Why Was The Japanese Coast Guard Plane On The Runway?

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NEXT: KOREAN AIR RELEASES A NEW SAFETY VIDEO FEATURING VIRTUAL HUMANS BUT WHY?

Airlineratings.com is packed with information about air travel and answers questions that many of us may have thought of, but didn’t know who to ask. Well, now you do!

Airlineratings.com was developed to provide everyone in the world with a one-stop shop for everything related to airlines, formed by a team of aviation editors, who have forensically researched nearly every airline in the world.

Our rating system is rated from one to seven stars on safety – with seven being the highest ranking. Within each airline, you will find the country of origin, airline code, booking URL and seat map information. The rating system takes into account a number of different factors related to audits from aviation’s governing bodies, lead associations as well as the airline’s own safety data. Every airline has a safety rating breakdown so you can see exactly how they rate.

Over 230 of the airlines on the site that carry 99 per cent of the world’s passengers have a product rating. Given that low-cost, regional and full-service carriers are so different we have constructed a different rating system for each which can be found within each airline

Vietjet vs Vietnam Airlines

In this week’s long-haul, low-cost vs full-service airline comparison, we take a look at Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines on a return flight from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh (SGN).

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In perhaps the toughest review yet, the winner of this comparison between the two Vietnamese airlines will come down to seat selection and baggage.

Our flight to Ho Chi Minh will be taking place on August 11th and returning on August 26^th, 2023. Both Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines operate direct flights on this route with an A330 and A350 respectively.

Our return flight with Vietjet came to $597 AUD which included seat selection, 40kg of checked baggage, a 10kg carry-on bag, meal, and drink. There is no in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi or in-seat power and extra snacks and drinks need to be purchased.

Our flight with Vietnam Airlines came in at $666 AUD which included meals, snacks, unlimited drinks, in-flight entertainment through seat back screens, in-seat power, blankets and pillows plus 23kg of baggage and a 7kg carry-on bag.

However, and this is where it gets interesting, when we add extra baggage and seat selection to the Vietnam Airlines booking to match Vietjet and compare ‘like with like’ the price jumps up an extra $600 AUD to make the total cost $1523 AUD.

If we take the baggage and seat selection out of the equation, then Vietnam Airlines with its onboard comfort and in-flight entertainment would be a winner. When we add extra baggage and seat selection to match the Vietjet offering then Vietjet becomes the winner with a far cheaper cost.

So, who is the winner? For the first time, we do not have a clear winner. Put simply, if you’re travelling with just 23kg of baggage and don’t mind where you sit then Vietnam Airlines is our choice, however, if you want more luggage and to choose your seat then we would choose Vietjet.

If you missed last week’s long-haul comparison between British Airways and Play check it out here

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Play vs British Airways Long Haul

In this week’s long-haul, low-cost vs full-service airline comparison, we take a look at the ever-popular London to New York route. There are loads of full-service flight options for this route but we have opted to compare the UK’s legacy carrier, British Airways and the new Icelandic low-cost carrier, PLAY Airlines. For the first time yet in this series we had a very clear winner.

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Our return flight with PLAY came to $ 664 USD (£532) which includes an $80 USD allowance for meals, drinks and snacks on board, 20kg of checked luggage, carry-on baggage, seat selection and priority boarding. Amenity kits, blankets and pillows, in-flight entertainment, in-seat power and WiFi are not available.

Flights with Play departed and arrived at London Stansted and New York Stewart respectively. Each flight also stops over in Iceland for roughly 2 hours. The total flight time (including the stopover) from London to New York is 11h 15 and from New York to London 10h 20. New York Stewart is a small airport on the outskirts of New York and passengers need to allow approximately 90 minutes to get into New York Central (bus or train) and allow an additional $ 20-25 USD each way.

Our flight with British Airways came in cheaper at $605 USD (£485) which included meals, snacks, drinks, in-flight entertainment, amenities upon request, 23kg of baggage and a 7kg carry-on bag.

The flights with British Airways outbound departed from London Gatwick and arrived at JFK. Coming back they departed JFK and arrived at London Heathrow. Both flights are direct and fly into more ‘central’ airports.

On the topic of central airports, the centrality of these airports really depends on where you are going/living within each city. Where a city has multiple airports always factor the cost and time of getting to/from the airport into your final decision.

In terms of comfort, both airlines offer 30-31 inches of legroom and some seat recline. The aircraft operated on these flights are however very different with PLAY operating the single-aisle A321 and British Airways the far more comfortable twin-aisle Boeing 777.

In this week’s head-to-head we have a very clear winner in British Airways. British Airways offers not only a cheaper fare but far more comfort on board with included drinks, meals and in-flight entertainment. For the author flying into JFK rather than SWF is also a big factor in the decision and unless you are after a holiday in Iceland, a direct flight is usually preferable.

