Air France Deploys A380 To Hong Kong

The daily summer seasonal route began on Tuesday and runs until October 25.

A superjumbo will be deployed four times weekly — on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays — until June 8, and again from June 16 to 22. During these periods, the other three services will be operated by a B777-300.

At all other times until October 25, Air France will fly a daily A380 service on the route.

Flight AF188 leaves Paris Charles de Gaulle at 2325 and arrives in Hong Kong at 1720 local time the following day. Return service AF187 departs Hong Kong at 0050 and arrives at Paris CDG at 0800 local time the same day.

Hong Kong is the carrier's second destination in China to be served by the A380, after Shanghai.

Earlier this month, Air France unveiled its new first class cabin product

Air NZ’s 787-9 Completes First Flight

Air New Zealand's much-delayed 787-9 Dreamliner has finally taken off, completing its first test flight from a Seattle, Washington airfield.

The new aircraft flew the Seattle skies in preparation for its handover to Air New Zealand, expected in July.

Air New Zealand is the launch customer for the Boeing 787-9. Ten of the stretch versions of the original Boeing 787-8 are on order.

The planes were first expected to be ready for the airline in late 2010, but the 787 programme has been plagued by delays.

Boeing has said the 787-9 will offer more space, light, go further and offer greater fuel efficiency.

Air New Zealand has previously said the new plane would first be launched on the Auckland to Perth route from October 15, after pilot training.

Routes to Tokyo and Shanghai from Auckland are expected to launch near the end of the year.

This first test flight, known as a B1 flight, included the two pilots who put the aircraft through its paces to verify performance. Functionality of the cabin was also assessed during the flight.

The aircraft, in its black with silver fern and koru livery, departed from Paine Field airport north of Seattle at 1.45pm local time.

The 787-9 reached an altitude of 11,800 metres and returned to the same airport 3 hours and 10 minutes later.

Qatar Airways A380 Debut Delayed

Qatar’s national carrier appears to have delayed its inaugural A380 flight by at least two weeks, according to its latest route update.

Qatar Airways is slated to get three of its order of 13 A380s – the world’s largest passenger aircraft – this summer. It had scheduled the first route to be from Doha to to London’s Heathrow Airport on June 17, but that has now been pushed back to July 1.

The airline has so far not made any public announcements about the delay. A spokesman told Doha News yesterday that airline has “no new update to offer” on the planned launch flight.

Passengers also do not appear to have been notified of the change of aircraft. A Boeing 777 is expected to operate the flight on June 17 instead.

Travel consultant and blogger Ben Schlappig writes that he has not been told that his booking in First Class on the inaugural flight will need to be re-booked, despite the fact that the airline has no First Class cabin on its 777 fleet.
Delayed deliveries

Qatar Airways formally announced the “highly anticipated arrival” of its first three A380s in a statement at the end of April, in which it also set the June 17 date for the aircraft’s debut to London Heathrow.

The delivery of these super-jumbos is more than six months late, due to the delayed launch of Hamad International Airport, which finally opened its doors to all airlines, including Qatar Airways, this week.

The airport has six specially designed, double-decker gates for the A380, as well as an aircraft maintenance hangar that can hold two of the huge aircraft at once.
New routes

The airline has also announced that the A380′s second destination will be Paris – the launch date for which remains unchanged at July 3.

And earlier this week, the airline’s CEO Akbar Al Baker told Doha News that the A380 would also fly the Doha-New York route.


However, the airline has been unable to clarify whether the aircraft will replace the current Boeing 777 on the route, or whether the addition of the A380 will signal the beginning of twice-daily operations to the city. No launch date for the new service has been announced so far.

When the A380 does enter service, the aircraft is expected to take over flight numbers QR003 and QR004, which leave Doha at 7:55am, and return from London at 3:05pm, respectively.

Qatar Airways’ A380 will have 517 seats in all – 457 in economy, 52 in business and eight in first class.

Its first and business class cabins – and a special lounge area for premium passengers – will both be located on the aircraft’s upper deck, with economy seating being split between both floors of the aircraft.

Airbus Delivers Asiana Airlines’ First A380

With the handover of its first A380 during a ceremony in Toulouse, France, Asiana Airlines will become the 11th operator worldwide to receive Airbus’ 21st century flagship jetliner. Online coverage of this delivery will be available on a special website, which will include video highlights, photos, feature stories and more.

Live streaming of the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. local time in Toulouse.

Lufthansa A380 To Fly India This Winter

German carrier Lufthansa plans to start services of its high-capacity twin-deck Airbus A380 to India from October-November this year. Lufthansa's A380 super jumbo with 526 seats will both expand capacity and lower operating costs, helping it combat the rising challenge of Gulf-based carriers like Emirates and Etihad Airways, who have cornered a large chunk of India's 45 million inbound and outbound annual (2013) international traffic, as per a report by Roudra Bhattacharya in The Financial Express.

