Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 787-9 To Fly Boston

Virgin Atlantic used the occasion of its 30th birthday a few days ago (the airline flew its inaugural flight on June 22, 1984) to announce where it will be sending its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner when it joins the fleet this fall: Boston. Appropriately enough, the airplane will be called “Birthday Girl”.

Flights will start six times a week from October 28, and guess what: you can book a ticket right now. We can see returns in November from about $1,000 in Economy, $1,500 in Premium Economy, and $4,500 in Upper (Business) Class. Flight VS012 leaves Boston at 10.10pm, arriving at London Heathrow at 09.25am the next day, with the return VS011 departing London Heathrow at 5.35pm, landing in Boston at 8.55pm.

In-flight experience should be improved across all cabins, with better entertainment systems, mood lighting, and access to WiFi. There will be 31 seats in Upper Class, which will have some minor changes from the most recent Dream Suite. All seats have aisle access, and there will be an in-flight bar. Premium Economy will have 35 refreshed seats, with a total of 198 in Economy.

Following Boston, the Dreamliner will head for Washington DC (we can see the 787-900 pop up from late December in the online reservation system) and New York City JFK and Newark as well. Once seat plans and images from inside are available, you’ll read about it here.

Boeing To Deliver 1500th 747

Boeing is set to deliver its 1,500th 747, with the milestone customer being Lufthansa. The carrier will take delivery on Saturday.

But it may also be a milestone that highlights the iconic plane’s twilight years.

Boeing is building just 1.5 of the jumbo jets a month as demand for the large, and ultimately more expensive, aircraft has dwindled.

Aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia said in the report that he doubts the 747 remains in production beyond the next decade, though he also admits he is a fan of the aircraft and would “love to be proven wrong.”

However long production does continue, it will mean work for Spirit AeroSystems Inc in Wichita, which builds the forward cab and other components on the 747.

Korean Air Receives 9th A380

Korean Air Lines Co., South Korea's No. 1 full-service air carrier, said Friday it will take over its ninth A380 superjumbo jet and use it to service the Atlanta route starting next month.

The Airbus passenger jet, to arrive in Incheon International Airport on Saturday, is configured to carry 407 passengers overall, of which 301 are economy seats.

The airline said the 33-34 inches of space between economy seat rolls is the widest among any operator of the A380, making Korean Air jets more comfortable for passengers on long-distance flights. The A380 also has 94 prestige-class seats making up the entire upper deck of the plane, and 12 first class seats at the front of the main deck.

The company, the 12th-largest passenger carrier in the world, said that after final security inspections, the plane will be deployed on the route connecting Incheon to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport route starting on July 6.

Korean Air first received the A380 in June 2011. The planes are used on flights to Los Angeles, New York and Paris. It said the 10th and last A380 ordered will arrive in July.

The company also said it came in at the top of the best passenger service ranking in the Global Customer Satisfaction Competency Index (GCSI) this year for the 10th year in a row.

The GCSI is managed by Japan Management Association Consultants Inc., which evaluates customer's satisfaction on services offered by an airline. Korean Air has ranked at the top of the list since 2005.

The Support System

"Don't deny yourself the support system."

Those were the exact words Kevin told me years ago. Having cancer and living with it is one thing. But there is one thing that all of us who are struggling will agree on this. Feeling alone all the time. 

There are people that we love like our love ones, family and friends there to support us. But is it really enough? Once, I thought that it would be. But it isn't. Before Kevin told me this, I always thought I wasn't the support group kinda person. But he was right. The more I deny that, the more lonelier I get. But when is it exactly that you'll let yourself tell yourself that it is enough? No doubt our love ones, family and friends will be there for us, but that doesn't count. The people who understand the language you are speaking does make that difference.

The best of ways I can say is surround yourself with the people who can handle it. Because it is a lot to handle. Yes family and friends may be empathetic towards what you are going through. But sometimes, when they are helpless and when they kept silent, that is when the loneliness haunts you. Sometimes, one of the reasons why I don't write much about my cancer is because, it is so hard to put yourself out there. 