If you missed last week’s long-haul comparison between Scoot and Singapore Airlines check it out here

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Scoot vs Singapore Airlines

In this week’s long-haul, low-cost vs full-service airline comparison, we take a look at Scoot and Singapore Airlines on two different flights from Singapore to Europe. Why two different destinations?

Scoot is Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary and provides passengers with direct flights into Europe via Athens or Berlin. Singapore Airlines operates direct flights to numerous ports in Europe however excludes those operated by Scoot. For this comparison, we used the direct flight with Scoot into Athens and the Singapore Airlines direct flight into Rome.

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Our return flight with Scoot came to $1830 SGD with the inclusion of a meal, snack and drink on each segment, a standard window seat, 30kg of checked baggage and a 10kg carry-on bag. Amenity kits such as blankets and pillows are also available for purchase ($24 SGD) on board but given most passengers wouldn’t buy these, we left that off the price for this exercise. I also added an additional $40 SGD to each flight ($80 in total) for the purchase of in-seat power, additional drinks, meals and snacks over the 11-hour flight.

Our flight with Singapore Airlines came in at $2787 SGD which included meals, snacks, unlimited drinks, in-flight entertainment, amenity kits, blankets and pillow plus 30kg of baggage and a 7kg carry-on bag.

In terms of comfort, Scoot offers 30-31 inches of legroom and Singapore Airlines 32 inches. Both offer an 18-inch seat width and a 6-inch seat recline.

Having flown both airlines multiple times the author can vouch for the value Scoot provides and the excellence in dining, inflight entertainment and comfort you receive on Singapore Airlines. Anyone who’s flown Singapore Airlines long haul will know what I mean.

Even though Scoot has no in-flight entertainment, less legroom, a buy-on-board menu and comfort packs that need to be purchased, with a saving of $957 SGD this author would have to choose Scoot over Singapore Airlines. The Rome flight is longer than the Athens flight (60-90 minutes) so you would expect a higher fare however not that high!

If the budget allowed and you aren’t travelling with anyone under 12, I would recommend upgrading your flight to the Scoot In Silence cabin for an additional $200 SGD

If money was no object, it would be Singapore Airlines all the way but looking at the value proposition of getting from Singapore to Europe, Scoot would be the easy choice on this occasion.

If you missed last week’s long-haul comparison between WestJet and Air Canada check it out here

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WestJet or Air Canada?

This week we compare WestJet and Air Canada on a long-haul return flight from Calgary to London Heathrow. Considering the overall cost, comfort, aircraft and flight time we will see who offers the best value. This review will demonstrate why it is so important to check all prices on a route rather than simply assuming low cost is cheaper.

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Our economy flight to London will be taking place on September 11^th and returning on September 23^rd 2023. Both WestJet and Air Canada operate direct flights on this route with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Our return flight with Westjet came to $1557 CAD with the inclusion of meals, snacks and drinks, in-flight entertainment through seat back screens, in-seat power, a standard window seat, blankets and pillows, 23kg of checked baggage and a 7kg carry-on bag. Wifi Is also available for a fee.

Our flight with Air Canada came in cheaper at $1507 CAD which included meals, snacks, unlimited drinks, in-flight entertainment through seat back screens, in-seat power, a standard window seat, blankets and pillows plus 23kg of baggage and a 7kg carry-on bag. Wifi Is also available for a fee.

What was particularly interesting about this flight comparison was not only that Air Canada was cheaper than its low-cost competitor Westjet but that Westjet actually offered more legroom and seat width in economy. It is unusual to find the low-cost carrier offering more personal space than a full-service carrier.

So which one would we pick to fly? With both airlines offering almost identical onboard service, having similar departure and arrival times plus the same aircraft, the choice has to come down to price. For this reason, the author would choose Air Canada but I would encourage anyone doing this route to compare the prices for both airlines for your specific dates and take your pick from there as both offer comfort and value so you can’t lose.

If you missed last week’s long-haul comparison between Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines check it out here

Are you enjoying our reviews so far? Are there any routes would you like us to evaluate? Place a comment below or get in touch via our social pages

Jetstar vs Qantas: Who offers the best value long haul?

In this week’s long-haul, low-cost vs full-service airline comparison, we take a look at Jetstar vs Qantas on a flight from Sydney to Honolulu. Looking at cost, comfort, aircraft and flight time we will see who offers the best value.

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Our Jetstar vs Qantas fly-off to Honolulu will be taking place on August 28 to September 11^th, 2023. Both Jetstar and Qantas operate direct flights on this route with a 787 and A330 respectively.

