Always looking for my new favorite airline, I’m finally trying out VirginAmerica today. I’m on a direct flight from SFO to JFK. I was excited to find out that they use the International Terminal at SFO, since I do love that terminal.

Next was the boarding pass. I like to use the kiosks at the airport. It is the whole reason that I love e-tickets; I never forget my ticket at home. The ticket I received is 4 inches by 3 inches and only contains the most pertinent information and a bar code. It was sweet and simple, and just something small, but it made me smile.

Since VirginAmerica charges its coach class passengers $20 to check a bag, I packed in my carry-on bag. But I was grateful when I arrived at the gate and was offered to have my bag checked for free. This was a necessity due to the number of bags in the waiting area.

As a result of the checked carry-on bags, they loaded the plane first with first class passengers and passengers with children under 5. Then they invited everyone who had only under-the-seat bags. Brilliant! I didn’t have to wait for all the people trying to jam their luggage in the overhead compartments. I was grateful!

On the plane, I enjoyed the mood lighting. I felt like I was going into a club, but it was difficult to see which direction the electrical outlet aligned, and it didn’t work the first six times I tried plugging it in. But the fact that I have an electrical outlet at all is fabulous! And today, thanks to Google, we have free wifi.

The entertainment system is pretty cool. I feel like there are fewer tv stations than on JetBlue, but I like how VirginAmerica has the remote control inset into the arm so that I don’t change the channel and the volume with my elbow. And the entertainment system has a bunch of other features, including onboard chat, which I have not been using. Maybe I should be. Is there a dating chat room?

Although the design is better with the VirginAmerica seats, the outlets being on the back of the seat next to the tv was more convenient on Singapore Airlines. Sometimes form and function don’t play nice together.

Just like JetBlue, I love the leather seats. Warm, and easy to see if the previous occupant spilled something. I think that JetBlue has more legroom though.

Overall? I’ll probably still fly JetBlue most of the time because I can catch flights out of San Jose, but VirginAmerica is a viable alternative.

JetBlue, please give me back SJC to BOS direct flights when the new terminal is done, okay? Pretty please! I do love T5 in JFK, but I’d rather just get home.

Recently my husband and I went for a trip to Europe to celebrate his retirement from the government. It was our first trip of leisure in years, and as part of the celebration decided to take the Airbus A-380 suites home from Paris to Singapore.We don’t usually travel in the suites as it is 25 percent more expensive than first class but figured since it was a celebration, it would be nice to share a cabin with a double bed for 12 hours.

However, when we arrived at the Paris airport, we were informed that one of our seats was broken and cannot be turned into a bed, so my husband was assigned to another seat in a different compartment. This of course was not acceptable. We had paid extra for the suite experience, and now had to end up sitting in different compartments secluded from each other.

We tried to fly out of London but somehow the officer at the Paris airport stated that we did not make the minimum transit time and we asked the officer at the airport to call the Singapore airlines customer service to get us at least some upgrades on out next flights for the inconvenience. They said that the customer service was closed (which can’t be possible as it was about 9 am in Paris and about 3 pm in Singapore on a workday).

At the end, we had to take the flight home, sitting in different compartments, lonely and secluded from each other. A couple of days later Singapore airlines wrote an email apologizing but denying us an upgrade on our next trips and only adding a few measly miles on our frequent flyer card (we are life members by the way).

Last but not least, am disappointed with Singapore Airline. They knew our mobile number as they have been sending us bookings through our phone for ages. They could at least have notified us about our situation beforehand. If they had called us when we were still at the hotel, we could have arranged to leave the next day.

Oh well, anyway, our Singapore Airlines suite experience was ruined and despite of all the luxury it offered, I hated it.

One of the coolest CEO’s in the world, Chew Choon Seng, of Singapore Airlines was on CNBC discussing his airline. He remained positive on SIA’s business strategy and ability to manage capacity, while taking a premium yield. Here are some highlights of the interview.

–Singapore Airlines is the largest airline in terms of market capitalization.

–USA still remains a strong priority, UK market is very weak.

–China and India are the strongest markets.

–Seng says there is too much global capacity.

–Seng says there is a need for governments to change old rules, and allow for cross-border consolidation. That will help industry.

–Airline hedged at $100, 22% hedged at end of Oct. 2009.

–Management needs to keep eye on capacity and keep costs low.

–Business travel has recovered a little bit.

–Tough to manage fuel hedging, and risk of locking in at a high price.

Seng seems like a great guy. I know he wants to invest more, especially in the USA.

CEO Seng

The old days saw the best airlines in the USA. Pan Am, Braniff, United all had a unique services and brands. Then, when deregulation happened in the U.S., the standard of service fell and , well, we have what we have now; crap.

The torch then passed over to Europe  where the airlines improved service, and now they are some of the best in the world. Back in the 80’s not many people wanted to fly on Air France. Now, they are one of the best carriers in the world. Remember BOAC? They had a lousy, cold English reputation. Then BOAC formed in to British Airways, went private, and became the world envy.

Currently , we see many European carriers struggling. Part of the reason is increased competition from low cost carriers, and some in part due to high labor costs, along with high fuel costs etc. While all of this is taking place, developing nations are improving their standard of air services, and are surpassing many airlines in Europe, USA, and parts of Asia.

Here is a look at some of the best “new” airlines in the world:

1). LAN Group (Chile, Peru, Argentina)- a new fleet of Airbus A320’s and 767’s. High standard of service in both cabins, and very profitable due to lack of competition. Part of OneWorld Alliance.

2). Etihad (UAE)- brand spanking new everything. Probably the best product in all cabins in terms of hardware. Amazing First class and business class product. Adding new destinations right and left.

3). Jet Airways (India)- jet has been around for a while. But when India got richer of the past 10 years, jet grew and went long-haul. They have a good reputation in India and have a new fleet with beds.

4). Qatar Airways (Qatar)-claimed as a five star airline, this new carrier rivals the best. New fleet, cute flight attendants, and ever expanding network. Also, they provide some cheap fares in economy and business.

5). Arik Air (Nigeria)- new airline based in Lagos. The CEO is committed to making it Africa’s #1 airline, and the best in service.We’ve heard things like this before, but this airline deserves a look at.

6). TAM (Brazil)- TAM has been around a while, but they keep getting better. They have a modern fleet, and some of the hottest flight attendants in the air.The service on a typical domestic Brazil flight, surpasses any US flight.

7). Emirates (UAE) -We all know this one.

8). COPA (Panama)- A strong management group, and a focus on product and their Panama City hub, makes this airline really good. Not many people realize they can fly from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires on COPA, while not having to fly on American or the miserable Aerolineas Argentinas.

9). Singapore Airlines (Singapore)/Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)- they have been the best two in customer service for many years., but I had to mention the two. They are cash rich and will continue to dominate the Asian area for many many years.

Emirates bar

Arik Air

Paris-based Air France has completed its first revenue flight with the Airbus A380. Flight AF 380 arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at 1318 hrs, after crossing the Atlantic from Paris (Charles de Gaulle), where it departed at 1119 hrs. The flight marked the A380’s first transatlantic flight by a European airline and the aircraft was met by a customary water cannon salute on arrival in New York.

Onboard the double-decker aircraft are 538 passengers, invited guests and 24 crew, who were treated to complimentary champagne and a 3-member jazz band. 380 passengers who participated in a charity auction in October 2008 also raised 300,000 euros to benefit humanitarian projects supported by the Air France Foundation. Having generated a larger amount than expected, Air France will donate the proceeds from the auction to 2 more charities in Brazil and Madagascar, in addition to 3 previously announced organizations in France, India and South Africa.

The Air France A380 features 538 seats in a 3-class configuration with innovations including improved seating, mood lighting and an onboard meeting area showcasing artwork from various museum collections. The airline has announced Johannesburg as the second destination for its A380 following New York, which will be operated daily. Air France joins Dubai’s Emirates, Sydney-based Qantas and Singapore Airlines as the fourth operator of the type.

For more information, visit www.airfrance.com.

Российская авиация

В прошлый раз я писал про рейтинг безопасности российских авиакомпаний. Неделя началась с ряда публикаций по этому поводу. Вот одна из них на gazeta.ru. Понятно, что любой рейтинг несовершенен и не отражает всего, что творится в той или иной авиакомпании. К тому же, ни один рейтинг не сможет предусмотреть нештатные ситуации.

“Аэрофлот-Норд” всё же переименовывают в “Нордавиа – региональные авиалинии” с 1 декабря. Недавно я с удивлением обнаружил, что “Аэрофлот-Норд” больше не обслуживает дневной рейс Самара-Москва-Самара. Получается, что у “Аэрофлота” осталось лишь два рейса – утренний и вечерний. Напомню, что зимнее расписание полётов через “Курумоч” можно посмотреть здесь.

