It seems there is more than meets the eye, with Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia announcing a Strategic Alliance today.They're planning to:Codeshare on each other’s international and domestic flights;Offer reciprocal frequent flyer programme benefits and lounge access;Co-ordinate schedules between Singapore and Australia and beyond to provide seamless connections; … [Read more...]
SQ: New Long Haul LLC ahoy!
It seems that Singapore Airlines must be feeling the pressure from JetStar and AirAsia X with the announcement today of a medium to long haul "Low Cost Carrier" that will use widebody aircraft. The plan is to base the airline at Singapore, and be operating it within a year. Singapore Airlines state: "The new airline is being established following extensive review and analysis. … [Read more...]
SQ: Profits up, but 747’s retiring……
Singapore Airlines seems to be doing well in the so-called upturn, with full year profits at S$1.09 billion, with all divisions seemingly contributing their fair shares. However in their announcement is some news that might make people who want to redeem on some routes twitchy - the decommissioning of it's remaining passenger 747-400's (Five of them) and five Boeing 777's … [Read more...]
Star Alliance Upgrade Scheme upgrades itself with more carriers….
Star Alliance has announced more carriers are to join it's upgrade scheme where can you can pay with points for an upgrade.The new joiners to the scheme are Air Canada, TAM and US Airways.Now, before you get excited and consider redeeming your hard-earned miles for upgrades 1) Not all members of Star Alliance participate in the scheme and 2) These are related to High Value … [Read more...]
SQ: No more economy for you on the top deck!
Singapore Airlines has dissapointingly decided the stragegy of having Economy on both decks of an A380 is to come to an end with the delivery of new aircraft next year according to Business TravellerWhat as a nice cabin in a A340/A330'eqse 2 x 4 x 2 seating (as opposed to the main deck holding 3 x 4 x 3) in a very "mini-club" cabin will become harder to get hold of when the … [Read more...]
Airplane p0rn – Singapore Airlines 777-300ER
It's Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane p0rn. This week, it's a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER preparing for the long scretch to Hong Kong and Singapore. More of course, next week! … [Read more...]
Rolls Royce A380’s: Oh Dear….
Bad news for Rolls Royce Powered A380's with the news today that more engine swaps will be required.Qantas estimates that up to 40 engines will be required for swaps throughout the global A380 RR Powered fleet. Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas quotes:"We've been talking to Airbus and Rolls-Royce and we understand that the number is around 40," he said."We'll have a daily dialogue with … [Read more...]
Rolls Royce: Engine Component failed on QF32
News is emerging from Rolls Royce over the QF32 incident with their inital investigations of the QF32 uncontained engine incident.Rolls Royce has concluded that that a component failure in the turbine section of an engine fitted to a Qantas A380, the ultimately led to the oil fire which destroyed the powerplant in-flight. This was located in a specific component" in the turbine … [Read more...]
LH: One A380 to have an engine changed.
Well it was to be expected, but Lufthansa is change one of the engines in their fleet of Airbus A380's "as a precaution"This is after the QF32 uncontained engine failure last week.The change has been made, even though no findings have been discovered in relation to the Qantas incident. Lufthansa has been carrying out checks recommended by Rolls-Royce. Meanwhile Rolls-Royce has … [Read more...]
QF/SQ – A380 Engine Changes and odd oil.
Singapore Airlines is modifying three of its A380 aircraft after the inspection run that's been recently inspected. These aircraft are in London, Melborne and Sydney, and will be returned to Singapore for the engine swap. To quote Singapore Airlines:"Based on further analysis of inspection findings as the investigation into last week's incident involving another operator's … [Read more...]
