Australia's most on time airline
Qantas took the number one spot for overall punctuality on Australian air routes in 2009, according to a report by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE).
The annual report examined 48 domestic routes covered by seven major airlines, including Virgin Blue, Qantas, Jetstar and Tiger Airways.
It showed that overall punctuality had improved across all services after a poor performance in 2008.
Virgin Blue followed Qantas as the second most efficient airline for collecting and delivering passengers on time.
The worst performer was Tiger Airways. It plummeted to the bottom of the list after being the most punctual of all airlines in 2008.
Virgin Blue had the highest percentage of cancellations in 2009.
Last year, the number one for cancellations was regional airline MacAir, which did not feature in the latest report.
Of the regional airlines, QantasLink was the best for on time departures and arrivals.
Virgin Blue, though second to Qantas overall, was the best on time performer out of Perth.
On routes from Perth to all other capitals covered by the airline, it was number one for getting passengers to their destination on time.
The BITRE publishes monthly and annual reports detailing airline performance in Australia.
The reports are intended to provide travellers with the information they need to make informed decisions when planning air travel in Australia
On time performance for major carriers on Australian air routes
Qantas 87.3
Virgin Blue 85.4
QantasLink 84.4
Skywest 82.0
Jetstar 80.4
Regional Express 79.4
Tiger Airways 77.0
The annual report examined 48 domestic routes covered by seven major airlines, including Virgin Blue, Qantas, Jetstar and Tiger Airways.
It showed that overall punctuality had improved across all services after a poor performance in 2008.
Virgin Blue followed Qantas as the second most efficient airline for collecting and delivering passengers on time.
The worst performer was Tiger Airways. It plummeted to the bottom of the list after being the most punctual of all airlines in 2008.
Virgin Blue had the highest percentage of cancellations in 2009.
Last year, the number one for cancellations was regional airline MacAir, which did not feature in the latest report.
Of the regional airlines, QantasLink was the best for on time departures and arrivals.
Virgin Blue, though second to Qantas overall, was the best on time performer out of Perth.
On routes from Perth to all other capitals covered by the airline, it was number one for getting passengers to their destination on time.
The BITRE publishes monthly and annual reports detailing airline performance in Australia.
The reports are intended to provide travellers with the information they need to make informed decisions when planning air travel in Australia
On time performance for major carriers on Australian air routes
Qantas 87.3
Virgin Blue 85.4
QantasLink 84.4
Skywest 82.0
Jetstar 80.4
Regional Express 79.4
Tiger Airways 77.0
Travel Tips
At the airport
1) Scan a copy of your important documents and email them to your personal email. So in the event that you lost all your documents you can still prove your identity as long as you have access to the internet to print them out.
2) Remove the bar code sticker from your luggage of your previous flight. This can confuse the airport luggage system and result in your luggage being sent to another destination.
3) Safest place in the airport is after the security check point because who ever is inside there should be travellers and no pick pockets.
4) At the security scan, make sure you are in the cue inline with your luggage. Do not let anybody jump cue in front of you after you have put your luggage through scanner. There have been incidents with people working in gangs where one person goes in first the other person slots in front of you and carries something that will trigger the alarm so you are blocked behind him while security is searching his body, his gang will take your laptop and leave before you can react.
In the plane
1) Do not take off your shoes during take off and landing. If you want to take them off wait until the seatbelt sign is off. In case of fire or emergency, you will still be wearing your shoes to run across fire or rough surfaces.
2) Do not get yourself drunk on the plane. In case of emergency you are still alert and able to run for safety.
3) When oxygen mask falls, put it on and then you then must PULL to activate the oxygen flow.
1) Scan a copy of your important documents and email them to your personal email. So in the event that you lost all your documents you can still prove your identity as long as you have access to the internet to print them out.
2) Remove the bar code sticker from your luggage of your previous flight. This can confuse the airport luggage system and result in your luggage being sent to another destination.
3) Safest place in the airport is after the security check point because who ever is inside there should be travellers and no pick pockets.
