Bits: Cathay Pacific sale, book HEx tickets inflight with Virgin, Shangri-La conversion bonus

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• Save East Coast Rewards says:

  11 Nov11 November 05:40

  Booking Heathrow Express on free WiFi is really going to get the public excited

  As Virgin have such a small fleet being the first European airline to have 100% WiFi coverage isn’t amazing. But if this fact shames BA into getting their act together then that’ll be good news.

  • Nick says:

    11 Nov11 November 06:33

    And with a fleet of several hundred aircraft, how exactly do you suggest BA do it any quicker? Cancel a load of flights to install it but annoy everyone in the process?
    The fact is that modifications to an aircraft’s structure require a period of testing for certification – and this is required for each individual a/c type, not just once per operator.
    BA publicly chose to wait until the technology was decent enough for its entire network. That was a smart move. Now they are installing it as fast as they can – at least one aircraft a week – but under ASA rules they’re not allowed to publicise it until a certain proportion (I think over 50%?) has it. But it’s there and flying already on some. At risk of sounding uncharacteristically positive of BA, I think they have ‘got their act together’.

    • Gibbooo says:

      11 Nov11 November 09:33

      Thanks for the update Alex.

      Your company and planes still stink.

      • Rob says:

        11 Nov11 November 10:43

        Having done wi-fi on a lot of carriers, it generally stinks. In theory …. if this 2nd generation kit does what it is meant to do then BA will be vindicated in waiting.

      • Tom says:

        11 Nov11 November 23:07

        Delta now give free WiFi for messaging (think WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook messenger and maybe email too)

        Avoids the Emirates problem at the start of people connecting their devices because it was free, then those devices constantly using WiFi for all apps/downloads etc and slowing it down for the rest of the flight.

        Messaging uses little bandwidth and everyone happy to stay in touch for free. Then those people who want more bandwidth are happy to pay for a service that works.

• Amit says:

  11 Nov11 November 06:55

  O/T flying in J on MH from T4 @ LHR. Is it best to use Malaysia’s own lounge or can I access QR?

  • AndyR says:

    11 Nov11 November 07:42

    You can access the QR lounge so definitely use that one.

• Doug says:

  11 Nov11 November 06:57

  Morning, my LTN-DUB flight estimated delay of 4h this morning . Ryanair provided a shocking 5 euro voucher, but I used my HSBC lounge key for £15, any tips on claiming the food back and compensation later? Cheers!

  • Anna says:

    11 Nov11 November 07:06

    It will depend firstly on why the flight is delayed.

    • Doug says:

      11 Nov11 November 07:13

      Thanks, although paid loungekey swipe has no receipt, sp would have to show credit cars statements!

    • callum says:

      11 Nov11 November 20:07

      Doug – Would Ryanair really accept a lounge entrance as being a “food and drink expense”? If I was working for them I certainly wouldn’t!

  • TripRep says:

    11 Nov11 November 07:11

    Keep all receipts for food (not booze).

    File a EU261/2004 for flight delay, but remember its the arrival time that counts, looks like it was delayed yesterday too.
    https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/fr338

    You can ask nice peeps on FT for the Flight delay code/reason, but I tend to ask the Flight Services Manager/Check in/Gate staff.

    • Doug says:

      11 Nov11 November 07:21

      Thanks, it is shocking how easily things can go wrong, exEU flights without overnight are always a risk. I always thought that early morning flights were less likely to delay, but all it takes is one delay and your holiday will start stressful!

      • the real harry1 says:

        11 Nov11 November 07:22

        have you got a connection to make?

      • Doug says:

        11 Nov11 November 07:27

        Not this time, but have used this very same flight for ex Dublin in the past. Guess some people might have done for cheap Avios redemption to US.

      • Polly says:

        11 Nov11 November 10:37

        My advice is always go the.night before it’s just not worth the stress..just imagine if you miss that long haul J.you.can kiss goodbye to any savings then…
        Good luck with FR claiming even reasonable expenses!

  • Zoe says:

    11 Nov11 November 07:46

    Good luck with trying to claim back even reasonable expenses from Ryanair. When they cancelled my husband’s flight last month (air traffic) and I managed to get him onto a Ryanair one a few days later we knew no compensation was payable. You have to submit reasonable expenses as just one jpg. So lay out all relevant docs and take a photo with your phone. Attach to their form, then a few days later get a rejection email. Enquiry why using chat ( another 20 mins of your life you will never get back). Use complaints to enquire further – you need deadlock to go to the next stage, still waiting on a reply.
    They definitely aim to wear you down. I couldn’t work out if it cost them to use the process after deadlock but although my husband is virtually giving up I’m tempted to continue as a matter of principle.
    Needless to say next year he will use Flybe and meet the golf boys out there.

