not easy

Rich people with gold and platinum cards always get a leg up. Us mere mortals have a harder time!

I’ve been quite lucky in the past, especially on BA but also on others like SAA and VS.

I’ve never tried to get upgraded, but each time it’s happened there have been circumstances that probably helped:

– In the early days of online seat selection, I chose a seat and then decided 2 minutes later I didn’t like the seat. So I changed and when my computer was processing the change, I had a powercut. No time to go back to the website…when I came to check in, no Economy seats were left so I got upgraded.

– V busy flights where I’ve been smartly dressed and travelling alone (better to upgrade one pax who looks like they might belong there, rather than a family with kids)

– Random things like broken seats

– Sometimes an act of kindness – I’m convinced the lady at checkin at IOM tapped away at her computer a bit and got me bumped up for my flight to MEL, albeit only to Economy+ (but still a nice gesture if so)

I think these flights are aimed more at your backpacker type demographic

I’m not so sure. Jetstar is aimed at the low end, I think I see Virgin Blue over the pacific becoming more of a full sercice economy airline – a bit like the defunct Australian Airlines. They will pick pax up economy pax from the likes of UA and QF by offering an extra choice in terms of timetabling, flexibility and pricing. Also don’t rule out a J class cabin, similar to Jetstar’s Star Class.

On a related point: the papers are full of speculation about the law suit against QF by the pilots, alleging that the Qantas Sale Act restricted all QF international flights to be solely operated by QF and not by subsidiaries. Do you think Jetstar will be grounded by the courts?

celtic sea?

Good post!

Looking at the map display on the personal TV….when did the Irish Sea get renamed as the Celtic Sea?!

All the flights I’ve taken this year have had old fashioned “unsecure” cockpit doors (BA Dash 8, Euromanx ATR42, Flybe Dash 8).

Most flights worldwide have always used metal cuttlery. Eg. I flew MAN-DXB-MEL last year and the first leg featured plastic, the second was metal.

It’s always been hopelessly muddled and inconsistent, as security in general tends to be unfortunately.

mmm wouldnt “ceased trading” mean that they are not currently actively trading, which they are not. So havent they actually ceased trading and his statement is slightly incorrect? No doubt we shall have a lengthy post on here now saying they are still on track etc…

How do you define “trading” ?

The Inland Revenue, for instance, can regard a company as trading even when it is not taking bookings or making any sales. Customs & Excise can take a similar view.

The 777’s are better inside than the 747’s I will admit. The best single way to go from the UK to Australia for instance, is from MAN with Singapore. They put on the 777, and if you go to (for instance) Melbourne you get a 777 the whole way for the most part. I love the 777 experience, they’re a comfortable and quite ride.

But not all airlines are like that.

On Emirates, you should avoid the 777 like the plague.

I flew MAN-DXB-MEL last summer and also the return leg. We refuelled in SIN. Their 777’s are so unbelievably cramped you’d be plain surprised! They have 10 abreast, like in a 747 but in a narrower fuselage. The rows are staggered to improve things, but it is really uncomfortable flying. The A330 we got MAN-DXB was so much more comfortable, even though it had a smaller PTV and the same legroon. They stuck to the standard 8 abreast on the A330 and it was a lot better as a result.

I had tried an EK 777 before this, but my trip was originally MAN-DXB on the A330 and DXB-MEL nonstop on the A340. But they cancelled my flights and shunted me on the 777 much to my disgust.