Jet Airways Creating Buzz in The Airline Industry

Have you heard the buzz centered on Jet Airways these days? Well, the airline bellwether from India has introduced stylish Rosenthal crockery on domestic flights. And the trend started in December 21, 2010 when the airline announced a new epoch in in-flight dining and service delivery on board its domestic flights. If you have bought Jet Airways tickets of the Première class for flights between Mumbai and Delhi, you can savor delectable dishes. The mouth-watering dishes in the menu are prepared by master chefs of the Oberoi Flight Kitchens. And the four-course meals are served on stylish Rosenthal crockery. The highest standards are well set in the Indian skies by the airline honcho. So, get geared up for a wonderful experience with Premiere Jet Airways tickets!

But passengers who have bought Jet Airways tickets of the Economy class can also enjoy an altogether different experience while dining in the Indian skies. The lip smacking Indian and continental cuisines are served on a stylish, new collection of tableware of Dutch design known as ‘The Landscape’. This service will soon be introduced on other routes as well.

Getting the Jet Airways Online Booking is easy at the airline’s official website. You can get the tickets from travel portals as well. It will be wise on your part to get registered as a member, especially if you are a frequent flier. You will then earn points with every Jet Airways online booking.

When it comes to infant and child care, Jet Airways always stays one step ahead. Providing a seamless travel experience to the younger patrons is what the airline envisages. The airline has introduced special flights meals for children between two to twelve years of age. When you do the Jet Airways online booking of your children, do specify their age. In case the Jet Airways Tickets are bought from a travel agent, ensure that child meal request is forwarded; it requires at least 24 hours prior to departure to book a meal. Your happiness and your children’s happiness are what the airline strives for!Jet Airways Creating Buzz in The Airline Industry in India.

Is Using A Credit Card Onboard A British Airways Airline Safe?

If you fly frequently, whether for business or pleasure your main wish is to arrive at your destination safely with all your luggage and possessions with you. A secondary wish might be to travel in comfort; British Airways has always recognised this and has sought to cater for your every need. By using your frequent flyer credit card, you can enjoy VIP services such as express check-in and access to comforts like pre-flight dinners and restful nights in the club world bedrooms aboard the airline. With such luxuries BA has taken the tension and stress out of long distance air travel.

In a bid to improve the convenience for you the traveller, in early December 2006 British Airways launched the on flight chip and pin credit card service. Now you can use credit cards on all your BA flights. The chip and pin service was introduced in-flight to ensure a reduction in the number of fraudulent card activities in the air. But how secure is using your credit card on an airplane?

The device used by British Airways is called the SkyPort Plus and its wireless design means it can reach any passenger regardless of where you are sitting. The device stores information on the credit card hot lists and it verifies transactions against fraudulent credit cards in under a second. This is good news for anyone who has had their card stolen. But with such limited personal space, how do you protect your PIN while on board an airline?

The same rules would apply as if you were using your credit card on the ground. You must shield your PIN. Aboard the airline, the chances of someone using a mobile phone to record you entering your pin might be slimmer than on a crowded high street but the chances of someone seeing you enter your pin might be just as possible, especially if you are sitting in the middle seat of a 5 seat row.

The SkyPort Plus device was designed to be passed to you by the flight attendant so you can insert your card and enter your pin. If you need to pass your card to the attendant, ensure you cover it with your hands and never let your credit card out of your sight. When entering your PIN into the device, make sure you shield the keypad from prying eyes. If you are seated near the window at night make sure you pull down the shade to avoid any reflections in the window.

You should keep all your receipts in a safe place and destroy any incorrect and void receipts safely when you arrive at your destination.

BA’s Retail Business Manager, Richard Cushing, has stated the new on-board chip and pin system has already helped to ‘reduce the level of fraud substantially’. While this may be true it is still up to you to keep taking the necessary precautions to ensure you are not a victim of credit card fraud, whether on the ground or in the air.

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Choose Jet Airways To Get Inexpensive Airline Ticket

Jet Airways is the most popular airline of India. It is renowned for its world class service and good connectivity within India and abroad. Jet Airways covers most of the domestic sectors and major international destinations also. It has a huge network – with a number of flights operating daily on its various sectors. The airlines now offer inexpensive airline ticket also which makes it easy for people to travel by air.

It is easy to book Jet airways tickets for your travel with the online booking facility. Booking your flight with Jet Airways can help you to earn miles in Jet Privileges, which is the frequent flier program of Jet Airways. The Jet Privilege members can earn miles when they fly on Jet Airways and they can use these miles to upgrade there flight from economy class to business class or from business class to first class without paying any extra amount. They can also avail other services like waiver off cancellation or use the extra miles to purchase inexpensive airline ticket, paying only for the taxes.

With increase in competition, Jet Airways has also started offering inexpensive airline ticket to all its customers. To get an inexpensive airline ticket, you can book jet airways tickets in advance. You can contact different travel websites to know about the inexpensive airline ticket for Jet airways or book jet airways tickets through other options like travel agent or through the airline’s local booking office.

If you are planning to book jet airways tickets online, you can contact jetairtickets.in which can help you get the information about the inexpensive airline ticket in no time at all. It is quite easy to book jet airways tickets through this site as it provides you with updated information and makes it possible for you to book your Jet airways flights at any time of the day.

You can make your ticket payment online at this site and can get the e-tickets for your journey immediately. Apart from your tickets, you can also choose your seat and order for your onboard meal before your journey. Thus, it is an efficient way to plan your travel and fly comfortably to your travel destination.

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Is an American – US Airways Deal Next?

Such a combination would create an airline that would challenge the world’s newly created number one airline, namely United, for bragging rights to being the world’s largest airline.

American and US Airways are the last stand alone legacy U.S. airlines.  Many industry analysts believe that the only way for the large U.S. airlines, that have been losing money for years, to make a profit is through consolidation and cost cutting.

US Airways appears to be interested in being part of a merger.  It has publicly endorsed airline consolidation and was involved in merger talks with United in April.

On the other hand, American Airlines appears more hesitant about growing through mergers.  It claims to have no philosophical objection to mergers, but points out that consolidation is not alone the cure for the airline industry’s problems. 

Currently American has not identified any potential attractive merger partners.  High operating costs, significant debt, and poor labor relations make it difficult for American today to pursue mergers.

American is focusing on what it calls its “corner-posts strategy” that stresses the importance of American maintaining and increasing its market share in the country’s six largest travel markets:  Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Washington D.C.

As to what the future will bring, beware of those who protest too much (i.e., claim little interest in mergers).  Their positions could change at a moment’s notice. When will the consolidation end, when there are two or three major airlines, like power companies, and cable operators?

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India Airlines – Cathay Pacific Airways

Surrounded by the stately  and imposing Himalayan ranges in the northern part of India  and with the boundary of a never-ending  and extended golden beaches, India is a glowing and a flamboyant land of scenery, splendid past sites and majestic towns, foggy mountain ranges, vibrant and lively people, affluent and prosperous cultures and festivities. Contemporary India is a dwelling alike to the ancestral with his old-fashioned lifestyle and to the stylish and classy urban jet-setter. It is a soil where holy places and elephants continue living harmoniously with the microprocessor. Its very old monuments are the matter of pride for the leading democracy of the world.

With the growing traffic from US to India large number of Indian and  have made entry and are offering cheap flights to India from all the major destinations of United States of America. Travelers have both the options available that is online and offline for the reservation of the flights for India from the US destinations. The online procedure is number one with speedy process and immediate result. The way  you hunt for the best bargains and  negotiate helps you to culling down the expenditure and avail  the best air tickets for India.

There are many India Airlines companies that are in operation from US to India-

Air India:
The government owned aviation company Air India is presently having many international flights. This national flag  airline of the country India has its head office in Mumbai. The additional chief centers  of Air India are New Delhi and Chennai. It also offers  cargo services  all around the world. There are both direct and indirect flights in service from major cities of US to India.

Indian Airlines:
Indian Airlines is another Government owned airlines of the country.  It is first and foremost a domestic or a national  airline. But, it now operates worldwide also. This company also has its head office  in New Delhi.

Jet Airways:
Jet Airways is a  privately owned airline  service but is presently operating in the global sector also. This private airline company  has also got worldwide flying rights  very recently .It also has direct flights operating from some of the major cities of US to India.

Other International Airlines Operating in India from US are Finn air, Air India, Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air France, Singapore airlines, Emirates, Continental Airlines ,American airlines. Air France too has flights from US to India to the cities like Delhi ,Bangalore and Mumbai.

All Nippon Airways, Continental, and United Apply to U.S. DOT for Approval of Antitrust Immunity & Trans-Pacific Joint Venture

TOKYO and HOUSTON, TX and CHICAGO, IL–(Marketwire – December 24, 2009) – All Nippon Airways, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), and United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) today filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for antitrust immunity to enable the three carriers to create a more efficient and comprehensive trans-Pacific network, generating substantial service and pricing benefits for consumers.

The trans-Pacific joint venture — the first of its kind between the U.S. and Asia — also would enable ANA, Continental, and United to compete more effectively with other global alliances, each of which has a significant presence in Tokyo.

Upon DOT approval of the companies’ immunity application, ANA, Continental, and United will be able to jointly manage trans-Pacific activities including scheduling, pricing and sales, offering customers a greater selection of routings and a wider range of fare and service options.

“By making this closer cooperation between our partner airlines, we will be able to strengthen our trans-Pacific network and improve our services,” said Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of ANA. “We are looking forward for our application to be approved, which will create greater convenience for our valued customers,” he added.

“Our network of service to nine Japanese cities will be enhanced by giving our customers more options for using our flights in conjunction with United and ANA for trips both within the region as well as on trans-Pacific routes,” said Larry Kellner, Continental’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“This joint venture, coupled with the recently announced open skies agreement between the U.S. and Japan, will significantly enhance our ability to serve customers in Japan and throughout Asia and offer new choice and convenience for customers,” said Glenn Tilton, United’s chairman and chief executive officer.

The Department of Transportation granted antitrust immunity to United and Continental in July 2009, enabling the two carriers to coordinate schedules and fares for services outside the United States.

To view the full text of this press release go to http://www.ana.co.jp/ir/

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Jet Airways Signs an Agreement With United Airlines

Jet Airways and United Airlines signed an agreement for a code-share on the route London-Mumbai-San Francisco, operated with aircraft of the first domestic carrier of India. This partnership follows the cooperation with American Airlines, that through New York- JFK hub which offers many connections to passengers coming from the route India-Europe-Usa.

