Airline | AirAsia Flight | AK702 Route | Singapore – Kuala Lumpur Gate | G9 Aircraft | Airbus A320 Registration | 9M-AFF Class of Travel | Economy Class Seat Number | 9F Going on a solo trip was at the top of my bucket list, but due to my extreme fear of getting lost and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to put that idea on hold for a few years. But, with the recent reopening of air travel, I decided to take one last solo trip before turning 20. Flying with the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier… AirAsia This is my second flight with AirAsia. I flew to Krabi from Bangkok Don Mueang about a month ago on a Thai AirAsia A321NEO, and today I'll be flying from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on an AirAsia Airbus A320. AirAsia operates out of Changi Airport Terminal 4, and using Changi Airport's Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) check-in system, I checked in for my flight and received my boarding pass in a matter of minutes. Terminal 4 also uses centralized screening, and I breezed through immigration and security. Today's flight is operated by a 16-year-old Airbus A320 registered as 9M-AFF. My flight was supposed to be on an Airbus A320NEO, but it was changed to an Airbus A320. The plane was retrofitted with AirAsia's new Mirus Hawk seats, which are noticeably more comfortable than the older AirAsia leather seats. Although the seat was a little uncomfortable, it was adequate for a short-haul flight. Legroom was sufficient for me, and the cabin was surprisingly clean and tidy. I might even consider flying medium hall routes on AirAsia X's larger Airbus A330-300. Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak Despite the fact that the flight to Kuala Lumpur was only 40 minutes long, I pre-ordered a hot meal for S$5. I went with Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak. AirAsia has a wide range of food options, from simple sandwiches to full meals like chicken rice, but I chose the Nasi Lemak because it has received rave reviews and is one of my favorite comfort foods. The cabin crew began meal service shortly after departure because the flight to Kuala Lumpur was so short. I was served coconut rice with Pak Nasser's chili sambal with Chicken Rendang, as well as a small serving of peanuts, fried anchovies, and half a hard boiled egg. The serving size was adequate, and the food was delicious. In terms of presentation, it was served in an aluminum foil tray with plastic utensils, as expected from a low-cost carrier, as opposed to some full-service carriers who serve food from a cardboard box with bamboo utensils. One of the best on-board meals I've ever had. In fact, it was superior to what I had experienced with other full-service carriers. The rice was fluffy, the chicken rendang was flavorful, and the sambal was spicy. However, I would prefer if the chicken was more tender and moist, and there was a better ratio of rendang to rice, but I would order the Nasi Lemak again if I ever fly with AirAsia. Overall Experience Flying with AirAsia on my first solo overseas trip was an unforgettable experience. Everything was fine given that I only paid S$84 for a one-way ticket. Without the add-on, the air ticket was only $67, which is quite reasonable, but keep in mind that I purchased my ticket when AirAsia was offering a 20% discount on all tickets to and from Kuala Lumpur, so it was quite reasonable. I'm no travel expert, and I've only flown on a few low-cost carriers, but AirAsia is without a doubt one of the best low-cost carriers I've ever flown on. The new seats are extremely comfortable, and the in-flight meal is by far the best I've ever had. I strongly advise you to try the Nasi Lemak, but also to look into the other options available. Inflight Service | 7/10 Inflight Entertainment | - Meal Service | 9/10 Seat | 8/10 Aircraft Cleanliness | 9/10

Following on the success of our weekly “10 Questions With” segment, our team at APP have started up a new Monthly Spotter Feature on our website and Instagram profile, showcasing aviation enthusiasts based in Singapore and abroad. The concept and motivation behind this project is to bring the community closer together, and to shine a light on the community we coexist in with hopes of raising awareness with regards to our hobby and to provide a chance for all spotters to be seen both locally & internationally. This month's Featured Spotter showcases 18 year old Lionel from Singapore. We have had the pleasure to know over the last 2 years and it is a pleasure to finally do a feature spot on him. Lionel showcases his aviation photos mainly on Instagram , so do check out his profile as well! Self Introduction Hello, you are..? I am Lionel, 18 years old this year, currently a student studying engineering. Share some fun facts about yourself! I am actually very musically inclined !! I love to play the piano, the drum set and also the clarinet. I compose music in my free time too. I firmly believe that music connects the world together, just like how aviation connects the world together too ! When did you begin spotting I started spotting with my mobile phone on November 15th 2020 What is your motivation you behind spotting? What keeps you interested in plane spotting? Talking about what motivates me to spot, there are too many factors that motivate me !! From seeing those flying machines gracing the skies to hearing their engine roars and, not to forget, meeting new people who share the same love for aviation !! The goal of becoming an airline pilot keeps the burning passion for aviation in me, so every time I go plane spotting , I will imagine the day when I will be flying those metal birds in the cockpit too. Gear Talk What gear (camera + lens) do you use? I'm currently using a Canon EOS 90D with the EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM , EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM , EF 50mm F/1.8 STM and the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM. What photo editing tools do you use, which is your favourite? I edit and process my pictures using Adobe Lightroom and Topaz Labs softwares and I enjoyed using all of them. Love for Airplanes What is your favourite: Aircraft : I love both the Boeing 777 and the Boeing 747. Airline: My favorite airlines to fly with will be Singapore Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. Livery: My favourite livery will be the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” livery on the ANA 767s. Airport and spotting location: My favorite airport is none other than Singapore Changi International Airport. However, I do love spotting at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. What is your most interesting or insane experience you have while spotting? Most or all my spotting experiences are interesting as each spotting session is filled with different air traffic, which makes all my spotting sessions interesting !! If I were to talk about an insane spotting experience, it would be that day when I stayed out in the open overnight while doing night shots alone! I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone to practice night shots, thinking that it would be peaceful, i actually got a little scared by the silent death and weird noises around me at night, especially during a period where there are no incoming traffic Which are some of your favourite shots ? To Round Of What tips would you give to aspiring spotters? To all the aspiring spotters or new spotters, remember that practice is key for both taking and editing your shots !! Always try to be creative and try out different angles or new perspectives even if it's the same aircraft. For editing wise, do try out new styles ( if you have not developed a signature style yet ), play around with what your editing software can offer and don't be afraid to push the boundaries of creativity ,who knows that a picture you thought was bad might turn out to be great instead !!

