Welcome to Star Alliance Aegean Airlines

So, Star Alliance grows to 28 members now with Agean Airlines confirming it's membership, expanding the influence of Star across Greece now, 12 months since it was announced they were joining up.

Aegean Airlines operates a fleet of 30 aircraft covering a total of 54 domestic and international routes on more than 150 daily flights. This is made up of 26 Domestic routes and 28 international routes, delivered with 22 A32x series aircraft, 6 BAe146's and 2 ATR's.

This opens up Greece and a quite a few destinations to Star Alliance users, and should improve even further when Olympic Air merges with Aegean Airlines (expected approval September 2010 and integration a year later)

But the question is simple - whilst Star Alliance is continue to grow like mad, will there be a point when 1) Star Alliance is too large or 2) Star Alliance fails to add "quality" carriers to it's fleet?

BD: Analysis - Diamond Club upcoming changes.

Well a little PDF of the presentation given by Wolfgang Prock-Schauer - the Chief Executive Officer of bmi, and whilst it takes a little reading, I draw your attention to

The good news to take away is that Lufthansa will be keeping BMI more or less in its current form, however for frequent flyers, the news is not so great with on throwaway line in the presentation.

I quote:

"Roadmap for integration „Diamond Club“ in M&M agreed"

Now if you're a BMI Diamond Club member, that sound you heard was the Fat Lady warming up to sing the last part of the aria - in other words the closure of Diamond Club is getting close.

So what are my thoughts?

On Miles

• The advice is simple: START REDEEMING THOSE MILES NOW. 
• If you have BMI miles, Lufthansa Miles and More miles are not cheap to redeem (eg 30,000+Tax in Economy between London and Frankfurt, where as 37500 miles can get you a Business Class redemption to the United States).  
• If you're a few miles short of a reward, now is the time to buy, then redeem those miles. 
• If you have family members that are Diamond Club members, you need to safeguard  those miles - form them up into a Family Account if possible, then transfer them into the master account for spending
• If you have the MBNA BMI Credit Card, it could be time to consider the Lufthansa variation of it. 

On Status 

• If you're a BMI Gold or wanting to retrain BMI Gold or a BMI Silver heading to gold, you need to getting your miles in now and aiming for a early to mid 2011 qualification period.  If you time it incorrectly, you'll be migrated over to Miles and More, but you'll feel mugged when everyone has the same time to re-qualify and you're having to do it all over again.
• Start to consider other airlines to get status on. Whilst Lufthansa is generous with 2 years of Star Gold at it's Senator status (or 2 years of Frequent Traveller - Star Silver), you've got to get your backside on a seat for 100,000 miles within a year to retain it.  Which for a low flyer on cheap fares is nigh on impossible
• If the migration takes place, don't expect a single status mile to transfer over. In other words, a standing start of 100,000 miles to hit Senator will be needed (or 35,000 if you're aiming for FTL).
• GhettoIFE.com will be doing a review of the low qualification Star Golds/Star Silvers in a couple of weeks for us Super-Cheap travellers.

Well, I can't say this wasn't expected after the move of members from Ukraine, Israel and the Netherlands. What it does mean, the clock is now formally ticking.

As a Diamond Club Gold myself, I'll be keeping a very close eye on this as BMI Diamond Club folds into Miles and More.

Belfast and Dublin Pictures slowly going live....

The trip picrtures are slowly going live.

You can find them if the left hand bar ever refreshes, or at the following links below:

• BHX-BFS with BMI Baby
• Hotel Ibis, Belfast
• Enterprise Rail Service, Belfast Central to Dublin Connolly
• DUB-BHX with Aer Lingus

Is a trip report coming? Depends. Gotta finish writing it first.... 

Places where not to conceal drugs number 242 - strapped to your body.

It seems that some South African Airways staff are trying slip extra special items past UK Customs when a a member of the crew was been arrested at Heathrow Airport after 3kg of cocaine was allegedly found strapped to her body.

The cabin crew member was held during a random body search on Saturday.

Drug smuggling seems to be an issue with South African Airways, with staff trying to smuggle the usual suspects through on Heathrow bound flights

South African Airways said it's consulting with security staff, police and Interpol to try to deter employees from trying to smuggle illegal substances.

However, with demand not seeming to slip, and the prospect of easy money, somehow or other, Customs are missing a lot of drugs that must be coming into Heathrow....

Ok.. a little test thingy.

So I've got a new toy, and I thought I'd take it out for a test run - being a trip to Belfast with me.

In a laughable attempt to increase content, I've shot some video with it, and the results are heading into the trip report, but I'd thought I'd post the first one to see if it was any good.