Meanwhile, the consolidation of Jet Airways is going on also on the domestic market, after the purchase of Air Sahara, now it’s the turn of JetLite, with which the carrier signed a code-share agreement. Passengers have now a better network in India, with easier connections.

During the months October-December 2008, the carrier had a turnover of 628 million dollars,  more than 21 per cent on the same period of 2007, the year in which Jet Airways started its operations in August.

The Indian airline chose Brussels as European hub – an agreement with Belgian carrier, Brussels Airlines, allows to feed the aircraft leaving for Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, New York and Toronto.

Get the latest news on airlines industry only on complete airlines news portal hawaiiyatra.blogspot.com.Get discounts on booking online domestic and international flights. Book cheapest Jetlite flights in India only on hawaiiyatra. Hawaii Yatra is one stop solution for all your travel needs. Book now and get maximum discounts. Hawaii Yatra also facilitates car rentals, bus bookings and hotel bookings.

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline and ICICI Lombard General Insurance have collaborated to launch a unique overseas and domestic travel insurance product called JetProtect which offers security against possible risks during travel. JetProtect can be purchased solely by visiting Jet Airways’ website – www.jetairways.com. With this recent online offering, Jet Airways has yet again succeeded in launching an innovative product and service by leveraging technology.

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Where to be at When in Thailand

What follows is various information about some of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, as well as a number of other places. I have tried to give a summary of information about each area, as well as mention some of the most interesting things to do there, basically listing all of the sort of info that I think may be useful in making the vacation worthwhile.First of all,communicating is a huge concern in this part of the world, so, here are a few common terminologies for you to start off…..

Baht – 1). The unit of currency in Thailand.

2). The unit used in measuring the weight of gold in Thailand.

Khao Sarn – It is the name of the main road in the backpacker infested neighbourhood of Bangkok, but did you know that in Thai it actually means “un-husked rice”.

Ko – Thai for island.

Kop khun – Thai for thank you!

Ta – Thai for port or pier.

Teeruk- Thai for darling.

Wat – Thai for temple.

The cities elaborated with different places and events here include:Bangkok , Phuket, Pattaya, Ko Samui , Chang Mai, Udon Thani, Cha am All the above

locations have airports except for pattaya and cha am (there’s one in Hua hin)

Bangkok

Bangkok is truly a city that never sleeps, a city with a real energy that can induce you in, take a firm hold of you and in some cases, refuse to let go! Bangkok is not a city of endless tourist attractions and must see museums, but a city you visit to feel the vibe. Bangkok has an energy seldom found elsewhere.To the uninitiated, it can appear to be another big, drab grey city but if you persevere, exploring the city can be a rewarding experience.

Before you decide to go all out on the exploring stuff, I am sure its agreeable to get a suitable accommodation. Some of the Hotels/resorts giving best value for oney can be found here As far as attractions and interesting things to see and do in Bangkok go, there are a handful. The old part of town, that is the area down near the river, not far from the Khao San Road area, is where you’ll find a lot of the more culturally and historically significant building and temples. That is one part of the city that is actually quite pretty. For many the highlight of the area is the Grand Palace (Wat Pra Kaew), the most culturally important of all of Thailand’s 40,000+ Buddhist temples. The dress code for entry is strictly enforced – you shouldn’t wear anything to brief or a sleeveless shirt.Sort of over and behind the Grand Palace is Wat Po, which is preferable to the Grand Palace. The other major temple in this area is Wat Arun, most probably the most photographed temple, or for that matter, location, in all of Bangkok. Wat Arun is the fascinating temple just over the Chao Praya River from the Grand Palace and Wat Po.The tallest building in Bangkok is the Baiyoke 2 Tower which towers above everything else. It’s located a few hundred metres up from the Central World Plaza in a busy parks of the Pratunam Market. The tower soars around 300 metres into the sky and from the top, on a clear day at least, you get good views of Bangkok There’s a somewhat dated but still interesting

SNAKE FARM right in the heart of the city. Located on Rama 4 Road, within the Red Cross compound, it features a show that is presented in both English and Thai.Also in the Lumpini area is one of the city’s two major Thai boxing stadiums, Lumpini Stadium. Rather than go for ringside seats, I think it is a lot more fun to sit up in the main stand with the Thais and watch them gambling. Heaps of fun!The Ancient City, known as Meuang Boran in Thai, located a fair distance from the centre of Bangkok, is another excellent attraction, in fact the word excellent really doesn’t do it justice. It truly is a photographer’s dream. There are a number of different companies offering dinner cruises on the Chao Praya river. Some of the deals are for a buffet dinner and some are a la carte.

Pros: The Thai capital is less about tourist attractions – although there are many, but more about the vibe. Friendly people who are easily excited like to have fun – and their attitude and zest for life can be infectious.

Cons: It’s a drab, grey city with awful traffic problems. It is also home to many people who prey on tourists with various scams. You won’t get hit on the head, but you might get tricked out of your money.

The Bottom Line: Worth a few days of your time!

Phuket

It was the beautiful island of Phuket that first lured me to the Kingdom Of Thailand. In fact when I first moved to Thailand my plan was to go to Phuket and secure a job teaching English down there but for whatever reason, it never happened and I ended up in Bangkok.Phuket is one of the world’s premier beach holiday destinations and ranks alongside the French Riviera, the Mediterranean and Hawaii as places where people will happily endure up to 24 hours discomfort on a plane for the promise of the quintessential beach holiday.

Phuket is an island connected to the Thai mainland by a bridge, and is located about 1,000 km from Bangkok There are many beaches around the island province of Phuket but by far and away the most developed is Patong Beach. Patong Beach is tourist central where all of the nations of the world come together. Here you will find far, far, far more Indian and Italian restaurants than you will Thai restaurants, proving just how touristed Patong place has become.Patong is the nightlife capital of the island, not that much different to Pattaya, only smaller. For Phuket nightlife, Patong is the centre.South of Patpong Beach is Karon Beach, my favourite of Phuket’s beaches. 3 km of soft white sand lead gently down to the beautiful Andaman Sea. While accommodation prices have moved in a similar manner to those at Patong, the prices at Karon are more attractive than Patong.South of Karon Beach is Kata Beach, a somewhat smaller beach that is NOT a private beach for Club Med as some people believe.This, like Karon, is another really lovely beach and a great place to wile away the days and baste yourself under the hot Thai sun.Accommodation and restaurants are a little cheaper there than the other beaches. It is certainly much quieter and less hustle and bustle than Patong. .

There are many day trip options available from Phuket.Two of these in particular are well worthwhile. The first recommended day trip is the one that takes you to Phanga Bay and the so called James Bond Island. The second day trip that is well worthwhile is over to the small paradise like island, Phi Phi.

Pros: Beautiful, diverse island with a little something for most people. Some beautiful beaches. Some SUPERB day trips available including Phi Phi Island and Phanga Bay.

Cons:Phuket isn’t cheap. A lot of very jaded Thais work the Phuket tourist scene. Local transport is far too expensive. Food prices, especially some of the restaurants in big hotels targeting Westerners, are expensive.

The Bottom Line: If you want a comfortable beach holiday with Western comforts, Phuket is the place for you.

Pattaya

Nowhere on earth can you find such a well developed tourism industry where sex is such a big part of it, as you can in Pattaya. It is located 150 km south east of Bangkok.Once you’ve reached Pattaya you’ll have to find somewhere to stay and if there is one area where Pattaya really excels in a huge choice of very affordable accommodation, like the Dusit Resort, the Marriott and the Sheraton. But it is in the mid-range where Pattaya accommodation represents the best value for money.There are a few beaches in the Pattaya area. The first and most popular beach is Pattaya beach. Over the hill to the south is Jomtien Beach which is very popular with Thais, especially at the weekend, and to the north of Pattaya are Nagleua and Wongamart beaches, both of which are popular with older Europeans, particularly German speakers (meaning not just Germany, but Austria and Switzerland too.)Naglua Beach, just north of Pattaya Beach: Pattaya Beach. Well, what can I say? It’s your typical crescent shaped beach, perhaps 3 km long, and is one of those beaches that is just long enough that you can walk from one end to the other without taking a break and without getting bored or tired.There are numerous fishing vessels moored relatively close to the beach and while one understands that they have a living to make, they can be quite an eyesore. Over the hill from Pattaya, is Jomtien Beach, a nicer beach than Pattaya Beach, and a quieter area.Being next to the sea and home to a lot of fisherman, the seafood is obviously pretty good in Pattaya although I have to say that I much prefer Hua Hin for good, inexpensive seafood.

The sun sets at Pattaya: There is a reasonable shopping centre in Pattaya called Royal Plaza and another mediocre one called Mikes Department Store. On the top floor of Royal Plaza is a cinema multiplex, various amusement and fair style games and a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum. It’s a good place to spend an hour wandering around in air-conditioned comfort away from the heat.

Pros: Close to Bangkok and therefore both cheap and easy to get to. Very reasonably priced accommodation and easy to get around. Good level of English due to high tourist numbers. Most reasonably priced of the popular Thai beaches. Good seafood as well as many very good, reasonably priced restaurants.

Cons: Prostitutes are everywhere – though this will appeal to some. Beaches are far from the best in Thailand. The British lager louts as well as the Russians have discovered Pattaya – and there can be some tension at times as some people consume way too much alcohol – and prove they can’t handle it by getting into fights.

The Bottom Line: It really depends on what you want in a holiday but frankly, if you are not interested in going on a holiday and meeting a local to have as your travel companion, amongst other things, Pattaya may not be for you. While reasonably priced, the beach really is nothing special at all. Still, there is a very pleasant atmosphere about Pattaya.

Ko Samui

Ko Samui, once known as an affordable destination and a backpacker’s paradise, is the second largest island in Thailand. You can reach Ko Samui on Thai Airways in a flight that is a little under an hour.There are several flights between Bangkok and Samui every day. You can reach the island overland by travelling by Bangkok to Surat Thani by road and then taking a boat across.Samui is dominated by two beaches, Chaweng Beach which is the largest and most popular beach and Lamai Beach which is a few kilometres south and also very popular, although perhaps a little quieter as it is smaller and has less places to stay than the heavily developed Chaweng. There are other locations all over the island including Big Buddha and Bophut The infrastructure on Samui is still coming along and for many that it is one of the big appeals about the place.