Following on the success of our weekly “10 Questions With” segment, our team at APP have started up a new Monthly Spotter Feature on our website and Instagram profile, showcasing aviation enthusiasts based in Singapore and abroad. The concept and motivation behind this project is to bring the community closer together, and to shine a light on the community we coexist in with hopes of raising awareness with regards to our hobby and to provide a chance for all spotters to be seen both locally & internationally. This month's Featured Spotter shines a spotlight on young 14 year old Goh Sze Han, a Singaporean spotter we have had the pleasure to know recently. Sze Han features his aviation photos mainly on Instagram , so do check out his profile as well! Self Introduction Hello, you are..? Hi! I’m SzeHan and I’m a student in Secondary School from Singapore. I spot planes mainly at Singapore’s Changi Airport. Share some fun facts about yourself! Not only am I an Aviation enthusiast, i am also a competitive swimmer. When did you begin spotting I started spotting on the 31st October of 2021 What motivates you to spot? What keeps you interested in plane spotting? The thing that motivates me to spot is meeting my spotting friends . My love for aviation and viewing planes keep me interested in planespotting. Gear Talk What gear (camera + lens) do you use? I currently use a Canon EOS550D with the 18-135mm + 55-250mm. What photo editing tools do you use, which is your favourite? I currently use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. However, both are the basic version and not the premium version. My favourite editing software is Adobe Lightroom Would you like to share some tips on how to perform photo editing? Go with what you are confident with. Love for Airplanes What is your favourite? Aircraft : The Airbus A350-900 Airline: Either Singapore Airlines or All Nippon Airways! Both are equally as good! Livery: Definitely the ANA BB8 that has been removed or the ANA R2D2 livery Airport and spotting location: My favorite airport is Singapore Changi Airport, However, my favorite spotting location is definitely Mai Khao Beach in Phuket! I highly recommend going there to plane spot towards the end of the year as you get very close to the planes when they are landing and can feel the jet blast of planes when they are taking off! What is your most interesting or insane experience you have while spotting? The most insane experience i had while spotting was when i was in Phuket, when the local police helped me to check what planes were coming in when my phone was low on battery. Which shots are you most proud of? To Round Of What is the one thing, one valuable lesson you learnt through plane spotting? A valuable lesson ive learnt through plane spotting is to get my priorities straight, to focus on studies more than plane spotting. What tips would you give to aspiring spotters? Come on and join plane spotting! However, don’t let plane spotting affect your studies or work life.

In the early morning hours on September 28th, Singapore Airlines Flight 33, a trans-Pacific flight from San Francisco operated by the Airbus A350-900 9V-SMW, experienced a mid-air emergency. Initial reports are scarce, what we do know happened was that there was an altercation between a passenger and a member of the cabin crew, and the latter was subsequently struck by the unruly passenger. The passenger then proceeded to claim that a bomb was planted onboard the aircraft as the other members of the flight crew restrained him. The flight crew then declared an emergency to air traffic control at 2.50am Singapore time, roughly as the aircraft crossed over the Philippines. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) was then alerted of the situation, and the flight crew elected to continue its flight to Singapore. Roughly 2 hours later at 4.30am, the aircraft commenced its descent into Singapore. During its descent, it was held in several holding patterns, twice over the open waters of the South China Sea, and another over Batam. En-route, two F-16 Fighting Falcons were dispatched by the Republic of Singapore Air Force to rendezvous with the aircraft, while all air defenses were placed on heightened alert. Meanwhile, Changi Airport went into full emergency mode as all outbound flights were put on hold, while the A350 made its way towards Changi. At 5.48am, Flight 33 touched down on Runway 02R, under escort by the two F-16s. The flight then turned off onto taxiway Alpha via A7, before taxiing southward and turning on to taxiway Bravo, where the flight stopped near B13, where the Airport Police apprehended the passenger, while the The Singapore Army’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defence Group cleared the aircraft of any explosive devices, and verified that the bomb threat was a hoax. Meanwile the passenger was charged with false threat of terrorism acts, and for suspected drug use. After a long ordeal, the passengers were allowed to disembark at Terminal 3 at 9.40am. The SPF has opened an official investigation into the incident. Updates will be provided through this article on any further updates to this incident

Airline | Singapore Airlines Flight | SQ710 Route | Singapore Changi Airport - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Gate | B1 Aircraft | Airbus A350-900 Registration | 9V-SMD Class of Travel | Premium Economy Seat Number | 32A After a 3 year hiatus, I finally had the opportunity to travel overseas once again. Before this, my most recent flight was in December 2019, just before the pandemic. Well, I'm glad to be able to fly again, and I'll be departing for Bangkok today. Not only am I excited because it has been a long time since I have traveled, but it is also my first time flying on Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900 in Premium Economy. Premium Economy on a short-haul flight On a short-haul flight, Premium Economy? Yes! Singapore Airlines sells Premium Economy seats on certain regional routes, but you don’t get to enjoy the Premium Economy perks like priority check-in and