Aussie Flyer

FLIGHT JL113 AIRLINE Japan Airlines ROUTE Tokyo Haneda to Osaka Itami GATE DEPARTURE 10.30 (Scheduled) / 10.29 (Actual) GATE ARRIVAL 11.40 (Scheduled) / 11.35 (Actual) FLIGHT TIME 44 mins airborne AIRCRAFT Boeing 767-300 JA8975 After a short and enjoyable stay in Tokyo I headed to Shinjuku station to take the airport limousine bus. Around 40 minutes later I was dropped off at Haneda terminal 1. The terminal can be a little confusing, it is separated into different wings depending on where you are going within Japan. I was perhaps looking a little bewildered when a very polite JAL staff member approached me and asked if I needed any assistance. After I told her I was flying to Osaka she pointed me in the direction of the other wing. I found the premium counters for check-in and met another polite and friendly JAL employee. I inquired as to...

Well we've known the B767 days were numbered in the Qantas fleet for quite some time now, but since Alan Joyce fast-tracked his turnaround plan for the airline, the day came somewhat earlier than many had hoped. December 27, 2014 was the final day of Boeing 767 passenger operations for Qantas, and indeed it would be the final flight of a Boeing 767 with passengers in Australian domestic service period.  The Boeing 767-200 and Boeing 767-300 have been an integral part of the aviation scene in Australia since about 1983 (with Ansett) and for many it was the preferred method of travel between the east coast capitals for decades. The type has been in service with Qantas for 29 years and was it's first twin engine aircraft. So it was with some sadness that I booked my seat on flight QF767 from Melbourne to Sydney to farewell what I think has been a very significant part of Australian airline history. Here is how I experienced the day....

Firstly, I apologise that this part has no inflight pictures as my camera battery ran out. My mistake! Anyways, on with the story.... Having just landed at JFK from Chicago I decided to go for a wander in the general direction of the next flight, checking out some of the retail outlets along the way. Flight Information Display - AA613 to Miami is on time Halfway across the terminal I suddenly realised I had left my Sony noise cancelling headsets sitting between my seat and the side of the 757 I had just come in on! I decided to race back to the gate and see if they could be retrieved. As I arrived I noticed one of the ground staff was closing the airbridge door and about to leave. I approached him and explained what had happened and even though everything was locked up and he was going to his next flight he very kindly opened the door and escorted me back onto the aircraft. The cleaning crew were halfway through their job as I got back on board the 757. I asked the staff member cle...

My short stay in Waikiki was over and it was time to catch a cab. I had a very friendly Vietnamese taxi driver who was very chatty and polite and got me to the airport in good time. I was dropped off at the American Airlines check in area and I headed for the first class counter. American Airlines Check-In at Honolulu Airport The check-in girl was a bit confused about my strange routing to Chicago (via Dallas and St Louis) but she checked me in efficiently and stamped my boarding pass with 'GOLD LANE'. My bags were tagged right through to Chicago and I was off to security. I used the priority lane but I was selected for a random secondary screening. After a full pat down my bags were carefully checked over and all my belongings were swabbed for explosives. My wallet was searched and two TSA agents made conversation with me about my routing. They asked why I didn't just take the direct AA flight to Chicago but they seemed to accept my reason (plane lover) and we had a bit...

AIRLINE:  Qantas AIRCRAFT:  Boeing 767-300ER (VH-OGO) CLASS:  Business Class ROUTE:  BNE-SYD SEAT:  3A SCHEDULED DEPARTURE:  09.15 ACTUAL DEPARTURE:  10.14 SCHEDULED ARRIVAL:  10.50 ACTUAL ARRIVAL:  11.37 (delayed 47 minutes) I must confess I was a total newbie to Qantas domestic business class before this flight but with the new 'anyseat awards' that Qantas Frequent Flyer offers which include status credits I decided to give it a go. Was I impressed? Not particularly... However it wasn't all bad! arriving outside Brisbane Airport's Qantas domestic terminal on a cloudy morning Curbside - Brisbane's domestic terminal is accessed by the ground floor for both departures and arrivals Domestic Check-in - use a kiosk and then drop off your bags please I had no check-in bag so I simply went to the kiosk to print off the boarding pass. This can also be done after security at the Qantas Club entrance (no need to be flying in Australia to ...