New Qantas uniforms

Qantas said today it would launch a new version of its cabin crew uniforms to coincide with the commencement of its A380 flights in October.

Qantas Group General Manager Customer Product and Services, Ms Lesley Grant, said the new colour had been created by the uniforms' designer, Peter Morrissey.

"Qantas launched its current Morrissey designed uniforms in 2003," she said.

"While the uniforms remain stylish and distinctive and are popular with both our crew members and customers, the time is right to introduce a new colour palette, in keeping with our increasing focus on contemporary design and to coincide with the arrival of the new generation A380."

Ms Grant said Qantas and Peter Morrissey had continued to work with the textile design Wirriyarra from the Balarinji Design Studio.

"Australian wool suits in black are combined with Wirriyarra scarves or ties in a new 'dusk' print - characterised by silver and blue tones - and a dusk print dress has been created for female flight attendants," she said.

"Qantas Customer Service Managers will also wear new ties and scarves, including 'platinum' box weave silver for men and platinum silver for women.

"Qantas cabin crew are the face of our airline and this updated uniform is fresh, contemporary and reflects our premium style."

In 1938, Qantas' first male cabin crew dressed in white waiters' jackets when serving dinner to passengers. In 1947, female crew joined Qantas and wore a military style uniform. Qantas' cabin crew uniform has been re-designed nine times since - in 1959, 1964, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1985, 1993, 2003 and 2008 - created by leading designers such as Emilio Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent and George Gross and Harry Who.

London Gatwick airport for sale

Do you have spare $3.5 billion, more less? If yes, here is your big chance to buy yourself UK second largest airport.

You might have some competition though. Australian company Macquarie, Germany's Fraport and Virgin Atlantic expressed their interest. However, if you miss this opportunity, you may always bid for Stansted airport, which is going to be sold next.

Qantas to introduce online check-in

Qantas said today it would introduce new online check-in options, including paperless check-in, from early 2009 to make the process faster and easier.

Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said the new check-in options included:
- online check-in for international customers, building on the successful domestic online check-in options already available;
- the option for customers to select their seat from the point of booking, for both domestic and international flights;
- the option for customers who have not made their booking online to select their seat via the 'Manage Your Booking' service on qantas.com; and
- the ability for customers who select their seat online before departure to be automatically checked-in and have a 2D barcode sent to their mobile phone, portable device or PC.

"Domestic customers electing to receive their boarding pass on their mobile phone or portable device can have a paperless experience, from booking, to check-in to boarding. Customers with baggage can proceed directly to the bag drop facilities before heading straight to their flight," he said.

"For our international customers, passengers who have already checked-in will proceed straight to a dedicated online bag drop counter."

Mr Borghetti said these technological enhancements formed part of a broader mobile strategy for Qantas, giving customers access to information and services via portable devices.

"As part of this strategy, Qantas is working to ensure all services are available for customers with the iPhone 3G," he said.

Regardless of which option they use, all passengers and their baggage will continue to pass through all required airport security screening.

Azamara Journey Brand Experience

Review of Azamara Cruise by Mike Graham and Stuart Pearce

30th of August – 1st of September 2008 – 2 nights

Overview

This product is definitely ‘ premium luxury ‘

At first you realise how much more compact it is ( but this is versus Royal ships – which I know we cannot really compare against ), however after 24 hours you realise it has a real ‘ country club ‘ feel to it with a taste of what cruising was like in the old days.

We met Niyazi Korkmaz ( the hotel director, who has been with the company 18 years, 3 yrs Royal, 14 yrs Celebrity and 1 yr on Azamara Journey ) He kindly spent 45 minutes with us discussing the guest profile, main competitors, feedback from guests and what makes Azamara so different to other cruise ships. I have met several people on Royal who have always been very helpful but I couldn’t help but feel that he was giving us a much more personal service and he was extremely proud of the Azamara Journey.

The 1 hour Bridge tour was fantastic and they also do this for guests if they ask for this ( and galley tours ) – which they do not do on Royal or Celebrity.


General Feedback

• Glass of champagne when you first step onboard.
• 1.5 litre bottle of mineral water which is complimentary is in your stateroom on arrival.
• Rose on pillow and bed turned down on returning to stateroom at night.
• Daily flowers in a vase.
• The butler is dressed as a butler and consistently asked if there was anything he could do, I had no pen and he came back with one within 15 minutes
• The announcements are limited to the Captain, no tannoy announcements around the pool, the atmosphere is very relaxed and on the day at sea there are still sunbeds free.
• The towels in your stateroom are real bath towels, double the size of towels on Royal and Celebrity.
• In suites the guests are given a bottle of their favourite spirit complimentary for their stay.
• Age of guests mid 40’s upwards.
• Guests can order free espressos, cappuccinos after their meal in any restaurant.
• Penthouse and Royal suites each cruise are invited to have dinner with the Captain where the library room is converted to a private restaurant where the chef flambés the food and the Captain and officers host the suite guests.
• Diesel converts to electrical power to propel the ship along which is better for the environment.
• The highlight for both Stuart and myself was the specialty restaurant, Aqualina. The service was outstanding, I would honestly say one of the best meals I have ever had – we had 8 courses, the wine sommelier gave us the history of the wine chosen and was very knowledgeable, the Food and Beverages manager, Restaurant manager and the Executive Chef came to see us to ask how our meal was which was a lovely touch.
• We were invited to, and attended the Captains Club and Elite Party where me met a lovely couple from Ireland who were very impressed with Azamara. They had only ever travelled on Royal and Celebrity in the past and definitely preferred this type of cruise.
• Specialty restaurants – guaranteed 2 sittings ( 3 if in suites ) However if there is availability guests can dine there more than this for just the 5 dollars per person gratuity ! – This really is something we need to shout more about.
• Most people are in bed by 11pm ( after dinner ), the busiest place was the casino.

Overall I would call Azamara Journey a luxurious ‘ floating boutique hotel ‘ at sea.