baggage handling. These seats, in fact, are sold as Economy Class seats and are available on a first come, first serve basis. I decided to take advantage of this opportunity to fly in Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy seats for only $50 extra. For some, it may be too expensive or not worth it to pay the extra money for these seats, but you can try to get one of these Premium Economy seats when online check-in opens 48 hours before your flight’s departure, when seat selection will be free for all passengers. In my case, paying the extra $50 was a wise choice as the free upgrades were fully booked out even before online check-in opens. My Flight Today… Singapore Airlines Flight 710 Taking me to Bangkok is a 6-year-old Airbus A350-900, 9V-SMD. With 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy, and 187 Economy Class seats, the aircraft is configured in Singapore Airlines’ three-class long haul configuration. The flight was supposed to leave Changi Airport at 12:50 in the afternoon and arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport at 14:20 in the afternoon. We pushed back on time and taxied from our departure stand B1 to the recently connected Runway 20L. The taxi duration from our departure gate to Runway 3 took approximately 30 minutes, but we still arrived in Bangkok on time despite the long taxi time in Singapore. The flight was nearly full, with only 17 Economy seats remaining and a sold out Business Class. We cruised at FL400 with a total flight time to Bangkok in around 2 hours. It was a relatively smooth flight, and we were served lunch shortly after takeoff. The Premium Economy Cabin & Seats The Premium Economy cabin has 24 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. Singapore Airlines Premium Economy seats have a 38-inch pitch and more legroom as compared to Economy class which has only a 32-inch pitch between each row. Each Premium Economy seat reclines up to 8 inches and has an extendable leg rest. Apart from the overhead bins, each seat also comes with additional storage beneath the armrest in front of you and water bottle holders directly beneath your armrests. Each seat has an individual reading light that can be adjusted and also a universal power outlet underneath the centre armrest. The tray table is stowed away in the centre armrest, which also house additional USB charging ports. An additional USB charging ports can also be found next to your personal inflight entertainment monitor. Unfortunately for me, the USB charger located behind the arm rest was broken, so I had to charge my phone using the socket located below the Center armrest. Otherwise, the rest of the seat performed admirably and met expectations. In-Flight Entertainment System Each seat has a 13.3 inch HD-enabled touchscreen mint or, which is a significant improvement over the 11 inch monitor in Economy class. KrisWorld has a wide selection of the most recent movies, such as “Top Gun Maverick”, but despite having the latest blockbuster movies, I spent the entire flight looking out the window and watching the mini map as our aircraft inched across the map. Meal Service I was served a simple lunch shortly after takeoff. We are unable to select the “Book the Cook” service because the seats were sold as Economy fares. Instead, we were served the Economy menu where we were given the option of “Chicken a la King” with mashed potatoes and roasted pumpkin, or “Braised Beef with Egg Noodles”. All meals was served with ice cream as dessert. I chose the Braised Beef with Egg Noodles. It was served in a small paperware box with bamboo utensils that is part of Singapore Airlines' move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way to fly. To be very honest, I was dissatisfied with the meal service. Given that this is a two-hour flight to Bangkok, the portion size is adequate. However, the food was bland and the noodles were dry and it definitely could have been better. Another aspect of the food I disliked was the way it was presented. I expected more after paying so much to fly on a full-service carrier. Food served in a small cardboard box with bamboo utensils just does not exhume the impression it’s from a full service carrier. Overall IMPRESSION Overall it was a great flight though there were a few areas where it could have been improved. It was only an “OK” flight, and certain things could definitely change. Despite the broken USB charger, I believe the upgrade to Premium Economy seats is well worth it. It has more legroom and wider seats, making it more comfortable, particularly on long-haul flights. Would I consider upgrading to Premium Economy on a short-haul flight again? Certainly, but only on longer routes. Perhaps not to Kuala Lumpur but to Bangkok or further afield. Inflight Service | 7/10 Inflight Entertainment | 9/10 Meal Service | 6/10 Seat | 9/10 Aircraft Cleanliness | 10/10

The Lufthansa Group celebrated the delivery of their first 787 Dreamliner this week from Boeing's Paine Field, Everett, Wash. The Lufthansa Group has 32 firm orders for the 787 and joins nearly 50 customers worldwide in operating the industry's most fuel efficient and capable airplane. Boeing designed the 787 family with superior efficiency, which allows airlines to profitably open new routes and fly people directly where they want to go in exceptional comfort. Using 25% less fuel and creating 25% fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace, the 787 family has avoided more than 125 billion pounds of carbon emissions since entering service in 2011. "With the Boeing 787, we are introducing another modern aircraft type that is one of the most fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft in our fleet," said Jens Ritter, CEO Lufthansa Airlines. "This will allow us to significantly further improve the average CO2 balance. This aircraft is sustainable and offers customers a premium flying experience." In addition to 32 787 Dreamliners on order, the Lufthansa Group has firm orders for 20 777-9 passenger airplanes and recently placed a firm order for seven of the new 777-8 Freighter.