Our return flight with Jetstar came to $1192 AUD with the inclusion of a meal, snack and four bottles of water on each segment, a standard window seat, access to the in-flight entertainment, 20kg of checked baggage and a 7kg carry-on bag. Amenity kits such as blankets and pillows are also available for $25 but given most passengers wouldn’t buy these, we left that off the price for this exercise.

Our flight with Qantas came in at $1494 which included meals, snacks, unlimited drinks, in-flight entertainment, amenities, 23kg of baggage and a 7kg carry-on bag.

In terms of comfort, the leg room is only one inch (or 2.5 cm) more on Qantas than Jetstar however the seat recline is roughly double. The actual seat width is virtually the same.

The Qantas A330 offers a comfortable 2-4-2 seating configuration across the plane where as the 787 is fitted out as 3-3-3.

Despite the layout of the A330 being one of my favourites, with a $302 AUD difference in the fare and a comparable level of comfort and flight time, in this example the author would opt to save that $302 for the destination and take Jetstar.

If you missed last week’s long-haul comparison between AirAsiaX and Malaysia Airlines check it out here

Are you enjoying our reviews so far? Are there any routes would you like us to evaluate? Place a comment below or get in touch via our social pages

REVIEW: Are low cost airlines really worth it for long haul flights?

In the year post COVID we have seen the demand for travel rise like never before. There’s friends and family to catch up with, bucket lists to tick off and savings to be spent. However, the rise in demand has also resulted in an expected but significant rise in the price of airfares, accommodation, and experiences.

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Travellers are looking for ways to cut costs where they can and one of these is to consider a low-cost airline for their long-haul travel. On the surface, the low-cost airline fare is attractive and affordable but what is the real cost of travelling long haul by the time you add food, water, bags and seats? Let’s not forget the comfort factor too – on a long-haul flight every extra inch of space makes a difference.

To answer this question, we are compiling a series of low cost vs full service airline comparisons on certain routes around the world. We will look at cost and comfort to determine if long haul low cost is really worth it.

Our first comparison looks at the total cost and on board experience flying low cost AirAsiaX or full service legacy carrier Malaysia Airlines. Our trip from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland will depart on August 28 and return on September 15^th 2023.

Our flight with AirAsiaX came to 3854 MYR ($1305 AUD) with the inclusion of a meal and one small bottle of water on each flight leg, a standard window seat, 20kg of checked baggage and a 7kg carry on bag. Admittedly you would likely need to spend at least another 120 MYR ($40 AUD) to purchase extra drinks and snacks, but for this exercise we left that out. This airline offers no in flight entertainment or seat back power to recharge your device.

Our flight with Malaysia Airlines came in at 5174 MYR ($1753) which included meals, snacks, unlimited drinks, in flight entertainment, amenities, 20kg baggage and a 7kg carry on bag.

With a 1320 MYR ($448 AUD) difference in the fares the question of ‘which is better’ really comes down to where the traveller places value.

For the author (who is admittedly a tired mother to two babies), the thought of a direct flight with a little extra seat width, more seat recline, unlimited beverages, meals and snacks, a seat back screen for in-flight entertainment and a cosy blanket and pillow makes the extra cost worthwhile.

However, when discussing this with my 18 year old niece, the value for her is placed on the saving she can make flying long haul, low cost. For her, she can easily go without the comforts and endure the longer flight time to have that extra money in her pocket to spend at the destination.

Which Airline Carries the Most Passengers in Europe?

Head over to AirAdvisor to read about airlines 11 through to 20.

Légi közlekedés - Fapados járatok gépei Ferihegyen — Photo: H. Szabó Sándor

Europe has some of the world’s largest airlines, but have you ever wondered which ones are the biggest in terms of the number of passengers carried? As we move further away from the pandemic, the skies are beginning to refill with activity, so in this guide produced by AirAdvisor, we’re going to share the 20 biggest European airlines based solely on passenger numbers.

Haven’t got time to read today? AirAdvisor have produced a simple infographic showing the 20 largest airlines by passenger number.

top 20 airlines in europe by passenger number

1: RYANAIR:

Country	Ireland
Fleet size	584
Destinations	40 countries in Europe, N. Africa, Middle East

With its number of passengers soaring to almost 182 million in 2023, Ryanair is the biggest airline in Europe. The airline has seen steady growth in recent years, expanding 13% since 2022, and this trend will likely continue thanks to the carrier’s investments in 300 new Boeing aircraft. Ryanair recently won third spot in our Airline Safety awards.

2: LUFTHANSA

Country	Germany
Fleet size	734
Destinations	300 in 100 countries

Lufthansa trailed behind Ryanair even before the Pandemic, and while it still hasn’t reached the 145 million passengers it had in 2019, they are still growing at a pace to surpass its passenger load from previous years. Since 2022, the airline has seen a 20% increase in passengers, and with its 4.5 billion euro investment in new planes, better lounges, and other customer-centric services, Lufthansa should continue to grow and pose greater challenges to its competition.

