Airline

Airlines In India Are Raining Discounts This Holiday Season!

AirWhizzDec 14, 2018 No Comments

Airlines In India Are Raining Discounts This Holiday Season!

Aviation Insider

To take on growing competition and boost sales this holiday season, several airlines in India including Jet Airways, IndiGo, Vistara and Air India are all offering discounted fares on domestic and international flights.

Here are some of the deals:

Air India

India’s national carrier, Air India, is offering air tickets at a starting price of ₹1,000 for several domestic routes.

However, the offer is applicable on late night flights, with an aim to “beat peak hour rush” according to the national carrier’s website.

These will be serviceable only on Bengaluru-Ahmedabad, Delhi-Coimbatore and Delhi-Goa routes.

Jet Airways

Jet Airways has announced more flights operational across its domestic and international network from ₹2,398 onwards.

But, the fares proposed by Jet Airways are applicable only on selected flight tickets for passengers travelling in economy class.

In a separate sale, the airline is offering domestic flight tickets at a starting all-inclusive price of Rs. 1,313. Jet Airways flight tickets purchased under the sale are valid for 12 months from the date of commencement of journey.

IndiGo

The budget carrier IndiGo has announced discounted daily non-stop flights operating from Bhopal to Hyderabad and Jabalpur to Hyderabad,with effect from 5 January, 2019.

These services will operate at a starting cost of ₹1,999.

Additionally, the airline will also operate its fourth daily return flight between Hyderabad and Tirupati. The additional services will commence from January 2019.

Vistara

Budget carrier Vistara, a Tata Sons and Singapore airlines joint venture,  has rolled out a‘24-hours-only’ sale offer, which it says will include flights with fares starting from ₹999.

The sale will be applicable for travel between 27 December 2018 to 10 April, 2019.

*The offers have been rolled out on the official website of the airlines.

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Air Italy, Wow Air Start Direct Flights From Delhi!

AirWhizzDec 08, 2018 No Comments

Air Italy, Wow Air Start Direct Flights From Delhi!

Aviation Insider

In a bid to boost international air connectivity, European carriers Air Italy and WOW Air have commenced their direct flights from Delhi.

Both these airlines offer direct flights to destinations in North America & Europe.

Air Italy’s Chief Operating Officer Mr. Rossen Dimitrov said the launch of its India-Italy sector represents another major step forward for the airline and reinforces its commitment to network expansion in Asia.

Kiran Jain, Managing Director, WOW air, said that the launch of the flight meant that passengers from India will be able to connect to 13 destinations in North America including Chicago, Washington DC, Orlando and NewYork within 145 minutes of arriving in Reykjavik.

Here are all the details about the flight schedules of both the airlines:

Air Italy

  • Air Italy will fly between Delhi and Milanthrice a week.
  • From next Friday, it will operate on Mumbai-Milan route 3 times using its 252-seater Airbus A-330 with 24 business and 228 economy seats
  • The aircraft has onboard Wi-Fi which will needto be switched off in Indian airspace as India is yet to allow the same
  • Economy passengers wishing to use onboard Wi-Fiwill, however, need to pay for the service

WOW Air

  • WOW Air will fly thrice a week between Delhi and Reykjavik(Iceland)
  • It also offers hopping flights from Iceland toNorth America and Europe.
  • The airline will be flying to 15 North American destinations which include Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Toronto andSan Francisco
  • European destinations include Paris & London

WOW Air is the first airline which will allow direct connection between India and Iceland ever. Italy, on the other hand, has regular direct flights to and from India with Air India and Alitalia operating on these sectors.

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Turkish Airlines To Soon Expand Its Operations In India!

AirWhizzDec 05, 2018 No Comments

Turkish Airlines To Soon Expand Its Operations In India!

Aviation Insider

Turkish Airlines is planning to expand its operations in India with direct flights to Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Amritsar and Bengaluru.

It is also planning to double its operations in Delhi & Mumbai. Regarding this, the airline has written a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Currently, the airline is flying directly from Istanbul to Mumbai and New Delhi along with hopping flights from the 2 Indian cities to Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Amritsar.

While there is no clarity on when the deal is likely to materialise, news reports are saying that the negotiations between the ministry and the airline are on.

The airline has a fleet of 33 Boeing 777 aircraft, and three of those are 400 seaters which are being used for Indian routes. Turkish Airlines currently is flying 14 times a week and it wants to increase the frequency to 70 times a week.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Turkey from India increased by approximately 9 percent in 2017 to 86,996. In 2018, the number went up to 1,20,897.

