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
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
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
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.
Read moreEighteen 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?Qantas has slowly but surely been unveiling a new strategy for its big-ticket flights from Australia.
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
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
For reasons that will become clearer in future posts, I have to be in Bangkok by the last week of this month.
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
Brett’s travel update: after almost two months in Brisbane, I’m preparing to move on again.
Next stop, in a fortnight, is Taiwan, followed by Thailand.
Continue reading On the road again
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.
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.
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.
Would you like some art with your amenity kit? That’s the offer from Qantas, which has adorned its business-class kits with works by Australian artists. Here’s one called Home:
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).
In the current climate of austerity, many people are thinking twice about paying for business-class airfares.
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.
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.
Now Australian airline Qantas has announced that its onboard Wi-Fi will enable passengers to stream Netflix, Foxtel and Spotify content on domestic flights.
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.
And if the names Brooke, Eric, Ivy, Quinn and Ridge ring a bell with you, you’ll know which one I’m talking about.
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.
But for everyone except the most casual travellers, there are appointments and connections that have to be met, so on-time performance is important.
Although airline incidents are rare, and flying is statistically much safer than driving, we all sometimes have concerns when we fly.
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.
One upon a time, Australian travellers had to take three jumps on the “kangaroo route” to the United Kingdom.
Thanks to extended range aircraft, it will soon be possible for some Australians to get to London in one giant leap.
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.
What that means for travellers is, of course, an affordable option between economy class and business class.
