Jetstar, Japan Airlines Form a Low-Cost Carrier

Australia’s Qantas Group and Japan Airlines (JAL) announced today the launch of a low-cost Japanese carrier, Jetstar Japan. Together with Mitsubishi Corporation, the two oneworld partners hope to make this new airline operational by the end of the next year. Each three of them will hold 1/3 share in the new airline.



Jetstar Japan will be a budget carrier that will cater to those airline passengers who look for cheap flight tickets. The airline is expected to offer flights from the Tokyo, Narita Airport and Osaka, Kansai International. Jetstar Japan is also expected to provide short haul international flights eventually. Its international operations will most likely cover key Asian cities.



Jetstar Japan will initially launch with a fleet of three Airbus A320s, with each of them configured for 180 passengers in a single class. Within first few years, the airline hopes to grow to 24 aircrafts.



Qantas Group’s Jetstar first entered Japan in 2007 and since then has become the preferred carrier of those who opt for cheap tickets on flights. Keeping the Jetstar’s low fare model in mind, Jetstar Japan promises to offer low airfares on its flights too. ‘Price Beat Guarantee’ policy may also be adopted by the Qantas and JAL’s new airline.



Qantas’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alan Joyce, described the airline launch as an historic step for the Qantas Group.



“The Qantas Group has a long history of serving the Japanese air travel market, with Qantas and Jetstar operating regular services between Australia and Japan,” Mr Joyce was quoted in the press release posted on the company’s website.



“Qantas and JAL have a long-standing relationship, as codeshare partners and fellow oneworld™ alliance members. We are also delighted to be joining with Mitsubishi Corporation– one of Japan’s great global brands – to launch Jetstar Japan, building on the successful expansion of the Jetstar brand across Asia.”



“The Qantas Group has a wealth of experience in establishing low cost carriers and we’re looking forward to working with our two partners on this new venture which will offer low fares to the Japanese travelling public,” Alan Joyce further added.



President of Japan Airlines, Mr. Masaru Onishi was also buoyed by the development and expressed hopes that the new airline will assist JAL to cater to wider market in Japan.



“We are confident that Jetstar Japan will broaden the spectrum of travellers as it creates new demand in this market,” observed Mr. Onishi.



“It will encourage even more movement of people within the country and also increase the number of visitors from Asia to Japan. We anticipate this to stimulate consumer spending and play a role in revitalizing the Japanese economy,” he added.

Europe Pre departure....(perubahan Rencana-Rute dan Penerbangan)

Update soal perjalanan aku ke Eropa;


Setelah visa aku di approve dan aku udah balik kehutan, aku mulai rajin browsing flights. Ternyata booking tiket jauh sebelum hari keberangkatan memang lebih murah. Aku dapat beberapa option untuk penerbangan ke Jerman.

Sebagian besar perusahaan penerbangan yang tujuannya ke benua Eropa asalnya dari Timur Tengah. Yang jadi favorit keknya Qatarairways yang harganya kadang lumayan miring, selain itu ada juga Lufthansa yang gak kalah menarik, China Airlines juga not bad... yang sering ada promo sih Malaysia Airlines. Aku juga liat harga paling murah di tawarkan oleh Srilanka Airlines... tapi setelah aku browsing soal pro dan kontra dari penerbangan ini.....gak jadi deh..

Srilanka Airlines servicenya agak kurang, trus bulan Feb 2011 ini dia dapat ancaman bom... haduh.. ngga deh.. hahaha....

Pokoknya kalau soal tiket jangan bosan2 browsing deh.. aku juga subscribe alias langganan mail dengan beberapa airlines... mana tau ada program promo dan aku bisa ambil hehe.. lumayan...

Aku lumayan dapat banyak masukan dari Mr T, dia nyaranin aku untuk not wasting this chance... kalau ada tiket murah ke tujuan manapun di Eropa ambil aja! dan dia mengenalkan aku dengan tiket "Open Jaw" haha apa pula ini tiket "buka rahang"??

Open jaw itu maksudnya kalau kita pergi dari kota A ke kota B dari kota B mungkin dilanjutkan dengan transportasi yang lain ke kota C trus dari kota C balik lagi ke kota A. Tiket ini bisa lebih murah asal menggunakan perusahaan penerbangan yang sama!

Masih bingung open jaw itu maksudnya gimana? hehe gini nih contohnya:
Kota A ke B (dengan airlines X)
Kota B to C (dengan bus/kereta/kapal)
Kota C to A (dengan airlines X)

Jadi berubah lah singkat kata itineraryku yang udah aku biat terlebih dahulu. Yang dulu perjalanan aku polos banget Jakarta-Frankfurt-Jakarta. Untuk itinerary yang baru aku terbang Singapore-Paris dan pulangnya Munich-Singapore dengan Lufthansa Airlines.