Two officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India said that officials from Lufthansa recently moved an application seeking the start of A380 services from the winter 2014 schedule. The move will require a ‘minor change’ in the Air Services Agreement (ASA) with Germany, with the current system of flights per week likely being changed to seats per week and allowing A380 operations. Lufthansa currently utilises 46 of the 69 flights per week allowed under the India-Germany ASA.

“Lufthansa recently gave an application to start A380 services. A minor change is required in the ASA, which we are discussing with the External Affairs Ministry. There will be no change in weekly seat entitlements to Germany, so we expect this to be done by June,” the official said.

The airline further stated, “We change aircraft size according to demand in our long-haul markets and as we already operate all types of long-haul aircraft except the A380 to India, we are also looking forward to operating the A380 to India in the future. We have not yet decided when and where we will operate the aircraft to. We always aim to be able to offer our Indian customers our top products and we aim to be able to use the variety of all aircraft in our fleet in our long haul markets.” Lufthansa currently operates aircraft like the A330, A340-300, A340-600, A380, besides the Boeing 747-400 and B747-8.

Lufthansa will be the third and likely the last airline to start A380 services to India this year, after Singapore Airlines (SIA) starts daily flights to Mumbai and Delhi from May 30 and Emirates begins its A380 services to Mumbai from July. The addition of A380s have come about after the central government lifted the ban on the high-capacity aircraft in late January this year.

While SIA will focus on the Asian markets, Lufthansa and Emirates will be the only two airlines to offer connections from Indian metros to Europe and the US on the A380. At present, only four airports in the country, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, have the infrastructure to handle the super jumbo.

Qantas To End A380 Service To Hong Kong

Qantas Airways will end its year-round A380 operation between Sydney and Hong Kong this September.

The Flying Kangaroo currently serves the city non-stop with five weekly superjumbo and two weekly four-class B747-400 services.

These will soon be replaced by a daily three-class B747-400 service. The change is being made in order for Qantas to upgrade its Dallas flights to the A380.

As a result, there will be a complete absence of first class on the Sydney to Hong Kong route from September. Currently, both jetliners offer 14 seats in first class — a total of 98 weekly.

In addition, capacity loss will also be felt across other cabin classes. The number of weekly business class seats will fall to 364, down from 424, while economy class will also see a loss of 440 seats. However, the number of premium economy seats will increase by 41.

It is likely that the three-class B747 are only going to be deployed for a temporary period, as Qantas has already announced that it will operate the A330 on the Sydney to Hong Kong route, once the aircraft has been retrofitted with the new seats unveiled last year.

In addition, the Flying Kangaroo intends to expedite the retirement of its fleet of non-reconfigured B747s, as part of its A$2 billion (US$1.7 billion) cost reduction programme.

Airbus A380neo To Match Boeing’s 777X

Airbus will need to improve its A380 superjumbo to repel Boeing Co.’s updated version of the 777, its bestselling wide-body airliner that is slated to enter service next decade, Chief Executive Officer Fabrice Bregier said.

Boeing will present a serious challenger to the flagship A380 when it comes out with a larger and longer-range variant of the 777, called the 777X, Bregier told journalists in Berlin.

“After 2020, we will face the challenge of the Boeing 777X, and it is clear that and as the challenges evolve, the A380 will have to evolve,” Bregier said in Berlin late yesterday on the eve of the ILA Berlin Air Show.

Since going on offer in 2000, the A380 double-decker has won contracts and commitments for 324 planes, a fraction of the customers for models one level down in the twin-aisle category. The 777X has already garnered 300 orders and commitments since going on offer last November, the bulk of them from Middle East customers, which are also major buyers of the A380.

Bregier used his presentation to attack Boeing’s use of tax breaks from the state of Washington, which he said amount to $8.7 billion in connection with the 777X, more than the total cost of developing the plane.

The European Commission has raised concerns about the issue with the U.S. government, Bregier said, “though not enough,” adding that the industry needs to “find a level playing field.”

Airbus’s biggest focus remains on progressing with the A350 program, with the long-range plane set for first delivery with Qatar Airways Ltd. before year-end. While the aircraft doesn’t need major design changes from today’s perspective, the challenge will be to lower recurring costs, Bregier said.

The unit of Airbus Group NV, based in Toulouse in southern France, is coming closer to deciding whether to upgrade its existing A330 wide-body airliner with new engines to make the 20 year-old model more fuel-efficient and more attractive to customers, Bregier said.

Qatar Airways’ Second A380 To Fly Doha-Paris

Qatar Airways yesterday said its second A380 aircraft will start operations on the Doha-Paris (Charles De Gaulle) route from Doha’s new hub, Hamad International Airport, from July 3.

