V Australia!

Hot off the press!

Richard Branson has announced the launch of V Australia which will begin operations in December 2008. Forming a part of Virgin Blue with the HQ based in Sydney, V Australia will take on the lucrative trans-Pacific route, flying daily from Oz to LA.

Virgin Blue will operate 777-300 aircraft in a 3 class configuration, offering International Business, International Premium Economy and International Economy. It appears as if the Business Class cabin is the same lay out as Virgin Atlantic. Very nice, I have had the pleasure of flying in 'Upper Class' to Hong Kong and it was a very comfy ride, indeed.

Qantas and United, some competition has been announced - are you ready? As far as I am concerned this is long overdue. This route needs a good shake up and we all know Richard Branson does that very well...

I can hear the Champagne corks already!

A380 Envy...

All the A380 hype has not really taken me to the runway... And for an aviation lover like me, that is scary. Although it has been the biggest thing since the 747 launch (my uber fave) all seems quite on the Airbus front. Since Singapore Airlines flew the first A380 to Sydney with much anticipation, all the excitement has also somewhat passed, and quickly!

I find the newest bird in the sky somewhat short, chunky and fat. Agree, or not, the A380 does not grab me like the long, slender 747 with the bubble!

OK, back to my envy... A colleague is flying to Singapore today on the A380 and I am jealous he flew this newest bird first! I am certain there will be many opportunities to fly the A380 in the future, this metal is here to stay. Perhaps I will warm to the A380 like the 747... Time will tell, nostalgia is a fine thing.

Do see below though the newest 747 - the 800 series, nice! Long live the bubble...

And Another Thing...!

Although old news... I have to get this off my chest.

Thai, you are one of my favourtie all time airlines and I cannot believe that you are stopping First Class to Australia!

Shame, as we have enjoyed the amazing service to our fine shores at an amazing price for so long... Now it is either Qantas or Singapore Airlines as Cathay stopped F sometime ago. Higher prices come with QF and SQ :(

I still love you though TG!

Will those new UA Flat Beds ever make it to Australia?!

Ah, United Airlines, when are you going to deploy those new sleek flat beds on one of the longest routes you fly: SYD-LAX and SYD- SFO? United announced the cabin upgrade in July 2007, and we have yet to see the flat bed touchdown on Australian soil!

I (and many others) are rather annoyed that they have not considered all their loyal frequent flyers and deployed the updated aircraft on these routes first... The first new cabin flew Washington-Frankfurt, a flight time that is only 8-9 hours, the flying time from Australia to LAX/SFO is 14 hours - go figure?

There are also whispers that United may even pull out of the Australian market after V Australia (Virgin) begin services across the Pacific - well all I can say is they had better pick up the service and add the new cabins on this route, or they will lose $$$. Qantas will also deploy their new big bird the A380, when they get them! Competition is heating up, are they going to wait until then, probably...

I hope UA do not pull out of this market, I am UA*Gold and like the option to fly with them, not that it is that often...

Finally...!

As an avid frequent traveller, I have been talking about writing an Air Blog for a quite sometime... I will discuss in detail all my flights and also post my opinions, thoughts and updates about my favoutrite, as well as my least favourite airlines.

Is there enough room in the sky for me and all those jumbo jets? I think so, fasten those seat belts ladies and gentlemen, you are in for a good flight!

Welcome!

AG.