Loading Planes. With Science. You Monster.

I'm sure GLaDOS would be proud with the science that has been done by Jason Steffan and his new loading methodology which allegedly cuts loading time of a 757 with 72 passengers from 6 minutes 54 seconds to 3 minutes and 36 seconds.

He proposes a method of loading where  boarding in alternate rows, window seats first, progressing from the rear forward: seats 12A, for example, followed by 10A, 8A and so on, then returning for 9A, 7A, 5A and so on, and then filling the middle and aisle seats in the same way, arguing the approach avoids a situation in which passengers are struggling to use the same physical space at the same time

Jason's paper is at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969699708000239 with the BBC providing a non scientific version.

Now whilst this is all well and good in the lab and with a semi controlled group, there are three little things.

One: People aren't lab rats and will ignore most instructions that are given. Have a look at any gate area in the world to see if people pay attention to boarding instructions. Chances are, they'll ignore every announcement unless you have a gate controller who is managing each person.

Two: Whilst 3 minutes and 36 seconds with 72 people sounds good, a random free for all load took... 4 minutes and 44 seconds. Not so bad.

Three: Who's heard of a normal airline loading only 72 passengers on a plane? Add a 100 to that (172) and we're nearer a normal load factor.

Oh well. Look at me still talking when there's science to do. Maybe we should be thinking with Portals for loading planes. But would there be cake? Or is the cake a lie?

Boeing: Launch's Re-Engined 737 - The 737-Max

Welll Boeing has finally got it's backside into first gear with competition from the side (from Airbus and it's A320NEO aircraft) and below (with Bombadier's C-Series and Embarer's E-Jets), and is to launch a new series of 737 aircraft - the 737-MAX.

Images (c) The Boeing Company.


Looking at the 737 MAX, it is a re-engining job like the Airbus A320NEO, with the family split into 3 types of frames: 737-7, 737-8, 737-9 with CFM International Leap-1B engines delivering the new engine. There's also some engineering tidyup's too from the looks of it with a 787 style tail.

Those of you expecting a 737-6 in the max series will be dissapointed, as Boeing has excluded the type from re-engineering - the fact that there are none on the order book should give you the hint why.

Boeing say:

"The 737 MAX will deliver maximum efficiency, maximum reliability and the Boeing Sky Interior will continue to offer maximum passenger comfort,"


"We call it the 737 MAX because it optimises everything we and our customers have learned about designing, building, maintaining and operating the world's best single-aisle airplane,"

For those of you wanting the MAX, the entry into service is targeted to 2017. However, going by Boeing's recent record with the 787, expect a few bumps on the way.

Those airlines getting the MAX inculde the recent order from from American Airlines who will receive 100 of the birds.

Inside, the planes will be equiped with the new Boeing Sky Interior with all the usual featueres.

As usual for the best skinny on the MAX, FlightBlogger has the best coverage

AA: New inflight ameinties for First and Business Class

It seems the fight in the premium sections of the cabin is increasing with American Airlines introducing new amentities in those classes

Commening in Early September in the First Cabin on Boeing 777 operated services between London Heathrow (LHR) and US Destinations, you'll get:

- A quilted bed topper custom-designed to fit American's popular Flagship Suite,
- pajamas
- and slippers as part of the airline's new turndown service.

Also...
- A lightweight day blanket
- new premium duvet and pillow
- An amenity kit featuring a bag with an authentic Eames Office design pattern and containing Dermalogica skincare products

Aren't you just excited at that? Well here's a picture.

Meanwhile in Business Class, onboard flights between the USA and London LHR operated by Boeing 777s, 767-300s and international 757s can enjoy a new premium duvet and pillow, slippers, and amenity kit.

And at GhettoIFE towers, we love amientiy kits. Honestly!

Well it looks an improvement from the United pencil case, but a downgrade from the olde one....

In October, the full suite of products, including the turndown service, will roll out in American's First Class cabins onboard all international flights served by Boeing 777s. Business Class cabins onboard all international flights operated by Boeing 777s and 767-300s, in addition to select flights to and from Europe operated by Boeing 757s, will begin offering the new premium duvet and pillow, slippers, and amenity kit on this time too.

Well this is sort of exciting for those in the high expensive seats (or for those who upgraded... not so expensive seats) at the front of the plane. American Airlines have disclosed no changes in Economy. And knowing airlines, no news means no changes.

