i Lufthansa). With the development costs of an aircraft, this does open up questions about the future of this part of the project. However, there could be one little thing that does help it push ahead - the replacement VC-25 Aircraft (best known as Air Force 1) |
My short analysis. The 747 is alas fading fast from view as a passenger airliner, and in fact is heading more towards its 2nd view when the 747 project was initiated those years ago - as a cargo jet.
Whilst the future of twinjet engined aircraft is assured thanks to ETOPS and the cost savings of not have four engines pushing at full power, there will still be a need for heavy jets that can take the cargo back and forth - and thus the need for more efficient and lower running cost aircraft. Hopefully the 747-8 will have some part in that.
(787 Update Analysis later on when I have time to translate the news into English)
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Another Day, Another O'Liar Rant. Someone change the channel please?
So its making it's way around the nets about Ryanair reducing its flights in and out of Stansted (STN) by 40%, and actual flights by 30% - or in real numbers - 4 less B737-800's.
4. Big whoop.
Of course. O'Liar doesn't want to highlight this. Instead, he chooses to bitch about BAA (form a queue - there's a lot of us who wish to moan about the Shopping mall with Airbridges operator) beacuase it costs Ryanair a lot of money to operate out of STN (and what about the other operators? They operate on scotch mist do they?) and Gordon Brown/Alistair Darling due to the rise in APD that has been covered on this blog (Different queue - no priority boarding O'Liar).
Now it is common knoweldge that the UK Avaiton industry (and most of the world aviation) is currently going down the pan - Ryanair's answer by cutting cutting and more cutting isn't the solution.
Marketing is about segments. And yes, there is a segment who will fly for nothing or close enough (as demonstrated by me earlier today). However, there are segements that want service, lounges, treatment like a human being, respect and SERVICE.
Sorry Michael O'Leary. I don't buy a single word you're saying here - only the opportunity for more free press for your airline.
Now if you really wanted to save money, how about getting shot of some of those spare 737-800s?
4. Big whoop.
Of course. O'Liar doesn't want to highlight this. Instead, he chooses to bitch about BAA (form a queue - there's a lot of us who wish to moan about the Shopping mall with Airbridges operator) beacuase it costs Ryanair a lot of money to operate out of STN (and what about the other operators? They operate on scotch mist do they?) and Gordon Brown/Alistair Darling due to the rise in APD that has been covered on this blog (Different queue - no priority boarding O'Liar).
Now it is common knoweldge that the UK Avaiton industry (and most of the world aviation) is currently going down the pan - Ryanair's answer by cutting cutting and more cutting isn't the solution.
Marketing is about segments. And yes, there is a segment who will fly for nothing or close enough (as demonstrated by me earlier today). However, there are segements that want service, lounges, treatment like a human being, respect and SERVICE.
Sorry Michael O'Leary. I don't buy a single word you're saying here - only the opportunity for more free press for your airline.
Now if you really wanted to save money, how about getting shot of some of those spare 737-800s?
Cricket - It CAN be intresting when it's tied to Air fares...
Leather ball on wood. Nothing like the sound of it.
Actually, it bores the hell out of me (that it can be painful if you miss the ball, and it lands somewhere else, but that's another blog entirely.)
However, BA and Qantas decided in the spirit of "The Ashes" (an age old Cricket Series between England and the Australians) to have a little fun with this to drive sales, and set the fares based on the Second Test (2nd match) and the First Innings (1st time each side gets to bat), with the scores meaning different things.
In this case:
England's score would form the amount of seats available
Australia's score would form the cost of the tickets.
Now, if we're blunt, England are known to collaspe at the first sign of an Austrailian bowler. However, for once the England team held their nerve scoring 425 runs all out, and Australia collasped for a change, scoring 215 runs all out.
Let me translate that for you.
Qantas and British Airways were offering a total of 850 seats for £215 LHR-SYD RETURN.
Yes you read that right. £215. (plus a £4.50 booking fee)
... and amazingly - I scored a ticket with BA!
So yes - stand by for a trip report on the worlds airline!
Huming Flower Duet yet? ;)
Actually, it bores the hell out of me (that it can be painful if you miss the ball, and it lands somewhere else, but that's another blog entirely.)
