Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Dec 20, 2012 Virgin Chief Richard Branson is a sport and even winner of the bet Tony Fernnades, acknowledges this. Branson, after losing a bet on F1, will wear a red skirt and serve as a stewardess on AirAsia in May. The two had agreed in 2010 that whichever of their teams (then Virgin and Lotus) finished lower in the constructors’ championship in their debut season, the losing owner would serve on the other’s airline. The tickets for the flight will be auctioned off for charity. Wouldn't we all love to be on that historical flight!

Reagan's Soviet Jokes for those in a mood for more! http://aerospacediary.blogspot.in/2012/10/sunday-smile-mil-some-priceless-jokes.html

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Dec 2012 Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia today announced the first two milestones of their recently approved alliance: new international and domestic routes to Darwin and the launch of frequent flyer program co-operation. As part of a joint plan to increase services to northern Australia, Singapore Airlines’ regional full service airline, SilkAir, will begin a four-times-weekly service between Singapore and Darwin from 26 March 2012, and Virgin Australia will complement these services with a daily service between Sydney and Darwin from 2 April 20121. The two airlines also confirmed that from 20 December this year, they would commence reciprocal frequent flyer recognition, enabling KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Virgin Australia’s entire network and Velocity members to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Singapore Airlines-operated flights2. Reciprocal lounge access is also available for eligible customers.

Neelam Mathews Sept 21, 2011 Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic of which Star Alliance member Singapore Airlines owns a 49% stake, could soon be joining an airline alliance. The bets are big on Star alliance. OneWorld of which its major arch rival British Airways is a member of, is an unlikely candidate. This leaves SkyTeam. There is speculation that Virgin Australia may follow. Speaking to Forbes, Branson confirmed that "There is likely to be an announcement of an alliance coming very soon”. Though Air NewZealand is a member of Star,Australia is an obvious hole in Star’s map. This has led to the speculation that Virgin Australia too may join Star more on feeder airline basis.

Brief News- no views! April 8, 2011 Neelam Mathews Brief News- no views! April 8, 2011 Neelam Mathews American Airlines daily nonstop flight from Chicago to Delhi will now land at a convenient time of 5.45pm; three hours earlier than previously scheduled. This opens up same day connection opportunities for those connecting to domestic flights. Over 20 onward connection destinations are now available following the change, including multiple flights to cities of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. South African Airways will start its Airbus A330 service to India from mid-May 2011. Air India ’s low cost arm, Air India Express will now fly from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram to Saudi Arabia’s Dammam using Boeing 737-800s of Air India Express under its ‘IX’ code, although Air India’s own ‘AI’ code will also appear as part of a codeshare arrangement. Kozhikode – Dammam, previously flown twice weekly, will now be served four times weekly. Saudi...