Flights, airports and the airlines

Featured Airlines

Since the beginning of its days in the February of 1977, Kenya Airways has always played a key role in the development of the African nation. It has not just been its reputation as a beacon of corporate excellence that has made it one of the most prestigious developing airlines in the industry today, but also its participation in assisting voluntary agencies and charities in the area. This input by a large corporation is supporting the gradual move of the developing African nations to something more sustainable.

While it is a worthwhile cause, the airline does not just spend all its time caring for the needs of the nation – their second priority is to ensure that their passengers have the best and safest flight to and from their destination. As their mission states, their ultimate aim is to “consistently be a safe and profitable airline that guarantees world class service.” Unlike other airlines, they do not focus on minor details and concentrating on providing a comfortable, safe and enjoyable flight.

Saying that, it does not mean that they have not decked out their 23 aircraft with the best quality fittings, excellent entertainment services and delicious meals; in 2002 and 2003, they won the Travel New and Lifestyle Magazine award for best in-flight magazine, and their menu accommodates for a wide variety of dietary needs.

As a part of the SkyTeam alliance, the airline also has a wide range of networks that enable their passengers a wider and more efficient reach of destinations. For example, its codesharing with Korean Air would allow for Kenya Airways passengers to travel direct to Korea with one ticket. Other services such as the direct Paris flight is just another of its 36 destinations that ensure that their passengers have the best, most efficient and enjoyable flight to anywhere in the world.

Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar, is one of the aviation industry’s brightest success stories.
The award-winning airline is also one of the fastest growing carriers in the world with unprecedented expansion averaging almost 40 per cent year on year for the past decade.
Since its relaunch in 1997, Qatar Airways has achieved staggering growth in fleet size and passenger numbers. The airline currently operates 58 aircraft. By 2015, the fleet size will double to more than 110 aircraft.
From its hub in Doha, capital of Qatar, the airline has developed a global network of destinations, flying to 78 cities covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Far East and America.
In line with the company’s philosophy to be innovative, the airline opened the world’s only dedicated commercial passenger terminal for its First and Business Class passengers at Doha International Airport.
The US$90million Premium Terminal, built in just nine months, opened in November 2006. It features facilities such as dedicated check-in for First and Business Class passengers, a spa, jacuzzi, duty free, business centre, fine dining restaurants and a cocktail bar.
Under the stewardship of Al Baker, who was appointed CEO in 1996, Qatar Airways has matured into a leading force in regional and global aviation, earning many admirers around the world for its excellent standards of service.
The airline’s commitment to offering high service and quality from a dedicated workforce earned it a string of accolades over the years including this year being named Best Airline in the Middle East by readers of US-based Global Traveller magazine.
Also this year, Qatar Airways once again passed the IATA safety audit, a bi-annual review that examines the safety standards of airlines around the world. Qatar Airways was the first airline in the world to pass the audit with 100% compliance when it was introduced in 2003, a feat maintained subsequently in 2005 and 2007.
Qatar Airways was the first Middle East carrier to feature First Class seats that convert into 180-degree fully flat beds and Business Class seats-cum-beds that recline 160 degrees. It also has one of the most advanced inflight entertainment systems in the sky – Audio Video On Demand (AVOD) on its A330 and A340 long-haul fleet where all passengers in First, Business and Economy Class can play, forward, rewind and stop programmes at a time of their choice, giving them more control of their personal entertainment.
During 2006, Qatar Airways became the first international airline to offer live digital satellite television, offering a mix of European and Arabic channels, beamed direct to each passenger seat onboard its long-haul Airbus A340 and A330 aircraft. Passengers have free access to the channels that are beamed to each of the seatback TV screens.

Not many people can resist the award winning services of Air Tahiti Nui when they visit the magical islands of Tahiti. Greeted by the fragrance of the Tiare Tahiti gardenia, the sounds of legendary island music, and the world class Polynesia hospitality - you’ll quickly be awed by an unparallel experience of luxury offered on Air Tahiti Nui.

Air Tahiti Nui is the leading carrier to French Polynesia. The airline has headquarters in Papeete and commenced flight operations in 1998. Every member of the Air Tahiti crew is fluent in French, Tahitian, and English.

Passengers will immerse themselves in an experience of airy, spacious tropical transition when abroad the modern Airbus A340-300 aircraft. They can now even take a non-stop flight to Tahiti and her islands and on to New York, Los Angeles and Paris. The non-stop flying time from Sydney to Tahiti is only about 7 hours.

Air Tahiti Nui is building a reputation for providing world-class service comparable to many top airlines in the world. Serving six pampered guests in a luxurious enclave, PoeravaFirst Class cabin includes fully reclining sleeper seats with state-of-the-art facilities such as a 12-inch video screen with premier movies andl in-flight telephones.

Air Tahiti Nui brings flavours of the world to you during meal times. The world-class cuisine blends the culinary influences of Polynesian and French heritage with specialties from each of the destinations. First and Business Class meals are served to your specific requests.

Club Poerava provides the perfect way to begin your business trip. The spacious cabin creates an ambience of Polynesian warmth, care and hospitality while the two-abreast seating allows for maximum privacy and comfort.

Moana Class service is customised to add comfort over your long-haul journey. The eight-abreast seating layout is suitable for couple- and family-oriented passengers. Every passenger enjoys their own video screen with premier movies and interactive games.

There is no doubt that flying Air Tahiti involves an experience in world class Polynesian hospitality. The airline was awarded the prestigious Skytrax award as Best Cabin Crew in the South Pacific in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and fourth best cabin crew of all airlines worldwide. You’ll feel your escape to pacific paradise has begun when you hear Ia Ora Na (G'day) from the crew at Air Tahiti Nui.

The world's largest commercial airliner, the 555-seat A380, successfully completed crosswind tests in extreme wind conditions at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, on Friday 10th November. A minimum of 23 knots (42 km/h) crosswind must be demonstrated at take off and landing for its Type Certification that is expected in mid-December.

MSN004, one of the five developmental A380 aircraft, carried out a series of six landings and five take-offs with crosswinds above 40 knots (74 km/h), gusting up to 56 knots (104 km/h), which is considerably higher than the value required for Type Certification. During the tests, the A380 was put through its paces, and it showed that it will be able to operate easily with very strong crosswinds during normal operations. This is the first time an Airbus aircraft has performed tests in such crosswind conditions.

During this series of tests, three test pilots flew the A380 developmental aircraft MSN004, Claude Lelaie, Senior Vice President of Airbus' Flight Division, Jacques Rosay, Chief Test Pilot and Vice President, and a pilot from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The other members of the crew were Fernando Alonso, Vice President Flight Division, Flight Test Engineering, Pascal Verneau, Test Flight Engineer and Eric Isorce, Flight Test Engineer.

"The aircraft's behaviour and handling was very smooth and landing in particular was easy, despite the heavy cross winds," said Claude Lelaie, Senior Vice President, Flight Division. "This was the first time we have carried out tests at such high cross wind speeds and yet again, the A380 is outperforming even in these extreme conditions."

Five development A380s have now flown. Four aircraft, one of which is powered by the Engine Alliance GP7200 engine, are now actively involved in the intensive flight test programme, which has already reached over 730 flights and 2,300 flight hours. The fifth aircraft is undergoing cabin installation in Hamburg. Firm orders and commitments for the A380 currently stand at 166 aircraft for 15 customers.