Future is like a fantasy to us, because we cope and fight to live on everyday. Answering the question "How are you?" Is the hardest thing you could find the right answer for it. You live in a world where everything you do is at arms length. And that distance let you feel safe. But the longer this goes on, that loneliness will crawl into you and eventually, giving up seems to be a good option.

Sometime nearly 2 years back, I remembered it was tough. After chemotherapy, My body was in septic shock. Rashes, bruises, and i looked like I was burned. I was in pain, and no one around me could understood what state I was in and what was the thing I wanted best for myself. Obviously I turned a corner from that episode, but the one person who understood me was there with me all the way. I wouldn't have made it without him if I was honest. He didn't had cancer, but he is living in a way that he could relate and handle. To live with something everyday that you wished you never had to begin with. 

For some reason, I needed that support and it helped me so much that I couldn't describe how thing would be if I hadn't have that source to hold on to. But I realize in Malaysia, there aren't much of a support system that people who are struggling to have this grip. Not just the people who have cancer, but also those who are living with terminal condition. It kept me thinking how things would be for them and how hard it is for them to wrap their heads around what's happening. Even I feel the effect that it could put on you. Most of the time, I just wanna be left alone. And in my case, lying in the bath tub was one of the ways to make me feel safe. But this doesn't make it right. There is so much I wanna do, but I know I just can't do it by myself. But where do I begin? Do I wanna just put on a blind eye and let it slip? I really don't know.. But with my condition right now, there sing much I could do either ways.

Don't feel ashame who you are telling when. You'll have to give yourself time to wrap your head around it. And never deny the support system. When a person who doesn't have cancer asked you "are you ok?", you know that it is different from a person who speaks your language. Finding myself to forgive my cancer, and trying to make sense of why is this happening to you is the hardest thing you'll ever do. When I wasn't ok, I just didn't wanna answer to a question like a friendly "how are you?" Cause you know it will be a lie to begin with.  

In my American Cancer Society family, Shae, with breast cancer, Vincent with lymphoma, Gerald with Leukemia, it makes it easier. And when Kevin move on from his cancer, this was his legacy. In the end, it doesn't matter that Kevin couldn't save himself or the world. The legacy of his words was never about weather or not he could cure cancer. It was about the community he created with the people who are struggling. With his support, he helped a lot of people feel a little less...  alone. 

Air India Joins Star Alliance

India's national carrier has joined the world's leading airline grouping, Star Alliance, it was announced on Tuesday.

Federal Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju described it as a "new beginning" for the loss-making Air India amid expectations that the move could boost the airline's revenues and international presence.

Executives from Star Alliance met with Air India officials in London on Monday and agreed that the airline, which has been attempting to join the group since 2007, would become its 27th member.

"Air India will benefit out of this alliance. Air India's revenues might also go up 4 to 5%," Mr Raju said in New Delhi. "It is a win-win situation for all."

The membership will allow Air India to share routes with other airlines to more than 1,250 destinations in 191 countries.

"We look forward to welcoming Air India passengers to our global network and offering them our alliance benefits," said Jeffrey Goh, Star Alliance chief operating officer.

Air India will add a total of 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations in India to the alliance.

Indian media reports said Air India posted a net loss of 51 billion rupees (27.4 billion baht) in the last financial year.

Air India becomes the first Indian carrier to join the global alliance. Members include major airlines like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Air China, All Nippon Airways, Thai Airways International and Turkish Airlines.

Behind Emirates Airbus A350 Order Cancellation

Airbus is to get a second chance to sell its new A350 aircraft to Emirates Airline after the fast-growing Gulf carrier revealed it would take a fresh look at the case for buying the long-range passenger jet in a head to head contest with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

Airbus suffered a serious blow earlier this month when Emirates cancelled an order for 70 A350 jets, worth $16 billion (Dh58.75 billion) at catalogue prices when the deal was announced in 2007.

Emirates was supposed to be a launch customer for the A350, due to enter service later this year, and the airline’s decision not to proceed with its order was the Toulouse-based aircraft maker’s largest ever cancellation. Airbus’ shares were hit, as were those of Rolls-Royce, which makes the jet’s engines.

