oneworld news

[Mike P 0]

Another thing is how could Qantas still making up the story by proposing setting the premium hub in either KUL or SIN and yet they have already had submitted the application to set up the hub in Singapore? Sneaky.... <_>

[Izanee 0]

very sneaky indeed - maybe they wanted KUL as a back up in case singapore didn't work out?

 

Or maybe they need to apply to both Malaysia and Singapore for approval prior to deciding their base?

 

I hope its the latter reason, very disappointing if they concentrate again on singapore - especially since MH is planning on joining OW.

 

I would have though the OW members would be interested in making more links with MH the next few months ... I guess I was wrong!

[Mike P 0]

I really would have thought KUL was getting some hope since QF was the one who sponsored MH to join OneWorld. Sounds like they were just merely doing it for a charity.

[KK Lee 5]

If D7 is not permitted to operate KUL-SYD, what is the chance for RedQ be granted routes ex-KUL or AOC?

 

If QF/BA/CX codeshare with MH to KUL, KUL will still be a OW hub.

[Mike P 0]

If D7 is not permitted to operate KUL-SYD, what is the chance for RedQ be granted routes ex-KUL or AOC?

 

If QF/BA/CX codeshare with MH to KUL, KUL will still be a OW hub.

 

JQ used to fly SYD - KUL...

[KK Lee 5]

JQ used to fly SYD - KUL...

 

JQ is a foreign airline but RedQ is supposed to base at KUL.

[jani 0]

Will this RedQ airline be flying to OZ? I thought they are going to operate narrowbodies.

[Mike P 0]

I think RedQ can still be based in KUL and steal the passengers from SQ and SIN. Just using MH's existing KUL - SIN vv and codeshared by OW and bring the passengers to KUL. One good thing for KUL's operation is the cost which is much lower than SIN. But again.. Malaysia's politic play..

[KK Lee 5]

I think RedQ can still be based in KUL and steal the passengers from SQ and SIN. Just using MH's existing KUL - SIN vv and codeshared by OW and bring the passengers to KUL. One good thing for KUL's operation is the cost which is much lower than SIN. But again.. Malaysia's politic play..

 

Provided MH is not too concern with Malaysians connecting to OW from SIN.

[Mike P 0]

They keep saying MH is on track and will be able to join OW ahead of schedule... but I still doubt about the network and system integration. What's the plan? There's no plan being announced yet while everyone just has to wait patiently for the outcome...

[Sandeep G 1]

Fast evolving situation. Will be interesting to see how SIN copes, because right now, it's bursting and traffic delays are getting longer! Plus, rumors are rife that the AOC For AirAsia.SG will be approved in Feb paving the way for a permanent base in Changi.

 

CAAS, T4 and access to Runway 3 please!

[Mike P 0]

Qantas Singapore Plans May Be Blocked

 

 

Oct 25, 2011

 

 

 

By Leithen Francis

 

National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) is reportedly working behind the scenes lobbying the Singapore government to block Qantas Airways’ bid to establish a full-service short-haul carrier in Singapore, a move by Qantas that threatens to cannibalize SIA’s core business.

 

SIA declines to confirm or deny the report in The Australian Financial Review, which cites unnamed executives familiar with Qantas’s latest push into Singapore. “We refrain from discussing the business activities of other companies,” an SIA spokesman says in response to a query from Aviation Week.

 

The report says that Qantas’s proposal is now before Singapore’s cabinet for discussion and that Singapore’s ministries of transport and finance have each requested more information from Qantas on the economic benefit that the proposed carrier will bring to Singapore. The reports add that Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) has agreed to throw its support behind Qantas’s proposal. The EDB is the government body that gives tax breaks and other incentives to businesses planning to invest in Singapore.

 

Qantas is proposing to establish a new full-service short-haul carrier in Singapore, tentatively named RedQ, that will be 51% locally owned, in accordance with the country’s foreign ownership laws. Qantas has said publicly that the carrier will eventually operate 11 Airbus A320s from Singapore to destinations in Southeast Asia, and that each aircraft will have “a business jet feel” and offer a level of service superior to Qantas’s flagship Airbus A380s. Qantas already has Jetstar Asia, a Singapore based low-cost carrier that is 51% owned by Singaporean businessman Dennis Choo.

 

Industry executives tell Aviation Week there is a strong possibility that the Singapore government will reject Qantas’s proposal because the new full-service carrier Qantas is proposing to establish in Singapore will compete directly with SIA. Jetstar Asia earlier won Singapore government approval, but that was a different situation. In that instance, Qantas was bringing a new airline business model to Singapore that in no way competed with SIA mainline. They say Singapore may reject Qantas’s proposal over the issue of foreign control. Qantas can find a 51% shareholder for the new short-haul, full-service carrier, but it will need to demonstrate that the Singaporean investor has control over the airline and is the one running it, say the executives. This will be hard for Qantas to demonstrate, they add. Choo owns 51% of Jetstar Asia, but it is clear that this airline is run by Jetstar, rather than Choo, say the executives.