Not even a pen. Which isn't helpful when you have to fill out the landing card when you're 30 minutes from landing....

787 - Finally Certificated

Well it's taken long enough. And I do mean it in the nicest possible way.

Boeing has finally had type certification for the 787 "Dreamliner" aircraft from the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency, allowing it to formally deliver the aircraft and for customers to use it.

The flight test programme has been extensive with over  4,645 flight hours logged,  using a total of 6 aircraft.

Boeing is still on target to deliver the first 787 to All Nippon Airways (ANA) on 26 September, with a flight taking off from Everett on 27 September and arriving in Tokyo on 28 September.

The programme has been rumbling on since 2003 and the long protracted development, testing and the delays the 787 has suffered since then.

It's taken Boeing time to get this far, but it seems they're finally ready to realise the fruits of the work, but it's getting to the point where the 787 will start to earn money... and we'll see if the gamble that Boeing made in 2003 finally pays off.

Airplan p0rn - Swiss International Airlines BAe 146/Avro 100.

It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some more airplane p0rn.

This week, it's another Swiss Avro 100/BAe 146 queued up for takeoff at Zurich Airport

More of course next week!

Safety Video Saturday - Retro - Tower Air

It's Saturday, and the end of the month, so it's time to place your seat in the upright position as the long defunct Tower Air presents it's safety video for a 747



More next week!

DL: Smoking will not be allowed on any of our new 100 Boeing 737-900ER's...

Meanwhile, Delta has been busy, and is in the process of replacing it's ageing 757 fleet.

Delta have conculded that they want Boeing, and have ordered 100 737-900ER's. This varity will to quote Delta: "on a capacity-neutral basis older technology aircraft that will be retired from the fleet", said the carrier.

The frames are scheduled for delivery between 2013 and 2018 with the following numbers per year:

12 in the second half of 2013.
19 in 2014
19 in 2015
19 in 2016
19 in 2017
12 in 2018.

If Deltalina will be giving the safety demo up to 2018 is of course another matter....

NH: Boeing - I will deliver one 787 Aircraft to ANA on the 26th September.

Boeing has finally confirmed it's delivery date of the first production 787 Dreamliner to All Nippon Airways... and the magic date is set to be 26th September.

The "new delivery plan" will involve the aircraft being handed over to ANA on the 26th September, then depart Everett field on 27th to arrive in Toyko on the 28th September.

For ANA, who have been patient as heck, this will allow them time to familiarise themselves with the new plane, and conduct the demonstration and charter flights before entering into service.

For Boeing, this will mark one heck of milestone as on the 1st November the 787 will carry paying passengers on a regular service.

And maybe it might stop plaudits like me lambasting Boeing after every failure during this learning exercise that has been a very delayed delivery of an aircraft.

For ANA this the beginning of the 787 story as they are due 55 aircraft, with 10 due during this fiscal year, and another 11 due during the next financial year.

Other companies will be watching too, seeing if the promised efficiencies this aircraft is meant to deliver finally pay off... or at least compensate for how long they've been waiting for it....

VA: Virgin America CEO on life 4 years later...

As Virgin America goes into it's 5th year of operation, the CEO - David Cush - has been interviewed about the airline and life in Silcon Valley, San Francisco and why the CEO lives in the 2nd row of economy.

It's at http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18717348?nclick_check=1 and whilst not the best of interview (with an emphasis by the reporter to Green technoligies), it gives an insight to the Virign America customer and how an IFE system can be used to generate trade, whilst keeping trollies blocking their isle.

Ideal lunchtime reading. 

Want to get away by Public Transport this long weekend? Good luck.....

For some of us, it's coming up to a 3 day weekend. Which means it's time for the rail network to go bannanas, Sunday bus services and general confusion.



National Rail Services:

Operator	Saturday 27 August	Sunday 28 August	Monday 29 August
Arriva Trains Wales	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
c2c	Normal Service	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
Chiltern Railways	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
CrossCountry	Normal Service	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
East Coast	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Amended Timetable
East Midlands Trains	Normal Service	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
Eurostar	Normal Service	Normal Service	Normal Service
First Capital Connect	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
First Great Western	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Amended Timetable
First Hull Trains	Normal Service	Normal Service	Amended Timetable
First TransPennine Express	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
Gatwick Express	Normal Service	Normal Service	Amended Timetable
Grand Central	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
Heathrow Connect / Heathrow Express	Normal Service	Normal Service	Normal Service
Island Line	Normal Service	Normal Service	Amended Timetable
London Midland	Normal Service	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
London Overground	Normal Service	Normal Service	Amended Timetable
Merseyrail	Normal Service	Normal Service	Amended Timetable
National Express East Anglia / Stansted Express	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
Northern Rail	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work
ScotRail	Normal Service	Engineering Work	Normal Service
South West Trains	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Amended Timetable
Southeastern	Normal Service	Engineering Work	Amended Timetable
Southern	Normal Service	Engineering Work	Amended Timetable
Virgin Trains	Engineering Work	Engineering Work	Engineering Work