Третий терминал аэропорта “Шереметьево” всё же начал свою работу по графику 15 ноября с рейсов в Сочи и Магадан. В сети появилось ещё несколько публикаций на эту тему. “Ведомости” предлагают небольшое видео и статью. Отмечается, что автостоянка пока бесплатна, городские автобусы уже ходят до нового терминала (что не может не радовать меня лично), а в стерильной зоне Wi-Fi Интернет может быть бесплатным. В ЖЖ есть и пост с подборкой фотографий нового терминала.

Наконец, новому терминалу посвящён и материал сайта “Транспорт сегодня”. Отмечается, что заинтересованность в использовании нового терминала проявляют некоторые российские компании – “Россия”, “Татарстан”. Это помимо того, что кроме SkyTeam и “Аэрофлота” в терминал D переведут некоторые компании-конкуренты, а часть рейсов “Аэрофлота” вынуждена будет остаться в Терминале 2 (позднее в Терминале Е). Я решительно не понимаю, почему в аэрофлотовский терминал над переводить рейсы всех остальных компаний (не входящих в SkyTeam), когда самому “Аэрофлоту” уже не хватает места. Что это за странная логистика? В конце концов, в Терминал Е можно было бы перевести рейсы конкурентов, у которых с “Аэрофлотом” есть код-шеринговые соглашения, а не тащить их в третий терминал.

“Ведомости-пятница” же пишут о ещё одной новинке шереметьевского аэропортового комплекса – новой штаб-квартире “Аэрофлота” по соседству с третьим терминалом. Я летом проезжал мимо и видел это красивое здание. Вот прекрасный пример того, когда современная архитектура в нужном месте может быть украшением. В новой штаб-квартире рождаются и очередные инициативы по пересаживанию российских чиновников на самолёты российских авиакомпаний.

Но и это не всё. 25 ноября в “Шереметьево” откроется первый у нас “капсульный” отель “Воздушный экспресс”, который разместится в терминале “Аэроэкспресс”. В отличие от Японии, номера будут выполнены в более традиционном виде, нежели знаменитые капсулы, но минимализм сохраняется. Минимальное время пребывания в гостинице – 4 часа. За 4 часа в одноместном экономе нужно будет отдать 1312 рублей, за 2-местный эконом без окна 1600 рублей, а 2-местный эконом с окном 1800 рублей. Имеются также 2 и 3-местные номера бизнес класса, а также 3-местный номер первого класса. По истечении 4 часов оплата взимается по часам. В том же 1-местном экономе пребывание в течение 5 часов обойдётся в 1599 рублей. Во всех номерах есть туалет с душем, кровати, телефон и доступ в Интернет. Постояльцы обеспечиваются набором постельного белья и полотенец. Это может стать удобным решением для тех, кто должен рано вылетать из аэропорта, а приезжает в “Москву” накануне вечером. Можно заселиться в полночь, а в 4-5 утра уже отправиться в терминал на регистрацию.

Тем временем, ОАК всё же получит акции самарского “Авиакора”. Актив этот достаточно проблемный. Долги большие, производство минимально. Сохраняется вероятность того, что самарскому заводу отведут роль производителя запчастей и ремонтные функции. Собственно, ОАК не скрывает своих планов перенести производство самолётов Ан-140 в Воронеж.

Пока же некоторые самолёты хотя бы где-то сохраняют. В пригороде Барнаула открылся авиамузей. Каждый раз, когда читаешь подобные сообщения или открываешь в ЖЖ очередной репортаж из авиамузеев Киева или Ульяновска, становится стыдно и обидно за Самару, где самолёты ржавеют на тренировочной базе СГАУ.

Авиация за рубежом

OAG (Лондон) подвела итоги голосования и представила рейтинг гражданской авиации 2009 года. Этот рейтинг считается одним из самых авторитетных.

Авиакомпания года: Singapore Airlines
Лучшая авиакомпания на трансатлантических маршрутах: Virgin Atlantic
Лучшая авиакомпания на транстихоокеанских маршрутах: Singapore Airlines
Лучший салон первого класса на международных линиях: Singapore Airlines
Лучший салон бизнес-класса: Continental Airlines
Лучший салон экономического класса: British Airways
Лучшая североамериканская авиакомпания: Continental
Лучшая авиакомпания Ближнего Востока и Южной Азии: Emirates
Лучшая бюджетная авиакомпания: Southwest Airlines
Лучшая авиакомпания Латинской Америки: LAN
Лучшая авиакомпания Африки: South African Airlines
Лучшая авиакомпания Западной Европы: Virgin Atlantic
Лучшая авиакомпания Центральной и Восточной Европы: CSA Czech Airlines
Лучшая авиакомпания Австралии и Океании: Qantas
Лучший аэропорт: Singapore Changi

“Аэрофлот”, кстати, попал в число финалистов в категории “лучшая авиакомпания Центральной и Восточной Европы”.

В прошлую пятницу Рик Сини вспомнил о том, что число 13 отсутствует в салонах некоторых компаний. Так, 13-го ряда нет у Continental Airlines, Alaska и AirTran. А в салонах Lufthansa, согласно Рику Сини, нет 13 и 17 рядов, так как в Италии и Бразилии несчастливым считается ещё и число 17. Однако надо понимать, что сидящие в “14” ряду, на самом деле оказываются в 13-м.

Любители авиации могут заинтересоваться видео с компьютерной симуляцией полёта А320 компании US Airways, который в начале года удачно приземлился на реку после столкновения со стаей птиц над Нью-Йорком.

Авиапутешествия

Сергей Доля разместил в своём блоге подборку ссылок на материалы о разных ситуациях, которые могут быть восприняты пассажирами как нештатные. Заметки призваны развенчать некоторые аэрофобные мифы.

Если Вы уже не боитесь (или никогда не боялись), Вас может заинтересовать предложение от Air France. До конца ноября можно забронировать перелёт по маршрутам Москва-Париж-Нью-Йорк или Санкт-Петербург-Париж-Нью-Йорк на период с 23 ноября 2009 по 31 марта 2010 года. В чём изюминка предложения? В том, что шесть раз в неделю, кроме среды, перелёт из Парижа в Нью-Йорк и обратно осуществляется на двухпалубном A380. А билет туда-обратно (со всеми сборами) в экономическом классе обойдётся всего в 20500 рублей (при бронировании через сайт компании).

А ещё у Air France и KLM есть предложение для любителей Европы – билет в три европейских города по цене одного. За 15000 рублей (со всеми сборами) можно выбрать любой европейский город из 13 (Ницца, Тулуза, Женева, Мюнхен, Цюрих, Милан, Рим, Лиссабон, Барселона, Эдинбург, Лондон, Берлин, Вена) помимо Парижа и Амстердама. Например, можно забронировать билет по маршруту Москва-Париж-Лондон-Амстердам-Москва за 15000 рублей. Фактически, Вы платите только за билет до Лондона (или другого города по выбору), а остановки в Париже и Амстердаме совершаете бесплатно. Бронирование до 30 ноября, перелёт до конца марта 2010 года.

Ну, а японская ANA решила модернизировать свои салоны. Увеличенное расстояние между креслами в экономе, разделители и двойные подлокотники в премиум-экономе, горизонтально раскладывающиеся кресла в бизнес-классе и полностью приватные места в первом. Бретт Снайдер предлагает взглянуть на всё это великолепие. Новые кабины появятся в 2010 году на самолётах Boeing-777-300ER, летающих между Японией и Северной Америкой или Европой.

Singapore Airlines as per 19NOV09 GDS inventory display is showing following aircraft changes on selected destinations mostly in December 2009:

Beijing 777-300 22NOV09 SQ810 (SQ801 on 23NOV09)
Christchurch 747-400 18DEC09 (inbound 19DEC09)
Hong Kong 777-300 SQ866/865 11DEC09 – 13DEC09/18DEC09 – 20DEC09/24DEC09/27DEC09/02JAN10 – 03JAN10
Melbourne 777-300 SQ217/218 19DEC09 (SQ218 on 20DEC09)
Nagoya 777-200 01DEC09/04DEC09

WHILE budget carriers Tiger Airways and JetStar Asia reported profitable performances, Singapore Airlines (SIA) continued to slide into the red, incurring a second quarterly loss amounting to $159 million for the three months July to September. However, analysts generally agree that emerging signs of the global economy recovering augur well for SIA, but will the airline return to its pre-recession glory?

Clearly, the recession has favoured low-cost operators over mainstream airlines. At no other time has air-travel become more price-sensitive than now. While overall the market has shrunk, more people are travelling the short haul, which is less influenced by frills, thus boosting the popularity of regional budget carriers.