Nearby Samui is Ko Phangnan and not far from Ko Phangnan is Ko Tao. Ko Phangnan is where a lot of the backpackers end up these days, a smaller island that is a short boat ride north of Samui. There is nothing on this page at this stage as I have never been there. It happens to be the home of the Full Moon Party when everyone parties all night and gets silly on dope and all sorts of other illicit and dangerous substances – not really my idea of fun but many seem to have a real blast there. Ko Tao is said to be one of the best places in Thailand for diving, although again, I have never been there.

Pros: Nice beaches. Has a nice atmosphere, not too quiet but not too developed. Still affordable – but for how much longer?

Cons: Getting there from Bangkok is a little pricey. Too many backpackers arguing over who has paid the least for this or that.

The Bottom Line: A nice alternative to Phuket. It is not as developed as Phuket, which may or may not be to your taste.

Chiang Mai

Tourism is a huge part of the local economy and the city of Chiang Mai is set up very well for visitors. Accommodation is available in all price ranges, though there are not that many flash places in the centre of the city. If you are looking for lots of 5 star options, you won’t have anything like the range of properties that are available to you in Bangkok.In Chiang Mai there is heaps to see and do. The city itself is pleasant with a lot of temples and there are a couple of very impressive temples outside the city including Doi Suthep which to me is probably the most impressive temple complex I have ever visited. It is in my mind a MUST visit attraction if you make it up to Chiang Mai. Another of the popular trips is to Doi Inthanon, which is the highest point in Thailand.

First of all, the weather is much more pleasant, it is cooler (though this depends on the time of year), has less pollution and at night it was genuinely cool. Secondly, the food up in Chiang Mai is a little different to what is available in Bangkok. Apart from the khao soi, sort of crispy noodles in a mild curry. The people in Chiang Mai are noticeably friendlier, more polite and generally a whole lo nicer than people from any other part of the country.The north of Thailand, of which Chiang Mai is the centre, has done a much better job preserving the culture of the country, and indeed the region, than any other parts of the country and Chiang Mai is THE place to go to celebrate the major Thai festivals like Songkran and Loy Kratong.It is ironic that it took 7 years living in Thailand before I made it to Chiang Mai for the first time. It is something I want to fix and an extended stay up there is well in order! I have only spent two days up there and thus my report on that part of the country is relatively short.

Pros: Very well set up for tourism, affordable, pleasant people, pleasant environment and heaps to see and do! It is much more a cultural visit than is Bangkok.

Cons:I can’t think of any but some might consider it a bit quiet compared to Bangkok.

The Bottom Line: Very much worth visiting!

UDON THANI

Another 100 or so kilometres up the road from Khon Kaen is Udon Thani, a smaller provincial capital which has proven to be popular with Westerners in recent years and even has a thriving farang bar scene. The city of Udon doesn’t have any major tourist attractions, or at least none that I am aware of. The provinces attractions are well outside the provincial capital and include national parks and Ban Chiang, a site where a lot of old fossils and relics were found and a spot said to be of archaeological significance. A friend who has visited was not that impressed but that said, I have not been there myself. In downtown Udon there is a large shopping centre with a greater vibrancy than any of the other shopping centres in the major centres of Udon. Here you will see far more Westerners than anywhere else in Isaan, some are tourists and some are locally based. I guess most make it to Udon with their teeruk.This shopping centre is where many of the more well to do Udonites venture at the weekend and I cannot imagine what they think of establishments opening that target farangs directly, bars and restaurants.Food in Udon Thani is very good. Westerners rave about the Irish Clock, a small Irish bar which I have yet to try. There is also a very, very good Italian restaurant called Roma Piccolo which is superb. It is located a bit outside the city centre, out on the road past Big C. It is well worth going out of your way for!

Cha Am

About 25 km north of Hua Hin on the way to Bangkok is Cha Am, a beach that curiously you’ll read much less about in the guides and brochures than Hua Hin, but which at the weekend seems to be almost as busy, if not busier than its more well-known neighbour, Hua Hin itself.Cha Am is a long beach which is very popular with Thais and becoming increasingly popular with Westerners. It is very popular with Bangkok Thais, as well as upcountry Thais, who flock their in droves at the weekend.The big advantage of Cha Am over Hua Hin is that generally speaking, Cha Am attracts Thai tourists who are a bit more sensitive to price than Westerners. That means that things are cheaper. So, if you are sensitive to price, then Cha Am offers you nice Thai beach resort at very reasonable prices.

Pros:Cheaper than Hua Hin, especially in the case of lower end accommodation.

Cons:The beach really is not that special.

The Bottom Line: An alternative to Hua Hin.

Ko Samet

Ko Samet is located about 200 km from Bangkok and as the word “Ko” designates, it is an island. If you’re coming from Bangkok you will need to make your way to Bahn Pe where most of the ferries leave the mainland from, bound for Ko Samet, or Samet Island as it should technically be called in English.Ko Samet can be reached from Bangkok in about four hours and there are a couple of different ways of getting there. Once at Bahn Pe, you take a boat over to the mainland. There are a number of different piers with ferry boats going to the different bays on the island – so you need to know which part of the island you wish to go to.Samet is small in size and there is very little industry on it apart from tourism, fishing and basic services offered for both tourists and the island’s residents.With this in mind, a lot of what is sold on the island has to be brought over from the mainland and this means the prices of basic goods can be much higher on the island than on the mainland.Samet can get quite busy at the weekend, especially long weekends, when Bangkokians escape the madness of the capital and rooms can be hard to come by. Samet is one of few places in Thailand I would not head to without making a reservation first as there is only a limited number of places to stay, and there are even less in Bahn Pe, on the mainland.

Pros: Not too far from Bangkok and relatively easy to get to. Beautiful beaches on a paradise island. Low level of development – comparatively.

Cons: Not a huge amount to do there – but some would consider that a bonus. Accommodation is expensive for what you get. It can get busy during the high season and the beach can get over run.

The Bottom Line: Paradise is only four hours from Bangkok. A little pricey given the poor infrastructure but a nice place that appeals to some, and not to others.

Royal First Class service on Thai Airways International, Boeing 747-400, from Bangkok to Hong Kong. Breakfast service. Landing in rain showers in Hong Kong. Filmed in December 2009. Visit my blog dazz81.blogspot.com

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Users can now book Continental Airline on IPHONE, IPAD and IPOD one touch away on Apple IPHONE

Good news for Apple products and iPhone users. Top American airline Continental Airways has launched its App that will enable users to book flights on mobile, anywhere any time in just one touch.

Continental Airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. and popular for its flights to New York City, Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark and nearly all other important American destinations in the continent. Continental also offers flights to Mexico as well as long haul and transatlantic flights. The introduced application can be downloaded at App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It is a user friendly application that gives travelers easy access to their travel information. Most importantly, the app can be downloaded quickly and free of any cost.

This full-featured application will enable Continental Airline customers to book flights in all classes. Users of Continental Airline App can also get benefits from the reward travel program, online Check-in for flights, have one-touch access to mobile boarding passes and flight status details, and manage their One Pass frequent flyer accounts. The new app also includes a feed of Continental’s latest postings on Twitter.

Continental’s managing director of self-service and emerging technology, Mr. Jared Miller said at this occasion:

The Continental Airlines App is another example of Continental’s commitment to technology and innovation that makes travel more convenient for our customers. This app provides time-saving, full-featured access to the information that our customers need on the go, as well as other useful tools for travelers such as interactive airport smart maps and flight updates sent directly to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

The airline has joined the league of top and innovative airlines and is fulfilling the gratification of users now opting for a more modernized form of communication that can be accessed frees of hassle.

Continental will soon expand the accessibility of the application to the Android platform, and is exploring other Smartphone options.

Air France – China 3D/4D Driving Flight Simulator – 3D Cinema System Manufacturer

History

Formation and early years

Air France was formed on 7 October 1933, from a merger of Air Orient, Air Union, Compagnie Gnrale Aropostale, Compagnie Internationale de Navigation Arienne (CIDNA), and Socit Gnrale de Transport Arien (SGTA). Of these airlines, SGTA was the first commercial airline company in France, having been founded as Lignes Ariennes Farman in 1919. The constituent members of Air France had already built extensive networks across Europe, to French colonies in North Africa and farther afield. During World War II, Air France moved its operations to Casablanca (Morocco). On 26 June 1945, all of France’s air transport companies were nationalised. On 29 December 1945, a decree[citation needed] of the French government granted Air France the management of the entire French air transport network. Air France appointed its first flight attendants in 1946. The same year the airline opened its first air terminal at Les Invalides in central Paris. It was linked to Paris Le Bourget Airport, Air France’s first operations and engineering base, by coach. At that time the network covered 160,000 km, claimed to be the longest in the world. Socit Nationale Air France was set up on 1 January 1946.

Air France SE-161 Carreidas in Tunisia in 1952.

On 1 July 1946, Air France inaugurated direct scheduled service between Paris and New York via refuelling stops at Shannon and Gander. Douglas DC-4 piston-engined airliners covered the route in just under 20 hours. By 1948 Air France operated one of the largest fleets in the world, numbering 130 aircraft. In 1946 and 1948, respectively, the French government further authorised the creation of two private airlines: Transports Ariens Internationaux – later Transports Ariens Intercontinentaux – (TAI) and SATI. In 1949 the latter became part of Union Aromaritime de Transport (UAT), a private French international airline.

Compagnie Nationale Air France was created by act of parliament on 16 June 1948. Initially, the government held 70%. In subsequent years the French state’s direct and indirect shareholdings reached almost 100%. In mid-2002 the state held 54%. On 4 August 1948 Max Hymans was appointed president. During his 13-year tenure he would implement modernisation practices centred on the introduction of jet aircraft. In 1949, the company became a co-founder of Socit Internationale de Tlcommunications Aronautiques (SITA), an airline telecommunications services company.

Jet age reorganisation

Passengers disembarking from a Sud-Est SE-161 Carreidas.