3: IAG

Country	Spain
Fleet size	734
Destinations	300

With British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL, IAG was able to grow its passenger load by 22% compared to 2022, ranking it as the 3rd largest airline in Europe. This year, the group has plans to bolster its passenger numbers by 7% through its continued efforts of acquiring other airlines as well as placing a greater focus on its loyalty program.

4: AIR FRANCE-KLM

Country	France, Netherlands
Fleet size	522
Destinations	Over 300

Air France-KLM still managed to increase passenger numbers by 12% from its 2022 total of 83.3 million. This year, the airline group is committed to adding destinations and renewing their Airbus fleet.

5: TURKISH AIRLINES

Country	Turkey
Fleet size	365
Destinations	340

While Turkey’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines comes in 5th based on passenger numbers, the carrier is the largest mainline carrier on the globe serving 340 destinations. Compared to its 2022 passenger numbers, the airline grew by 23.5% in 2023 with a 16% increase in international flights. To maintain its upward trend, Turkish Airlines is planning to add 800 new planes by its 100th Anniversary in 2033

6: EASYJET

Country	United Kingdom
Fleet size	336
Destinations	1,024 routes, 36 countries, 155 airports

With a concerted move to larger planes, easyJet has already seen a substantial increase in its number of passengers. In 2023, easyJet flew 19% more passengers than it did in 2022. Going forward, they have plans to add new routes including Egypt, Iceland, and Finland as well as to build their fleet by adding 250 new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

7: WIZZ AIR

Country	Hungary
Fleet size	91
Destinations	194 airports

In 2023, Wizz Air hired more than 1,400 new employees, with a large portion of this being crew members and they also were able to capitalise on 32 new Airbus planes flying to almost 100 new routes. Additionally, in 2022 the Hungarian carrier added a base in Romania and earned the title of Global and EMEA Environmental Airline Group of the Year by CAPA.

8: PEGASUS

Country	Turkey
Fleet size	105
Destinations	130

As the second Turkish airline in our ranking, Pegasus saw its passenger numbers grow by 19% over 2023 compared to the previous year. While this can be connected to the increasing number of people travelling, the carrier also achieved high numbers because of their intense efforts to get bigger and better. As with the other airlines we’ve mentioned, Pegasus was able to see this expansion thanks to its ever-growing fleet and network of routes with a firm concentration on international destinations.

9: SAS

Country	Sweden
Fleet size	67
Destinations	191

SAS Airlines has been working hard to support its competitiveness in its SAS FORWARD plan, and because of this, they realised a huge 48% increase in passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022. The carrier’s growth plans of adding to their fleet and improving efficiency was partly due to their Chapter 11 restructuring process, but over the last year they added new destinations and more flights

10: NORWEGIAN AIR SHUTTLE

Country	Norway
Fleet size	129
Destinations	105

Because of their enormous efforts in improving their efficiency as well as their overall passenger experience, Norwegian was able to increase their passenger numbers by 16% in 2023 compared to the previous year. With their new acquisition of Wideroe.

Wings & Waves Cruising With Geoffrey Thomas

Love cruising and aviation and want to see some more of Australia in ultra-luxury with Silverseas?

Why not join our Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas for a 14-day cruise from Melbourne to Cairns in February 2026 travelling business class from any point in Australia?

You will spend 14 days cruising onboard the ultra-luxury, ultra-eco, German-built Silver Nova with an added collection of one-of-a-kind experiences, including onboard aviation and travel presentations and a visit to the HARS Aviation Museum south of Sydney.

Geoffrey Thomas will be hosting guests throughout the cruise sharing advice and expertise gained over 50 years of covering aviation and cruising as well as delivering a range of fun lectures on the golden age of travel, my crazy aviation journey, and aviation facts that will amaze you and tips and tricks for air travel.

The cruise on Silversea’s latest ship the Super Nova departs Melbourne on February 20, 2026.

The second day is at sea before arrival in Sydney for a two-day stay.

On the first day of the Sydney stop you will travel an hour south of Sydney to HARS, the best aviation museum in Australia, at Shellharbour.

HARS features a Lockheed Constellation, Boeing 747, DC-3, DC-4, Convair 240 as well as an array of military aircraft.

It is expected that by February 2026, John Travolta’s Boeing 707 will be delivered to the museum.

The next stop will be Newcastle, followed by a sea day and then Brisbane.

Mooloolaba is the next stop, then Fraser Island followed by a sea day before Shute Harbour in the amazing Whitsunday Islands.

Townsville follows and then Port Douglas after a sea day before we arrive in Cairns.