However, BA and Qantas decided in the spirit of "The Ashes" (an age old Cricket Series between England and the Australians) to have a little fun with this to drive sales, and set the fares based on the Second Test (2nd match) and the First Innings (1st time each side gets to bat), with the scores meaning different things.
In this case:
England's score would form the amount of seats available
Australia's score would form the cost of the tickets.
Now, if we're blunt, England are known to collaspe at the first sign of an Austrailian bowler. However, for once the England team held their nerve scoring 425 runs all out, and Australia collasped for a change, scoring 215 runs all out.
Let me translate that for you.
Qantas and British Airways were offering a total of 850 seats for £215 LHR-SYD RETURN.
Yes you read that right. £215. (plus a £4.50 booking fee)
... and amazingly - I scored a ticket with BA!
So yes - stand by for a trip report on the worlds airline!
Huming Flower Duet yet? ;)
Monday, 20 July 2009
Psst? Wanna buy an Airline?
It seems that one of the great experiments is heading to fall flat on its face shortly, with the (majority) sale of BA's OpenSkies operation.
Picture - BA
Openskies is an airline set-up to take advantage of the "Open Skies" agreement between the USA and Europe (and originally to take on SilverJet and MaxJet), so BA set up this "side" airline with a different set-up to is usual - originally Business, Economy Plus and Economy.
Pretty soon the basic economy class went out of the window, at it became an all business class airline, dividing it's product into a BizBed and Biz+. Additionally, it took on L'Avion and brought it up, adding another pair of 757's into the fleet and merged the operating certificate together (and now runs under the French operating certificate)
However, as BA is bleeding cash like it's going out of fashion, BA is looking to save money along the line - be it flogging OpenSkies... or in the worst case scenario, pulling up the shutters and moving back to Heathrow.
Granted, it's route network isn't overly strong (New York JFK and Newark to Amsterdam and Paris Orly)- and its value is in the slots at Orly and a few refitted 757's (although the US slots could be worth a few pennies), and really it was set up at exactly the wrong time when the downturn really started hitting.
Considering the perfect storm that's around - and depending what people are sniffing around OpenSkies for, I doubt it's much longer for this world.
Picture - BA
Openskies is an airline set-up to take advantage of the "Open Skies" agreement between the USA and Europe (and originally to take on SilverJet and MaxJet), so BA set up this "side" airline with a different set-up to is usual - originally Business, Economy Plus and Economy.
Pretty soon the basic economy class went out of the window, at it became an all business class airline, dividing it's product into a BizBed and Biz+. Additionally, it took on L'Avion and brought it up, adding another pair of 757's into the fleet and merged the operating certificate together (and now runs under the French operating certificate)
However, as BA is bleeding cash like it's going out of fashion, BA is looking to save money along the line - be it flogging OpenSkies... or in the worst case scenario, pulling up the shutters and moving back to Heathrow.
Granted, it's route network isn't overly strong (New York JFK and Newark to Amsterdam and Paris Orly)- and its value is in the slots at Orly and a few refitted 757's (although the US slots could be worth a few pennies), and really it was set up at exactly the wrong time when the downturn really started hitting.
Considering the perfect storm that's around - and depending what people are sniffing around OpenSkies for, I doubt it's much longer for this world.
United Airlines - Subliminal Messages Safety Video
Ah... Youtube. It's full of crap. But there are one or two gems in it.
Today's gem is the United Boeing 777-200 safety video. With additions. What are United REALLY trying to say with these videos ... ;)
I knew it - there was an evil master plan after all!!!
Today's gem is the United Boeing 777-200 safety video. With additions. What are United REALLY trying to say with these videos ... ;)
I knew it - there was an evil master plan after all!!!
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Friday, 17 July 2009
EK to bring one of their A380's to BHX ... WTF?
It seems that the airline with lots of hype and variable substance has decided to show off its muscles again, and is deploying not a 2 class 777, not a 3 class 777, not one of their clapped out A330s... but an A380 to Birmingham International Airport (BHX) for a one day promotional trip.
Image - Emirates
WTF?
Now apart from the ground logistics of handling one of these little planes, can BHX handle this thing?
