Shenzhen Airlines launches flight to Bazhong on 2 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Shenzhen Airlines launches non-stop flight to its seventh city destination in Sichuan Province, Bazhong, on 2 May 2019 using A320 aircraft.

On 2 May 2019, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH8403 departs from Shenzhen for Bazhong at 10 am, arrives in Bazhong Enyang Airport at 12.45 pm before leaving Bazhong for Shenzhen at 6.50 pm and landing in Shenzhen at 9.35 pm under flight ZH8404.

Bazhong Enyang Airport first opens to commercial air traffic on 3 February 2019 with Sichuan Airlines' inaugural flight from Chengdu.

Shenzhen Airlines offers flights to Bazhong on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Besides, it operates scheduled flights from Shenzhen to Chengdu, Mianyang, Panzhihua, Yibin, Chongqing and Wanzhou in Sichuan Province.

Eznis Airways launched chartered flight to Cam Ranh via Hong Kong on 19 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : New Juulchin Tours

Eznis Airways launched chartered flight to Cam Ranh from Ulaanbaatar via Hong Kong on 19 April 2019 under flight EF337 and returned to Ulaanbaatar from Cam Ranh via Hong Kong on 23 April 2019 under flight EF338. The flights using B737-700 aircraft (registered EI-ULN, ex-EasyJet) were chartered by New Juulchin Tours in Ulaanbaatar.

Eznis Airways was relaunched in 2017 as a charter airline. It does not have airport office in Ulaanbaatar's Chinggis Khaan International Airport.

Glances at Incheon Airport Terminal 2

Pictures by : Gan Yung Chyan
                    / KUCINTA SETIA

Spring Airlines Japan launches flight to Ningbo on 25 April 2019 with new image

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Chinanews.com and Spring Airlines Japan

Spring Airlines Japan, the Narita-based subsidiary of Spring Airlines, has launched its maiden flight from Narita to Ningbo on 25 April 2019 after a year delay. With the flight launch comes Spring Airlines Japan's new livery, new name, new slogan and new inflight magazine.

The new livery of Spring Airlines Japan shows the simplified name SPRING JAPAN above and below the windows along the aircraft body. 

The new slogan of Spring Japan is "Safety, Sincerity, Smile" (SSS). Spring Japan stresses on flight and inflight safety and service with sincerity and smile as passengers fly with smile.

The new inflight magazine of Spring Japan is known as Spring Time Fly With Smile, mainly in Japanese and English.

Spring Japan flight IJ101 departs from Narita for Ningbo at 8.30 am, arrives in Ningbo at 10.50 am before leaving Ningbo for Narita at 11.50 am and touching down in Narita under flight IJ102 at 3.50 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. 

Ningbo is the fifth destination in China for Spring Japan after Tianjin, Wuhan, Chongqing and Harbin.

Uzbekistan Airways launches flight to Tbilisi on 16 July 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Uzbekistan Airways has announced that it is launching non-stop scheduled flight from Tashkent to Tbilisi, the capital of CIS country Georgia and the "City of Museums", on 16 July 2019 using Airbus A320 aircraft. Flights will depart twice a week at different timings for Tbilisi.

On 16 July 2019, Uzbekistan flight HY745 departs from Tashkent for Tbilisi at 3.50 pm, touches down in Tbilisi at 6.30 pm before leaving Tbilisi for Tashkent at 7.30 pm and arriving in Tashkent at 11.50 pm under flight HY746. These timings are valid for departures on Tuesdays.

On Fridays, flight HY745 leaves Tashkent for Tbilisi at 8 am, arrives in Tbilisi at 10.40 am before departing from Tbilisi for Tashkent at 11.40 am and landing in Tashkent at 4 pm under flight HY746.

The Tashkent-Tbilisi flight will connect seamlessly to Uzbekistan Airways' outbound flights from Tashkent to Urumqi, Beijing, Incheon, Suvarnabhumi and Kuala Lumpur, providing Georgians opportunities to explore Asia, and for Asian tourists to explore Tbilisi's historic and cultural attractions such as the Children's Palace, Tbilisi Circus, the Bridge of Peace, Tbilisi State Conservatoire, Narikala Fortress (built between the 4th and 7th century AD) and Anchiskhati Basilica (built between the 6th to 16th century AD) without transit in Dubai or Doha.