Celebrating our 8th Anniversary with a special look back video of the year we had shared together. It’s been a blast, meeting new faces in the aviation community here and abroad. We had plenty of laughs, fun moments as well as awesome planes this last year. Here, we at TeamAPP would like to send out our warmest thanks to our friends and supporters! We would not be here without you. Here’s to many more joyful moments ahead in this journey we share all love and share.

This is part one of a two-part report of my trip from Singapore to Europe and back. The following report includes a review of the Swiss A340 economy class as well as the Swiss A220 product. Also included are the check-in process in Singapore, and Immigration in Zurich. Part 1: Singapore – Zurich (LX177) Part 1: Zurich – Nice (LX568) Part 2: Munich – Frankfurt Part 2: Frankfurt – Singapore Check-in at Singapore Check-in in Singapore was uneventful much like before the pandemic with a few exceptions. I checked-in at the Lufthansa counter – Swiss and Lufthansa are partners with the Lufthansa group owning a majority stake in Swiss, thus the same check-in counter is used for both Swiss and Lufthansa flights. Prior to departure, a proof of vaccination, and entry documents such as a completed and submitted online pre arrival card must be furnished to the check-in staff prior to collection of your tickets. Apart from that, it was business as usual, I received both boarding passes for my flight to Zurich and onwards to Nice Boarding The flight load was not high, and boarding was very prompt, I was seated on seat 23A, the bulkhead in economy class, the seat was spacious and as expected of bulkhead row seats, had a generous amount of legroom. The economy class on Swiss is arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, cutting the middle seat on the sides. The amenities on the aircraft were on the disappointing front, they included a pillow, blanket (individually packed), plastic earphones for the in-flight entertainment system (individually packed), and a pack of sanitary alcohol wipes. The features on the seat were equally scares, there was a lack of charging points, nary a single USB charger that is attached to the inflight entertainment system. Although there is a mask mandate on all Swiss flights, they were not readily available, Swiss did not furnish any spares on board for passengers, if a mask broke or if a passenger boards the plane without a mask, they would be left mask-less for the entirety of the flight. Seeing how it has been two years since the start of COVID-19, it would have been nice to see that Swiss would have prepared extra amenities to match their rules and to ensure that they are Pandemic Proof. In Flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi System The shows available on the inflight entertainment system was not to my liking, mostly consisting of old Hollywood films from the 60s and some other films. Although, Swiss does have a very comprehensive flight progress tracker that would cover about 2-3 hours of entertainment for aviation enthusiasts. On the flipside, the Airbus A340 product on Swiss is equipped with Wi-Fi, however, it was out of order for the flight. Meal Service Meal Service 1 The first meal service started shortly after take-off, passengers in Economy were given the choice of the Gnocchi or Chicken and Rice, I picked the Gnocchi. The Gnocchi was a decent 7/10, the meal was also served with a cup of yoghurt, a load of bread and a fruit cup. Sidenote, It is nice to see that some airlines such as Swiss are still sticking to using metal utensils while most airlines are turning away to plastic and wooden alternatives. Following meal service, the crew went around and handed each passenger a bottle of water for the flight and then the lights were dimmed for the night. Meal Service 2 The second meal service commenced 3 hours before arrival, there passengers were treated to scrambled eggs, a sausage and mixed vegetables, accompanied by a salad consisting of salmon and cucumber, a bread roll and a serving of apple crumble. Prior to landing, the cabin crew walked around the cabin handing the ever-famous Swiss branded chocolates to all the passengers, signifying the end of the flight Arrival At Zurich Arrival at Zurich was rather straight forward, connecting passengers to the Schengen region were directed to the Immigration counters in the main terminal, customs clearance was fast and straightforward, just remember to present your vaccination documents on hand for verification. Boarding On the next leg of the flight, I flew on Swiss LX568 to Nice onboard their A220 product. Configuration of the aircraft is a 2-3 seating with two seats on the port side and three on the starboard side per row. The passenger load on this aircraft was the opposite of Singapore to Zurich leg, the aircraft was filled to the brim with passenger on this leg. However, there was barely any noticeable difference to the amount of space to each passenger when compared to the Singapore to Zurich leg, the seat was spacious and there was ample room for all my electronics and devices. Once the aircraft reached cruising altitude, the cabin crew went around with drinks, note that there are no meal services in Economy on inter-European routes, any meals would have to be paid for. Shortly after drinks service, the crew went around handing the ever-famous Swiss branded chocolates again and then the aircraft started her decent to Nice Disembarkation was rather quick at Nice and because I entered the Schengen region in Switzerland, there was no need to go through immigration again.

