Air Australia

[Limewood]

Some statistics today re Air Australia, going from 3 x A320's to 6 by mid 2012, adding 1 x 330 May 2012, going to double its pilot base and add a new one in Melbourne, has recruited 50 new FA's. Start small think big.

 

[Justchecking]

Would you really want to fly a narrow-body for 6+ hours to South-East Asia?

I flew DJ HKT-PER earlier this year and it was one of the most horrible flights I have ever suffered through. I personally do not think narrow-bodies are suitable for flights longer than about 4 hours. If given a choice between a JQ 330 and a AA 320 MEL-HKT I would always choose a 330.

For this reason I also think Qantas's RedQ have
chosen the wrong type of aircraft.

I did the same leg as you on a narrow body and didn't find it horrible at all. Prior to that flight I would have definately said yes, wide body only please. But that flight changed my mind. I found it no more troublesome than a trip to PER. While
you are mindful of the aircraft type there are a lot of pax in the LCC market who only care about cost.

As I understand it AA are now flying the A320 to DPS anyway. I don't know about their HKT run
though but I rather suspect with the A330s flying to HNL, they'll be A320 too anyway.....doesn't seem to make much difference. I wonder how much of their plan to fly to HNL is really out of pax demand and how much out of a need to make better use of a massive aircraft with long
range capabilities.

At least the flight attendant uniforms are decently professional. I was worried they go for something tacky like lime green polo shirts and cargo pants. Good to see their full-service background influenced that decision at least.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

When all this was first noticed (a number of months ago), didn't the rumour have it Strategic were spying mainland US as well? HNL may well be just a first step.

 

[under the radar]

just as a 'side note'... it might confuse some readers if posters use AA as their reference to air austraila... as AA is american airlines 'flight code' .... we do have readers from all parts of the world on this forum.. ( VC is stratagic airlines/air australia flight code)... this is a community service announcement!

 

[mr_osborne]

just as a 'side note'... it might confuse some readers if posters use AA as their reference to air austraila... as AA is american airlines 'flight code' .... we do have readers from all parts of the world on this forum.. ( VC is stratagic airlines/air australia flight code)... this is a community service announcement!

I've just had to go back and read the thread again, because I just naturally assumed AA = american airlines... without thinking about it. It makes slightly more sense now.

 

[Major]

Airbus A330-200

Business Class

• Luxurious business class seating, featured throughout the first section of the cabin.
• The Business Class cabin layout is extremely spacious and comfortable, allowing for superior rest and relaxation.
• Strategic Business Class features 30 seats with up to 48 inch seat pitch.

Their J seating may not be flat bed but the cabin layout certainly seems roomy. I think they will sell a lot of J seats at this price.

 

[pauly7]

Interesting but with a fleet that size and a company that small I'm playing the safe card with my travel!

Will be interested to hear some trip reports however.

 

[mannej]

Pauly makes an interesting point. They had some issues when their 330 went tech during a HKT run earlier this year disrupting people for some period of time.
Strategic Airlines | Passengers left stranded in coughet

 

[docjames]

Watching boarding for their BNE-DPS flight (watching from the QP!), it would certainly have been a pretty full A320.

Yields may be another story.

Good luck to them - competition is good for the consumer, but I cant say I'm optimisitc about their long term viability.

 

[smit0847]

Pauly makes an interesting point. They had some issues when their 330 went tech during a HKT run earlier this year disrupting people for some period of time.

That was my point!

 

[pauly7]

That was my point!

Share it with ya

 

[maninblack]

Pauly makes an interesting point. They had some issues when their 330 went tech during a HKT run earlier this year disrupting people for some period of time.
Strategic Airlines | Passengers left stranded in coughet

I would have no problem with being stuck in Hawaii It's being stuck in MEL that would really be a problem