Kenapa kok dari Singapore? hehe bedanya 2 jutaan.. plus aku kan terbang dari Jambi, PP bisa nambah jadi 3 jutaan. Rugi laahh... jadi aku ambil dari Singapore. Aku bisa naik Sriwijaya ke Batam dan di terusin dengan boat ke Singapore... lebih lama waktunya tapi hemat.. lagian pesawat aku jam 9 malam kok....lumayan bisa hemat sekitar 2 jutaan untuk tiket PP.

Singapore bisa di jadiin alternatif buat cari tiket murah juga, sebab banyak banget airlines yang tujuan Eropa ke sini. Nah untuk dari Jakarta kitakan bisa naik budget airlines kek Value Jet, Tiger Airways, atau Air Asia yang harganya lebih miring ketimbang ngambil tiket langsung dari Jakarta ke Negara Eropa tersebut... padahal nantinya juga transit di Singapore kok hehehe.....

Untuk visa mungkin tadinya aku rada was-was sebab Visa Schengen aku di ambil dari Kedutaan Jerman, tapi tujuan pertama Paris. Setelah banyak browsing via google, aku sudah tau kalau ini boleh aja, sebab waktu liburan aku paling panjang di Jerman, dan kebetulan flight Singapore-Paris ada transit di Munich dan aku harus lewat imigrasi di Munich Airport! jadi stempel masuk negara Schegen pertama itu di Munich-Jerman.

Sebenarnya walaupun masuknya langsung dari Paris, asalkan ada tiket ke Jerman gak masalah juga, aku baca beberapa blog yang punya cerita sama. Approval visanya dari kedutaan Belanda (contoh ajaa..) trus negara pertama yang di tuju Perancis.

Yang mungkin perlu di perhatikan dan paling penting adalah visa tersebut harus multiple entry, alias bisa keluar masuk negara Schengen yang nota bene lebih dari 26 negara di Eropa sesuka hati hehe.. tapi kalau cuma single entry... wah.. kalau dah keluar harus buat visa baru lagi nih!

Sebenarnya yang paling murah tetep flight Air Asia. Waktu aku browsing itu aja ada tiket yang harganya 3.9 juta rupiah PP (yupp PP sodara2) dari Jakarta ke Paris dan balik ke Jakarta lagi. Tapi berhubung aku mau coba beda kota ya udah.. dengan berat hati aku gak buka lagi website Air Asia itu.. biar ak sakit hati hehehe... (derita traveler kantong tipis huuhuh....)

Yang jadi masalah itu waktu transit di Munich Airport! jadi flight aku Singapore-Munich stop/transit dulu di Munich cuma 30 menit!! dan ganti pesawat lain untuk jurusan Munich-Paris.Naik pesawat domestik aja gak mungkin kekejar tuh dalam waktu 30 menit langsung pindah pesawat!

Bayangin aja, turun dari pesawat (ngantri juga kan?) trus jalan/lari lewat gerbang ke imigrasinya, ambil bagasi pulaa... lari2 lagi dari tempat bagasi ke check in airline...trus trus imigrasi lagi... haduuh.. kalo punya kekuatan superwoman atau juga secepat Flash Gordon.. mungkin bisa.. tapi.. errhh ... sumpah baru liat setelah tiket di issued!!

Buru-buru cari data soal Munich airport sama Lufthansa.

Setelah aku browsing, menurut Airport Munich mereka memang jagonya transit 30 menitan. Emang bisa? gimana caranyaaaa??

Ternyata mereka punya senjata ampuh, yang pertama banyak penunjuk arah yang buat first timer kaga nyasar.. hehe kalo gak bisa baca tulis..derita loe deh! trus, mereka juga punya ban jalan untuk bagasi yang super cepat dan canggih! trus mereka punya command center yang memilah tiap2 penumpang yang butuh transit kurang dari 30 menit dan di jadikan prioritas.

Maksudnya prioritas? sampe titik darah penghabisan cuy! contohnya kalau flight aku dari Singapore-Munich mau landing dan connecting aku dalam rentang 30 menit... tuh command center bakalan contact tower pengatur lalu lintas airport! dan pesawat aku bakalan di jadikan prioritas utama buat landing! huaaaaahhh! keeerreeenn! trus udah gitu di carikan gate yang dekat dengan pesawat aku yang berikutnya hohoho.. di manjain bangeeettt..

