|
Singapore Airlines has introduced a non stop service
from Singapore to New York, with a flying time of 18 hours!
The long flight has drawn criticism from medical experts. Doctors have expressed concern about the
impact on the body of such long unbroken flights, in which passengers will constantly breathe recycled air.
There are also concerns that passenger's heart and lungs will come under increased strain from a
lower than usual supply of oxygen, with an enhanced risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among people who fail to exercise
frequently on board.
Not sure if this is related to the potential health
risks, but the aircraft servicing this route has been equipped with
special cupboards to house corpses in the event of deaths during
transit!
Virgin Blue is focused on boosting capacity on routes where Qantas services have been replaced by Jetstar.
Virgin Blue CEO, Brett Godfrey, told the Australian Financial Review that he
hoped to snare passengers annoyed by the loss of in-flight meals, lounges and
designated seating. He said the airline was committed to operating
services to whatever destinations Qantas pulled out of.
The strategy has already seen Virgin Blue increase capacity from Cairns and Hobart.
Expanding its pacific network beyond Vanuatu and Fiji, Pacific Blue is planning to service
the Cook Islands later this year.
The airline is considering allowing passengers to join
or leave the flight during a planned stopover in Christchurch.
Virgin Atlantic Airways will launch daily scheduled services between Sydney and London via Hong Kong from December 8.
In addition to the Sydney route, Virgin Atlantic has also announced it is due to
launch services on a number of other new routes, including Cuba and the Bahamas
and an increase in services to the US, Caribbean, Asia and the Far East.
The Premium Express lane (reserved for the exclusive
use of First, Business and Platinum Frequent Flyers) at Sydney, Brisbane
and Melbourne international terminals has been closed.
Standard procedures will apply for all travellers
departing from these terminals.
More than 100 Jetstar passengers were stranded on the Gold Coast after one of the airline�s Boeing 717s was damaged at Sydney
airport last month. Evidently, the plane began push-back while still
attached to an air bridge, causing damage to the aircraft's door and
resulting in the flight from Sydney being cancelled.
No passengers were injured in the accident and all were put on Qantas flights to Brisbane or Coolangatta, but the return Gold
Coast-Sydney flight was cancelled, stranding 125 passengers.
A Jetstar spokesman said all affected passengers were
offered accommodation at the airline�s expense, and the carrier would
investigate the accident.
Qantas will establish a new base for 400 international flight attendants in London.
CEO Geoff Dixon said the establishment of the base will save Qantas $18 million
annually through rostering efficiencies and reduced accommodation and allowance
costs.
The airline said its London base would be operated by a wholly owned UK
subsidiary, crew salary levels would be comparable to those offered by other
airlines to UK-based crew, and Australian flight attendants would be able to
return to their positions in Australia at the conclusion of a two- to three year
contract in London.
|
