You want travel rewards? Computer says No

David Walliams as Carol in Little Britain. (BBC)

Sometimes when I sit at my laptop I feel like I’m in one of those Little Britain sketches where a relatively simple operation is thwarted because the “computer says No”.

It’s happened to me on so many occasions that I reckon I’m wasting my time even reading those tempting travel-related offers that come via my inbox

Continue reading You want travel rewards? Computer says No

Forget about privacy, everyone’s got your number

We’ve got John Citizen’s wallet!

Updated (see second footnote)

Another day, another data breach. Revelations that data held by Cathay Pacific has been “compromised” do worry me a little, as I have flown with the airline several times, and plan to do so again next month.

But, as a frequent traveller, I’ve got used to the idea that many people have the details of my credit cards, passport and much, much more.

Continue reading Forget about privacy, everyone’s got your number

You can stop the music: one airline just did

(Qantas)

We all know that flying isn’t what it used to be. Under pressure from increased competition, especially from budget carriers, all airlines are making cuts.

We’ve all got used to narrower seats, paying for meals, drinks and luggage, and generally being made to feel less special when we fly. But has enough finally become enough?

Continue reading You can stop the music: one airline just did

Is air rage ruining flying for the rest of us?

Social-media video. (PerthNow.com,au)

Imagine you’re on a plane and you’re in the zone for a 17-hour nonstop flight from Perth, Australia to London, England.

And then after just over an hour into the flight, somebody on board (allegedly) behaves so badly that the plane has to turn around and take you to back to your departure point. You’d be pretty annoyed, right?

Well, that’s what happened on Qantas Flight 9, the much-touted fast way to the UK from Western Australia.

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Do premium-only flights diminish the magic?

Eighteen hours and 45 minutes on a plane. Sounds like hell, eh? But maybe not so much if you’re flying in premium economy or business class — which is what Singapore Airlines will be offering on the new world’s longest flight, from Singapore to New York, starting on October 11.

The flight will cover the 16,700-kilometre route in one hop from Changi to Newark thanks to the capabilities of the new Airbus A350-900 ULR (“ultra long range”) aircraft.

Continue reading Do premium-only flights diminish the magic?

The Flying Kangaroo jumps in a different direction

Qantas has slowly but surely been unveiling a new strategy for its big-ticket flights from Australia.

(Qantas)

On top of its announced aim to offer ultra-long-haul flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, the Flying Kangaroo is preparingto redirect its flagship QF Flight 1 to London back via Singapore, rather than Dubai, which has been the single stopover for the past few years.

Continue reading The Flying Kangaroo jumps in a different direction

How ultra long-haul flights will change the way we travel

Qantas says it wants to be able to fly from the east coast of Australia (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne) non-stop to London. It’s just waiting for aircraft manufacturers to build a plane that can do it.

Given that a Boeing 777 LR plane can already fly non-stop for 17 hours, a 20-plus-hour flight may not be far away. Airbus’s A350 apparently also has potential.

But it will come with consequences —  Continue reading How ultra long-haul flights will change the way we travel

Up, up and away … this time I’m off to Taipei

For reasons that will become clearer in future posts, I have to be in Bangkok by the last week of this month.

(cathaypacific.com)

I checked my Qantas frequent flyer points* with the view to making a direct flight from Brisbane. But I discovered that for about the same number of points I could go first to somewhere I’d never been before — and I’m always up for that.

Continue reading Up, up and away … this time I’m off to Taipei

An expensive business

The first time I flew business class, it was from Brisbane to Perth. Somebody else — a publicist promoting a play she wanted me to see so I could interview the star* — was paying, so I’m not sure what it cost.

I was, however, shocked to see the difference between the economy and business class fares currently being offered by Qantas for the same flight.

Continue reading An expensive business

‘Worst’ airline fights back

It’s been a long time since I flew Jetstar. In fact, when I last did, the Qantas subsidiary still had unallocated seating — an “innovation” it very quickly abandoned.

(jetstar.com)

But from what I’ve heard and read, it comes as little surprise that Jetstar has been has named the world’s worst airline in an international survey. Equally, it’s no surprise that it is fighting back, because the methodology was clearly flawed.

Continue reading ‘Worst’ airline fights back

We want affordable wi-fi!

There is one area where the hospitality industry has struggled (or is unwilling) to keep up and be competitive: the provision of internet services.

It is ridiculous in this day and age that some hotels, airlines and cruise ships offer near-extortionate prices for internet access (which, according to the United Nations, is a basic human right, no less).

Continue reading We want affordable wi-fi!

A premium flight experience

In the current climate of austerity, many people are thinking twice about paying for business-class airfares.

Emirates is introducing a premium economy option on some flights

As I’ve argued before, if you can afford to fly business and you want to, nothing should stop you from treating yourself. However, if it’s going to break the bank, you don’t have to totally slum it in the ever-tighter economy or “basic economy” seats.

Continue reading A premium flight experience

Stream while you fly

Is this the beginning of the end of dedicated in-flight entertainment? Some airlines have already announced plans to remove seat-back screens since almost everybody has their own mobile device.

(Qantas Newsroom)

Now Australian airline Qantas has announced that its onboard Wi-Fi will enable passengers to stream Netflix, Foxtel and Spotify content on domestic flights.

Continue reading Stream while you fly

Bold and beautiful break

Among the first was Family Ties, then (albeit in the realm of animation) came The Simpsons, then Oprah, and Ellen, then Modern Family. Now another American television show is to have some “special” episodes set in Australia.

(cbs.com)

And if the names Brooke, Eric, Ivy, Quinn and Ridge ring a bell with you, you’ll know which one I’m talking about.

Continue reading Bold and beautiful break

Which airlines fly on time?

As frequent flyers know too well, very few flights ever leave on time. There’s always a reason (or at least, an excuse) of course. And a late departure doesn’t necessarily mean a late arrival — although it often does.

(iberia.com)

But for everyone except the most casual travellers, there are appointments and connections that have to be met, so on-time performance is important.

Continue reading Which airlines fly on time?

The safest way to fly

Updated

Although airline incidents are rare, and flying is statistically much safer than driving, we all sometimes have concerns when we fly.

And the winner is … (qantas.com)

I know a few people who refuse to fly with certain airlines because of a past incident or a belief that there is a greater risk of an accident.

So lists like that of the world’s safest airlines are eagerly read.

Continue reading The safest way to fly

Paying a premium

Those in the airline-industry know were not surprised by the news that Emirates is introducing premium economy class on its 250-plane international fleet.

(alitalia.com)

What that means for travellers is, of course, an affordable option between economy class and business class.

Continue reading Paying a premium