Data: National Rail Enquiries - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/seasonal/August_2011/mainpage.html

London Underground 

Various station and line closures during the weekend  (27/28/29th). See    http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/livetravelnews/realtime/track.aspx?offset=weekend

Buses and Coaches.

Expect Sunday Service on the Bank Holiday Monday.


As usual, during a Bank Holiday period, allow extra time for your travels.

BD: Award flight sale!

It seems BMI are conducting a fire sale on award routes. The table below should give you a hint of what they're flogging and how much to where.

Deliving in the T&C's, there are some little gems.

• Addressee only, but it seems all BMI Members can get this
• BMI Operated flights only. No Codeshares or wet leases
• Cash and Miles EXCULDED.
• BMI Gold Members will be upgraded from Economy to Business subject to availability (The BMI Gold Upgrade Joker).
• Sale period: 24 August and midnight on 2 September 2011 for travel between 1 November 2011 to 31 March 2012
• Subject to capacity.
• Must be booked by the Call centre ONLY. Yes. BMI's grip on technology seems to be falling away one step at at time here.
• Taxes, Dutues and Charges of course are exculded. But you guessed that.
• Changes and Cancellations subject to usual Diamond Club Rules.
• Changes beyond 1 November 2011 and 31 March 2012 which then results in award flight travel to be taken outside of the promotional period will be subject to full award miles deduction

If you can use it, knock yourself out!

NH: First Long Haul 787 Routes annouced - Off to PEK and FRA!

ANA have confirmed their first regular Long Haul International Route for ANA's 787 will be to Bejing and Frankfurt

ANA is on an ambious timtetable if Boeing can get their finger out getting the new birds approved for service.

Initally ANA will be operating demonstration flights to Hong Kong on 26th/27th October. The aircraft will then move on onto Japanese Domestic services, linking Tokyo Haneda to Okayama and Hiroshima from 1st November.

In terms of domsetisc, ANA are aiming to operate Toyko Haneda to Itami, Matsuyama, and Yamaguchi-Ube as well as Osaka and Hiroshima.

The 787 Long haul service coded as below operates from Tokyo Haneda and Frankfurt:

NH203   DEP HND 01:00    ARR FRA 05:25

NH204   DEP FRA 11:15    ARR HND 06:45+1

Launch Date: TBC.
Operates: Monday, Thursday and Saturday
Equipment: Boeing 787.
Operated By: ANA and Lufthansa

Bejing passengers get to try it out the Dreamliner earlier from 1st December until the launch of the Frankfurt route. Exact Flight scheduldes and timings are to be annouced, but mumblings of "once a week" are being made.

AI: You'll never guess which airline alliance is stalking Air India....

Have a goooood guess. You're only going to get one of them.

Done guessing?

Of course, you're right dear reader.

According to the Telegraph of India SkyTeam are to court Air India, with an offer to join the alliance.

This comes after the fallout of the disaster known as Air India's attempt to join Star Alliance.

Meetings have kicked off between SkyTeam and the Indian goverment, with Skyream expressing an intrest in having them in the alliance.

Allegedly, OneWorld has also been talking to Air India as well with membership proposals and the offer to help the national carrier improve its international operations.

The Indian goverment is open to all offers - from SkyTeam, and even Star Alliance if they want them.

However, any alliance that want Air India in them is going to experiance a rocky ride, and is that something a commerically driven organisation like SkyTeam, OneWord or even Star Alliance want?

I'm not sure....

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110823/jsp/business/story_14411945.jsp

TG: Introduces.. Thai Smile Air.

Oh dear. It seems Thai International Airways have been visiting the Strategy Boutique for a name for their new "light premium airline".

And it's called Thai Smile Air.

Oook.

Thai Smile Air (TSA.. hmm. Not a good start) will begin services in July next year, operating from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai and Surat Thani.