Comments welcome on this - least of all where I put my finger on the lens....

BA and Unite: BA makes new offer, Unite postpones vote, makes non committal noises

British Airways has made a new offer to Unite in an effort to end the strike. Whilst Unite is "allowing" its members to consider the offer, it will recommend against them accepting the offer as it refuses fully reinstate the travel perks that were removed in an earlier strike.

Changes includes top up payments and basic rises for the next two years.

Mr Tony "Visits Cuba and Cyprus during critical phases " Woodly describes the offer as "interesting" and has to put the offer to the membership  (and if they didn't, there would be explaining to do).

But he also comments

"As a consequence of the company's last and final offer the union and its representatives will have no choice but to delay our vote in order to allow our members to consult on the offer."

British Airways is happy for the break of the strike ballot, hoping to end the dispute, but as they say - we'll see what happen. Will the cabin crew choose to stop, or will they continue and alienate more of the staff who worked through the strike and more importantly - the travelling pubic?

Airplane p0rn - Ryanair 737-800

It's Sunday again, which means it's time for Airplane p0rn.

This week (and freshly shot), it's a Ryanair 737-800 in final landing configuration about to land at Dublin Airport

More of course next week!

Well I suppose it wasn't that bad

BMI baby - it could had been worse I suppose



More later on !

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - apologies for the spelling!

Trip in progress....

And we start off at Mordor Hbf... More commonly known as Birmingham New Street station....





More in a mo!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - apologies for the spelling!

So the ESTA Fee (US Visitors Fee) is pretty much go.

Well the land of the taxed is hell bend on charging a fee for ESTA now as the law has been passed in the US Congress.

Apparently Congress is unware that taxing people is a way of putting them off visiting the United States. 

CNN has the scoop, but this is truly insulting to visitors. who now face a $10 fee to go into the USA to "Promote the United States as a travel destination and explain travel and security policies to international visitors".

Which as a consumer of US Immigration procedures is quite frankly (and to use the US colloquium) a fat load of baloney.  It is nothing but forms (and awfully laid out ones at that), and this is squarely targeted at Visa Waiver Program countries. The fact that 3-1-1 is pretty much universal (or 100ml in the civilised world) and it's never a good idea to take sharps through security is besides the point.

IATA is clearly annoyed, stating:

"We don't want foreigners to have to jump through so many hoops that they just give up and don't bother coming to the U.S" 

 It is estimated that charging for ESTA will bring in  US$4 Billion, with the US Travel Association cock-a-hoot about it saying:

"This is a historic victory for the U.S. economy and one in eight American workers whose jobs depend on travel" 

That's fine then, and impact on the spend of the visiting consumer. Excellent move there. And the EU is considering responding in kind, charging $10 for entry into the European Union for US visitors (a move I would welcome now as I have a reduced intention to vistit the USA even more sadly).

Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert has a guide on how to "dodge" the cost - it could be wise to follow it.

Colour me very unimpressed. 

Coverage: 
CNN - http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/26/travel.promotion.act/index.html?hpt=T2
Glading - http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/04/travel-promotion-act-signed-into-law-visitors-to-u-s-who-dont/
Money Saving Expert - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/esta-usa-visa

Valencia gives in to the "charm" of Ryanair.

It seems that Valencia can't do without Ryanair, as it will repoen it's base at Valenicia airport in the winter - with the local tourism ministry to provide marketing support to market the services.

The base was closed in  Valencia base in November 2008 due to the regional government's decision not to provide marketing support, which has now been promptly reversed due to declining passenger numbers, and will operate 10 services from there.

Ryanair forecasts that its return to Valencia will boost annual passenger numbers at the airport by two million.

It just proves how much clout the airline has these days as it can dictate life or death of an area, or an airport it seems.

Might be some delay in furthers posts

Sorry for the delay in posts - and they will be delayed today due to me getting a replacement GhettoIFE device....

Can you tell what it is yet?







More maybe later ;)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone - apologies for the spelling!

UK Budget: Aviation impact

Well the new UK Budget has been announced and two things stand out of interest (well there are quite a few things, but lets concentrate on the aviation side)

VAT will be rising to 20% from 4th January 2012 - For those of you in the EU, we're coming up to the same levels as you. For non EU, its time to get those claim dockets ready when you leave the country to get more tax back.

More interestingly, to quote

"The government will "explore changes to the aviation tax system" such as switching from a per-passenger to a per-plane levy. It will consult on major changes.

