Yes I am a milage junkie, just a selection of my cards – Photo: Mal Muir.
The last two articles I wrote on mileage running barely scratch the surface of it all (see LEG 1 & LEG 2). The ’œpoints game’ and loyalty programs are a hobby of mine, but I am by no means an expert. I will continue share what I know:
My name is Mal and I am a mileage junkie.
There are a number of reasons why people get into the points game and I have mine. I think the first real introduction to this world was using a website called Flyertalk. Once I got started on the site, seeing what points could get me, well, I was hooked. Reading other people’s reports of First Class seats, lounges, terminals, or benefits that came with elite status, it was all just too much, I had to do it.
At the time, I lived in Australia. Chasing points is not as lucrative there as it is in the US. There are limited options for domestic travel (what I was doing the most), but I earned what I could. When I first started, I decided I was going to be using my points towards ’œaspirational’ rewards. The high-end ones that most only dream of seeing.
Of course, everyone has a different idea of what is rewarding to them, but for me the epitome of that ideal would have been a First Class International flight. There was one I had my eye on: Qantas A380 First Class.
Qantas First Class Suite on its A380 – Photo: Qantas
But the real change came for me after coming back from a round the world trip. I had achieved Star Gold Status and I status matched over to Virgin Australia’s updated Velocity Program. I was given gold status and it was all easy going from there.
The first trip I had, I got access to the Virgin Australia lounge before my flight, which was an oasis. I could get a drink, a coffee or a snack and relax in peace and quiet. I received priority check in, boarding and security. It was all too much for me and there was no going back at this point.
When a promotion for double points came out, I did my first couple of mileage runs to keep my rewards coming. Then I moved to the USA & just kept it up. I could use my Velocity status with Delta and Virgin America, getting benefits with both airlines. I have now almost finished my re-qualification to Velocity Gold for another year & the thing is. It only took me two weekend runs to get my re-qualification & now I just want more. But where do I draw the line?
Delta Sky Club Access (like this one in Seattle) is just one of the little perks given to Velocity Gold members – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
The mileage runs in the US were very different to the ones I had previously done back in Australia. They were not as comfortable as you think with numerous flights in a day, tight connections (50 mins reduced to less than 15 in Minneapolis’¦ in winter…), long days, early flights and lots of cramped seats. Thankfully I always had those Delta lounges for an escape, but that’s not always possible. There were times when I just wanted it to be all over & other times when I loved every second of it. But this is the life I choose and for me, it is worth it.
Now my total outlook on flights and flying has changed. Not only do I look at price, but I look at the points earning, the route, facilities — so many other factors. A mileage run flight might take me hours to book and work out. A simple trip between two cities is NEVER that simple.
Points are definitely lucrative, if you know where to look (and there are plenty of blogs out there to help) and are willing to make a few sacrifices. I have a few rewards in mind, lots of points to burn, the possibilities are endless. But I do see Qantas First class in my future… and the ends do justify the means.
I will be concluding this series with one last LEG coming soon.
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This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent.
Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry.
@BigMalX | BigMal’s World | Photos |
The sky is the limit when designing your own 747-8I. Design by Toby Rao, Image from Boeing.
When going to buy a Boeing 747-8 Intercontiental, one of the most difficult decisions is choosing the outside design. Well, have no fear, help is here (and also a huge time waster). Boeing now offers AvGeeks the ability to design your own 7478I livery.
Even when you get bored making your own liveries, be sure to check out the few hundred that have already been made. Some are actually really good and others are, well… have opportunity for improvement (any of the ones we tried surely have TONS of room for improvement, so we are not ones to judge).
Interestingly enough, if you look at the first design in the gallery, it is an Air China 747-8I. The airline has five on order, which none have been delivered quite yet. Maybe this provides a nice preview for the airline?
Previously, users were also able to design their own Boeing 787 Dreamliner livery, but it looks like that page has been replaced with making the Intercontinetal. Good luck and have fun! If you can, be sure to share your results.