Tim Clark, Emirates’ president, told the Financial Times that the airline would hold discussions with Airbus and Boeing either late this year or next year about the merits of buying the A350 or the Dreamliner.

He said the Dubai-based carrier was interested in purchasing between 50 and 70 wide-body, twin-engined jets capable of flying on regional routes in the Middle East, plus to cities in Africa. The order — which could be worth at least $18 billion at catalogue prices — looks set to be a fiercely contested battle between Airbus and Boeing.

Emirates’ planned move is a boost for Boeing, because the carrier has never placed an order for the Dreamliner.

Two people familiar with the situation said Emirates decided to drop its A350 order made in 2007 because it had concerns about the jet’s specification and performance.

Clark, who declined to comment on the reasons for the cancellation, said: “At the end of this year, beginning of next year, we will re-engage with Airbus on this aeroplane [the A350]. We will also engage [with Boeing about the Dreamliner].”

He stressed Emirates had not intended to damage Airbus or Rolls-Royce with its A350 order cancellation, but said the airline wanted to buy a “mature” aircraft.

The risks associated with being early airline customers for the Dreamliner, which entered service in 2011, were highlighted last year when the entire fleet was temporarily grounded after batteries burnt on two aircraft. Modifications were subsequently agreed with regulators.

Both the A350 and the Dreamliner have involved step changes in aircraft technology, partly because they are mainly made from lightweight carbon composites rather than traditional aluminium, to reduce fuel burn.

Emirates is the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, and Boeing’s 777 wide-body jet, which carry about 500 and 400 passengers respectively on long-haul routes.

Clark said these two aircraft would be the principal jets in Emirates’ fleet, but said there was room for another carrying between 250 and 300 passengers on regional routes — hence the carrier’s plan to consider the Dreamliner and re-examine the A350.

“When the aircraft [the A350 and 787] are mature, they will be better defined in terms of performance, fuel burn,” he added.

Clark stressed that, whatever Emirates’ decision between the A350 and the Dreamliner, the carrier would remain an important Airbus customer because of its purchases of A380s. It has agreed to buy 140 A380s, and Clark said more could be purchased, partly because Emirates is considering moving to a new airport in Dubai that would enable it to expand its fleet further.

Emirates had 217 aircraft as of March 31, and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, said last November the fleet could eventually consist of 450 jets.

Clark rejected some analysts’ suggestions that Emirates had dropped its A350 order made in 2007 because it was having to rein in expansion plans because of the economic slowdown in emerging markets.

Emirates To Fly A380 To San Francisco, Houston

Emirates will begin flying its flagship Airbus A380 to San Francisco and Houston from December 2014.

Both routes will be upgraded from the current Boeing 777-300ER to the superjumbo, with Dubai-San Francisco's A380 flight EK225/226 beginning December 1 and Dubai-Houston's EK211/212 following on December 3.

The A380 will add an extra 135 seats to San Francisco and 137 to Houston, but the big wins are are the pointy end with the superjumbo's 76 lie-flat business class seats and 14 private first class suites – plus a bar where premium passengers can mingle during the journey.

San Francisco and Houston will be Emirates fourth and fifth US gateways to see the Gulf carrier's A380, joining New York, Los Angeles and as of October 1, Dallas/Fort Worth.

Qatar 787 Dreamliner To Fly Henada

The addition of its newest destination will double the airline's service to the exciting city of Tokyo up to two flights a day. The route, which will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will be Qatar Airways’ third into Japan, joining Osaka and Tokyo Narita International Airport.

Tokyo Haneda International Airport is one of two major airports that serve the Greater Tokyo area, and in 2012 alone it handled more than 66 million passengers.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is very excited to further extend our network in one of our most popular destinations. Tokyo, with its rich culture and heritage, has long been a dream destination for travellers all over the world who are looking to explore and experience the fast-paced and vibrant city. We are very pleased that we are now able to provide both leisure and business passengers an additional option when flying into Tokyo.