With over 150 Indian-origin registered companies in Turkey as of 2016, bilateral trade between India and Turkey stood at $6.409 billion. With the New Istanbul international airport in “Arnavutköy” district, the trade possibilities will see a rise leading to more tourists to Turkey.

Turkey is also seen as a popular choice for weddings according to Mr. Karan Anand, Head-Relationships at Cox & Kings. He said that more than 200 Indian weddings have taken place in the past 2 years in Turkey.

These are opportunities that the national carrier does not want to miss out on, which is why they are planning to expand their operations.

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10 Airplane Cabin Innovations That Changed The Way We Fly!

AirWhizzDec 03, 2018 No Comments

10 Airplane Cabin Innovations That Changed The Way We Fly!

Aviation Insider

In a bid to make flying comfortable for us airplane manufacturers, designers and airlines sometimes come up with brilliant ideas that change the very nature of the way we fly.

It’s because of these paradigm-shifting innovations, airplane cabins have changed over the decades.

To give you an insight into what these ideas are and how they changed flying forever, here are 10 airplane cabin innovations.

1.The Overhead Cabin

You may today think that small overhead cabins aren’t an innovation worth mentioning, it plays a vital role in passenger convenience and safety.

Overhead bins allow passengers to bring personal items/luggage onboard and they make the skies safer, keeping those bags secure during emergencies and turbulence.

This is one of the 1st and the most basic of airplane cabin innovations and has stuck with us since the start of commercial aviation.

2.Premium Economy

In India, premium economy cabin is only available with Vistara, however, universally it’s a pretty popular choice for travellers when it comes to flying.

Introduced by Virgin Atlantic in the 1990s, this fourth cabin class has made comfortable long-haul travel affordable for many.

A true premium economy cabin is class apart with unique seats and loads of comfort and service features.

There are many airlines offering proper premium economy seats today including Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS and Singapore Airlines, but Virgin Atlantic has done its legacy proud by offering passengers a premium economy experience that is hard to beat.

3.The First-Class Shower & Spa

Emirates airline’s first-class shower and spa took a lot of clever engineering to accommodate, but the result is pretty astounding.

The shower rooms themselves are larger than the average house bathroom, offer heated floors with manual temperature control and are overseen by dedicated shower attendants.

For longer flights, it’s an excellent way to refresh and relax before landing, and a perfect complement to the extreme luxury of today’s best first-class service.

4.The Seat Pod

A British Airways innovation in the mid-1990s, the seat pod has evolved to include a wide range of versions, including super-lush and extra-roomy high-tech business-class seats.

Features such as automatic seat control that convert to angled-flat or full-lie-flat beds, state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, massage functions and a host of other personal comforts, make long-haul flights a breeze for passengers.

They make sure that you reach your destination well rested and satisfied.

5.The Private Cabin

Some airlines, like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Asiana Airways aim to keep first class worth the extra fare by offering private cabins.

If you can afford it, little compares to the joy of a long-haul journey with five-star pampering in a cabin all your own.

Its as if you’re flying in your own private jet.

6.Onboard Lounges & Bars

Inspired by the lounges launched by iconic airlines like Pan Am, a number of airlines are including a social space on larger airplanes, giving passengers a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy a few beverages with old friends and new.

Virgin Atlantic revived the lounge trend in the 1990s. Other International airlines like Emirates and Etihad followed soon after giving a luxurious experience to its customers.

7.The In-Flight Boutique

This is another service that most of us ignore but Duty-free shopping is one of many entertainments on offer in the skies.

Airlines have raised the bar for in-flight retail by adding shopping menus to their entertainment screens and offering passengers the opportunity to ship the goods straight to their homes.

In fact, many international airlines such as Korean Air have introduced shopping lounges that let us stretch our legs while we do a little in-flight window shopping.

8.In-Flight Entertainment

Trans World Airways branded in-flight entertainment as a key feature of long-haul air travel, but even they didn’t foresee how entertaining the skies would become.

Today, almost all airlines around the world offer a variety of blockbusters, shows, live television, music, and sports which are all on demand.

High-resolution screens, state-of-the-art technology, and the introduction of in-flight Wi-Fi provide continued improvements in this cabin comfort.

9.Cabin Lighting & Environmental Control

Airlines like Iceland Air, Virgin and Etihad have programmable LED lighting that set a pleasant mood for their guests.

Lighting also helps passengers regulate their biorhythms or body clock, during long- flights across time zones.

Improvements in climate, humidity, and noise reduction are making next-generation aircrafts healthier, more restful places.