Apparently, it's something to do with the launch of the business lounge and the opening of the new International Pier at BHX to celebrate 70 years of the field.
Now there's something remember - BHX - although serves the 2nd City of the United Kingdom, is the 7th most used airport in the UK - in other words its prime charter and LCC land due to its placement 100 miles north of Heathrow and 60 miles south of Manchester.
There are a few "traditional" carriers, and to be frank, the runway is a bit short so it can just about handle East Coast to the USA, Mid Canada and as far east as Dubai and Islamabad. Amazingly,
Currently booked as:
EK39 - DBX - BHX (08:05 - 12:35) 09/09
EK40 - BHX - DBX (15:05 - 01:05) 09/09
Oh well. Bluster and Showing Off. It's what EK do best I suppose - but in it'll be the first commercial deployment of an A380 to a UK airport that isn't Heathrow.
Now how about some real service to BHX from other carriers please?
Image - Emirates
WTF?
Now apart from the ground logistics of handling one of these little planes, can BHX handle this thing?
Apparently, it's something to do with the launch of the business lounge and the opening of the new International Pier at BHX to celebrate 70 years of the field.
Now there's something remember - BHX - although serves the 2nd City of the United Kingdom, is the 7th most used airport in the UK - in other words its prime charter and LCC land due to its placement 100 miles north of Heathrow and 60 miles south of Manchester.
There are a few "traditional" carriers, and to be frank, the runway is a bit short so it can just about handle East Coast to the USA, Mid Canada and as far east as Dubai and Islamabad. Amazingly,
Currently booked as:
EK39 - DBX - BHX (08:05 - 12:35) 09/09
EK40 - BHX - DBX (15:05 - 01:05) 09/09
Oh well. Bluster and Showing Off. It's what EK do best I suppose - but in it'll be the first commercial deployment of an A380 to a UK airport that isn't Heathrow.
Now how about some real service to BHX from other carriers please?
Thursday, 16 July 2009
BMI Miles - Spend £25, get 300 Destination miles....
BMI is in the mood to throw some miles around again.
By shopping through their on-line portal, if you spent £25, you'll get the miles from the shop, plus an extra 300 miles.
Now at buy rate 1.5p a mile... that's £4.50's worth of miles. Considering a 1000 miles is about £12 + £15 transaction fee = £27, as you probably worked out - this isn't the greatest of offers if you're after miles in a hurry.
However, if you're doing shopping and are spending over £25 anyway - it could be worth it for a few freebies.
By shopping through their on-line portal, if you spent £25, you'll get the miles from the shop, plus an extra 300 miles.
Now at buy rate 1.5p a mile... that's £4.50's worth of miles. Considering a 1000 miles is about £12 + £15 transaction fee = £27, as you probably worked out - this isn't the greatest of offers if you're after miles in a hurry.
However, if you're doing shopping and are spending over £25 anyway - it could be worth it for a few freebies.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Caspian Airlines 7908 - Crash
Another sad day, another crash.
Today - Caspian Airlines flt 7908, left Tehran, heading to Yerecan. Alas, it failed to make it, and crashed 16 minutes after take off with 168 souls aboard. Currently the makeup of the passengers is mostly Armenian, but not 100% accounted for.
The aircraft involved was a Tupolev, Tu-154M, built in 1987, and took off safely with no irregularities reported. It crashed 75 miles from Tehran, leaving a 10 meter hole in the ground, with wreckage spread over 200meters from the point of impact.
Image BBC News/AP.
Today - Caspian Airlines flt 7908, left Tehran, heading to Yerecan. Alas, it failed to make it, and crashed 16 minutes after take off with 168 souls aboard. Currently the makeup of the passengers is mostly Armenian, but not 100% accounted for.
The aircraft involved was a Tupolev, Tu-154M, built in 1987, and took off safely with no irregularities reported. It crashed 75 miles from Tehran, leaving a 10 meter hole in the ground, with wreckage spread over 200meters from the point of impact.
Image BBC News/AP.
Common sense prevals: Common Travel Area Remains!
In a rare act of common sense from Her Majesties Loyal Government, the common travel area between Ireland and the United Kingdom will remain intact with NO PASSPORTS needed between the two countries.