“We are also very pleased that we will be introducing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most state-of-the-art aircraft in our fleet, on the route when we commence operations to Tokyo Haneda. I have no doubt that our passengers will truly enjoy all that this aircraft has to offer in terms of an overall enhanced travel experience.”

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a two-cabin configuration, comprising of 22 seats in Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats with a high standard of comfort on board, including individual 10.5-inch television screens for all Economy Class seats and a full complimentary food and beverage service. The Dreamliner has steadily gained popularity with passengers as it has been introduced to various destinations throughout the airlines’ network.

With the commencement of flights to Tokyo Haneda, the number of flights to Japan rises from 14 to 21 frequencies each week. Tokyo has long been a popular destination for passengers from the Americas, the Middle East and Europe. Qatar Airways, the State of Qatar’s national airline, has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 134 aircraft to 142 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

Over the next few months, the network will grow further with new routes to Dallas/Fort Worth, USA (July 1, 2014) and Djibouti (July 27, 2014)

NokScoot Coming To Town

Nok Air announced its board approved the establishment of NokScoot. Singapore Airlines announced Nok Air and Scoot agreed on the final structure of the new airline.

A JV agreement was signed between Scoot, Nok Mangkang (a special purpose vehicle set up by Nok Air) and Pueannammitr (a company formed by Nok Air management) to establish NokScoot by way of acquiring and renaming Pete Air, which already holds an air operator's licence.

Nok Mangkang and Scoot will each initially own 43.75% of the share capital of NokScoot. Subsequent restructuring will adjust shareholdings to 49% held by Scoot, 49% held by Nok Mangkang and 2% held by Pueannammitr. The parties agreed to invest an initial aggregate share capital of THB2 billion (USD61.6 million) in NokScoot, in proportion to their respective shareholdings. 

NokScoot will operate widebody aircraft on medium and long-haul international routes from its base at Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport. Additional information on NokScoot's fleet, routes and service will be announced shortly.

Not Chili.. Just Tomato...

This was just few weeks ago in Gold Coast. It is now winter down under. There were a group of air crew getting ready to check out of the hotel and head to the airport.

So during checking out, one Korean crew went out to have a cigarette while the others are dealing at the concierge. After she was done, she came back to the group. And then this conversation happened..


Captain  : So, how was the weather out there? Is it chilly?!?!

Crew      : Nope...

Captain   : Huh!? .. What?!?!

Crew       : Nope it's not chilly..

Captain    : Then how was it???

Crew        : Tomato...

Everyone was stunned and having the exact same reaction you are having right now. I really love my crew friends.. They always have all this kinda story that brighten my day no matter how my day goes..

Qantas To Boost Melbourne-Los Angeles Flights

Qantas plans to add a second flight between Melbourne and Los Angeles later this year.

The move is in response to seasonal demand but also follows United Airlines' upgrading of its Melbourne-LAX route to a direct service on a Boeing 787-9 from late October.

Qantas International CEO Simon Hickey says the airline will add "up to 11 trans-Pacific flights over the Christmas holidays, primarily from Melbourne to Los Angeles", according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

"That is part of being nimble and making sure we have got the right network for when we need it," Hickey said.

Qantas currently runs a single daily flight between Melbourne and Los Angeles on its flagship Airbus A380, but could roster a Boeing 747 as the second service over the December-January period.

The airline will also bring the A380 back onto its Sydney-Hong Kong route from 11 December 2014 to 26 January 2015 as a demand-driven seasonal measure, having withdrawn the superjumbo in favour of a Boeing 747 as of September 29 this year.

Cathay Pacific Business Class Upgrade Guide

Cathay Pacific isn't the only airline on which you can score an Asia Miles upgrades. Asia Miles can also be used for upgrades on British Airways, including on the airline’s daily Sydney-Singapore-London flight; Dragonair, Cathay Pacific’s regional offshoot; and American Airlines.

The best value is found in return trip upgrades, rather than redeeming separately for two one-way flights, and the number of points required depends on how far you’ll be travelling. Logically, more points are needed on longer flights, while fewer points can see you moved forward on those shorter hops.

On most Sydney-Hong Kong and Sydney-Singapore getaways, 22,500 Asia Miles is enough for a return upgrade to business with both British Airways and Cathay Pacific.