In other words, Air Passenger Duty could be on the way out, and replaced with something different. However, it's important to note no announcement was regarding the last governments plans to increase Air Passenger Duty in November - in other words, take it as read those new rates from November 2010 will be implemented alas.

As a reminder, the new Air Passenger Duty Rates are (Ticketing Code element UB) based on bands:

Band A		0–2,000 miles from London
Band B		2,001–4,000 miles from London
Band C		4,001–6,000 miles from London
Band D		over 6,000 miles from London

Rates of duty for 2009-10 and 2010-11 are as follows:

Band		Reduced Rate			Standard Rate
		2009-10	2010-11		2009-10	2010-11
Band A		£11	£12		£22	£24
Band B		£45	£60		£90	£120
Band C		£50	£75		£100	£150
Band D		£55	£85		£110	£170

To decode what band your country is in, head to the lovely guide published by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise at www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/pbrn20.pdf. 

And a reminder. Taxes normally head only one way normally....

BA and Unite: Balloting begins Tuesday 29th

Four words sum up my thoughts.

HERE WE GO AGAIN. 

Unite will announce if they intend to ballot to strike from 29th June.  If they do, a summer of disruption goes from being "on the cards" to being "definite"

Deep joy.

Airplane p0rn - United Express CRJ-700

It's Sunday again, and that means it's time for some Airplane p0rn.

Today, it's Mesa Bombardier CRJ-700 in old United Express colours recently arrived at Washington Dulles

More of course - next week!

VS: Beardy is at it again with another publicity stunt.

Yes, the Bearded one is out and about again. Now I swear there was something important in it - (the resumption of a Manchester - Las Vegas route in April 2011 and 10 Years of Virgin serving London - Las Vegas)

But who cares?

Dita Von Teese was out and about, so it's time to name another 747-400.

Image - Virgin Group

And of course - the lovely Ms Von Teese herself was out on promotional duty.

Image - Vtravelled.

There's also water shenanigans at the Bellagio too.

Well if there's one thing that Beardy does good - it's shameless publicity.

More images:

• Vtravelled - http://blog.vtravelled.com/the-party-starts-arriving-in-las-vegas/
• Las Vegas Sun - http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/16/new-virgin-atlantic-route-could-bring-internationa/

Speaking of BMI Baby....

... and I've moaned about United.bomb in the past. I never thought I'd run into such an incompetent check in procedure.

Lets go through the points

• Navigation was all over the shop
• Auto seat assignment engine... I'd like to know if there was an algorithm to assigning seats or was it a case of picking a random number and letter together and seeing if it actually existed on the plane
• No remembering OLCI information from on session to another
• A poorly constructed boarding pass that required scaling to 85% to print. 
• Oh yes, and an inital assignment to 20B. In the end I ponyed up £4.50 for 4A, but that's besides the point. 

LCC's.. talk about a royal pain up the whatsits.

And a lot of this blame can actually be laid at door of Navitare's Open Skies "Skylights" product, which is the preferred toy of LCC's to do their bookings and GDS functionality (or lack of functionality thereafter)

... and people wonder why I prefer the old fashioned full fat airlines.....

JK: Spanair - Nope, we won't bother serving Birmingham after BMI Baby drops the route for them...

Spanair made a big song and dance about coming to Birmingham, and BMI Baby dutifully moved aside to allow the full service Star Alliance carrier in and suspend it's own services.

However, this has now backfired into BMI Baby's face as Spanair has decided not to offer the server BHX service any more.

Spanair had been due to commence four-times weekly flights to Barcelona on May 20, and three-times weekly services to Madrid on May 25, with BMI Baby stepping aside from the 7th June.

This means there are now no flights to Madrid or Barcelona from Birmingham International Airport. Which is a pain if you want to head there.

Birmingham International Airport hopes these routes are popular enough for another carrier to come in (or to convince BMI Baby to restart the route).

We'll see as they say.

AA: Another AAincident - door falls off an AA bird on the ground..

It seems an American Airlines 777-200 had a little incident today at Dallas Fort Worth when someone forgot to set the brakes at the gate, choc the plane... and the aircraft rolling back 200 feet, ripping off a door.

There were no injuries reported thankfully. 

Pictures at http://startelegram.typepad.com/sky_talk/2010/06/american-777-loses-door-at-dfw.html....and they say it all....

and

BA and Unite.. and Acas too... means... More deadlock.

Well things are not at all moving between BA and Unite with ACAS abritrating, with the latest negotiations failing.

Whilst ACAS gave both sides new proposals on how to end the action, deadlock remains.

Sadly no new meetings are planned to end the actions, however ACAS's doors are open.