When full-service airlines begin to trim or do away with frills to reduce costs in order to compete with low-cost operators, product differentiation diminishes. For example, British Airways (BA) stops serving free meals on short flights. Or, when they levy separate charges for what hitherto has been free, such as a fee for checked baggage introduced by United Airlines.

Even for the long-haul, travellers are becoming less adverse to more affordable mix-and-match itineraries connecting different airlines to get to their destinations, trading schedule convenience for lower costs.

The worst may be over, but it will take a long time to repair the damage wrought by the crisis. Low-cost operators will continue to exert pressure on mainstream airlines. Travellers who have become used to travelling without frills may be reluctant so soon after to forego the savings they have experienced thus far.

However, SIA has often reiterated that it neither fears competition from low-cost operators nor does it consider them the real competitor. Even as the long-haul arm of AirAsia and Jetstar Airlines Australia threaten to draw away some of its erstwhile customers, the low-end product is far from being the Holy Grail it is after.

What really hurts an airline like SIA is the reduced demand for premium travel, which in better days made up at least 40 per cent of its revenue.

It is a double whammy. While corporations are cutting back executive travel, underlying this is the trend of business travellers downgrading and shifting to cheaper modes. The costs of maintaining an empty front cabin are not sustainable by the paying load in cattle class considering how even the fares at the back have dipped considerably.

While SIA is reputed for excellent service across the cabins, its biggest strength lies in its premium class offering. Its future level of profitability will depend on its ability to recapture lost clientele and attract new customers as increased business travel looks set to return.

However, as the reduced pie caused by the financial meltdown has intensified the competition among the major airlines, this will demand a rethink of the game plan. Airlines – hungry for too long and apt to become more aggressive as the economy recovers – will have to develop new and unique formulae to reclaim their prior standing.

Already in Europe, BA hopes to be a step ahead of the competition. Even as the bad times are far from being completely over, the British carrier inaugurated all-business class flights across the Atlantic in September, more than a year after SIA first introduced that configuration, unfazed by the rough patch subsequently experienced by SIA and the earlier failure of three airlines – Eos, MaxJet and Silverjet.

It looks like BA is making up for lost time, but timing a strategy right can bring success where others have failed. It has also modified the product.

Said BA chief executive Willie Walsh, who expected the new service to be profitable within a year: “In the harshest trading environment airlines have experienced, we believe it is more important than ever to embrace the future and innovate.”

BA’s immediate target is clearly rival Virgin Atlantic, which has increased its market share at the expense of BA. Whether its new all-business class flights will help claw back that loss, it is something yet to be seen.

In the same way, SIA too will have to look more closely at what its competitors are doing and review its premium product strategy to address changing preferences. Forced to adjust their travel habits by the recent crisis, today’s business travellers claim they are travelling smart, not cheap, even as they switch from mainstream airlines to budget carriers. That may be a cry for a new business class product.

Aitken Spence has been the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Singapore Airlines (SIA) for longer than any other GSA associated with the airline. The long haul with the world-admired airline has been a journey of challenge and opportunity.

Sasi Ganeshan, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Aviation, and Keethi Jayaweera, Jt Managing Director, have each spent more than 30 years representing and promoting Singapore Airlines in Sri Lanka. Much of the success of the long-term relationship between the airline and Aitken Spence has been due to the excellent relationship that exists between SIA and Aitken Spence and the staff exclusively dedicated to Singapore Airlines.

“The relationship has survived because of mutual respect built up over the years,” says Jayaweera. “We have developed an enviable compatibility between us. SIA require a GSA who is a hundred percent reliable, trustworthy and honest, and we have never let them down.”

The role of General Sales Agent in Sri Lanka covers everything an airline does except operate flights. Most of the airlines serving Sri Lanka do so through a GSA. The relationship between Aitken Spence and Singapore Airlines has its roots in the appointment by Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) of Eus Tours, owned by Mr Eustace Ranasinghe, as their GSA in 1970. Malayan Airways had been formed in 1947 and eventually – as MSA – began flights to Colombo in 1970.

In 1972, the airline split into SIA and Malaysian Airline System (MAS), with SIA concentrating on international flights and MAS operating mainly domestic routes and some selected international flights. It was in that year that Eus Tours went into partnership with Aitken Spence to form ASET Airways Ltd (AS = Aitken Spence and ET = Eus Tours) to be the GSA for the revamped airline. When SIA became independent of MAS, Aset Airways became SIA’s choice for GSA. It has remained so ever since, even though the company was rebranded as Aitken Spence Aviation in 2006.

Aitken Spence Aviation is exclusively dedicated to SIA in Sri Lanka, handling both passenger and cargo operations for the airline. Some 50 Sri Lankans, all employed by Aitken Spence Aviation, work in the SIA offices in the Aitken Spence Tower in Vauxhall Street and at the Bandaranaike International Airport. There are that number of employees to make sure the standard of service matches that required by SIA, as the airline is renowned for its emphasis on good customer care. Only two employees – the Country Manager and the Airport Manager – are Singaporeans on a posting to Sri Lanka.

Although the relationship has lasted so long between SIA and Aitken Spence, it is subject to review and monitoring of over-all performance. “Our relationship has become the benchmark for agreements SIA has with other GSAs elsewhere,” says Managing Director Ganeshan. “We are totally honest and open, understanding each other’s problems. This bond survived a period when SIA didn’t fly to Sri Lanka in 1985 & 1986 when we went “off line” for a year.”

“Off line” in this case means that the airline was still represented by Aset Airways in Sri Lanka and the GSA could make passenger bookings and cargo arrangements for SIA flights worldwide, even though the airline wasn’t flying to Colombo. SIA responded to the loyalty of its GSA and its passengers in Sri Lanka by maintaining services to/from Colombo even when other major airlines suspended flights because of terrorism. When the airport was closed because of a terrorist attack, only one SIA flight was cancelled and the airline resumed scheduled flights the next day. Now the airline operates day time flights to and from Singapore.

The airline is popular with travellers going beyond Singapore to other SIA destinations worldwide, in part because Sri Lankans do not require a visa to visit or transit Singapore. Although the ticket office run by Aitken Spence Aviation is as luxurious as flying first class with SIA, there is no longer much walk-in business from passengers wanting to buy tickets. “Ticket sales have changed,” says Jayaweera. “Most of the sales come through travel agents because they give a full service such as applying for destination visas for passengers, passport formalities, insurance and hotel accommodation. We give the travel agents support with accurate fare quotations and details of scheduling. Other ticket sales are done through the Internet, although that has not yet become popular here as Sri Lankans prefer to deal with people they can see and trust.”

“No other GSA in Sri Lanka goes in for the training we provide our staff,” says Ganeshan. “We have an annual budget for training of Rs2 million, and our staff go to Singapore very two years for training in the latest methods.” Jayaweera adds: “Lots of people heading the airline business in Colombo started with SIA and got their GSA exposure working with us.”

This exposure extends even to the Singaporeans who, over the years, have been appointed as Country Managers working with the GSA and have gone on to senior positions with SIA and with other airlines. Ganeshan recalls with a smile: “Some of them didn’t want to come here, but when it is time to leave, they didn’t want to go.”

He explains that is because the attention to detail and genuine desire to do their extra best, typifies the attitude of all those working with Aitken Spence Aviation. It’s a quality born from the long haul of nearly 40 years association shared by SIA and Aitken Spence. It creates the sense of confidence that is essential to a good business relationship between the GSA and the airline’s clients, whether they are booking flights or sending cargo.

2009 – Ace Magazine Issue I

Singapore Airlines Cargo has launched 1 weekly service to Atlanta with Boeing 747-400 Freighter.

The routing is Singapore – Hong Kong – Anchorage – Los Angeles – Atlanta – Brussels – Sharjah – Singapore

We are laying over in Singapore right now.  We touched down at 12:40 am, and we won’t fly out to HCMC until 8am, so there’s 7 hours to kill.  Ideally, we were going to book napping rooms at one of the 2 lounges here, but when we asked, they were already fully booked!  So we’re stretching out on the seats to try to catch more sleep.  I woke up around 3:30 am and an airport police was standing next to me, asking to see my passport.  That’s weird.

It’s 4 am now, and I can’t sleep anymore.  We plan to head to the lounge at around 6:30 am and take a hot shower (it’s roughly $8 singaporean dollar per person to take a shower).  Although it’s not cheap, but we figure we’ll be out all day in HCMC until we find a guesthouse at night, so it’s worth spending the money to get freshen up a bit.

