Qantas has revealed to the world at large the previously hidden top frequent flyer tier (no, not Chairman’s Lounge which is given to politicians and senior businesspeople), and at the same time renamed it to Platinum One.  Platinum One requires 3600 status credits in a year, equivalent to 5 return trips between Sydney and London in first class (or 30 round trips on most economy class fares).

Platinum One status gets special assistance, which I’ve found useful a few times.  Australian Business Traveller has some benefit suggestions for Qantas.

A few weeks ago I finally got to fly in the new 77W on Air New Zealand.  Over the past year Air NZ has well publicised the various improvements they introduced (space seat, skycouch), while downplaying the negatives (10 across in economy, less legroom in economy and premium economy).

They’ve already decided to make some adjustments.  Premium economy is having a row removed since the existing configuration gives passengers sore knees if they are tall (even slightly).

I was flying in business class which had relatively few changes.  One improvement was supposed to be the induction ovens which opens up much more dining options as more food can be cooked instead of reheated.  Unfortunately there are still some bugs to iron out.

My beef was the incredibly slow meal service.  More than 3.5 hours for a dinner on a late night departure is inexcusable.  It took 90 minutes after take off to be offered any drink or nibbles, compared to the usual 30 minutes or less.  The starter followed shortly after the drink.  Once the starter tray was cleared it took an hour to receive a mains course.

I gave Air NZ feedback to highlight that the meal had badly let down what would otherwise be a great flight (as usual).  On late night flights passengers expect to sleep most of it.  The response I got back was ridiculous.

“Passengers have loved the new food and beverage offering but it has sometimes taken longer to serve than we would like.”

There was more, but like the above sentence it appeared to be a copy and paste response.

Dan Poynter of AirTravelHandbook.com is planning to fly around the world on commercial flights in 2 days.  If everything goes to plan it will take Dan just over 50 hours to fly from Los Angeles to Los Angeles, via Washington, Dubai, Singapore and Taipei.  Strictly, his trip meets the airline definition of an around the world, but not the Guinness World Record definition (since there is no crossing of the equator).

Some people may think Dan is a bit mad, but who am I to talk?  Four years ago I flew around the world on Air New Zealand in under 60 hours - Auckland to Auckland via Los Angeles, London and Hong Kong.  Due to airline schedules I even had time for a side trip to Belfast from London.

American Airlines stunned market watchers today with their announcement of a merger with both United and Delta.  Subject to regulatory approvals the merger will take effect in 12 months’ time.  The new giant airline will be renamed United Airlines of America.

American spokeswoman April F Day said the move was inspired by the recent mergers of Delta and Northwest, and United and Continental.  “We realised that bigger is best and we had to merge with other airlines in order to compete.”

There are some big challenges ahead in getting approval for the merger since UAA would dominate many air travel markets both at home in USA and abroad.  Day was confident that all regulatory hurdles would be overcome since “the boards of all three airlines are committed, every one of them”.  She added “I mean who will the politicians fly if they deny our merger?”

Day would not be drawn on specific changes post-merger which would affect passengers and staff but said “there are no sacred swans or black cows, we will be taking out the best parts of all the airlines”.

Apologies for the lack of recent posts.

Although I’m not based in Christchurch, post-earthquake my life has been rather different (and much busier) than pre-earthquake.  I’m still travelling just as much (if not more than usual), but only short hops at the moment. I’m getting good at picking up 45 minutes of sleep onboard these short flights, and some more on the way to and from the airport.

I’ve managed to avoid most flight cancellations although an upcoming trip wasn’t so fortunate.  What started out as a 8 segment booking (4 each way) is now up to 11 segments.  Luckily I had enough of a buffer in my plans to cope with some significant reroutings along the way.

My day got off to a bad start when I slept through the alarm and awoke 45 minutes before departure.  I was 15 minutes drive from the airport and it would take me 10 minutes to get a taxi.

Somehow I still made the flight.  Luckily I was already checked in and I was the last person to board.

My relief turned to despair shortly after we pushed back when I realised through the fog of a sleep-deprived mind that had barely woken up, that we were not moving onto the runway.  In the few moments after pushback the cloud had lowered enough to make flights marginal and we were waiting the situation out.  Fortunately the cloud lifted enough half an hour later to allow our flight to go.  Half an hour delay isn’t too bad of a delay – it could easily have been much worse.

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has compassionate fares to those needing to travel to Christchurch, oneway for $50 domestic (on standby basis until 31 March 2011) and other confirmable fares for those travelling to funeral or memorial services.  They are available by calling Air NZ.  In addition those with existing bookings to Christchurch for travel until 31 March 2011 have change fees waived – tickets can be rebooked to later date (fare difference may apply), an earlier date or another destination (fare difference will apply).

For more information please refer to Air NZ Christchurch update page.

Emirates

Emirates Christchurch disruption notice

Passengers flying to Christchurch are asked to provide proof of living in Christchurch or onward travel arrangements.  Failure to do so will result in denied boarding.

Fees are waived for cancellation or changes of travel booked to Christchurch up to 10 March 2011.  Change of dates is limited to 7 days.

Singapore Airlines

Period for rebooking waivers has passed. Normal terms & conditions apply.

Qantas

Qantas Christchurch disruption notice.

Travel between 1 March and 25 March 2011 can be rebooked to a later date, rerouted or held as a credit withouth change fees – no refunds.

Jetstar

There has been some media criticism of Jetstar’s handling of customers seeking rebooking.

Jetstar Christchurch disruption notice. 

