Business Travel Frequent Flyer Guru

Virgin Atlantic Celebrates 25th Birthday in Style

ben.hoffman — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:17:00 GMT

Virgin Atlantic, one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines, today celebrated its 25 th birthday in style by recreating the very first flight to New York that departed on 22 June 1984. Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, was joined onboard by frequent travellers, travel trade VIPs and a host of special guests including leading fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, international cricketer Kevin Pietersen and his wife, former Liberty X singer Jessica, as well as Ian Botham and Christopher...(read more)

Qantas Hong Kong to Perth Bound flight Experiences severe Turbulence

ben.hoffman — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:40:00 GMT

Today a Qantas flight taking off from Hong Kong bound for Perth , experienced severe turbulence over Borneo Malaysia , resulting in several minor injuries to several passengers and crew. Qantas have released the following statement on the incident: Qantas said today that the aircraft operating QF68 between Hong Kong and Perth overnight encountered severe turbulence over Borneo in Malaysia approximately 4 hours out of Hong Kong . As a result, it is understood 6 passengers and 1 crew member have sustained...(read more)

Etihad Airways Confirms Future Aircraft Engine Orders including A380

ben.hoffman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Etihad Airways have confirmed that it has placed future Aircraft engine orders, including the engine that will power its future Airbus A380 Aircraft The Full media release from Etihad can be read below: Etihad Airways has selected GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce, Engine Alliance and International Aero Engines (IAE) to power the new Airbus and Boeing aircraft that it ordered at last year’s Farnborough International Airshow. The Farnborough deal included 100 firm orders and options and purchase rights for...(read more)

Singapore Airlines to increase daily flights to Manila

ben.hoffman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:18:00 GMT

Singapore Airlines have announced it will increase the number of daily flights from Singapore to Manila to 4 per day The full press release from Singapore Airlines can be read below: Singapore Airlines is to add a fourth daily flight between Singapore and Manila from 10 July. The increase from three to four daily flights, operated by the Boeing 777 family of aircraft, will expand capacity between Singapore and Manila, by more than 20%. This has been made possible as a result of recent bilateral air...(read more)

Vietnam Airlines increases Airbus Orders

ben.hoffman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:08:00 GMT

Vietnam Airlines have announced that it has placed orders for an additional 16 Airbus A321s and 2 additional Airbus A350 XWBs aircraft. Vietnam Airlines are bucking the trends with most airlines decreasing aircraft orders, and is perhaps a sign an increasing market for Vietnam Airlines. The full press release from Airbus can be read below: Vietnam Airlines today announced at the Paris Air Show that it has placed a firm order with Airbus for 16 more single aisle A321s and signed a Memorandum of Understanding...(read more)

Qantas to Increase A380 Services to Los Angeles and London

ben.hoffman — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:20:00 GMT

Qantas today announced it would increase Qantas A380 Services to both Los Angeles and London from 6 August 2009 , after it receives is fourth A380 aircraft at the end of July 2009. After Qantas receives its fifth and sixth A380, Qantas will begin to offer daily services to both London and Los Angeles. The full media release from Qantas can be read below: Qantas announced today it would increase its A380 services to both London and Los Angeles from 6 August 2009. Group Executive Qantas Airlines Commercial...(read more)

Singapore Airlines A380 Hong Kong flights to begin from 9 July 2009

ben.hoffman — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:55:00 GMT

Singapore Airlines the world’s first airline to put into service the A380 aircraft has announced that it will begin services from Singapore to Hong Kong with the A380 aircraft. Hong Kong A380 flights will being from 9 July 2009 and is expected to be a move to seal some of the Cathay Pacific’s Singapore to Hong Kong market share. The full media release from Singapore Airlines can be read below: Singapore Airlines will fly the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, on the Singapore-Hong...(read more)

Jetstar A330 Aircraft bound for Osaka makes emergency landing in Guam

ben.hoffman — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:48:00 GMT

An Airbus A330 aircraft operated by Australian budget carrier Jetstar, bound for Osaka has made an emergency landing in Guam. On landing all passengers and crew disembarked successfully. The full press release from Jetstar can be read below: A Jetstar A330-200 aircraft operating directly between Osaka and the Gold Coast has made an emergency in-flight diversion but safe landing into Guam International Airport this morning. Flight JQ 20 departed Osaka (Kansai International Airport) at 20.50 pm local...(read more)