 

Qantas wants to establish a full-service short-haul carrier in Singapore so it can generate passenger feed to support the Qantas long-haul flights that transit in Singapore on the way to Europe. The Australian carrier says publicly it has yet to decide between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as the base for its new short-haul carrier, but the latest report suggests Qantas has already chosen Singapore.

 

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=comm&id=news/avd/2011/10/25/02.xml&headline=Qantas%20Singapore%20Plans%20May%20Be%20Blocked

[alberttky 0]

CANBERRA - Australia's Qantas Airlines has been left red-faced after an ill-timed public relations campaign and Twitter competition backfired, drawing thousands of angry responses.

 

Qantas on Tuesday invited users of the micro-blogging site to enter a "Qantas Luxury" competition, asking people to describe their "dream luxury in-flight experience" and possibly win a pair of Qantas first-class pyjamas and a toiletries kit.

 

The timing of the PR exercise was questionable, coming just a day after Qantas and its unions broke off contract negotiations and after Qantas grounded its fleet in late October, a drastic move that stranded thousands of angry customers.

 

PR experts said the campaign was perhaps Australia's greatest public relations failure and a classic example of the dangers of unpredictable social media.

 

"Epic PR fail, excellent case study in corporate cultural tone deafness. Simply don't get it," said social media commentator Peter Clarke.

 

Twitter user "stanofid" called the campaign the "Hindenburg of social media strategies."

 

Other unimpressed Twitter users set a stream of responses ranging from caustic jokes about the carrier to ordinary abuse.

 

Twitter user "ChanArmstrong" said Qantas luxury was "more than 3mins notice that the whole airline is on strike," while another user, describing themselves as "thesuspecto," said their answer was, "chose Singapore Air luxury instead."

 

Daniel Angus, using the Twitter name "antmandan," said Qantas luxury meant "being stranded on the other side of the world without warning when you just want to get home to your 10-month-old daughter."

 

Qantas last week hired four social media monitors to keep tabs on what people were saying about it on Twitter and Facebook after the fleet grounding.

 

The carrier has also promised generous compensation for stranded passengers.

 

But Qantas put on a brave face, taking to Twitter again to quip on Tuesday, "at this rate our #QantasLuxury competition is going to take years to judge."

 

The discussion came as unions considered launching more disruptions to Qantas flights and the Australian government's industrial relations umpire began work to impose a new wage agreement between Qantas management and workers.

 

This is not the first time Qantas has been in hot water over its PR efforts.

 

In August it was criticised for a competition asking Australian fans to pose as their favourite rugby player and two fans posed as Fiji-born Radike Samo in Afro wigs and black paint.

 

The airline was pelted by critics for that episode, but others and Radike himself said the fans were paying him a tribute.

 

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20111122-312030.html

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

Oddly enough, Qantas is well renowned in the airline circle for having a good social media team that's adept at facing crises. Guess today's an off day for them.

[alberttky 0]

A QANTAS pilot is under investigation over a mile-high scandal with a female passenger during a long-haul flight to Australia.

 

Passengers in the first class section of QF32 from London were stunned at the pilot's amorous antics with the woman, the Herald Sun reported.

 

He was seen sitting on her lap during the flight in the luxurious premium section of the Qantas A380 jet before things became quite steamy, sources told the Herald Sun.

 

The seat has privacy walls and reclines to become a bed. The pilot was off-duty and not in uniform at the time of the incident.

 

He was scolded twice by crew as passengers became annoyed at the public display of affection, sources said.

 

After the flood of complaints, the pilot shifted to economy.

 

Qantas said an investigation was under way that could cost the pilot his $240,000-a-year job.

 

The female passenger left the flight in Singapore and the pilot returned to the first-class cabin.

 

It was unclear whether the pilot knew the woman before boarding the flight, or if he was intoxicated.

 

First-class passengers are entitled to a range of wines, spirits and beers.

 

The pilot stayed on the flight, which landed in Sydney at 8.10pm on Friday.

 

A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed there was an incident.

 

"Qantas is aware of an incident involving a travelling crew member on board QF32. The matter is being investigated internally in line with Qantas policy," the spokeswoman said.

 

"Interaction of that nature is something that wouldn't be sanctioned."

 

The Australian and International Pilots Association has vowed to defend the pilot.

 

AIPA vice-president Captain Richard Woodward said he was aware of the incident and was gathering more detail.

 

"The rights of this member, like any other, will be defended by AIPA should the need arise," he said.

