China Southern launches Wuhan - New York route on 10 July 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

China Southern launches B787 flight from Wuhan to New York John F Kennedy International Airport on 10 July 2019.

On 10 July 2019, China Southern flight CZ8419 departs from Wuhan for New York at 8 pm, touches down in New York at 10.30 pm local time before leaving New York on 11 July 2019 at 3.20 am and arriving in Wuhan on 12 July 2019 at 6.20 am under flight CZ8420.

China Southern leaves Wuhan for New York on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It departs from New York for Wuhan on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

IrAero launches chartered flight to Hefei on 19 June 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Image courtesy : IrAero

IrAero, the airline of Irkutsk established since 1999, launches weekly chartered flight to Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province in China, from Moscow Domodedovo International Airport on 19 June 2019 using one of its three Boeing B777-200ER aircraft, which has a configuration of 12 Business Class and 360 Economy Class seats.

On 19 June 2019, the outbound flight of IrAero leaves Moscow for Hefei at 11 pm, touches down in Hefei at 12.30 pm on 20 June 2019 before departing from Hefei for Moscow at 2.30 pm and arriving in Moscow at 5 pm.

The B777-200 chartered by major travel agencies of Anhui Province departs from Moscow for Hefei on Sundays and Wednesdays. It leaves Hefei for Moscow on Mondays and Thursdays. One way flight takes about 8 hours. With the launch of the new route, passengers from Anhui Province no longer need to transit in Nanjing or Pudong for onward flights to Moscow.

The number of weekly chartered flights to Hefei may increase, subject to market demand.

With the introduction of Hefei on its China route network, IrAero flies to a total of five Chinese cities including Sanya, Guangzhou, Manzhouli and Shenyang with the B777-200ER aircraft. 

Besides China, IrAero also operates flights to Tashkent, Fergana in Uzbekistan, Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, Baku in Azerbaijan, Kokshetau, Karagandy, Petropavl in Kazakhstan and 58 cities in Russia with a fleet of 17 Antonov An-24/-26, 3 Bombardier CRJ200LR and 8 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft. It is the launch customer of the future aircraft, Irkut MC-21-300, to be delivered from 2019 onwards.

Shandong Airlines launches flights to Taichung and Hualien in July 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                   / KUCINTA SETIA

Shandong Airlines is adding new Taiwan destinations to its flight network from 4 July 2019 onwards. Its B737-800 aircraft commences regular services to Taichung and Hualien from Jinan on 4 July and 6 July 2019 respectively.

On 4 July 2019, Shandong Airlines flight SC4633 departs from Jinan for Taichung at 7.50 am, touches down in Taichung at 10.20 am before leaving Taichung for Jinan at 11.20 am and arriving in Jinan at 1.50 pm under flight SC4634. Flights between Jinan and Taichung operate on Thursdays.

On 6 July 2019, flight SC4083 leaves Jinan for Hualien at 7.35 am, arrives in Hualien at 10.20 am before taking off for Jinan at 11.50 am and returning to Jinan at 2.40 pm under flight SC4084. Flights between these cities are operated on Saturdays.

The new flights to Hualien and Taichung will facilitate air traffic flows and trade exchanges between China and Taiwan and draw more tourists to Taiwan. Taichung and Hualien are Shandong Airlines' second and third city destinations in Taiwan after Taoyuan.

Hainan Airlines launches Shenzhen - Rome route on 30 May 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

Hainan Airlines launches 787-8 Dreamliner flight to Rome from Shenzhen on 30 May 2019. This route from Shenzhen to Rome is the airline's third Italy route from China after Xian - Rome and Chongqing - Rome routes and its fiftieth international route from Shenzhen.

On 30 May 2019, Hainan Airlines flight HU437 departs from Shenzhen for Rome at 1.30 am, arrives in Rome at 8.10 am local time before leaving Rome for Shenzhen at 11.25 am and touching down in Shenzhen on 31 May 2019 at 5.20 am under flight HU438.

Hainan Airlines flies every Thursday and Sunday from Shenzhen to Rome.

West Air now flies to Hailar via Hohhot from Zhengzhou

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

West Air now flies daily to Hailar from Zhengzhou via Hohhot using Airbus A320 aircraft. The routes and timings are listed below:

Zhengzhou - Hohhot : 3.25 pm - 4.55 pm
Hohhot - Hailar : 5.55 pm - 8.10 pm
Hailar - Hohhot : 9 pm - 11.10 pm
Hohhot - Zhengzhou : 11.55 pm - 1.40 am 

Flights are valid until 30 June 2019.

Visit www.westair.cn for further information.

