Facing the prospect of an international bailout, the Slovenian government will sell 100 per cent of Adria Airways d.d. and airport operator Aerodrom Ljubljana plus 12 other state owned companies.The carrier has been flagged for ale before -with little real interest.

Be interesting if they will find a buyer for the airline this time around. Air Berlin has been rumoured to be interested-although one would think they would be focused on their own financial survival.

I would have loved to be on board but I missed out on seeing Branson in drag action on Air Asia in response to a long time bet with Air Asias’s owner: Tony Fernandes.

On the flight, Branson dressed in the Air Asia uniform complete with his trademark beard, fumbled the safety briefing and tipped orange juice into Tony Fernandes’ lap.

For revenge Fernandes sprayed champagne over Branson in Kula Lumpur.

I wasn’t quite sure what the Malaysian public will make of the images of Fernandes kissing Branson -all in a good day’s work to publicize the airline – and they raised over a total of 100 grand for charity.

When travelling, I like to collect as many discount coupons or deals as I can. I like getting my two for one deals and 20 per cent off. As long as they are genuine discounts, I am happy! I don’t think I am alone?!

The For Less Guides gather discounts for restaurants , tours and attractions onto one free Iphone or Ipad app for Amsterdam, London, New York and San Francisco (and soon Paris). There are claims that American users save on average 50 Euros per day in Amsterdam. As  usual with any discount scheme, some of the discounts are more useful than others.

The For Less Guides started in 1994 as a hard copy book. The migration to an app works really well. The user simply has to show the app when they are paying. There is no need to pre purchase anything.

In addition the For Less guides bundle the discounts with a very handy city map with public transit directions and street navigation.

Best of all, the app works off-line. The app is free.

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Last year in my controversial post on my ten worst airlines, I nominated Spirit as the third worst airline in the world (and worst in the USA). Now a satirical post highlights how bad they are!

In an Onion report, the FAA is quoted as saying that passengers should boycott the carrier: “Nobody with any shred of dignity should ever fly Spirit Airlines, the report states”

The article while intended to be humorous has major elements of truth: The airline touts its low fares, but it costs $45 to check your bag at the airport, and if you don’t check the bag when you get your ticket, it costs a mandatory $100 at the gate.

Worth a read but be warned if sensitive, the language is very colourful!

Are you a “victim” of Spirit? Or are you a fan?

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Something to strike fear into the hearts of passengers who check bags in.

Italian authorities 18 months ago, installed hidden cameras at several airports across Italy. Police then viewed over 2,000 hours of footage taken by these cameras. The footage showed Alitalia baggage handlers deliberately picking luggage locks, cutting open suitcases and stealing money, electronics, jewellery and other items.  One employee was taped while attempting to break into a suitcase by stabbing it multiple times.

Take a look:

The Italian National Police arrested 86 Alitalia employees as a result of the footage. The thefts occurred on board Alitalia planes and in areas designated for loading and unloading passenger luggage.

Alitalia stated:  “Our security services have collaborated closely with the police…The passengers who lost their luggage have been reimbursed. We are the victims here” I have flown Alitalia off and on for 42 years. Last year, I declared Alitalia was one of the worst ten airlines. I stick to that assertion -and this is one example why this is the case.

My question is: How many other airlines will have the situation of their baggage handlers (very low paid staff) handling valuable goods and stealing them?

What can you do to protect yourself?

1. Buy travel insurance
2. Don’t check bags in. Reduce the stuff you carry
3. If you do check bags in, know what is in them
4. Put things in your check in bag that you can buy or replace easily. Clothes, toothbrush, toiletries etc
5. Never ever put jewellery, electronics, medicines, credit cards or money in your bag. Never. Carry those on board
6. Read 5 again
7. Choose a lock for your luggage that meets security standards so your lock is not cut open by security personnel
8. I am not convinced about sealing baggage in plastic
9. keep your carry-on luggage within the limits so you don’t have a bag taken from you at boarding
10. In case your carry-on may be checked in, have a bag inside a bag which you can take on board with your valuables in it
11. Bury your wallet, keys and other valuables in your carry-on so someone has to tip your bag upside down to find your stuff
12. Do not put your carry-on above you but opposite you across the aisle so you can see them
13. Putting your valuables at your feet may not be as safe as you think
14. Don’t put your valuables in your seat pocket. Ask your airline how many cell phones are left on planes?!
15. Before rushing off the plane, take a mental check that you have your wallet, phone, keys, passport with you

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Would you fly this airline?

Spring Airlines, a Chinese low cost carrier is introducing a series of themed flights for passengers: We’re mixing up our flights with some fun onboard themes – like these maid and butler costumes.  What’s your favourite theme that you’d like to see onboard a Spring Airlines flight?  Let us know .. and we’ll try our best to make your dream come true.