TSA are hoping to operate to regional destinations within the South East Asia area by 2013, operating 4 Airbus A320 aircraft, and aiming to expand to 11 birds at a later point.

Thai Smile Air will be sold as a a "full-service regional carrier", offering real amentities such as business and economy classes, inflight meals and baggage.

UA: Channel 9 to remain, and fleet upgrades on the way

United are bevering away, and have stumped up a new PR. Lets break it down:

More Long Haul Flat Seats - New seats are going in with all-new flat-bed seats in the premium cabins on 26 Boeing 767s – 12 Continental 767-400 aircraft and 14 United 767-300 aircraft (yes, the domestic birds are getting a tidyup at last). For these birds will also have AVOD and inseat power too.

The Three Cabin 777's (the original United birds) are being refitted (with those ghastly hard slimline seats down the back and the dormitry style Business Class seats) - 17 of 46 aircraft complete and another dozen added to that by year-end. Again AVOD and inseat power will feature in these birds.

Economy Plus is being rolled out on the Continental fleet, with an aim to get 38 birds reconfigured this year (with the 767-400's targeted), with 100 by next spring. When the rebuilds occur, they will be removing Economy class rows, rather than stripping out business and first class seats

Meanwhile, in regional land, all the Dash8-Q400's are having E+ and F installed too. Oh well.

On the A319/A320 fleet (Orignal United fleet) are getting new overhead bins. Considering the average sink that is brought aboard a domestic UA flight thanks to the luggage charges, this is not a bad thing. In addition, the interiors are getting a sprucing up too.

IFE goes streaming - It seems United are doing a AA, and introducing Streaming IFE on the 747-400 birds. For those in First and Business, that's great. For those in Economy, it'll make a change. However, good luck in finding anywhere to charge your device whilst watching the streaming data. Vendor selection is in progress.

Meanwhile, Wi-Fi installation seems to picking up with LiveTV to deliver Wi-Fi over Ka satalites with the ex CO 737 and 757 birds aircraft equipped with DIRECTV. If this ever comes over to the UA Airbus or Boeing birds is anohter matter.

United PS will get a tarting up, dropping the First Class cabin, and switching to a Two Class service offering 26 flat beds in business, at 114 Economy Seats, all with AVOD, Power and WiFi

But most importantly to us aviation geeks, CHANNEL 9 WILL REMAIN (at pilots discression). The feature will be added to ALL Contientnal Birds except the 737-500's (so will be installed with all birds that have IFE installed). First birds to get it will be the tarted up 767-400's, starting in what they call "Fall" (what the rest of us call Autumn)- Oh and United Pilots, here's a hint pilots, switch it on the LHR runs please!

There are some actual positive changes here. However, this is 1) going to need to be monitored and 2) I wonder how much of the IFE services (such as the new Wireless IFE and New AVOD) will have "Paid For" content.

One to watch in the future I suspect.

Airplan p0rn - Brussels Airlines A319

It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some more airplane p0rn.

This week, it's a Brussels Airlines Airbus A319 in Star Alliance paint scheme preparing to depart from Barcelona Airport.

More of course next week

Safety Video Saturday - British Midland International A320

Ok, I don't tend to do this - by posting taped on the plane videos - but I could resist.

It's time for British Midland to demonstrate safety onboard their Airbus A320's.



And yes, those of you remaining at Donnington Hall (including the Social Media team who seem to miss their flights), that's a hint for you to stick a copy of your safety video online.

Immersive Gaming... or an excuse to visit the BA Cranebank Simulator

BBC Click are running a piece on Immersive Gaming including a visit to a simulator in a Coventry, Laser Tag in Planes in South California... but for us people who fly in the back of the plane (or behind Row 0), the interesting part starts at 3:00... at the British Airways Flight Training centre where the reporter gets to play in a BA 747-400 flight simulator.

Fun Saturday viewing... although the dogfighting over South California sounds like fun...

UK viewers can hit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9567040.stm (and as it's Click, it should be available to international viewers.

Or for those of us who are interested in Photography as well, it'll be on the BBC iPlayer soon!

AB: Route cuts ahoy, CEO falls on sword.

When a carrier announces it's having a "shape and size" rethink, you know there's a major reorganisation afoot. And alas, it's Air Berlin who is doing this.