Tbilisi ranks in the top four cities in the CIS for the high number of museums.

Uzbekistan Airways' last flight to Singapore on 26 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Uzbekistan Airways is operating its final flight service to Singapore on 26 April 2019. From 1 May 2019, it resumes flight to Jakarta via Kuala Lumpur.

Scoot launches flight to Fuzhou on 5 July 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

On 25 April 2019, Scoot announces that it is selling cheap tickets to Fuzhou from 99 Singapore Dollars on its web-site www.flyscoot.com and these fares, to celebrate the new route launch, are valid for departures from 5 to 14 July 2019. 

Scoot commences its inaugural scheduled flight to Fuzhou from Singapore Changi on 5 July 2019 using Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 5 July 2019, Scoot flight TR174 departs from Singapore Changi for Fuzhou at 10.35 am, touches down in Fuzhou Changle International Airport at 3.05 pm before leaving Fuzhou for Singapore at 4.15 pm and arriving in Singapore Changi at 8.45 pm under flight TR175.

Scoot's flights to and from Fuzhou take place on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. 

Scoot launches non-stop flights to Changsha and Kunming in June 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

On 25 April 2019, Scoot announces that its Airbus A320 aircraft will launch non-stop scheduled flights to Changsha and Kunming in June 2019. 

The inaugural flight of Scoot to Changsha falls on 20 June 2019 while the maiden flight of Scoot to Kunming from Singapore takes place on 25 June 2019.

There are two pairs of Scoot flights to Changsha and these are TR126/TR127 and TR124/TR125. Scoot's flights to Changsha from Singapore operate on Thursdays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays while its flights from Changsha land in Singapore Changi  on Thursdays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Mondays.

On 20 June 2019, flight TR126 departs from Singapore Changi for Changsha at 7.40 am, touches down in Changsha at 12.05 pm before leaving Changsha for Singapore at 1.05 pm and arriving in Singapore at 5.30 pm under flight TR127. These flights are operational on Thursdays and Tuesdays.

On 21 June 2019, flight TR124 leaves Singapore Changi for Changsha at 6.40 pm, arrives in Changsha at 11.20 pm before taking off under flight TR125 for Singapore on 22 June 2019 at 12.20 am and touching down in Singapore Changi at 4.55 am. 

TR124 arrives in Changsha on Fridays and Sundays while TR125 lands in Singapore Changi on Saturdays and Mondays.

There are also two pairs of Scoot flights to Kunming and these are TR160/TR161 and TR162/TR163.

On 25 June 2019, flight TR160 takes off for Kunming from Singapore Changi at 2.15 pm, arrives in Kunming Changshui International Airport at 6.15 pm before leaving Kunming for Singapore at 7.15 pm and touching down in Changi Airport at 11.20 pm under flight TR161. These flights are operational on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Beginning from 27 June 2019 on Thursdays and Sundays, flight TR162 departs from Singapore for Kunming at 8.05 am, arrives in Kunming at 12.10 pm before taking off for Singapore at 1.10 pm and landing in Singapore Changi at 5.15 pm under flight TR163.

Therefore, Scoot operates flights to Kunming on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

To mark the official routes takeover from SilkAir and celebrate the launches of flights to Changsha and Kunming, Scoot is selling Economy Class fares to Changsha and Kunming from 99 Singapore Dollars. It is valid for departures from 20 to 27 June 2019 (Changsha route) and from 25 June to 2 July 2019 (Kunming route).

For updated pricing information, visit www.flyscoot.com.

Scoot launches Dreamliner flight to Wuhan on 22 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Changi Airport welcomes its second budget flight launch to Wuhan on 22 May 2019 when Scoot, operated by Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd,  launches its Dreamliner scheduled flight to Wuhan non-stop. The first budget non-stop flight launch to Wuhan is operated by Urumqi Air on 18 May 2019.

On 22 May 2019, Scoot flight TR120 departs from Singapore Changi for Wuhan at 9 am, touches down in Wuhan at 2.05 pm before leaving Wuhan for Singapore at 2.55 pm and arriving in Changi Airport at 7.55 pm under flight TR121.

Scoot B787-8 Dreamliner leaves for Wuhan on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays. It returns to Singapore on the same days. 