HI-RES : Click for larger. Airbus’ first U.S.-based production facility ’“ which will build A320 Family jetliners at the Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, Alabama, beginning in 2015 ’“ will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft annually by 2018.
Last Monday Airbus took its first step towards being an around the clock aircraft maker as it broke ground on its new Mobile, Alabama A320 plant.
When we say around the clock we literally mean it, with the new Mobile factory this will be the 4thA320 factory in the world with others in China, Germany and the company’s headquarters in Toulouse France. When the A320’s begin to be built in this factory the sun will never set on the baby bus.
At the ceremony, Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brgier acknowledged how important and significant it is for the company to open a facility in the US, ’œBuilding an A320 family assembly line in Mobile is truly groundbreaking for Airbus. Our customers need more aircraft that cut fuel burn, emissions and operating costs. With this assembly line we will be able to meet our customers’ need at their doorstep, in addition to the worldwide demand for these efficient aircraft. When the line opens, we will be the only maker to assemble aircraft in Asia, Americas and Europe.’
The ceremonial groundbreaking for Airbus’ U.S. A320 Family final assembly line ’“ which occurred 8 April 2013 in Mobile, Alabama ’“ was marked by Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brgier (fourth from right) and EADS CEO Tom Enders (sixth from right), along with state and national dignitaries, industry leaders and members of the local community. Photo from Airbus.
The new line will be located at the Mobile Brookley Aeroplex and will be able to assemble the entire A320 family: the A319, A320 and A321. The airline to receive the first US built A320 will be JetBlue. “We’re excited to welcome our long-term partners at Airbus to the United States and we look forward to taking delivery of the first U.S.-produced Airbus in 2016,” JetBlue spokesperson Mateo LLeras explained to AirlineReporter.com.
BONUS: Check out the Airbus mini-site dedicated to the new Mobile location
Major construction is set to begin this summer and be complete by late 2015 with the first aircraft set to be delivered in early 2016. Once they get the dust settled and Airbus hopes that the assembly line will produce four aircraft per month. The manufacture plans to deliver aircraft from Mobile to North and South America airline customers.
So why is Airbus making this move? Well you have to go back to 2005 when Boeing was originally awarded the US Air Force (AF) Tanker contract. There were too many question surrounding fraud, that the Air Force was required to re-bid. Airbus wanted in on the contract and to make their bid serious, the aircraft maker purchased land in Mobile that it intended to open an A330 tanker factory if they won. In 2008 Airbus was awarded the contract to build the A330 Multi Role Tanker (MRT), so they went through with the purchase the land.
After an appeal by Boeing, the Air Force decided to re-bid for a third time where Boeing won with their 767MRT. But now Airbus had all of this land and once they learned that they lost the contract Airbus announced that it still intended to bring a couple thousand jobs to the Mobile area and create an A320 plant instead of trying to sell the land.
One question that we are all curious about at AirlineReporter.com is that by having this factory in the US now can Airbus sway major US Boeing customers to come its way such as Southwest Airlines, United Airlines or Delta Air Lines who have do already (with an exception to Southwest) have Airbuses in its fleet but only cause they acquired them through mergers with other US major airlines, not from its own purchases.
Also there is potential for Airbus to acquire more land in Mobile, could we see a second line down the road or another type come to the US all together? This could get interesting.
SEE MORE MOBILE ALABAMA AIRBUS GROUND BREAKING PHOTOS
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This story written by…Brandon Farris, Correspondent. Brandon is an avid aviation geek based in Seattle. He got started in Photography and Reporting back in 2010. He loves to travel where ever he has to to cover the story and try to get the best darn shot possible.@BrandonsBlog | RightStuffPhotography | Flickr |
Virgin America held a press conference at Newark International Airport on Monday, celebrating the beginning of service from the New Jersey airport out to the West Coast. Newark International lacks much competition to the west coast, and Virgin Americas introduction to the airport has already started to lower costs on transcontinental routes, while passengers “fly like a boss.”