“With a highly customised interior to meet the five-star standard for Qatar Airways passengers, the airline’s new A380s will undoubtedly be the talk of travellers at Qatar’s new Hamad International Airport when services commence,” the airline said.

Qatar Airways recently announced that the first of its 13 A380 aircraft on order will start operations on the London-Heathrow route from June 17.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar al-Baker said:“It is yet another significant moment for our airline as we welcome these new aircraft into our rapidly expanding fleet. Operating on the Doha to Paris Charles De Gaulle route, these aircraft, with their customised cabins and five-star specifications, will set a new level of comfort for our passengers, who will also benefit from the smooth and pleasant passenger experience at the world’s newest hub, Hamad International Airport - the soon to be home of Qatar Airways.”

Featuring a three-class configuration of seating in first, business and economy class, over two decks, the A380 is the world’s largest passenger jet and will provide a superior traveller experience to the Qatar Airways’ customers.

The new first class A380 seat, recently revealed at the world’s leading travel show, ITB Berlin, features a 90-inch seat pitch, transforming into a fully flat bed, together with an expansive choice of entertainment options displayed on individual 26-inch television screens.

Hamad International Airport (HIA), Qatar Airways new home as of May 27, has been designed to specifically cater to the A380 aircraft, with six contact gates designed specifically for the superjumbo.

In addition, the maintenance hangar at HIA, which is the largest in the world, is able to accommodate two A380s simultaneously.

简单

当遇到合适的人，彼此可以融合生活，不管简单也好，复杂也好，就不要犹豫，犹豫之间，他或她就有可能成为他的人。不要贪图物质的享受，也不要贪图精神的高尚，世间没有十全十美的人，也没有十全十美的生活，贫贱富贵，开心就好。

你最爱的未必能和你共度一生，多少的有情人走不进彼此的今生，只能苦苦的相约于来世；而多少的男男女女走过爱情走进婚姻却不会再珍惜彼此的付出。所以记得珍惜你爱的人，把每一个平淡的今天当成是彼此相依的最后一刻，好好握紧爱人的手，即使他容颜已老，别忘了牵住他的手，一生一世一辈子。

爱情的路上，走着走着，激情淡了，虽然一直牵手，但那种熟悉后的陌生感觉，慢慢地强烈而真切。我们会放大他的不好，梦想他能改变。我们未曾猜疑，没有彼此抛弃，只因对方的不完美，渐渐在爱情里倦怠。我想说，我很努力，你要习惯我的缺点，包容我的不足，让我有信心爱你，我们才会有天荒地老……

果你正在爱，请在有感觉的时候牵手，有激情的时候努力，有信任的时候相守。如果你错过了，请再碰到适当的人时，学会在适当的时候，做适当的事情。每段爱情都是有保质期的，每段爱情都需要用心浇灌，别让爱情不知不觉中如玫瑰凋零

幸福很简单：一个亲吻； 一个拥抱；一个肩膀；一个微笑；一个电话；一句爱我 ；一次约会；一次小吵；一碗面条；一盒便当； 一趟海边；一段道路；一场大雨 ；一个寒冬； 一个炎夏；一程公车；一直挽手；一直信任；一直包容；一直瞭解。

爱很简单：一个你，一辈子，一心一意

生有两种境界：一是痛而不言，二是笑而不语。痛而不言是一种智慧，人生在世，往往会因这样或那样的伤害而心痛不已。对坚强的人来说，累累伤痕是生命赐予的最好礼物；笑而不语是一种豁达，朋友间的戏虐，遭人误解后的无奈,过多的言辞申辩反让人觉得华而不实，莫不如留下一抹微笑，任他人作评。

爱，如果错过了

有人说恋爱久了就会变淡，因为对彼此的了解越来越深，然而会发现很多很多的不合适，然而才会变淡。

　　为什么会感到如此的失落，如此的绝望，最近的你变了，感觉你离我越来越远了，经常听到你说觉得我们不好不应该之类的话，你是想舍弃我丢下我了吗？你经常说很想很想回家了，我明白你的心情，在这边工作很累，可你也说回去了不想来这边了，我的耳边想起某某人曾经对我说过的话，是谁说的，除非我不需要你上来这了,不然就不会想着把我丢下， 是谁说的，7月份快要到来了而你想我去你家看看，是谁在我耳边说的到时跟着我一起上来，可为何现在的你时时刻刻想着放弃，我想问我还有机会吗？或者你早已打算好这一切，为什么，有时真的会怀疑从一开始到现在你对我是真的爱吗？可我是真的爱了，我无法想像如以后没有你那余下的日子我要怎么过，是不是有些东西抓得越紧越容易流失，越在乎跌得就越重。

　　有时真的想放手了，不明白为何这阵子感觉如此的累，我还要再坚持吗？还有必要吗？或者一个心可能已不在你身上的人我该如何去做到洒脱一点，每次我好不容易坚定的心都是给你一句话摧毁掉，是什么让彼此变成这样了，我知道我有很多很多的缺点，很多很多的不好，我给不了你最完美的我，所以我再也不敢去要求你什么。

