HI-RES IMAGE (click for larger). Air Pacific’s new livery and name (Fiji Airways) seen on an Airbus A330. Image from Fiji Airways.
Air Pacific, the national airline of Fiji, is not doing too shabby. During the financial year 2011/2012, they recorded their highest revenue ever of $362.4 million and it is time for the airline to start spending that money.
Not only is the airline changing their look and ordering new aircraft, they are totally revamping their brand and changing their name to Fiji Airways. The name is not new, it was what the airline was called from 1951 to 1970 before changing to Air Pacific.
HI-RES IMAGE (click for larger). Underbelly and engine cowling design of Fiji Airway’s Airbus A330. Image from Fiji Airways.
The airline will take delivery of three brand new Airbus A330 aircraft in 2013 (one in March, one in May and the final in November), which will show off their new Fiji Airways livery. The A330s will be used to replace Air Pacific’s Boeing 747-400’s.
Air Pacific / Fiji Airways will phase out their Boeing 747-400’s. This shows their current livery. Image by AirlineReporter.com
From the company’s press release: “To help evoke its classic heritage as the national carrier of Fiji, the new Fiji Airways brandmark is a new Masi symbol designed by a renowned Fijian Masi artist, Makereta Matemosi. Masi is a traditional local art form that has been a respected part of Fijian culture for several centuries. The distinctive Masi symbol is a Teteva motif; symbolizing the airline, its values and the spirit of Fiji. The Teteva will also represent the connection that Fiji Airways will offer between the country’s 333 islands and the rest of the world.”
HI-RES IMAGE (click for larger). Fiji Airway’s new economy interior. Image from Fiji Airways.
’œThe unveiling of the new look and features of our soon-to-arrive A330s is the latest milestone in a series of initiatives that are a part of the Air Pacific’s restructuring and rebranding,’ said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO. “We have made significant progress with our turnaround plan during the last 30 months, and have taken great strides to ensure everyone who steps aboard Fiji Airways in 2013 will be able to start their holiday when they step aboard. Service and comfort are top priorities, and these state-of-the-art aircraft promise the best of both worlds.”
HI-RES Image (click for larger). Fiji Airway’s new business class product is by Zodiac Aerospace/Weber. Image from Fiji Airways.
Fiji Airways will offer a new interior product as well, featuring the Panasonic eX2 IFEC in-flight entertainment (IFE) option. This is the same system that I was able to try out on LAN’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner and let me tell you it is slick.
The 249 economy seats on-board will offer a 7.5″ recline, 9″ IFE screens and access to power outlets and USB connections. The 24 business class will have a 60″ pitch, a bed length of 76″ and a 15.4″ IFE screen. Unfortunately, the business class seats do not fully recline, but quite close with a 8 degree angle.
MORE FIJI AIRWAYS PHOTOS:
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Are photos like these illegal? – depends on who you ask.
Phil Derner, owner of NYCAviation.com, posted a very important story about plane spotters and law enforcement today that I wanted to share.
I personally feel lucky that I have never been stopped by law enforcement while taking photos of aircraft, but it is always on my mind. People should be able to take photos of airplanes without being harassed, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. It is important to report suspicious people, but it is not okay to harass AvGeeks taking photos. READ THE FULL STORY…
Virgin America, Breanna Jewel, sits at LAX after arriving.
VIRGIN AMERICA FIRST CLASS REVIEW BASICS:
Airline: Virgin America
Aircraft: Airbus A320 (named Breanna Jewel)
Departed: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Arrived: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Stops: None
Class: First Class
Seat: 1A
Length: 2.75hrs
Cheers: Best domestic first class product, hands down.
Jeers: Please wash your windows.
Bottom Line: You get what you pay for and you shouldn’t feel bad paying for this.
Virgin America’s first class seats are spacious and colorful.
FULL VIRGIN AMERICA FIRST CLASS REVIEW
It has been a while since I have done a review on Virgin America and when I recently flew from SEA to LAX for #Dorkfest, I decided it was time for another review. I have flown Virgin America quite a few times, but always at the back of the (air) bus. I was hoping to review their premium product; First Class and luckily I made it work out. (Note: I paid for an economy ticket and was upgraded one-way by the airline to do the review).
Having a premium ticket gave me access to use the TSA priority line at SEA. My flight was leaving at 7:10am on a Saturday, so the priority line only saved me about a minute.
After getting through security with a first class ticket, do not expect lounge access. There is no lounge for Virgin America passengers in Seattle and lounges in New York, San Fransisco and Washington DC will cost you from $35-$75 to enter, even with a full fare first class ticket.
Have to love the Starbucks coffee sitting on the tray table in the Virgin America flight deck.
I was running a bit late and missed the first class priority boarding period. When doing a review, I prefer to board as soon as possible (or get pre-boarding access), but luckily the front cabin was still empty when I entered the A320.
It never gets old boarding a Virgin America flight. Where most other airlines welcome you with white lighting (snoozers), Virgin America gives you a pink and purple feast for the eyes.