On the sea days, Geoffry Thomas will be presenting a series of talks as well as hosting some dinners to talk all things travel by air or sea.

The all-inclusive package is exclusive to Bicton Travel and costs from AUD $17,900 per person, twin share.

The package includes a Classic Veranda Suite, roundtrip Business Class airfares from the nearest Australian capital city, airport, hotel and port private transfers

John Travolta’s 707 is expected to be delivered to HARS in 2025. *Photo: Juergen Lehle, Wikimedia Commons.*

included shore excursions, including a bespoke shore excursion to the Hars Aviation Museum, all-inclusive food & beverages, butler service in every suite plus the onboard special presentations.

At the HARS museum, you will be able to visit the museum collection with the Boeing 747, walk through operational hangars and get up close to its collection of planes and take a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of flying.

Terms & Conditions

Pricing is correct as of 15.04.2024. All fares, savings, offers and itineraries are subject to change. Fares shown are per guest, based on double occupancy. Additional restrictions may apply.

Valid for new bookings only. Available until 30.08.2024, unless sold out prior. Package price based on a Door-to-door Classic Veranda Suite.

A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The package includes return business class flights from the nearest Australian capital city to Melbourne (where available). Transfers between airport, hotel and ship. Flights are at the discretion of Silversea.

Private executive transfers (from arrival airport to home) for distances of up to 80 km, conditions apply.

Itineraries and shore excursions are subject to change and operation is subject to weather, prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. Passports are required. Payment by credit card attracts a merchant fee. Travel insurance is recommended, please ask us for a quote. Full terms and conditions are provided at the time of booking.

Bicton Travel: +61 (08) 61172898

Bonza Is Viable And Was About to Soar

READ Australia needs Bonza.

Bonza is viable and was about to soar with loads of 130 passengers per flight and airfares well above last year according to sources close to the matter.

The load factor was achieved in the months from January across the airline’s three bases on the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne Tullamarine and the Gold Coast and the numbers were on the up according to the source.

More importantly, said the source, Bonza’s average fares were almost 30% higher during March – April than the same period in 2023.

And the icing on the cake load factors were showing significant year-on-year increases of 10-20% for the period of May-August 2024.

According to one Bonza pilot the airline was set to welcome its one millionth passenger after flying 750,000 in its first year.

Also lost in the current debate is that on 84% of its routes, Bonza is the only airline and on 89% it is the only low-cost airline.

According to the ABC Bonza’s administrator Hall Chadwick has advised staff their stand down could last til May 29.

The first creditors’ meeting on Friday last week was told there were up to 20 potential buyers, including other airlines, travel companies and investors.

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Airlineratings.com is packed with information about air travel and answers questions that many of us may have thought of, but didn’t know who to ask. Well, now you do!

The rating system takes into account a number of different factors related to audits from aviation’s governing bodies, lead associations as well as the airline’s own safety data. Every airline has a safety rating breakdown so you can see exactly how they rate.

Over 230 of the airlines on the site that carry 99 per cent of the world’s passengers have a product rating.

Given that low-cost, regional and full-service carriers are so different we have constructed a different rating system for each which can be found within each airline.

Korean Air menu wins in Global Traveler’s awards

Korean Air has received top honors for its food and beverage service from Global Traveler in the magazine’s 2024 Leisure and Lifestyle Travel Awards.

The carrier won the best airline onboard menu for its First Class cabin, chalking up another win for its catering program. The airline previously won best airline cuisine, among other awards, in Global Traveler’s 2023 Tested Reader Survey awards.

Depending upon the route and season, the airline offers such menu choices as roasted Chilean sea bass with vermouth sauce, spicy beef short rib stew, spicy buckwheat noodles and traditional Korean bibimbap.

Global Traveler is a U.S.-based monthly luxury travel magazine and conducts annual surveys in which its online and offline subscribers vote for the best companies in travel-related categories. This is the 12th year the magazine has conducted its leisure travel survey.

Korean Air’s continued recognition can be attributed to its ongoing investment and focus on service enhancements. Last year, the airline introduced vegan menu options based on traditional Korean temple cuisine. It also has a diverse selection of pre-order meals including vegetarian, glucose-free and children’s selections.

The airline also refined its wine program with the guidance of internationally renowned sommelier Marc Almert, and introduced more than 50 new wines to its award-winning collection.

Korean Air continues to be recognized worldwide for its efforts to enhance customer service. Last year, the airline was awarded a Skytrax 5-star airline rating for the second consecutive time, an APEX 5-star global airline rating for the seventh consecutive year, and named Best Business and First Class Airline in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

World Renowned Expert Says Boeing 787 Is Safe

A world-renowned aircraft structures expert John Hart Smith has told the Seattle Times and Airlineratings.com that the Boeing 787 is safe.