Whilst the strike was about staffing levels and changes to services, it has now gone onto discussion about the removal of travel concessions from striking workers.

Of course, Unite is in fully bullying mood and is preparing to ballot in July for more strike action of no agreement is reached.

Both sides are open to talking. The question is - what to talk about?

BA has since launched a sale to try and pull back passengers in premium and economy cabins. Will this be all for nothing if the cabin crew go out on strike again?

It's approaching a point where this dispute must end, with both sides having to negotiate - and sadly, the fine art of negotiation normally means both sides have to give up something....

EI: Reconsidering an Alliance....

Well it seems Aer Lingus isn't happy sitting out in the cold any longer as an independent airline, and is going to consider a membership of a major alliance according to ATWOnline.

And an admittance that maybe the LCC experiment started by a certain Willie Walsh is probably a bad idea as it tries to reposition itself as a higher value/quality carrier what emphasises better customer service.

With discussions at an early stage, Aer Lingus is talking to the three major alliances.

But the question who they would align with is open for debate.  Aer Lingus currently codeshares with:

• United Airlines (Star Alliance)
• British Airways (and other OneWorld Members), 
• KLM (SkyTeam)

In other words - all the alliances have an interest in EI's movement and what it does with itself.



In a lot of ways, Aer Lingus is doing the right thing - getting involved with the Ryanair LCC fight is a difficult fight to win as you're always going to be shouted down by an ODM saying everything is cheaper (except it sometimes isn't when you've done the maths), and from my experiences Aer Lingus always seemed like a full carrier "faking" being an LCC.

Whilst I could see a return more than likely OneWorld (least of all because of all the older partners it has there), would OneWorld be willing to open up their arms and welcome back an old carrier or will there be new conditions for Aer Lingus?

Or will EI's tarting with United and KLM bear better fruit?

Interesting times...

BA: Off to Cancun!

Well, if there's one part of the BA empire that's surviving well throughout everyhting, it's the teams at Gatwick, who have today been rewarded with a new route to Cancun (Mexico), operating twice a week with a 777 in  3 class configuration

In other words, Club World (Business), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)  and World Traveller  (Economy) seats

Service commences on the 3rd November from 12:45 UK Time, to arrive in Cancun for 17:45 (11 hour flight), with prices starting at £630.

Well, it's good to see Gatwick and the team there get more support and recognition - and more services. With Heathrow expansion limited, BA may have no further choice by to expand services at Gatwick.

Lunchtime reading: The Economist on Aviation in the Gulf

Some "light" lunchtime reading for you all - from of all places The Economist.

http://www.economist.com/node/16271573?story_id=16271573  is where to head to.

It's a very readable article on why Gulf carriers (such as Emirates, Qatar, Eithad) are on the rise, and why European airlines should be very worried.

Least of all if you're a certain British carrier that has been through a round of strike action recently...

SQ: Maybe there is money beyond the main cities...

Singapore Air is a funny old beast of an airline, running A380's across the world and keeping its fleet relatively young.

It's also had a link to Manchester for quite some time, that has been recently under strain when the direct service went patchy to 3 days a week, and finally, the service was switched to 5 days a week with a diversion to Munich to pick up more passengers.

Well either it's working better for Singapore Airlines as they head back to a full seven day a week timetable - indicating loads are good at both points, or Singapore Airlines are running this as a cheap tag-on flight to Manchester

The service has been upgraded from a 777-200 to a 777-300ER, providing three-class service, and can be viewed as a small challenge to Emirates who are due to commence A380 service on the 1st September - the day this route goes daily.

Funny that.

As well as a Three-Class service between Manchester-Singapore, the service is sold as a Fifth-Freedom flight in two classes (Business and Economy) between Manchester and Munich.

Airplane p0rn - Northwest 747-200

It's that time of the week again, and it's time for some Airplane p0rn.

This week - something from my archives - a Northwest Boeing 747-200 at Seattle-Tacoma, shot in 2008. 

More airplane p0rn next week!

Kingfisher passes OneWorld safety audit - on target for joining.

As airline alliances are start starting to buddy up together, Kingfisher has successfully passed the first stages of membership - a safety audit, the approval approval from India's Ministry of Civil Aviation and completing a formal membership agreement, and moves up to the status of "Member Elect"

At this time, Kingfisher is now negotiating all the bi-latteral agreements with other members of Oneworld, whilst preparing to dump the non-Oneworld codeshares

BA's Willie Walsh is quoted as saying:

"I believe that Kingfisher and oneworld are natural partners,"

"In just five years, Kingfisher Airlines has established itself as one of India's leading airlines. It today carries more domestic passengers than any other single Indian airline [and] offers more daily departures than any of its competitors across the widest network within the subcontinent." 