　　傻瓜，像我说的，如果你已找到更好的那个他，那我祝福你，请你也提前跟我说，我会放了你，伤我自己舔。

爱，如果错过了，会怎样？会后悔吗？其实只是错过了，时间还在走并不会因为什么而停留，我们能做的只是顺着它把握住一些自己不想错过的人与物！

假如

现在是，凌晨2点55分，在床上翻来覆去睡不着 ，想到自己这三年来，不仅仅懂得了这个世界的迷乱，性，约炮。也懂了爱情，有过，刻骨铭心，因为它是唯一能证明我还有心的时候。要是搁3年以前，我还会傻傻的问为什么。现在不会了。因为再把单纯拾起来很难，包袱太多，我不懂得伪装，也懒得伪装。

我们是惊喜是一瞬，闪电是般划过我们的灵魂。我们的幸福是一时，阳光般照进我们的心灵。我们恼怒是一会儿，暴风般刮过就归于平静。悲痛是一阵，夜般让我们暂时失去方向。而伤感是一生，空气般弥漫我们今生。一件东西会让我们伤感。那些曾经走在我们面前的爱情…它们承载了多少往日或甜或苦的故事。尘封的往事虽然过去了，拾回的记忆总让我们莫名地伤感。一件事也会让我们伤感。

一件事因不同的选择改变了我们的一生，因为得意或者不如意，因为万幸或不幸，我们总会为曾经的选择感，为命运和机遇伤感：如果我选择了那样，现在又会怎样？一个人也会让我们伤感。曾经的美人和偶象已经长满皱纹，我们会为时间的飞逝伤感；朋友的成败得失和悲欢离合，我们会为命运的莫测伤感；曾经的恋人成了陌路甚至仇人，我们会为没有永恒的爱情伤感；亲友的突然逝去，我们会为生命的脆弱伤感……

因为我们无能为力，我们只有伤感。一首歌也会让我们伤感。开心的时候我们也爱听忧伤的歌，它让我们想起某个人，某件事，某段情，某部电影，那么多涩涩的幸福或者失落的梦想只有用一种伤感的方式品味，才能体会其中无人能知的清香。一篇文章也会让我们伤感。忧伤让我们写出伤感的文字，或者孤影自怜独自舔伤，或者留给他人让自己释放。即使读着别人的伤感文字，也会看见自己的影子，我们常会同样感伤。很多伤感的篇章就象伤感的电影，让人过目不忘。

多年以后，如果这篇日志还在，我将一篇篇细细咀嚼，伤感定会象雪山冰泉从我心深处缓缓流过…

假如人生不曾相遇，我还是那个我，偶尔做做梦，然后，开始日复一日的奔波，淹没在这喧嚣的城市里。

我不会了解，这个世界还有这样的一个你，只有你能让人回味，也只有你会让我心醉。

假如人生不曾相遇，我不会相信，有一种人可以百看不厌，有一种人一认识就觉得温馨。明知不能相逢，为何魂牵梦系？我又怎能深刻地体会到什么样叫远，什么叫近，远是距离，近在心底。

假如人生不曾相遇，不曾想过会牵挂一个远方的人。我有深切的愿望，愿你快乐每一天。淡淡的情怀很真，淡淡的问候很纯，淡淡的思念很深，淡淡的祝福最真。虽然一切只能给虚幻中的你。

假如人生不曾相遇，我不知道自己有那样一个习惯，收集你的欢笑，收集你的感情，收集你的一切一切。

假如人生不曾相遇，我不能深刻的体会孤独和忧伤，有着莫名的感动，激荡着热泪盈眶的心情入眠。

假如人生不曾相遇，我不会保持着一个人的想象，即使这想象难免寂寞无奈，但我仍然坚持着这样的梦想。

假如人生不曾相遇，我怎会理解一个人的孤独是那样铭心，但却可以释放自我的彷徨与无助。含泪的沧桑，无限的困惑，因为遇见了你，才会有更深的意义。可为什么在爱的时候，总伴着淡淡的心伤？

假如人生不曾相遇，我怎么能知道爱情存在的真正意义。必须有缘才能共舞，珍惜今天所爱方能同步。不能和你同途，也不能与你同步。假如人生不曾相遇，我还是我，你依然是你，只是错过了人生最绚丽的奇遇..................

H&M Home Coming To Malaysia In July

Days of glancing jealously at H&M Home in the US and Europe are well and truly over. At the end of July, Malaysia will become the maiden country in Southeast Asia to stock the Swedish retail-clothing giant’s wildly popular Home range.



