Take a Break

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Canada’s First Superjumbo A380 Serves Toronto

Note: All vacation / airline articles were written to be published on FlightNetwork.com, when I worked for the group from 2007 to 2010




Did you know that though Airbus A380 is the largest passenger aircraft of the world, it doesn’t have the honor of being the biggest airplane ever produced.  That record is sustained by Ukrainian (Antonov) AN-225 Cossak, a six engine jet developed to transport space vehicles.

With wingspan of 261.8ft and measuring 239.5ft from nose to tail, the A380 is 79ft tall.  If a carrier ever chooses to fit in only economy cabin it can comfortably carry up to 853 passengers on the double decker.  The airlines instead have opted to make full use of available space in offering unprecedented luxury and services like; onboard lounge including a bar, bathrooms with showers, cabin suites with linen covered beds, widest business class seats and more, to pamper its premium passengers.

The largest passenger airliner with four engines flew its maiden flight on April 27, 2005 from Toulouse in France.  The first commercial flight was introduced by Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Sydney, Australia on October 25th of the same year.

With 50% more floor space than the next-largest commercial aircraft; Boeing 747-400, the double-decker will mostly offer up to 550 seats in standard 3 class configuration.  With design range of 15,200 km or 8,200 nautical miles, it can fly comfortably from Boston to Hong Kong.

Canada will receive its first Superjumbo commercial flight at Pearson International airport, Toronto when Emirates Airline lands here with the Airbus 380 on June 1st, 2009.

Emirates, the airline from Dubai, United Arab Emirates will upgrade its current 3 x weekly Boeing 777 operations, that it began flying in October 2007 with A380.  In place of 360 seats on its B777 plane currently, the A380 will operate with 489 seats.  Emirates who has been demanding more capacity / frequencies on its Dubai – Toronto route will increase its passenger loads by almost 30% with the introduction of first superjumbo to Canada.

The airline is expected to operate with 14 suites in first class and 76 flat-bed seats in the business class on the upper level and 399 seats in the economy class on the lower deck.  In a statement Emirates said the Superjumbo aircraft services will include an extensive menu of multi-course meal options, the award-winning in-flight entertainment product ‘ICE’ with over 1200 channels of entertainment, SMS and email facilities as well as seat-to-seat calling in addition to an onboard lounge.

Whilst the fares are subject to change, the airlines is expected to offer round-trip prices to Dubai starting at $1,130 for economy class, $6,550 for business class, and $10,000 for first class, which includes a lounge and two shower spas.

Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are the only airports in Canada that have made the necessary adaptation to handle the world’s largest aircraft’s passenger configuration and wide wingspan.

So folks, take the opportunity of experiencing A380 the next time you fly from Toronto in the direction Emirates glides.

5 Star Airlines at No Extra Cost

Note: All vacation / airline articles were written to be published on FlightNetwork.com, when I worked for the group from 2007 to 2010



Did you know that like hotels there are airlines categorized as “5 Star” airlines?  Any guess who they are? Or what nations do they belong to?  Most would expect them to be from relatively rich and affluent Europe and America right? – Wrong! Astoundingly all the 6 airlines ranked by London based consultancy firm Skytrax (www.airlinequality.com) in 5 star category emanate from Asia.
That’s right according to their most recent survey; none of the following six airlines in the 5 star category come from Europe or Americas.
1.      Asiana Airlines                                    - based in Seoul, South Korea
2.      Cathay Pacific (under review)            - flag carrier of Hong Kong
3.      Kingfisher Airlines                   - one of the major airlines of India
4.      Malaysia Airlines                    - flag carrier of Malaysia based in Kuala Lumpur
5.      Qatar Airways                         - flag carrier of Qatar based in Doha
6.      Singapore Airlines                   - flag carrier of Singapore
Further, eight out of the ten ‘Airline of the Year 2009’ awards have also been won by carriers from Asia.  The remaining two places were taken by Qantas and Air New Zealand at rank 6 and 8 respectively.  The list of top ten airlines for 2009 by Skytrax is:
Rank                Airline
1                    Cathay Pacific Airways
2                    Singapore Airlines
3                    Asiana Airways
4                    Qatar Airways
5                    Emirates
6                    Qantas
7                    Etihad Airways
8                    Air New Zealand
9                    Malaysia Airlines
10                Thai Airways

So what makes these airlines stand out from the thousands of airlines around the globe?  As per Skytrax the survey is conducted taking many services and product factors in consideration.  On Ground and Airport aspect; website standard, online booking and check-in service, airport ticket counters, check in wait time, ground staff efficiency and friendliness, transfer and baggage services etc are thoroughly surveyed. 

Under Onboard Products; seat comfort, cleanliness, comfort amenities in cabin, in-flight entertainment and meals quality and quantity are some of the factors checked thoroughly.
The Onboard Staff Service is checked in disciplines like boarding assistance, attentiveness and friendliness of staff, meal service delivery, staff cabin presence, grooming and general attitude.  The winners are those who rank on top in most of these areas.