Responding to a Boeing whistleblower and engineer Sam Salehpour’s claim that small gaps in the 787 created when fuselage sections are joined could cause a catastrophic accident, Hart-Smith has said that “the gaps are too small to make that happen.”

“It’s not a safety issue.”

The Seattle Times, Dominic Gates explains the issue thus:

“These gaps are not along the circumference of the join but inside the aircraft, between the splice plate and the skin of the fuselage.

“Salehpour claims the forces Boeing mechanics apply to close these gaps during final assembly can damage the carbon composite skin around the fasteners at the join — risking a major structural failure.”

“Hart-Smith believes Salehpour is mistaken. His analysis supports Boeing’s insistence that the 787 fuselage gaps are not a safety risk.”

Hart-Smith from Melbourne Australia, is famous at Boeing for not only his scientific pedigree but also as a strident critic of the company warning it that cost-cutting was shortsighted.

A fellow of the prestigious Royal Aeronautical Society, Hart-Smith — now 83 and retired from Boeing since 2008, though he consulted for the jet maker until 2015 — still writes scientific papers for aerospace engineering journals on how to economically build sound aircraft structures.

After obtaining his engineering doctorate in Australia, in 1968 he joined Douglas Aircraft, the commercial aircraft division of McDonnell Douglas, which later became part of Boeing and attained the status of senior technical fellow, the highest level of engineer at the company.

Read the full story here

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Airlineratings.com is packed with information about air travel and answers questions that many of us may have thought of, but didn’t know who to ask. Well, now you do!

Over 230 of the airlines on the site that carry 99 per cent of the world’s passengers have a product rating.

Given that low-cost, regional and full-service carriers are so different we have constructed a different rating system for each which can be found within each airline.

Emirates Group Record Financial Report Card

Emirates has reported its best-ever financial performance with a record profit of AED 18.7 billion (US$ 5.1 billion), up 71% from last year, record revenue, and record level of cash assets.

Highlights include:

Group revenue increased 15% to a new high of AED 137.3 billion (US$ 37.4 billion), driven by strong customer demand across its businesses.
Ends year with highest-ever cash balance of AED 47.1 billion (US$ 12.8 billion).
The Group declares a dividend of AED 4.0 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) to its owner the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD).
Chairman credits record performance to Dubai’s progressive policies, says profits enable further investments in new aircraft, facilities and equipment, technology, products and services, and its people.
Revenue rose 13% to AED 121.2 billion (US$ 33.0 billion), as the airline deployed more capacity, and continued to strengthen its global network and partnerships.
Airline capacity increased by 20% to 57.7 billion ATKMs, closing gap to pre-pandemic levels.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group said; “The Group’s excellent financial standing today places us in a strong position for future growth and success. It enables us to invest to deliver even better products, services, and more value to our customers and stakeholders.”

READ: Emirates announces A350 launch and destinations

Many major projects are already underway, including: a multibillion-dollar aircraft fleet and cabin renewal programme; new catering, cargo, and ground handling capabilities; advanced technologies to support the Group’s operations; expanded training and people development programmes; and initiatives to progress the Group’s sustainability agenda.

In 2023-24, the Group collectively invested AED 8.8 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in new aircraft, facilities, equipment, companies, and the latest technologies to support its growth plans.

The Group’s total workforce grew by 10% to 112,406 employees, its largest size ever, as Emirates and dnata continued recruitment activity around the world to support its expanding operations and bolster its future capabilities.

Sustainability

The Group took significant strides in its sustainability journey during 2023-24, putting into action numerous initiatives focussed on the environment, its people, customers, and communities.

Environmental topics were high on the agenda during the year, as the UAE hosted the world’s biggest conference for climate action, COP28, in Dubai.

In 2023-24, Emirates signed new supply agreements to uplift sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Dubai hub for the very first time, and also in Amsterdam and Singapore. The airline operated the first A380 demonstration flight using 100% SAF in one engine, collecting data to support industry efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF flying.

Recognising that airlines today have the limited viable solutions to meaningfully reduce carbon emissions, Emirates established a US$ 200 million fund to support R&D projects that focus on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation. It also became a founding entity of Air-CRAFT, a UAE-based research consortium for renewable and advanced aviation fuels; and joined The Solent Cluster, a UK initiative focused on producing low-carbon fuels for a variety of sectors, including aviation.

Fleet and Product

Emirates brought its flagship A380 and popular Premium Economy product to even more cities this year, as 16 more aircraft rolled out of its US$ 2 billion cabin retrofit programme, fully refurbished with the airline’s latest signature products. As of 31 March 2024, the Emirates A380 served 49 destinations, and customers could enjoy Emirates’ Premium Economy experience to and from 15 cities around the world.

