Being an Aussie based flyer, almost one-third of my 1585 flights have been with the Australian carrier, Qantas. In addition I have flown every current and past One World carrier! This volume of flights means that I have achieved Qantas Gold for Life status (equivalent to One World Sapphire) in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. I have also been Qantas Platinum (One World Emerald) for nine of the last ten years (I slipped one year). This status earns me a level of One World Priority benefits, which includes priority check-in, airport lounge access, priority boarding,…
Australia
Tag Archives for Australia.
New Qantas Safety Video-is ten minutes too long?
Qantas, known as “The Spirit of Australia” has been around for more than a century, and in that time it has proven itself to be one of the safest and most dependable airlines in the world. The excellent safety record of Qantas is a reflection of the company’s dedication to safety, which is a core value. Qantas pioneered the long storytelling safety video, and they have now produced a number of them. I have loved them all. As a Qantas passenger who has flown them over 470 times earning me Gold for Life Frequent Flier…
To the Authorities: Five Steps to Better Travel, Please
I shared last week about my 2023 travel experiences. As we look forward to 2024, there are five things that “those in charge” need to do to make travel markedly better. Treat Your Customers with Respect Too often, passengers are herded bewildered into long lines and then alternately shouted at or ignored. I believe this stress and the points above are helping to contribute to a lack of civility from passengers who push back at staff and each other. Can we send all staff globally to Tokyo Haneda or Singapore Changi Airport (pictured) to watch…
One Amazing Travel Year: Countless Stories across 23 Countries, 60 Cities
Two main themes explain my 2023 travel adventures. The first was a massively serious checking-off bucket list of places and activities including a first visit to the Isle of Man and Malta, the White Cliffs of Dover, Canterbury Cathedral, Michalenegos’ Last Supper, and multiple museums. riding several heritage railways, seeing my Irish ancestors’ hometowns, watching several amazing shows across the world and visiting Concordes on display in three countries! I have now visited 87 countries (out of an ultimate goal of 99 )and reached 578 cities! The second theme was revisiting favourite haunts including Abu…
Jetting Through 2023: My Summary and Global Airline Review
I thoroughly review every aspect of travel, including reservations, check-in, meals, entertainment, and in-flight services. This allows me to give every flight, and airline, a score. Yes, I am the nerd who is “wild about travel”! 90%: A Great year for my air travel Using the rating system I give for every flight, I ended up with an overall average of 90% rating for the year. This was despite the disruptions and complaints many others experienced with the airline industry. By comparison: My worst year for air travel was 2002, the first year after September…
I have now travelled to 84 countries!
In 2020 and 2021, I added no new countries to my “collection”. In 2022, I did a little catching up, visiting Timor Leste, Morocco, Qatar and Gibraltar! I had previously been to Doha Airport, but never gp off the plane. Check this link for a comprehensive look at the places I have visited. My overall goal is 99 countries, and I had hoped to add two new places each year until I get there. This means that goal is about nine years away! Between my flights and boat trips I have looped the earth around…
And Russia makes 77
I am filling in my globe with all of the countries, territories and regions I have visited. With the addition of Russia this week, I have made it to 77 countries. I only count a country if I have left the airport. So while, I have transited through Doha and Johannesburg airports, I do not include Qatar and South South Africa in my tally. I have been to about two thirds of the countries in both Asia and Europe and exactly half of all the nations in the Oceania region of the planet. African exploration…
Alice Springs Surrounds- a Central Australia Journey
Entering the Centre of Australia is like entering a whole new world. The landscapes are alien, the animal unusual, the flies relentless, the stars stunning and the visitors surprisingly few. When people think of the centre of Australia, they often only think of Uluru, regarded as the spiritual heart of the continent. I have had the privilege of visiting “The Rock” five times in my life. It is a is mind blowingly wonderful place. The town of Alice Springs, 500 kilometers from Uluru, is home to a number of impressive sights which I am exploring…
My 2019 Travel Plans -What are yours?
What are your travel plans for 2019? At this stage I plan to visit 15 countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Pacific. . I plan to visit two new countries this year- probably the two will be in Eastern Europe. In Asia, I have plans to go to Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.There will be at least two diversions to Europe, one of which will involve Christmas markets! The Pacific will see me travel around Australia and New Zealand and across to the Americas. I have now flown 105 airlines. I…
Qantas Spreads Aussie Culture through safety video
This year’s 2018 Qantas safety briefing goes further than the last ones. The safety briefings in 2016 and 2017 took us around Australia. Running for seven minutes, the video showcases how “far and wide the airline’s spirit goes” by taking viewers to global Qantas destinations with the soundtrack of “I still call Australia Home“. It also notes some of the Australian quirks that belong to the land downunder. The Introduction starts with young people saying farewell to their families at my home airport: Melbourne Airport before a pilot and crew welcome passengers aboard In New…
Recent Comments