Moderators: jsumali2, richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
AsiaTravel wrote:Would the 25th be a good time to hear more about a potential A380 refurbishment program from Qantas?
An Etihad flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, with as many as 500 passengers and crew on board, was the target of the alleged terror plot according to The Daily Telegraph.
The Australian understands the men were allegedly intending to use a kitchen mincer to help conceal an “improvised gas-based” device. It is understood the device, which may have expelled gas or exploded, could have been concealed in the hollow base of a mincer. Travel documentation and handwritten notes were among items seized from the properties raided at the weekend, suggesting the men may have been preparing to book tickets.
The ABC reported last night the men tried to board an international flight previously and failed, causing them to change their target to a domestic flight
qf789 wrote:VA to streamline schedule for MEL-HKG for NW17/18
https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... t-schedule
aerokiwi wrote:I just flew this route on VA last night. Some observations...
1. Checkin in HKG still needs a bit of work - they definitely need to improve the service to business pax
2. HNA staffed counters so perhaps still learning the ropes but again, far too slow
3. They were offering at-checkin upgrades to J for payment - I know 10 of the 20 J seats were sold prior to checkin and believe about 8 more got paid upgrades; probably a good way to get some credibility and earn some extra revenue on a new route
4. Excessive delay (2.5 hours) for a potential fog-out at MEL; it was absurd given QF and CX flights leaving at a similar time left on time and experienced no arrival delay - not good enough
5. Economy was about 95 per cent full, so while yields may not be great (which we don't actually know for sure) it seems loads are (admittedly, this is one flight).
6. Economy service was pretty excellent actually, with possibly the nicest economy dinner service I have ever experienced; flight attendants were excellent and super friendly, including one HNA representative
If this is any indication, it bodes well, especially if they can get a consistent schedule (and daily!). They'll soone have an HNA Group lounge out by the 201-220 gates so I suspect they'll consistently be located out there, which can be a bit of a pain transferring all the way from checkin.
I did notice one additional security feature in HKG - they re-checked all carry-on very thoroughly in the jetbridge gangway. Took an extra few minutes but something I haven't seen in a while so asusme it's part of the enhanced security, and was much more thorough than at the usual security screening.
aerokiwi wrote:qf789 wrote:VA to streamline schedule for MEL-HKG for NW17/18
https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... t-schedule
I just flew this route on VA last night. Some observations...
1. Checkin in HKG still needs a bit of work - they definitely need to improve the service to business pax
2. HNA staffed counters so perhaps still learning the ropes but again, far too slow
3. They were offering at-checkin upgrades to J for payment - I know 10 of the 20 J seats were sold prior to checkin and believe about 8 more got paid upgrades; probably a good way to get some credibility and earn some extra revenue on a new route
4. Excessive delay (2.5 hours) for a potential fog-out at MEL; it was absurd given QF and CX flights leaving at a similar time left on time and experienced no arrival delay - not good enough
5. Economy was about 95 per cent full, so while yields may not be great (which we don't actually know for sure) it seems loads are (admittedly, this is one flight).
6. Economy service was pretty excellent actually, with possibly the nicest economy dinner service I have ever experienced; flight attendants were excellent and super friendly, including one HNA representative
If this is any indication, it bodes well, especially if they can get a consistent schedule (and daily!). They'll soone have an HNA Group lounge out by the 201-220 gates so I suspect they'll consistently be located out there, which can be a bit of a pain transferring all the way from checkin.
I did notice one additional security feature in HKG - they re-checked all carry-on very thoroughly in the jetbridge gangway. Took an extra few minutes but something I haven't seen in a while so asusme it's part of the enhanced security, and was much more thorough than at the usual security screening.
qf789 wrote:MH looking at adding double daily PER flights, all operated by 737 and returning to BNE into the future. BNE would not start until second half of 2018 or even 2019 due to shortage of widebody aircraft
http://www.airlineratings.com/news/1375 ... d-says-ceo
V8CHRGD wrote:qf789 wrote:MH looking at adding double daily PER flights, all operated by 737 and returning to BNE into the future. BNE would not start until second half of 2018 or even 2019 due to shortage of widebody aircraft
http://www.airlineratings.com/news/1375 ... d-says-ceo
So they are downgrading to two 737's daily or one A330 and one 737 daily?
qf789 wrote:Today's QF11 SYD-LAX operated by VH-OJU has diverted to HNL, appears to be medical
http://theqantassource.com/qantas-b747- ... diversion/
V8CHRGD wrote:qf789 wrote:Today's QF11 SYD-LAX operated by VH-OJU has diverted to HNL, appears to be medical
http://theqantassource.com/qantas-b747- ... diversion/
Thanks for clarifying. Although i personally would love to add a 737 MAX to the 'aircraft flown on' list, i think most people would prefer a larger plane for that type of International flight. Perhaps giving more customers to Air Asia X with the A333 they use on the same route?