4) At the security scan, make sure you are in the cue inline with your luggage. Do not let anybody jump cue in front of you after you have put your luggage through scanner. There have been incidents with people working in gangs where one person goes in first the other person slots in front of you and carries something that will trigger the alarm so you are blocked behind him while security is searching his body, his gang will take your laptop and leave before you can react.
In the plane
1) Do not take off your shoes during take off and landing. If you want to take them off wait until the seatbelt sign is off. In case of fire or emergency, you will still be wearing your shoes to run across fire or rough surfaces.
2) Do not get yourself drunk on the plane. In case of emergency you are still alert and able to run for safety.
3) When oxygen mask falls, put it on and then you then must PULL to activate the oxygen flow.
When you arrive at your destination airport
1) In certain airports it is better to take a porter as the porter will protect you from other people grabbing your luggage as you exit the airport.
2) Do not expose your cash in public. If you need to change money, change it while you are before the custom checks as there are less people to see you have lots of cash.
3) After baggage claims. Remove the print out of your luggage or any identification that can identify you of specific country such as airport security label, airline label. On the luggage label, it shows your name, someone can use this information and follow you to the hotel then use your name while you are not around.
Taking a Taxi
1) Never sit next to taxi driver. For added safety always sit behind.
2) Check the fuel gauge of the taxi make sure the tank is not empty. You really don't want him to stop halfway and tell you he wants to divert to petrol/gas station. In some countrys it can be dangerous as it is an opportunity to rob you or the taxi might run out fuel in the middle of nowhere or unsafe area in the city.
At the hotel
1) If the hotel reception announces your room number, immediately change room. This will put you at risk because in most hotels there are people hanging around in the lobby to look for opportunities to steal from tourists.
2) Identify the emergency exit. Count how many doors away from your room and towards which direction. It is better for you to walk to the emergency exit to check if the door is open and the sign is clear.
3) In the event of fire, which happens more often than you realise ;-
a) Switch off air conditioner immediately because the air con will bring the smoke into your room or if the fire starts in your room, it will make the fire even stronger.
b) Fill the bath tub with water so you can stay in the bath tub if you cannot run out.
c) Inform the reception if you can, that you are still in the room and ask for someone to save you.
d) Soak your towels in water and put it then on the gap of your door to prevent smoke coming in.
e) Before you run out, touch the door knob to make sure it is not hot. If it is hot it means the fire is outside your door, it would be dangerous to open the door.
f) If you are stuck in the room and the fire is outside your door. use dustbin to fill with water to splash on your hotel door and carpet.
g) If the fire is near your hotel window, immediately dismantle the curtain. either pull it down or tear it down. This is to prevent your curtain catching on fire.
1) In certain airports it is better to take a porter as the porter will protect you from other people grabbing your luggage as you exit the airport.
2) Do not expose your cash in public. If you need to change money, change it while you are before the custom checks as there are less people to see you have lots of cash.
3) After baggage claims. Remove the print out of your luggage or any identification that can identify you of specific country such as airport security label, airline label. On the luggage label, it shows your name, someone can use this information and follow you to the hotel then use your name while you are not around.
Taking a Taxi
1) Never sit next to taxi driver. For added safety always sit behind.
2) Check the fuel gauge of the taxi make sure the tank is not empty. You really don't want him to stop halfway and tell you he wants to divert to petrol/gas station. In some countrys it can be dangerous as it is an opportunity to rob you or the taxi might run out fuel in the middle of nowhere or unsafe area in the city.
At the hotel
1) If the hotel reception announces your room number, immediately change room. This will put you at risk because in most hotels there are people hanging around in the lobby to look for opportunities to steal from tourists.
2) Identify the emergency exit. Count how many doors away from your room and towards which direction. It is better for you to walk to the emergency exit to check if the door is open and the sign is clear.