There’s a 24-hour food court upstairs and I really want to eat hainan chicken!  But we want to have lunch at the lunch lady’s place in HCMC.  so I’m not sure if we want to stuff ourselves with hainan chicken before having pho at noon.  Besides, I’m not that hungry yet.  Singapore Airlines gave us so much foods!  We have lunch, light meal, and dinner on the air (the portions are all the same, can’t tell a difference between light meal and dinner…)  We also had snacks in between.  Maybe we’ll have waffle & snacks instead?  Maybe we’ll have hainan chicken on our way back with the 1-day layover? 

I can’t wait till we get to HCMC!  We have no idea where to sleep tonight!  But we do know the exact location of the soup lady for the really good pho =)  Before that can happen, we have to pray that we can get into Vietnam with no problem.  We got pre-arranged visas online through a hotel in Vietnam.  The cost is cheaper than getting actual visas through the consulate (Vietnam doesn’t provide visa on arrival).  How it works is that we applied and paid processing fee online, then we got a letter from the hotel.  We printed the letter and supposed to hand it over to immigration and pay the $50/person multi-entry fee.  They should have our visas ready for us.  Let’s cross our fingers……

Alright, I’ll stop right here.  The internet here times out every 15 min and I already re-logged in a couple times.  I hope I can find internet & time to blog more when I get to my destinations.

We’re well on our way to Ho Chi Minh City!  Currently we’re laying over in Seoul for a transferring flight to Singapore, and then once there, it’ll be another 7 hours for the connecting flight to HCMC.

Last night was a long night.  Indeed, neither Steve nor me sletpt at all!  Not that we were sleepless due to excitement, but we had not start packing until then, and there were a lot of little things to pack (as with all trips…)!  Clothes, shoes, Steve’s camera gears, adapters/chargers.  And to stuff them into the backpack neatly too!

By the time we finished the bulk of packing, it was almost 5am.

Then I also spent some time on the sewing machine (my first projects!).  Steve got a money belt and will be the keeper of all documents & money, but then I really want a neck pouch or something to put my money, too (in case we lost each other), so I spent time making neck pouches.  The first one was too small, so I had to make another one.  By the time I was done, it was 7am.

After taking shower, we walked to the bus stop to get to BART.  The bus stop is 30 min away from the house by foot, and we were late heading out the door, so needless to say, we missed the bus and had to wait another 40 min.

Finally we got on the bus, got on BART, and I felt asleep almost immediately.  I was so tired!  We arrived at SFO, had a light meal, got on the plane, and I fell asleep again.  The ride was very smooth.  It was between sleeping and eating for me all the way =)  Singapore Airlines really stuffs you!

Oh we have to broad soon!

As per 12NOV09 GDS timetable display, Singapore Airlines has further adjusted aircraft operation on Singapore – Sydney SQ219/220 service from 01FEB10.

Planned 777-300 service from 01FEB10 is shelved, and being operated by 777-200ER instead.  SQ219/220 planned aircraft operation until 31JAN10 was posted on 26OCT09

Singapore Airlines from October 2010 will launch 2 Daily Singapore – Tokyo Haneda service.  The 2 Daily service will depart and arrive Tokyo Haneda between 2300 and 0600hrs.  It will continue to maintain existing 2 Daily service to Tokyo Narita

Per report from Japan, SIA is currently studying feasibility of operating Airbus A380 aircraft on this route.

Air travellers flying between Singapore and Tokyo will enjoy greater convenience next year. Singapore Airlines has announced that it will begin services to Tokyo (Haneda) from October 2010, in addition to its existing operations at Tokyo (Narita).

The airline will operate twice daily between Singapore Changi International Airport and Haneda Airport, but has yet to reveal flight timings or capacity on the route. Singapore Airlines expects the new flights to cater for growth in demand and boost business and leisure travel between Singapore and Japan.

Located 30 minutes south of downtown Tokyo, Haneda Airport enjoys easy access by rail and road to the city, making it highly attractive to time conscious travellers compared to a 2-hour transfer to Narita. The new flights add a sixth international destination served from the airport, in addition to Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Ulan Bator. Passengers will also enjoy increased accessibility to other Japanese cities, connecting seamlessly to domestic flights which make up the bulk of the airport’s traffic.

Japan is opening up Haneda Airport to more international traffic in a bid to alleviate capacity restrictions at Narita Airport. A fourth runway is due to open in 2010, increasing the airport’s handling capacity and allowing for the opening of flights to new destinations and greater frequencies on existing routes.

Singapore Airlines currently flies twice daily to Tokyo (Narita), as well as services to Fukuoka, Nagoya and Osaka. For more information, visit www.singaporeair.com.

Si chiama INSPIRATION OF JAPAN ed è la nuova gamma di prodotti di bordo che la prima compagnia aerea privata giapponese si accinge ad installare sui propri aeromobili a partire dal 2010.

La compagnia nipponica ha dedicato al riguardo un microsito che è raggiungibile al seguente indirizzo :
https://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/en/new_brand_2010/

I nuovi prodotti saranno disponibili in servizio regolare a partire dal 10 Febbraio 2010 sui voli NH0009 e NH0010, in volo tra Tokyo Narita – New York JFK, in concomitanza con l’entrata in servizio dell’ultimo modello di aeromobile consegnato, il Boeing 777-300 ER. Successivamente il prodotto verrà esteso ai collegamenti verso Francoforte e Londra.
I nuovi B777-300ER saranno configurati a 3 classi con 18 posti di First Class, 68 posti in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy e 112 in Economy.

E’ inutile dire che All Nippon Airways ha fatto le cose in grande e ha presentato una gamma di offerte realmente al passo con i tempi e decisamente interessanti. L’operazione di rebranding che la vede al centro dell’attenzione merita sicuramente di essere approfondita nel dettaglio.

FIRST CLASS

L’hanno chiamata ANA FIRST SQUARE e sarà  il prodotto TOP della gamma, ossia la First Class; All Nippon Airways non sembra avere dubbi e si accoda in scia alle più rinomate compagnie del mondo – quali Etihad Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Jet Airways – introducendo delle vere e proprie SUITES.

Girando per il sito e sfogliando le immagini colpisce subito la spaziosità di ogni suite e la riservatezza che le alte pareti sembrano in grado di garatire. Pannelli alti per riparare da sguardi indiscreti, grigi all’esterno per avere un look minimalista e color legno all’interno per creare un ambiente meno impersonale e più caldo.

Geniale sono  lo scomparto nella parte esterna della suite per riporre il proprio abito in modo che non si pieghi, i numerosi scomparti (alcuni a scomparsa) per i propri oggetti personali, spazio sotto il poggiapiedi per riporre una valigia. E’ probabile che le cappelliere siano rimosse in modo da creare un ambiente più arioso e meno claustrofobico.

Le poltrone sono firmate Phyten, leader nella creazione di prodotti tecnologici al titanio mentre iI materassini ad alta resistenza “Airweave”  distribuiranno la pressione del corpo su tutta la superficie garantendo il miglior sostegno possibile a tutto il corpo, Per ogni passeggero saranno disponibili enormi e soffici cuscini, pantofole, comodi pigiami, maschera per gli occhi e tappi per le orecchie, senza tralasciare prodotti aromaterapici che garantiranno un sonno eccellente a bordo.

L’IFE sarà composto da un sistema Audio Video on Demand di ultima generazione con un video LCD da 23 pollici e tecnologia Touchscreen : oltre 160 programmi tra cui scegliere, e la possibilità – ancora mai sperimentata finora – di fare ordinare bevande, cibi, pranzi e articoli dal Duty Free Shop di bordo stando seduti al proprio posto utilizzando l’IFE. Insomma, ogni cosa a portata di mano.

Ma le novità non finiscono qui: il catering sarà curato ulteriormente e diverrà se possibile ancora più esclusivo con i piatti più prelibati creati dai migliori chef del mondo, mentre per quanto riguarda i servizi a terra bisognerà attendere l’autunno del 2010 per avere delle sostanziali novità; a Tokyo Narita verrà infatti approntata un’area dedicata per i passeggeri di first class in un ambiente moderno e minimale, dove ciascun passeggero potrà svolgere le varie operazioni in assoluta tranquillità.

Infine, novità anche sul fronte Lounge, poichè le sale d’attesa verranno ammodernate e rinominate come ANA FIRST LOUNGE. Ogni passeggero avrà a disposizione una stanza per sè dove servito e riverito potrà rilassarsi, riposare, lavorare o cenare prima di salire a bordo!

BUSINESS CLASS

Cambio di look completo anche in business class. Abbandonato il concetto tradizionale degli ANGLED FLAT SEATS, All Nippon Airways si lancia sulle poltrone in grado di distendersi in maniera perfettamente orizzontale.