In an effort to turn around the airline and return it to profitability, routes are be cancelled left right and centre including

Munster - London
Onasbruck - London
Hanover - London
Paderborn - London
Paderborn - Manchester
Frankfurt - Hamburg
Frankfurt - Naples
Stuttgart - St Petersburg
Munich - Cairo
Düsseldorf - Paris.

In addition, Air Berlin is removing 1 million seats in capacity - in the form of 8 planes to be withdrawn.

With these cuts comes a price, and it came with the CEO Joachim Hunold, tendering his resignation blaming the German Aviation tax (akin to APD), fuel rises (the current bogeyman), and issues in the North Africa region where flights have been cut.

Shape and Size will also hit the regional airport in Germany, so expect more cuts there too.

Well, Air Berlin has been expanding like a bad spiderweb. Unfortunately, it seems that they got tangled a bit too much in it....

OFF TOPIC: Congratulations to A-Level Students (and to GCSE Students next week)

This is a repost from last year. But I'm posting it yearly now as the points need to be re-enforced each year when people rubbish exam results. I'll be back with amusing commentary shortly.... 

---

Dear Successful Exam Student.

On this results day, you've got a mixture of feelings - be it joy, happiness, anger or despair depending how your results have gone today.

From someone who has been all four at once (and at 16, I was pretty much written off by my old school), some words of advice:

Joy - You've got the result at last.
Celebrate - And seriously, I mean that. 2+ years of hard work on any subject is enough to drive anyone bonkers. And well done
Don't be angry - At the end of the day, you did the best you could on a set of conditions on a day.
Despair - of what to do next. 

FINALLY - I PLEAD WITH YOU -

• IGNORE THE ARROGANT PEOPLE IN THE PRESS
• IGNORE THE PUNDITS WHO SAY EXAMS ARE GETTING EASIER 
• IGNORE THE POLITICIANS WHO HAVEN'T SAT A PAPER IN YEARS
• IGNORE THOSE WHO HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STUDY HARD
• IGNORE THOSE WHO ACTUALLY HAVE GROWN THE YEARS AND FORGET THEY LEARN AS THEY GROW UP
• AND IGNORE THOSE WHO SAY "THAT WASN'T HARD"

Because I remember how hard it was.

Remember, Even if you got an F, You still passed the exam. And more than that. You've given your all and done your best.

Congratulations.

QF:Changes to the "Joint Service Agreement", modified routes and a new JetStar....

Qantas have been a bit busy pushing out the PR's last night. Lets look at the ones that will hit you the poor passenger first.

The Joint Service Agreement Between London and Sydney (Qantas and British Airways)

Currently, the main JSA routes are LHR-SIN-SYD and LHR-BKK-SYD.
The LHR-SIN-SYD run will be operated with Boeing 747's instead of 777-200's
Meanwhile the LHR-BKK-SYD service is changed in two ways
LHR-BKK will be operated by BA terminates at BKK.
SYD-BKK will be operated by Qantas and terminates at BKK.

British Airways is to increase it's LHR-HKG frequency going 17 times weekly from 14 times.

Also announced is the creation of Jetstar Japan in cooperation with JAL and the Mitsubishi Corporation. Operating a fleet on A320's in 180 seater configurations, this will target the low cost segment in Japan (brining it into conflict with ANA's "Peach"), operating initally between Tokyo Narita and Osaka, with routes to Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa on the cards. The aim is once established in Japan, to operate short haul international services.

On top of this, Qantas are readying their "New Premium Asian Airline", which they're preparing to launch.

The unnamed airline will not carry the Qantas name, and will take the form of a joint venture, with "a new brand, new aircraft and an exciting new look and feel".

Expect shenanigans from the unions when this hits.

Chiltern Mainline shut for the next two weeks - find alternative routes

Yes, I'm talking about rail again, with the Chiltern Mainline linking Birmingham, Warwickshire, parts of Oxfordshire, the Chilterns and to London partially out of commision for the nxt two weeks.

Routes on the mainline segment between Banbury and London, as well as Bicster North are affected.

The Aylsebury line is also hit as well - check your times, diversions and routings.

The Chilterns are basicly out of action for one of the biggest upgrades to the route ever and to increase the speed of the line, knocking off from nearly 2 hours from Birmingham to London to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Chiltern have published an FAQ and also detailed changes for the next 15 days.

Good luck if you're travelling on this line the next 15 days - you're going to need it. I'll have a review of the "new mainline" in late September as part of a big trip report....