To celebrate the takeover launch of the Wuhan route from SilkAir, Scoot is selling Economy Class fare from 79 Singapore Dollars and it is valid for departures from 22 to 29 May 2019.

For updated pricing information, visit www.flyscoot.com.

AirAsia launches daily flight to Quanzhou on 1 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

AirAsia launches daily flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) for Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport on 1 May 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 1 May 2019, AirAsia flight AK720 departs from KLIA2 for Quanzhou at 8.25 am, arrives in Quanzhou at 12.55 pm before leaving Quanzhou for KLIA2 at 1.55 pm and touching down in KLIA2 at 6.30 pm under flight AK721.

AirAsia hopes to partner with the Quanzhou City Government in the development of more outbound routes from Jinjiang to the rest of the world.

Inflight Review : Hainan Airlines, the most improved inflight service airline

Inflight Review by : Gan Yung Chyan
                              / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines has improved the inflight dining options for every guest on the Haikou - Singapore Changi - Haikou flights HU747 / HU748. With a payment of at least 129 Singapore Dollars for an Economy Class ticket, one can enjoy the inflight meals and two rounds of fruit juice (coconut / tomato / orange juice) / coffee / tea on complimentary basis while enjoying inflight entertainment. Sole beef hamburgers are no longer served. The pictures below testify.

The inflight food includes yellow lantern chilli sauce, a specialty produce of Wenchang, Hainan, packed mustard, fruits and yogurt.

Passengers who prefer vegetarian meals should reserve 24 hours in advance before departures by calling Hainan Airlines at hotline 95339 or emailing the airline at 95339intl@hnair.com.

The flight attendants' services are friendly and hospitable. They can speak in English, Mandarin and Hainanese.

On international flights, Hainan Airlines allows maximum carry-on luggage weight of 10 kg plus a small item such as a handbag, a document bag, a laptop case, an umbrella and a small backpack.

Since 1 April 2019, HU747 has been Hainan Airlines' first international scheduled flight from Haikou on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays at 7.40 am while flight HU748 lands in Haikou from Singapore Changi at 3.20 pm. 

The second international flight by Hainan Airlines from Haikou is to Suvarnabhumi. The same full-service meals as above apply.

Overall inflight service rating : ****** (excellent)

** Poor / two-star
*** Good / three-star

**** Very good / four-star
****** Excellent / six-star (the highest category)

Previous Inflight Review on Hainan Airlines:
https://kucinta-setia.blogspot.com/2019/01/inflight-review-hainan-airlines-carrier.html

Royal Brunei Airlines resumes non-stop flight to Brisbane on 11 June 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Royal Brunei Airlines, which started its once-weekly scheduled flight to Changsha from Brunei on 16 April 2019 using its A320 aircraft, is resuming non-stop flight to Brisbane using its A320neo aircraft on 11 June 2019.

According to schedules, Royal Brunei Airlines flight BI009 departs from Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Begawan for Brisbane at 7.50 pm on 11 June 2019, arrives in Brisbane at 4.45 am on 12 June 2019 before leaving Brisbane for Brunei at 5.30 pm and touching down in Brunei at 10.50 pm under flight BI010.

Flights leave Bandar Seri Begawan for Brisbane on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays while flights arrive in Bandar Seri Begawan from Brisbane on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays.

According to Royal Brunei Airlines, Brisbane was the second city in Australia that Royal Brunei flew to in 1994 via Darwin, while direct flights were operated from 1997 to 2011. The route was suspended due to operation reasons.

Shenzhen Airlines applies for flight service right on Hefei - Hong Kong route

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, Shenzhen Airlines has applied to CAAC for its flight service right on the Hefei - Hong Kong route. It is expected the application to be approved soon and the first scheduled non-stop flight of Shenzhen Airlines to Hong Kong from Hefei may begin as early as August 2019.

The Hefei airport is currently reviewing international flight plans besides Shenzhen Airlines' proposed Hefei - Hong Kong route. Other possible international routes to be launched  include Hefei - Singapore Changi by Jetstar Asia Airways, Hefei - Kuala Lumpur by AirAsia, Hefei - Danang by Jetstar Pacific Airlines and Hefei - Denpasar by Sriwijaya Air.