3) In the event of fire, which happens more often than you realise ;-
a) Switch off air conditioner immediately because the air con will bring the smoke into your room or if the fire starts in your room, it will make the fire even stronger.
b) Fill the bath tub with water so you can stay in the bath tub if you cannot run out.
c) Inform the reception if you can, that you are still in the room and ask for someone to save you.
d) Soak your towels in water and put it then on the gap of your door to prevent smoke coming in.
e) Before you run out, touch the door knob to make sure it is not hot. If it is hot it means the fire is outside your door, it would be dangerous to open the door.
f) If you are stuck in the room and the fire is outside your door. use dustbin to fill with water to splash on your hotel door and carpet.
g) If the fire is near your hotel window, immediately dismantle the curtain. either pull it down or tear it down. This is to prevent your curtain catching on fire.
HOTEL KEY CARDS
Ever wonder what is on your magnetic key card?
Answer:
a. Customer's name
b. Customer's partial home address
c. Hotel room number
d. Check-in date and out dates
e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!
When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner.. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.
Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process.
But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!
The bottom line is: Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.
For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!
If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic strip several times.. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.
Airline News
Qantas scales back First Class
Qantas plans to replace First Class on its B747-400s with Business Class lie flat Skybed sleeper seats. The carrier will also remove First Class cabins from all its new A380s. The reconfiguration of 29 of the carrier's aircraft means First Class will only be available on 12 Airbus A380s on select routes including Australia to London via Singapore, and Los Angeles. The move is part of a $400 million overhaul of the airline's fleet which also includes an upgrade to in-flight entertainment.
Choose your seat - QANTAS
Qantas has launched an advance seat selection service for domestic flights. The service is available for silver, gold and platinum frequent flyers and Chairmans Lounge members and allows passengers to request seats in advance. Qantas introduced advanced seat selection for international flights last June. Seats can be selected from the time of booking up until three hours before departure.
Bigger aircraft for Asian flights - QANTAS
Qantas will upgrade its A330-200 aircraft on the Sydney-Tokyo route to a two-class 747-400. The move will increase capacity on the route by 1256 seats per week including 156 Business Class seats.
Cabin crew cuts
Plans are afoot to reduce the number of cabin crew on Australian aircraft. The Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) has announced plans to reduce flight attendant numbers on aircraft which seat between 36 and 216 passengers. The current ratio is one flight attendant to 36 passengers; however CASA has proposed to change this to one flight attendant per 50 passengers.
Jetstar increases SE Asia services
Jetstar is introducing more services between Singapore and Vietnam. The carrier will increase its current schedule to Ho Chi Minh including eight return flights per week to a double daily service by July.
Etihad improves medical systems
Etihad is upgrading its on board medical facilities. The carrier is installing a new health monitoring system on its long-haul aircraft that allows cabin crew to gather health information from passengers. The 'Tempus IC' system monitors blood pressure and takes an electrocardiogram plus photo images. The information is then transmitted to a global team of medical experts that specialise in in-flight medical contingencies.
Regional flights increase in Queensland
Qantaslink is boosting services in regional Queensland. As of April 6 a new flying schedule will operate including an additional two Q400 Bundaberg-Brisbane return services per week, two extra Q400 Emerald-Brisbane return services per week and five more Q400 Gladstone-Brisbane return services each week
Melbourne to London flights - QANTAS
Qantas has started its Melbourne to London A380 services. Qantas now offers A380 services on four routes - two from Melbourne and two from Sydney. The carrier will operate one to two services a week between Melbourne and London via Singapore. Regular twice-weekly flights will commence on 29 March 2010.
Free chauffeur service - Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is offering Upper Class passengers a complimentary chauffeur transfer service from selected destinations. Transfers for both ends of a journey are available in Sydney, Hong Kong and London's Heathrow Airport. The free service covers addresses within a 60km radius of the Sydney Airport, any address on the Hong Kong island or the mainland within the Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) and any mainland UK destination within 120kms
Qantas plans to replace First Class on its B747-400s with Business Class lie flat Skybed sleeper seats. The carrier will also remove First Class cabins from all its new A380s. The reconfiguration of 29 of the carrier's aircraft means First Class will only be available on 12 Airbus A380s on select routes including Australia to London via Singapore, and Los Angeles. The move is part of a $400 million overhaul of the airline's fleet which also includes an upgrade to in-flight entertainment.