Total fleet count at the end of March was 260 units, with an average fleet age of 10.1 years.

Emirates’ order book stands at 310 aircraft, after it announced orders worth US$ 58 billion combined, for 110 additional units of Boeing 777s, 787s, and Airbus A350s at the 2023 Dubai Airshow. These new generation widebody aircraft will replace older jets and support fleet growth, aligning with the airline’s long-standing commitment to fly modern aircraft that are efficient to operate, and able to offer customers the latest inflight comforts and experiences.

For the full report click here.

Qantas and Virgin Domestic Sale

Whilst Qantas has slashed prices on over 600,000 seats covering more than 300 domestic and regional routes, Virgin Australia has released a Gold Coast sale frenzy offering fares to the Glitter Strip from only $69* one-way.

Qantas Sale Highlights

Economy class fares kick off at just $105 for one-way trips, with over 50 routes featuring seats priced below $200 one-way. Examples include popular routes like Brisbane to Cairns, Adelaide to Mount Gambier, Melbourne to Gold Coast, and Coffs Harbour to Sydney.
Travelers have until 11:59 pm (AEST) on May 20, 2024, to book these sale fares, unless they sell out earlier. The travel window spans from June 2024 to March 2025.
Qantas fares come with added perks such as checked baggage, complimentary food and drinks, free Wi-Fi where available, and the option to select seats.

Below are a few examples of the discounted one-way Economy fares:

Launceston to Melbourne: $105
Ballina to Sydney: $109
Coffs Harbour to Sydney: $129
Brisbane to Proserpine: $129
Melbourne to Newcastle: $129
Sydney to Tamworth: $129
Cairns to Townsville: $139
Adelaide to Kangaroo Island: $139
Mackay to Rockhampton: $149
Adelaide to Mount Gambier: $149
Launceston to Sydney: $169
Burnie to Melbourne: $179
Sydney to Townsville: $219
Cairns to Mackay: $249
Sydney to Proserpine: $249
Broome to Perth: $289

Visit Qantas.com for more.

Virgin Sale Highlights

The sale, running for seven days only, is valid on select Gold Coast fares departing between
Tuesday and Thursday (mid-week) from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra, offering an
unmissable opportunity for a one-way fare less than the cost of a taxi.

Gold Coast sale fares can be booked here now until midnight AEST this Sunday 19 May 2024
(unless sold out prior), for select travel dates between 4 June 2024 and 12 December 2024.
Sale fare highlights (one-way Economy Lite fares, valid in both directions)*
● Sydney <> Gold Coast from $69*
● Melbourne <> Gold Coast from $85*
● Canberra <> Gold Coast from $89*
● Adelaide <> Gold Coast from $109*

Virgin Australia sale fares include Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and Status Credits with eligible
bookings. Visit Virgin Australia for more.

Air Vanuatu: Headed to Bankruptcy, Virgin Australia: Stepping In

With Air Vanuatu’s planes still grounded following the announcement of its liquidation last week, Virgin Australia has increased capacity between Australia and Vanuatu to five times per week utilising a 737-800 aircraft. This schedule will remain in place until the end of June.

On Monday, Friday and Saturday, flight VA53 will depart Brisbane at 10.40am and touch down in Port Vila at 2.40pm. Return flights (VA54) will depart VLI at 3.20pm and arrive back in BNE at 5.50pm.

On Wednesday and Sunday, flights will leave BNE at 11.55am, land in VLI at 3.35pm, and then depart the Vanuatu capital at 4.35pm before arriving in Queensland at 6.45pm.

In more good news for travellers a Virgin Australian spokesperson has said, “Virgin Australia has simultaneously applied to the International Air Services Commission to increase our allocation of seat capacity between Australia and Vanuatu, with plans to quickly commence a further seven weekly services from east coast gateways into Vanuatu, supporting continued connectivity with our Pacific neighbours.”

When will Air Vanuatu recommence operations?

Ernst & Young said in a statement, “The liquidators intend to resume normal trading as soon as possible, while considering all opportunities to place the carrier on a stronger footing,”

“Affected travellers will be informed of this disruption and re-booked on flights as soon as operations resume.

Ernst & Young also said it would conduct safety and maintenance checks before resuming normal operations and that the existing management team will remain in place and will work closely with the liquidators through this process.

In case you missed it …

In yet another blow to aviation in the Australia/Pacific region this week, Air Vanuatu has cancelled all international flights for five days as it considers bankruptcy protection.

A statement from the airline said,

“The Vanuatu government is now considering placing Air Vanuatu into voluntary administration. The international firm Ernst & Young has been appointed to assist the Vanuatu government in reviewing available options and put forward recommendations. Ernst & Young representatives arrived in Port Vila today to begin an assessment of Air Vanuatu’s financials and are being assisted by the Vanuatu Government and the Air Vanuatu team.”