Hunting down my seat, 1A, was not too difficult. After taking some photos and settling down I watched as the front flight attendant, Justin, was interacting with the kids boarding the plane. One was dressed as a superhero (seriously rad) and he was invited into the flight deck, but wasn’t having it (even super heroes have bad days I guess).
Every other child that boarded was given a similar invite, which most agreed. Well heck… I finally asked if adult-kids can go see the flight deck as well and I was more than welcome to do so. I have found that Virgin America is pretty welcoming to pre-taxi flight deck visits, which many other airlines are reluctant or just do not allow it.
After the kid in me got to check out the front of the plane, I was back to enjoying my pre-flight drink (coffee) and see what my seat has to offer.
If you love purple, you will love Virgin America first class. I had to take pretty photos inside the cabin, since taking photos of the outside weren’t happening.
The safety video, which features Richard Branson’s voice, has been playing for a while now, but I haven’t quite gotten sick of it yet. However, I wasn’t able to watch it on this leg of the flight. Those in first class can hear the video, but a flight attendant shows the safety features, since the TVs remain in the armrest.
My biggest problem with the entire flight were the windows being filthy. Not a huge deal for your average traveler, but one that needs (okay, maybe wants, but it feels like a need most times) to take photos out the window. The pain became much worse when our flight flew right by Mount Rainier and out of about 30 photos taken, none of them turned out remotely decent. At least there were great things to distract me inside the aircraft.
No matter what cabin you fly in, passengers get access to free satellite TV, games, ability to order food from the screen and some of the other things that make RED awesome. The bonus of being up front is all the on-demand tv and movies are included in the price of the ticket.
Probably the best banana bread I have had. How did they keep it so moist?
Talking about free; you also get free drinks and food. And we aren’t talking about a meal in a box food here, we are talking real food — the best I have had domestically.
For breakfast, I decided on the steel-cut oats (not sure what that means) and American breakfast: “Chilled steel-cuts oats tossed with oranges, apples, maple, walnuts, dried cranberries cherries, currants, and creamy yogurt, topped with multigrain granola, raspberries, and blackberries. Served along cage-free scrambled eggs finished with chives and cream cheese, accompanied by cheddar hash browns, apple and chicken sausage, roasted tomato, grilled green onion and mini French toast filled with vanilla and orange cream.” Dang, that is impressive — remember this is on a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles.
They even had Glenlivet 12 year old scotch, which is rare to even find on an international business class flight. Only if it was later in the day, I would have enjoyed it, but some OJ and coffee sufficed.
It is hard to remember this is a domestic product. Sure, the seats do not fold flat, but they get quite comfy.
If you want to guarantee a seat up in the front, make sure you purchase your first class ticket well in advance. If you are willing to take the risk, you have the ability to grab an upgrade for pretty cheap.
Elevate Gold Members are eligible to purchase First Class upgrades for themselves and a travel companion from 24 hours before departure. Elevate Silver Members are eligible to purchase First Class upgrades for themselves and a travel companion from 12 hours before departure. All other Elevate Members and other guests are able to purchase upgrades to First Class from 6 hours before departure. For a short-haul flight (like SEA-LAX) you can get a economy to first class upgrade for $79 each way. That goes up to $139 for medium haul and all the way up to $299 for long haul.
I have had no problem stating that I feel Virgin America has the best domestic economy product and I am happy to say the same about their First Class product. I am not one that has a ton of money to throw around, but I would feel okay spending the extra money for this product.
ADDITIONAL VIRGIN AMERICA FIRST CLASS PHOTOS:
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China Southern’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered readies for take off at Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
A China Southern Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner in special livery took its first flight yesterday at Paine Field and AirlineReporter.com correspondent Malcolm Muir was there to catch it in action. One of the first chilly and windy days in Seattle made it a bit more difficult, but you have to be ready for unfriendly weather if you plan spot in Everett.
China Southern’s 787 taxis at Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
For some reason, the airline still has not been publicly talked about the livery and is almost seeming to try to keep it a secret. This is unfortunate, since many spotters have already caught the impressive new design. It is currently rumored that nine out of the ten China Southern 787s will sport this special livery.
“The livery stands out really well against the other aircraft and definitely an improvement over standard china southern livery,” Muir explained. I have to agree. I have been able to see this livery up close on the flight line and it is more breath taking in person than the photos can show.
Spotting a 787 at Paine Field would not be complete without a head-on shot. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
China Southern’s standard livery is not too shabby looking, but quite a bit more conservative than this special 787 design.
The Dreamliner, B-2727, took off a bit after noon on Friday and according to FlightAware.com, flew for about an hour and 40 minutes over Washington state before returning to Everett.
And lift off. China Southern’s 787 is about to go on a 1hr 40min flight and return back to Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
China Southern was originally scheduled to take delivery of their first 787 by the end of September, but that obviously has not happened yet.
The airline is the third to offer a special livery of their 787 Dreamliner after ANA and United.
