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February 2011 Archives

South African Airways CEO: crew drug smuggling "horrendous...a disaster" to carrier's image

By
Will Horton
 on February 28, 2011 6:03 AM | | Comments () | TrackBacks (0)
747-400
An SAA 747-400 over the sand dunes near Port Elizabeth, South Africa in the 1990s. Photograph: AirSpace user sonjaG

Former South African Airways chief executive Chris Smyth has called a spate of cabin crew arrests for suspicions of drug smuggling "horrendous" and "a disaster" to his carrier's image.

As Time reports, a flight attendant's arrest in Sao Paulo on the fifteenth this month is the fifth such incident in two years. Previous arrests include the carrier's Lagos station manager, an arrest last June that resulted in a seven year jail sentence, and the entire 15-person crew in January 2009, although they were later released.

The arrests are symptomatic of a new paradigm in drug smuggling out of South America. North America, the previous main drug transport through-way, has become saturated. Africa is the next logical waypoint. South Africa and Kenya, with their large air connections, are logical points, Time says.

Despite the backwardness of drug smuggling, South African Airways is not languishing. The carrier is working with EgyptAir and Ethiopian airlines for a co-operation scheme. It also plans to replace its entire fleet by 2020. From May the carrier will operate non-stop to New York.

British Airways fumigates two 747-400s for bedbugs

By
Will Horton
 on February 28, 2011 2:14 AM | | Comments () | TrackBacks (0)
Frontier A318
Photograph: AirSpace user Slider

Adding to the list of unusual British Airways aircraft circumstances and possible contaminates (such as the 2006 radiation scare) is the news that British Airways has fumigated two Boeing 747-400 aircraft for bedbugs, the creatures that became endemic last year in America.

The carrier confirmed to the Daily Mail that it found bedbugs on one of the aircraft but not the other.

"We are vigilant about the issue and continually monitor our aircraft, a spokesman says. "Whenever any report of bed bugs is received, we launch a thorough investigation and, if appropriate, remove the aircraft from service and use specialist teams to treat it."

The grounding and fumigation followed one passenger's alleged gnarly encounter with bedbugs in World Traveller Plus on two flights: London to Los Angeles and Bangalore to London.

Passenger Zane Selkirk says BA did not take her complaint seriously at first, leading her to create the website BA Bites, which in turn prompted BA to take action.

"I discovered bugs crawling literally all over me, multiple generations of bugs were found to be infesting my seat and headrest," Selkirk says.

"I turned on my light to find bugs crawling on my blanket and a bed bug blood-spattered shirt. I left my ten-hour flight to find my body covered with 90 bug bites. All I can be sure of is that when I got on the plane my skin was clear of bites. When I got off, I had 90."

The next time you have a bad airline experience, think again before you say that airline bites.

Discovery's final launch as seen from above

By
Will Horton
 on February 27, 2011 1:57 PM | | Comments () | TrackBacks (0)
A Space Shuttle launch is an awesome sight, and seeing it from above on a cruising aircraft is all that more humbling.

A one Neil Monday had that latter opportunity--and filmed it--on a commercial flight from Orlando airport as Discovery embarked on her final trip into space. You can read more about the Space Shuttle, its history, legacy, and retirement in our recent feature package here (see "related articles" on the right).



I feel obliged to mention that if the video has inspired anyone to watch, and maybe even film, the last Space Shuttle launch, please ensure you watch the Space Shuttle, and not a water tower:

Which airline has the most attractive cabin crew?

By
Barbara Cockburn
 on February 15, 2011 10:07 AM | | Comments () | TrackBacks (0)

 

It seems a bit of red lipstick goes along way for Virgin Atlantic cabin crew and is one of the elements that has earned them the accolade of most attractive according to a survey of 1,000 people by the Business Travel and Meetings Show - BTMS.

Apart from their tailored red uniforms, red lipstick is the only other uniform stipulation.

Singapore Airlines received only 18 per cent of the vote at second place, although they are often named the best cabin crew in the world.

In third place, with 12 per cent, was Abu Dhabi flag carrier Etihad, and Emirates in fourth place.

Aer Lingus scraped by with six per cent. Neither British Airways, Ryanair nor easyJet featured in the top ten. Do you agree with the results of the survey? Name your top ten. 

On a cabin crew forum I found a thread about Virgin Atlantic makeup and what their secret is. Galleychic advises: "as long as you actually wear make up and you don't apply it like your going to a disco (IE glittery eye make up, thick black eye liner etc....) then you will be fine...

"Any colour that compliments your eye colour and the uniform is best, you dont even have to wear eye shadow if you dont want to, just a bit of liner and mascara if your not that into make up, or if your not sure how to apply it."

And a final piece of advice: "You just need to find what colours suit you and work with your eye colour and skin tone, and learn how to apply it - some girls i'm sorry to say really havent got a clue and would be better off not wearing it at all cos they look ridiculous."

Miaow 

 

How many roses will Lufthansa transport for Valentine's Day?

By
Will Horton
 on February 14, 2011 12:45 PM | | Comments () | TrackBacks (0)
Frontier A318
Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F D-ALCI arriving at East Midlands airport in 2008. Photograph: AirSpace user Goose

Did you give or receive a rose today for Valentine's Day? If so, you may have Lufthansa Cargo and its MD-11 freighters to thank.

The carrier says it will have transported 34 million roses for Valentine's Day. That equates to 1,200 tonnes, enough to fill 14 fully-loaded MD-11 freighters.

Over the weekend Lufthansa says its aircraft flew in "roses from South America and Africa to the airline's hub in Frankfurt/Germany. The stopover at Frankfurt Airport is very brief. Within hours of landing, the roses are flown to consignees in Europe and beyond."

"Among the major producers of fresh-cut flowers are suppliers in Kenya, Ecuador and Columbia, where the flowers are picked in the morning by rose producers and quickly transported to the airports. Lufthansa Cargo serves all three countries with frequent weekly freighter services. Such sensitive freight requires sophisticated transport solutions to ensure the roses look dewy fresh on Valentine's Day and for some days afterwards."

The MD-11 is Lufthansa Cargo's sole aircraft type with the carrier operating 18 examples, but by April the carrier expects to select a new aircraft type to joint its fleet. Read more...

What engineering feat will change our lives over the next 30 years?

By
Barbara Cockburn
 on February 8, 2011 2:59 PM | | Comments () | TrackBacks (0)

Flight International and Flightglobal's sister title New Scientist is hosting a campaign on engineering milestones and innovations, with a competition.

The prize is a true one off - a trip to the high arctic and deep sea. Your answer to this question: 'Which technology do you think will have the biggest impact on human life in the next 30 years?', could land you with this superb win.

 

Thumbnail image for New Scientist comp.gifSuggestions include somehow getting rid of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere... but how do you foresee life in 30 years.

Attention pilots: Nepal has a special brand of whisky for you

By
Will Horton
 on February 3, 2011 3:59 PM | | Comments () | TrackBacks (0)
Pilots consuming alcohol may be a taboo subject, but apparently not in Nepal, or at least judging by one of the country's rum brands.

Nepal Officer's Choice.JPG
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