Apr
21

Earn Frequent Flyer Points While Travelling By Rail In Europe

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Fly and Rail Image
The concept of “code-share” has become common in the airline industry since the coining of the term by Australia’s Qantas Airlines in 1990.

It refers to the use of a common flight identifier code for services operated by different carriers.

One of the common advantages of code-sharing is that frequent flyer programs often enable passenger miles earned on a code-share flight to be added into a passenger’s account.

More recently, a number of airlines have formed linkages with several European rail carriers to enable the concept of code-sharing to extend to high speed rail travel as well.

The most recent of these arrangements was announced by Qantas Airlines on 19th April. Qantas plans to commence the new arrangement with German rail operator Deutsche Bahn between Frankfurt and seven cities in Germany from 1 May.

This will enable Qantas customers to connect with Intercity-Express (ICE) rail services from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart. A Qantas spokesman said that the daily rail services complemented Qantas’ air services, whose daily flights arrive in Frankfurt at 0550 with rail services departing approximately 90 minutes after landing, depending on the destination.

A number of other airlines have introduced such code-share plans into the marketplace in recent years, among them being American Airlines, Continental, China Airlines, Lufthansa, TAP Portugal and Emirates.

In Europe these Rail & Fly systems are used to divide markets by selling these combination tickets abroad for a lower price to attract more customers. Rail operators participating include DB in Germany and SNCF in France.

Conditions for these code-share tickets vary, but most seem to offer accumulation of mileage points, and some airlines offer the rail component as a no-cost extension of the airfare for international travelers.

Why not consider this as an option when next flying into Europe.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Air, Destinations, Rail
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Apr
20

Safest Air Travel Year On Record

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recently released its annual Safety Report today, showing that 2006 was the safest year on record.

“The safety results for 2006 are impressive. Air transport remains the safest form of travel.

But we must do even better. With demand for air travel increasing at 5-6% per year, the accident rate must decrease just to keep the actual number of accidents in check.

The goal will always be zero accidents. And the interim target is to reduce the industry rate to 0.49 accidents per million flights in 2008—a 25% improvement,”

said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

There were 77 accidents in 2006, compared to 111 in 2005. Of these 77 accidents, 46 involved jet aircraft and 31 involved turbo-props.

Not all regions of the world saw the same level of safety. For example, Russia and other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) had the highest accident rate of all the regions in 2006, with 8.6 Western-built hull losses per million flights—13 times the global average. IATA is actively working with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), States and operators to improve the situation.

Regional Accident Rate

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com
Categories : Air
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Apr
13

Approaching a New Era in Air Travel

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A recent announcement out of Singapore has indicated that a new era in air travel is fast approaching.

The long-awaited first delivery of the A380 aircraft is one step closer with the announcement that the European manufacturer has begun paintwork of Singapore Airlines livery on the aircraft.
Airbus will be using 3,600 litres of chromate-free paint to decorate the aircraft. During this time, the manufacturer will not only be painting, but will also be in the process of cleaning, grinding, masking and unmasking the aircraft in preparation for its very public debut.

Delivery has been earmarked for October 2007.

The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, four-engined airliner. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. It first flew on 27 April 2005. The nickname Superjumbo has become associated with the A380.

The A380′s upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage. This allows for a cabin with 50% more floor space than the next largest airliner, the Boeing 747-400.

The A380-800 has a maximum range of 15,000 km (8,000 nmi, sufficient to fly from Chicago to Sydney nonstop), and a cruising speed of about 900 km/h or 560 mph at cruise altitude.

Submitted by Barbara Walsh-Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Air
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Nov
06

Reduced carry-on restrictions for US flights

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The Transportation Security Administration has announced an “adjustment” in the treatment of carry-on liquids and gels for passengers departing flights from US airports.

Under the new regulations, passengers will be allowed to carry a limited range of travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag. These will need to be declared through security, and will be screened separately to other items.

In addition, passengers will now be allowed to carry on board drinks and other items that have been purchased within the security area.

These changes will definitely help many travelers to feel less restricted in their travel plans. In addition, the ability to carry on your own water will help reduce the chance of dehydration, particularly on long flights.

For further information, go to the TSA website at:
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/9-25_updated_passenger_guidance.shtm

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Air, Business, Vacations
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Sep
14

Is the US falling behind as a travel destination?

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The International Herald Tribune has recently reported that the United States seems to be losing market share of the fast-expanding international tourist travel market.There is a widely held belief within the travel industry that many tourists are choosing alternate destinations because they feel that it is simply too much of a hassle to travel to the US since the events of September 2001.

The decline in incoming overseas tourist traffic is significant, and steps are now underway in an attempt to address and reverse this trend. One of the issues most in need of attention, according to many commentators is to make the traveler’s experience at the entry point into the US less stressful than at present.

For more details, please refer to the International Herald Tribune article:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/13/business/tourism.php

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Air, Destinations, Security, Vacations
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Sep
14

An end to our opportunity to forget about work problems while flying?

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A recent announcement may send shudders through many business travelers who are able to relax during flights and let others worry about the day-to-day hassles of the workplace.

The Australian flag carrier, Qantas Airways has released a story saying that it will introduce new technology in about four months to let passengers do e-mail, text messaging and cell phone calling. The three-month trial will be done on Australian domestic routes using Boeing 767s.

“Qantas will be one of the first carriers in the world to offer this service,” said Senior Executive Vice President Wally Mariani.

I guess it won’t be long before we’ll need to field all kinds of new problems whilst attempting to “sit back, relax and enjoy the flight”

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Air, Business, Technology
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Aug
14

What do recent security changes mean for you?

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The issue of packing for either holiday or business travel must now be re-considered, since previous recommendations have specifically warned against including personal valuable items and liquids in your hold luggage. However, since you may no longer be able to carry these on board, then there may be no other alternative.

Issues to think about should include: more secure luggage, locks on zips, fasteners, etc, an external belt around the whole case.

In addition, all liquid or gel items should ideally be placed inside a sealable plastic bag to prevent leakage.

If you still feel comfortable about travelling by air, then we believe that you should continue to use this travel option. This helps to avoid any measure of success of the terrorism campaign, which of course is to cause disruption of travel plans at a very busy time of the year.

In terms of timing issues relating to your departure from airports affected by the new security guidelines, we cannot emphasise enough the need to allow significant extra time to go through check-in and security procedures. It is likely that carriers will need to schedule their departures as close as possible to the original time, and this could well result in passengers missing their flight if still caught in queues. You should maintain contact with the airport authorities and airline to ensure that you have allowed enough time.

Be prepared for lengthy delays and a higher than usual level of stress and anxiety amongst fellow passengers, airline and security personnel during this difficult time.

Posted by John Kumm, www.onlinetravelconsultant.com

Categories : Air, Security, Vacations
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