Emirates A380 Business Class Flight Review Sydney to Auckland Return

ben.hoffman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:24:00 GMT

After the launch of Singapore Airlines A380 in October 2007, Emirates were the second Airline put into service an Airbus A380, and since my first Singapore Airlines A380 review and subsequent Qantas A380 Premium economy flight review you can imagine my eagerness to experience the Emirates A380 first hand....(read more)

Emirates A380 Arrives in Toronto Video: Video Footage of EK 372 landing in Toronto Canada

ben.hoffman — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:45:00 GMT

Yesterday Emirates made aviation history by becoming the first airline to begin commercial services to Toronto Canada; the following video is of EK 372 Emirates A380 flight landing in Toronto Canada. EK 372 wasn’t the only Emirates flight making history also yesterday, EK 241 an A380 flight from Dubai to Bangkok became the first commercial A380 Bangkok bound service....(read more)

Emirates Completes First A380 Bangkok and Toronto Double

ben.hoffman — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:54:00 GMT

Emirates today became the first airline in history to begin A380 services to both Bangkok Thailand and Toronto Canada. A380 Bangkok bound EK372 took off from Dubai International at 9:40am local time and arrived in Bangkok at 7:00 PM local time....(read more)

Emirates to make history in Canada with First Ever Scheduled Airbus A380 flight

ben.hoffman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:09:00 GMT

Today Emirates airlines will take a step into the history books when it becomes the first airline to start scheduled flights to Toronto Canada. The Emirates A380 route from Dubai to Toronto Canada will be a three times a week service and is a sign that Emirates is committed to and sees great potential in the Canadian market. ...(read more)

Boeing Delivers 75th Boeing 777 to Emirates

ben.hoffman — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:49:00 GMT

Boeing have delivered the 75 Boeing 777 Aircraft to Emirates, the full press release can be read below: Boeing yesterday delivered the 75th 777 commercial jetliner to Emirates. The Dubai-based carrier is one of the largest operators of Boeing's popular twin-aisle, long-haul airplane. Emirates is expected to become the world's largest 777 operator later this year. Emirates' newest 777, a Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range), departed Paine Field in Everett, Wash., yesterday on its ferry flight to Dubai...(read more)

Korean Air Seats Get an Upgrade

ben.hoffman — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:37:00 GMT

Korean Air the national carrier of South Korea have announced that it will begin the second phase of its $200 Million cabin refurbishing plan....(read more)

Boeing announce 787 Dreamliner Close to First Flight

ben.hoffman — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:20:00 GMT

Boeing have announced that its long awaited 787 Dreamliner designated ZA001 is not far from its first flight, in fact final test are being conducted for an expected first flight later this quarter....(read more)

American Airlines to wifi enable 300 Domestic aircraft

ben.hoffman — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:50:00 GMT

American Airlines has committed to wifi enabling 300 of its domestic fleet within 2 years, with will enable passengers to surf the internet, check email, or even VPN into their corporate network. The brief press release from oneworld can be read below: American to make 300 of its US domestic aircraft in-flight wifi hotspots: American Airlines is to offer passengers wifi internet access in-flight on more than 300 of its aircraft flying on US domestic services within the next two years. After trials...(read more)

Cathay Pacific Takes out the Skytrax Airline of the Year Award

ben.hoffman — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:44:00 GMT

Cathay Pacific has taken out the prestigious Skytrax Airline of the Year Award for 2009, the brief press release from oneworld can be read below: Cathay Pacific named Airline of the Year: Cathay Pacific has been named Airline of the Year 2009 in the World Airline Awards run by the Skytrax airline quality research organisation - the third time in ten years that the airline has taken the scheme's overall top award. This year, it was also named Best Airline Asia and Best in South East Asia. Overall...(read more)