 

It is not the first time that amorous behaviour on a Qantas flight has hit the headlines.

 

Actor Ralph Fiennes was sprung in a tryst with former Qantas hostess Lisa Robertson in January 2007.

 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/qantas-pilot-gets-steamy-midair/story-e6frf7jx-1226208740214

[alberttky 0]

Locally-based cabin crew staff and ground staff of Cathay Pacific Airways have won a pay increase of 5 percent next year, though the pay hike was lower than they had demanded.

 

Apart from the pay raise, the 12,000-strong employees will also receive a year-end bonus equivalent to an additional month's salary before the Lunar New Year.

 

Settlement came on Friday after a lengthy negotiation with the airline management.

 

At the same time, ground staff of sister airline, Dragonair, will have the same level of salary adjustment.

 

Cathay Pacific announced on Friday the 2012 salary adjustment package, after sealing an agreement with its flight attendants' union.

 

The airline said it decided to award a pay increase to the employees in view of the current economic environment, to enhance the competitiveness of the company salaries and retain staff.

 

Speaking afterward, Dora Lai, chairwoman of the flight attendants' union, said on Friday the 5 percent increase rate was acceptable, although staff had demanded an increase of 8 percent.

 

"This year's negotiation is particularly difficult," she said.

 

"During the negotiation, the global economy was encountering sudden fluctuations and the airline industry was affected greatly, while inflation has also caused a huge impact. Taking into consideration various factors, including the company's business performance this year and the forecast for next year, we decided the 5 percent increase margin was acceptable, although there is a distance from our requirement."

 

Lai said it is a good beginning toward a consensus with the employer.

 

In the unions' view, the road is long to achieve the better salaries and they did not expect a complete victory in a single negotiation.

 

She also called on other employers in Hong Kong to award reasonable salary increases to their staff in the current economic environment, to enable them to fight inflation.

 

Referring to the appeal from the flight attendants' union, Irons Sze, president-designate of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, said many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will find life very difficult in the current economic climate.

 

"The Chief Executive and Financial Secretary have pointed out that the export trade is facing great difficulty, and the SMEs are fighting for survival," he said.

 

Most employers, he said, are willing to give bonuses to reward staff at year-end, instead of giving salary increases in line with the inflation rate.

 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2011-12/03/content_14206424.htm

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

So when can MH staff expect something like this??

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

So when can MH staff expect something like this??

 

In the next decade.

 

How can I apply for a job at CX?

[Lock SH 0]

Not to forget, based on current profit, CX staff should be getting at least another 2 weeks profit share + (HKD 6000 or half month pay, whichever is lower) in their Apr 2012 paycheck (end of 2011 FY).

 

Way to go CX ..........

 

 

[alberttky 0]

Cathay Pacific Airways today released details of its new Premium Economy Class. The product, which will be progressively introduced on its long-haul flights from March 2012, will soon be available for passenger booking for flights departing from April 2012 onwards. At the same time, the airline announced that it will progressively introduce a new Economy Class seat on the majority of its long-haul aircraft, also beginning from March.

 

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar said: “We are really excited about these latest innovations. As always, the comfort of our customers was front and centre of our design process and we believe the results represent a very significant upgrade in the product we offer.

 

“Premium Economy will be a real upgrade over Economy, and passengers will get great value for a great product. The seat will have a generous recline and plenty of legroom, and passengers will also enjoy improved service and many other extras.

 

“Our new long-haul Economy Class seat will also provide more space and comfort, particularly in the enhanced recline position. And with lots of extras - including the latest in inflight touch-screen personal televisions and mobile device connectivity - those long flights will be even more interesting and enjoyable.”

 

Emphasising Cathay Pacific’s commitment to continuous improvement of the airline’s products and services, Mr Slosar added: “Earlier this year we introduced our new Business Class to great acclaim and I’m sure our Premium Economy will have just as big an impact. And our new long-haul Economy Class seat highlights our strategy of providing a superior experience in all classes of travel.”

 

The new Premium Economy product will feature a quieter, more spacious cabin than the existing Economy Class with between 26 and 34 seats. The seat pitch will be 38 inches – six inches more than Economy Class – and the seat itself will be wider and have a bigger recline. It will have a large meal table, cocktail table, footrest, a 10.6-inch personal television, an in-seat power outlet, a multi-port connector for personal devices, and extra personal stowage space.

 

Customers will be offered a range of tailored products on the ground and in the air to provide a new kind of experience when travelling on the airline. It is targeted at those travellers who value a more spacious seat in a more private cabin, along with dedicated services and a number of additional features not available in the existing Economy Class cabin.

 

On the ground, passengers will enjoy priority check-in at dedicated counters and priority boarding before traditional Economy Class passengers. There will also be an increase in baggage allowance from 20kg to 25kg (weight system) or two pieces of baggage from 23 kg to 25kg each (piece system).