Since its inception in 2009, H&M Home has injected the brand’s alluring sense of fashion into the modern home, with an ever-evolving seasonal roster of products ranging from household staples to decorative flourishes for every room in the house. Designed in-house by H&M Home’s Head of Design, Evelina Kravaev Söderberg and her team, H&M Home’s debut collection on our shores will be its upcoming Autumn 2014 collection.

H&M Home will be first available at the Avenue K store. Check outwww.hm.com/my for updates.

Credits to Time Out KL

Singapore Airlines To Stop Cairo, Riyadh Flights

Singapore Airlines said Friday it will stop flying to Cairo and Riyadh from September because of what it called weak performance on the routes.

The airline will stop flying to Egypt's capital on Sept. 30 and its last flight to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, will be on Sept. 28. However, flights will continue to Jeddah, the gateway to the Saudi holy city of Mecca.

Singapore Airlines said it would refund passengers who hold tickets for flights to the two cities after the flights are suspended. It added that connections to both Riyadh and Cairo are still possible on other airlines via Dubai.

Singapore Airlines flies three times a week to Cairo and Riyadh. The Jeddah flight operates via Riyadh but will stop at Dubai from Oct. 2.

Airlines routinely review their flight operations and pull routes that don't perform well. Singapore Airlines faces tough competition on Middle-Eastern routes from Gulf-based carriers such as Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways. The carrier has focused more on medium-haul flights to China, India, Japan and Australia in recent months.

Qatar Business One Lands At LHR

This week Qatar Airways celebrated the launch of its all-Business Class service between Doha and London Heathrow, enabling passengers from the UK to experience complete comfort and privacy on their journey. The all-Business Class jet, known as ‘Business One’, is an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with a single aisle, 2-2 seating arrangement, offering 40 premium Business Class seats. Qatar Airways is the first ever carrier to operate an all-Business Class service from London Heathrow.

The new additional flight will increase the frequency on the Doha-London Heathrow route from 35 to 42 weekly services and comes just before the introduction of the A380 to this same route on 17th June.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said the launch of this all-premium service reaffirms the airline’s commitment to provide the best five-star service and comfort in the air for Business Class passengers. He added that the Doha to London Heathrow route is one of Qatar Airways’ most popular Business Class destinations and the carrier has seen increasing demand for this service.



Passengers flying on the A319 can experience wide seats that recline into fully flat beds and a state of the art Oryx entertainment system, featuring more than 1,000 entertainment options. Guests can also remain in touch with their friends and business associates on the ground through the SMS mobile texting GSM and GPRS service on board the aircraft. On the ground, Business Class flyers can make use of the new Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4, as well as the new Premium Terminal in Doha.

Qatar Airways was awarded the World’s Best Business Class Airline for 2013 and has also twice been the recipient of the Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012 at the prestigious Skytrax Airline Awards. The airline has also been named as ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ for the second year running and ‘Business Airline of the Year’ at the high profile UK Business Travel Awards 2014 recently held in London.

Inside Air Canada's Boeing 787

Air Canada has opted for a three-class layout across 251 seats in the Boeing 787-8 with business, premium economy and economy.

The cabin has been designed for a “contemporary, sophisticated” look, the airline says, using warm natural textiles and fabrics, while the colour palette is based in slate grey “with hints of Canadian red and celeste blue”.

Air Canada Boeing 787 business class

The 20 business class seats, which Air Canada tags as ‘executive pods’, feature a similar mix of privacy and access as we’re seeing in other new international business products such as Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Qantas’ forthcoming Business Suite.

The 1-2-1 layout provides direct aisle access for every traveller, with the solo seats angled towards the window while the two centre seats are angled slightly towards each other.


Each of the middle seats sport a privacy screen which can be lowered if you’re travelling with a partner or colleague.


Seat pitch is 21 inches, while the seats extends to an 80 inch fully flat bed dressed with a 100% cotton duvet and, for that extra touch of indulgence, a new espresso and cappuccino service featuring Lavazza coffee.


Other creature comforts include an 18 inch touchscreen video panel and controller and an amenity kit featuring Canadian-made Escents aromatherapy products.

Air Canada Boeing 787 premium economy

If you’re more ‘budget’ than ‘business’, Air Canada’s premium economy cabin offers 21 seats in a 2-3-2 pattern.


Passengers get a 19.5 inch wide seat with 38 inch pitch and a 7 inch recline.

Each set has its own 11 inch touchscreen panel, USB and AC power socket.

Air Canada Boeing 787 economy

The rest of the 787 is given over to 210 economy seats ranked 3-3-3.


The 17.3 inch wide seats have a 5 inch recline and 31 inch pitch, although their slimine design should afford a bit of extra room around the knees.


To take your mind off the squeeze there’s a 9 inch touchscreen with a USB port and “universal power ports at arms’ reach”, which could mean one shared between 'triple' module of three seats.


For an extended sneak peak at Air Canada's new Boeing 787, watch the video below.