Kingfisher is still on-target for a join in 2011, and S7 is still on target to join the alliance in late 2010 (if the 18 month period that is required is observed, this puts it in the  October/November timeframe).

For travellers this is a bit of good news - more choice is always good when travelling.

Well I've done it...

And here the map.

Map www.gcmap.com

Coming September 2010 - Kevin puts a little Seoul in his life.

US Airways offers Star Silver on Trial... but there are more strings attached.

It seems everyones favourite Star Alliance member (not not BMI for once), is once again offering status for anyone who wants it.

US Airways is offering in conjunction with Budget a 90 trial of Silver Preferred Status, on condition that your first buy a non refundable ticket for travel within the USA from them. To maintain Star Silver, you'll need to fly 10 US Airways segments or 7500 miles flown on their metal.

Which can be quite painful if travelling with US Airways as I've noted in the past....

The obvious beanie of being a Star Silver in the USA is the complete cut of baggage fees (which can add up considerably), and also pops you further up on the list if something goes wrong.

Also, if you've taken part in a Preferred trial in the past 24 months, don't bother, as they'll reject the status request.

You can register at http://shopping.usairways.com/promotion/dividendmiles/registration.aspx?PromoCode=BG10&c=tweet_DM_060910_00955

Happy Matching!

Finnair orders some A321's... with Sharklets!

Oh Pam Ann would love this (after all, she'll never fly anything that hasn't got a Winglet on it).

Finnair has signed up with Airbus for them to provide Five A321's to replace it's 757 leisure fleet.  Whilst this is "small news", this the second order for Airbus A320 series aircraft with Sharklet winglets instead of the standard Airbus A320 series wingtip fences.

Bur who care's? A computer rendering you want, a rendering you will have!

Image (c) Airbus.

So what are sharklets? It's another refinement of wingtip technology that allows for fuel savings, based on fancy aerodynamics.  What's more important to the airlines, is a 3.5% fuel saving per long trip - allowing for longer ranges and better performance on take off and landing, giving a 2,700 nautical mile range.

Delivery is from 2012-2013. 

Air New Zealand will be the first operator to use A320 series aircraft with Sharklets from late 2012.

Welcome to SkyTeam Vietnam Airlines

Skyteam has formally accepted Vietnam Airlines as a member of it's alliance.

The airline has been through a bit, but has modernised with long haul services, and short haul is slowly gaining respected traction - enough for a major alliance to sit up and pay attention to it.

This adds 20 more destinations to SkyTeams  network, which is still smaller than Oneworld or Star Alliance.  However, SkyTeam is slowly carving out a niche in Asia which could present problems for the other alliances as time goes on.

Vietnam Airlines flies 75 routes to 20 domestic and 26 international destinations with more than 290 daily flights. Operating a fleet 70 aircraft  including Boeing 777, Airbus A330, A321/320's.

It's good to see SkyTeam expanding - they have go a slow growth burn about them.

Immigration: How not to do it...

It seems that the UK is still an entry hotspot, and it's been highlighted in a lovely post on the BBC News site.

It seems a 20-year-old Romanian wanted to escape Vienna, and stowed away in the rear wheel compartment of an aircraft, not knowing where it was heading.

According to the CAA, there was a varity of way he could had been killed on the journey

"If they don't find the right part to stow away, they can be crushed when the undercarriage comes up," he said.

"Because of the altitude and temperatures during the flight, there is a severe risk to them through exposure and lack of oxygen.

"If that doesn't kill them, then they could be unconscious when the aircraft descends, and that can mean that when the undercarriage opens again, they will fall out."

He had bruises and hypothermia from outside temperatures as low as -41C, and survived due to the low altitudes the plane was forced to take on its journey.

Police arrested him for stowing away, but later released without charge, with a caution.

Whilst the UK Borders agency could had been interested, they have chosen not to take action - as Romania is part of the EU, no issue regarding visiting the UK exists. Working in the UK is another matter of course as controls exist.

So next time, consider what plane you're travelling on, and ideally - not in the undercarriage....

Guess who wants more strikes? BA vs Unite...

Well I've gone a few days without mentioning the BA vs Unite strike, so fittingly as the current round of stoppages are coming to the end, Unite has come along acting all big and strong saying it's preparing to ballot its members again on further strike action at BA.

Oh LOVELY.

The current legal protection to strike will end on the 11th June. For Unite to continue to strike, it must conduct a fresh ballot.