In conflicting messages the Air Vanuatu Website states, “Due extended maintenance requirements on our Aircraft the following services listed below are impacted. We are working with our partner carriers to minimise the disruption to our Guests.”

Cancelled flights on the Air Vanuatu website tell a worrying story

All passengers are advised not to go to the airport as flights are cancelled. Virgin Australia are still operating Brisbane- Port Vila flights.

Air Vanuatu has set up a travel advisory page for impacted stakeholders, including passengers.

About Air Vanuatu

Established in 1981, the national airline serves as a crucial link between the various islands within Vanuatu and between key destinations like Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Air Vanuatu’s fleet comprises a mix of aircraft designed for both regional and international travel, with the ATR 72-600 serving the domestic and regional routes, while the Boeing 737-800 handles international flights. The airline is known for its warm, friendly service that reflects the spirit of Vanuatu, making it a popular choice for travelers seeking to experience the rich culture and stunning landscapes of this island nation. Air Vanuatu plays a significant role in connecting people within and beyond the archipelago.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

Delta and Southwest America’s Favorites

Delta Air Lines took top customer satisfaction honors in two service tiers—first/business and premium economy—in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study. Southwest Airlines continued its reign as the leader in the economy/basic economy tier, according to the study released on Wednesday.

Delta moved up to the top spot in the first/business tier, surpassing last year’s leader, JetBlue, which took second place this year. These two were the only airlines scoring above the category’s average. In the premium economy tier, Delta maintained its lead from 2023, while Alaska Airlines and American Airlines ranked second and third, respectively, both above the average. For economy/basic economy, Southwest remained the top choice, with Delta holding onto its second-place position from last year, and Allegiant jumping from sixth to third.#

The J.D. Power study surveyed 9,582 passengers who flew on a major North American airline within a month of completing the questionnaire. The data collection period was from March 2023 through March 2024.

Determining whether overall satisfaction has improved from the previous year is challenging due to J.D. Power’s shift in methodology. The company transitioned from a 1-to-10 point scale to a six-category scale and altered the question format, resulting in generally lower scores across all categories.

“You can’t really compare last year’s scores to this year’s,” said Michael Taylor, J.D. Power’s senior managing director for travel, hospitality, retail, and customer service. However, he noted that the overall experience is likely similar to last year or even slightly worse due to persistent industry issues like a lack of aircraft and high prices despite steady demand. “There’s still upside and potential,” he added.

Rather than rating airlines on a scale from one to 10, respondents could now choose from a list of terms like “poor,” “just okay,” “good,” “great,” “excellent,” and “perfect.” Additionally, the study reduced its key assessment dimensions from eight to seven, focusing on airline staff, digital tools, ease of travel, level of trust, on-board experience, pre- and post-flight experience, and value for the price paid.

According to the study, two of the most critical factors driving customer satisfaction were the ease of travel and level of trust. “While things like value for price paid are important, passengers prioritize having a seamless flight experience,” the report states.

Taylor mentioned that digital tools also had a significant impact on satisfaction across all categories. He said people are increasingly satisfied with airline apps because they are more user-friendly and reliable, with the bag-tracking feature playing a notable role in passenger satisfaction.

Media reports also influenced trust scores. According to the study, passengers who encountered negative news about an airline’s performance had trust scores that were 400 points lower on a 1,000-point scale compared to those who hadn’t encountered such news.

“The big takeaway from this year’s study is the power of people to positively influence the overall flight experience,” Taylor said in a statement. “Airlines that invest in staff training and recruitment are finding ways to overcome the negative effects of crowded gates and planes by focusing on customer service.”

Korean Air Revenue Soars 20% In First Quarter

Korean Air has reported a first-quarter revenue of KRW 3.8225 trillion (USD 2.8382 billion), an increase of 20% year-on-year, driven by the strong recovery in passenger traffic and robust cargo demand.

Operating profit increased 5% year-on-year to KRW 436.1 billion (USD 323.8 million) despite higher fuel costs, airport and facility charges and labor-related costs. Passenger business revenue increased 32% year-on-year to KRW 2.3421 trillion in the first quarter.

The airline’s network capacity has almost recovered to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, except to China. Profitability improved through capacity expansion on Southeast Asia and Japan routes, catering to the strong tourism demand.

The airline said that cargo business revenue in the first quarter declined slightly year-on-year to KRW 996.6 billion as the global air cargo market continued to stabilize.

Korean Air said that in Q2 2024, the airline’s passenger business will prioritize route profitability amidst the expansion of global capacity and intensified competition. The cargo business will capitalize on the growing e-commerce demand from China by strengthening client partnerships and allocating capacity on key routes.