Il concept che verrà utilizzato è quello degli STAGGERED SEAT (non a caso il brand sarà appunto ANA STAGGERED BUSINESS), già utilizzato da compagnie come la Etihad Airways e che stando a insistenti rumours dovrebbe essere installato anche sui nuovi velivoli Alitalia.

Il layout di cabina (configurazione 1-2-1) permetterà – grazie alla posizione sfalsata di ogni poltrona rispetto all’altra – uno spazio maggiore per ogni passeggero (si parla del 150% rispetto al passato), l’accesso al corridoio da ciascun posto e un grado di privacy elevato.

Ogni posto offre uno spazio più che adeguato, una seduta comoda che si trasforma semplicemente in letto, un tavolino per mangiare o lavorare e un monitor LCD da 17 pollici.

Anche per la business class, le poltrone sono state create utilizzando la tecnologia aquatitanium brevettata da Phyten.

Non mancano naturalmente una vasta gamma di articoli quali pigiama, trousse, pantofole e prodotti di cosmesi per rendere il viaggio ancora più gradevole.

Aumentano sensibilmente gli spazi a disposizione di ogni passeggero: dallo scomparto per le scarpe, a quello per il bagaglio a mano, senza dimenticare altri piccoli cassettini disseminati intorno alla propria poltrona.

Il catering sarà completamente ripensato e diverrà à la Carte così da permettere a ogni passeggero di scegliere non solo QUANDO ma anche COSA mangiare.

Per quanto infine riguarda l’IFE, anche in business class sarà disponibile un sistema Audio Video On Demand con una vasta scelta tra oltre 160 programmi. Ogni passeggero potrà anche collegare un iPod o altri dispositivi tramite una porta USB opportunamente approntata, fermo restando la possibilità di ordinare cibi, bevande, o articoli dal Duty Freeshop utilizzando il monitor LCD con tecnologia touchscreen.

PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS

Novità anche per la Premium Economy, poichè la spaziosità aumenterà ulteriormente arrivando fino a 42 pollici. La struttura a shell permetterà ai passeggeri di poter reclinare il proprio sedile senza arrecare disturbo a coloro che sono seduti dietro. Interessante – oltre che utile l’utilizzo di nuovi pannelli divisori tra i posti per aumentare il livello di privacy di ogni passeggero.

Ognuno dei posti, il cui design è stato studiato nei minimi dettagli offrirà oltre al tradizionale tavolino anche un ripiano aggiuntivo estraibile ed un monitor LCD da 12 pollici

Sempre a proposito di IFE, All Nippon Airways metterà a disposizione per ciascun posto una porta USB per connettere i propri dispositivi, un connettore per iPod e non ultimo cuffie in grado di ridurre il rumore esterno.

La poltrona, sempre prodotta da Phyten garantisce un alto livello di confort che unita alla grande spaziosità la rende la poltrona più grande di premium economy attualmente disponibile.

ECONOMY CLASS

All Nippon Airways non ha trascurato nemmeno l’economy class: con il nuovo prodotto di bordo aumenta anche lo spazio per le gambe e la distanza tra le file che passa da 31 a 34 pollici, segnando così un nuovo primato, poichè non esistono poltrone di economy così spaziose con gli altri vettori.

Seguendo la tecnologia implementata per prima da Cathay Pacific, anche il vettore giapponese ha optato per l’installazione di sedili con schienale fisso che non arreca disturbo ai passeggeri seduti dietro. La reclinabilità è garantita da un opportuno scivolamento della seduta propriamente detta e di una parte dello schienale (non la shell).

Ogni sedile è equipaggiato con poggiapiedi e poggiatesta che garantiranno una più confortevole permanenza a bordo.

L’IFE sarà disponibile con monitor da 10,6 pollici a tecnologia touchscreen e l’AVOD offrirà – come per le altre classi – una selezione di oltre 160 programmi, porta USB e connettore per iPod.

CONCLUDENDO

Le aspettative da una compagnia come All Nippon Airways erano elevate e devo dire che non sono state disattese.
La nuova First class colpisce per l’enorme grado di privacy che pare in grado di offrire a ogni passeggero. Assolutamente innovativo e interessante è l’idea di utilizzare l’IFE per ordinare bevande e cibi, fatto questo che ad oggi non conosce eguali.
La business class conferma quanto i vettori all’avanguardia guardino con interesse agli herringbone seats e gli staggered seats che vengono sempre più preferiti ai layout tradizionali. L’accesso al corridoio ed uno spazio personale maggiore rappresentano un beneficio estremamente apprezzato dai fruitori della business class, con particolare riguardo a coloro che viaggiano singolarmente.

Tuttavia ritengo che – più di tutto – siano degne di nota le classi che tradizionalmente vengono trascurate dalle compagnie aeree.
All Nippon Airways in assoluta controtendenza (ma forse non è un caso) ha dedicato ampio spazio sia alla premium economy che all’ecnomy. Riducendo la capacità di bordo, offre spazi in entrambi le classi finora sconosciuti che la pongono in cima a questo speciale tipo di classifica. L’introduzione di sedili con shell non reclinabile evidenziano, se mai ve ne fosse bisogno, l’attenzione con cui ANA si è rapportata a queste due classi di servizio che – in seguito alla crisi – sono tornate molto in auge anche tra i viaggiatori d’affari.

Fonte notizia e foto: www.ana.co.jp

Disappointing quarter once again for SIA.

FY09/10 Q1 -S$307M
FY09/10 Q2 -S$159M

Looks like this this fiscal year will be the first loss since SIA went public in 1985 (Q3/Q4 will most likely be profitable but how is another question). God knows what is happening with the management. They have been slow to react to the current market conditions. Mentality has to change. Look at all the planes parked around Changi! Lots of flaws in their fleet planning process, they have never kept aircraft in service for so long before. Realistically, the way they used their planes in recent years makes them less appealing to buyers. Those aircraft aren’t “spring chickens” compared to their predecessors (A310-200/300, A340-500, 747-300). Then again those carriers that used to buy SIA’s hand me downs are now going for new aircraft. Just look at the lower echelon airlines in the region, Garuda & Philippines, both have ordered brand new 777-300ERs from Boeing. Air India, a former dumping ground of SIA’s A310s is now operating spanking new 777s. Maybe Biman will last another cycle of hand me downs with the rumour sale/lease of 777s but after they get their new 787-8s things might be different. Maybe SIA should dump their old planes to MAS (Malaysia Airlines). Refurbish those old planes with new seats, mood lighting, new fittings. Might just be the key to MAS become competitive again. Then again, why would SIA want MAS to be competitive?

*Update*
Biman is getting 2 777-200ERs from SIA (9V-SRA/B) through Euro Atlantic Airways. 12Mths ACMI + 36 Mths Dry.

SIA used to be renown for making sound decisions back in the 80s and 90s but this doesn’t seem to be a common recurrence in the recent years.

Good decisions
- Ordering the A380-800
- Ordering the 777-300ER
- Ordering the A330-300 as the interim replacement for older 777s
- Ordering the A350-900

Half Arsed decisions
- Retrofitting of the 777-300 (Do a proper refit not a 50% job!)
- Having multiple premium products to certain destinations, lack of consistency

Poor decisions
- 13 777-300ER options not exercised
- 787-9 order was too late and the 787-8 should have been ordered as well

Also, the Flying Kangaroo has long term plans for Jetstar Asia. Singapore is going to a be a major hub for their expansion to European and North Asia. SIA has to really wake up and not rest on their laurels. Looking at how Air France, KLM and Emirates have configured their 777s to very high density configurations; SIA has to do the same thing for 2nd tier destinations. If they can’t sell the planes why not reconfigure and uprate some of the derated 777s for high density long haul second tier destinations like Athens & Rome. Or just not uprate them and send them to South Asia or Middle East destinations.

Here’s a sample configuration. Replace the 30 Ultimo seats with the 24 Weber Z seats. Just losing 6 seats but the improved product will be very much better when maintaining consistency across the fleet.

Enough grumbling for today.

Wie jedes Jahr wurden am Jahresanlass der Schweizer Reise- und Tourismusbranche TTW in Montreux in verschiedenen Kategorien Gold-, Silber- und Bronzemedaillen vergeben. Diese “Travel Stars” werden jeweils gestützt auf eine Umfrage bei Reisebüros und -verantstaltern verliehen. Organisiert wird der Anlass von der Fachzeitschrift Travel Inside.

Auf den ersten Blick hat der Anlass mit viel Beiwerk ausserhalb der Mobilitätsanbieter keine grössere Bedeutung.  Die Ergebnisse in der Kategorie Fluggesellschaften sind jedoch durchaus aufschlussreich für die derzeitige Situation in der Schweiz. Die Preise werden anhand eines Punktesystems verliehen, welches bei einer Umfrage ermittelt wird. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Bestenlisten ist hier nicht der vom Passagier erlebte Bordservice ausschlaggebend. Kriterien sind die Erfahrungen der Angestellten der Reisebüros im oft turbulenten und stressigen Alltag.