Willie Walsh is bedding in for further action, for as long as it takes for it to end, with Unite moaning about the travel perks that were withdrawn for those who went on strike and how to reinstate it.

ACAS is hoping that talks between the two sides will resume - after Tony Woodley has returned from Cypress I suspect.

Well, this is going to run on. And not good for the long term outlook of British Airways. Airlines like Emirates are now on your coat tails from the high end, and Ryanair at the low end....

TAM dances over to Airbus for more aircraft...

(oh, it's the Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung - ILA Berlin 2010 this week, so expect a few more of these..)

TAM it seems has a few pennies in it's back pocket, and it aiming to strenghen itself now its a member of Star Alliance by going to Airbus and buying some more aircaft.

In this order, TAM are ordering 20 x A320 series aircraft, and 5 x A350-900's. This in addition to the outstanding 10 A350-800's and 12 A350-900's that have been ordered already.

With the introduction of the A350 series, TAM are aiming to remove all its older aircraft, bar the 777's it has in its fleet, and will aim to launch some new routes with them.

So that's 57 aircraft on the books... quite a good day for Airbus...

Please Airbus? Can we have some more? - Emirates to order 32 new A380's.

It seems Emirates still has a lot of money flowing around, with today order at the Berlin airshow for a an extra 32 Airbus A380's, taking the total the carrier will have to 90 units, all to be fitted with Engine Alliance GP7200 engines.

With 234 units on the order book, and 90 of them Emirates, it's clear to see who wants the capacity there in when the upturn fully hits.

Interesting times indeed for the Dubai based carrier.

Emirates has 10 A380's currently in it's fleet, plying trade radiating from Dubai, and serving Auckland, Bangkok, Jeddah, Paris, London Heathrow, Seoul, Sydney and Toronto, with further expansion to Beijing, Manchester and New York

Lets hope Emirates are right... otherwise there could be a lot of empty seats on these whalejets...

IATA: Maybe things aren't so bad after all...

IATA is out with the latest numbers, and profits are on the way... up.

IATA estimates profits of £1.7bn in 2010, with an upturn from last year. This is in comparison with March when they predicted a $2.8bn loss.

Director of IATA Giovanni Bisignani said

"The global economy is recovering... much more quickly than could have been anticipated,"

"We thought that it would take at least three years to recover the $81 billion (14.3%) drop in revenues in 2009," he added.

"But the $62bn top-line improvement this year puts us about 75% on the way to pre-crisis levels."

The recovery is being lead by Asia, with Europe holding up the rear due to slow growth, and of course the universal get out cause - the Icelandic Volcano.

If anything IATA aren't worried about another eruption, or the markets crashing, but the increasing price of oil

Now for air travellers, that could really be painful...

BA and Unite - Ding ding.. round.. oh what am I saying? FIX IT!

Yup. We're off on yet another BA Strike, and yes, it's on the weekend has half-term ends in the United Kingdom, and no there's very little progress - even Tony Woodley (Head of Unite) has decided to dissaper off on holiday to Cypress (Not on British Airways as you can guess)

Daily Mail has the feed on this one,  but BA are operating flights, check www.ba.com/strikes for the latest scoop to see if you're hit.

And Unite are threatening more strikes if there is no resolution. Wonderful. 

Airplane p0rn - Lufthansa Boeing 737-300

Yup, it's Sunday, it's Midday (providing Blogger is doing it's job), so it must be time for some more Airplane p0rn.

This week, its a Lufthansa 737-300 at Frankfurt on the chocks.

More next week!

Virgin Blue might have content that is a bit *too* blue...

A bit of trouble downunder as Virgin Blue appears to be having issues with naughty people.

Apparently some Virgin Blue employees thought it would be fun to have pornographic material running around on their work networks.

So whilst the baggage handlers thought it would be fun, Management took a much dimmer view. In the first instance a stiff warning was issued to discontinue the practice, but that wasn't thrusting enough on the employees it seem.


One month later, it turned out that some baggage handlers contined to play with porn on a work network in work hours... and 20 staff and managers are out on their todd jobless at Sydney and Brisbane.

Whilst work networks and great and fast... it's never a good idea to stick stupid stuff - like porn... on it...

iPhone/Airline Apps - List updated!

The list has been few a few revisions, and as more people jump onto the iPhone App bandwagon, the list of airlines supporting apps are growing.

Shame a lot of the eat data for breakfast - not good if you're roaming.

But still the latest list is at http://www.ghettoife.com/2010/02/iphone-apps-is-there-app-for-your.html (all listed are free)

Fill your boots!

EasyJet tries to find an easy solution to Volcanic Ash detection....