In 1952, Air France moved its operations and engineering base to the new Paris Orly Airport South terminal. By that time, the network had further expanded, covering 250,000 km. Air France entered the jet age in 1953 with the original, short-lived de Havilland Comet series 1, the world’s first jetliner. At the time, it was also a major operator of the Vickers Viscount turboprop. On 26 September 1953, the government instructed Air France to share long-distance routes with new private airlines. This was followed by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s imposition of an accord on Air France, Aigle Azur, TAI and UAT, under which some routes to Africa, Asia and the Pacific region were transferred to private carriers.

On 23 February 1960, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport transferred Air France’s domestic monopoly to Air Inter. To compensate for the loss of its domestic network, Air France was given a stake in Air Inter. The following day, Air France was further instructed to share African routes with Air Afrique and UAT. The airline started uninterrupted pure jet operations in 1960 with the Sud Aviation Caravelle and the Boeing 707. The incorporation of jet airliners into Air France’s route network cut travel times in half and improved passenger comfort. Air France later became an early Boeing 747 operator, and eventually operated one of the world’s largest 747 fleets.

Air France Caravelle jetliner in Algiers in 1963.

On 1 February 1963, the government formalised division of routes between Air France and its private sector rivals. Air France was to withdraw services to West Africa (with the exception of Senegal), Central Africa (except Burundi and Rwanda), Southern Africa (including South Africa), Libya in North Africa, Bahrain and Oman in the Middle East, Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) in South Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand as well as New Caledonia and Tahiti. These routes were allocated to the new Union des Transports Ariens (UTA), a new private airline that was the result of a merger between TAI and UAT. UTA also obtained exclusive rights between Japan, New Caledonia and New Zealand, South Africa and Runion island in the Indian Ocean, as well as Los Angeles and Tahiti.

From 1974, Air France began shifting the bulk of operations to the new Charles de Gaulle Airport north of Paris. By the early 1980s, only Corsica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, most services to French Guyana, Runion, the Maghreb region, Eastern Europe (except the USSR), Southern Europe (except Greece and Italy), and one daily service to New York (JFK) remained at Orly. In 1974, Air France also became the world’s first operator of the Airbus A300 twin-engined widebodied plane, Airbus Industrie’s first commercial airliner for which it was a launch customer.

In 1975, Air France was headquartered in central Paris.

Concorde service and rivalry

Air France Concorde on a U.S. stopover in 1977.

On 21 January 1976, Air France operated its inaugural supersonic transport (SST) service on the Paris (Charles de Gaulle) to Rio (via Dakar) route with the Anglo-French BAC-Arospatiale Concorde. Supersonic services from Paris (CDG) to New York (JFK) – the only remaining Concorde service until its end – as well as from Paris CDG to Washington D.C. commenced the following year. Paris to New York was covered in three hours and 23 minutes, about twice the speed of sound. Approval for flights to the United States was initially withheld due to noise protests. Eventually, services to Mexico City via Washington, D.C. were started. Air France became one of only two airlines – British Airways being the other – to regularly operate supersonic services, and continued daily transatlantic Concorde service for nearly two decades.

By 1983, Air France’s golden jubilee, the workforce numbered more than 34,000, its fleet about 100 jet aircraft (including 33 Boeing 747s) and its 634,400 km network served 150 destinations in 73 countries. This made Air France the fourth-largest scheduled passenger airline in the world, as well as the second-largest scheduled freight carrier. Air France also codeshared with regional French airlines, TAT being the most prominent. TAT applied Air France livery to several of its aircraft on Air France’s regional international routes.

In 1985 Air France was still headquartered in central Paris.

Air France operated 33 Boeing 747s by 1983.

In 1986 the government relaxed its policy of dividing traffic rights for scheduled services between Air France, Air Inter and UTA, without route overlaps between them. The decision opened some of Air France’s most lucrative routes on which it had enjoyed a government-sanctioned monopoly since 1963 and which were within its exclusive sphere of influence, to rival airlines, notably UTA. The changes enabled UTA to launch scheduled services to new destinations within Air France’s sphere, in competition with that airline.

Paris-San Francisco became the first route UTA served in competition with Air France non-stop from Paris. Air France responded by extending some non-stop Paris-Los Angeles services to Papeete, Tahiti, which competed with UTA on Los Angeles-Papeete. UTA’s ability to secure traffic rights outside its traditional sphere in competition with Air France was the result of a campaign to lobby the government to enable it to grow faster, becoming more dynamic and more profitable. This infuriated Air France.

In 1988, Air France was a launch customer for the fly-by-wire (FBW) A320 narrowbody twin, along with Air Inter and British Caledonian. It became the first airline to take delivery of the A320 in March 1988, and along with Air Inter became the first airlines to introduce Airbus A320 service on short-haul routes.

Acquisitions and privatisation

Dassault Mercure of Air Inter which became part of Air France in 1990.

On 12 January 1990, the operations of government-owned Air France, semi-public Air Inter and wholly private UTA were merged into an enlarged Air France. Air France’s acquisition of UTA and Air Inter was part of an early 1990s government plan to create a unified, national air carrier with the economies of scale and global reach to counter potential threats from the liberalisation of the EU’s internal air transport market.

On 25 July 1994, a new holding company, Groupe Air France, was set up by decree. Groupe Air France became operational on 1 September 1994. It acquired the Air France group’s majority shareholdings in Air France and Air Inter (subsequently renamed Air France Europe). On 31 August 1994, Stephen Wolf, a former United Airlines CEO, was appointed adviser to the Air France group’s chairman Christian Blanc. Wolf was credited with the introduction of Air France’s hub and spoke operation at Paris Charles de Gaulle. (Wolf resigned in 1996 to take over as CEO at US Airways.)

In 1997, Air France Europe was absorbed into Air France.

On 19 February 1999, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin’s Plural Left government approved the Air France’s partial privatisation. Its shares were listed on the Paris stock exchange on 22 February 1999. In June 1999, Air France and Delta Air Lines formed a bilateral transatlantic partnership. On 22 June 2000, this expanded into the SkyTeam global airline alliance.

Air France-KLM merger

The merger of Air France and KLM occurred in 2004.

On 30 September 2003, Air France and Netherlands-based KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced the merger of the two airlines, the new company to be known as Air France-KLM. The merger became reality on 5 May 2004. At that point former Air France shareholders owned 81% of the new firm (44% owned by the French state, 37% by private shareholders), former KLM shareholders the rest. The decision of the Jean-Pierre Raffarin government to reduce the French state’s shareholding in the former Air France group from 54.4% to 44% of the newly created Air France-KLM Group effectively privatised the new airline. In December 2004 the state sold 18.4% of its equity in Air France-KLM. The state’s shareholding in Air France-KLM subsequently fell to just under 20%.

Air France operations at Charles de Gaulle airport in 2006.

Air France-KLM became the largest airline in the world in terms of operating revenues, and third-largest (largest in Europe) in passenger kilometres. Although owned by a single company, Air France and KLM continued to fly under their own brand names. Air France-KLM remained part of the SkyTeam alliance, which then included Aeroflot, Delta Air Lines, Aeromxico, Korean Air, Czech Airlines, Alitalia, Northwest Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air Europa and Continental Airlines. As of March 2004, Air France employed 71,654 people. As of March 2007, the airline employed 102,422 personnel.

According to Air France-KLM, the company’s principal activities became:

Passenger transport: first European airline with 25.5% of market share (November 2004) and largest airline in the world in terms of operating revenue.

Freight transport: largest company for international freight transportation without integration. With integration, Air France-KLM is third worldwide behind FedEx Express and UPS Airlines.

Airplane maintenance and repair: largest multi-services operator.

Open skies venture

Air France added the first Boeing 777-300ER to its fleet in 2004.

On 17 October 2007, the creation of a profit and revenue-sharing transatlantic joint venture between Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines was announced during a press conference at Air France-KLM’s Roissy-CDG headquarters. The venture became effective on 29 March 2008. It aimed to exploit transatlantic opportunities to capture a major share of long-haul business traffic from London Heathrow Airport, which opened to unrestricted competition on that day as a result of the “Open Skies” pact between the EU and USA. It was envisaged that Air France and Delta, as well as fellow SkyTeam members Continental and Northwest, would begin nine daily round trips between London-Heathrow and destinations in the USA, including a daily London (Heathrow) to Los Angeles service by Air France. Once the new Air France-Delta venture received antitrust immunity, it was to be extended to the other two transatlantic SkyTeam partners, enabling all four partners to codeshare flights as well as to share revenue and profit.

The new transatlantic joint venture marks the Air France-KLM Group’s second major expansion in the London market, following the launch of CityJet-operated short-haul services from London City Airport that have been aimed at business travellers in the City’s financial services industry. However, the daily London (Heathrow) to Los Angeles service was not as successful as hoped, and was discontinued in November 2008.

Recent developments

On 13 January, Air France agreed to enter into recently privatised Alitalia’s capital share with a 25% stake. This capital investment is coupled with a co-operation agreement on an industrial basis. It is expected that Air France’s participation will increase in the years and that may likely lead to a merger with Alitalia, although nothing has been agreed so far on this.

Corporate identity

Liveries and logo

Air France title logo from 1970s-2008

The hippocampe ail logo.

Boeing 777-200ER with Air France’s Eurowhite 1970s-2008 livery.

Air France Boeing 777-300ER in the new livery landing at Montreal-Trudeau.

Air France’s present livery is a Eurowhite scheme, comprising a white fuselage with the blue Air France title and design. The tail is white with a series of parallel red and blue lines across the it at an angle, and a small European flag at the top. This livery has been in use since the late 1970s. In 2008, to coincide with Air France’s new logo, a change in livery is expected soon with the new logo replacing the old one at the forward fuselage. The tail will have little change; there will now be 3 blue bars running down instead of 4 previously. The bars will also now curve at the bottom reflecting the design of the logo. Previously, Air France aircraft had a bare-metal underside, extending up to a blue cheat-line that ran across the cabin windows. Above the cheat-line the fuselage was again white, with Air France titles and a French flag. The tail was white with two thick blue lines, which tapered from the rear of the tail and met at point towards the front bottom. This basic livery, with minor variations, would appear on all post-war Air France aircraft until the late 1970s.