• Will says:

  11 Nov11 November 07:56

  China southern at £2300 one stop business LHR into NZ CHC on 787 Dreamliner… hard to beat

  Can we have recommendations on skyteam FF options

  • Neil says:

    11 Nov11 November 08:40

    Tell me more, Will…

    • Lady London says:

      11 Nov11 November 11:40

      What’s the safety record like of Chinese airlines on international flights like these days?

      • CV3V says:

        11 Nov11 November 11:58

        It’s more the standards in service levels, very variable. Also always check the connection procedure at Chinese airports and potential delays.

      • Nick says:

        11 Nov11 November 12:50

        A lot of Chinese airlines realised that the way to stop crashing was to recruit a few western pilots to instil better ways of working… and it’s paid off. A few ex-BA captains went to Juneyao, for example. For the major international carriers, and particularly long haul routes on new aircraft (where lease contracts will stipulate certain operational standards be adhered to), I’d have very little concern flying on them.

      • Yan says:

        11 Nov11 November 17:25

        Actually Chinese airlines have industry leading safety standards and records in the past two decades, with or without foreign pilots. However CAN layover experience isn’t smooth.

• TripRep says:

  11 Nov11 November 10:09

  OT: Anyone taken advantage of the new current Avis deal, 9000 Avios for a wknd rental, C class type car (Renault Captur) for £70ish, tempted myself, would save putting a 1000 miles on my thirsty SUV.
  http://www.avisiberia.es/avisonline/es/avis_iberia.nsf/c/gb+Offers,travelfurther

  • the real harry1 says:

    11 Nov11 November 10:36

    I can see Group C for EUR59 (GBP 52)

    = 0.578p/ point

    T&Cs seem contradictory plus first 1000 only…

    • Rob says:

      11 Nov11 November 10:42

      I’m not covering this. For a start, it has been on the IB website since 1st November so it is very possible all 1,000 slots had already gone before they emailed everyone yesterday.

      • bagoly says:

        11 Nov11 November 12:09

        Rob,
        I emailed you on Thursday about 5000 -M- with Budget.
        Fine if you don’t want to run it, but I thought I ought to check the email didn’t get blocked somewhere between me and you.

        • Rob says:

          11 Nov11 November 14:40

          No, don’t remember seeing that. Try my old gmail rjb71170 at gmail com

    • PalCsaky says:

      11 Nov11 November 11:01

      Spanish version even more confusing, says 2 days minimum at the beginning of T&Cs and later says 3 days minimum. Bonus 9000 only for rentals between 8-12 Nov or 5-12 Dec and must include Saturday 11 Nov or Sat 9 Dec.

    • TripRep says:

      11 Nov11 November 12:50

      Hmmm, good points, the 9000 Avios not being guaranteed is enough of a deterrent, thanks all! 🙂

• Mark says:

  11 Nov11 November 10:28

  OT – can anybody recommend Any good European hubs or routes to fly to Vietnam. I’m flying this December and flights from UK as you can imagine are high.

  • CV3V says:

    11 Nov11 November 12:03

    Just find a cheap ticket into Asia. Then air Asia or Vietnam airlines into Vietnam. Regional flights with Vietnam Airlines are quite well priced and the service on the plane is proper old fashioned (hot towels etc), you can also use Optiontown to bid for upgrade (although it’s never worked yet for me).

    You will also have the joys of Vietnamese security staff, very strict bunch!

  • Memesweeper says:

    11 Nov11 November 23:39

    We flew to BKK (redemption) then to SGN on another ticket recently— it was the cheapest way for us.

    Cathay’s sale extends to Vietnam so you could look at that for a hassle free option with one carrier.

    Emirates and Qatar take a lot of Europeans to Vietnam, so I guess their pricing must be decent. Avoid the former like the plague myself though – never going to voluntarily pass through UAE.

• Polly says:

  11 Nov11 November 10:42

  Mark..did you just sleep through the QR Sale that just ended yesterday? Lots of choice leave from osl HEL arn cph any of them…you could have hopped from arn to sin then quick air Asia to nam…sorry it’s just we spent the well.advising folks on how best to.use QR J in that sale. Or if.you want Y try CD current sale…

  • Mark says:

    11 Nov11 November 11:14

    I used to read this site everyday but now I’m
    Just too busy, I keep missing lots.

• Polly says:

  11 Nov11 November 10:44

  Sorry meant CX cathay Pacific sale

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