Online reaction has been mixed:

 You’ve gotta be kidding me. Objectifying [sic] flight attendants is the last marketing/promotion strategy you wanna use. I wonder what your passenger demographics look like. I do hope this marketing move is supported by solid market research…

น้องน่ารักมากครับ (Very cute idea!)

Founded in 2005 by Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, the Shanghai based private airline is actually called “Spring and Autumn Airlines” in Mandarin.  Skytrax rate them a 3 star airline. Customers give them a  five out of ten rating. This video gives a bit of an insight into the CEO and his desire to model Spring after US based Southwest Airlines:

The carrier flies to 34 destinations across China and Japan as well as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia using 174 seat 32 Airbus A320s. Fares include a 15kg luggage allowance. Food is available for purchase on  board. One of the more unusual aspects of the carrier are their inflight exercise classes.

There is a Spring Plus business class which allows more luggage - and presumably a maid.

I am not sure why an airline with a close to 95% flight occupancy needs to market itself in this way? Are they looking for the last few seats to be filled?

So, would you fly them for the maids or another reason?

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Look up the monetary conversion rates before you go.

Finding out that your dollars won’t go as far as they do back home is a nasty shock.

I use currency xe online – its also a downloadable app

If you prefer a paper based tool, gocurrency has a tool that allows you to perform a currency calculation and print it on paper tuck into your wallet or handbag.

Revealed this week an A380 for the tenth operator of the A380 British Airways. The plane is due to be delivered by July, 2013 followed by three more this year and then another eight after that to make a grand total of 12 for the carrier.

The plane will be flying initially between
- London and Los Angeles from 15th October (as BA268 and 269)
- London and Hong Kong from 15th November as BA25 and BA26

The BA A380 will have 469 seats in a four class set up:
1. BA First Class – 14 “mini-suites” all on lower level. Pitch: 78″ Width: 21″
2. Club World Business – 44 seats on lower level arranged 2-4-2 and 53 seats upstairs arranged 2-3-2. Pitch: 73″ Width: 20″
3. World Traveller Plus premium economy – 55 seats upstairs arranged 2-3-2. Pitch: 38″ Width: 18.5″
4.  World Traveller economy has 199 seats downstairs arranged 3-4-3 and 104 seats upstairs arranged in a much nicer 2-4-2 setup (thats where I will try and sit if I am in Economy). Pitch: 31″ Width: 17.5″

How this compares with other operators:

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Tomorrow will be my 950th flight ever!

It will also be my 275h flight with Qantas, my 260th time at Sydney airport and my 17th time at Bangkok airport. I have flown now to 203 airports!

I am flying im an Airbus A330 and this flight will make it the 24th time I have been inside one. It wil be the third time I have flown into Bangkok airport in one. To be honest, the 330 is one of my least favorite of the Airbus family (along with the 320).

Check out more at:

http://My.FlightMemory.com/mjc3000

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Korean Air finalised its 44 percent investment in CSA (Ceske Aerolinie AS), the Czech government owned flag carrier on April 11, 2013 for a nominal price of 2.64 million euros ($US3.4m). The government said: “We only had two options: either find a strategic partner or consider liquidation of CSA”. Korean was the only bidder for the carrier, although Qatar expressed an interest.

If the European Commission loosens regulations on foreign ownership of EU carriers then Korean Air will have first option to buy the remaining 56% stake held by the government owned holding company.  If this occurs in the next twelve months, then the price would be based on the current bid. After the year,  the asking price would be calculated by an an independent adviser.

Korean have pledged to hold their stake in CSA for five years, according to the terms of this week’s sale. In return, CSA won’t  make “significant” changes in its strategy.  Korean Air have also publicly stated they are not interested in managing the Czech carrier. Korean Air is likely to use its new investment as a feeder airline for its Asian flights making the Czech capital Prague one of its European transfer cities. Korean are also moving their European call centre to Prague.

The European airline has been running since 1923 and has 26 planes flying 59 routes. It was one of the first airlines to fly jet planes back in 1957. It is currently rated a three star airline by Skytrax. Korean, has a fleet of 152 aircraft and operates flights to 130 destinations in 45 countries including 11 European cities. This of course, includes Prague. It is a four star airline according to Skytrax. Both the airlines are members of Skyteam, along with US Carrier Delta and Air France-KLM. I have flown with Korean and rate them at eight out of ten overall. My brother has flown CSA and though they were okay.

Korean may have luck with CSA. The integration into the Korean network should prove a fillip to the smaller carrier. What the picture will look like in 2018 will be interesting.

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