Air Canada First Boeing 787 Dreamliner Delivery

After waiting seven years, Air Canada executives will finally head to Seattle this weekend to pick up a Boeing 787 plane, the first of 37 Dreamliners on order.

“We’re extremely excited. It’s going to be a big winner for us,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s chief commercial officer, in an interview.


The jet is expected to land on Sunday at Toronto’s Pearson airport. On board will be CEO Calin Rovinescu along with 100 employees including 50 who won a contest for a seat on the inaugural flight.

“When you’re in this industry, it doesn’t happen very often,” said Smith, of the chance to bring back a brand-spanking new plane. “Last time, I got to do that was in 2007, when we took our first Boeing 777.”

For Air Canada, the Dreamliner is critical to the airline’s international expansion plans. Made of composite materials, the plane has a much longer range, but burns 20 per cent less fuel, making it more cost-effective, given fuel is the biggest expense for any airline.

The Dreamliner’s 251 seats are also seen as advantageous on routes where it may be harder to fill 300 to 450 seats on a Boeing 777.

“This airplane on its own is a fantastic airplane,” said Smith. “But what’s so special and so unique for Air Canada is the airplane perfectly sized, as if it was custom made for us.

“You don’t get to custom make an airplane, but every once in a while an airplane is built so perfectly for your marketplace that you get an extra special edge,” he said.

The 787 will offer three cabin classes – business, premium economy and economy.

In the coming weeks, passengers flying on domestic routes as well on flights to London and Zurich may find themselves on the newest 787, as the airline tests out the plane.

When it goes into official service on July 1, it will be used on a new Toronto to Tokyo-Haneda route, an airport that is closer to the downtown core than Tokyo’s Narita airport. It will also be used on the Toronto-Tel Aviv route.

Air Canada will have three 787s by July, six by year’s end. Then, the airline will get seven to nine planes a year, going forward, until it has its full fleet of 37.

“It fits well with the types of routes we want to go into, plus our existing routes,” Smith said. “We’ll be flying this plane, across the Atlantic, across the Pacific, down to South America.”

Thai Airways International's 787 To Fly To Manila

According to the latest release of airline schedules, Thai Airways' first Boeing 787 aircraft will operate three daily round-trip flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai from July 8 through to August 31. When the second aircraft arrives, it will be deployed on the Bangkok - Manila route from August 8 through to August 31.

This is only a temporary adjustment to the original deployment plan for the airline's first two 787 aircraft released earlier this year. Perth and Tokyo Narita will remain the first regularly scheduled destinations of the Thai 787 aircraft. However, unlike previously announced, Tokyo and Perth will be launched simultaneously on September 1 with the Manila flight being reverted back to the A330 or Boeing 777.

Image Source: Thai Airways International

It is believed that Manila will eventually become a regularly scheduled 787 destination for Thai Airways as the carrier accepts delivery of additional aircraft. The fact that Thai chose Manila for its initial trial runs demonstrates a vote of confidence that Manila is one of the prospective destinations being considered by the carrier as a future permanent 787 destination. Thai Airways will be closely observing the performance of the aircraft on the Manila route in August, which will play a deciding factor in the deployment of the third and fourth 787 aircraft that are scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2014.

If the trial goes well, Manila could become the third 787 destination for Thai Airways sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. Thai Airways will also be accepting delivery of a fifth and sixth 787 aircraft in 2015. Thai Airways has leased a total of eight Boeing 787 aircraft on a twelve year basis from the International Lease Finance Corporation of the United States. The new Boeing 787-8 fleet is expected to be deployed on regional routes replacing the A330-300. Thai Airways operates a fleet of ten A330-300 that range in age from 15 to 20 years old.

Image Source: Thai Airways International

The Thai Boeing 787 fleet will feature the new 'Thai Contemporary Concept' cabin design that was recently revealed on the carrier's Boeing 777 fleet. Each 787-8 will be configured with 264 seats with 240 in Economy Class and 24 in Business Class. The Economy cabin will feature nine-abreast seating, while the Business Class cabin will be configured in Thai's regional business class product with six-abreast seating.

The first Thai 787 is expected to arrive in Manila on August 8, 2014 operating flight TG620. The aircraft will touch down in Manila at 11:55am and depart back to Bangkok at 1:05pm as flight TG621. The 787 flights will continue on a daily basis until August 31, 2014. It remains unclear when Manila will see the Thai 787 again after that.

O

Music connects with us is the weirdest and unexpected ways. Everyone knows how Coldplay's music is. No doubt it's one of the greatest band in the industry. And it's music is undeniably one of a kind in the industry.

Of all nights, tonight was just different. This song connects to me. It's so hauntingly beautiful. Sitting here, and every word strikes me like a bolt.