An explanation.
The Common Travel Arera (CTA) between Ireland, United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Island allows citizens to cross between these territories with only the absolute minimum of identity information (ie A driving licence is good enough to board a flight or cross a border for citizens of each country or zone within the area).
Useful CTA map - Wikipedia.
However, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas (MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth) had said ...
"The Common Travel Area that defines the border controls or lack thereof is by its nature presenting a risk, It is being exploited by illegal immigrants and serious organized crime."
Sigh. Are we sure this parliament aren't practising for parts in the re-enactment of "1984"?
However the upper house of the Houses of Parliament has decreed this idea is full of bolderdash and piffle, and thus the although e-borders and APIS will be needed from a time from 2014 onwards (to prevent us from evils, abuses etc - or whatever piffle the government wants to make up), the use of passports between these zones will NOT be required.
Logic at last.
Of course, there is mixed reaction from the travel industries. Sea operators are very happy with this, where O'Liar Airlines moan that "everyone should have passport anyway so we don't care.", whilst ABTA has called for clarification at airports.
My comment? I may travel everywhere with my passport (and that's out of nature), but to know this one method of travel is still passport free if I've only got my drivers licence on me - I can handle this.
Sources:
The Guardian
BBC News
An explanation.
The Common Travel Arera (CTA) between Ireland, United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Island allows citizens to cross between these territories with only the absolute minimum of identity information (ie A driving licence is good enough to board a flight or cross a border for citizens of each country or zone within the area).
Useful CTA map - Wikipedia.
However, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas (MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth) had said ...
"The Common Travel Area that defines the border controls or lack thereof is by its nature presenting a risk, It is being exploited by illegal immigrants and serious organized crime."
Sigh. Are we sure this parliament aren't practising for parts in the re-enactment of "1984"?
However the upper house of the Houses of Parliament has decreed this idea is full of bolderdash and piffle, and thus the although e-borders and APIS will be needed from a time from 2014 onwards (to prevent us from evils, abuses etc - or whatever piffle the government wants to make up), the use of passports between these zones will NOT be required.
Logic at last.
Of course, there is mixed reaction from the travel industries. Sea operators are very happy with this, where O'Liar Airlines moan that "everyone should have passport anyway so we don't care.", whilst ABTA has called for clarification at airports.
My comment? I may travel everywhere with my passport (and that's out of nature), but to know this one method of travel is still passport free if I've only got my drivers licence on me - I can handle this.
Sources:
The Guardian
BBC News
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Southwest SW2294 - Update
Jon at Flightblogger has posted his quick analysis of the incident (as well as other news networks picking it up.)
In particular - Flight has a very excellent cutaway of where the damage is.
The big remaining question is ... what is the cause of this? As the 737-300's get inspected, this will be the one that wants answering...
In particular - Flight has a very excellent cutaway of where the damage is.
The big remaining question is ... what is the cause of this? As the 737-300's get inspected, this will be the one that wants answering...
Decommpression in the Southwest region...
Well we seem to be lurching from one incident to another at the moment.
Southwest Flight SW2294 from Nashville to Baltimore-Washington with 133 souls aboard had to do an emergency divert to Charleston when a hole the size of a large ball grew in the fuselage.
From Southwest's statement
"DALLAS, TX—July 13, 2009--Southwest Airlines confirms its flight 2294, the 4:05 pm Eastern scheduled departure from Nashville to Baltimore/Washington diverted into Yeager Airport in Charleston, W. Va at approximately 6:10 pm Eastern today after a cabin depressurization. All 126 passengers and crew of five onboard landed safely and are awaiting a replacement aircraft in Charleston that will take them to Baltimore Washington International Airport later this evening.
The aircraft cabin depressurized approximately 30 minutes into the flight, activating the passengers’ onboard oxygen masks throughout the cabin. Medical personnel in Charleston assessed passengers and no injuries are reported. Southwest is sending its maintenance personnel to Charleston to assess the aircraft, and the airline will work with the NTSB to determine the cause of the depressurization.
According to initial crew reports, the depressurization appears to be related to a small hole located approximately mid-cabin, near the top of the aircraft."
As a result - all Southwest Airlines 737-300 series aircraft are grounded.