Airlines are also experimenting with ways to use aromas to soothe us and calling on top chefs and scientists to make in-flight meals more appetizing.

10.Improved Aircraft Windows

The larger windows on next-generation aircraft like the Boeing Dreamliner and Airbus A350 provide better views of the world below and let in ample natural light, which makes the cabin feel less confining.

In fact, companies are trying to add innovations like solar-powered airplane windows, which will eventually charge your phones and tablets.

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10 Ways To Avoid Falling Ill When You Fly!

AirWhizzNov 30, 2018 No Comments

10 Ways To Avoid Falling Ill When You Fly!

Travel Like a Pro

Being ill while travelling is probably something that has happened to most of us.

Whether they’re found in the less-than-sanitary conditions of an airplane or a hotel room, germs lurk everywhere and it takes a lot of preparation to avoid getting sick when you travel.

Airplanes are notorious breeding grounds for nasty germs and its no surprise if you think of the number of people who have sat on your flight’s seat.

And unfortunately, plenty of studies have shown that even when they’ve been cleaned, airplanes are still pretty gross.

But don’t let your next trip be ruined by an unwelcome bug that leaves you feeling awful. These healthy habits will help you avoid getting ill so you can stay fit and make the most of your holiday.

1.Use Antibacterial Wipes Before You Sit Down

Pretty much everyone will agree that one thing every traveller should stash in their bag is antibacterial wipes.

They can be used to quickly sanitize everything you touch.

On an airplane, wipe down the tray table, arm rests, buttons, seat belt, window shade and air vent knobs before you sit down.

It may seem a bit weird to others but remember that this you’re doing this to keep yourself protected against germs.

2. Avoid The Airplane Seat’s Back Pocket

While the seatback pocket on an airplane may seem like a handy compartment to store things you’ll be using in-flight, you might want to think twice about it to avoid getting sick when you travel.

Many passengers treat that pocket like a wastebasket, using it to dispose of their trash, used tissues, and even dirty diapers.

Since it’s unlikely that cleaning crews are thoroughly disinfecting each seatback pocket, it’s best to avoid them altogether.

3.Wash Your Hands Frequently

No matter how careful you are, your hands are bound to come in contact with germs when you travel.

Everything you touch is potentially carrying something you don’t want. Make sure you wash your hands frequently to get rid of any germs.

4.Avoid Touching Your Face While Travelling

This tip may seem odd but there’s a practical explanation for this.

Keep your hands away from your face , especially your mouth, nose and eyes.

If you’ve picked up a bug from shaking someone’s hand or while holding on to a pole in your bus, the germs tend to linger on your hands.

When you then touch your face (eyes, mouth or nose), you increase the chances of that bug transferring from your skin to a mucous membrane, where it can thrive and cause illness.

5.Keep Your Seat’s Air Vents On

You may be prone to turning off the air vent above you on an airplane because you think it’s circulating stale air or because you’re cold. But according to travel experts that might be a mistake.

Using that tiny vent can actually work to your advantage, as it can help you avoid contact with certain microorganisms that can get you sick during a flight.

6.Bring Your Own Blanket & Pillow

These days, many travellers try to travel with only a carry-on to avoid baggage fees, which means eliminating a lot of excess stuff.

But you might want to consider carrying your own blanket and pillow on the airplane with you.

While it’s difficult to pass judgment on all blankets and pillows on all airlines, it’s probably a safe bet that they’re not as clean as your own personal items.

So the next time you try to get cozy and catch some sleep on a flight, use your own blanket and pillow so you don’t need to worry about the cleanliness of the airline’s.

7.Avoid Tea Or Coffee In-Flight

A good cup of tea or coffee can start your morning right but maybe not on an airplane.

According To Business Insider, the water for tea and coffee comes not from bottles but from the airplane taps which have been known to fail safety standards.

In fact, USA’s Environmental Protective Agency recently did a study which found coliform and E.coli in the water on many airplanes.

Plus, the coffee and tea served in-flight is not brewed to a boiling point, which would kill off bacteria.

So, skip the lukewarm beverage and wait until you’ve landed to get a good, hot cuppa.

8.Choose Your Seat Wisely

Try to sit towards the front of the airplane so that you can exit quickly.

After landing (on some flights), the back door is opened and fumes from the fuel enter the airplane, especially affecting the back seats.

Avoid these fumes by choosing your seat wisely.

9.Stay Hydrated

Dehydration makes it easier to pick up illness.

And drinking alcohol contributes to dehydration. Avoid alcohol on the plane and even the day before you fly.