Well, easyJet have been busy of late, and they've come up with a new technology for Volanic Ash called "AVOID"  (Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector), developed by Dr Fred Prata of the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) - or in real terms - a Radar for Volcanic Ash.


By placing infrared tech and sensors on an aircraft, that will send images to  pilots and an airline’s flight control centre, in theory,  these images will enable pilots to see an ash cloud up to 100 km ahead of the aircraft and at altitudes between 5,000ft and 50,000ft, allowing pilots adjust flight paths as needed  to avoid ash clouds.

 Image: easyJet

Meanwhile at the control centre information from aircraft with this technology would be used to build an accurate image of the volcanic ash cloud using real time data, in theory opening up airspace that might had been closed, and thus avoiding distruption.

Of course, easyJet are cockahoot about this.

“This pioneering technology is the silver bullet that will make large-scale ash disruption history. The ash detector will enable our aircraft to see and avoid the ash cloud, just like airborne weather radars and weather maps make thunderstorms visible.”

The CAA air slightly more cautious, welcoming the news, whilst not endorsing it. 

"It is essential that the aviation community works together to develop solutions to minimise disruption, should ash return. The CAA welcomes the fact that airlines are considering innovations such as this and we will do all we can to facilitate them.”

So you're expecting easyJet to donate a spare A319 so they test to their hearts content. Of course not! Bring in the hired help - in the form of an A340 operated by Airbus, with a rapid deployment if the tests goes well.

This project is setting back EasyJet at least £1million to start off with, with low material costs to deploy - but in a refreshing change, will share the information with rivals. To quote:

"What we don't want to do is to gain a commercial advantage over other airlines so we can fly and they can't. We are not going to exclude people from this technology."

Of course, they didn't say how much they'd share the the knowledge for.

Well - it's a good idea - but as usual, practical implementation and results will tell us how good the technology is...

More A380's heading towards LHR ... and MAN?

Both Qantas and Emirates are upping service frequency and swapping Boeing 747's/777's for Airbus A380 aircraft for London services.

Emirates will be bringing a second service, which will be EK03/04 (along with EK01/02) with a Dubai service, making it two A380 services a day to London Heathrow.  The remaining services (EK05/06, 07/08) will remain on whatever other equipment Emirates can throw on (could be a 777 - could be something else, and knowing EK, that's likely to happen).

EK03/04 Switches to A380's from 15th June. 

Qantas will be bringing more A380's to Heathrow, with services to both Sydney and Melboune as and when the aircraft arrive between now and March.

In Q4 sometime, Qantas will recive it's 7th A380, allowing a switch to a daily service on the Kangaroo hop between LHR-SIN-SYD. 

When the 10th A380 arrives, LHR-SIN-MEL will go daily, but it's dependant on Airbus getting their finger out and delivering aircraft.

Currently the service operates twice a week on LHR-SIN-MEL, which will go 5 times a week when aircraft 8 arrives, 6 times a week when aircraft 9 arrives, and then daily after aircraft 10 enters service.

And back to Emirates before I close this post up, with what some might think is mad, but Emirates will be deploying an A380 to work the MAN (Manchester) - DBX route.

The fact is that Emirates are pulling in bums on seats, and getting the positive revenue that's associated and filling up more than 2 777's a day looks positive.

Flights EK17/EK18 are due to commence A380 service from Manchester on September 1. 


Of course, Singapore Airlines continue to operate A380 services on SQ317/SQ318 and SQ321/SQ322.


So if you want WhaleJets in the United Kingdom to the long and far flung destinations, Three Carriers have you covered!

And so the inevitiable happens - the iPad becomes an IFE Device.

(Yes, I know - an on-topic post. Be shocked.)

Jetstar (the low cost arm of Qantas) will be trialing a new Portable in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that is based on... the iPad, initaly on some domestic routes across Australia.

According to Jetstar's CEO Bruce Buchanan, in his own words:

"Based on demand for the iPads as part of the trial, we'll be looking to roll out the devices across our entire domestic and international network later in the year" 

So of course a system like this will hold all the usual rubbish that an iPad can hold - eBooks, games, music videos, movies, and TV programmes

It's being run with BlueBox (an IFE specialist - shame you need to register to see most of the site) and Stellar Inflight (who deal with the licensing part)


Jetstar are of course thrilled to bits to have the toy on their airline.

Well GhettoIFE saw it coming when it was announced, and I like what I've seen - with a possible 10 hour endurance (8 or so in the real world), it'll be intresting how they 1) manage the content 2) protect the content and 3) protect the devices from walking off a plane.