Travel between 3 March and 25 March 2011 can be rebooked to a later date, rerouted or held as a credit withouth change fees – no refunds.  All changes must be made within 14 days.

Pacific Blue

Pacific Blue Christchurch disruption notice.

Travel until 25 March 2011 can be rebooked to any date up to 30 June 2011, or cancelled (for a credit not a refund) without fee.

Air Asia X

First flight to Christchurch is still due 1 April 2011.  I’ll update if this changes.

A short note on accommodation

Most inner city hotels are within the cordon and are closed until further notice, and some have suffered major damage.  There is a significant accommodation shortfall due to emergency personnel and displaced residents.  For travel to Christchurch in the next month or so, please check if your accommodation is available and strongly suggest to stay outside the city.

Latest information on flights to Christchurch by airlines other than Air NZ.  For Air NZ Christchurch information please see the separate post.

Emirates

Emirates Christchurch disruption notice

Passengers flying to Christchurch are asked to provide proof of living in Christchurch or onward travel arrangements.  Failure to do so will result in denied boarding.

Fees are waived for cancellation or changes of travel booked to Christchurch up to 10 March 2011.  Change of dates is limited to 7 days.

Singapore Airlines

SQ Christchurch disruption notice

Until 3 March 2011 (ex-Singapore and 4 March ex-Christchurch), flights are operating via Auckland and a new schedule applies.

Fees to change dates or destination (to Auckland), or for cancellation are waived until 6 March 2011.  Singapore’s Christchurch ticket office is located in the CBD and is closed until further notice.

Qantas

Qantas Christchurch disruption notice.

Travel until 28 February 2011 can be rebooked, rerouted or cancelled without change/cancellation fees subject to conditions.  Travel between 1 March and 25 March 2011 can be rebooked to a later date, rerouted or held as a credit withouth change fees – no refunds.

Jetstar

Jetstar Christchurch disruption notice. 

Travel until 28 February 2011 can be rebooked, rerouted or cancelled without change/cancellation fees subject to conditions.

Travel between 1 March and 25 March 2011 can be rebooked to a later date, rerouted or held as a credit withouth change fees – no refunds.  All changes must be made within 14 days.

Most flights to & from Christchurch on the afternoon of 22 February 2011 and on 23 February 2011 were cancelled.

Pacific Blue

Pacific Blue Christchurch disruption notice.

Travel until 15 March 2011 can be rebooked or cancelled (for a credit not a refund) without fee.

Air Asia X

First flight to Christchurch is still due 1 April 2011.  I’ll update if this changes.

Air NZ has been running significant extra capacity through Christchurch as part of the air bridge taking people out of the damaged city and bringing relief supplies in.

• 23FEB11 - 4 new flights from & to Auckland, 3 on 747 and 1 on 777
• 23FEB11 - 3 new flights from & to Wellington, 1 on 777, 1 on A320 and 1 on 737
• 24FEB11 – 2 new flights from & to Auckland, on 747
• 24FEB11 – 1 new flight from & to Wellington, on 737
• 24FEB11 – 2 new flights Auckland to Christchurch to Wellington to Auckland, 1 on 777 and 1 on A320
• 25FEB11 – 3 new flights from & to Auckland, 2 on 747 and 1 on 777
• 25FEB11 - 2 new flights from & to Wellington, 1 on 737 and 1 on ATR
• 25FEB11 – 1 new flight Auckland to Christchurch to Wellington to Auckland, on 737
• 26FEB11 - 2 new flights from & to Auckland, on 747
• 26FEB11 – 1 new flight Auckland to Christchurch to Wellington to Auckland, on A320
• 27FEB11 – 2 new flights from & to Auckland, on 747

Air New Zealand has offered compassionate fares to those needing to travel to Christchurch, oneway for $50 domestic (confirmed until 25 February 2011 and on standby basis until 6 March 2011), $50 + tax for Australia and South Pacific, and $400 + tax for longhaul. They are available by calling Air NZ.  In addition those with existing bookings to Christchurch for travel until 25 March 2011 have change fees waived – tickets can be rebooked to later date (fare difference may apply), an earlier date or another destination (fare difference will apply).

People with non-essential travel to Christchurch in the near future are requested to not travel.

For more information please refer to Air NZ media page.

Apologies for the lack of recent posts.  Events in Christchurch, NZ, this week have been overwhelming.  For those who’ve missed the news a very shallow earthquake flattened the city centre with many fatalities.  This is much worse than the large 4 September 2010 earthquake centered just to the west of the city.

New Zealand is a small place and it seems everyone lives there, used to live there, has family or close friends or work colleagues in Christchurch.

Despite the grief everyone is feeling, the community response has been amazing. Not just in terms of rescue and recovery efforts but also much kindness and generosity of spirit in little things to comfort and support each other.

Being the second biggest city in NZ and late summer (ie still busy season for tourists), there are people affected from all over the globe.  Those caught up in it were given emergency accommodation and most were airlifted to Auckland and Wellington so the embassies and consulates can assist the visitors to get home when passports, wallets and more are damaged or lie buried in the rubble.  Many countries set up temporary assistance centres at Auckland and Wellington airports.

Those who visited Christchurch recently and who have not gotten in touch with authorities in NZ or back home are requested to please do so as soon as possible in case your name is on the lengthy missing list.

The initial shock is wearing off.  The toil to rebuild and resume normal life has only just begun.  At the moment Christchurch is no place for tourists – temporary accommodation is sorely needed by the people dealing with the emergency and thousands of homeless residents, and will be for weeks and months ahead.  However, and hopefully soon, the city will be back open for business and it will be important for visitors to return.