 

In the air, the Premium Economy Class seat offers a higher level of comfort with more living space in a separate cabin before the Economy Class zone. Passengers will also receive an environmentally friendly amenity kit with dental kit, socks and eyeshade for use during the journey. Larger pillows and noise-cancelling headsets will be provided to enhance the onboard experience.

 

Premium Economy passengers will be welcomed aboard with juice and champagne, and enjoy an enhanced onboard meal selection. Each passenger will also receive a bottle of water and additional snack choices to include more fresh fruit, energy bar and dessert.

 

The new Premium Economy cabin will be installed on all Cathay Pacific long-haul aircraft including Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 747-400s, Airbus A330-300s and Airbus A340-300s. The first 777-300ER and Airbus A330-300 featuring Premium Economy Class will enter into service in March, and will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2012 for flights departing from April 2012 onwards.

 

The airline plans to have 87 aircraft fitted with the product by the end of 2013. Premium Economy will initially be featured on the Sydney, Toronto and Vancouver and New York routes, followed by London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, continental Europe and other long-haul routes as the number of aircraft fitted with the product increases.

 

The new long-haul Economy Class seat will feature a cradle mechanism to enhance the level of comfort in the recline position, the latest high-resolution touch-screen personal televisions, a USB outlet and an iPod/iPhone outlet that allows passengers to connect their own mobile devices to view content through the personal televisions. The seat will also offer improved living space and more personal storage space.

 

The new seats will be fitted on all Cathay Pacific long-haul Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The first aircraft featuring the seats will enter service in March flying to Sydney and Toronto initially. A total of 36 Boeing 777-300ERs and 26 Airbus 330-300s will be fitted with the seats by December 2013.

 

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/aboutus/pressroomdetails?refID=48fb9689c0134310VgnVCM1000000ad21c39____

[alberttky 0]

December 12, 2011

 

Qantas today launched the first stage of its international Faster, Smarter Check-in with new Q Card Readers now operational at key trans-Tasman ports.

 

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said Faster Smart Check-in would provide trans-Tasman customers with greater ease when checking in for flights to and from New Zealand.

 

“Faster, Smarter Check-in has proved so popular with our frequent flyers for their domestic travel, we are now implementing stage one of our international roll out with Sydney, Auckland and Wellington,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“Our trans-Tasman frequent flyers can now scan their frequent flyer card and passport and retrieve their boarding pass within seconds of arriving at the airport. It’s all about cutting down the journey time for our customers.”

 

The new trans-Tasman Q Card Reader Check-in means Platinum, Gold and Silver Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club members travelling across the Tasman will be able to use their Qantas card to check-in at an internationally configured Q Card Reader, streamlining their international experience.

 

Customers travelling between Australia and New Zealand, who hold an Australian or New Zealand passport, will be able to scan their Qantas card at the Q icon as per the process for the domestic Q Card Reader. They then scan their passport at the reader located below the Q icon, completing their check-in.

 

The Faster, Smarter Check-in process has responded to the changing needs of Qantas’ most valued customers and has delivered new levels of speed and ease for the domestic check-in experience.

 

The introduction of the Q Card Readers forms the first phase of Qantas’ plans to broaden the use of the award-winning technology to streamline the international check-in experience.

 

Trans-Tasman Q Card Readers will be progressively introduced to Melbourne, Brisbane and Queenstown throughout 2011, with plans to rollout the technology in Christchurch next year.

 

http://www.just4airlines.com/j4_dox/email/rss.mv?story_id=54406

[alberttky 0]

Premium passengers travelling on AA routes served by B767 aircraft, including several London services, will soon benefit from Samsung tablets loaded with IFE.

 

Following an announcement earlier this year (see online news June 14), American Airlines has begun rolling out Samsung Galaxy IFE tablets for business and first class passengers travelling on its B767-200 and -300 aircraft.

 

The tablets have a 10.6-inch screen, and will initially feature over 70 movies including 30 new releases, along with TV programmes and audio channels. Additional functionality will be rolled out over time, including e-books and wifi internet access on certain aircraft from the first quarter of 2012.

 

London routes featuring AA’s B767 aircraft (on selected services) include Dallas Fort Worth, Miami, Chicago and Raleigh Durham.

 

Selected European flights to Frankfurt, Milan, Zurich, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid also feature the B767, as do transcontinental services from New York JFK to LA, JFK to San Francisco, Miami to San Francisco and Miami to LA. Flights between Boston and LA served by B757 aircraft will also feature the new Samsung offering.

 

http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/aa-begins-samsung-galaxy-rollout-in-premium-cabins

------------------------------

Wonder if the batteries can last the entire flight...

Edited December 15, 2011 by alberttky