But pictures say a 1000 words..
From the top - Picture from http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/200907130735
From Twitpic
But what is the commonality with the last incidents - EVERYONE GOT OUT SAFELY - This can't be emphasised enough. Heck, they deplaned by an airbridge/jetway!
Good work to the pilots and crews!
Southwest Flight SW2294 from Nashville to Baltimore-Washington with 133 souls aboard had to do an emergency divert to Charleston when a hole the size of a large ball grew in the fuselage.
From Southwest's statement
"DALLAS, TX—July 13, 2009--Southwest Airlines confirms its flight 2294, the 4:05 pm Eastern scheduled departure from Nashville to Baltimore/Washington diverted into Yeager Airport in Charleston, W. Va at approximately 6:10 pm Eastern today after a cabin depressurization. All 126 passengers and crew of five onboard landed safely and are awaiting a replacement aircraft in Charleston that will take them to Baltimore Washington International Airport later this evening.
The aircraft cabin depressurized approximately 30 minutes into the flight, activating the passengers’ onboard oxygen masks throughout the cabin. Medical personnel in Charleston assessed passengers and no injuries are reported. Southwest is sending its maintenance personnel to Charleston to assess the aircraft, and the airline will work with the NTSB to determine the cause of the depressurization.
According to initial crew reports, the depressurization appears to be related to a small hole located approximately mid-cabin, near the top of the aircraft."
As a result - all Southwest Airlines 737-300 series aircraft are grounded.
But pictures say a 1000 words..
From the top - Picture from http://www.dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/200907130735
From Twitpic
But what is the commonality with the last incidents - EVERYONE GOT OUT SAFELY - This can't be emphasised enough. Heck, they deplaned by an airbridge/jetway!
Good work to the pilots and crews!
Monday, 13 July 2009
The BA PHX Incident - Analysis
So during the weekend there was a big hoopla over an incident that lead to the emergency slides being delpoyed at Phoenix AZ before take off.
Picture from BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8145686.stm)
But what happened exactly? Lets look at the events from a point by point.
Well the first thing that's important to say is that everyone made it out of it with little the worse for wear. The second this is that the standard operating procedure was followed.
Perhaps the idiotic thing is the need of some passengers to take their belongs with them. Alas, candidates for Darwin awards I think.
Well done to the crew for evacuating people safely. Now we wait to find out if someone had put something in the APU or not to set off the smoke...
Picture from BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8145686.stm)
But what happened exactly? Lets look at the events from a point by point.
- Aircraft was a 747, Registration: G-CIVB
- Flight BA288 Started taxing
- Smoke and accird smell reported in cabin
- Aircraft proceed back to ramp, delaying evacuation
- Crew kept control of the incident -
- Slides deployed, 298 passengers and crew safe - and aircraft evacuated.
Well the first thing that's important to say is that everyone made it out of it with little the worse for wear. The second this is that the standard operating procedure was followed.
Perhaps the idiotic thing is the need of some passengers to take their belongs with them. Alas, candidates for Darwin awards I think.
Well done to the crew for evacuating people safely. Now we wait to find out if someone had put something in the APU or not to set off the smoke...
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Soapbox: Apple App Store Travel Guide Writers - SHOW SOME ORIGNALITY!
Amazingly, its a Sunday Soapbox entry... on a Sunday!
Today, I'm taking a sideways swipe at Travel guides and how many of them really quite frankly have had been designed by a programmers state of mind, or that it's a direct lift of WikiTravel (and that's not a complaint against WikiTravel - it's a very good resource on where to go, what to see and what to avoid.)
My travel apps screen. Apply low taste here.
Lets compare and contrast some Apps....
Travelto's New York City
Hang on a second.. this listing method vaguely familiar....
vs Wikitravel
Well. Score 1 for layout, but minus 1000 for originality eh? Totally WikiTravel Derived. NEXT!
- Explore Seattle
Oooh. tempting front. However, scratch the surface....
Hey... familiar text here.
Even more useless as it misses the a lot of the content from it! Classy! NEXT!
Lonely Planet's San Francisco
Dread the though - some original writing at last!!!! But although content is better than some with their own opinions.. the user interface is... atrocious.