Currently, passengers can fly directly from Hefei to Cam Ranh (by Vietjet Air), Suvarnabhumi and Osaka Kansai (by Spring Airlines), Siem Reap via Phnom Penh (by JC International Airlines), Phuket (by Thai Lion Air) and Moscow via Novosibirsk (by Ural Airlines).

HK Bellawings Jet orders 4 more Global 7500 business jets

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : Bombardier

Bombardier announced that HK Bellawings Jet has confirmed orders for four Global 7500 business jets at the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) Show where Bombardier's  flagship aircraft model, the Global 7500 aircraft, first appeared since its launch.


Mr. Khader Mattar, Vice President of Sales for Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and China of Bombardier Business Jets, said,“ABACE is one of the most important aerospace exhibitions in the world. At the time when the Global 7500 aircraft made its debut at the air show, we are proud to announce this confirmed order. This flagship model has been used for more than three months and has caused a stir inside and outside the industry. This order highlights the Global 7500 for its long distance flight and four separate living spaces. Advantages such as legroom space are ideal for customers in Greater China."


Mr. Zhang Yijia, President of HK Bellawings Jet, commented, “The Global 7500 aircraft is part of the Bombardier business jet series and we are pleased to offer it to our valued customers. We believe in the strengths of Global 6500 and Global 7500 aircraft. These new aircraft will help HK Bellawings Jet develop one-stop business aviation solutions. As an operator managing multiple Global 6500 and Global 7500 business jets, we will further expand our business scope and pursue higher goals. ”


In May 2018, HK Bellawings Jet announced its intention to purchase up to 18 Global 6500 and Global 7500 aircraft, with a potential value of US$1.14 billion, at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva. A few hours before EBACE started, Bombardier launched two new long-range large-cabin business jets, the Global 5500 and the Global 6500, which have become the focus of the general aviation industry.


In September 2018, HK Bellawings Jet confirmed orders for four Global 6500 and two Global 7500 business jets. According to the current typical configuration of aircraft pricing, its total value is about 370 million US dollars. 


With the addition of four new Global 7500 aircraft confirmed orders, HK Bellawings Jet has reached  the total of 10 confirmed aircraft orders. Based on current pricing, the total value of this round of purchases is approximately 291 million US Dollars.


With a range of 7,700 nautical miles (14,260 km), the Global 7500 can fly from Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong without stopovers to cities such as New York, London and Milan. In addition, it also an also fly non-stop from Singapore to Vancouver.


Established in 2014, HK Bellawings Jet is an outstanding business jet management company dedicated to providing professional, efficient and comprehensive business aviation services and solutions, including business jet management, aircraft maintenance, travel concierge services, aircraft procurement services and business aviation consulting. The company operates a range of Challenger and Global Model business jets.

Spring Airlines launches flight from Osaka Kansai to Hefei on 17 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport and Spring Airlines, the Chinese low-cost airline launches A320 flight from Osaka Kansai International Airport to Hefei on 17 April 2019. It flies four times a week to Hefei from Osaka, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

On 17 April 2019, Spring Airlines flight 9C8506 departs from Osaka Kansai for Hefei at 5 pm, touches down in Hefei at 6.45 pm before leaving Hefei for Osaka  at 7.30 pm and arriving in Osaka Kansai at 10.35 pm under flight 9C8505.

With the addition of Osaka to its Hefei route network, Spring Airlines flies to 10 cities from Hefei, including Dalian, Chongqing, Luoyang, Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xian, Yangzhou and Zhengzhou.

Vietjet Air launches flight to Denpasar on 29 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Vietjet Air has clarified that it launches non-stop scheduled flight to Denpasar, the capital city of Bali, from Ho Chi Minh City on 29 May 2019, and not from June 2019.

On 29 May 2019, Vietjet flight VJ893 departs from Ho Chi Minh City for Denpasar at 8.05 am, arrives in Denpasar at 1.05 pm before leaving Denpasar for Ho Chi Minh City at 2.05 pm and touching down in Ho Chi Minh City at 5.05 pm under flight VJ894. 

Vietjet Air is the only airline to operate flights to Denpasar from Ho Chi Minh City on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays using Airbus A320 aircraft.