From Hong Kong, longer flights to London and Los Angeles can be upgraded for 30,000 Asia Miles on the round trip, which is terrific value.

Here’s what you need to know to turn those lingering Cathay Pacific Asia Miles into a business class seat on your next journey abroad.

Cathay Pacific business class upgrades

Cathay Pacific upgrades are all one-class – meaning economy passengers can move forward into premium economy, but only premium economy travellers can grab a seat in business class.

The more expensive W- and R-class Cathay premium economy fares are eligible for upgrades, although the cheaper ‘E bucket’ fares don’t allow this.

British Airways business class upgrades

British Airways is a little more generous, offering upgrades from all World Traveller Plus premium economy tickets.

Club World business class on British Airways

On flights without premium economy, those down the very back can try their hand at a business class seat – but only when travelling on the most expensive, flexible tickets.

For both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, that’s anything in the Y, B, H, K and M fare buckets.

American Airlines and British Airways are less generous in this regard, capping upgrades to travellers on full-fare Y, B and H economy tickets.

Prior to check-in, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair upgrades can be confirmed immediately through the Asia Miles website, provided that upgrades are available on your flight. If they’ve all been snapped up, you can also join the ‘waitlist’, where requests are assessed closer to wheels-up.

Upgrades on British Airways and American Airlines have to be processed manually.

With these airlines, requests can be lodged online or over the phone to the Asia Miles team. Australian residents can call 1800 129 264 for assistance, which is toll-free from most fixed phones.

In any case, not every seat is available for upgrading – Cathay and its other partner airlines typically hold back a number business class seats for high-value sales, even on departure day.

If that’s a concern, we’d recommend giving the Asia Miles team a call and checking for available upgrades before paying for your premium economy flights.

Cathay Pacific business class upgrades at the airport

Travellers can also use their Asia Miles to upgrade at the airport when booked on any Cathay Pacific flight, and on most Dragonair flights too.

At check-in, simply present your membership card and your itinerary, and if a last-minute upgrade is available on your flight, the seat is yours!

Business class on Cathay Pacific

Airport upgrades are only available on your next onward flight – so if you’re travelling from Sydney to London via Hong Kong, you can only upgrade the Sydney-Hong Kong flight while on the ground in Australia.

That being the case, upgrades are charged at the higher ‘one-way’ rate, which is a little less generous than a pre-arranged return trip upgrade. If you have the chance to upgrade online, it’s the best option.

Exclusively available in Cathay’s city-state hub, Asia Miles members also have the option to upgrade with only 70% of the required mileage, using cash or a credit card to cover the spread.

Top-up miles are sold in blocks of 2,000 at US$60 per block, converted into Hong Kong dollars on departure day.

If you’re breaking that Sydney-London journey with a stopover in Hong Kong, the onward Hong Kong-London sector could be upgraded from premium economy to business class for the full 20,000 Asia Miles at check-in.

A budding road warrior with only 14,000 miles in their account could also secure an upgrade on that flight with a co-payment of just US$180 – or around A$192 on today’s rate.

Cathay Pacific business class upgrade auctions

Passengers travelling on selected routes between June 20 and November 12 2014 can bid for a business class upgrade through the Cathay website, with bump-ups going to the highest cash bidder.

Dubbed Enhance, the upgrade auction scheme is currently available on selected flights between Hong Kong and Perth, London, Paris, New York/Newark, Toronto, Moscow, Seoul, Surabaya and Cebu.

Like Asia Miles upgrades, the auctions are also one-class – so you’ll need a premium economy ticket in order to bid for business class.

Cathay Pacific says that travellers who are eligible for Enhance will receive an instant invitation on the booking confirmation page if they book online, or will receive an email invitation seven days before departure if they booked through a travel agent.

"Follow the steps on the invitation, submit your personal information, and make an offer." the airline explains. "If your offer was accepted, we will contact you 2-3 days before your flight to confirm the upgrade."

A few tips…

If your upgrade to business class is successful, you’ll only earn Asia Miles and Marco Polo Club miles and sectors as applicable to your original premium economy fare.