In der Kategorie “Airlines – Kurz- und Mittelstrecken” erhielt Edelweiss Air Gold, Swiss International Air Lines Silber und Lufthansa Bronze. Bei den Langstrecken wurde Emirates Erste, gefolgt von Singapore Airlines und wiederum Edelweiss Air. Bei den Langstrecken mit Umsteigen (Kategorie “Airlines – Langstrecken (Gateway”) wurden Lufthansa, Qantas und Cathay Pacific ausgezeichnet.

Bei den Verbindungen innerhalb Europas bewies der Schweizer Doppelsieg, dass Professionalität und Engagement nach wie vor geschätzt werden. Allzuoft fiel die “menschliche Seite” Sparmassnahmen zum Opfer. So ging der persönliche Kontakt verloren und man wird an einer Nummer mit nerviger Musik und langer Wartezeit abgespiesen. Die Folge waren frustrierte Lieferanten und Kunden, was Reisebüros für Fluglinien ja sind. Edelweiss Air und Swiss International Air Lines zeigen, dass trotz permanenter Kostenkontrolle Qualitätsarbeit möglich ist. Motiviertes Personal, welches Anliegen zügig und zuvorkommend bearbeitet ist auf jeden Fall auch für ihr Unternehmen ein Plus. Allerdings ist der Punkteabstand zwischen der kleinen und wohl familiären Edelweiss Air und Swiss International Airlines grösser als zwischen letzterer und der drittplatzierten Lufthansa.  Nicht zu Unrecht rühmt man heute noch die “deutsche Wertarbeit”. Dazu gehört auch die lokale Niederlassung. Ueblicherweise beschäftigt sie hiesiges Personal.

Zum ersten Mal seit Jahren wurde bei den Langstrecken Singapore Airlines überholt. Auch die Siegerin ist eine fremdländische “Exotin”. Gerade die Vereinigten Arabsichen Emirate mit ihrer Glitzermetropole Dubai wurden von der Krise hart betroffen. Möglicherweise gab dies den entscheidenden Ansporn, sich jetzt erst recht anzustrengen. Singapore Airlines glänzt nach wie vor durch das besondere, ja stimmungsvolle Ambiente an Bord. Wir haben allerdings verschiedentlich gehört, dass der legendäre Servicelevel in der Touristenklasse in den letzten Jahren von 100 auf 90 Prozent zurückgegangen sei. Vielleicht hat dies auch auf die Arbeit hinter den Kulissen durchgeschlagen? Trotzdem ist der Abstand zwischen Gold und Silber minim.

Punktemässig weiter zurück liegt die drittplatzierte Edelweiss Air. Zudem definiert sie sich als stilvoller Ferienflieger. Da spielt die “Fronterfahrung” auch im “Hinterland” ihre Rolle. Allerdings hinkt der Vergleich, denn die beiden Ausländerinnen sind Linienfluggesellschaften.

Wäre es da nicht logischer gewesen, Swiss International Air Lines hätte die Bronzemedaille erhalten? Die nach wie vor als nationale Fluggesellschaft der Schweiz verstandene Swiss International Air Lines unternimmt gerade auf Langstrecken grosse Anstrengungen, der Konkurrenz davonzufliegen. Das neueste Beispiel ist die Einführung der A330-300. Produktionsmittel wie Maschinen und Anlagen sind für den Erfolg eines Unternehmens wichtig. Entscheidend sind jedoch die Menschen, die sie bedienen und Drittpersonen gegenüber vertreten.

Der “Travel Star” mag weltweit nicht die bedeutendste Auszeichnung in der Luftfahrt sein. Auch die globale Resonanz des TTW dürfte eher gering sein. Der auf der im Alltag erlebten Praxis beruhende Anlass ist jedoch ein zuverlässiger Indikator der professionellen und menschlichen Qualität der Fluglinien dort, wo es nicht sofort ersichtlich wird.

Es ist zu bezweifeln, dass die Krise der letzten zwei Jahre wirklich das neoliberale kurzfristige Profitdenken auf Kosten des Menschlichen, dazu gehören auch Dienstleistungsqualität und Respekt für alle, beendet hat. Gerade deswegen ist es wichtig, dass diese immateriellen Werte hierzulande gefördert werden. Schweizer Fluglinien verschaffen sich so einen zusätzlichen Wettbewerbsvorteil. Dies wiederum stärkt den Standort Schweiz als Ganzes.

Wäre es da nicht für andere Schweizer Firmen Zeit, die Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter wieder als ihr wertvollstes Kapital und nicht bloss als skalierbaren Kostenfaktor zu betrachten?

Daniel Stanislaus Martel

Al giorno d’oggi si parla sempre con molto interesse di cibo naturale, meglio noto come BIO, o cmq proteico.
Non si può dire che le compagnie non accolgano le richieste dei passeggeri: Singapore Airlines forse ha preso le richieste fin troppo in parola.

A quanto si può capire dal video, la formica intrusa è stata rinvenuta a bordo di un volo SQ in servizio tra Bangalore e Singapore. Sebbene questi episodi siano sempre da deprecare, non si tratta del primo episodio: già in passato a bordo degli aerei sono stati trovati serpenti, ragni, formiche e persino rane nell’insalata (qantas). A giustificazione parziale di Singapore Airlines va detto che in alcune stazioni in India (particolarmente Bangalore, Cochi e Thiruvananthapuram), dove eccetto i vettori indiani, le compagnie sono alla mercè dei fornitori di catering locali, i cui standard sono, per manifesto giudizio di tutti i vettori, sono estremamente mediocri.

Российская авиация

Один из владельцев “Аэрофлота”, Александр Лебедев, дал интервью сайту Aviation EXplorer. Среди приоритетов названы: расширение за счёт приобретения новых активов (например, акций S7), развитие аэропортового хозяйства (ввод в эксплуатацию “Шереметьево-3”, появление новых базовых аэропортов), обновление флота, дальнейшая оптимизация маршрутной сети, сокращение издержек. Кроме того, г-н Лебедев назвал усилия правительства по созданию “Росавиа” ошибкой в связи со значительным избытком провозных мощностей.

Конечно, создание нормального перевозчика на базе ряда разорившихся мелких компаний было бы неплохим начинанием и составило бы конкуренцию “Аэрофлоту”, что бы последний ни говорил про избытки мощностей. Но проект “Росавиа” – действительно, ошибочен. Государство распыляет свои ограниченные финансовые возможности на второго государственного флагмана, вместо того, чтобы инвестировать в нынешнего национального перевозчика. В конце концов, можно было бы сделать “Аэрофлот” полностью государственным, сосредоточившись на доведении до ума и блеска авиационного лица страны. Вместо этого, наше правительство разбазаривает активы ради друзей известного всем господина.

Что касается “дочек” “Аэрофлота”, то одну (“Аэрофлот-Дон”) уже переименовали в “Донавиа”. Теперь настала очередь “Аэрофлот-Норда”, который в скором времени станет “Нордавиа”. Таким образом (учитывая и банкротство “Аэрофлот-Карго”), название “Аэрофлот” останется только у головной компании. Это идёт несколько вразрез с мировым опытом. Там тоже существуют даже независимые компании, которые занимаются перевозками для крупных авиалиний. Помимо собственного названия, они имеют и название, включающее наименование компании, для которой организуются перевозки (Delta Connection, Continental Express). Причём, эти компании, как правило, больше известны именно под “материнским” названием. У нас же поспешили отделить регионалов от родителя. Побоялись репутационных рисков. Вместо повышения уровня сервиса и безопасности, конечно, проще просто отнять свою торговую марку. Но это, согласитесь, поверхностный ход.

В парке “Аэрофлота” теперь появился самолёт, окрашенный в корпоративные цвета и символику альянса SkyTeam – Airbus-330 (ещё фото). В ожидании Boeing-787 парк “Аэрофлота” пополняется одними “Аэробусами”.

В деле развития аэропортового хозяйства 15 ноября должна открыться новая страница, точнее, новый терминал – “Шереметьево-3” (или Терминал D). Это будет первый в стране (крупный) терминал, построенный специально для одной авиакомпании и её партнёров (компаний альянса SkyTeam). “Ведомости” подсчитали стоимость строительства. Перевод рейсов в Ш-3 будет поэтапным – с 15 ноября этого года по 6 февраля 2010 года. Начнут с рейсов в Сочи и на Дальний Восток. Рейсы “Аэрофлота” из/в Самару SU831/832, SU835/836 планируется перевести в Ш-3 22 декабря 2009 года.

