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Complete Guide to the EVA Air Hello Kitty Jet Experience

by Gary Leff on June 22, 2015

Jun 22 2015

EVA Air ran Hello Kitty flights from 2005 through 2008, and brought them back in 2011. They’ve been running Hello Kitty flights ever since, and current Hello Kitty routes have some of the highest load factors in their system (around 85%). Of course they make smart business decisions about the routes, and while the Hello Kitty livery draws some passengers it’s clearly planes they’re filling and drawing enough revenue that justifies the expense of the onboard product. For instance, one of their Los Angeles flights had been operated with Hello Kitty aircraft but no longer is. The Hello Kitty Fleet Here are the current Hello Kitty routes: There are a total of (7) Hello Kitty planes currently: (3) Airbus A330-300s (2) Airbus A330-200s (2) Boeing 777-300ERs Which Hello Kitty Planes Fly Where? Hello Kitty Shining…

Inside Star Alliance Member EVA Air’s 777-300ER Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet

by Gary Leff on June 21, 2015

Jun 21 2015

At the launch party for EVA Air’s Houston-Taipei service I had the opportunity to walk through their brand new 777-300ER Hello Kitty “Shining Star Jet” and have a look at all three classes of service.

Hello Kitty planes are a whole lot of fun. They offer a really nice enhanced soft product, bringing the Sanrio characters to life through video, meals, and a presence across the small items onboard like safety cards and even the toilet paper in the lavatories.

Inaugural Launch Party: Star Alliance Member EVA Air Now Flies Taipei – Houston With Hello Kitty Jet

by Gary Leff on June 21, 2015

Jun 21 2015

Star Alliance member EVA Air has launched service from Taipei to Houston.

The inaugural flight was on Friday, and I turned up for its arrival and the launch party that the airline held in conjunction with the airport.

Which is More Important: Transportation or Experience?

by Gary Leff on June 20, 2015

Jun 20 2015

A reader asked me the other day whether I would fly to my home city from Asia on Korean in first, or to San Francisco on Cathay Pacific and connect?

Cathay unquestionably has the better seat. I find the service better. The entertainment system is better. The midflight snacks are better. So is the lounge. But I’d still choose Korean.

Here’s what that says about preference for time versus comfort, and the allure of hotel versus the experience of the road.

American AAdvantage Ending Redemptions to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines

by Gary Leff on June 20, 2015

Jun 20 2015

American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are partners — but starting September 1 you will only be able to redeem American miles for travel on Hawaiian for intra-island flights and flights beyond Hawaii to their Asia Pacific destinations. You will no longer be able to redeem for Hawaiian flights between Hawaii and the US mainland.

There’s more than two months’ notice to this change, and there are plenty of other options to Hawaiian on both American and Alaska Airlines. Hawaii awards aren’t getting more expensive, just a little harder. And there are many ways still to get those Hawaiian flights to and from Hawaiian. So this isn’t devastating. But it is disappointing.

Here are the ways you can still use American miles for travel on Hawaiian, the ways you can use American miles to get to Hawaii, and the other ways you can fly between the mainland and Hawaii on Hawaiian.

Singapore Airlines Wants a New Longer Range Aircraft to Overcome Disadvantages in the US Market

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

Singapore flew non-stop Newark – Singapore as the longest flight in the world onboard an Airbus A340-500. They also flew Los Angeles – Singapore non-stop, and Thai Airways flew New York JFK – Bangkok using that plane type.

The Singapore Airlines ultra-long haul flights were originally operated in two cabin configuration, and changed to all business class service. The goal was selling fewer seats at a significant premium. The economics didn’t work.

The A340-500 was more or less a flying gas can. And carrying so much fuel for such a long distance means carrying more fuel to handle the weight of that fuel. As the price of avgas rose, operating costs of the plane became worse and worse. Eventually all three of those flights came to and end.

Buy Miles for 7/10ths of a Cent Through Tomorrow, Up to 20,000 Miles for Economist Subscription, and Delta Giving Up On Haneda

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

A collection of the most interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.

The Updated Ultimate Guide to Booking Award Tickets Using American Miles

by Gary Leff on June 17, 2015

Jun 17 2015

American Airlines AAdvantage has one of the least expensive award charts for premium cabin travel to many regions, and they only add significant fuel surcharges to one of their airline partners. But their routing rules, the way you’re allowed to construct an award, are complex and they don’t even publish them at AA.com.

Not only are they published here, but they’re explained. This is an advanced post worth bookmarking if you collect American miles.

United Ending All Service at New York JFK in October

by Gary Leff on June 16, 2015

Jun 16 2015

United will be leaving New York JFK airport completely after October 25, and shifting their premium Los Angeles and San Francisco operations fully over to Newark. As long as the government signs off, Delta will get United’s JFK slots.

An Inflight Wedding & Opportunity to Fly Vintage Aircraft

by Gary Leff on June 7, 2015

Jun 07 2015

A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.