Kalau masih gak sempat juga.. alias waktu transit kurang dari 30 menit... mereka ada jurus lain... hehe.. di jemput langsung dari pesawat! hahaha... yupp mereka bakalan sediain mobil buat jemput penumpang langsung dari pesawat!!

Tiket mesti di tunjukkan sama petugas trus tiket bagasi di scan buat di infoin ke petugas bandara, biar bagasi jalan langsung ke pesawat yang berikutnya trus penumpang tadi di antar ke counter imigrasi khusus di lapangan tersebut (pinggiran kali ya..) buat urusan imigrasi, udah kelar kemudian di antar langsung ke pesawat berikutnya!! dan semua action terjadi di tempat parkiran pesawat! hahaha kebayang dah!! kebut2an sama mobil di tempat parkiran pesawat!!

Memang Jerman paling keren soal teknologi.. huhuhu... kapan ya Indonesia ada airport kek gini.. transit 30 menit................ (boro2.. delay aja sampe 3 jam!!)

Jadi urusan penerbangan aku rada tenang.. mudah2an nanti sampe dengan selamat di Paris.. hufff.. grogi cuy!

Ntar aku update dah buat informasi soal airport Munich.. apa memang bener mereka bisa nepatin janji mereka ya.. buat para penumpang kek gue yang waktu berangkatnya mepet bangeeettt! kita tunggu dah tanggal mainnya!

Re-Route! (pre-Europe travel madness, the route and the Flights)

Its been awhile since my last post, so i better give an update on several things that i've done lately regarding my preparation.

Right after got the visa i plan a "re-route". Originally the plan is go straight to Germany and spent the whole 2 weeks there exploring as much as possible German until June 3rd. But then i saw a discount on flights to Paris. And after comparing the flights ticket it will be cheaper if i fly to Paris from Singapore. And also fount out that Munich to Singapore also not that bad.

So my final route would be: Singapore-Paris-Munich-Singapore. I fly with Lufthansa Airways.

Is this going to affect my visa since i got it from Germany Embassy?

No, since the longest stay will be in Germany, i think i will be all right. Beside that... on my way to go to Paris, my flight had transit in Munich. So i got my first Schengen stamp in Munich Germany! so its all right because my first entry will be from Germany! and i got the multiple entry visa too! so its very convenient!

one of Munich airport picture that i like

Why i fly with Lufthansa? well after several days juggling between the needs of cheap flights also considering the dates and the "lay over" time that will consume my short holidays... it was between Qatar Airlines and Lufthansa. But then i see the Qatar lay over was in Doha and its for 8 hours!

Read again the reviews about Doha, i simply pick Lufthansa, and spent more time in Singapore rather in Doha! Doha seemed out f nowhere airport, pretty small and i read not much people like it! if i had to spent sometimes in airport it better had at least clean and good toilet!

Hope i wont missed this sign at Munich!!

But the crazy part is..... my layover in Munich to switch flight to Paris would be only 30 minutes! i was un aware of this! this is he very first time i book flights with connections! so this is a very good lesson for me!

But then i read about Munich airport its basically the home of Lufthansa Airlines. And they claim they could possibly do the 30 minutes connecting time because thats how the Munich airport designed (for a smooth connections??). Wow... that would be a "sprint" event for me! why this could possibly happens?

First they claim that they had an easy orientation. Well.. ok if they had all of the board signs and everything.. i know.. but then when we panicking we tends not to see details and end up lost easily because we missed just 1 turn! also how do i run with my luggage?

OMG!! hope i wont mistaken the terminal directions

Then they also add this; high speed luggage system. I don't really know how this work, its just said they had this "modern" luggage system  with high speed conveyor and monitored by their employees around the clock. So the 30 minutes is enough for all the security check that needed and to get the luggage from one to another flight.

They also had the Hub Control Center (HCC) and a key element of the HCC is the Connex Center, where a team of experts is in charge of ensuring that passengers and their baggage reach their connecting flights. They maintain constant contact with air traffic control, can request priority landing clearance and reassign gate positions to minimize the distance that connecting passengers have to cover. So i hope these guys did notice that someone from Singapore is going to be on one of the less than 30 minutes flights to Paris!! please do arrange my plane right next to my next plane hahahah!

Oh.. another thing is...Even when incoming flights are delayed, leaving less than the required 30 mins. to make connections, the HCC team pulls out all the stops, dispatching the special "Ramp Direct Service" (RDS) to pick up passengers and their luggage right at the gate and drive them directly to their connecting flight!

I think when i arrive i wont had chance to look around :(

 

When incoming flights are delayed, RDS picks up passengers and their luggage directly at the aircraft. The driver welcomes the passengers at the apron, checks the tickets, registers the luggage numbers and drives passengers directly to their connecting flight.