Definitely a lift from their book - which isn't bad at all. What does bug me is the lack of User Interface testing. For example, flicking from page to page can have... odd results.
Travelo Mini - San Francisco
Ok, yet anohter San Francisco application (thank you Apple for hosting your big events there)
Ok, it's a stab and hit interface, that allows you to fiddle around. Whilst light on information, it's pretty reasonable. But the stab and hit interface is fiddley at times. The net result is its a pain to navigate.
Oh - and the Paris2Go application. One word. Wikitravel.
In some cases it's worth just printing the WikiTravel page you need and be done with it. Need it electronicly? Use a PDF Writer to generate a PDF of the information then upload it onto your device.
My main comment: If you're going to write an Travel Guide App make sure it's original - not a lift from WikiTravel - and USER TEST IT THOROUGHLY!.
Today, I'm taking a sideways swipe at Travel guides and how many of them really quite frankly have had been designed by a programmers state of mind, or that it's a direct lift of WikiTravel (and that's not a complaint against WikiTravel - it's a very good resource on where to go, what to see and what to avoid.)
My travel apps screen. Apply low taste here.
Lets compare and contrast some Apps....
Travelto's New York City
Hang on a second.. this listing method vaguely familiar....
vs Wikitravel
- Explore Seattle
Oooh. tempting front. However, scratch the surface....
Hey... familiar text here.
Even more useless as it misses the a lot of the content from it! Classy! NEXT!
Lonely Planet's San Francisco
Dread the though - some original writing at last!!!! But although content is better than some with their own opinions.. the user interface is... atrocious.
Travelo Mini - San Francisco
Ok, yet anohter San Francisco application (thank you Apple for hosting your big events there)
Ok, it's a stab and hit interface, that allows you to fiddle around. Whilst light on information, it's pretty reasonable. But the stab and hit interface is fiddley at times. The net result is its a pain to navigate.
Oh - and the Paris2Go application. One word. Wikitravel.
In some cases it's worth just printing the WikiTravel page you need and be done with it. Need it electronicly? Use a PDF Writer to generate a PDF of the information then upload it onto your device.
My main comment: If you're going to write an Travel Guide App make sure it's original - not a lift from WikiTravel - and USER TEST IT THOROUGHLY!.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Barking up the wrong tree: Air Passenger Duty to climb
On those tickets, there are 3 letters that annoy the hell of out of me.
APD - Airport Passenger Duty.
The UK seems to innovate in taxation, where in the first phase, it was like this:
Of course, for the bureaucrats in Whitehall, and the money grabbing Prime Minister/Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister), this isn't enough. Intra EU flights go up by £2, whilst its now a sliding charge dependant on where you are flighting if you're heading out of the EU
So now in it's unreadable form it's like this (thank you Her Majesty's Tresursy: ):
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/tax_environ_index.htm
So read that carefully. Off to Sydney from London? That'll be an EXTRA £15 in 2009, and from 2010.... £45. That's over 100% increase. Premium travellers will be heavily punished too.
Now I've actually had a read of some of these documents, and the intresting number is the cost of Tax collection - 0.06p. What happens to Rest of the tax - Well it certainly isn't ring-fenced or defined isn't it. What does that translate to? Into the tax coffers in Whitehall. See: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/prebud_pbr08_aviationduty.htm
My advice. As much as I hate to say this, For hells teeth sake, avoid using any UK airport for long haul flights after 1st November 2009. Jump a flight to anohter EU nation, and then on a separate ticket do your major journey.
As we're in a downturn of course, it's the perfect time to bump up taxes isn't it? Thank you Gordon Brown (MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) and Alistair Darling (MP for Edinburgh South West). You will be thanked in the manner that should be appropriate to you - P45's in the post by 3 June 2010.
APD - Airport Passenger Duty.
The UK seems to innovate in taxation, where in the first phase, it was like this:
| Class of travel | Intra EU | Outside of the EU |
| Economy | £10 | £40 |
| Business | £40 | £80 |
Of course, for the bureaucrats in Whitehall, and the money grabbing Prime Minister/Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister), this isn't enough. Intra EU flights go up by £2, whilst its now a sliding charge dependant on where you are flighting if you're heading out of the EU
So now in it's unreadable form it's like this (thank you Her Majesty's Tresursy: ):
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/tax_environ_index.htm
So read that carefully. Off to Sydney from London? That'll be an EXTRA £15 in 2009, and from 2010.... £45. That's over 100% increase. Premium travellers will be heavily punished too.