Harbour Air to become the world's first all-electric airline by 2022

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA


According to mechanics, aircraft equipped with electric motors and batteries do not facilitate smooth aircraft movement. First of all, the battery is heavy, and the aircraft powered by a battery does not fly stably at a regular speed for a long time. Obviously equipping an aircraft with electric motor and battery is not a good way to improve aircraft flight efficiency.

However, this did not prevent Harbour Air from planning to use the electric drive system from magniX known as the all-electric magniX propulsion system in its short-haul seaplane fleet. In some cases, the magniX system will replace an internal combustion engine that has been in use in its aircraft for more than 50 years.

On 26 May 2019, Harbour Air announced that it has established the partnership with magniX to develop the world's first all-electric aircraft or ePlane with the objective to provide clean, efficient and affordable electric air travel.

The first aircraft to be converted into an ePlane is Harbour Air's DHC-2 de Haviland Beaver, a six-passenger commercial aircraft used across Harbour Air's route network. Harbour Air and magniX expect to conduct first flight tests of the ePlane in late 2019.

The ePlane has zero reliance on fossil fuels and produces zero emissions, a significant step forward in the innovation and advancement of the airline industry.

The upgraded aircraft of Harbour Air will be equipped with a 200 kWh battery, and its magni500 electric motor will produce 750 horsepower all-electric output in approximately 2,075 feet. This will allow the aircraft to have an estimated flight time of 30 minutes and an additional 30 minutes of spare time.

Harbour Air's seaplanes fly from Vancouver to the outlying islands of British Columbia in Canada. Most of the time, the 30-minute flight time for the electric engines should be sufficient. The company estimates that these short flights will account for 70 per cent of its 30,000 flights annually.

Harbour Air currently operates 42 seaplanes in Vancouver and Seattle. The airline is said to be aiming to replace its entire fleet of aircraft with the all-electric maginX propulsion system by 2022. Once the conversion is complete, it will become the world's first all-electric airline, based on the fact that it is the world's first airline to achieve carbon neutrality in 2007 for its purchase of carbon offsets.

Inflight Review : Juneyao Air 787-9 flight HO1605

Inflight Review by : Gan Yung Chyan
                              / KUCINTA SETIA

On 2 April 2019, the reporter of Sayacinta - Airpost flew from Pudong to Singapore under flight HO1605 for the first time with  full-service airline Juneyao Air's 787-9 Dreamliner.  The following review is on this aircraft.

Airline and Routes : Juneyao Air has 6 787-9 Dreamliners. It has an order for 4 further Dreamliners. It launches long-haul flight to Helsinki from Pudong using this aircraft on 28 June 2019. The aircraft will also be deployed on future non-stop flights to London Heathrow and Melbourne from Pudong. Current destinations served by 787-9 include Singapore Changi, Taoyuan, Chongqing, Harbin and Helsinki.

Livery : It is suggested to take pictures of the 787-9 in Pudong, Chongqing and Taoyuan, rather than in Singapore Changi where it is impossible to take an excellent snapshot of the aircraft parking at the terminal at night daily. However, if schedule permits, for instance from 8 January 2021 until further notice, it is possible to shoot pictures of the 787-9 arriving in and departing from Changi Airport. Hence, boarding flight HO1605 is the right choice. ****

First Class Seats (below) : Very good.****

Economy Class  Seats (below) :   Very good. ****

Aircraft : The 787-9 seat legroom is more spacious than A321. ****

Baggage Requirements : For Economy Class passengers of international flights, free checked-in luggage weight maximum 23 kg. Business Class free checked-in weight allowance maximum 32 kg. It is suggested to read the baggage rules on Juneyao Air's web-site for details.****

Safety Demonstrations : Adequate.  There are visual safety demonstrations on video on 787-9. ****

Seat selection : Avoid Seat 41A  and the next window seat on Row 41 as there are no windows there. The reporter initially sat on 41A as above. It was warm. As the flight was not full, the reporter sat on 40A in front ten minutes after boarding before the flight took off. The air crew did not check boarding passes. It is cool. ****

Inflight Service / Entertainment / Onboard Meals and Refreshments :  Inflight entertainment is varied.  The reporter recommends HO1605 as it is a budget full-service flight. For the first time the flight allows the reporter to learn to switch on and off the inflight entertainment system, the reading light and call the crew on screen, free-of-charge. This is a frill service on a budget flight that is not available on Scoot's Dreamliner flights unless the traveler paid Scoot for the inflight entertainment service. The crew serve hot meals and beverages onboard HO1605 efficiently. ****