Upon its formation, Air France adopted the seahorse logo of its predecessor Air Orient, known as the hippocampe ail, as its insignia. Prior to the Air France-KLM merger, the hippocampe ail was used on the nose section of aircraft next to the Groupe Air France title; after the merger, the Air France-KLM logo was substituted at the nose area, and the hippocampe ail was relocated to engine nacelles. The acroynm “AF” has also featured prominently on the airline’s flag and its signage. On 7 January 2008, Air France officially changed its logo to a red stripe.

Marketing

The song played before and after Air France flights (during boarding and after landing) is ‘Setting Fire to Sleepy Towns.’ by The Sleeping Years. The song featured in the Air France commercials is ‘Between Us’ by the band Aswefall.

Uniforms

Air France uniforms denote the ranks for the flight attendants. Two silver sleeve stripes denote a Chief Purser. One silver sleeve stripe denote a Purser. Flight attendants do not have any sleeve stripes. Air France’s current uniforms were created by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix.

Destinations

Main article: Air France destinations

Air France is a full service global airline and flies to 20 domestic destinations and 150 international destinations in 83 countries (including Overseas departments and territories of France) across all 6 major continents. This includes Air France Cargo services and those destinations served by franchisees Airlinair, Brit Air, CityJet, CCM Airlines and Rgional.

Most of Air France’s international flights operate from Paris-Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport. Air France also has a strong presence at Paris-Orly and Lyon-Saint-Exupry airports. As Air France becomes more a strategic partner with Delta Air Lines through the SkyTeam alliance and through a substantial joint venture, new routes and code-share agreements are developing rapidly.

Fleet

Active Fleet

The Air France fleet consists of the following passenger aircraft (as of 10 February 2010):

Air France Passenger Fleet

Aircraft

Total

Orders

Passengers

(First/Business/Premium Economy/Economy)

Airbus A318-100

18

0

123 (0/0/0/123)

Airbus A319-100

39

0

142 (0/0/0/142)

Airbus A319-100LR

5

0

79 (0/28/51/0)

Airbus A320-100

4

0

172 (0/0/0/172)

Airbus A320-200

56

10

165 (0/0/0/165)

Airbus A321-100

5

0

206 (0/0/0/206)

Airbus A321-200

18

4

200 (0/0/0/200)

Airbus A330-200

15

0

208 (0/40/21/147)

219 (0/40/0/179)

Airbus A340-300

18

0

261 (0/36/21/204)

272 (0/36/0/236)

275 (0/30/21/224)

291 (0/30/0/261)

Airbus A380-800

2

10

538 (9/80/0/449)

Boeing 747-400

15

0

436 (0/40/0/396)

Boeing 777-200ER

25

0

247 (4/49/24/170)

264 (4/49/0/211)

Boeing 777-300ER

30

12

303 (8/67/28/200)

325 (8/67/0/250)

472 (0/14/36/422)

The average fleet age of Air France is 7.9 years (as of 1 November 2009).

Orders

Airbus A380.

Airbus A318.

Airbus A319.

Airbus A320-200.

Airbus A321-200.

Air France Boeing 747-400 at Paris-CDG leaving for Montral-Trudeau.

On 24 May 2007, Air France announced it was planning to phase out its 747-400 aircraft by 2010, and placed an order for an additional 13 Boeing 777-300ERs and five Boeing 777F units. The airline also converted options for two more A380-800s into firm orders. This will bring the total of these aircraft for Air France to 33 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 Boeing 777Fs, and 12 A380-800.

On 22 February 2005 Air France ordered a further four Boeing 777-300ERs, adding to 10 previously ordered (four delivered). The airline had previously ordered 18 Boeing 777-200ERs.

Air France signed as a launch customer for the Airbus A380-800 “superjumbo” in 2001. Air France had ordered 12 Airbus A380-800 aircraft, with options on a further two. The A380-800 will be used from Paris to New York and Johannesburg and as additional aircraft arrive, to Beijing and Tokyo. The first A380 was delivered on 30 October 2009, and is used on the Paris to New York route. Following delivery of the second A380, Air France started using it on the Paris to Johannesburg route from the 17 February 2010.

On 20 May 2005 Air France signed an agreement with Boeing to have three of its former Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft – currently operated in all-passenger configuration – converted to the Boeing 747-400SF Special Freighter model. The modified aircraft will accelerate the phasing-out of the remaining, aging Boeing 747-200F freighters..

Air France has begun the process of removing the Boeing 747-400s from its fleet, in favour of the Boeing 777-300ER. A letter of intent has been signed for 6 747s to be purchased and converted to freighters and it hopes to have completely phased out all 747s by 2013.

On 23 May 2005 Air France agreed to buy five 777 Freighters (with three further options), making it the launch customer of the 777 Freighter. Air France took delivery of its first two 777 Freighters during February 2009. Two of the five were later sold to FedEx Express before being delivered.

Anniversary jet

On 14 November 2008, Air France released the first picture of an Airbus A320 with registration F-GFKJ that has been repainted in the full 1946 paint scheme to celebrate the airline’s 75 years anniversary. This heritage aircraft is planned to fly under the special colours until Spring 2010.

Fleet history

Over the years, Air France operated the following aircraft types:

This transport-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Air France Past Fleet

Aircraft

Introduced

Retired

Notes

Airbus A300

1974

1998

Airbus A310

1984

2002

Airbus A318

2003

Airbus A319

1997

Airbus A320

1988

Airbus A321

1997

Airbus A330-200

2001

Airbus A340-200

1993

1999

Airbus A340-300

1993

Airbus A380

2009

Boeing 737-200

1982

2002

Boeing 737-300

1991

2004

Boeing 737-500

1990

2007

Boeing 747-100

1970

1995

Boeing 747-200

1974

2008

Boeing 747-300

1991

2007

Boeing 747-400

1991

Boeing 767-300

1991

2003

Boeing 777-200

1998

Boeing 777-300

2004

Concorde

1976

2003

Fokker 100

1997

1999

sold to Brit Air

Lockheed TriStar

1989

1991

McDonnell Douglas DC-10

1992

2004

Concorde

The five Air France Concordes were grounded on 31 May 2003, as a result of insufficient demand following the 2000 accident, as well as higher fuel and maintenance costs. However, it is widely believed that Air France chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta’s fear of personal criminal liability in the event of another Concorde accident was the real reason. Airbus’s subsequent decision to stop supporting the in-service Concorde fleet forced British Airways to retire its own fleet. The Airbus decision to end Concorde support came at an inopportune time for British Airways as it had just completed a refurbishment of the aircraft’s interiors and invested in post-2000 crash modifications. British Airways flew its last Concorde service on 24 October 2003. Concorde F-BVFA was transferred to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an annexe of the National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly area of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, near Washington Dulles Airport. F-BVFB was given to Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum in Germany, F-BTSD to the Muse de l’Air et de l’Espace in Paris, while F-BVFC returned to its place of manufacture in Toulouse at the Airbus factory. F-BVFF is the only example to remain at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Cabin classes

Air France has three primary classes of international service: La Premire (First), Affaires (Business), Premium Voyageur (Premium Economy) and Voyageur. European short-haul flights feature Voyageur and Premium Voyageyr class service. For flights to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean, a premium economy class, Aliz, is also offered, and a Premium Tempo class has been announced for select international routes. Inflight entertainment via AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) is available in select cabins.

La Premire (First) suites on a Boeing 777.

Affaires (Business) lie-flat seats.

Voyageur (Economy) cabin.

La Premire

La Premire (former L’Espace Premire), Air France’s long-haul first class product, is available on Airbus A380, Boeing 777-300ER, and Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. The La Premire cabin features four to nine (A380) wood and leather seats which recline 180, forming two-metre long beds. Each seat features a 10.4″ touchscreen TV monitor with interactive gaming and AVOD, a privacy divider, automassage feature, reading light, storage drawer, noise-cancelling headphones, personal telephone, and laptop power ports. la carte on-demand meal services feature entres created by Chef Guy Martin. Turndown service includes a mattress, duvet and pillow. Private lounge access is offered worldwide.

Affaires

Affaires (former L’Espace Affaires), Air France’s long-haul business class product, is available on Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A380, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777-200ER, and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Affaires features lie-flat seats which recline to two metres in length. Each seat includes a 10.4″ touchscreen TV monitor with interactive gaming and AVOD, reading light, personal telephone, and laptop power ports. Meal service features three-course meals and a cheese service, or an express menu served shortly after takeoff.

Aliz

Aliz is Air France’s regional premium economy product for flights to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean (such as the Antilles, French Guiana, and Mauritius). On the Boeing 777-300ER, the Aliz cabin is located in front of the Voyageur cabin and features 36 seats. Aliz seats recline up to 123 and feature massaging foot rests. A pre-departure drink, enhanced meal service, and feather pillows and blankets are offered.

Premium Voyageur

This new class will be available on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft starting Autumn/Winter 2009/2010. Based on the concept of a premium economy cabin, it is said that it will incorporate all the amenities of standard Voyageur class but with a more spacious cabin, in a 2-4-2 configuration and a 38″ pitch. It is expected for there to be about 32 of these new seats on the Boeing 777-300ER. The Boeing 777-300ER flies to New York, Tokyo, Singapore, Beirut, Beijing, Hong Kong and Osaka. Premium Voyageur will be gradually rolled out onto all of Air France’s long-haul fleet.

Voyageur

Voyageur (former Tempo), Air France’s economy class product, features seats that recline up to 118. The latest long-haul Voyageur seat, which debuted on the Boeing 777-300ER, includes winged headrests, a personal telephone, and a touchscreen TV monitor with AVOD Interactive Entertainment System which are gradually being installed on all of Air France’s longhaul aircraft except Boeing 747-400s. Short-haul Tempo services are operated by Airbus A320 family aircraft with different seating arrangements. Air France is one of the few airlines who features winged headrests on short-haul aircraft in both classes. On short haul flights a snack is served. On medium haul flights a three course cold meal is served. On long haul flights there is a choice between two main courses when available. Limited free alcoholic beverages are available on all flights. Tempo has been renamed as Voyageur with Air France’s new image rebranding.

Services

In-flight catering

In-flight AVOD and dessert course in Affaires (Business)

For its Premire cabin, Air France’s first class menu is designed by Guy Martin, chef of Le Grand Vefour, a Michelin three-star restaurant in Paris. Menu items include hors deuvres, entres, bread basket, and cheeses, along with a dessert cart including pastries, petit fours, and tartlets. Air France also serves complimentary champagne to passengers in all classes.