Boeing unveiled its 2022 ecoDemonstrator today with a livery that honors a decade of testing to reduce fuel use, emissions and noise. The latest ecoDemonstrator, a Boeing-owned 777-200ER, will test about 30 new technologies aimed at improving sustainability and safety for the aerospace industry, including a water conservation system and technologies to improve operational efficiency. "Boeing is committed to support our customers and enable the commercial aviation industry to meet our shared commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050," said Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. "The ecoDemonstrator program's rigorous testing of new technologies further enhances the environmental performance of our products and services and is invaluable to continuously improving safety." During six months of flight and ground tests starting this summer, the 2022 ecoDemonstrator will evaluate: In collaboration with NASA, SMART vortex generators – small vertical vanes on the wing – that improve aerodynamic efficiency during takeoff and landing A system to conserve onboard water and reduce weight as well as fuel use Additively manufactured airplane and engine parts to help reduce fuel use and manufacturing waste An environmentally preferred refrigerant and a new fire suppression agent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions A heads-up enhanced vision system for pilots to improve operational efficiency Continued comprehensive study of the impact of sustainable aviation fuel toward the reduction of emissions For all flight tests, the 777-200ER will fly on a highest approved blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) available "The Boeing ecoDemonstrator program brings together the two most important ingredients to a more sustainable future – innovative technologies and partnerships with customers, suppliers, government agencies and academia," said Chris Raymond, Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer. "We celebrate the past successes and look forward to continuing this iconic program to help decarbonize aviation, together." Since its initial flights in 2012, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program has accelerated innovation by taking new technologies out of the lab and testing them in an operational environment. Including this year's platform, the program has tested about 230 technologies to help decarbonize aviation, improve operational efficiency and enhance safety and the passenger experience. Approximately a third of tested technologies have progressed onto Boeing's products and services. More information about the 2022 ecoDemonstrator and previous ecoDemonstrator airplanes is available at boeing.com/ecoDemonstrator.

Malaysia Airlines announced on Monday that the airline will operate its first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) passenger flight between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore via MH603 and MH606( on June 5, 2022 in conjunction with World Environment Day. The flights will be operated by Malaysia Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 aircraft and the flights will run on a mix of 38% SAF and conventional jet fuel. This sustainable fuel option, made from 10% renewable waste and residue raw arterials, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. These flight reaffirm the national airline’s commitment to sustainable, aviation and snow significant progress towards achieving a cleaner, more viable source for regular flights by 2025. To be part of this momentous day, Malaysia Airlines invites guests and sustainability advocates to travel on SAF flights via MH603 and MH606 on 5 June 2022. MH603 Kuala Lumpur – Singapore, STD12:25 STA13:30 MH606 Singapore – Kuala Lumpur, STD14:40 STA15:40

As you saddle back into your seat for your flight, you notice them move up and down the aisle, pushing the food carts as they serve your in-flight meal; you see them every time you embark and disembark the aircraft. Their presence is so felt and noticed that they become synonymous with the airline; they are featured on airline commercials, on in-flight safety videos and you see them everyday criss-crossing the terminals at airports. But behind the demure smiles and services they provide, the role of the flight attendant is beyond just providing your in-flight meals and maximizing your comfort, they are the people who are responsible for your safety. They are subject to grueling trainings encompassing topics like first-aid administration, fire-fighting, evacuation, cabin service and conflict management. May 31st is the officially designated International Flight Attendants Day, where we celebrate the accomplishments and the tireless efforts cabin crew put in to ensure that the millions of passengers who fly each year enjoy a safe and comfortable flight. To commemorate this day, we decided to interview several flight attendants from a variety of international and renowned airlines, namely Thai AirAsia X, Qatar Airways, LATAM Airlines, Ryanair and (with a certain amount of pride) Singapore Airlines, to share their experiences and their motivations in working in this dynamic career. From Spotter to Cabin Crew - Holly Ashes (RyanAir) Most of us aviation photographers and spotters can only ever dream of entering the aviation industry. But for one planespotter in Manchester, that dream became a reality: 20-year-old Holly Ashes recently joined the global ranks of flight attendants on the Irish carrier Ryanair, which operates many regional European routes from its bases in Dublin and London Stansted. Aside from her general love of aviation, Holly shared that her motivation to become part of the cabin crew was the dynamic environments she will be exposed to, as well as numerous opportunities to meet different people and get the chance to visit various destinations. Ryanair operates a simplified fleet of Boeing 737-800s and the high-density Boeing 737 MAX 200s, but between the two, Holly confessed that the Next Generation models were significantly easier to operate in-flight services due to increased maneuvering space in the galleys and central aisle, and with the high density 737 MAX 200s, the cabin was a little too congested, making movements with a large service cart tricky. However, one perk of being with Ryanair was the prospect of traveling to popular vacation destinations, as Ryanair is renowned for offering low-cost packages to passengers seeking cheap flights to tourist destinations. One such