Choose your seat - QANTAS
Qantas has launched an advance seat selection service for domestic flights. The service is available for silver, gold and platinum frequent flyers and Chairmans Lounge members and allows passengers to request seats in advance. Qantas introduced advanced seat selection for international flights last June. Seats can be selected from the time of booking up until three hours before departure.
Bigger aircraft for Asian flights - QANTAS
Qantas will upgrade its A330-200 aircraft on the Sydney-Tokyo route to a two-class 747-400. The move will increase capacity on the route by 1256 seats per week including 156 Business Class seats.
Cabin crew cuts
Plans are afoot to reduce the number of cabin crew on Australian aircraft. The Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) has announced plans to reduce flight attendant numbers on aircraft which seat between 36 and 216 passengers. The current ratio is one flight attendant to 36 passengers; however CASA has proposed to change this to one flight attendant per 50 passengers.
Jetstar increases SE Asia services
Jetstar is introducing more services between Singapore and Vietnam. The carrier will increase its current schedule to Ho Chi Minh including eight return flights per week to a double daily service by July.
Etihad improves medical systems
Etihad is upgrading its on board medical facilities. The carrier is installing a new health monitoring system on its long-haul aircraft that allows cabin crew to gather health information from passengers. The 'Tempus IC' system monitors blood pressure and takes an electrocardiogram plus photo images. The information is then transmitted to a global team of medical experts that specialise in in-flight medical contingencies.
Regional flights increase in Queensland
Qantaslink is boosting services in regional Queensland. As of April 6 a new flying schedule will operate including an additional two Q400 Bundaberg-Brisbane return services per week, two extra Q400 Emerald-Brisbane return services per week and five more Q400 Gladstone-Brisbane return services each week
Melbourne to London flights - QANTAS
Qantas has started its Melbourne to London A380 services. Qantas now offers A380 services on four routes - two from Melbourne and two from Sydney. The carrier will operate one to two services a week between Melbourne and London via Singapore. Regular twice-weekly flights will commence on 29 March 2010.
Free chauffeur service - Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is offering Upper Class passengers a complimentary chauffeur transfer service from selected destinations. Transfers for both ends of a journey are available in Sydney, Hong Kong and London's Heathrow Airport. The free service covers addresses within a 60km radius of the Sydney Airport, any address on the Hong Kong island or the mainland within the Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) and any mainland UK destination within 120kms
Stay in a celebrity's holiday home
If you’ve ever wondered where a rock star goes to relax, why not drop in and find out?
For $17,000 a week you can actually stay in Mick Jagger’s holiday home in the Caribbean.
You’ll be able to wake up in the morning and ask his cook to whip up some breakfast, swim in his pool, and even use his home entertainment system.
Jagger is just one of a large number of celebrities who are, very sensibly, making money from their multi-million dollar holiday properties when they’re not using them.
At $17,000 a week, Jagger’s is one of the more reasonably priced celebrity holiday properties.
Ian Fleming’s Golden Eye Resort in Oracabessa, Jamaica, is a sprawling beachfront property that will set you back $48,000 to $92,000 for a one week stay.
In La Quinta, California, the family of the late Merv Griffin rents his 40 acre property for around $57,000 per week.
Merv Griffin’s Moroccan Estate features a principal residence with 14 bedrooms, four guest villas, a horse racing track and room to park over 100 cars.
To get the keys all you need to be is cashed-up and over 25 years of age.
Richard Klug, from Sotheby’s International Realty, told Travel and Leisure magazine that many celebrities, particularly those in the music business, have taken a hit in recent years over changes to royalty payments.
Opening the doors to their holiday homes and selling a celebrity experience is a smart way of generating some extra income.
Of course, you can’t just lay down the money and walk in.
Most rental agencies require some information about the applicant.
To rent Jagger’s property you’ll need to submit a formal application which he vets himself.
After all, he wouldn’t want anyone trashing the place.
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