Once you pass the security gate you can buy or fill up water in an empty water bottle before your flight.

10.Use A Mask Or Nasal Screens

A mask can offer some protection for you if other passengers are ill or for other passengers if you are ill.

If you don’t feel comfortable wearing a mask, try nasal screens, which are almost invisible and allow you to even eat while filtering your air.

 

*After taking these precautions if you still fall ill while flying, don’t worry, we’ve got your back!

Download the AirWhizz App and get information about shops, emergency contact details and other services available at the airport on the move. We have also partnered up with prestigious travel insurance companies such as HDFC Ergo, so you can book your travel insurance via the app itself.

Stay Healthy & Fly Stress-Free!

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Airlines Decision To Charge For Web Check-In Under Scanner!

AirWhizzNov 27, 2018 No Comments

Airlines Decision To Charge For Web Check-In Under Scanner!

Aviation Insider

Low budget carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet had recently announced that they will now charge passengers for web check-in services. Due to this customers have been raising their concerns on various social media platforms.

However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA) announced yesterday that they will now review the airline’s decision to charge passengers for any of the seats selected at the time of web check-in, to ascertain whether the move is in compliance with existing rules.

According to the MoCA’s twitter handle, the government has noted that airlines are now charging for web check-in for all seats and are reviewing these fees to see whether they fall within the unbundled pricing framework.

Earlier, the airline charged only for particular types of seats like a window or aisle seat or seats having extra legroom when passengers opted for online selection.

IndiGo will now charge Rs 100-800 for such selection online, depending upon the seat. For web check-in of a first-row seat, a passenger will have to pay as much as Rs 800 extra, while a non-reclining seat in row 12, which is next to the emergency exit, will cost an additional Rs 600 when selected online. A middle seat in the last row will cost Rs 100 more.

However, if you go directly to the airport and check-in on the spot you can select your seat for free, depending on the availability.

Web check-in provides convenience to travellers allowing them to opt for preferential seats.

However, making all seats chargeable will deter individuals from web check-in prior to their departure, resulting in longer airport queues both at the boarding desk as well as self-check-in kiosks.

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Let Your Dreams Take Flight:10 Career Options In Aviation!

AirWhizzNov 26, 2018 No Comments

Let Your Dreams Take Flight:10 Career Options In Aviation!

Aviation Insider

The aviation industry has some of the most lucrative and glamorous jobs anyone can think of.

The most attractive parts of working in the airline industry are the salaries, the lifestyle, and the prestige that comes along when representing an airline.

It’s like a family and everyone involved in it works together to make your air travel as comfortable and safe as possible.

When people think about jobs in aviation they think about being a pilot or a cabin crew member. But, there is more than what meets the eye.

But before we discuss how you can be a part of this industry lets discuss how to get a professional degree for it.

BBA In Aviation Management

If you’ve passed your 12th standard, go for a BBA in Aviation Management

Learn the fundamentals of Aviation, Travel and Tourism, business communication, aviation operations, safety & security along with role of human resource management in this sector.

MBA In Aviation Management

Airlines & aviation companies are expanding at a phenomenal rate in India.

Which means that they will require people to plan infrastructure modernisation, investment analysis, scope of fleet expansion and many such management functions.

Getting a unique & structured MBA programme in aviation management will lay the foundation for a great career graph in the industry.

You will be able to learn about things like fleet management, ground handling, cargo, customer service, medical tourism, crew management & ticketing.

Where You Should Pursue These Degrees From

The Institute of Logistics And Aviation Management (ILAM), with its state of the art campuses in major cities, offers specialised BBA & MBA programmes in partnership with airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet & Jet Airways as recruiters.

These programs are very unique and come with inbuilt live practical sessions pertaining to aircraft ground handling, safety training and Galileo software training to name a few.

These courses provide a blend of practical and theoretical knowledge which will make you stand apart for your future employees.

Now that we’ve discussed how to get a professional degree, let’s see some amazing ways in which you can become a part of this industry.

Pilot

This one is obvious. All you have to do is to attend a course or academy to get your Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL).

Once you have the flying license, you’ll have to get some flying hours on your record for the experience.

Being a pilot is great! You get to travel to different places, fly an airplane and enjoy the view at 30000 feet in the air.

Cabin Crew

20% of all the employees in the aviation industry are working as cabin crew members.

The major part of the job as a cabin crew member is to make sure that air passengers are feeling comfortable and safe while flying in an airplane or in emergency situations.

To become a cabin crew member you can go for small courses or join institutes and academies which train and teach you how to be a part of an airline’s cabin crew.