V8CHRGD wrote:Thanks for clarifying. Although i personally would love to add a 737 MAX to the 'aircraft flown on' list, i think most people would prefer a larger plane for that type of International flight. Perhaps giving more customers to Air Asia X with the A333 they use on the same route?
qf789 wrote:V8CHRGD wrote:qf789 wrote:Today's QF11 SYD-LAX operated by VH-OJU has diverted to HNL, appears to be medical
http://theqantassource.com/qantas-b747- ... diversion/
Thanks for clarifying. Although i personally would love to add a 737 MAX to the 'aircraft flown on' list, i think most people would prefer a larger plane for that type of International flight. Perhaps giving more customers to Air Asia X with the A333 they use on the same route?
There's no doubt MH has been the poor performer in PER though its a combination of both Malindo and AirAsia X plus a poor local economy as well. Going double daily 737's is probably the right way to go, its the right aircraft for the route whereas the A333 probably is a struggle during quieter times to fill and 737 flights can be adjusted to meet the required demand better.
LamboAston wrote:VA's new 737 business class could actually be like Jetblue's mint, as MH will have something very similar in their MAX 10s, but with all seats having direct aisle access. Thompson are now finishing off the design for them.
ben175 wrote:Crazy to think it was only around 10 years ago that MH was operating 747s into Perth. Though it will be nice to hopefully see a daylight service back if they go double daily.
downdata wrote:LamboAston wrote:VA's new 737 business class could actually be like Jetblue's mint, as MH will have something very similar in their MAX 10s, but with all seats having direct aisle access. Thompson are now finishing off the design for them.
Max 10s yes. 738s? the J seats might take up 1/2 the damn plane.
jupiter2 wrote:I would hope airport workers are already screened ! I used to work for a freight forwarder and we were screened and that was a decade plus ago.
smi0006 wrote:jupiter2 wrote:I would hope airport workers are already screened ! I used to work for a freight forwarder and we were screened and that was a decade plus ago.
Nope - maybe 30-60% screened
luftaom wrote:USAOZ - I think that you'll be surprised how few public servants have QC access. Many of those at the executive level pay grades don't have access unless they have personally paid for a membership.
melpax wrote:luftaom wrote:USAOZ - I think that you'll be surprised how few public servants have QC access. Many of those at the executive level pay grades don't have access unless they have personally paid for a membership.
I know at the agency I work for (one of the largest ones), very few staff below Senior Executive level would qualify for a funded lounge membership. Not sure if this is still the case, but my employer would only fund a QF club membership for non-SES staff if you were required to travel on a regular basis, at least twice a month. With technology like Telepresence & online meetings being used much more heavily than in the past, it's mostly SES level staff that travel on regular basis these days, the rank & file (at least in my section) barely get a chance to travel anymore.
the device made it as far as Sydney International Airport terminal’s check-in area and that a passenger was “queried about the weight of the luggage at the check-in counter and learnt it was too heavy”.
The report suggests the bag was never checked in.
qf789 wrote:JQ benefiting from best global economy in 10 years
JQ to announce a direct Australia - China route in the next couple of weeks
http://www.airlineratings.com/news/1383 ... -says-ceo-
kriskim wrote:qf789 wrote:JQ benefiting from best global economy in 10 years
JQ to announce a direct Australia - China route in the next couple of weeks
http://www.airlineratings.com/news/1383 ... -says-ceo-
Will be exMEL!
Flyingsottsman wrote:kriskim wrote:qf789 wrote:JQ benefiting from best global economy in 10 years
JQ to announce a direct Australia - China route in the next couple of weeks
http://www.airlineratings.com/news/1383 ... -says-ceo-
Will be exMEL!
So any takers for Melbourne to Shanghai Pudong?
jupiter2 wrote:smi0006 wrote:jupiter2 wrote:I would hope airport workers are already screened ! I used to work for a freight forwarder and we were screened and that was a decade plus ago.
Nope - maybe 30-60% screened
That's really not good enough, especially in the current environment.
redroo wrote:We do not need ID check at the gate. It will solve nothing.
A better thing to do would be to scan/screen all airport workers going airside.