Airplane p0rn - Lufthansa B737-300

It's Sunday again, so it's time for some more Airplane p0rn.

This Sunday, it's a Lufthansa Boeing 737-300 parked up at Zurich International Airport

More of course next week!

Safety Video Saturday - Condor 757-300

It's Saturday and it's attack of the lookalikes as Condor demos safety for it's Boeing 757-300 fleet.



More next week

Trip Report - Crossing back across the city one day later

Well as the last trip report was a bit depressing, I'd thought I'd repeat the trip in reverse. And what a reverse it is...

The Tesco that was closed, has been reopened...

Even the Oasis is open as usual...

Even Sainsburys...

But I leave final images to CyberCandy who got hit in the first wave:

Birmingham, it's people and the city will march on. And not let these people win.

CX: They want you feel... New Boeing 777-300ER's, whilst SQ order a few extra too...

Meanwhile a bit further across Asia, Cathay Pacific is busy buying new aircraft - this time another 4 Boeing 777-300ER's

On top of this they've ordered much more cargo capacity in the form of 8 Boeing 777-200 freighters.


Meanwhile Singapore Airlines too have decided to expand their fleet by ordering an extra 8 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to allow it to phase out older aircraft and expand as needed.

Their aircraft are destined for Long Haul and Medium Haul routes, and due to begin arriving in 2013, adding to the existing 19 777-300ER's in their fleet.

The 777-300ER of course is a stretch of the Boeing 777 that has curried favour with airlines due to the amount of bums of seats you can fit in with low operational costs compared to a 747-400. So much so, the biggest competitor to the passenger 747-8i is.... their own 777-300ER.

TG: Confirms 4 A350-900s, 5 A320's

Thai Airways International has confirmed a deal to buy four Airbus A350-900 and five A320 aircraft.

The current plans are to operate the A350-900's to Europe, whilst operating the A320's on Domestic and Regional operations. In addition to what they're purchasing Thai will also lease an addtional 8 A350-900's and 6 A320's to support the fleet modernisation programme Thai has embarked on.

This involves 37 new aircraft joining the fleet.

TT: Tiger Airways Australia - Cleared to Fly

Tiger Airways Australia has been cleared to fly from the 12th August by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has removed the threat of legal action, and restored it's operating certificate

The fleet will be shrunk to 8 aircraft in the first instance, and will run limited serviecs in the first instance between Melborne and Sydney. The other two aircraft will be deployed within the Tiger Group.

In addition, whilst service expansion may happen slowly, it is currently limited to 18 take offs and landings per day in August, with a review by CASA if Tiger Australia are allowed to operate more segments.

Crew bases will be consolidated to Melbourne with all other stations shutting.

Is it enough to save Tiger Australia? I'm not sure.....

Trip Report - From One Side of Birmingham to another

As some of you know, there has been a bit of chaos in the UK at the moment, so I'd thought I'd take the opertunity to show you some of the caranage that you can find on a 2 mile commute through a city.

For reference points, I live on side of the ring road, and work the other side of it. Therefore catching the bus round the city can be mad (as some of the areas where these looters are coming from are from there) or through the city.

Last night thankfully I got a lift home.

Today, I caught the bus - and was instantly depressed on the journey to work

Passing on the bus from Costcutters near the Holiday Inn/Ralison Blu.

One of the sad images of the night were those who ransacked Richer Sounds for Plasma Screens and Audio/Visual equipment:

You'll note the record shop is fine - the gangs were only after one thing - technology.

Moving up towards New Street Station, SuperFi was also hit too. 

 Again, you'll notice the loan store next to SuperFi is undamaged

Even the Bull Ring has partially given up, closing the main car park.

Moving into the main street (Corporation Street), the carnage is for all to see.

However, there are signs of life goes on. 

Again, featured on the news and slowly recovering. 

Even the bars got hit. 

However some shops have given up - this branch of Tesco in particular:
 

Even conference venues got hit.... 

And the thugs of course got to the Sony Centre.

Even the Post Office

Even the betting office

And to cross the city, and find this not a million miles from the office:

Part of me is angry this has happened and the results of it. Another part of me in angry they dare do this to my home and make me a practical prisoner between work and home.

But I am a Brummie (adopted, 10 years).  And I have no intention of budging an inch to these... criminals.

And there's no other term to describe them.

Thugs: End this now. This is not showing colours, showing pride, it is PURE HOOLIGANISM.

New delays from GhettoIFE.com towers....