If customs and passport control are required, RDS drives the passengers directly to a special RDS ramp-side check-point. In the meantime the Ground Handling Service delivers the luggage directly to the plane.

Terminal 2 Where Lufthansa based in Munich Airport

With Gate Direct Service (GDS), transfer passengers are met at their arrival gate and are escorted to their connecting departure gate. Both RDS and GDS emphasize Munich Airport’s reputation as the most advanced and fastest hub airport in Europe!!

Ok.. i think i will be all right with the 30 minutes transit time to switch the flight... huff.. i should write the experience tho... i tried to browse google about this but oh my less information! i believe that its not only me who experience this!

I will write down my own experience with Munich airport and its facilities soon! let see if they could super fast check me in to my flight to Paris!

Sleeping at Soekarno Hatta Jakarta!

Its not once that i read this quote "you're not a backpacker if you never sleep at airport" well.. to be honest there are so many things that made someone qualified as "backpacker" and its so universal that you will find the meanings quiet different to one another.

Ok, lets go back to the topics.

I will say i did once sleeping at the airport. And its in Jakarta, oh yes, i wish its in Changi airport for sure! I never done that before but when i did, i just got off plane at midnight and my next flight at 7am in the morning. I don't think risking my flight ticket would be worthy and i had to go back to work the very next day!

So that time i was on Cathay Pacific flight from Hongkong to Jakarta. I got a high fever, and my head very dizzy. Until 3 days after that i found out that i got typhoid---erhhhh don't ask from where but i guess it could be from work, or from Hongkong! i am not so sure!

But i was so scary when i walk in to the immigration where there usually a body temperature check due to SARS/AVIAN flu check. But omg! they didn't turn the thing on! so just my luck i guess! i think they never check that again, but i see in some other airports they still check body temperature.

I know i wont had chance to sleep if i go to town to my sisters house. It will took like 40 minutes to one hour to get to town and to go back to airport in early morning. Ohhh i can't do that. I just feel my body very weak and my temperature too high that i can't see clearly.

After getting my luggage i start to search for sleeping spot on terminal 2. I went to the first floor but its too crowded with people. All bench are full. And they turn off some of the lights. I didn't see any other western travelers where i could feel safer somehow! But then.. i just think oh well.. i will find a good spot. ASAP!

And then i see this huge lounge where the airlines office are. Theres an announcement said i can not sleep there. But what the heck, its clean, and the lights on, and i could see CCTV there. The airlines office must be closed by now. Then i pick my corner, in front of Emirate Airlines if i am not mistaken. I had two blankets from Cathay Pacific. So i put one on the floor, and another for my blanket. Put my socks on, and glove and put my eye patch on! i just don't care! and i put my luggage trolley next to me to cover my self (i sleep between the wall and my luggage trolley). I put lock and sling cable to my bag and the trolley. I think this place must be safe. I could see some people who works in airlines still go back and forwards sometimes. So its not completely empty.

Beside me i see two other people sleeping not far from me, its like a couple, local Indonesian couple sleeping side by side. So i am not by my self.

I think i was sleeping for an hour or two, when i felt something is moving near me, i move quick and open my eye patch right when i saw a huge man on top of me!!! yikes!!!

I sit down, and look to that guy, he is a mid east guy, still young (and..hehe handsome) he look at me and quickly said sorry, i said sorry back to him and said i thought his office closed already, he smile (yepp he smile) and said yes its closed already and said sorry again for waking me up! haha not his fault, i don't realize i slept right in front of his office door! he must be very confuse to think whether he want to walk above me or to wake me up! hahahaha!

So i said sorry again and he say this "no, no sorry wake you up, have a great night, sweet dreams!" he smiled... i just said "oh ..ok.. thanks good night!" and then he walk away. Cute! but then i remember something! i open my eye patch and ahahahaaha! he reads my eye patch!! its say "sweet dreams!" LOL hahaha!

I was sleeping again until around 5am. I think its because the flu medication that i took. I wake up and wash my face and change my clothes, just simple cleaning up. I took the shuttle bus to terminal 1 for my domestic flight back to Jambi.

I still had chance to get my self a cup of tea and eat bread for breakfast.

I think sleeping at Soekarno Hatta not that bad. Its not convenient but if i had the same flights i will consider to do it again, its not that bad, and the most important i think is to pick the spot to sleep and always aware of your luggage. Also bring some thin blanket and glove mosquitoes are my main enemy! but lucky i got the gloves, jacket and blanket!

Its not that weird thing anymore and it safe money to sleep at airport to wait for another flight! its wort to try!