In-flight entertainment

Air France offers Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) in all classes on service on its A330, A340, A380 and 777 aircraft. The AVOD system features multiple channels of video, audio, music, and games. Premire and Affaires passengers can start and stop programs, plus rewind and fast-forward as desired; in Voyageur class, the system may cycle between programs at a regular interval on all aircraft except Boeing 777-300ER. Some aircraft in Air France’s 747 fleet do not have individual video screens in Voyageur class. Air France Magazine, the airline’s in-flight publication, is included at each seat, and Air France Madame, a fashion luxury magazine with a feminine perspective, is included in Premire and Affaires cabins and lounges.

Lounges

Air France Business Lounge at CDG Terminal 2E.

Air France lounges are open to Premire and Affaires passengers, as well as Flying Blue Gold, Flying Blue Platinum, SkyTeam Elite Plus, or Club 2000 frequent flier program cardholders. Many airports feature SkyTeam lounges that are used by Air France and member airline partners.

Flying Blue

Main article: Flying Blue

Flying Blue, the frequent flyer program of Air France-KLM, awards members points based on miles travelled and class of service. Membership into the program is free. The program is divided into standard (Ivory) and Elite (Silver, Gold and Platinum) statuses. Ivory is the basic level which is attained upon entry into the program. Elite status is attained by accruing a certain number of miles within one calendar year. Elite Silver, Elite Gold, and Elite Platinum cards have added benefits. Flying Blue succeeded Air France’s previous frequent flyer program, Frquence Plus, which operated until the Air France-KLM merger in 2003.

Ivory – Permanent status; accrues mileage on AF, KLM, and qualifying flights.

Silver (Elite) – 25,000 or more miles on 15 or more segments.

Gold (Elite) – 40,000 or more miles travelled on 30 or more level segments.

Platinum (Elite) – 70,000 or more miles travelled on 60 or more level segments.

For French and Monegasque residents, Elite thresholds are higher, at 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles respectively.

Codeshare agreements

In addition to its Brit Air, CityJet and Rgional subsidiaries, and its SkyTeam alliance partnership, Air France offers frequent flyer partnerships with approximately two-dozen airlines (as of February 2010):

Air France e-check kiosks

Air Mauritius

Air Seychelles

Aircalin

Alaska Airlines

Armavia

Austrian Airlines (Star Alliance)

Avianca

Baboo

CCM Airlines

Chalair

China Eastern Airlines

Finnair (Oneworld)

Gol Transportes Areos

Japan Airlines (Oneworld)

Jat Airways

Luxair

Malv Hungarian Airlines (Oneworld)

Middle East Airlines

Qantas (Oneworld)

Swiss International Air Lines (Star Alliance)

TAAG Angola Airlines

TAROM (SkyTeam from 2010)

Ukraine International Airlines

WestJet (from early 2010)

Subsidiaries and franchises

Air France regional jet operated by Brit Air

In partnership with Dutch affiliate Transavia, Air France has launched Transavia.com France, a new low-cost subsidiary based at Orly airport. Operations began in May 2007 with flights to leisure destinations in the Mediterranean region and North Africa. It is operating four “Next Generation” Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Transavia has a 40% stake, with Air France holding the rest.

Airlinair, Brit Air, CityJet, CCM Airlines and Rgional all operate flights on behalf of Air France, either as subsidiaries or as franchisees.

Rail ventures

Air France and Veolia are looking into jointly operating high-speed rail services in Europe. Routes will become available to operators in accordance with European rail liberalisation on 1 January 2010.

Head office

Head office of Air France in Roissyple, Tremblay-en-France

The former Air France head office in Montparnasse, Paris

Air France’s head office is located in the Roissyple complex on the grounds of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and in the commune of Tremblay-en-France, Seine-Saint-Denis, near the city of Paris. The 130,000 square metres (1,400,000 sq ft) complex was completed in December 1995. The French firm Groupement d’Etudes et de Mthodes d’Ordonnancement (GEMO) managed the project. The architect was Valode et Pistre and the design consultants were and Sechaud-Boyssut and Trouvin. The project costed 137,000,000 euros(less than 700 million francs).

For about 30 years prior to December 1995, Air France’s headquarters were located in a tower adjacent to the Gare Montparnasse rail station in the Montparnasse area and the 15th arrondissement of Paris. By 1991 two bids for the purchase of the Square Max Hymans building had been made. By 1992 the complex was sold to MGEN for 1.6 million francs. By that year Air France had planned to move its head office to Roissyple, taking 50,000 square metres (540,000 sq ft) of space inside the hotel, office, and shopping complex on the grounds of Charles de Gaulle Airport. After Air France moved to Tremblay-en-France, the ownership of the former head office complex was transferred.

In popular culture

Air France is the official airline of the Cannes Film Festival.

Air France has featured in Hollywood films. In the 1942 classic Casablanca, an Air France airliner, identifiable via its seahorse logo, featured prominently in the film’s climactic last scene. The Air France aircraft was used to take Ingrid Bergman’s character to freedom, as her former lover, played by Humphrey Bogart, watches. Additionally, the first in-flight movie was screened on board an Air France Lockheed Constellation in 1951 flying the New York to Paris route.

Incidents and accidents

Air France accidents and incidents

References

Notes

^ a b c d e “Directory: World Airlines”. Flight International: pp. 5657. 2007-03-27. 

^ Salpukas, Agis (1992-12-27). “Air France’s Big Challenge”. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/27/business/air-france-s-big-challenge.html. Retrieved 2009-05-31. 

^ “Air France – Company Overview”. Hoover’s. 2009. http://www.hoovers.com/air-france/–ID__43290–/free-co-factsheet.xhtml. Retrieved 2009-05-31. 

^ Rgional (Compagnie Arienne Europenne), Company Profile

^ Ordonnance n45-1403 du 26 juin 1945 portant nationalisation des transports ariens

^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Air France (Airline, France)

^ a b c M.R. Golder, The Changing Nature of French Dirigisme – A Case Study of Air France. Thesis submitted at Trinity College, Oxford, 1997, p.28

^ World Airline Directory. Flight International. March 20, 1975. “466.

^ Airliners.net

^ “World Airline Directory.” Flight International. 30 March 1985. 42.” Retrieved on 17 June 2009.

^ Answers.com (Business and Finance) – Chargeurs International

^ FT.com/Business Life, The Monday Interview, 30 September 2007 – Pilot who found the right trajectory

^ The New York Times, 31 August 1994, Air France’s New Adviser

^ Business Wire, 16 January 1996 – Statement from Air France Group Chairman regarding Stephen M. Wolf

^ AIR FRANCE – KLM Company Profile Yahoo! Finance

^ a b Financial Times, 17 October 2007 – Air France and Delta target London

^ Airwise, 17 October 2007 – Air France And Delta Set Transatlantic Venture

^ Engle, Jane. “Air France will refund or reroute LAX-Heathrow fliers”. The Los Angeles Times. http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/air-france-will-refu-2984/. Retrieved 2009-05-09. 

^ “Air France’s new livery retains much of current scheme”. Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/11/322387/picture-air-frances-new-livery-retains-much-of-current-scheme.html. Retrieved 2009-02-11. 

^ Pegasus a la Francaise

^ Air France’s Hippocampe and BOAC’s Speedbird: the semiotic status of logos

^ http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Air France.htm

^ Air France Fleet Age

^ Air France To Retire Boeing 747 Fleet (Flight Global: 24 May 2007)

^ ASIATravelTips.com, 18 June 2001 – Air France confirms major A380 order

^ Air International (July 2005)

^ DVB to acquire six Air France Boeing 747-400s Flight Global, 5 February 2008

^ Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 20 February 2009

^ http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100129-708885.html

^ Airliners.net F-GFKJ retrojet

^ Air France historic fleet at airfleets.ner. Retrieved 2009-11-20.

^ The Betrayal Of Concorde By Donald L. Pevsner

^ Air France – On Board

^ Air France reoit son 50e Boeing 777 et lance une Tempo premium

^ “Baggage fees for major airlines”. budgettravel.about.com. http://budgettravel.about.com/od/airfarescruises/tp/majors_bagfees.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-22. 

^ Forbes – First-Class Chefs Take Flight

^ There is such thing as a good airline meal

^ Air France Airline Information

^ Echo Media – Air France Madame

^ Air France Flying Blue

^ a b Air France Flying Blue membership thresholds

^ “About Air France Code-share agreements”. Air France. http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/local/toutsurairfrance/partenaires/partenaires_partage_code.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-31. 

^ Airliner World (January 2007)

^ Air France, Veolia plan high-speed rail venture (Reuters, 2008-09-08)

^ “Head Office,Air France. Retrieved on 9 February 2010.

^ “Plan interactif.” Tremblay-en-France. Retrieved on 20 September 2009.

^ a b “AIR FRANCE HEAD QUARTERS – ROISSYPOLE.” Groupement d’Etudes et de Mthodes d’Ordonnancement (GEMO). Retrieved on 20 September 2009.

^ “Air France.” Tremblay-en-France. Retrieved on 20 September 2009.

^ “Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle.” Tremblay-en-France. Retrieved on 20 September 2009. “Roissyple runit dans un cadre architectural moderne des infrastructures indispensables aux entreprises pour lesquelles le contact avec l’international est une necessit quotidienne. La cit d’affaires desservie par le RER accueille le sige social d’Air-France, le Hilton aisni que les bureaux du Continental square et du dme.”

^ “Le futur sige d’Air France devrait coter prs de 700 millions.” Les Echos. 27 March 1992. Page 12. Retrieved on 23 February 2010.

^ Mlekuz, Nathalie. “Air France vole vers ses avions, destination Roissy.” Le Monde. 2 April 1997. Retrieved on 22 September 2009. “Situ pendant plus de trente ans dans une des tours au-dessus de la gare Montparnasse, le sige d’Air France se trouve dsormais prs de l’aroport de Roissy.”

^ “Deux offres pour l’achat du sige d’Air France.” Les chos (France). 25 September 1991. Page 12. Retrieved on 26 November 2009.

^ “Air France toujours la recherche de capitaux frais.” Les Echos. 20 January 1992. Page 12. Retrieved on 23 December 2009. “Air France a pu boucler son exercice 1991 en incorporant la dotation en capital de 2 milliards de francs consentie par l’Etat-actionnaire, 1,25 milliard apports par la BNP contre des obligations remboursables en actions (ORA), ainsi que le produit de la vente de son sige la MGEN (1,6 milliard).”