Lavatory : Clean and aromatic.****

Sky Shop : No.****

Surcharges :  None. ***

Bookings : One can book a  Juneyao Air ticket at www.juneyaoair.com, Skyscanner, Ctrip, Trip, Alternative Airlines, eLong, Qunar and its ticket offices in China and abroad. There are Juneyao Air dedicated counters in Pudong for ticketing, flight change and baggage handling issues.****

Check-In and Departures : Juneyao Air counters in Pudong allow early check-in more than three hours before departures so that passengers can take snapshots of more aircraft departing from Pudong. The timing for HO1605 is very good.****

Ground service in response  to passengers' requests and enquiries : Very good in Pudong. ****

Overall Impression :  Juneyao Air Pudong station staff are friendly, cheerful and can communicate in English. There is no problem for the staff to resolve issues related to ticketing, flight change and baggage handling. Flight HO1605 is a very good flight. The reporter will fly with the 787-9 of Juneyao Air again.****

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

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

Juneyao Air 's official inaugural flight from Pudong to Singapore departs at 3.45 pm on 1 February 2019.

Juneyao Air Summer 2019 Pudong (PVG) - Singapore (SIN) - Pudong Flight Schedules effective 29 May 2019 until further notice :

Route                   Flight                  Departure / Arrival Time       Frequency
PVG - SIN            HO1605               3.50 pm / 9.20 pm                   Daily
SIN - PVG            HO1606               10.35 pm / 3.50 am                 Daily

Juneyao Air Winter 2021 Pudong (PVG) - Singapore (SIN) - Pudong Flight Schedules effective 8 January 2021 until further notice :

Route                   Flight                  Departure / Arrival Time       Frequency
PVG - SIN            HO1605               9.40 am / 3.40 pm                   Fridays
SIN - PVG            HO1606               5.00 pm / 9.30 pm                   Fridays

Non-stop flights from Qingdao to Paris and Dubai effective 19 and 29 June 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA

China Eastern announced in Haikou on 28 May 2019 that it is launching long-haul flights to Paris and Dubai from Qingdao in June 2019 using Airbus A330 aircraft. The first commercial flight departs for Paris from Qingdao on 19 June 2019 while the first scheduled flight leaves for Dubai on 29 June 2019.

On 19 June 2019, China Eastern flight MU797 departs from Qingdao for Paris at 12 pm, touches down in Paris at 6.05 pm local time before leaving under flight MU798 at 8.05 pm and arriving in Qingdao at 12.55 pm on 20 June 2019. Flights depart for and leave Paris on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

On 29 June 2019, flight MU793 takes off from Qingdao for Dubai at 2.05 pm, arrives in Dubai at 7.55 pm local time before departing from Dubai for Qingdao at 11 pm under flight MU794 and touching down in Qingdao on 30 June 2019 at 11.40 am local time. Flights depart for and leave Dubai on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Cambodia Angkor Air launches Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh route on 12 June 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

Cambodia Angkor Air launches Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh route on 12 June 2019 using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

On 12 June 2019, Cambodia Angkor Air flight K6 140 departs from Sihanoukville for Phnom Penh at 9.20 am, touches down in Phnom Penh at 10 am before leaving Phnom Penh for Sihanoukville at 5.35 pm and arriving in Sihanoukville at 6.15 pm under flight K6 141.

Cambodia Angkor Air flies to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. It returns to Phnom Penh from Sihanoukville on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

China Southern launches Urumqi - St Petersburg route on 8 June 2019

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                  / KUCINTA SETIA

China Southern launches thrice-weekly flight from Urumqi to St Petersburg on 8 June 2019 using B737-800 aircraft. 

On 8 June 2019, China Southern flight CZ6035 departs from Urumqi for St Petersburg at 5.45 pm, touches down in St Petersburg at 12 am on 9 June 2019 before leaving St Petersburg for Urumqi at 1.30 am and arriving  in Urumqi at 7.20 am under flight CZ6036.

China Southern flies to St Petersburg from Urumqi on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

From 1 July 2019 onwards, China Southern's 787 Dreamliner will operate on the new route at the same timings.

Inflight Review : Juneyao Air A320 and A321

Inflight Review by : Gan Yung Chyan
                              / KUCINTA SETIA

Below : Juneyao Air's A320 at Changi Airport Terminal 4

Above : Juneyao Airlines' A321 in Pudong Airport.

On 1 March 2019, the reporter of Sayacinta - Airpost flew to Pudong from Singapore under flight HO1606 for the first time with  full-service airline Juneyao Air's Airbus A320. On Good Friday of April 2018, he went on his maiden flight to Haikou from Pudong on Juneyao Air's Airbus A321. The following review consists of his findings on both flights. The inflight services on both flights are different.