A flock of birds

Hovering above

Just a flock of birds

That's how you think of love

And I always

Look up to the sky

Pray before the dawn

'Cause they fly always

Sometimes they arrive

Sometimes they are gone

They fly on

A flock of birds

Hovering above

Into smoke I'm turned and rise

Following them up

Still I always

Look up to the sky

Pray before the dawn

'Cause they fly away

One minute they arrive

Next you know they're gone

They fly on

Fly on

So fly on, ride through

Maybe one day I'll fly next to you

So fly on, ride through

Maybe one day I'll fly next to you

Fly on

O Don't ever let go

A World Away

I didn't sleep last night. Something about it, just felt like that cold night on December 12th. Do you remember?

December 12th. The night you left LA. I don't wanna remember. It should be night time in New York right now. If things haven't changed, you'll probably be at the park. You love the city night lights. But things has changed. Haven't it? This is what you wore that night. This is what it looks like when I last saw you. I wonder how you look now.

I wonder if the mirroring phase is complete? They say it's identical to where we are. Down to every brick and stone. Or at least it use to be. I suppose no one would agree to it if it was otherwise. Is it true though? They say everything is in it's place. Everything is there, but not everyone. Not us.

When you left LA, you left me with this. A gift to say goodbye. Something I was never good with. You gave me the world, but all I wanted is... us...

I remember the night walks in the park like it was yesterday. The lights, the bustle of the traffic in LA.Yesterday feels like a world away. I suppose it was. All I could do, is watch you walking through the terminal. Into the night. Back to a world, where us will never survive.

We agree to give each other space. Space, it's over 8776 miles of space between us now. Even that's no one left. I don't know. All I know is all the places we talked about. Our favorite place, we use to love coming here. I wonder if it was the same over there? We will just sit there and float on all our thoughts. You'll let me throw coins and have silly wishes in the fountain. Counting on my wishes always makes you smile. I used a few cents then. There were days I wish I was in LA. To start a new life, a new world, with you. But there are also days, I believe.. This is what we are meant for.

To help bring us back to life. This were your words. To increase the better chances for a better future. For the world with your music. It's like the wall of names here. Everyday people sacrifice themselves for the needs of others. Bob Dylan - Someone once described his voice as sounding like that of a cow with his leg caught in a fence. Piqued my interest. No matter how much is written about the man, he never becomes any more known to any of us. That's what I call a legend. Paul McCartney - McCartney's written songs that have been covered by thousands of people. His catalog of tunes reads like a one-man public domain; the songs are that universal. "Yesterday," "Hey Jude," "Let It Be," "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?", "The Long And Winding Road." And those aren't even the good ones.

What will I be remembered for? But it doesn't matter. I know what you will be remembered for. Funny, isn't it? We can give and heal through our music. But we couldn't avoid the heartache felt every time we are apart. I let you go, it's time you do the same. One step at a time. I am taking mine today.

Home, if we are able to go back to that time, I wonder what kinda person I will be. Until then, will I think of my past, or look into the future? I am sure, everything will grow back to life after the drought. But I wonder, can we say the same about us?

I don't know. Tomorrow still feels like a world away.I suppose it is.

All Of The Stars

Just a song I needed right now. It speaks all I am feeling right now. Ed Sheeran never disappoints. 

It's just another night
And I'm staring at the moon
I saw a shooting star
And thought of you

I sang a lullaby
By the waterside and knew
If you were here,
I'd sing to you

You're on the other side
As the skyline splits in two
I'm miles away from seeing you

I can see the stars
From America
I wonder, do you see them, too?

So open your eyes and see
The way our horizons meet
And all of the lights will lead
Into the night with me

And I know these scars will bleed
But both of our hearts believe
All of these stars will guide us home

I can hear your heart
On the radio beat
They're playing 'Chasing Cars'
And I thought of us

Back to the time,
You were lying next to me
I looked across and fell in love
So I took your hand

Back through London's streets I knew
Everything led back to you
So can you see the stars?
Over Amsterdam
You're the song my heart is
Beating to

So open your eyes and see
The way our horizons meet
And all of the lights will lead
Into the night with me
And I know these scars will bleed
But both of our hearts believe
All of these stars will guide us home

And, oh, I know
And oh, I know, oh
I can see the stars
From America

Stop Bullying : Hypocrisy

Sometimes it really saddens me from what we are surrounded with. The ugly side of human nature. Bullying can happen anywhere and to anyone. I've been fighting for a cause for few years now, and yet, out there somewhere there is still people who are in pain out there somewhere.

I wanted to write this just to highlight a few things that I read recently that is hypocrisy in our society. I am not saying that most of them are, but there are such individual among us. In a way, I wonder if it was the age, culture, or the exposure around these people. When there is a cause to fight for such as the bullying of LGBT in our society, there were among the first to stand up for what they think is right for them. Kudos to them for believing in their cause. But where is the ugly side of this? It is among the LGBT themselves.