location that was a personal favorite to Holly is Murcia, Spain, just a mere 3-hour hop from her home airport in Manchester. Apart from being a popular resort town with historic landmarks, the flight to Murcia is in the “Goldilocks zone” for flight attendants, not too long but with some services still provided, allowing flight attendants like Holly more chances to interact with her passengers. In contrast, her most challenging routes were on those with major language barriers, such as the route to Bucharest, Romania, as a majority of her passengers are unable to converse in English. Despite all the challenges, Holly still remains passionate about her job, and often carries the fond memories of her first-ever flight as a certified flight attendant; throughout her job, she has had numerous interesting experiences, such as meeting her childhood friend as a colleague on the same flight, and a rather odd but joyous experience of a passenger wishing her happy birthday (when it wasn’t). Holly shared that while it is not difficult to become a flight attendant at Ryanair, she remarked that “it is the passion that will keep driving your career, to look out for the safety of her passengers, to maintain that courtesy during passenger interaction, and that to maintain that heart of service, and if you have that passion, go for it!” IG: holly_aviation Bringing South American Hospitality to the Skies - Daniele Werner (LATAM Airlines) In the booming aviation industry across South America, LATAM Airlines has certainly made its mark in establishing its presence in the many countries on the continent, with hundreds of flight attendants working round the clock to keep the airline services going. One of these flight attendants is 30-year-old Daniele Werner, hailing from Brazil. As a young child, Daniele shared her love of aviation began after watching Varig MD-11s crossing the Brazilian skies back in the 1990s and 2000s. Fast forward to 2018, 4 years ago, Daniele started off her journey in the aviation industry as a security agent at a regional airline, before training to become a flight attendant. In 2020, she joined LATAM Brazil, initially continuing her previous role as an airport agent, before earning her wings in 2022 to join LATAM’s cabin crew in the skies. Flying on many of LATAM’s regional and domestic routes across South America, she has flown almost all of Airbus’s A320 family; namely the A319, A320, and A321s, with the A321s being her personal favorite with the aircraft’s increased cabin space and stability. Among the many regional routes LATAM Brazil flies, Daniele shared that one of her favorite routes is Maceió in Alagoas, renowned for its sandy beaches and clear waters, and is one of the top holiday destinations in Brazil. Like all flight attendants, her crew bag is always a must, and her top things to include in her bag are a good book, hairspray, and most importantly, her make-up kit. In the 4 months since she began to fly, Daniele has found her journey as a flight attendant to be full of surprises, one of which is getting the chance to meet Brazil’s first female captain, Claudine Melnik, which was an inspirational moment for her, as Daniele herself aspires to one day attend flight school and become a pilot herself. She finds her job extremely meaningful, taking great responsibility in taking care and ensuring the safety and well-being of her passengers. Operating on so many regional and international routes, Daniele shared that one of the greatest perks of being a cabin crew is the ability to work in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment, especially since this combines two of her greatest passions: social interactions and aviation; and everytime a passenger thanks her for her service, she always found immense joy in receiving such compliments, for it greatly motivates her. On asking her about what advice she would give to young prospective flight attendants hoping to join the industry, she had this to say: “Becoming a flight attendant/cabin requires a lot of persistence, study, and love for the profession. The path to the realization of a dream is often arduous and full of challenges, but those who believe and dedicate themselves will always achieve. Most importantly, be sure that this profession is something you are very passionate for. Being a cabin crew is an amazing profession which provides incredible experiences to whoever wishes to endeavor in it, and it will definitely be worth it.” IG: daniele_werner A Touch of Japanese in A Southeast Asian Airline - Akiko Ozeki (Thai AirAsia X) For those of us living in Southeast Asia, one of the most prominent airlines is the low-cost carrier, AirAsia. Operating a huge fleet of short- and long-haul aircraft across its different subsidiaries from its hubs in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. One of these subsidiaries is Thai AirAsia X, which operates medium- to long-haul routes across the Asia Pacific region using its fleet of Airbus A330-300s and A330-900neos. For flight attendant Akiko Ozeki, working as a cabin crew is a dream come true. During her university days, Akiko had worked as a freelancer, which allowed her to have a flexible schedule and work lifestyle, something which she felt strongly important to her. As such, when the opportunity came for her to join Thai AirAsia X’s international team of flight attendants, she did not hesitate. 3 years on, and Akiko shared that never once she looked back at her decision to become a flight attendant. Because of her Japanese background, Akiko is usually assigned to fly on the routes to destinations in Japan, e.g. Sapporo, Tokyo and Osaka. Between the Airbus A330-300s and -900neos that the airline operates, Akiko shared that the upgraded cabin products and technology like the neo’s unique lighting system make flying on the A330neos a better experience than on the A330ceos. With Thai AirAsia X predominately operating the long haul Asian routes from Bangkok during the pandemic period, Akiko remarked that she had no particular favourite destination, but flying to Japan does have a special place for her as it is like coming back home for her. But often these routes to and fro takes up most of the day, so Akiko prefers to enjoy her off days with what most of us would consider a “chill” lifestyle, visiting cafes and restaurants, or heading to the spa. For those of us who are frequent fliers, there will always be that one flight where the journey was not exactly smooth; and for Akiko, she had one