Airline and Routes : Juneyao Air currently operates 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route sector to Singapore from Pudong. However for several days in March 2019 when it was out of service, the A320 was deployed on the route. From November 2019 onwards, Juneyao Air plans to induct its first Airbus A321neo and A320neo to its fleet. These newer aircraft might be deployed on the route to Singapore to match with passenger numbers and if the 787-9 aircraft is deployed on other long-haul routes from Pudong.

Image courtesy above : Juneyao Air Singapore Branch Facebook

News : Juneyao Air launches A321 flight to Osaka Kansai from Changsha on 1 July 2019 with flight HO1393 departing daily to Osaka Kansai and HO1394 returning to Changsha at 8 pm on the next day.

Juneyao Air A320 flight HO1603 launches non-stop service to Vladivostok from Nanjing on 28 June 2019. Flights take off on Mondays and Fridays at 10.55 pm and arrive in Vladivostok at 4.30 am on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Flight HO1604 leaves Vladivostok for Nanjing at 5.30 am and lands in Nanjing at 7.20 am local time.

Livery : At night, it is hard to see the tail livery illuminate in the skies. It is suggested that Juneyao Air should come up with a lighter tail livery.  ***

Aircraft : The A321 seat legroom is spacious while that of the A320 is sufficient though narrow. ***

Baggage Requirements : On domestic flights of Juneyao Air, a carry-on baggage measuring 90 cm weighing maximum 5 kg is only allowed to be stowed under the seat or in the overhead compartment. On international flights from Singapore, only one 7 kg carry-on luggage is allowed. For Economy Class passengers of international flights, free checked-in luggage weight maximum 23 kg. Business Class free checked-in weight allowance maximum 32 kg. It is suggested to read the baggage rules on Juneyao Air's web-site for details.****

Safety Demonstrations : Adequate.  ****

Inflight Magazine : The Moment, that shows Juneyao Air's regular flight schedules and travel stories is the only official inflight magazine of Juneyao Air. It is not easily damaged. Juneyao Air keeps the magazines intact and well in the seat pockets. Passenger can also get a fresh unused unread copy from the crew onboard or from its local offices. The crew are delighted to supply The Moment to the passenger. While it is the best tool to market Juneyao Air's products and services,  the publisher should resume publishing Juneyao Air's route map so that it is easier for future flight booking.****

Above : Inflight meals onboard Pudong - Haikou flight.

Above (2 pictures) : Meals and refreshment onboard HO1606. The crew purposefully dimmed the cabin light while passengers were eating. It was bad service.

Inflight Service / Entertainment / Onboard Meals and Refreshments : The crew serve hot meals and beverages onboard international flights. Meals onboard domestic flights are simpler. On the international flight of the reporter, the stressful crew forgot to serve him with cutlery and tissue. The reporter had to remind the crew. This was not the case on the Pudong - Haikou flight. Inflight entertainment onboard the flights are limited. ***

Postcard / Stationery : No aircraft postcards and stationery kits onboard all Juneyao Air flights. Use the barf bags.**

Sky Shop : No.****

Surcharges :  None. ***

Bookings : One can book a  Juneyao Air ticket at www.juneyaoair.com, Skyscanner, Ctrip, Trip, Alternative Airlines, eLong, Qunar and its ticket offices in China and abroad. The Singapore office at Raffles Place is only for marketing purpose, not for ticketing. There is no Juneyao Air office at all international airports. Baggage handling problems at Changi Airport are handled by SATS.***

Check-In and Departures : Check-in at international airports opens 3 hours  before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure.  Check-in at domestic airports 2 hours before departure and closes 15 minutes before departure. Check with the relevant airports on the departure dates.***

Ground service in response  to passengers' requests and enquiries : As Juneyao Air has no dedicated office at Changi Airport to address ground enquiries, ground service at the airport is virtually absent. Passenger needs to contact Juneyao Air via Facebook on ticketing, onboard meal pre-booking and baggage matters. No last minute booking of Juneyao Air tickets.**

Overall Impression :  Juneyao Air should improve inflight service on international flights. International crew should smile more. Domestic crew of Juneyao Air are friendlier and cheerful. Juneyao Air should also improve customer and ground service at all international destinations. This is not a problem in China as Juneyao Air has dedicated counters at major China airports to address ticketing, flight change and baggage issues. Due to the acceptable inflight but inadequate ground service quality of Juneyao Air at international airports, it is a three-star airline.***

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

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