Airlines From the Inside Out
January 23
While rummaging through some files (of the hard-copy variety) I came across this Boeing 777 brochure. I could stare at this for hours as I’m sure some of you can appreciate. I chopped it up in the scanner to make it a bit more legible. Enjoy!
January 12
Pretty certain this will not come as a surprise, but I am on a never ending search for cheap airfares. Below are those that I have found over the past few days and re-confined them this morning. I hope that these will help you out in your quest for miles, enjoyment of air travel or even maybe a “normal” vacation. These are all Economy fares. I created a separate site for the sole purpose of discussing and posting First & Business Class fares, sorted by airline: FandJfares.com
I hope you will join me there and add your expertise. Thanks and good flying!
December 29
There are already a few outfits that rank airline performance so why are yours different?
I use a proprietary model that assigns numbers to 20 different factors of airline experience. These numbers make up a total score.
Planereality’s rankings compare apples to apples by using categories: i.e. comparing international business class to international business class. Comparing Delta domestic coach class to Singapore Airlines International Business class will tell you very little.
The person ranking the airlines, me, has experienced the airlines first-hand. These rankings are not a combination of tens of thousands traveler opinions
Only airlines I have flown are included in these rankings.
TOTAL SCORES: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS
total possible score: 100
name of each airline links to its location on Planereality.com
1. Qatar Airways 92
2. Singapore Airlines 87
2. Emirates 87
3. All Nippon Airways 84
4. Cathay Pacific 83
4. Asiana 83
5. Malaysia Airlines 81
6. Swiss Airlines 78
6. Lufthansa 78
6. Delta Airlines 78
7. Korean Air 77
8. Virgin Atlantic 76
9. Thai 75
10. Air France 72
11. American 71
12. United 69
20 factors that make up score (last 3 are purely quantitative)
leg room
food quality
food quantity
service
schedule
value
frequent flyer program
reservation ease
check-in ease
entertainment
seat comfort
privacy
lounge
clean aircraft
beverage selection
boarding
amenity kit
average age of fleet
load- lighter the loads, better the score. based on 2009 & 2010 average
safety- based on number of fatal accidents
December 28
Well… I’m not really an author; more like a guy who “runs” a website about air travel. I trust all of you are having a safe and joyous holiday season which hopefully includes some flying. I have been quite delinquent with regard to my duties as the Chief Executive Traveler at Planereality. The board of directors does not seem to mind though. If one wants to divert focus from any of a number of activities, preparing for your first child to enter the world will do just that. But, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So I will keep plugging away on my side and try to post as much relevant information as possible. I tend to shy away from reiterating news reports unless it’s something original or fairly unique.
Within the next few hours I will post Planereality’s 1st ever Airline Rankings. Every International Business Class product I have flown ranked numerically. Please stay tuned and I, and the board, thank you for your patience.
October 19
It has come to my attention, not even sure how, that a good deal of photos from various posts are missing. Where did they run off to? Your guess is as good as mine. How long have they been gone? See last answer.
Anyway, I uploaded the pictures again and re-posted several articles including:
Qatar Airways Business Class from Manila to Doha
Air France A380 Inaugural Part I
Air France A380 Inaugural Part II
American Airlines Business Class LHR-JFK
I still have a few more posts to “re-do”. If you see things missing, feel free to let me know. Thanks for your patience.
October 18
In the past, the “good” fares I came across were posted on Planereality under “Where the Good Fares Are”
While I have received positive feedback on that section of the site, I’ve always thought that there had to be a better way to allow readers to share their wisdom. In addition, it was evident that First and Business Class Fares generate the most demand.
Enter FandJFares.com.
This is a simple forum I created to allow all readers to share their experiences, findings and insights as they pertain to First and Business Class airfares. I am confident that each reader possesses unique knowledge when it comes to Business and First class airfares.
Ask questions, post fares, link to your trip reports, blogs and booking engines… nearly anything goes, as long as the subject pertains to Business & First Class airfares. Last thing: the forum is categorized by airline. Feel free to post or email me feedback.
Here’s to sitting up front.
October 14
After a short, long weekend in South Florida, Sunday arrived and it was time to fly home. Of course, no trip is complete without a stop at an airline lounge. This Sky Club location is one of the less crowded and more relaxing ones. The lounge is located right in the middle of the Delta gates, just on the other side of security so it’s definitely convenient. There is a very nice view of the apron and runway although the windows are in dire need of cleaning.
There are plenty of spaces to get away from everyone, but still be in the lounge. Included in these spaces are 2 dozen work desks and a quiet room. If you want to be in the “thick of it” there are 2 flat screens in the middle of the lounge that are usually tuned into a news channel. There is a full service bar with a healthy selection of beverages including Tanquery, Dewar’s, Sky Vodka and Baileys.
It seems that Delta has stepped up their snack offerings with gold coast snack mix (pictured), popcorn, hummus, cheese & crackers, cookies and cut veggies.
The bathrooms were spotless and spacious
coke and snack mix
work space
quiet room
October 12
During my trip to the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Seattle, I was able to catch a few departures from the top floor of the Doubletree. International departures pick up around 1pm, with a handful of flights to Asia and Europe. The last one that I saw, which is the first picture I posted, was a British Airways 747.
The Delta A330 was either to AMS or NRT, don’t recall. Doubletree is a great spot assuming you are in the tower portion of the hotel, facing Sea-Tac.
October 12
Last month I took a ride out to Seattle to check out the Aircraft Interiors Expo. Everything from coffee pots to carpets were on display. Naturally, I was focused on the seats. There were a few newer models on display including Zodiac Aerospace’s Cirrus Premium Class Seat, Sogerma’s Equinox and Sogerma’s Solstys. The Equinox was designed for a 2-2-2 configuration while the Solstys for a 1-2-1 configuration.
There are also some pictures at the bottom of the post that show a 767 crew rest and a Bucher/Thales front row entertainment system.
Sorry, no coffee pot, carpet or wire casing pictures, but hope you enjoy these.
Zodiac Aerospace’s Cirrus Premium Class Seat
Sogerma’s Equinox (note the stacked foot rests)
Sogerma’s Solstys
Bucher/Thales 12.1″ front row economy display
smart phone integration also at Bucher booth
crew rest
geven
geven
October 11
Planereality just launched its first installment of airline rankings beginning with the International Business Class category. For a nominal fee, readers can access the rankings of 16 International Business Class Products. In time, I will also be posting 3 other category rankings: Domestic (US) Economy Class, International Economy Class and Domestic (US) First Class. These rankings only include the products I have experienced first-hand. I use a numerical ranking that assigns scores to 20 different quantitative and qualitative factors. Access the rankings and additional information HERE.
Questions? chris-at-planereality.com
Enjoy!
October 6
Or did they ever? Which magazines you ask? You know, the ones on the top shelf wrapped in plastic that you see in nearly every airport newsstand in the United States. Who exactly are marketers targeting by selling pornographic magazines in an airport? They have been there as long as I can remember. Perhaps it dates back to when one could walk their spouse all the way through the airport to the actual gate? On the way back they could pick up a little somethin’ somethin’?
Are business travelers and airline crew being targeted because they are away from home and can get away with “it”? Really. It makes no sense to me. It isn’t sissy stuff either, it’s harder core than what’s in your local mega-warehouse bookstore.
Maybe it’s a package deal, like cable. If you want Sports Illustrated, People and Southern Living, you have to carry Hustler and Penthouse too… (?)
Peculiar indeed…
