The Future of Airlines

The world that we live today, is the most advanced times for humanity since the invention of wheels. I think in my opinion the greatest invention today would be Aircrafts. Ok followed closely by the Internet...

Imagine, the world without aircrafts today, everything would be snails pace, or at least you have to endure months traveling on a ship if you want to travel from KL to London. Now, it only takes 13 hours!

Not only that, the world has become smaller, people are more connected than ever before like different cultures and civilizations and history embrace each other and open our eyes and minds to the world that we live in.

And of course the airline industry has suffered some very serious challenges, like terrorism, suicides, air accidents etc, but we need the industry to fuel the economy like tourism, business and others. I hope that one day airlines will be much safer as it supposed to, and also I wish one day airlines will offer this kind of service below as shown in the video. So that is the future of airlines. Thank you ! =D

The future of airlines travel

Movie Review: James Bond (Spectre)

Last night I went to MBO Cinema to watch the latest James Bond film called Spectre. I am a big fan of this film franchise.

Don;t worry there is no spoilers here, just want to give my opinion about the movie. My rating for this movie is 4 out of 5 stars.

This movie plot is basically based on a current world situation we are facing right now. If you want to know what issue is it, you have to watch this movie. Another tip: this plot is based on real life world issue, but this issues you cannot get from mainstream media. So yeah go and watch this movie to understand the issue. Really recommend it.

I give you an idea, it based on MIS 750 in terms of intelligence and digital technology issues. So I cannot explain more detail, because also relate to Bond's early history.

I also love that this movie relates to previous Bond films, well at least played Daniel Craig only (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall). Go and see it.

SO overall yes it is really entertaining, lots of action, excellent drama, but you know not much of **ehem2** scenes because thanks to our good friends at Jabatan Penapisan who gets to watch and keep for themselves! =( Have to wait for the Blu-ray Disc release later then. (sigh).

I definitely recommend this movie, I think you should watch more than once, because it's really good. Thanks.

                                                                     Spectre Trailer

City of Frankfurt: Public Transportation

Hello readers, so ok I want to share my experience traveling to Frankfurt city, which is located in Germany.

Briefly, Frankfurt is a metropolitan city that is very modern and happening city, but also you can find some old architectures and buildings from medieval history. So it has a good blend of old and new. It is the capital city of the Euro currency, and also the headquarters for the German national airline Lufthansa.

So I wanna talk about its transportation system. They have few types of transportation systems mainly buses, taxis, trams, and subways. The cost of transport is quite cheap. The Fares are range between €1.60 and €2.60, and a journey to the suburbs outside Frankfurt costs between €4.10 and €7.30 approx. There are also some discounts for children for groups or day tickets. A day ticket for traveling within Frankfurt costs €6.60.

I strongly suggest you get the one-day ticket (6.60 Euro), as you can use all types of transport (bus, trams, subway trains) to travel around Frankfurt all day long and unlimited times. However this ticket is not valid for taxis. So overall rating for the system is perfect 9 out 10 star, I can say it is very efficient, very punctual, clean and easy to use. If you ever get lost or confused, there are Information counters located at the train stations, or you can easily ask any passer-by German people, who are really polite and always willing to help you find your way.

But actually there is one big "surprise" or shock that I actually want to highlight when using this transport system. Ok, so first thing I see the maps which direction I want to go. Next, I go to the ticket vending machine, or counters to buy the all-day pass ticket. So I got the tickets, now ready to go down the subway station. So normally, if in Malaysia after you get the ticket or nowadays they use the coins, you put inside the ticket reader machine (so to pass the entrance barrier).

Ok the problem or surprise when I first-time here, I try to find the entrance barrier.. but I cannot find.. But also as I make my way down the stairs and already on the train platform, I thought maybe they have some kind of barrier,, to my surprise also nothing... And then, the when the train finally comes, I thought maybe the barrier is in the train? But.... I am surprised again no machine whatsover... Ok, then I thought must be when i exit the train at my next destination, surely must got some machine right???? Oh So Wrong!!!!! Tak ada machine juga...!  So I confusingly exit the train station and out the stairs to the exit.....