Mahan Air launches scheduled flight to Shenzhen from Tehran on 1 July 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to Mahan Air, it launches non-stop scheduled flight from Shenzhen to Tehran on 1 July 2019 using its Airbus A340-600 aircraft.

On 1 July 2019, Mahan Air flight W5087 departs from Tehran for Shenzhen at 9.15 pm, touches down in Shenzhen at 9.30 am on 2 July 2019 before leaving Shenzhen for Tehran at 11.10 pm and arriving in Tehran at 5.10 am local time under flight W5086.

The Tehran - Shenzhen flight on Wednesdays and Sundays is Mahan Air's fourth route to China.  Flight W5086 returns to Tehran on Thursdays and Mondays.

Mahan Air as Iran's largest private airline has been operating non-stop flights to China since 2011 with the first airport destination Pudong, followed by Guangzhou in 2013 and Beijing Capital in 2014.

To celebrate the launch of the non-stop flight to Shenzhen, Mahan Air is waiving fees for route changes to Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Interested customers can book the Shenzhen flight tickets and other Mahan Air tickets at the Chinese web-site of Mahan Air, www.iranmahanair.com or the parent web-site www.mahan.aero.

ZIPAIR Tokyo unveiled its aircraft livery and service staff uniforms on 11 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : ZIPAIR Tokyo, Asahi Shimbun

According to the "Asahi Shimbun" website, ZIPAIR Tokyo, the newly established low-cost airline subsidiary of Japan Airlines, disclosed the B787 Dreamliner aircraft livery of the airline and the uniforms of ground crews and flight attendants on 11 April 2019.

On the aircraft livery of ZIPAIR Tokyo, the designer incorporated the alphabet "Z" in the tail  in a way that it flies like a arrow, and a green horizontal line along the aircraft body suggests service simplicity and cleanliness.

The new uniforms designed by fashion designer Taro Taro focus on the activities of the staff wearing the white and black sneakers that are rare in airlines. New uniforms will be used on international routes to Incheon and Suvarnabhumi from Narita in summer 2020. 

The new uniform is based on black and is embellished with a green scarf that represents the company's colour. However, after the launch of the new uniform, the most eye-catching is the travel shoes. Most airline crew shoes are leather shoes and shallow-shoes. ZIPAIR Tokyo's crew shoes are unique. 

Taro Taro also personally observed the work situation of the airport staff and finally decided to use the travel shoes. 

ZIPAIR Tokyo's President Nishida Shingo said that the new shoes mainly consider the element of easy walking. For the flight attendants, they often stand and move around, so the design concept of the new uniform takes into account their ease to move and fatigue.

Nishida Shingo explained that in the occasion of receiving guests, everyone's fixed impression is to wear shoes or shallow shoes, but in order to improve the crew's service efficiency, the final decision is to put on travel shoes.

ZIPAIR Tokyo is founded on 31 July 2018 with its headquarters in Narita International Airport. The official name of the airline was announced by Japan Airlines via the media on 11 March 2019. Initially, 2 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners will launch routes to Incheon and Suvarnabhumi in summer 2020.

Shenzhen Airlines launches flight to Manila on 31 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Shenzhen Airlines launches daily flight to Manila from Shenzhen on 31 May 2019 using B737-800 aircraft.

On 31 May 2019, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH9011 departs from Shenzhen for Manila at 9.30 pm, touches down in Manila at 12 am on 1 June 20119 before leaving Manila for Shenzhen at 1 am and arriving in Shenzhen at 3.30 am under flight ZH9012.

One-way air fare according to Trip costs from 112 Singapore Dollars.

Firefly launches twice-daily scheduled flights from Subang to Seletar on 21 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

According to Firefly, its ATR aircraft launches twice-daily scheduled flights between the airports of Subang and Seletar on 21 April 2019. Flights from Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Ipoh to Seletar will be advised in due course.

The following flight schedules of Firefly on the Subang-Seletar return route sectors are as follows:-

Flight FY3126 departs from Subang for Seletar at 9.30 am, touches down in Seletar at 10.50 am before leaving Seletar for Subang at 11.20 am and arriving in Subang at 12.40 pm under flight FY3127.