The good news is that flying services of most of these carriers doesn’t cost you extra.  On the contrary some of their fares are quite competitive.  Thus on your next trip; you may want to check out if any of these airlines fly the route you are taking. Hope you will savor flying.

Rain-check - Don’t Let the Rain Spoils Your Vacation

Note: All vacation / airline articles were written to be published on FlightNetwork.com, when I worked for the group from 2007 to 2010


Global Warming and its damaging effects are nothing new to most of us.  Melting polar ice, rising sea levels, shifting ocean currents, frequent intensity of extreme weather, changes in rainfall patterns and increasing snowfall amounts are all factors in global weather.  The nature of earth's atmosphere is becoming more unpredictable and hence a cause of attention.

From a vacationer’s point of view though; one fact that spoils a well planned holiday is untimely or unpredicted rains.  Owing to global warming the earth’s atmosphere is experiencing unpredictable heavy rains in areas that are traditionally supposed to have meager rainfall.  Whereas causing drought in the areas which should receive good annual rainfalls.  Further the months of rainfall are getting affected too resulting in shifting patterns.  Also the atmosphere suddenly turns harsh in the terms of cyclones and thunderstorms.

While nobody can control the unforeseen downpour, isn’t it smart to protect your vacation against the weather?  Sunquest and Fun Sun Vacations offer an exclusive weather protection guarantee entitling a holiday maker to a future travel voucher with base cost (i.e. excluding transportation-related fees, taxes & surcharges and agency booking fees) should it rain for more than half of one’s holiday.  For example if it rains half inch or more each day for 4 days of a 1 week vacation, a credit with base cost will be issued for your next vacation.  The rainfall check is conducted by an independent company in the destination, where offered.  The vacationer must check the website for eligibility within 30 days of returning following which a future travel voucher for the price of vacation will be sent to the qualifier or their travel agent.  The interesting part of the scheme is; regardless of wet weather, if you didn’t appreciate the destination or let’s say the short experience was sufficient for your expedition, redemption can be made to a different destination of same value.  It however must be booked by September 30, 2009.

While the treacherous weather patterns will continue and probably will worsen so long as the climate continues to warm globally, there is hope of some benefit to a few at least.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Leave Your Foot Prints on the Ocean Floor

Leave Your Foot Prints on the Ocean Floor

Yes it’s doable at one of the marine wonders of the world at the Bay of Fundy, a 270 km long ocean bay on the Atlantic coast of North America between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine.

It’s here that something truly amazing happens as the world’s highest tides rise and fall an incredible height of over 48 feet or over 12 meters, twice a day - every day. During the 12 hour tidal period 115 billion tonnes of water flows in and out of the bay; that is more than the combined flow of the world’s freshwater rivers.

Folklore in the Mi'kmaq First Nation narrates that the tides in the Bay of Fundy are caused by a giant whale splashing in the water. In reality though the phenomenal tides are results of the Funnel Effect, formed as a massive natural funnel, the bay is wide at the mouth and narrows in as it moves up. This cause gravitational power of the moon to extensively exaggerate the tidal effect as water gets extra thrust by rushing into a smaller space like pouring water into a funnel.

It is better imagined as your 4 storey building being submerged in water to the roof and in only six hours draining back to the side walk, giving you the opportunity to leave your foot prints on the ocean floor at the amazing Hopewell rocks at Hopewell Cape, NB. The robust tides have carved the massive flower pot rocks sticking out like towers in low tide and mere six hours later when the tide moves in, the same towers become tiny islands for you to kayak in between them.

There is something for everyone to explore at this one of the world’s most dramatic and dynamic coastlines. A not to be missed Bay of Fundy cuisine! Lobster, scallops, mussels, smoked salmon, and other fresh fish perfectly complement Fundy’s award winning wines. Vibrant ecology and geology attractions include national and provincial parks, coastal hiking trails, natural history museums, lighthouses and tide harbors. The region’s culture and history are celebrated at Fundy interpretation centers, historic sites, museums, horticultural display gardens, and artisans’ studios. Adventure seekers can experience a Jet boat blast at reversing falls, where the Fundy tides overpower and reverse the flow of rivers. Sea kayaking is a favorite hobby in the region. Some of the best whale watching on Canada’s east coast happens in the nutrient rich waters of the Bay of Fundy and you may get lucky with glimpse of the very rare Right whale.

Airports on both sides of the Bay are at Halifax, St. John and Moncton. You can also experience ferries with or without your car across the bay between Digby and St. John. High speed catamaran car ferry, one of the world’s super ships, also operates between Yarmouth, NS and US cities of Bar Harbor and Portland in Maine

Authentic Fundy hospitality can be experienced at various full-service hotels, country inns, bed and breakfast and coastal cottages crafted in the Bay’s rich architectural tradition.

The unique Bay of Fundy is truly a visitor’s experience unlike any other in the world.