Also, upgrades aren’t available when travelling on most frequent flyer award tickets, whether booked through Asia Miles, Qantas Frequent Flyer or any other program.

One final tip: if you upgrade close to wheels-up, the full on-board menu might not be available to you.

On full flights, that could severely limit your meal choices, so if you have any food allergies, it’s best to inform the crew before orders are taken.

Tiger Airways Mandala To Cease Operations

Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. Wednesday said its Indonesian associate will cease operations on July 1, as the loss-making Singapore budget carrier reverses course on its strategy of aggressive overseas expansion.

The shareholders of PT Mandala Airlines, which is 35.8%-owned by Tiger Airways, "vigorously explored" various options but concluded that the carrier, which operates as Tigerair Mandala, can't sustain operations.

Following the review, Tiger Airways, along with other shareholders—Indonesian private-equity firm Saratoga Group and PT Cardig International—have decided to stop funding the airline, it said in a statement.

"The overcapacity situation that has put significant pressure on yields, the weakening of the rupiah, which depreciated more than 20% since of the beginning of 2013, has also increased operating costs significantly," Jusman Syafii Djamal, the chairman of Mandala Airlines' board of commissioners, said in a separate news release.

Tigerair, as the Singapore-listed airline is now branded, first invested in Mandala in January 2012.

The investment was part of Tigerair's attempt to replicate the successes of Malaysia's AirAsia  Bhd. and Australia's Jetstar Airways by taking stakes in joint ventures in Indonesia and the Philippines and starting a subsidiary airline in Australia. But the strategy wasn't successful as Tigerair couldn't match the scale of local airlines in those countries. Its Australian unit was grounded by regulators in Australia for six weeks in 2011 over safety concerns, which dented the airline's reputation.

Tigerair, which is 40%-owned by Singapore Airlines Ltd., has already scaled back its investments in Australia and the Philippines. It announced a deal with Cebu Air Inc. in January to sell its 40% stake in Tigerair Philippines.

Last year, it sold its 60% stake in Tigerair Australia to Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd. and became a minority partner in its former subsidiary.

With the latest announcement, Tigerair will limit itself to its Singapore operations and its remaining 40% stake in the Australian affiliate.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, Tigerair's loss widened to 223 million Singapore dollars (US$178 million) from a loss of S$45 million a year earlier. The company has now reported a net loss for three consecutive fiscal years.

Pulling out of Tigerair Mandala will help Tiger Airways to focus on fleet consolidation and strategic alliances, the company said.

In March, Tigerair ordered 37 Airbus Group A320neo jets with Pratt & Whitney engines to renew its fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft and simultaneously canceled an existing order for nine Airbus A320 current-generation aircraft, which were part of a larger 2007 order.

The new aircraft, which will arrive between 2018 and 2025, will allow Tigerair to keep its fleet capacity at a more manageable level and reduce costs. The aircraft from the older order would have been delivered in 2014 and 2015, which would have left it with more aircraft than it could use.

As of May 31, Tigerair had a fleet of 49 Airbus A320-family aircraft which averaged less than three years of age, according to its website.

Garuda: Jakarta-Amsterdam-London Boeing 777

Garuda Indonesia will begin its long-awaited Boeing 777-300ER Jakarta-London flights on September 8, albeit with a stop-over in Amsterdam.

The airline's direct Jakarta-Amsterdam service, which took wing this weekend, bypasses Garuda's previous fuel stop at Abu Dhabi due to the extended range of the Boeing 777-300ER jet compared to the Airbus A330s which previously plied the route.

Garuda says that Amsterdam is now the airline's hub "for Europe and beyond."

"The opportunities presented by the established SkyTeam hub at Amsterdam are too significant to pass up, as it will be an alternative gateway for passengers who wish to travel beyond Europe" explains Garuda Indonesia CEO Emirsyah Satar.

Amsterdam is home port to Garuda's SkyTeam partner KLM, with connections to the UK and Europe.

However, as of September 8, Garuda's Boeing 777-300ER will continue from Amsterdam through to London's Gatwick airport, and then return to Amsterdam for the final long leg home to Jakarta.