The second flight, FY3128, leaves Subang for Seletar at 12.30 pm, arrives in Seletar at 1.50 pm before taking off from Seletar for Subang at 2.20 pm and touching down in Subang at 3.40 pm under flight FY3129.

Tickets of the only scheduled flights of Seletar Airport are on sale at Firefly web-site at www.fireflyz.com.my.

Hainan Airlines launches 787-9 flight from Changsha to Haikou on 20 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines adds Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight on the Changsha - Haikou route on 20 April 2019 with flight HU7118 departing from Changsha for Haikou at 7.30 pm and arriving in Haikou at 9.30 pm. With the Dreamliner flight, there are four daily Hainan Airlines' flights between Changsha and Haikou.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner of Hainan Airlines adopts the three-cabin layout of the new image of “Dream of the Dream”. The whole cabin is equipped with a total of 294 seats including 26 Business Class seats, 21 Super Economy Class seats and 247 Economy Class seats. The Business Class uses the industry's leading Rockwell Collins Super Diamond anti-skeleton seats. On international flights, there are Bose brand active noise canceling headphones, BVLGARI brand wash bag, Sola brand stainless steel tableware, Luigi The Bormioli and RONA crystal wine glasses which provide a more comfortable flight experience for passengers.

The newly equipped Super Economy Class is another highlight of this aircraft. Each seat width is 22.5 inches, seat spacing 38 inches and is synchronous with 4 directions Headrest, 7 degree seat reclining angle with up to three storage spaces. Each seat is equipped with IPAD bracket, exclusive personal power plug and USB charging port, while the front row seats are equipped with integrated leather pedals. Subsequent air services are equipped with pillows, blankets, bottled mineral water for inflight enjoyment experience. 

On the ground, Business Class or Jinpeng VIP members exclusive check-in counters are open for check-in procedures Luggage will be tagged with "Priority Baggage" labels. The Super Economy class bookings are for W and E, and the cabin price is within the Economy Class and is not higher than the full price economy class.

The Economy Class seat of the aircraft adopts the industry net red level Recaro CL3710 Economy Class seat, equipped with a 7-way adjustment patented headrest, with an ergonomic lumbar support cushion for a comfortable ride experience, and a book bag design on the back of the seat, providing ergonomic seating experiences.

At the same time, in order to provide a more technological and entertaining inflight experience, Hainan Airlines has also equipped the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner cabin with the latest generation of Panasonic EX3 entertainment system, movies, TV series, music and games in the media library. 

Hainan Airlines has ordered a total of 13 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners equipped with a Super Economy class layout. The first commercial flight of Hainan Airlines 787-9 Dreamliner takes off from Beijing Capital to Guangzhou on 3 April 2019. The aircraft will also operate on other domestic routes including Beijing Capital - Lanzhou (from 14 to 19 April 2019) and Pudong - Chongqing routes. The aircraft is planned to operate future flights from China to North America. 

Hainan Airlines launches non-stop flight to Oslo from Beijing from 15 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches thrice-weekly non-stop flights from Beijing to Oslo, the capital of Norway, using its Airbus A330 aircraft from 15 May 2019. It flies to Oslo on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays and returns to Beijing on Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays.

According to schedules, Hainan Airlines first flight HU769 departs from Beijing Capital on 15 May 2019 (Wednesday) for Oslo at 1.30 am, touches down in Oslo at 5.30 am local time before leaving Oslo for Beijing at 1.55 pm and arriving in Beijing Capital at 5 am on 16 May 2019 under flight HU770.

On Fridays and Mondays, flight HU770 leaves Oslo for Beijing at 2.30 pm and lands in Beijing at 5.30 am on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

China Express launches Zhengzhou - Mandalay route on 30 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

China Express launches its Airbus A320 flight to Mandalay from Zhengzhou on 30 April 2019 on a thrice-weekly scheduled basis. It operates on this sector on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and returns from Mandalay to Zhengzhou on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

On 30 April 2019, China Express flight G52649 departs from Zhengzhou for Mandalay at 8.55 pm, arrives in Mandalay at 11.05 pm before leaving Mandalay for Zhengzhou at 1 am on 1 May 2019 and touching down in Zhengzhou at 6 am under flight G52650.