^ Chenay, Christophe de. “Une ville pousse entre les pistes de Roissy Il ne manquera que des logements pour faire de Roissyple une vritable cit Mais le projet inquite les communes environnantes.” Le Monde. 13 September 1992. Retrieved on 20 January 2010. “Le transfert du sige d’Air France qui quittera le quartier Montparnasse en 1995 pour Roissyple devrait donner une lgitimit aux ambitions immobilires.”

^ “Roissyple ouvre ses portes.” Les Echos. 1 October 1992. Page 23. Retrieved on 20 January 2010. “Et le goupe Air France va y installer son nouveau sige social sur 50.000 mtres carrs en 1995.”

^ “Air France Roissy: le dcollage du sige social.” Les Echos. 1 June 1995. Page 32. Retrieved on 22 September 2009. “au terme d’un transfert rigoureusement planifi par la vente de l’ancien sige de Montparnasse.”

^ a b c Air France Reaching for the Stars

Bibliography

Air France corporate history

Air France fatal accident list – in English and French

Financial Times, 17 October 2007 – Air France and Delta target London

Airwise, 17 October 2007 – Air France And Delta Set Transatlantic Venture

FT.com/Business Life, The Monday Interview, 30 September 2007 – Pilot who found the right trajectory

The Seattle Times, Business & Technology, 25 May 2007 – Air France-KLM splits order for jets

Air France corporate history

ASIATravelTips.com, 18 June 2001 – Air France confirms major A380 order

M.R. Golder, The Changing Nature of French Dirigisme – A Case Study of Air France, St. Edmunds Hall, Oxford. Thesis submitted at Trinity College, 1997

Business Wire, 16 January 1996 – Statement from Air France Group Chairman regarding Stephen M. Wolf

The New York Times, 31 August 1994, Air France’s New Adviser

Record of Air France accidents/incidents at the ASN Aviation Safety Database

External links

Paris portal

France portal

Companies portal

Aviation portal

Find more about Air France on Wikipedia’s sister projects:

Definitions from Wiktionary

Source texts from Wikisource

Images and media from Commons

News stories from Wikinews

Current links in English

Air France

Air France Consulting

Air France Experience

Air France: La Saga Publicitare

Air France: 75th Anniversary

Air France and Cinema

Air France Paris-New York 60 Year Celebration

Air France Paris-New Delhi 50 Year Celebration

Archived links in English

Air France history

Current links not in English

Air France Aeropostale Episodes (French)

AirFranceCorporate at YouTube

Archived links not in English

Air France, la vie bord

 

Links to related articles

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Airlines of France

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Aigle Azur  Air Austral  Air Caldonie  Air Caldonie International  Air Carabes  Air Carabes Atlantique  Air France  Air Guyane  Air Loyaut  Air Mditerrane  Air Moorea  Air Saint-Pierre  Air Tahiti  Air Tahiti Nui  Air Tourisme Instruction Service  Airbus Transport International  Airlinair  Atlantique Air Assistance  Atlantique Air Lines  Blue Line  Brit Air  CCM Airlines  Chalair  Corsairfly  Europe Airpost  Hex’Air  JDP France  L’Avion (OpenSkies)  New Axis Airways  Pan Europenne  PEAS  Rectimo Air Transports  Rgional  St Barth Commuter  Transavia France  Tropic Airlines  Twinair  Twin Jet  XL Airways France  Aero Charter DARTA  Aero Services Executive  Air Antilles Express  Eagle Aviation France  Finist’air  Flandre Air  Octavia Airlines  Sud Airlines  Take Air  Wan Air

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Air India  Air New Zealand  Air Niugini  Air Pacific  Air Tahiti  Air Tahiti Nui  Air Vanuatu  Aircalin  All Nippon Airways  Asiana Airlines  Bangkok Airways  Biman Bangladesh Airlines  Continental Micronesia  Garuda Indonesia  JALways  Japan Airlines  Jet Airways  Jet Lite  Kingfisher Airlines  Korean Air  MIAT Mongolian Airlines  Malaysia Airlines  Nippon Cargo Airlines  Philippine Airlines  Qantas  Royal Brunei Airlines  SilkAir  Singapore Airlines  Singapore Airlines Cargo  SriLankan Airlines  Thai Airways International  Vietnam Airlines

 

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Air China  Air Koryo  Air Macau  Cathay Pacific  China Airlines  China Cargo Airlines  China Eastern Airlines  China Southern Airlines  Dragonair  EVA Air  Hainan Airlines  Hong Kong Express Airways  Shandong Airlines  Shanghai Airlines  Shenzhen Airlines  Sichuan Airlines  TransAsia Airways  Xiamen Airlines

 

Europe regional office

Adria Airways  Aegean Airlines  Aer Lingus  Aigle Azur  Air Berlin  Air Contractors  Air Europa  Air France  Air Malta  Air Nostrum  Air One  AirBaltic  Alitalia  Atlasjet  Austrian Airlines  B&H Airlines  Binter Canarias  Blue Panorama Airlines  Blue Wings  Blue1  bmi  British Airways  Brussels Airlines  Bulgaria Air  Cargolux  Carpatair  CCM Airlines  Cimber Air  Cirrus Airlines  CityJet  Corsairfly  Croatia Airlines  Cyprus Airways  Czech Airlines  Denim Air  DHL Air  Estonian Air  European Air Transport  Eurowings  Finnair  FlyLal  Flybe  Hahn Air  Hapag-Lloyd Flug  Hellas Jet  Hemus Air  Iberia Airlines  Icelandair  Jat Airways  KLM  LOT Polish Airlines  LTU International  Lauda Air  Lufthansa  Lufthansa Cargo  Lufthansa CityLine  Luxair  MAT Macedonian Airlines  Malm Aviation  Malv Hungarian Airlines  Meridiana  Montenegro Airlines  Olympic Airlines  Onur Air  Pegasus Airlines  Portuglia  SAS  SAS Norge  SATA Air Aores  Skyways Express  Spanair  Swiss International Air Lines  TAP Portugal  TAROM  TNT Airways  Turkish Airlines  UTair Aviation  Virgin Atlantic Airways  Widere

 

Latin America and the Caribbean regional office

AeroRepblica  Aerolneas Argentinas  Aeromxico  Air Jamaica  Austral Lneas Areas  Avianca  Caribbean Airlines  Copa Airlines  Cubana de Aviacin  Grupo TACA  Lacsa  LAN Airlines  LAN Argentina  LAN Cargo  LAN Ecuador  LAN Per  Mexicana de Aviacin  PLUNA  Surinam Airways  TACA Per  TAM Airlines  TAM Airlines (Paraguay)  TAME  Volaris

 

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North America regional office

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Russia and the CIS regional office

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Categories: Companies of France | Airlines of France | IATA members | Airlines established in 1933 | Association of European Airlines members | Air France-KLM | SkyTeam | Companies based in Paris | Wikipedia requested photographs in FranceHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from July 2009 | Incomplete transport lists

A passenger guide for Ghana International Airline failure effecties

Ghana International Airline failure guide regarding REFUNDS, INSURANCES AND FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS

Since the evaporation of Ghana International Airline in thin air, there has been a lack of any information portal or guidance neither there has been any notification released by the airline. Under these circumstances, where the travel agents also do not have any reliable set of instructions released to them, a vast majority has headed straight to IATA, ATOLL and AUC. In this article, we have included all the details of the scenario as well as answered the questions:

Who to approach and what to do if you are stranded in a foreign airport?
How to handle an airline failure and flight cancellations?
How to prevent or protect yourself from any potential financial losses?
How to settle claims and get refunds for flight cancellations with Ghana International Airline?
What to do if you still have a booking with Ghana International airline for coming seasons?
Which other airlines are offering cheap flights to Accra Ghana in 2010?

Since, Thursday April 29, 2010, when passengers at Gatwick International airport had to go back home and first formal flight cancellation of Ghana International took place, the rumors were highly circulated that the airline may not operate permanently or get bankrupt Although further till May 14th, fingers were crossed, but since one after another flight cancellation it was obvious that the airline is collapsed.

The question is not only about refunds for cancelled flights but also what should a person do if his flights for December or any other coming dates are reserved with Ghana International.

Under such circumstances, firstly one must send a formal letter (keep a copy for record) or an email to the travel agent or person you have booked your flights with followed by telephone call. In such instances, you may call the air travel regulators as well to get more reliable information.

In case of cancellations, keep records of all documents, ticket numbers etc. If you are using a credit card the company may be able to arrange the refund for you sooner Or else if your insurance covers “Airline Failure” you are safe from any potential money losses.

If, your tickets were issued with IATA insurance, you are safe again. Here let me tell you that some responsible agencies pay your travel insurance to IATA along with the tickets. You must ask your travel agent for more details about IATA insurance. Also to prevent such situations or for maximum safety, always spent a little on your travel insurance that covers airline failure.

To settle claims and refunds, you must first approach your travel agent as he will be following up your case with the airline and if you have bought your flights through an agent, the refunds will be channeled through them as well.

If you still have tickets booked with Ghana international or want to apply refund through your agent please follow the instructions below:-

Since there has been no announcement or bankruptcy filed against the airline to date and the airline has not grounded its flights or have announced cancellation of flights in coming dates therefore, The travelers with issued tickets on Ghana International have “active flights status” therefore if they intend to cancel their flights with Ghana International, the airline’s standard cancellation policy will be applicable meaning it will cost you and you may not get fully refunded. As Travel House UK buys “airline failure insurance” for all customers, if the airline announces cancellation of flights or is grounded in coming dates, the customers (due to fly afterwards), will be eligible for a full refund.

For customers who have paid their deposits and are at the moment holding seats with Ghana International (tickets not issued), the cancellation charges will be applicable as per company policy. However a wise move will be to rather ask for flight transfer and fly with any other airline instead. Ask you agent to give you alternate flight, if your tickets are not issued. Only the fare difference will be payable in such cases.

In 2010, the best alternates that have replaced Ghana International are KLM, Air France, Virgin, Air Brussels, British Airways and Afriqiyah Airline. Also, Ghana International Airlines is implementing a rerouting plan to repatriate passengers affected by flight disruptions and cancellations.

