David Bindon

I'm glad I flew on their 747 400 from BKK-KUL when I did, now that those changes are happening. I wish LH would come back to Australia. David...

Awesome photos guys. I'd love to go spotting at BKK again! So many interesting movements. Where were these photos taken from? David...

Yes. Both Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific will continue to fly the Auckland to Hong Kong route. David...

Yes, they don't fly to Singapore and Bangkok. They have actually already ditched Beijing. They still fly to Shanghai. Correct. NZ will still operate Auckland - Hong Kong.

I can't blame them! I've done a couple of overseas trips and flew Air Asia simply because they were so cheap. In August 2010, I went travelling around Asia. I flew Gold Coast - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - Bangkok - Hong Kong - Kuala Lumpur - Gold Coast. All sectors were with Air Asia except SIN-BKK was with Tiger Airways. The price I paid for all of those flights (sale fares) were less than what I would have paid to fly on a legacy carrier from Brisbane to just one Asian city and return. ie Qantas BNE-SIN, Cathay BNE-HKG, Thai BNE-BKK etc. In February/March this year, I went to Seoul and flew Air Asia, again, because they were so cheap. $400 AUD cheaper than what it would have cost me to have flown on a Korean Air 747 400 from Sydney to Seoul and return! However, flying a morning flight from Gold Coast-KL, then an 8 hour or something layover and then a red eye from KL-Seoul was not nice! Soooo tiring! The return leg was the same! Something I would honestly rather not have to do again! David...

Hello everyone. Here's my contribution to this thread. BOOKING. I either book through the airline's website or use my local travel agent. PREPARATION. I like to be organised and sort everything out well in time before I travel if I can help it. I'll have my bags packed and everything I need ready to go the night before. GETTING THERE. When leaving from home, either one of my parents will take me to the airport or I will catch a door to door shuttle bus. When leaving my destination, I'll take either a cab, shuttle bus or public transport, depending on the destination, where I am staying and the hotel I am at. CHECK IN. If leaving from home, I'll do web check in the day/night before as early as I can. If leaving from my destination, I'll check in at the airport since I don't have access to a computer and a printer. SEAT PREFERENCE. Window seat. Love looking out the window and taking photos. There are same amazing photo opportunities up there in the sky! AIRLINES. Qantas all the way! Although many people absolutely hate Qantas with passion, I absolutely love flying with them. Although I have had my fair share of ordinary "everyday" flights with them, I have had so many fantastic and wonderful experiences with them including countless flight deck visits, getting a look up in first and business class and been given goodies such as postcards and pens. On 3 separate occasions, they have let me sit up in business class on landing. Their cabin crews and pilots are have been nothing short of fantastic to me. Since Qantas have been so good to me over the years, I will never forget all the wonderful memories they have given me and for that, I will always continue to support them all the way forever. Although I usually fly with Qantas, I still use other airlines such as Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Air New Zealand which are all very good to travel with. There are no airlines that I hate, hold grudges and animosity towards and refuse to use. AIRCRAFT. The Boeing 747 by a long shot! I absolutely love the "Queen of the Skies." It is just an awesome aircraft to fly on. Taking off in one is just incredible, I love the sound and the feel, especially if sitting near the engines on a Rolls Royce powered a/c and hearing the loud buzzsaw sound! Compared to a 737 or A320 which to me is more a less a bus ride in the sky, the 747 for me continues to be an absolute adrenaline rush from start to finish and I am very much like a kid in a candy store when I am on one. FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM. Qantas Frequent Flyer Bronze. AIRLINE VS AIRCRAFT VS PRICE VS SCHEDULE. Since all four of those aspects affect me to some extent, I very much juggle between the 4 and eventually come up with the flight that suits me the most. HABITS & ATTITUDES WHEN FLYING. I always like to wander around while in the departure lounges before boarding, I am always very restless. Delays, as inconvenient and disappointing as they can be never make me angry. They happen and more often than not. As far as I am concerned, they are not worth getting mad about. In flight entertainment is not a sacred part of flying for me. On a short haul, about all I would ever do is listen to the music but on a medium to long haul, I use it to kill the time away. To be honest, I would rather have it available than not. I always have my camera with me when flying. I am hardly ever in a hurry to de board and aircraft, I am nearly always one of the last, if not the last one off. I always expect the worst and hope for the best when I fly. I am always cheerful, friendly and polite to the cabin crews and I believe that if I wasn't, then I wouldn't have gotten spoilt so rotton like I have on many of my flights. If you give, you will be given back. David...

Hi all. I have been on the following airlines and aircraft. - Qantas/Qantaslink = DH3, DH4, 717, 733, 734, 738, 762, 763, 332, 333, 74L, 743, 744 - Virgin Blue/Pacific Blue = 73G, 738, E90 - Jetstar = 717, 320 - Air New Zealand = 744, 320 - Freedom Air* = 733 - Air Pacific = 73G, 738 - Emirates = 380 - Sunshine Express^ = Metroliner, Shorts 360 * A discontinued low cost carrier that was owned by Air New Zealand. ^ A small Australian regional airline that no longer operates. In August, I will travel on the following airlines and aircraft. - Air Asia X = 333 - Air Asia/Thai Air Asia = 320 - Tiger Airways (Singapore division) = 320 David...

Hello everyone. I'll be in Kuala Lumpur in August from the 8th to the 12th. I'll also be there on August the 23rd as I'll be flying from HKG-KUL & then KUL-OOL the same day. Although I will spend the majority of my time here sightseeing and doing all the touristy stuff, I'd love to spend some quality time aircraft spotting. If possible, I'd be very keen in meeting up with any one of you guys for a great day of aircraft spotting. Hope the weather is okay at that time of year. Thank you very kindly and I can't wait to get here. I'd also like to know the following questions please. 1) I've read on the KUL Airport website that there is a viewing mall in the main terminal. Is it any good for photographing and watching the planes? Is it likely to get hassled by authorities for taking photos here? 2) Are there any decent spots to watch and photograph the planes in the LCC Terminal without getting hassled? Just wondering since I am flying Air Asia in and out of KUL. Are there any other decent, yet safe spots around the airport that are easily accessible? 3) What days of the week do Saudi Arabian and Iran Air come and go into/out of KUL? I'd love to be able to see and photograph those awesome 747 Classics. Thank you very much. David...

Thank you very kindly for the info guys, much appreciated. I was just wondering/working out what the best spotting options were just in case 01 was in use. David...

Hello everyone. Sorry to restart an old topic again but I'll be in Bangkok from August 16 to 18 and am staying at the Queens Garden Resort so I can do some aircraft spotting. I'd like to know the following please. 1) Which runway direction is usually in use throughout August? 2) Is it possible to capture RWY01 departures from the Queens Garden Resort or are they too high up? 3) Are the Queens Garden Resort still accommodating to aircraft spotters? Will they still let you up on the roof or has that all changed? 4) Are there any other alternative spots that are good for photographing and watching the planes that are easily accessible and safe to spot at. I won't be hiring a car. The last thing I want is to end up getting in strife with the police and authorities! Thanks a lot and I'm looking forward to spotting in Bangkok. David...