We’ve all seen a lot of press on Indian aviation going down the dumps. Yes it is true that Kingfisher Airlines is spiralling downwards, and Air India is surviving on my money (apart from other Indian taxpayers), but looks like when push comes to shove, it is finally the time for India’s government to get over its protective policy stance and give Indian airlines some rope. First up, they’ve allowed airlines to buy their own jet fuel from abroad, if they can facilitate the import and put them on the planes by themselves. And today, some more interesting developments took place. Countries sign bilateral agreements on the government level to control the capacity that can be flown from one country…
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Cathay Pacific Premium Economy is now available for booking
Back in December, I had written about the new Cathay Pacific Premium Economy product which was going to be launched in Q1 2012, and put up on Sydney, Toronto, New York and Vancouver flights from Hong Kong, before being put out on the rest of the network. These seats will have a separate cabin of their own, which will be not more than 34 seats at any time. So, privacy is assured, unlike some other Premium Eco products where you only get a better seat but in the front of the same cabin. Welcome drinks, including Champagne, will be offered, and the meals will be better than Y. Top it off with a big amenity kit, and noise cancelling headphones…
More airlines cut flights to India including Austrian and Air France
It has not been long since the news of American Airlines and Air Asia X cutting back their flights to India has been in the news. Bad news is, there is more! A few days after Air Asia X announced their exit from Mumbai and Delhi airports, the assurance that no other Air Asia group flights would be withdrawn was broken. Thai Air Asia decided to cancel its 4 times weekly A320 service on Bangkok – Delhi from from 24th March 2012, with the last flight operating from Bangkok to Delhi on 23rd March 2012. Close on the heels, Austrian Airlines, a part of the Lufthansa Group, has decided to pull out of its 5 times a week Mumbai – Vienna service,…
Your shot at Star Alliance Gold status and Round-The-World Business Class trip
Star Alliance has a new contest up and running for all of us, called Picture your Upgrade where the grand prize offers Star Alliance Gold status and a couple of Round The World Business Class tickets on Star Alliance carriers. The contest, open for participation till 4th April 2012, has a series of tasks where iPhone, Android and BlackBerry phone owners can find themselves using their phones to make entries using a special app for this contest, available for download on your respective App Stores. There are 7 weekly tasks on offer, and each task started last for two weeks. For instance, the first task was to click pictures of three airport departure boards using the app described above, and…
Trip Report: Halfway around the world for the OWMD
Introduction Clipper Lounge, Mumbai CSI Airport Terminal 2 Jet Airways Economy Class Mumbai to Brussels British Airways Galleries Club Lounge, Brussels National Airport American Airlines Business Class Brussels to New York JFK and Five-Star Arrival American Airlines Premium Check-in and Flagship Lounge, New York JFK American Airlines Economy Class JFK to London LHR American Airlines Arrivals Lounge, London LHR Sheraton Heathrow Hotel, London American Airlines Flagship Check-in and Flagship Lounge, London Heathrow American Airlines Economy Class London to Chicago American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Chicago ORD American Airlines First Class from Chicago ORD to Dallas Fort Worth Hyatt Regency Hotel, DFW Hyatt Regency Hotel, Bellevue Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles American Airlines First…
Jet Airways dishes out discounts on domestic and International tickets from HK,SIN,India, Sri Lanka and Middle-East
One of my favourite airlines is out there dishing out special discounts this month and they have quite some deals there all this month. From Hong Kong, Jet Airways is offering 28% off in case you are travelling in Business Class to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. From Sri Lanka, 9W is offering a 10% off for planning a return travel in Economy to travel to any city in India on jetairways.com. You have to purchase your tickets by 29th February 2012 using promo code SAARC2011. From the Middle-East (UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman) and South Africa, 9W is offering 10% off to travel to any city in India in Economy or Business class. From Singapore, 9W is offering…
Earn quick AA Platinum or Executive Platinum by signing up via HVCAA
If you do not hold status with American Airlines but wish to get some status on American, you might just want to take a look at this. As per this post on Flyertalk, if you register on AA.Com/offers with the promo code HVCAA till 29th February 2012, you could be enrolled for an expedited status challenge with American Airlines. You have to fly 10,000 base miles or 25,000 base miles on American’s metal to get upgraded to Platinum or Executive Platinum on AAdvantage. This is a targeted offer, so I am not sure yet if everyone who registers will be able to get it honoured or not. But read on… By flying 10,000 base miles on American Airlines or American…
Let there be cheaper jet fuel…
Airlines in India have continuously blamed the price of jet fuel for their losses. And with Singapore Airlines latest quarterly results showing a 53% drop in profits on the back of high jet fuel prices, I’d sure believe them now! Aviation fuel taxes are a state subject in India, and some states charge up to 40% tax on jet fuel, considering it a luxury to fly and making it pricier. That, added to the high price of fuel already, took airlines to the brink. Kingfisher Airlines, in the throes of pain, asked for a concession from the government to be able to buy and import its own jetfuel from outside India. Looks like the politicos decided to have some fun with…
“Nobody goes hungry on a MegaDo!”– Randy Petersen
It has been a week or so since I have come back from my first MegaDo, and apart from the many airline moments we had, there was a whole bunch of gastronomic delights lined up along the way. When not flying, we were sampling some very good food which I am assuming airline catering departments were told to keep from interfering with I can promise you these were not GateGourmet or SkyGourmet catering which we get on our flights. The title statement was made by Randy on the MegaDo blog in the planning stages, and I thought I’d test it out during this MegaDo. Let’s take a peep into all the interesting food on the ground! Monday, 23rd January, we…
Travel anywhere in India for INR 2999 ($60)! [Updated]
Last night I posted about a good deal to book air tickets in India for INR 2,500 only. Looks like overnight they did enough business with the INR 2,500 tickets that they have now decided to up the price to INR 2,999 (all-inclusive). So, last night a few readers sent in comments to tell me the deal changed overnight. Here is the new deal: Even with $60, the pricing is very cheap I say. I will be making use of this promo as soon as my family decides on their travel plans. I hope this stays for a while to come. Here are the promo details: INR 2,999 per coupon for one-way adult ticket in India (all-inclusive) Buy as many…
Now fly anywhere in India for INR 2,500 ($50)
Via.com, a travel portal which used to work the backends for many travel agents and has now gone direct to customers, is offering a promotional offer where you can purchase domestic flight tickets in India for INR 2,500, all taxes inclusive. Here is how it works. Via.com is selling coupons online , which are valid for a year from purchase. Once bought, log into your Via.com account, plonk the details of where you want to go and when (remember, at least 7 days in advance!) and at what time of the day, and you will get a ticket in your mailbox within an hour’s time. The tickets are valid for bookings on most sectors in India, and there is the complete list of…