Now I've actually had a read of some of these documents, and the intresting number is the cost of Tax collection - 0.06p. What happens to Rest of the tax - Well it certainly isn't ring-fenced or defined isn't it. What does that translate to? Into the tax coffers in Whitehall. See: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/prebud_pbr08_aviationduty.htm
My advice. As much as I hate to say this, For hells teeth sake, avoid using any UK airport for long haul flights after 1st November 2009. Jump a flight to anohter EU nation, and then on a separate ticket do your major journey.
As we're in a downturn of course, it's the perfect time to bump up taxes isn't it? Thank you Gordon Brown (MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) and Alistair Darling (MP for Edinburgh South West). You will be thanked in the manner that should be appropriate to you - P45's in the post by 3 June 2010.
Airplane p0rn -BMI Airbus A330 at the Gate
A olde classic today A BMI Airbus A330-200 at Chicago O'Hare International, awaiting boarding and return to Manchester (in the days that BMI ran a service) and not the joke they seem to run today.
More airplane p0rn next week!
More airplane p0rn next week!
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Minor Good News - Air France introduce their A380
Well in this time of doom and gloom, it's good to see deliveries still occuring.
And thank you Air France and Airbus for this little gem, with the delivery of their first A380.
Ok, they've changed the logo a tiny bit, but its a start.
Configuration will be 9 First, , 80 seats in business and 440 in economy.
Initally will be depolyed on the CDG-JKF run. It's still an awful lot of seats to fill in these times... but good luck to AF.
And thank you Air France and Airbus for this little gem, with the delivery of their first A380.
Ok, they've changed the logo a tiny bit, but its a start.
Configuration will be 9 First, , 80 seats in business and 440 in economy.
Initally will be depolyed on the CDG-JKF run. It's still an awful lot of seats to fill in these times... but good luck to AF.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
In LOLworld... Kittens explain my feelings about the middle seat.
This is how sitting in the middle seat is... especially on a US Airways or Ryanair flight...
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/07/06/funny-pictures-with-plane-seating/
Soapbox: O'Leary Makes Comment about selling standing space...
... news networks go mad.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Ryanair-Low-Cost-Airline-May-Allow-Passenger-To-Stand-Up-For-Cheaper-Fare/Article/200907115330054?lpos=Business_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15330054_Ryanair%3A_Low_Cost_Airline_May_Allow_Passenger_To_Stand_Up_For_Cheaper_Fare
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197799/Ryanair-make-passengers-stand-bid-cram-board.html
Sigh.
As much as he has brought the price down in some instances of travel (although I have done journeys in the past that Ryanair are actually more expensive than it's competitors when putting the product together), having people stand0up during flying is just begging for a disaster.
Apart from "where the hell are they going to store their luggage", there are little things like evacuation protocols, restraint harnesses, etc that would be needed.
All from a man that seems to tart himself out to the media at any given opportunity (and I've probably given him and his airline some free publicity - however this is the soapbox...).
Now it's common knowledge that RyanAir works on an intresting business model:
1) It makes near enough nothing out of flights (the actual fare component)
2) Most of its additional revenue comes on of tacking on "additional features"
3) ... and oh yes... bulk buying and selling aircraft. Knock a 737-800 frame around for a few years, and flog it onto the next victim.
However, it seems that Michael O'Leary cannot keep his gob shut for 5 minutes, bashing other airlines, and trumpeting his own headline fares... when if you dig a little deeper, you'll find that going over the baggage limits by a few gramms can have a VERY costly effect on your wallet.
Kevin's Soapbox Comment: Can someone shut up this odious little man please?
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Ryanair-Low-Cost-Airline-May-Allow-Passenger-To-Stand-Up-For-Cheaper-Fare/Article/200907115330054?lpos=Business_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15330054_Ryanair%3A_Low_Cost_Airline_May_Allow_Passenger_To_Stand_Up_For_Cheaper_Fare
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197799/Ryanair-make-passengers-stand-bid-cram-board.html
Sigh.