It's a far cry from Garuda's previous plans to tap into the Kangaroo Route between Sydney and London via Jakarta, which was meant to showcase the new flagship Boeing 777-300ER fleet and mark another step in the airline's efforts to present itself as "a global player" in the words of CEO Satar.

This shuffle also saw the promised Boeing 777-300ER upgrade for Sydney-Jakarta axed, with that route now remaining on an Airbus A330.

At least Garuda's Boeing 777-300ER will make the Jakarta-Amsterdam-London flight more comfortable than its older Airbus A330, especially for those in the new first class cabin with a chef on call.

There are eight first class suites.

The suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout – the middle pair have a slide-up screen for privacy if you're flying solo, but it also makes for a good companion arrangement when you're travelling with a friend.

Each seat gets a 23 inch screen with full video-on-demand.

You’ll also find a personal wardrobe for each passenger and ample storage space in a concealed compartment under the armrest.

The wide seats recline into a fully flat bed.

At the not-so-pointy end of the plane are 38 ‘Executive Class’ business class seats.

These are a more familiar design – they’re the staggered Solstys model from EADS Sogerma, which we most recently saw on Thai Airway’s new Airbus A380.

Down the back of the bus are 268 economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout.

From tip to tail, Garuda’s Boeing 777-300ER boasts wireless Internet and live TV including English Premier League matches.

This video from Garuda presents the highlights of its Boeing 777-300ER passenger experience.

Garuda Indonesia also plans to add new direct routes to Manila and Mumbai this year.

Airbus New A321neo Layout

Airbus has revealed a new cabin layout for the A321neo ahead of the first flight for the A320neo in September this year.

But it's not just about "putting more sardines in the can" says Klaus Roewe, Airbus' Senior Vice President for the A320neo family.

The new 'Cabin-Flex' configuration adds an extra 20 seats in a standard all-economy design, boosting the number of passengers from 220 to 240 but retaining the same degree of comfort.

Airbus' all-economy layout assumes 18 inch wide seats with 28 inch pitch, although the airline says that using modern slimline seats is “good for an extra 1-2 inches in pitch, so you have living space for your knees."

The revised design also delivers a "6% fuel per seat reduction", Roewe says – a vital factor considering that this update to the A320 single-aisle jets will become the domestic workhorse for many airlines.

Airbus currently counts almost 2,700 orders for the A320neo family – comprising the A319neo, A320neo and A321neo – from 52 customers, with the most recent being Air New Zealand’s pledge to buy thirteen of the next-gen jets to sharpen its competitive edge against Qantas on the trans-Tasman market.

"You can support a higher seat count and intelligently manage to to give living space and floor space to the customers" Roewe believes.

"We have reduced space for the galley and lavatory, with a new Space-Flex new rear galley configuration and Smart-Lav lavatory design to come" he says.

Airbus has also increased the number of passengers who can safely exit an A320neo family plane in the required time, with emergency exit doors which are taller and pack a wider inflatable slide.

The revised A321neo design also rejigs the location of the doors, as shown below.

"With increased evacuation limits we could eliminate door 2" Roewe explains, making for a more flexible cabin layout.

"This is the area where you want to position business or first class, so it removes that limitation for your layout and gives you additional seats."

Airbus expects the first A320neo to fly in September, Airbus NEO Flight Test Engineer Sandra Bour-Schaeffer confirmed at an Airbus media event today in Toulouse, adding that the first flight will be preceded by a "virtual flight test campaign" in the coming months.

British Airways New Cabin Interior for European Flights

British Airways is updating its cabin interior on flights across Europe, unveiling new charcoal-grey leather seats.

Manufactured by B/E Aerospace, the slimline seats are being fitted to the airline’s Airbus A319, A320 and A321 fleet from this week, with upgrade works expected to take 12 months.

Complete with a four-way moveable headrest, the leather seats will appear in both Euro Traveller economy and Club Europe business class.

Much to the dismay of frequent travellers, BA isn’t dropping the never-used middle seat at the pointy end (below) – which ‘disappears’ when the armrests are moved closer together.