I recently read something on twitter. To be honest, a friend of mine actually. It is sad to say but truthfully it is an ugly side of human. To me, bullying is a no reason to act on. Don't gimme the excuse of being young and ignorant. But the thing is, to tweet publicly about your disgust for fat people is just as disgusting as the people who were homophobic.

I know that staying healthy and fit is like a "must" thing for most LGBT. But yet, for someone who you do not know and publicly tweeted about them is also a form of bullying. Maybe not to them, but for the people who reads it. What makes me sick is the friend of mine was actively fighting against bullying by homophobe.

And it just triggers me that "why you?" Of all people, this is the last thing I am expecting from you. The hypocrisy, and I do wonder if you really deserve all that you were fighting for. I know that we do for a greater good, but I have to get this outta my chest. I makes me wonder the people around, and their true colors.

No matter what a life choice that a person do, we can't judge them. I really do wish that all these will stop one day. If only everyone will be treating everyone like what they want others to threat them. The world would be a much beautiful place.

There are so much going on around us. Stop and take a look. Do we really wanna live in a world like this? Shouldn't we be the first to take that stand instead of waiting for others to do so first? We can't tolerate people who are homophobic and racist. But we can tolerate ourselves to saying bad stuff and shaming others who we don't like? Where is the common sense in that? 

Testing Nearly Complete For Airbus A350

Airbus is currently testing its latest jetliner, the A350, in anticipation of receiving safety certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency.

The company is hoping it will have the final go-ahead from the agency by September.

Special approval will be needed as the A350 will fly on routes over long stretches over water.

The new lightweight, medium-sized jet has been developed to compete with Boeing's Dreamliner.

Airbus already has delivery orders to fulfil, with the first A350 going to Qatar Airways, around the end of the year.

The A350 intercontinental jet will seat between 250 and 350 passengers.

While European regulators may sign off on the jet before the end of summer, the US Federal Aviation Administration may take a few months longer.

Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 Due September

Virgin Atlantic is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in September, although chairman Richard Branson is keeping mum on the inaugural routes.

But Branson has teased that Virgin's Dreamliner fleet will be slick and, well, very Virgin.

"We’ve got completely new seats, completely new entertainment systems, completely new bars, a completely new lighting system," Branson said during a flying visit to support Virgin America's efforts to gain a foothold at the city's Love Field airport.

“It’s going to look stunning and will give Virgin Atlantic a real shot in the arm" the billionaire Brit promised.

Virgin Atlantic remains on the fence about the Airbus A380 but says it's full steam ahead for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Richard Branson-backed airline has become increasingly less enthusiastic about the A380 since it placed an initial order for six superjumbos with options for a further six in 2000.

Virgin Atlantic expected its first A380 to begin flying from 2008 on routes to "New York, Hong Kong, Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tokyo."

At the time, Branson saw the A380 as presenting "an exciting opportunity to create new ways of flying for our passengers."

"Virgin Atlantic's A380s are going to be bigger and better than any aircraft which has preceded them with bigger and better cabins for all our passengers."

Virgin Atlantic's Airbus A380

But Virgin Atlantic has yet to begin flying the double-decker jet, continually deferring its order – most recently in July last year, pushing the earliest delivery to 2018, a decade after first flights were planned – and the airline remains on the fence.

“We have options for six A380s” Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Kreeger tells BusinessWeek. “We have deferred those a number of times and we haven’t yet decided what we will do when time comes for a terminate-the-batch decision.”

Keeger is far more enthusiastic on the prospects of the fuel-efficient Boeing 787, which is expected to join the Virgin Atlantic fleet in September this year ahead of inaugural passenger flights in November.

“We are very pleased with the customer features of the aircraft,” Kreeger says, teasing that the airline's Dreamliner fit-out would be consistent with Virgin's aim to be “always extraordinary.”

Virgin Atlantic has signed up for 16 of the long-range Boeing 787-9 which will carry 'Upper Class' business class, premium economy and economy cabins, with "between 250 and 290 seats depending on whether the aircraft is used for business routes or leisure routes."

The Dreamliners will see an improved version of the Upper Class 'Dream Suite'which the airline debuted in 2012.

"Given the cabin's a bit bigger, we can make some of the dimensions a bit bigger" Keeger's predecessor in the corner office, Steve Ridgway, toldAustralian Business Traveller during the launch of the Dream Suite.

"Just that little bit of extra width in the cabin makes all the difference when you can divide it up among the passengers."

The Dreamliners will be used to replace the airline's older and more fuel-thirsty Airbus A340s and have already been earmarked for routes from the UK to the USA, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Virgin previously claimed they "will also be instrumental in introducing new routes" incliuding Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Seattle and Toronto.

At the time the airline also said that Melbourne and Perth were "under consideration", but this was of course before Virgin Atlantic pulled out of Australian skies with the axing of its Sydney-Hong Kong route.