GX Airlines extends its Singapore - Nanning route to Lanzhou on 1 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Since 1 April 2019, GX Airlines has extended its Singapore - Nanning route to Lanzhou. The Nanning - Lanzhou flight schedules are as follows:-

Flight GX8968 departs from Nanning for Lanzhou at 8.05 am and arrives in Lanzhou at 10.35 am while flight GX8967 leaves Lanzhou for Nanning at 5.40 pm and lands in Nanning at 8.25 pm before taking off for Singapore at 9.50 pm and arriving in Singapore at 1.45 am.

Passengers checking-in for the flight to Lanzhou at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4 can transfer their checked-in baggage straight directly to Lanzhou without retrieving them in Nanning Wusu International Airport and checking-in them again.

Due to the extended route to Lanzhou, GX Airlines' Singapore air fares are no longer cheap and affordable. 

Readers can purchase their GX Airlines' tickets easily at Ctrip, Trip and other Chinese on-line ticketing platforms.

Ethiopian Airlines signed agreement with Guinea Government to form Guinea Airlines

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to the Press Release by the Government of Guinea in Africa on 5 April 2019, Ethiopian Airlines has signed the agreement with the Government of Guinea to form the joint-venture Guinea Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines holds the stake of 80 per cent in Guinea Airlines while the Government of Guinea holds the stake of 20 per cent.

The Government of Guinea hopes Guinea Airlines will start operations in due course. The African country does not have the national airline since Guinee Airlines, formed in 1999, ceased operations in 2004.

Currently, Ethiopian Airlines has investment stakes in many other African national airlines including Asky Airlines and Malawian Airlines.

HK Express launches flight to Okinawa's second international airport on 19 July 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to HK Express, it launches the world's first international scheduled flight from Hong Kong to Shimojishima Airport, Okinawa Prefecture's second international airport in the Miyako Islands, on 19 July 2019, using Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 19 July 2019, HK Express flight UO814 departs from Hong Kong for Shimojishima at 2.10 pm, arrives in Shimojishima at 5.20 pm before leaving Shimojishima for Hong Kong at 6.50 pm under flight UO815 and touching down in Hong Kong at 8.20 pm. The Hong Kong - Shimijishima schedules are effective on Fridays and Sundays while on Sundays, UO815 departs from Shimojishima for Hong Kong at 6.50 pm and arrives in Hong Kong at 8.20 pm.

On Tuesdays, flight UO814 takes off for Shimojishima at 8.40 am, touches down in Shimojishima at 11.50 am before leaving Shimojishima for Hong Kong at 12.35 pm and arriving in Hong Kong at 1.55 pm under flight UO815.

The Miyako Islands of Okinawa Prefecture are well-known for their beaches and diving activity.

As of 19 July 2019, Shimojishima is HK Express' 12th airport destination in Japan after Narita, Haneda, Fukuoka, Osaka Kansai, Nagoya Chubu, Takatmasu, Ishigaki, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Nagasaki and Naha. 

HK Express resumes flight to Naha on 27 June 2019.

MIAT successfully launches flight from Guangzhou to Ulaanbaatar on 1 April 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

MIAT Mongolian Airlines successfully launches its first scheduled flight from Guangzhou to Ulaanbaatar on 1 April 2019. Passengers onboard the B737-800 flight were given free MIAT notebooks and pens as inaugural flight souvenirs. 

Subject to passenger request who wrote in earlier to MIAT, limited number of MIAT aircraft postcards were also presented.

The first outbound flight of MIAT Mongolian Airlines landed in Ulaanbaatar at 8.30 am, a delay of 30 minutes.

There is no duty-free sale onboard the flight as most passengers were asleep. Flight OM236, according to schedule, departs from Guangzhou for Ulaanbaatar at 3.50 am and lands in Ulaanbaatar at 8 am on Mondays and Fridays.

The Guangzhou  flight station is monitored by MIAT Mongolian staff in cooperation with the Hong Kong GSA Pacific Aviation Marketing with branch in Guangzhou. MIAT does not have its own sales branch office in Guangzhou. 

According to the station manager, the Guangzhou return flights to Ulaanbaatar continue until the end of the summer season this year before reverting to the winter seasonal flights to Suvarnabhumi from Ulaanbaatar.

Introductory fare of the first flight started from 295 Singapore Dollars, including taxes and service charges.