So the actual things is there is absolutely no ticket reader machine at all when I asked one of the staff at the Information Counter. So yeah even though you can freely just hop on subway even without a ticket, the German people at least in Frankfurt do possess a degree of honesty and integrity, but of course the only kind of mechanism to discourage cheating, would be an Ticket Inspector would inspect your ticket (or no tickets) on you... So the penalty of not having a ticket if you are unlucky to be stopped by the inspector who even rarely present on the train, is very expensive. If Im not mistaken, the fine is 50 Euros? So yeah better be safe than sorry.

So thats my experience using Public transport in Germany, maybe Malaysia can emulate the efficient infrastructure and technology from them, but maybe not so for the ticket mechanism, I'm not sure Malaysia can achieve that kind of integrity yet...

So here I post some photos for you all to see, and would I recommend visit Frankfurt? Absolutely just to experience the city life, but I highly recommend to visit more historical cities in Germany like Berlin, Munich or Heidelberg, that has colourful histories and beautiful castles to really appreciate the beautiful nation of Germany.



Reference:
Public transport in Frankfurt am Main
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport_in_Frankfurt_am_Main

Frankfurt Old town square

Subway station

Train station

Inter-city train to other cities

Me 

Frankfurt City Transport

Life As An Agent (TOP SECRET!!!)

Ok most you guys must have been "surprised" or shocked over the title, BUT YES Its true I am an Agent! Have to admit it.... Had to salute my MBA Prof Zaidi, for his spot on guess. 

Ok NOW I am not an undercover agent, a spy or sales agent, I am just a Customer Service Agent. Or in airports, we are also called Airport Services Agent. 

My journey in Malaysia Airlines (MAS) began with this job, I must admit that most people sometimes look down at the people working at the counters, but they are actually pretty smart and more intelligent than you might actually think.

I have to say this job is quite stressful and challenging, but it was also really the most fun job I ever had so far. The work I went through here is very much related to Information Technology Management as I have to deal with multiple computer systems. Like I said, people who work here are really smart because I have to practice and memorize computer entries and work processes for 4 or 5 different information systems. 

My work is actually to act as the Airline Ground Handling agents for foreign airlines operating at KL International Airport (KLIA). The foreign airlines usually outsource its ground arrangements to third party companies, that are available at that time such as KLAS or MAS. The airlines that appoints these third parties have an agreement to outsource ground operations equipments, staff and engineering resources in order to minimize their operating costs. So my department handles the passenger handling side, which is to manage passenger check-in, and boarding the aircraft. Collectively this department is called FOCA for Foreign Carriers.

So there are many major airlines that have agreement with MAS, such as Qatar Airways, KLM, Emirates, Japan Airlines etc. So we have different teams to assign for different airlines. We have dedicated teams which must know their airlines Airport Procedure to the even the little details because we are dealing with passengers safety. The Airlines dedicated under my team are Japan Airlines, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air Mauritius, Royal Jordanian Airlines. So each airlines have each own different systems and products and procedures. Just imagine the stress to have to do all these airlines in one-day! 

Check-in Counter

China Airines Team

Japan Airlines Team during Hari Raya

An Experience on board MAS A380 Aircraft

Hi guys, ok just want to share my experience being inside the A380 Super-jumbo aircraft. Well for a fact the A380 is the world's largest commercial aircraft today. It has a double-decker seating arrangements with 494 seats in total. The seat compartment is very spacious for economy class, and seat configuration is 3-5-3. 

MAS purchased 6 A380 jumbos, and it was first used in online route in 2012. The current route used now by MAB (formerly known as MAS), is through London, and Melbourne route. My experience using this A380 service was on the route to Paris (KUL-CDG-KUL) for a short holiday with my family. 