На одном из форумов написано, что после 6 февраля “исходя из пропускной способности Терминала-3” часть рейсов (в ближнее и дальнее зарубежье) будет выполняться из “Шереметьево-2”. Очень интересно получается – отгрохать новый терминал с прицелом на будущее увеличение объёмов перевозок и сразу же оказаться в ситуации, когда часть даже нынешних рейсов в новый терминал не влезает. Странным выглядит тот факт, что часть рейсов собственно “Аэрофлота”, для которого и построен терминал (в том числе, рейсы в Киев, Ташкент, Анталью, Шанхай, Бангкок, Пекин и другие города) переведут в Ш-2, зато в Ш-3 попадут рейсы компаний, которые не входят в SkyTeam – Air Malta, Malev, Turkish Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Adria Airways, SAS, MIAT, Cyprus Airways, LOT. Как это понимать?

Самарские самолётостроители заявили об интересе к их детищу – самолёту-амфибии Л42М – со стороны иностранных заказчиков. Правда, пока самолёт даже не поднялся в небо. Но с самарской малой авиацией всегда так: фирмы построят один экземпляр и уже “готовят контракты”, а потом всё затихает.

Теперь пассажиры “Аэрофлота”, вылетающие из Самары смогут зарегистрироваться на рейс в Интернет за 24 часа до вылета. Видимо, компания только опробует эту систему, так как за рубежом обычно нет ограничений по городам вылета, где можно зарегистрироваться на рейс онлайн.

Авиация за рубежом

В прошлый раз я писал о том, что United Airlines отправила в отставку Boeing-737, заменив самолёты этого типа Аэробусами. Теперь настала очередь другого перевозчика из Star Alliance заменить Boeing-737 самолётами Airbus – Air New Zealand.

А в Хитроу завершается передислокация авиакомпаний. С 17 ноября рейсы “Аэрофлота” будут обслуживаться в терминале-4.

Continental Airlines не исключает возможности слияния с United Airlines, если будущее покажет прибыльность другого недавнего союза – Delta и Northwest. А пока гранды американской авиаиндустрии занимаются слияниями и перебегами из одного альянса в другой, мелкие региональные компании оказываются на коне уже сейчас. За десятилетие объём бизнеса регионалов в США вырос на 10%. Эти компании ныне перевозят каждого четвёртого пассажира на внутренних рейсах. На их долю приходится больше половины всех взлётов в американских аэропортах. И из 20 крупнейших региональных компаний только одна несёт убытки.

Авиапутешествия

Теперь бесплатный доступ к сети Интернет (Wi-Fi) открыт и в международном аэропорту Бангкока, который не хочет отставать от конкурентов – Сингапура и Гонконга.

В одном из блогов рассказывается об одном рейсе Singapore Airlines – Сингапур-Ньюарк. Это самый протяжённый из действующих регулярных коммерческих маршрутов (18,25 часа в США и 18,5 часа обратно). А ещё на этом маршруте компания использует самолёты Airbus-340 только в одноклассной компоновке – бизнес-класса (100 мест).

Но иногда для того, чтобы попасть в элитный класс на борту мало иметь туда билет. Рик Сини сообщает, что одному из пассажиров United сначала предоставили повышение класса обслуживания за бонусные мили, а потом, когда он подошёл к выходу на посадку, отказали в месте в салоне бизнес-класса, так как он был одет в тренировочный костюм. United поняла свою промашку слишком поздно, когда выяснилось, что злополучным пассажиром был один из руководителей крупнейшей сети магазинов электроники Best Buy. Теперь в United напоминают, что единственными правилами дресс-кода являются наличие какой-либо одежды и обуви.

А ещё Рик Сини пишет про одну семейную парочку из Финикса, которая промышляла тем, что забирала чужой багаж с карусели и удалялась, пользуясь тем, что в американских аэропортах никто не проверяет, кто чей багаж берёт. Полиция нашла в доме у супругов около тысячи чужих чемоданов. Неудивительно, что пара частенько устраивала “распродажи” во дворе. Так что не зевайте, когда пойдёте в очередной раз забирать свою сумку после полёта и не кладите в регистрируемый багаж ничего ценного.

Tivemos 6 dias excelentes na Alemanha no meio de nossa mudança para os Estados Unidos, acordamos bem cedo, já que nosso voo saia as 08:20 da manha, na noite anterior depois de um jantar delicioso em um restaurante italiano bem pertinho do Hotel arrumamos toda nossa bagagem, ao todo 4 malas mais 4 bagagens de mão, da para imaginar o transtorno de viajar com tudo isso, mas na verdade 3 malas nunca nem saiam do carro.

A noite ainda aproveitamos para abastecer o carro, que facada, gastar quase 80 Euros abastecendo o carro com a gasolina custando mais de 1.30 EUR o litro, e foi nossa sorte no dia seguinte de manha no caminho para o Aeroporto vimos que o preço tinha subido quase 5 centavos.

Fechamos a nossa conta no hotel, que foi um dos melhores que ficamos, para ser honesto da muita saudade dos hotéis na Ásia, o preço que se paga neles não paga um hotel de 3 estrelas na Europa, em nossa ultima noite em Frankfurt ficamos no Best Western próximo ao Rio Main, para se ter uma ideia existe apenas um funcionário na recepção, que pelo visto também prepara o café da manha.

Saímos do Hotel, ainda estava noite, pelo menos não tinha quase transito, e graças ao GPS chegamos em menos de 20 minutos, devolvemos nosso carro, ao todo rodamos 1458 kilometros em 6 dias, isso parece um monte, mas na Alemanha com as Autobahns isso nem parece tanto, bem dessa vez cheguei a dirigir aos 207 Km/h, mas o carro tinha o motor mais fraco que o Audi A3 da outra vez.

Entregando o carro e finalmente chegando ao setor de embarque do Aeroporto e que demos conta como o Changi Airport da saudades, depois de certa dificuldade em encontrar o Check-Inn  da Singapore Airlines finalmente encontramos, o bom de estar viajando em Classe Executiva e não ter que ficar na fila da Classe económica, nossa  bagagem obviamente aumentou um pouco mais na Alemanha, mas nem falaram nada.

Precisava pegar o carimbo da Alfandega na guia de exportação das pecas que compramos no Erzgebirge, me mandaram ir no outro lado do terminal, quando cheguei la falaram que se era bagagem de mão tinha que carimbar depois da imigração.

Passamos pela imigração e fomos tentar achar o Lounge da Lufthansa, ai sim que sentimos saudades do Changi, o Lounge ficava do outro lado, tínhamos cerca de 50 minutos antes da partida do avião, tivemos que andar quase 10 minutos e ai tínhamos que passar pelo controle de embarque para chegar na Área, acabamos desistindo e voltamos, mais 10 minutos de caminhada pelo aeroporto, sem uma esteira para facilitar.. Sem comentários.

Pior a Alfandega do lado de dentro ainda não estava aberta, e não tive como carimbar a guia que teria que mandar de volta para a Alemanha pelo correio, fazer o que eu tentei, ainda bem que ganhamos o desconto dos impostos antes, se bem que eu me lembre essa e a segunda vez que tenho problema semelhante em Frankfurt eles colocam propositalmente uma coisa do lado oposto do outro para dificultar e caso você não tenha tempo suficiente você acaba deixando o dinheiro referente ao Imposto na Alemanha.

Aproveitamos para gastar os últimos Euros no Duty Free e embarcamos no avião para Nova Iorque, sem usar o Lounge, mas tudo bem.. Afinal de contas viajar de executiva e ate melhor que ficar no Lounge, se o da Singapore Airlines em Cingapura já deixou a desejar o da Lufthansa certamente não seria melhor.

Desta vez viajamos no Deck Superior do Avião, um Boeing 747-400, super legal viajar la em cima, super alto, você tem ate a sensação de estar viajando num jato executivo, já que não são tantos assentos como no deck inferior, enquanto aguardávamos a decolagem as comissarias de bordo em seus trajes tipicamente Singapore Airlines já serviam bebidas.

Viajar de Classe executiva também e uma excelente experiência gastronomica, neste voo tivemos um café da manha e um almoço antes do pouso, no café da manha foram servidas frutas, cereal, iogurte, pães e ainda 3 opcoes de pratos principais. Já o almoço eram 3 opcoes de pratos principais também com uma salada deliciosa com camarões, tudo isso com uma ampla variedade de bebidas.

O avião saiu de Frankfurt com cerca de 20 minutos de atraso, aproveitei e filmei a decolagem, infelizmente  a neblina atrapalhou a visibilidade.