As you're probably aware, there's a fair bit of rioting, madness and sheer hooliganism in certain parts of the United Kingdom at the moment.

Alas, I live/work about a mile from most of the kickoff areas in Birmingham, and as such I've been concentrating on more important things.

Therefore, I'm holding back on some blogging today.

Normal service will resume soon. Or when the rioters decide they want listen to reason.....

BD: Takes another step to being an LCC - Seat assigment charges and Buyable Lounge Access

It seems with a new web site interface, everything is up for sale. Firstly we'll cover the business of seats for sale.

And that's if you're not a BMI Diamond Club Gold or Silver (and those travelling with BMI Golds/Silvers), it's time to pay up if you want a seat assignment in advanced.

Priced at £15 / €20 / $25 a SECTOR, this is just a moneygrab from BMI for those who want their preferred seat at the back of the plane. Seats are bookable by email or the call centre.

Routes affected: London Heathrow and Addis Ababa, Almaty, Amman, Amritsar, Baku, Beirut, Bishkek, Cairo, Damascus, Dammam, Freetown, Jeddah, Khartoum, Moscow, Riyadh, Tbilisi, Tehran and Yerevan.

Effective: 04/08/2011.

Exclusions: BMI Gold, Silver, Business and Full Fare Economy (Y farecode).

---

And then with the relaunch of the website comes the opportunity to buy access to the lounges - or in particular - The London Room.

This affects routes between London Heathrow and Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester or Dublin

Bookable on their site, at £20 a throw a person, it's limited to times - so at peaks the lounge isn't solid - Diamond Club Gold/Silver and Star Alliance Golds are subject to the usual rules.

It seems Father Lufthasna wants to try to make money out of the little airline that's having so many other issues at the moment, and is trying a land grab this way... and I'm honestly not sure this will work....

TT: Tiger Airways Australia - Still Grounded to 11 August.

Tiger Airways Australia are still grounded - this time to the 11th August.

The court hearing has been adjourned again to allow Tiger and the CASA to solve it's differences - the main issue being how Tiger documents how it will address it's "safety issues" covering "everything from how the pilots fly the aircraft, to how the aircraft are operated themselves" according to the CASAS

Tiger Airways (the parent company), is loosing S$2m a week from Tiger Australia, but plans to operate continue.

They quote:

"This is a setback and a major setback. But we are committed to our Australian business and we see promise in the market. We are nowhere close to the tipping point of considering a pullout,"

How Tiger Australia can make money after this debacale is still open to question - by concentrating on profitable routes only may be the only way. That - or diverting Australian aircraft away into the Singaporean arm.

Tiger Airways Singapore continues to operate.

German ATC walkout : 06:00 to 12:00 CET - 09/08/2011

Well if it isn't one set of people striking, it's another.

This time it's German Air Traffic Control going out on strike, for 6 hours.

The ATC provider - Deutsche Flugsicherung - managed to get an injunction to prevent last weeks strike, but it seems they can't stop this strike going through.

The ATC union GDF plans to strike between 06:00 and 12:00 local time.

Of course, the strike is over pay - or a rise of 6.5% all DFS employees - not just ATC, whilst maintaining existing agreements.

Expect travel chaos if you're flying into (or out) Germany tomorrow, or if flying over the country.

Airplan p0rn - United Airlines Airbus A319 (New Colours)

It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some Airplane p0rn.

This week, it's a United Airlines A319 (New colour scheme) taking off from Chicago O'Hare

More next week!

QF: Withdraws John Travolta Safety Video.

Well as it's part of Safety Video Saturday not a few weeks ago, it seems that Qantas have pulled the John Travolta Safety Video due to the current industrial dispute.

To be blunt, John says in the video "there is no one he would rather having flying the plane than a Qantas pilot".

The Union disagrees with Qantas's current plans to outsource some pilots

AIPA suggests this move is in line to outsource oversea pilots whilst Qantas argue that video was temporary.

Love, war, pilots and unions. Nothing changes no matter where you are in the world...

And here's the video again for one last wrenching time.

Safety Video Saturday - Norwind Airlines

The kids are out again, so it's time to put your papers down and listen them... in Russian.



More next week!

AA: WiFi IFE with "Bring your own device... and Credit Card"

American Airlines has teamed up with GoGo inflight wireless IFE system called "Entertainment on Demand"

It's a streaming video service, and as you've probably guessed - requires payment to use it.