As much as he has brought the price down in some instances of travel (although I have done journeys in the past that Ryanair are actually more expensive than it's competitors when putting the product together), having people stand0up during flying is just begging for a disaster.
Apart from "where the hell are they going to store their luggage", there are little things like evacuation protocols, restraint harnesses, etc that would be needed.
All from a man that seems to tart himself out to the media at any given opportunity (and I've probably given him and his airline some free publicity - however this is the soapbox...).
Now it's common knowledge that RyanAir works on an intresting business model:
1) It makes near enough nothing out of flights (the actual fare component)
2) Most of its additional revenue comes on of tacking on "additional features"
3) ... and oh yes... bulk buying and selling aircraft. Knock a 737-800 frame around for a few years, and flog it onto the next victim.
However, it seems that Michael O'Leary cannot keep his gob shut for 5 minutes, bashing other airlines, and trumpeting his own headline fares... when if you dig a little deeper, you'll find that going over the baggage limits by a few gramms can have a VERY costly effect on your wallet.
Kevin's Soapbox Comment: Can someone shut up this odious little man please?
Monday, 6 July 2009
Passenger saves 8 hour delay - world continues to rotate.
Well it must be heading towards silly season for the press as this gem surfaced on the BBC News site today.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8136193.stm
It always good to see 1) people with the correct credentials able to do the work, 2) right person in the right place and 3) the agreements work.
But even in these hard times, have a few mobile engineers may not be a bad thing - at least having the shared agreement - with the correct credentials helped.
Well done that engineer.
I'm waiting for the Daily Mail version of this - a headline of "Passenger saves plane from being late - Children caught crying" to be released...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8136193.stm
It always good to see 1) people with the correct credentials able to do the work, 2) right person in the right place and 3) the agreements work.
But even in these hard times, have a few mobile engineers may not be a bad thing - at least having the shared agreement - with the correct credentials helped.
Well done that engineer.
I'm waiting for the Daily Mail version of this - a headline of "Passenger saves plane from being late - Children caught crying" to be released...
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Airplane p0rn - Ryanair 737-800
Well, it's time for some airplan p0rn.
At its for time for the .... of the air - Ryanair and one of their ubiquitous 737-800's
Probably the best way to see one... taxing away... and booked on anohter carrier ;)
At its for time for the .... of the air - Ryanair and one of their ubiquitous 737-800's
Probably the best way to see one... taxing away... and booked on anohter carrier ;)
A slight messup... and welcome new readers
So I can't spell ghetto. :(
I've re-registered the Domain, and it's should all be pointing in the right place. Meanwhile new readers... Welcome!
Here are a few classics you've missed so far:
All the posts have a slightly twisted and humours bent, and of course comments are open. Please feel free to drop your thoughts in.
Thank you for choosing Kevin's Ghetto IFE. We know you have a choice in blogs.
I've re-registered the Domain, and it's should all be pointing in the right place. Meanwhile new readers... Welcome!
Here are a few classics you've missed so far:
- For those of you who are confused at what exactly ghetto IFE is, this is as gooder post as any to explain it
- Saying goodbye to a friend - a UA Trip Report - LHR-ORD-PHL-IAD-LHR (simulposted between here and FlyerTalk.
- Paris Airshow week - or death by Graphs
- The Soapbox - Where I get to rant and moan about things
- Airplane p0rn - Yes it's my photography lovefest. All clean for work.
- How to save money ... so far on telephone calls and how to get money on flights back via cashback
- And analysis on IFE and what's happening in the world of IFE
All the posts have a slightly twisted and humours bent, and of course comments are open. Please feel free to drop your thoughts in.
Thank you for choosing Kevin's Ghetto IFE. We know you have a choice in blogs.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
We apolgise for whilst we're in hold over Heathrow...
.... this is due to the author being stressed out at work and not getting anywhere near finishing the big Safety Demo post.
So in the meantime, Please watch the following safety demo below... Presented by Pam Ann for Qantas.
So in the meantime, Please watch the following safety demo below... Presented by Pam Ann for Qantas.