Ate Nova Iorque foram cerca de 8 horas de viagem, Como foi um voo diurno quase não cheguei a dormir, aproveitei para assistir uns filmes, arrumar as fotos da viagem, e tão bom ter um ponto de energia, como na classe executiva.

O Avião saiu de Frankfurt e seguiu em direcao a Amsterdam, cruzou o mar do Norte sobrevoou o Reino Unido, passando ao Sul de Glasgow, rumando a Noroeste, passando ao Sul da Islândia e Groenlandia, nesta parte da viagem estava quase sem nuvens e era possível ver o mar, fiquei imaginando como foi quando o Titanic afundou, já que do Avião dava para perceber quão agitado e o Atlântico norte e não sei ao certo dizer se era gelo ou mar agitado, mas no mar parecia umas coisas brancas, sendo tão perto da Groenlandia eu acredito que era gelo.

Entramos na América do Norte pelo Estreito de Labrador e la em baixo estava tudo branco, muitos lagos de origem glacial, sobrevoamos o golfo de Saint Lawrence no Canada. Entramos nos EUA, sobrevoamos o Estado de Maine, Massachussets próximo a Boston e o avião iniciou a descida.

A medida que o avião ia descendo maior era nossa visibilidade, já dava para notar que estávamos em uma latitude maior que estávamos na Alemanha, afinal de contas a floresta por aqui estava com aspecto de Outono mais tardio que na Alemanha, chegamos a Nova Iorque, ao fundo era possível avistar os arranha céus de Manhattan.

Por sinal essa acho que foi uma das ultimas vezes que escutamos o Singlish o Inglês de Cingapura!!

Assim que aterrissamos o primeiro avião que eu vejo pela Janela do Avião foi um avião da TAM, já pensei ihh a imigração vai estar chata!!! tambem estavam fazendo um treinamento de combate a incendio, mas digamos que do aviao nao dava para entender direito o que estava acontecendo, e vendo aquela fumaca preta subindo numa das cabeceiras da pista digamos que foi esquisito

Chegamos cerca de 45 minutos antes do Previsto, desembarcamos e fomos a tão temida imigração americana, e como era de se esperar não foi a melhor das experiências, o oficial não sabia como proceder com o meu tipo de visto, teve que ir consultar seus superiores, nessa brincadeira levou pelo menos uns 10 minutos que pareceram quase uma hora, coitado de quem estava na fila.

Depois quando ele voltou ainda disparou uma “ What’s going on in this country??” Bem tudo bem pelo menos estávamos amparados pela nossa petição e o visto concedido em Cingapura e moral da historia tenho 6 meses de tranquilidade por aqui, e depois disso terei que pedir uma extensão, mas então deveremos ir para o Brasil por alguns dias.

Primeira constatação, os policiais americanos são como aparecem nos filmes,  muitos deles usam aquele bigodinho típico, e se acham a autoridade na terra, eu olhava para eles e sem querer lembrada do Fucker and Sucker do Casseta e Planeta.

Chegamos na esteira de bagagens e para surpresa você tem que pagar para usar o carrinho se não me engano 5USD que podem ser pagos com cartão de Credito, tão logo pegamos um carrinho e nossa bagagem apareceu, na hora de passar pela alfandega não tivemos nenhum problema, por sinal tenho que me considerar uma pessoa de sorte nunca ate hoje na minha vida tive que abrir minha mala.

Como chegamos mais cedo, tivemos que esperar por cerca de 15 minutos para o motorista que nos trouxe a Delaware aparecesse, bem se o Aeroporto de Frankfurt era Ruim esse conseguia ser pior, digamos que um pouco melhor que Guarulhos.  

Nosso motorista apareceu, como já era esperado não ajudou com nada para carregar a bagagem, normal, o carro ate que estava relativamente próximo, ainda no aeroporto vi os famosos táxis amarelos de NY, nosso carro era um Chrysler com bastante espaço para nossas bagagens.

Nosso motorista ate parecia legal, contou um pouco sobre Delaware a vida dele etc.. pelo caminho ate Delaware que levou cerca de 2 horas.

Pelo caminho em uma das pontes conseguimos ver bem de longe a Estátua da Liberdade já no estado de Nova Jersey paramos em um posto de gasolina para comprar algo para tomar. Começamos a conversar com o motorista e ele falou uma coisa que me chamou atenção, quanto melhor o povo, pior e a policia, se referindo que a policia no norte dos EUA e muito mais tolerante e condecedente que no sul, bem mas uma coisa e verdade a policia nos EUA ate da certo medo.

Nossa de Nova Iorque ate Delaware foram alguns pedagios, o mais caro deles se não me engano custou uns 8 ou 11 USD, um absurdo de caro, quando vimos estávamos cruzando a Delaware Memorial Bridge e chegando em Delaware o estado em que iremos viver nos próximos 18 meses pelo menos.

Uma coisa que e um saco principalmente depois de passar uns dias na Alemanha e a velocidade das estradas nos EUA, muito devagar e a conservação delas digamos que não e muito melhor que no Brasil não e custa caro!! Uma coisa pelo menos legal foi ver as árvores com as folhas em vários tons outonais, mas quanto mais nos distanciávamos de NY mais rural ia ficando a paisagem.

Bem Delaware e o segundo menor estado dos Estados Unidos, mas foi o primeiro deles e por isso tem uma grande importância histórica, inclusive a titulo de curiosidade o atual vice presidente dos EUA, Joe Biden,  e daqui de Delaware, estamos morando a cerca de 1 Km da Casa que ele mora quando nao esta em Washington. Bem e um estado que muita gente usa de passagem do Sul em direcao a NY e e famoso por ser um dos únicos estados aqui nos estados unidos sem imposto para compras. Imagine isso..

Chegamos a nossa residência temporária em Greenville, bem como já era de se esperar totalmente diferente de Cingapura, tivemos certa dificuldade para conseguir acessar o prédio, mas depois de resolvido, levamos tudo para cima, depois de algum tempo uma pessoa da empresa que estamos alugando o carro veio nos pegar para alugarmos o carro.

Sempre e uma sensacao muito esquisita mudar para um lugar, um pais desconhecido, ate você se localizar leva um tempo, chegamos a empresa onde alugamos o carro, eles tinham dois PT cruiser da Chrysler ou um Sonata da Hyundai, como já estávamos familiarizados com o ultimo já que eles são os táxis de Cingapura alugamos um branco, digamos que e uma sensação estranha você estar dirigindo o modelo do carro que você andou por 1 ano e meio como passageiro. Só me pergunto como os taxistas de Cingapura conseguem andar dando soquinho com esse carro automático. Graças a Deus não precisar de táxis mais!! Pelo menos nos próximos 18 meses.

E engraçado como o Americano ao Contrario do Alemão gosta de carro automático, bem digamos que não tinha muita experiência em dirigir um mas aqui não vai ter jeito, vou tem mesmo que me acostumar a dirigir eles, mas para falar a verdade e muito mais simples, mas ainda acho mais legal você poder  trocar a marcha.

Como esta anoitecendo rápido já estava de noite quando deixamos a loja, voltamos em direcao a nossa casa e resolvemos passar em um mercado para comprar alguma coisa para comer ou ir em um restaurante, bem pertinho daqui existe um centrinho comercial com tudo isso o que eu gostei mesmo foi de uma lojinha que vende artesanato de países em Desenvolvimento e que não tem fins lucrativos, super legal.

Foi engracado ver alguns artesanatos de paises que visitamos na Asia e o preco digamos que não e nada assim tao abusivo, obviamente nao e o preco la na Asia, mas digamos que a diferenca pagaria o correio apenas.

Neste mesmo lugar existe uma loja que vende bebidas alcoólicas entre elas cachaça do Brasil entre as marcas disponíveis a Pitu e a Sagatiba e o melhor de tudo não custa muito caro não.Principalmente os Vinhos, obviamente nao o preco da Europa, compramos vinhos otimos por menos de 5 Euros la na Alemanha.

Voltamos para casa, como ainda estamos com o fuso alterado fomos dormir super cedo, resultado as 3 horas da manha estávamos de pé, arrumando nosso apartamento provisório. Foi muito legal ter trazido algumas coisas de decoracao da nossa casa, assim nosso apartamneto provisorio ficou com cara de casa.

Bem mes de Outubro o Blog bateu mais um recorde no numero de acessos, so neste ultimo mes foram 4060 acessos!!

Dear Ms Tan,

Thank you for your kind comments about Mr Rowell Regala. He will no doubt be delighted to know from his Manager that you appreciated all his efforts to bring you home to Singapore.

We hope to welcome you again soon in one of our future flights.

Sincerely yours,

Clarissa L Morelos
Marketing Communications & Services Officer
Singapore Airlines Manila