My concern has always how you mount a device like that - and playing with the physical examples leaves me with the same question.

Again - it will be interesting how the trial goes and how it goes into production use.

Ghettoife.com will keep you posted!

More resources:
Runway Girl:  http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/runway-girl/2010/06/jetstar-to-launch-ipad-in-flig.html
Flight: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/01/342632/jetstar-to-trial-ipad-portable-ife-player.html
Cranky: http://crankyflier.com/2010/06/02/jetstar-plans-ipad-inflight-entertainment-plan-do-we-really-need-that/

Off to the World Cup? Planning to use your Smartphone? BE VERY CAREFUL!

Well in a few days the world cup (football - no not Aussie Rules, Gaelic Football or the American thing - we're talking foot on a circular ball in low scoring games) will be up and running.

But if you're thinking of taking that wonderful little smartphone you have (be it an iPhone, an Android device or anything that can connect to the Internet), unless your roaming agreement is very good, there's a VERY high chance you're going to be dinged a lot of cash - in some cases Data rates will set you back up to £8 PER MEGABYTE depending on your provider.

Even if you're taking a normal phone and doing voice and SMS, it's going to cost an arm and a leg in calls, with calls 80p to £1.50 a minute, and texts cost from 25p to 50p.

Now that's a lot of dough.

So how can you mitigate these costs or reduce these costs?

For Smartphone users

• Turn off Data Roaming
• Don't use Facebook on your phone (it's a data killer)
• Don't upload photos (... do the math)
• Don't use Google Maps (... data again) and consider offline maps if you need map data
• Don't even consider Youtube... 
• And switch push email off.

Generally...

• Use SMS as opposed to phone calls where possible
• Remember inbound calls can sometimes cost the same as outbound calls - and yes, you get charged for receiving a call
• Consider a local SIM card if you can get one (and they are possible to get) to reduce the costs phoning home - and possibly getting data access.
• An International SIM card may be a better option if you need to just make calls.
• Use WiFi hotspots where possible if you're going to shift any serious amount of information.
• Skype is an excellent option if you need to do voice calls home. But of course meaning toting a computer with you... 

As usual, stay safe, make sure you understand your roaming agreement with your phone company... and enjoy the action and atmosphere of the World Cup!

Aeroflot says no to drink on certain Y class routes

It seems Aeroflot has been busy doing analysis after banning alcohol sales on specific flights in Economy Class since February.

By doing this, they have managed to reduce on-board incidents related to intoxication.

Selection of the flights affected was done on flights that highest reported alcohol related incidents in the air. By banning alcohol sales in economy, unsurprisingly, these incidents have fallen away.

Therefore the "dry" routes which will be maintained for passenger safety :

International

• Bangkok
• Havana
• Shanghai

Domestic

• Khabarovsk
• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
• Vladivostok
• Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Now, I'm all for a friendly drink in the air (as some of you may notice with my vodka and coke habit). But with alcohol comes responsibility. Something people forget when they're on holiday, or off on a jolly.

Therefore I'm not surprised to see Aeroflot take this action if people are drinking with abandon, and not prepared to take the consequences, risking passenger safety and the safety of the crew.

So next time you're flying on these routes, 1) enjoy a drink, but 2) don't get try to get on the plane, blotted out of your mind....

Well they say any landing you can walk away from is a good one...

... A Korean Air 777 landing... and not in the best of ways.

Watch for yourself...



Bouncy. And there must had been one hell of a crosswind....

Ryanair makes a profit... and then the ODM bitches.

Well, it makes a difference to talk about someone than BA who are on Day 3 of their third (or is it forth... I loose track)

Lets talk about everyone's "favourite" Low Cost Carrier - Ryanair, who has reported a nifty pre-tax profit of €341m, recovering from a loss last year, thanks in no small part to the reduced price of fuel.

The airline reported revenue was up 2%, and passengers numbers were up 14%. The numbers of course do not involve any volcano ash in them, which is about €50m.

Of course, Ryanair's ancillary revenue helps its cost base an awful lot, as they've put up baggage from £15 to £20 a bag. Which means use the hand luggage limits and don't go over them.

Of course, the Odious Little Man had a little outburst at the Volcano incident and how much they're liable under EC/261

To quote him:

"These regulations weren't designed for the catastrophic closure of European airspace for 18 days, they were designed for a fog event over one night at one airport," he said.

"These regulations have got to be changed."

Well the regulations are there I'm afraid, so it's time to suffer. And there to protect the consumers too. After all what's €50m between friends? It's not as if Ryanair are expanding their fleet as it is...

At least an airline is making a profit in these murkey times....