Prior to the introduction of jets, most commercial airplanes were propeller driven, like the DC-3 pictured here. These planes had a limited cruising altitude – and experienced much more turbulence.
NOAA Photo Library
How airlines price tickets is a source of many myths and urban legends. These include tips about the best day of the week to buy a ticket, last-minute discounts offered by the airlines, and the conspiracy…
A carrier’s liability for damage, loss or delay of baggage is governed by a number of overarching international treaties.
Adam Fagen
If you get on a plane and your baggage ends up being delayed, damaged or lost, who’s responsible: you or the airline? And what rules apply when you’re flying between different countries – even if you don’t…
Boeing’s X-51A Waverider (artist’s impression).
US Air Force
When in 1873 Jules Verne published his novel of planet-trotting high adventure, the world was on the verge of an explosion in global travel. New trans-continental railways and the Suez canal promised an…
The downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 has led to many questions being asked about the propriety of planes flying over eastern Ukraine. Many have pointed out that other airlines had prohibited their…
Norwegian Dreamliner has sunset lift-off!
Norwegian
The north Atlantic is one of the most lucrative and highly competitive airline markets in the world. Since the late 1940s numerous airlines have attempted, with varying degrees of success, to operate profitable…
The Vivienne Westwood air hostess.
Virgin Atlantic
Vivienne Westwood has launched new uniform designs for Virgin Atlantic. It’s sure to test whether the airline can remain competitive whilst crafting a progressive image: there’s a fine line between style…
Next year we’re going to Skegness.
Steve Parsons/PA
Most passengers whose flight was delayed for a full day would complain about it. Perhaps they would write an angry letter, or vow never to use the same airline again. But Ronald Huzar didn’t stop there…
While QANTAS offsets go to protecting forests, other carbon offsets can do more harm than good.
Claudio Jofré Larenas/Flickr
When was the last time you booked a flight? That extra A$1 in the final stages of booking may seem a small price to pay for offsetting the carbon emissions you generate travelling by air. But globally…
1st class flying: luxury dorm rooms.
Richard Moross
In the big inequality debate, one thing unites those concerned by wealth disparities: they want the rich to pay more in taxes. But how to do this? The “tax efficiency” industry is thriving, money is hidden…
As the biggest ever hunt for a missing plane continues, many are beginning to wonder if we will ever know what happened to Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. If the plane has crashed, it has been suggested…
What effect will the new uniform have on the Qantas workforce?
Qantas
It’s hard to imagine it today, but once people would put down their newspapers to stop and stare at young women as they strolled through airport terminals wearing figure-hugging suits, the half-winged…
Virgin Australia is trying to revive the supposed romance of aviation’s past.
Virgin Australia
Remember when airline travel was all about glamorous hostesses, dashing pilots and the stylish, well-behaved jet-set class? No, I don’t either. But it’s a rose-tinted view of the past Virgin Australia…
Airport lounges, loved by frequent flyers, don’t necessarily engender brand loyalty.
Richard Moross/Flickr
Recently Qantas and Virgin have been fighting a war for “high value” corporate contracts by refurbishing their invitation-only lounges. But is this a wise strategy? The airline industry has long been stuck…
Budget airlines are helping Southend airport compete.
Chris Radburn/PA
One of the key issues behind the recent debate over UK airports is the unwieldy dominance of Heathrow, both within London and across the whole nation. But the little guys are fighting back. Using a variety…
CEO Rob Sharp will preside over a leaner Tigerair, now under the wing of Virgin Australia.
AAP
The corporate regulator’s approval of Virgin Australia’s 60% stake in fledgling low-cost carrier Tigerair (formerly known as Tiger Airways) marks the Australian aviation industry’s return to an effective…
Will the Qantas-Emirates alliance restore the beleaguered Australian airline back to profitability?
AAP
Today, Alan Joyce has announced that Qantas and Emirates have struck a joint venture alliance for the next 10 years. As a result, Qantas will be taking its passengers to Europe through Dubai, instead of…
Virgin Australia chief John Borghetti is pleased with the airline’s share of the corporate market, but experts say capacity is a bigger problem.
AAP
Virgin Australia’s full-year profit of $22.8 million masks the ongoing challenges facing the airline as it chases a bigger share of the corporate market, says University of Sydney business school Professor…
Dissatisfaction over the recent shutdown by Qantas surprisingly may not affect loyalty.
AAP
Is it the comfort of the seats, the high standard of the food or the friendliness of the cabin crew that has us using the same airline time after time? According to recent research we conducted at the…