A dedicated line FOR REROUTING ONLY has been set up on +233 30 2787176 and is operational from 20MAY during business hours. The airline’s staff on this line has access to negotiated seat blocks on other carriers to reroute passengers as required. This line is dedicated for passenger rerouting only.
Any other enquiries and refunds should continue to be processed via your agencies or by directly calling the airline call center on +233 30 2213555.

For more details or assistance please feel free to contact your travel consultant.

Ethiopian Airlines sets to expand its central Africa route

Ethiopian Airlines,  joined the Star Alliance this week, to collaborate in providing better connectivity on the continent.

Ethiopian Airlines has been around for over 60 years and through the passage of time has grown to become Africa’s biggest airline and undeniable emerging force on the international scene. Its sustained growth has fueled the development of the most comprehensive pan-African route network.

Along with Ethiopian Airline’s sister carrier Asky Airlines, which was launched last year and is based inLome, Togo, the alliance members will cover all four points of the continent.  Asky is yet to get airborne but is expected to serve the West African region with Ethiopian servicing longer routes from the region. However, central Africa remains underserved and a new airline would be an ideal platform to feed the three main alliance members .

Mr Zulu, SAA manager said that there was a need for a regional airline in central Africa . “While SAA, Ethiopian Airlines and Egypt Air will provide the truck routes, there is a need to get a regional airline to feed the larger carriers. Therefore we are supportive of a new airline in the central region and will assist where we can,” said Mr Zulu.

“However, there is no discussion of taking an equity stake in a new venture.”

Mr Zulu confirmed discussions were being held to establish an airline but could not supply details.

Lufthansa’s CEO Christoph Franz welcomed the efforts by Ethiopian Airlines and SAA to found a new airline as it saw a need for a quality airline in West Africa and central Africa to support its African route network.

“Depending on how this airline is structured, there is a possibility that Lufthansa would support this new airline with a limited financial engagement,” the company said.

SAA CEO Siza Mzimela said in August there was a huge demand for flights between East Africa and West Africa and the airline was exploring opportunities and alliances . “Sure, there is increased competition on many routes, but Africa is still full of opportunity,” she said at the time.

Ethiopian flies to a growing number of destinations throughout Ethiopia, across Africa & on to Europe, the U.S., Asia and the Middle East. The Airline’s policy of route expansion is mirrored by advances in fleet development. Today, Ethiopian operates a modern fleet that includes Boeing 767, 757, and 737 jets. An on-going fleet enhancement policy also ensures that Ethiopian’s fleet will continue to reflect the latest developments in passenger and cargo aircraft technology. Inline with this policy, Ethiopian has placed a firm order for 10 of the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in 2011.

The addition of Ethiopian Airlines to the Star Alliance will open new markets to SAA in East Africa. Ethiopian Airlines will add five new countries — Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Mali and Niger — and 24 African destinations to the network.

You can book cheap flights with Ethiopian Airlines to all major destinations by calling 0207 101 9682.

 

Flying Off Course IV: Airline economics and marketing

The airline industry presents an enigma. High growth rates in recent decades have produced only marginal profitability. This book sets out to explain, in clear and simple terms, why this should be so. It provides a unique insight into the economics and marketing of international airlines.

Flying Off Course has established itself over the years as the indispensable guide to the inner workings of this exciting industry. This enlarged fourth edition, largely re-written and completely updated, takes into account the sweeping changes which have affected airlines in recent years. It includes much new material on many key topics such as airline costs, ‘open skies’ , air cargo economics, charters and new trends in airline pricing.

It also contains two exciting new chapters on the economics of the low-cost no frills carriers and on the future prospects of the industry.

The book provides a practical insight into key aspects of airline operations, planning and marketing within the conceptual framework of economics . It is given added force by the author’s hands-on former experiences as a Chairman and CEO of Olympic Airways and as a non-executive Director of South African Airways while he is currently a non-executive Director of easyJet.

List Price: $ 59.95

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Related Airline Products

Flights News On Airlines Fleet & Route Expansion ,Europe,Kenya ,South Africa & Africa

In November article we have air news on airlines fleet & route expansion as follows,

Airlines Announce Major Orders

Two of the world’s major airlines, Germanys Lufthansa and Hong Kong-based Cathy Pacific, are among the several airlines which have announced significant aircraft orders in recent weeks for their respective fleet modernization programmes.

The Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG approved the order of 48 new aircraft for the Group at its recent meeting. Of these new aircraft, eight Airbus A330-300s, equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, will be deployed on long-haul routes and the remaining 40 aircraft will be deployed on continental traffic.

The planned order includes three Airbus A330-300s and 20 of the A320-family for Lufthansa Passenger Airlines, as well as eight new Embraer 195 aircraft for Lufthansa Regional. In addition, the order includes five Airbus A330-300s, two Airbus A321s and two Airbus A320s for SWISS, as well as eight new Airbus A319s for German wings.

The new aircraft will be delivered to the Group successively from 2012.The order has a list value of approximately 3, 5-bilion euro’s.

Cathy Pacific has firmed up a previously-announced commitment for 30 Airbus A350XWBV long-range aircraft. The purchase agreement was signed in Hong Kong recently. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. They will be operated across Cathy Pacific’s route network, mainly on its long-range services to Europe.

Cathy Pacific Airways has also exercised existing purchase rights for six additional B777-300ERs (extended range).The six new airplanes ,with an estimated value of us,6-billion ,will increase Cathy Pacific’s B777-300ER future fleet from 30 to 36 .The carrier, one of the worlds largest operators of the jetliner, also operates 12 Boeing 777-300s and five 777-200s.

Cathy Pacific first announced its selection of the 777-300ER in 2005.This announcement is Cathy Pacifics fourth increase in its acquisition plans for the long-range jetliner.

Malaysia Airline has placed a firm order with airbus for two more A330-200F freighters, following the conversion of two existing options. The latest contract increases the airlines firm orders for the type to four, all of which will be operated by the carrier’s subsidiary MASkargo.The aircraft will be powered by PW4000 engines.

The A330-200F is the latest addition to the A330 Family. Offering the lowest operating costs in its size category, it is the only modern mid-size, long haul, all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 65 tonnes over 4000 nautical miles or 70 tones over 3200 nautical miles.

Libyan Airlines has taken delivery of the first of seven Airbus A320 airliners it has ordered for its domestic and regional services based on the carrier’s hub in Tripoli .The aircraft is powered by CVFM engines.

With Lufthansa’s third Airbus A380 recently entering the airlines route network just one week after delivery, the airline announced the arrival of the flagship to Johannesburg six weeks ahead of the original launch schedule.

The giant aircraft now operates to Johannesburg twice weekly, and the remaining services will continue to be operated with its Boeing 747-400s.

“The demand for capacity to and from South Africa is growing and by adding almost 400 additional seats per week we are able to meet this need,” explained Axel Simon, Director Southern Africa for Lufthansa German Airlines and Swiss International Airlines.

Airlink Adjusts Its Fleet

South African regional carrier, Airlink, is to acquire four AVRO RJ85 four-engine jet airliners from BAE Systems and has also extended the leases on two Jet stream 41turboprop aircraft.

Airlink currently operates a fleet of four RJ85s alongside four BAe 146-200s and these latest RJ85s are being planned as replacements for the BAe 146s. The resulting fleet commonality is expected to generate operational and cost benefits for Airlink.

The RJ85s are scheduled to have all been delivered by January 2011. Each BAe 146-200 will be returned to BAe Systems upon delivery of each RJ85.

The Airlink fleet of eight BAe 146/AVRO RJ aircraft has been successfully supported by the BAE Systems Regional Aircraft Jet Spares support program me since entering into service in 2007. The newly delivered RJ85s will also be fully enrolled on to Jets pares, which provides extensive on-site and pool stock rotable spares coverage.

Air links lease extension of the two Jet stream 41s, which had been scheduled to return to BAE Systems later this year, means that these aircraft will now continue to remain in service alongside the airlines additional fleet of 12 Jet stream 41s.

Johannesburg-based Airlink is along standing customer of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, currently operating 14 Jet stream 41s alongside its BAe 146/AVRO RJ fleet and eight Embraer ERJ135s.

Airlink is a South African Airways alliance partner and currently operates more than 3500 flights, carrying about 65000 passengers per month of which 70 percent are business travelers.

It provides vital feeder services connecting smaller South African centres with the major hubs at Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Airlink also serves more than 20 South African destinations, together with a number of regional international cities in neighbouring countries.

 

Kenya Airways Weighs Its Options

Kenya Airways is under pressure on the back of its ambitious plans with the notice from Boeing  that the first delivery of the Boeing 787 Dream liners has been delayed yet again.

“The delivery date revisions follow an assessment of the availability of the engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall,” said Boeing in a statement which revealed that first deliveries of the Dream liners would be delayed until the first quarter of 2011.

This means that Kenya Airways which originally expected delivery of its first two 787s in September 2010 has now had the delivery date rescheduled to “sometime in 2013.” This has greatly delayed its plans as the carrier had initially placed an order for six 787s with the option for a further six, but later converted three of the options to firm orders bringing the total confirmed orders to nine 787s.

Kenya Airways ‘ managing director and CEO, Titus Naikuni,said that, due to this delay, the airline was already in discussions  with Airbus regarding an order for the Airbus 330 as a replacement for the delayed 787s.

“Yes I would dare to cancel the order if (Boeing) can’t deliver,” said Naikuni, when he addressed the press at the company’s annual meeting held recently.

Naikuni noted that Boeing had not offered any compensation for the delays and had not offered to participate in the 767 retrofits which involved interiors and IFE upgrades which would be done at a major cost to maintain the 767 fleet for an extended period.

Kenya Airways’ has an ambitious plan to launch a new route every month for the next three years. Currently the carrier has a route network of 50 destinations with nine new destinations planned in the current financial year, most of them in Africa.Naikuni added that the plan was to fly to every capital in Africa, more destinations in Europe, begin operations in Latin America with Sao Paulo earmarked as the first destination in hat region and Kuala Lumpur as a possible destination in Asia.

Bram Stella, the carrier’s chief operating officer added that Kenya Airways would need additional aircraft if the 787s were not delivered in a reasonable timeframe.

Naikuni said that a decision on whether to cancel the 787 order and switch to Airbus as an alternative would be made before the end of the year.