All posts filed under: Fly

Qantas settles on A350-1000 for its ultra long haul ambitions

Published by Shane

Boeing loses out on this Project Sunrise race, although no orders have been placed with Airbus, yet. What Is Qantas’ Project Sunrise? Qantas’ Project Sunrise is essential a challenge aimed at planemakers back in 2017 for an aircraft that has the ability to fly non-stop, with full payload, from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York. Being geographically challenged, Qantas has traditionally serviced faraway destinations with a stop in between, such as Sydney-Singapore-London and Melbourne-Los Angeles-New York. Currently the world’s longest flight is operated by Singapore Airlines’ A350-900ULR on its Singapore-Newark service. That flight covers a distance of over 9,500 miles and takes about 18 hours each way. Qantas’ own longest flight at the moment is the Sydney-Dallas Fort-Worth service, an 8,400-mile service served by an Airbus A380. This will soon be overtaken a new Brisbane-Chicago service that Qantas is starting from April 2020, which will top out at some 8,900 miles, taking between 16 and 17 hours. The project name is a nod to the original Kangaroo route in the 1940s from London …

Asia Miles will no longer expire from 1 Jan 2020, with a caveat

Published by Shane

Asia Miles will be kept active as long as there’s an activity once every 18 months. Sounds good at first glance, but that means you need to keep your account active more often. Cathay Pacific loyalists can cheer: Asia Miles earned from 1st January 2020 will no longer expire, as long as you earn or redeem at least one mile every 18 months. Note that this will only apply for miles earned from 1st January 2020, and any miles earned before that will still expire under the current rules. Current system Under the current rules, all miles earned within a membership year will expire three years after the current membership year. For example, if your membership year (based on your sign-up month) is from April to March the following year: If you earned 10,000 miles in May 2018, they will expire in March 2022 (i.e. end of membership year in March 2020 plus three years). If you earn another 5,000 miles in December 2019, they will expire in March 2023. New system The new system …

LOUNGE REVIEW: Qantas Singapore First Lounge, Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1

Published by Shane

Qantas has spared no effort in publicising its plans to open a new first class lounge in Singapore since last year, and finally, it’s here. Since last week, Qantas has quietly opened the first class lounge before the official opening gala slated to happen next week. I was travelling out and was fortunate enough to be guested into the lounge. I have tried Qantas’ first class last year when it resumed the A380 service to Singapore, and was looking forward to see what the lounge here in Singapore will offer. Location of the Qantas Singapore First Lounge The brand new lounge is located at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1, where Qantas and Jetstar operates. For those who are familiar with the existing Qantas Singapore Lounge (which have since been rebranded as the Qantas Singapore Business Lounge), the Qantas Singapore First Lounge is located on the opposite end of the terminal, closer to the D gates. While the terminal is not huge, it will still take about a 7 to 10-minute hike to traverse between both …

Cathay Pacific partners Bamford in enhancements to premium cabins

Published by Shane

New collaboration the UK brand will see new amenity kits and bedding in first class and business class Cathay Pacific has refreshed its service offering in its first and business class cabins with a series of enhancements. In its PR, the airline promises the changes are geared towards “indulging passengers with an elevated premium travel experience”. Expectedly, the enhancements ride on the current wave of health and wellness focus by airlines, ranging from providing in-seat exercise videos to healthier options for in-flight menus. First class enhancements In first class, passengers will be treated with a personalised welcome note along with a hot towel and a glass of refreshing sparkling jasmine silver needle tea from their current tea partner, JING. I’m personally not a big fan of JING teas, but I’ll be curious to see how this sparkling tea will be like. In the food department, Cathay Pacific cater a range of lighter (which are supposedly healthier) options for the main and breakfast meals as well as healthy alternatives such as superfood bowls and lighter protein …