Airport Station Attendant/Airport Assistant

The name of this job describes its role.

If you want to work as an airport assistant, you’ll be responsible for assisting customers with general queries and support.

The support can vary from assisting physically abled or elderly with wheelchairs to help a customer with directions. An Airport assistant is always there when it comes to assisting passengers on the ground.

Flight Ticket Agent

These agents are the people you will see assisting passengers at the ticket counter.

The job requires them to issue boarding passes, giving information about the flights, helping in reservations or changes, and receiving the check-in luggage.

They are the face of the airline they are representing and are first people to greet the passengers when they arrive at the airport.

Administrative Support

All airlines require administrative support for the smooth operation.

Administer support is a general word used for job profiles such as receptionists, data entry workers, communications, PR specialist, secretaries, I.T. administrator etc.

Administrative support also includes a human resource department who are responsible for hiring, labor relations issues, and training of employees.

Aviation Meteorologist

Aviation meteorologists provide information about weather conditions to flight dispatchers and pilots.

They have a huge responsibility and have to make sure that the airplane is safe.

They have to calculate the current and the forecasted weather conditions at all altitudes, by determining the direction and speed of the wind, the intensity of lightning and rain conditions.

Flight Dispatcher

They are responsible for the safety of the aircraft’s flight.

They do this by preparing a flight plan, which is a detailed schedule of destinations, layovers, distance, expected fuel consumption, weather conditions, altitude, compass bearing, and alternate destinations in case problems arise.

Avionics  Technicians/Mechanics

They are the specialized technicians and mechanics who look after servicing and maintaining the aircraft on the ground.

Aircraft mechanics make sure that the aircraft has no mechanical related issues by conducting routine maintenance and safety checks.

Avionics technicians service the electronics systems of an aircraft by repairing, installing, and troubleshooting avionic equipment.

Crew Schedule Coordinator

An airline’s crew schedule coordinator looks after the staffing of the air and ground support crew.

If there are any troubles with the flight taking of due to weather conditions or technical issues, it is their responsibility to make adjustments in the scheduling plan of the cabin and ground crew.

Aviation Attorney

Aviation attorneys specialize in civil or general aviation-related cases.

Many aviation attorneys represent government organisations such as the DGCA, while others may be on staff or on a contractual basis by large corporations who own airplanes or deal with airlines

Conclusion

There are many other ways in which you can join the aviation industry. You can look online for the openings in airline industry or airports. This industry also offers jobs indirectly to professions like travel agents, insurance agents etc.

It is estimated that by 2025 India will be the 3rd largest aviation market in the world.

Areas such as customer service, operations, logistics, airport management, retail, medical tourism, and many more sectors will see huge prosperity and growth. So if you’ve had a dream of living the lifestyle called aviation, then now is the time to be in it or think about being a part of it.

So go ahead and let your dreams take flight!

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IndiGo & SpiceJet To Now Charge For Web Check-in!

AirWhizzNov 26, 2018 No Comments

IndiGo & SpiceJet To Now Charge For Web Check-in!

Aviation Insider

Low-Cost Carriers, IndiGo & SpiceJet, will now charge you a fee to use their online check-in services!

Passengers earlier had to pay a fee for selecting a seat with the 2 airlines however, the budget airliners have announced that they will charge for online check-in services as well, to make up for high cost of operations.

Mumbai-based low-cost carrier GoAir is still offering some seats for free. Full-service airlines like Jet Airways, Vistara don’t charge for seat selection.

IndiGo and SpiceJet’s decision comes at a time when airlines are struggling with rising costs but can’t afford to raise ticket fares due to competition.

Such charges will help to boost ancillary revenue of the airlines. Ancillary revenue consists of charges like baggage fees, seat selection fees, cancellation charges.

Experts said that airlines were free to charge for the online check-in service as aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) has allowed unbundling of services.

The move of the airlines was, however, received with shock and anger from flyers who tagged civil aviation minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu and his deputy Mr. Jayant Sinha on Twitter and urged to stop the practice.

Flyers have said that this will lead to increased congestion at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai as more people will now turn up in airport counters for check-in.

This, in turn, will also increase the burden for airlines at airports forcing them to increase check-in counters and hire more people.

Another major problem that people pointed out was that there will be no guarantee that tickets bought at the same time(Same PNR)  will allow passengers to sit together. To get the seats together, one will have to do it through the web check-in. Else, they will have to go for the free seats, which will be allotted as per availability.

However, web check-in for the seats booked for corporate use are still available free of cost.

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