particular difficult flight. She recalled that the flight encountered severe turbulence for most of the duration of the flight, rendering in-flight meals impossible. As the flight approached its destination, the cabin crew, in the middle of the turbulence, had to rush to prepare the flight for landing, only to then have the flight stuck in a holding pattern around the destination airport for the weather to clear up. But of course, not all flights are rough, and on a clear night sky, Akiko shared that one of her favourite things to do is to look out at the night sky and watch the stars from the windows at the galleys, which gives her a sense of serenity. These are just some of the many enriching experiences that Akiko shared with us on her journey as a flight attendant, and she hopes that many more people out there who have an interest in a career as a cabin crew to give it a try, as she remarked that “being a flight attendant/cabin crew is a profoundly enriching career, as you can learn a lot from your travels, experiencing different cultures and meeting different people along the way”. IG: akikoxakiko Living the Qatari High Life - Jee (Qatar Airways) Curiosity and enthusiasm - that’s what Qatar Airways flight attendant Jeerapak described herself as. Ever since as a young child, Jeerapak (or Jee as some would call her), had a fascination with travel and the ambiance of travel feels, and found herself being excited about all her overseas travels with her grandparents. Eventually, knowing that she had a passion for it, Jee decided to become a flight attendant for the acclaimed airline Qatar Airways in 2019, and undoubtedly, she had not regretted that decision to this day. She shared that her career at Qatar Airways as a cabin crew was highly enriching, always challenging her to enhance her adaptability and flexibility across different aircraft and service routes, under an ever-changing and dynamic landscape. As part of the international crew of renowned Middle-Eastern airline, Jee had flown on Qatar’s expansive network of international and regional routes and had flown on no less than 7 different aircraft types, namely the Boeing 777-200ERs, 777-300ERs, 787-8 Dreamliners, Airbus A319, A320, A330-300s, and the A350-900s. Amongst the array of aircraft she has flown, Jee shared that the Airbus A350 is her favorite, with her elegant exterior designs and the top-notch in-built cabin products available to passengers. Some of the special perks that she found to be exceptionally unique is the tail camera, giving passengers a rare view of the flight from the outside, and the A350’s iconic low ambient sound. However, she did find that the Boeing 777 conversely provided better cabin crew bunks in terms of space and comfort. Nevertheless, the one thing that Jee loves about all the aircraft is the amazing view from the windows of the aircraft in flight, describing it as the best office view anywhere. With hundreds of routes traveled, Jee joked that it was very hard to pick a favorite destination, but she shared that the city of Geneva, Switzerland held a special place in her heart, simply because of the sheer beauty of the city, as well as its historical, artistic and cultural heritage, not to mention that it is one of the gastronomic hotspots for chocolate fans. Conversely, Jee shared that the routes to Montreal, Canada were immensely tough, with grueling 13-hour long flights and the significant jet lag that comes along with it, but like all professional crew, Jee takes it in her stride, and jokingly remarked that “the flight may be tough, but (she) is tougher”. But with so many routes traveled by Qatar Airways’ vast network, comes with it a huge variety of menu items, ranging from the classic French cuisines to the spicy Indian tastes of curries and briyanis. As part of her in-flight service, Jee, along with her fellow flight attendants at Qatar Airways have to memorize the menus (as well as their ingredients) before each flight, which Jee finds fascinating, as she gets to be exposed to so many cuisines and cultures from around the world. Outside of aviation, Jee has a love of illustration and motion graphic design and often spends her off-hours developing artwork. As the pandemic raged on across the world, and with thousands of cabin crew struggling through the pandemic-related restrictions, Jee launched the concept “This Too Shall Pass” artwork on her online store @adamandeve.stu in support of her fellow flight attendants. Like all the flight attendants we interviewed, along with the thousands who served aboard the hundreds of aircraft crisscrossing the world every hour, Jee carries with her a personal flight bag. With a flair for being organized, Jee carries along a notebook with all the aircraft safety and first aid information, occasionally using her spare time to refresh her memory of all the details. Additionally, her notebook also contains flight and service information, particularly useful for long-haul flights. In all, Jee shared that her experience as a flight attendant was extremely enriching and fulfilling, remarking that some of her best moments being part of the cabin crew was when passengers thanked her, even if its small compliments. Despite her 2 years flying Qatar Airways, and leaving the industry behind, Jee still carries with her the fond memories of donning that special maroon blazer and cap, being the face of Qatar Airways in the skies. And for the cabin crew hopefuls out there, Jee has this to share: “Don’t be shy and hesitate on your dream, do your best to achieve your goal!” IG: nymgr Fun fact: I will be traveling to Switzerland with my wife on Qatar Airways, and am definitely looking forward to experiencing the Economy and Business Class products on the flight. Stay tuned for my travel review when I’m back! The Face of an Icon - Kay Fong (Singapore Airlines) The Singapore Girl will forever be the icon of Singapore Airlines, with the famous sarong kebaya forever bringing a sense of national pride for us Singaporeans. I was fortunate enough to secure an exclusive interview with a former Singapore Airlines flight attendant, Kay, who is now currently working as a realtor. Kay shared that her ambition to join Singapore Airlines as a cabin crew was partly attributed to the fact that she did not want to have a deskbound job, and her love for globe-trotting and having social interactions; but her greatest inspiration came from her mother, who herself was a former SIA cabin crew member. So in 2015, she decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and applied for the flight attendant role at Singapore Airlines, and after several rounds of interviews and months of arduous training, she secured the coveted role as a Singapore Girl. During the course of her 6-year stint at SIA, she got the chance to serve on board all of Singapore Airlines’ widebody fleet, from the Airbus A330s, A350s, and A380s, to the Boeing 777s and the Boeing 787s. Of all the widebody aircraft in Singapore Airlines’ fleet, Kay shared that her personal favorite would be the Airbus A380. While the sheer size of the A380 creates a very large customer pool to serve in-flight, Kay remarked that the additional space does make service slightly more comfortable than most other aircraft. Additionally, the A380s of Singapore Airlines operate the freedom flight route to her favorite destination - New York (via Frankfurt). Located at the global aviation hub in Southeast Asia, and with the availability of long-range aircraft like the A350ULRs, Singapore Airlines operates direct long-range routes to destinations like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. Kay shared that such routes are the most challenging, as such flights across multiple time zones without a stopover can be mentally grueling for cabin crew. Despite all the tough schedules and the transits between different time zones, Kay still found her role as a cabin crew to be exceptionally fulfilling, allowing her to visit numerous international destinations that even some of us might not be able to in our lifetime. One additional perk she shared while working at Singapore Airlines was the numerous opportunities to attend major international events, such as the inauguration flight between Newark and Singapore on the A350-900ULR, and a special event for the Women’s Tennis Association. What Kay loved and reminisced the most about were the in-person interactions with her passengers, and her greatest joys during flights were when she could strike up meaningful conversations with passengers hailing from all walks of life, or when she received personal thanks from various passengers. With such a hectic lifestyle and spending a lot of time overseas, Kay shared that there was never much time to really focus on a hobby outside of work, so she often spent her time staying fit, enrolling in gym and yoga classes. Though she does not fly anymore, having left the airline in 2021 to focus on her realtor career, Kay remarked that she never once regretted her decision to join Singapore Airlines, and feels that she has grown a lot as a person in her 6 years flying. Kay had this piece of advice to share with all prospective flight attendants preparing for their interviews: “don’t expect too much of yourself, just be natural, and be confident when you go in”. IG: kayxfong In the Skies, With You, For You With the pandemic slowly becoming part of the new norm across the world, borders are opening up, and global air travel is at the highest it has ever been in the last two years. However, with the mass layoffs at the start of the pandemic, there is a major gap to fill and support regular flight operations, with some airlines operating on a shoestring or even having to resort to flight cancellations due to manpower issues. Indeed, being a cabin crew is one of the most prestigious customer service roles out there, and there are many different facets to the role of a flight attendant. A common remark that I noticed whilst interviewing all the flight attendants was that a praise, a compliment, a word of thanks really does go a long way to make the day of every cabin crew member. Indeed, serving for many hours in a single day or crossing multiple time zones whilst prepping your in-flight meals can be pretty grueling, not to mention that their training goes way beyond service, but also covers emergency management and medical training. With so much effort put into the background, it is indeed admirable in the amount of effort they put into their training. So the next time you see a flight attendant, do spare a moment to thank them for going above and beyond in making your journey in the skies safe & pleasant!

Boeing and the Lufthansa Group announced the airline group will continue its strategic decision to strengthen Lufthansa Cargo with an order for seven 777-8 Freighters, the industry's newest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter. The Group has also placed a new order for two 777 Freighters to add to its cargo fleet, providing extra cargo capacity in the near-term until the delivery of its first 777-8 Freighter. Boeing launched the new 777-8 Freighter in January and has already booked 34 firm orders for the model. With advanced technology from the new 777X family and proven performance of the market-leading 777 Freighter, the 777-8 Freighter offers the highest payload and the lowest fuel use, emissions and operating cost per tonne of any large freighter. "With the selection of our newest freighter, Lufthansa continues its long history of firsts with Boeing airplane programs, becoming the first European customer for the 777-8 Freighter," said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "With the investment in the 777 and 787 fleet, the Lufthansa Group will operate the most advanced, fuel-efficient twin-engine airplanes in the industry. Each of these airplanes reduces emissions by 15 to 25% compared to previous models with a noise footprint up to 50% smaller than their predecessors, helping to advance the Lufthansa Group's sustainability objectives." The 777-8 Freighter is ideally suited for operators creating a more sustainable and profitable future. With nearly identical payload and range capabilities, 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per tonne, the 777-8 Freighter will be the ideal choice as operators replace aging freighters later this decade. The 2021 Boeing Commercial Market Outlook projects a 70% increase in the global freighter fleet by 2040, including approximately 450 new large widebody freighters such as the new 777-8 Freighter and 777 Freighter. First delivery of the 777-8 freighter is anticipated in 2027. Built with lightweight composite materials and powered by advanced engines and a suite of environmentally progressive technologies, the 787 family has an airport-noise footprint that is 60% smaller than the previous generation of airplanes, making it ideal for Lufthansa Group airport communities. As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at boeing.com.