Malév resumes flights to St Petersburg

ben.hoffman — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:37:00 GMT

Malév 10 years after stopping services to St Petersburg Russia have again resumed services and is now the fourth airline to service the city. The brief press release from oneworld can be read below: Malév becomes fourth one world member to serve St Petersburg: Malév Hungarian Airlines has resumed services to St Petersburg after a near 10-year break. It is now operating to the Russian city from its Budapest base twice weekly during the summer season, to late October. It is the fourth one world member...(read more)

Dragonair to fly to Guangzhou from September

ben.hoffman — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:32:00 GMT

Dragonair has announced it plans to start flying to Guangzhou, China from September this year, the brief press release from oneworld can be read below: Dragonair aims to add Guangzhou to its network from September: Dragonair is aiming to add Guangzhou to its network, with twice-daily passenger flights from September. Currently, Japan Airlines is the only one world airline to serve Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton and home base of SkyTeam's China Southern. Dragonair's plan to open service on this...(read more)

LAN Ecuador launches Domestic Flights

ben.hoffman — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:26:00 GMT

LAN Ecuador has launched domestic flights within 4 South American countries, giving oneworld frequent flyers additional mile earning options when flying within the region, below is a brief press release from oneworld: LAN Ecuador launches first domestic flights: one world ® now offers domestic flights in a fourth South American country, with affiliate member LAN Ecuador launching internal services in its home market. It is now linking its two hubs Guayaquil and Quito with seven Airbus A318 flights...(read more)

Delta Airlines Offering 500 Bonus Miles for Round Trips Booked at Delta.com

ben.hoffman — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:14:00 GMT

Delta Airlines has launched a new offer giving it SkyMiles and Northwest’s WorldPerk members an additional 500 bonus miles when purchasing any round trip from their website (delta.com). Delta Air Lines is offering SkyMiles members 500 bonus miles when they purchase a roundtrip flight at delta.com between April 28 and May 31, 2009. Northwest WorldPerks members also may earn 500 bonus miles when they purchase a qualifying flight at nwa.com . “Delta.com’s share of tickets sold has grown by an unprecedented...(read more)

Vietnam Airlines to Join SkyTeam by 2010

ben.hoffman — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:23:00 GMT

The Prime Minister of Vietnam has approved Vietnam’s national carrier Vietnam Airlines to join SkyTeam by 2010 The Prime Minister has just agreed to the proposal of Vietnam Airlines on an additional purchase of 10 passenger planes, the Airbus A321-200, during the period of 2011-2014. Accordingly, the Vietnamese flag carrier should directly negotiate the details of the contract with the producer. The Prime Minister also permitted Vietnam Airlines to join SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, and to...(read more)

Qantas A380 Premium Economy Flight Review Singapore to Sydney

ben.hoffman — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:18:00 GMT

On Thursday 11 February I had the opportunity to fly Premium Economy on Qantas’s brand spanking new Airbus A380 from Singapore to Sydney and just like the Singapore Airlines A380 aircraft which I experienced more than a year earlier this aircraft promised to deliver much more in the areas of space, comfort, in-flight entertainment and most importantly service. To begin I won’t be shy in pointing out that I absolutely love reporting on any Airbus A380, not just because it’s an ultra modern aircraft...(read more)

South African Airways Announce Interline Agreement with Virgin Blue

ben.hoffman — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:32:00 GMT

South African Airlines (SAA) have announced an interline agreement with Virgin Blue to give Virgin Blue, the agreement will give passengers of both SAA and Virgin Blue greater choice and flexibility, with seamless transfers, business lounge access and ticketing options on each airlines extensive network. The full media release from Virgin Blue and South African Airlines can be read below: Thursday 2 April 2009: South African Airways has announced that it has reached a new agreement with Virgin Blue...(read more)

Virgin Atlantic Launches Pitch TV

ben.hoffman — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:58:00 GMT

Virgin Atlantic have launched a brand new inflight TV program titled Pitch TV , in which will give up coming Entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to the flying public. The full press release from Virgin Atlantic can be read below: As part of its 25th birthday celebrations , Virgin Atlantic is launching a new show onboard its inflight entertainment system. PitchTV will be shown onboard all Virgin Atlantic flights from June 2009 and also be available on www.virgin.com . http...(read more)