STAR! Alliance!

As a very happy, rewarded and content member of St* Alliance... Airgroove has some news to share...

Some of you may already be aware that St* Alliance have a fantastic Circle Asia Fare offering great value! You can fly around the region on St* A carriers but must cover South West Pacific, South East Asia and North Asia on your travels... Travel must commence from and return to the same country and there is a minimum 2 stops along the way...

C'mon, get airborne! Accrue some miles!

Passports, Boarding Passes and Champagne!

Ah, the joys of international travel!

I am happy to report that I have so many more trips to complete this year! I have already accumulated a mountain of miles and still have many more hours of fun in the sky!

Trips to complete in 2008:

• Auckland/Wellington/Melbourne
• Eastern Europe Holiday Extravaganza!
• New York/Munich
• Singapore/Hong Kong/Tokyo/Auckland

As an airline addicted groover, one would only understand the sheer excitement about all my forthcoming travel...!

Some of the airlines I will travel on in both C & F Class include:

• Lufthansa
• Singapore Airline
• United Airlines
• Thai Airways
• Air New Zealand
• Qantas
• All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Expect full trip reports on the C Class Connection - details around the food and beverage service, seating, general FA service/attitude and of course my humble opinion about the airline lounges that I spend time in prior to boarding!

Ah, the stars seem so near...

Oil, the real cost...

Airlines are always adding 'surcharges'... One for this, that and then the other...

The ever increasing price of the 'barrel', also known as black gold, is continually hiking up ticket prices. Not so much that it is unaffordable to travel, but 20 bucks here, 10 bucks there etc... I understand, don't get me wrong - airlines are not making as much money as they have done in bygone era's. Profits rule, but what about the human element?

Airlines are cutting jobs like a walk in the park. The impact of rising fuel costs really does hit home when jobs are cut - this is the sad reality of surging fuels costs for airlines. Reading the airline news can be somewhat depressing, particularly when you glean 1000 jobs are going at X Airline.

But what can airlines do when they are losing $$$? Remove the olives from a salad, cut the hot towel service, purchase cheaper wine (I hope not), or indeed serve no wine at all (I hope NOT!)?

Seriously, airlines need to cut costs and economise when faced with increasing fuel costs - it is just a real bitch that people are losing their jobs and all for 'black gold'.

The 787 - where are you!

Boeing Co. has announced yet another delay to the 787 Dreamliner - one of the most anticipated launches of metal in the modern aviation era.

It makes me wonder how airlines manage to strategise profits and routes around the acquisition of new airliners, if they are constantly delayed! Boeing is not the only manufacturer with this issue, we all know how overdue the A380 has been with only one major carrier to take delivery of this new bird thus far.

Current projections of delivery to Japan's ANA are scheduled for mid to late 2009! The carbon fibre structure is by far the most advanced construction of any airliner, to date. I am extremely excited the launch of the 787 as I cannot wait to jump on board, sit back and sip Champagne in one of the most advanced airliners in the world...

C'mon Boeing - hurry up!

Holiday planning... Oh the joy!

Holiday time will always remain one of the most precious moments during the busy working year...

I also believe that all the planning and research around a big trip are equally as pleasant (OK, well almost, being there is the real deal...) However, when we are actually 'there' time seems to go SO fast, so my point is ensure that you savour the anticipation and build up before boarding that jumbo jet (on the upper deck) of course!

Devising itineraries and fact-finding the chosen destination is such an exciting task... Deciding on the location and then exploring the delights during planning phase drives me forward to being and living in the holiday moment...

Ah, holidays... We are in planning mode now - where are you going?

Dining at 35,000 feet...

As an avid airline lover, I love eating on planes - but only in the pointy end, of course! The dining experience is such a big part of flying, all washed down with Champagne and a fine Chablis, is there any other way?

I am very excited that one of my favourite websites based on airline meals and after such a long lull is beginning to update from April! How fabulous, I love looking at all the pictures and comments from fellow Airgroovers...

One of the most amazing meals I had in the sky was in Business Class with Asiana flying from Sydney - Seoul and I decided that the Korean options looked great, and I was not far wrong! I opted for the Babimbap, and it was divine! A lovely Korean delight!

What has been your favourite dining experience at 35K feet?

I had better go, the flight attendant has just topped up my glass of Champagne, ah... very crisp and fresh indeed!

Please Upgrade me! Thanks, appreciated...

Qantas are great for upgrades? Right?

Well. according to many friends of mine, NOT!

But breathe, I have always had much luck - I am certain that will never leave me. I always check the best times, schedules and options to ensure I have a big fat seat, with canapes and bubbles...

Good luck, I wish you all well in upgrading from one level to another...

Cause, clearly, you deserve it.

Airgroove.