Kris Kim

BNE being axed effective 08AUG? That's what everyone is saying, I'm also wondering what MH has installed for the rest of Australia, especially both MEL and SYD being x3 daily currently.

VA got a new IATA code from rebranding from DJ, so theres a precedent.

Apparently in addition to the 787-9, we might also see a VN A350 at the air show!

Well it looks like MH is seeing great loads at MEL at least, didn't even know the A330's carry that many pax! "Emergency crews were told about 300 passengers were onboard flight MH148 from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-12/passenger-plane-makes-forced-landing-at-melbourne-airport/6542420

Maybe MH could just hand out iPads? I do love the current 777 seats more than the A330's, but it is showing age.

Here's some notes so far: - New brand from September 1 - LHR staying x2 daily A380 - x4 A380's to stay, x2 for sale - New Business Class for A330, 777 - KUL(3), LHR, MEL Lounges to be refurbished - Selected Golden Lounges will close - Route/frequency cuts to be announced end of June - MH code to stay - MH will continue to participate in OW - All expansion is halted until 2017 The new J is described as "a world-class leading lie-flat seat" with "very large dimensions, and be positioned above the industry standard for business class."

A few Golden Lounges will be closed, whilst the x3 KUL lounges and LHR, MEL lounges will be refurbished and redeveloped to entice the premium passengers. MH plans to use fellow OW members and partner lounges where possible where they are closing Golden Lounges. http://www.ausbt.com.au/malaysia-airlines-to-close-some-airport-lounges-update-others?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=promobox&utm_campaign=latestnews-articleleft

I think its a good time to gobble up VietJet before they get too big - but their brand perception is still very low, lower than Jetstar outside Vietnam, so if they rebadge VietJet back to the original plan, they will be able to cover Vietnam whilst eliminating a competitor in Thailand!

^ I definitely agree, and without the European connection, Australian operations would be severely reduced too as both markets are heavily reliant on each other.

Interesting that you said that, both BNE and AKL seem to be problem routes for TG too, I think both routes lack high enough yields. There was another article mentioning BNE, DRW, SYD, MEL, KIX having reduced frequency or total termination. I doubt SYD, MEL and KIX will get the axe, these by far are very important routes for MH, DRW is most likely to face the axe.

Thanks for the reply guys! It looks like she is still in MEL as of today, I just heard she needed 8 tires replaced and also the strut needed to be replaced too.

It seems 9M-MTA (A333) has been out of action for about a week now and its last flight was operating the usual MH147 KUL-MEL sector. Anyone have any updates on its status? Cheers!

^ Yes that's correct, VN has already retired their last F70's last year. Routes now flown by ATR's or upgauged to A321's. VN might need to look at getting some A320NEO's, the A321's may be too large for some domestic and regional markets - I believe VN has some 55 A321's in its fleet! I hope that they are a little safer now, they have just started to receive their order of A320 (sharklet) aircrafts from Airbus to replace their ageing and pretty much broken 757 fleet.

Congratulations to Indonesia AirAsia Extra, finally today they launched services to Melbourne, after a 3 month wait! PK-XRA operated the inaugural DPS-MEL return service! While we are on the issue of AirAsia, does anyone know what's happening to AirAsia Philippines, is the brand being merged into AirAsia Zest? I understand both currently have separate AOC's and that Zest is still 51% owned by its original owner whilst AirAsia Philippines holds a minority stake - wouldn't this be a problem and cause share dilution if the 2 merged with one another?

VN is definitely upping its game in the region with 2 new game changing aircrafts, however its soft product still needs some work. It will be the 1st SE Asian carrier to operate both fleets with both coming in virtually the same time. I still hope this doesn't mean an increase to their Business fares! Australia-Europe fares are very attractive! Their new Premium Economy product looks very attractive too with a 2-3-2 layout, I definitely would like to give it ago. VN will also be going through a brand refresh with the introduction of the 2 new aircraft.

Abit o/t but I created this livery for MH's 777's

I think TG management like collecting aircraft, scale models don't do it for them, they prefer 1:1 scale! I think Thailand and Malaysia are in the same situation, both countries have comparable economies, they lack the economic pull like that of Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Korea and Japan. Both governments are also guilty of playing politics and putting it first before profits for their national carriers out of 'national interests', sadly its the sad realty for government owned/part owned entities, no matter what they do they will be interfered with even if it is for the better of the company. I sincerely hope both Garuda Indonesia and Vietnam Airlines don't follow this path, as these 2 carriers are expected to be the next big SE Asian airlines.

I think this has more to do with the arrival of VN's new A359 & 789 fleet, because they both have a 'lower' nose, I think the cheat line will compliment them more. The 772's are on their way out, 2 have already left the fleet, the rest are gradually being reduced over the next couple of years. I'm really curious how these will look on A321's! Although I think the lotus on the engines should have remained and I like the old font much more than this new updated one, the new one looks more generic and to me doesn't suit as, well with the lotus logo.

I guess MEL is the star performer in Australia, however this may be due to the much larger inflow of Malaysia-Australia traffic more favoured into MEL. MH looks like its holdings it ground for now with x3 daily KUL-MEL services.

Haha you did beat me to it! I think D7 needs to get rid of the X on the tail and just make it the same as the A320's to give consistency - probably at the door have the AirAsia X logo. I don't really get the slogan on the other side, this needs to be scaled down for both narrow body and wide body with just "airasia". They also decided to go for "airasia.com" for D7 liveries - I mean in this day and age who doesn't know that? They don't need to remind people about the ".com"! I would of seriously love to see a non-red AirAsia plane flying around, if only Vina AirAsia was approved we would of had blue ones flying around Asia, now that would be a sight! Blue AirAsia planes amongst their red sisters. And Vina AirAsia FA's wearing blue uniforms walking around in KUL amongst their red counterparts. I believe the schedule still needs to be updated, I thought they might change planes with sister D7, but thats highly unlikely as that would also mean a similar turnaround time too and probably not politically allowed.

Indonesia AirAsia X first route looks to be DPS-MEL, starting 22 DEC! Has anyone also noticed the new AirAsia X livery, its more inline with the narrow body ops now.

^^ Aren't both Philippines AirAsia and AirAsia Zest still 2 different companies? the only difference is that Philippines AirAsia own some shares in Zest - they still have separate AOC and dedicated fleet. I would really like to see a non-red AirAsia, Vina AirAsia was suppose to be blue right? That would of looked really unique, those Vina AirAsia girls in their blue uniform walking with their AirAsia counterparts wearing the Red uniform would of been a sight.

I do agree that something is fishy with the female in question, but that still does not mean that the steward should have done what he did, that was very unprofessional of him, considering that he was the chief purser too. On one of my KUL-MEL flights, a steward was "picking up" a fellow male passenger who was sitting in the row behind me, the passenger looked somewhat hesitant but he did give his number to the steward and I overheard some inappropriate details. However that particular steward was very attentive and very friendly to all the other passengers too, but I believe that he shouldn't try to pick up a passenger as its rude and unprofessional and may make other passengers uncomfortable.

Not to be a bearer of bad news, Channel 7 here in Australia are about to air this very issue on their show "Sunday Night" this coming Sunday, the commercial is already portraying Malaysia Airlines in a disgusting light, as though MH is responsible for this certain crews actions. Many Australians are already very hesitant in flying MH, and this story is certainly not going to help. The story will feature actual footage of the flight and the victims perspective.

AirAsia X has applied for MEL-DPS operating daily using A330-300, operating under D7400/401, which seems strange as that would mean the Malaysian carrier (D7) operating the flights rather than an Indonesian subsidiary?