British Airways' current Club Europe seating

Instead, a new centre console is being fitted in Club Europe – perfect for nursing drinks and snacks – taking up the full width of the B and E seats.

With a moveable curtain, these seats can be converted to regular economy where passenger loads demand more space.

BYO inflight entertainment remains a necessity on BA’s shorter flights, so there’s also an eye-level tablet holder built into the seatback.

When complete, a total of 95 Airbus aircraft will feature the new British Airways European interior.

Reality In Desires

Have you ever wanted the touch of another person's on your skin? The breath of another on your neck? The taste of another's tongue in your mouth? And that ecstatic orgasm of another's with yours? We all have that point where we wanna give into our inner desires. For all the taking however we choose, which way would I wanna give into? To satisfy my desires? Or to just let it be and waiting for it to pass away with time?

For some time in my past, I was a slave to my desires. (3-4 years if I wasn't mistaken) I would give in without even have to think twice. The things that I've ruined and the person I was after, was just too much for anyone to take in.

But giving the circumstances that I have right now, all those emotions were somehow secondary. I didn't want anyone else's touch on my skin, but I wanted your touch collide with mine. I am yearning for that familiar taste of your tongue instead of another's. I wanted that warm breathe that isn't foreign but that calms me. That ecstatic orgasm is just something I use to think about, but I crave for that synchronicity of our bodies reacts.

Maybe you could call this part of growing up. Many things that use to be exciting and give me that electric ecstasy was just something I look back and smile and say those were the wild crazy days.

As far as the eye can see, there is something about us that gives us that edge for something we always wanted. It isn't perfect at all with what we have, but all those imperfection makes it our safe heaven.

Don't get me wrong, desires will always be there. It always has, but what are our priorities to it. I know that many of those crazy things I use to do, might just stay as a past. Yes, I say might cuz in life, we really wouldn't know what is next would we?

I know that there are many things ahead of us that will challenge what we have. But all I could think of right now is how unfair it's just our love. Found something real that out of touch. But when we touch, the whole wide world is just at our finger tips. The quiet nights in New York city with just us lying in our bed, dreaming about the world that we own. The touches and kisses are the custom of the world we live in, and nothing seems to stop us for letting the natural desires in both of us living in our reality.

I have no idea at all how this post became such content. It wasn't my intention at first, but all I can think of is New York, Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Every smile that I see now in my head is so vivid. The memories of just us holding hands walking down the beach. Even when we don't talk, it wasn't lonely. It felt complete. It felt... right...

I am just missing you badly right now. I guess my initial intention for this post will have to wait then.

MAS Retires The Last Boeing 737-400

Malaysia Airlines retired the Boeing 737-400 passenger aircraft from its fleet Saturday night, 22 years after it entered the carrier's service in 1992.

The last 737-400 series flight touched down in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 9.31pm Saturday, after taking off from the Bayan Lepas airport in Penang at 8.41pm.

It carried 85 passengers and was served by 10 cockpit and cabin crew.

Capt Wan Muzainal Wan Mahazir, 42, who piloted the aircraft, said he and his crew had fond memories of the 737-400.

"It has been a good, memorable 22-odd years that the 400 series has been servicing MAS.

"(We) still have vivid, fond memories from when we started our early days training on the 400 series, 20 years ago," he told reporters here.

He added that the 400 series would be replaced by the 737-800 series, of which there are 53 planes currently in service.

MAS chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the 737-400 had an exemplary safety record.

"It's like the retiring of an old friend," he said, adding that MAS would be banking on the 800 series to ply the routes previously serviced by the 400 series.

Ahmad said the 800 series saves 15 per cent to 20 per cent more fuel compared to the 400 series, and could fly for five hours one-way.

Ahmad said MAS expected to see more deliveries of the 800 series this year and the next, with a total of 64 of the aircraft by year-end 2015.

MAS had eight of the 737-400 in service before they retired it.

The Boeing 737-400 entered MAS' service in May 1992, and at one point ran 54 of the aircraft, making the company the largest operator of the model outside the United States.