Ok so I wanna talk about the evironment in A380, it is very comfortable, the seats can be reclined in the economy class, it has very spacious legroom between the front seat and your seat so yes you can actually stretch your legs, in addition, the IFE System (In-Flight Entertainment) has a HD screen which is very clear and shows high quality images when viewing your favourite movies and shows. Plus, next to the IFE, there is a USB charger compartment which is convenient for you to charge your electrical devices such as smartphones, iPAD, tablets, etc. 

On the IFE, there are good choices of the latest and on-demand movies that you can select, you can listen to a good playlist of music from wide choices of genres, there are also games or activities that you can try to keep you occupied if you plan to stay awake. Also you can check out the interactive map locator, where the aircraft is currently flying to its course of destination. Of course I dont recommend you check the maps when you just entered the aircraft, especially if you are flying to London or Paris!! 

Another feel good factor on the A380, is of course the service from our courteous cabin-crew. Yes, i understand, that as experienced by my MIS Lecturer, Prof Zaidi on his flight with MAS, I could testify that overall crew service is OK, but not quite excellent. I cannot comment on the reason but as you now know the company already almost going closed shop, but of course it is still recognized as a National Airline status by the government. On the meal side, the meals offered are pretty standard, and of course 100% halal, the crew served meals twice, one is about 2 hours after take-off and next is 2 hours before arrival to destination. But overall I like the airline meals provided, but I think you guys must have experience with other airline meals so you can share your experiences in the comments down below ya ;)

So the journey, takes around 12 hours plus, but the IFE in my opinion should become your best friend when waiting for the time to arrive to your destination. Of course you can always chat-up with the cabin-crew, if you are lucky you might even get the crew's HP number and who knows might end up being your good friend or even lover!  =D .....

MAS A380

In-Flight Map Location

Economy seat

Galley

Economy cabin

Business class cabin

Arrive at Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris

The World's Top 10 Airlines in 2015

Qatar Airways was tabbed as the world's best airline in 2015, according to the annual World Airline Awards published by Skytrax.

Qatar Airways' title came as year's winner – Cathay Pacific – dropped to third place in the ratings, which were awarded at a Tuesday ceremony on the grounds of the Paris Air Show.

SkyTrax, a U.K.-based travel consultancy that runs what it calls the "world's largest review site," determines its annual ratings from reviews by more than 18 million passengers that represent more than 100 countries. The reviews cover everything from cabin interiors to in-flight food and entertainment to the friendliness of staff.


1. Qatar Airways

2. Singapore Airlines

3. Cathay Pacific

4. Turkish Airlines






5. Emirates

6. Etihad Airways

7. All Nippon Airways (ANA)

8. Garuda Indonesia

9. EVA Air (Taiwan)








10. Qantas

World's Best Airport

So where is the world's BEST Airport? Accroding to CNN report, the best airport in the world is in our neighbour's backyard Singapore, Changi Airport. 

The report stated that the airport handles about 5000 arrivals and departures per week with 80 international airlines operating from the airport.

The award is based from the international transport advisory group, Skytrax, UK-based company which surveys more than 13 million customers between May and January.

Incheon International Airport near Seoul is the No. 2 airport in the world, also for the third year running.

Germany's No. 3-ranked Munich Airport retained its 2014 rank, as did No. 4 Hong Kong International. This year's No. 5-ranked airport, Tokyo International (Haneda), climbed one rung from No. 6 in 2014.

The world's top 10 airports, according to SkyTrax:

1. Singapore Changi Airport

2. Incheon International Airport

3. Munich Airport

4. Hong Kong International Airport

5. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)

6. Zurich Airport

7. Central Japan International Airport

8. London Heathrow Airport

9. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

10. Beijing Capital International Airport

Reference:

And the world's best airport is ...
by Marnie Hunter
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/12/travel/feat-worlds-best-airports-skytrax-2015/