TV Shows are charged at $0.99 per episode and film $3.99 a pop. GoGo Wireless Services are available in-flight of flights over 90 minutes on AA for $4.95 and upwards. If you run out of time to watch a film, you can catch up with the end of it on the ground at no extra cost.

Thankfully you don't have to pay to use the Wireless network if you just want watch the Wireless VOD service.

Rollout is beginning on the New York JFK to Los Angeles and San Francisco routes (operated by Boeing 767-200 aircraft), whilst the rest of the fleet is pending - subject to FAA approval, stretching it to the 737-800 fleet and some of the MD-80's AA have.

Also, this is limited to laptops with WiFi owners. GhettoIFE owners trying to run this on an iPad, iPhone, Android Device or otherwise are left in the cold until GoGo extends the service onto us.

Laptops without WiFi need not apply... and for those of you who are thinking of using this, remember WiFi does chew into a battery's runtime tremendously. Combine that with video delivery, make sure you have power on your plane, or a freshly charged battery before watching a video on AA.

Or do what the rest of us do, and preload content onto your device first.

Thai Airways presents... Thai Wings...

It seems that Thai Airlines has found a purpose for their new A320's coming on stream soon - and that's to create a new airline called "Thai Wings" initially.

Unlike a lot of start-ups in the region, this is a full fat product - it will have the trappings of Business classes, baggage allowances, meals - very much how Silk Air is to Singapore Airlines.

The first four A320's that Thai will receive will head to Thai Wings, with the aim of expanding to 11 aircraft. However, don't plan too much yet as the route network
hasn't been announced yet.

So what's all the keffuful about? And why? It seems that Thai Airways and Tiger Airways have been blocked by the Thai Government from forming Thai Tiger Airways (which was in development last year). Thai already has a Low Cost presence in the form of Nok Air, but the development of Thai Wings could be used to increase frequency on non-core routes locally - and maybe regionally.

This will be interesting to see how this works out - and it could be cheaper for Thai if Thai Wings staffs are on newer (and cheaper) contracts to forfill the job.....

BA: 50% off W and Y class Redemptions

British are running a promotion for 50% off Economy and Premium Economy (World Traveller, EuroTraveller and World Traveller Plus) fares

Note before you get excited First, Club World are EXCLUDED from this 50% off sale.

Full details at http://www.britishairways.com/travel/executive-flight-offer-6/execclub/en_gb

As usual, taxes are excluded. Might work out good for short Eurohops or longer World Traveller+ routes.

AF447: Cockpit transcript released

For chilling reading, head to http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2009/f-cp090601e3/pdf/f-cp090601e3.pdf

Cold stuff.

Heading to Gatwick today? Allow Extra Time.

There has been some flood damage along the main London to Brighton line in South London that is affecting Gatwick services

Alas, a burst water main brought the rail service to its knees, flooding the tracks.

Gatwick Express has been slashed to a Half Hour Service (as opposed to every 15 minutes). In addition, services between London and the South Coast are hit with a temporary timetable.

This is going to hit Gatwick Express, Southern, First Capital Connect and some SouthEastern services.

If if you're heading off to the sun via Gatwick today, allow extra time - or switch to a coach service.

TT: Tiger Airways Australia - Still Grounded

At the risk of running the same headline twice, it's still the case.

Tiger Airways Australia is still grounded pending a resumption of a hearing on the 3rd August.

Both Tiger Airways Australia and the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority agreed to this, with the hearing adjourned twice now.

Tiger Airways Australia has confirmed that its operations are likely to be suspended until 5 August. After that - it will be in the hands of the court to let it go back into the sky.

Tiger Airways Singapore continue to operate at this time.

AI: Star Alliance Membership joining "suspended"

Well in completely unsurprising news Star Alliance and Air India have chosen to "suspend" talks about integration.

This is due to Air India failing to meet conditions deadline after deadline. Typically integration can take anything from a year to two years.

Air India have been at this for 4 years - and the gauntlet was thrown down by Jaan Albrecht (CEO, Star Alliance) to be ready by 31st July.

Air India apparently failed to meet the deadline.

It hasn't been decided if Air India will attempt to join Star Alliance again - or choose to join a different alliance.

Existing agreements with individual airlines will be maintained such as code-shares, which could lead to Air India getting back into Star at a later date.

But not today.

It seems the message to Air India is a simple one - yet probably the hardest one to swallow - "Get your house in order before coming back"