“This day is a great day for our company, but it poses a huge challenge for me,” said David Cush, CEO of Virgin America. “For five years, when the media would ask me ‘what is the number one airport on the top of your list that you want to fly to,’ its always been easy, its been Newark Airport, and now I need to come up with a new number one,” Cush remarked. “It was an under-served airport from the Bay Area, and if you look at the importance of Newark, it is the number two business market out of San Francisco after JFK,” added Cush. After just one week of service, Cush said that fares have dropped by 40 percent on those routes.
Leading up to beginning of service from Newark, Virgin America held a content called “Fly Like A Boss,” where contestants chose the name for a brand new Airbus A320. The winning name for the aircraft was “Jersey Girl.”
Also in attendance at the press conference was the legendary Richard Branson. “Five years ago, we started Virgin America, and the first place we wanted to fly from was Newark, but we couldn’t get any slots,” said an enthusiastic Branson. Later on in his speech, Branson joked about the rather dull appearance and features of Newark’s terminal A. “Another announcement today,” Branson claimed. “I’ve just had a word with the wonder people behind me, and they’re going to make this terminal look beautiful. So it’s going to be beautiful, no queuing to go through, no security and all that, and it’s going to be the best terminal at Newark, so that’s something to look forward to. We’re going to come back in 12 years time to celebrate this,” said Branson. Sadly, this probably won’t happen any time soon.
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Richard Branson Says Hello
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Newark, How You Flyin?!?!?
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All The Kids Love Virgin America
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Group Shot
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Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno
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Virgin America A320
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Fly Like A Boss
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Virgin America A320 Model
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Group Photo
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Group Photo
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Virgin America CEO David Cush
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Richard Branson points at something.
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Richard Poses
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Richard Poses
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The competition lurks right outside the gate window
Bombardier CS100 seen in Porter Airlines livery.
On Wednesday, Porter Airlines President Robert Deluce announced that his airline will be the Canadian launch customer for Bombardier’s next-generation jetliner, the CS100. The conditional order is for 12 CS100s, along with options for an additional 18 aircraft.
The CS100 can fly with up to 110 passengers, with a range of about 5,400 km or just under 3,000 miles, turning Porter into a potential transcontinental carrier. But there are BIG challenges in store for Mr. Deluce and his team at Porter.
The CS100 needs 4,800 feet of runway at maximum take-off weight. As you might have read in AirlineReporter.com’s story on Porter Airlines, they are based at Toronto’s downtown Billy Bishop Toronto Island Airport (YTZ). The Q400 turboprops that Porter and Air Canada fly from YTZ operate efficiently and safely from the airport. I got my pilot’s license there in the early 1980s, and the longest runway at the airport is only 4,000 feet. With water at both ends.
BONUS: The First Bombardier CSeries Rolls Out of the Factory
Adding to the runway challenge is the ’œno jets’ restriction in place at the airport. Porter is likely going to face a huge battle with the various residents’ associations and the City of Toronto.
The CS100s may be as quiet as the Q400s, thanks to their new-tech Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofans. Mr. Deluce kept coming back to that point in his press conference yesterday. But nobody really knows, because the CS100 hasn’t yet flown.
I’m guessing that these are the reasons for the conditional order.
BONUS: Interior (mock up) Tour of the Bombardier CSeries in Montreal
So what does Mr. Deluce have up his sleeve? Will he operate the CS100s with less than 110 seats, limiting the take-off weight, so that the plane needs less runway? He says that he’s going to ask the City of Toronto to extend the main runway by 500 feet at both ends, but how many years will it take for the debate and decision, not to mention the construction? Or will he establish a new base for the CS100s at another airport? And what about the ’œno jets’ restriction at YTZ?
This is going to be very interesting! I’m sure that both Air Canada and Westjet are watching closely.
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This story written by… Howard Slutsken, Correspondent.Howard has been an AvGeek since he was a kid, watching TCA Super Connies, Viscounts and early jets at Montreal’s Dorval Airport. He’s a pilot, and gets away to fly gliders whenever he can. Howard is based in Vancouver, BC.
@HowardSlutsken |
