Mango Airlines

Mango is South Africa’s newest low cost airline, getting its start in October 2006. It faces hefty competition from more established low-fare airlines, 1time and Kulula Air.

Mango is owned by South African Airways, and this is sometimes a point of contention among air travelers and competing airlines. Tired of losing market share to the other low cost carriers, SAA launched Mango offering starting prices for seats that were almost half that of its competition, sparking problems on two fronts.

According to Mango’s reports, 15,000 booking requests were made in the first 10 minutes after the website went live.First, its website, its major base of operations, crashed as eager would-be customers overwhelmed the site to take advantage of the cut rate price.

The airline was criticised by other airlines for overcharging because it was a goverment-funded subsidiary of SAA and was funded by taxpayers. Mango didn’t need to charge so much since they were subsidized, so it was believed their business policy was not fair.

In spite of its less-than-stellar beginning, Mango is already reporting healthy profits.

Current routes include: Johannesburg to Cape Town, Cape Town to Johannesburg, Cape Town to Durban, Durban to Cape Town, Bloemfontein to Cape Town, and Cape Town to Bloemfontein

Available only via its website, vouchers are not acceptable for this special.Mango offers some attractive fares called cool-off flights in which passengers pay only R175 (one-way, all inclusive) to fly to Durban or Johannesburg.

The mango fleet is very safe as it is made up of Boeing B737-800. It can carry’6 guests in leather seats and the seats are arranged in two rows of three seats on either side. Travelers are informed about their seating arrangements after they check in and they can also choose the in-flight food service.

Between the age of 7 days and two years, a child may ride in the lap of the adult who flies with him. Should a child turn two before the return flight, however, a separate tickey must be bought for him.

Mango also offers accommodations for handicapped or impaired travelers, providing access for several types of wheelchairs. These passengers and those with small children will not be asked to sit in emergency exit rows.

Pets are not allowed in the cabins on Mango’s flights. The ability to transport your pet in the pressurized cargo hold is subject to availability.

For added flexibility for this group, Mango Plus tickets provide access to a business class lounge, 10 kg extra luggage and vouchers for meals. Customers may choose to pay for tickets by credit card, by Edgars account (adds approximately R40), cash, voucher, or POLi – internet banking and debit cards.Mango offers Mango Flex tickets which allow ticket holders to change the date, time and destinations of their tickets. These features apply to travel during the week, not weekend flights. Business travelers are the main participants in this program.

Mango has partnered with several other companies to offer additional discounts and conveniences. Tempest SIXT, a low-cost car hire company, offers deeper discounts for Mango customers. A partnership with Edcon gives Mango customers the option to use store credit cards to pay for their tickets. And Vodacom credit card holders can save up to 25 percent when they purchase Mango tickets on their Voadacom card.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica’s leading Flight comparison portal, which includes Mango Airlines amongst others.

Safari in Africa: Travel to Kenya and Tanzania

Africa is home to the safari and among all the nations in the continent, Kenya and Tanzania stand out some of the top safari countries in Africa. Many people from around the world are drawn to these two countries in droves as they seek out to discover what they have to offer. Many companies customize safari itineraries where visitors are able to sample what the countries have to offer.

The Big Five, ie Lions, Buffaloes, Elephants, Rhinos and the Leopard can be found in these two countries. Visitors to any of these two countries will not be disappointed as they host countless wild animals spread across many national parks, game reserves and conservancies. For those that love taking photos, they will have plenty to do because some of the parks are teeming with attractive looking birds like the flamingos. Other natural attractions in Kenya and Tanzania include waterfalls, lakes and mountains.

The highest rated and most popular parks to visit In Kenya include: The Maasai Mara game reserve famed for holding the annual wildebeest migration recently named seventh wonder of the world and is referred to as the greatest natural phenomenon.

The park is home to the big five and also home to other species of mammals, reptiles and over 485 species of birds. Here you will also get to see a huge concentration of migratory herbivores including zebras, topis, hippos,giraffes and over 250,000 zebras. The best time to go visit Masai Mara would be the months of July and October.

Another famous park in Kenya is the Amboseli national park. This park is home to over fifty three species of carnivores and herbivores. The most prominent of these is the over 1000 African elephants that roam freely in its plains. Other wild animals that can be found here include giraffes, wildebeests, impalas, gerenuks, hyenas, bats, baboons and about four hundred and twenty five species of birds. the best time to go on a visit to this park would be the months of January-February and June to September because these are the dry seasons here.

The third famous park in Kenya is the Lake Nakuru national park that is home to millions of flamingos and pelicans. It is also home to the endangered rhinos including the black and white rhinos which can be seen on the shores of the lake.

Other wild animals that roam the plains of Lake Nakuru include zebras, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe, waterbucks and bufallos. If you want to explore other parks in Kenya, these would include the Tsavo National park, Mt Kenya national park, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria among others. Truly, Kenya is a blessed nation.

In Tanzania, Serengeti National park stands out as the most famous in this country. This park also plays a part in the Great Wildebeest Migration and its actually bigger than Masai Mara. The park comfortably holds over 1 million wildebeests and over 300,000 thompsons gazelles and 200,000 zebras.

The park is also home to the eland, warthogs, lions, hippos, leopards, rhinos among many other. the best time for you to go on safari to Serengeti would be the months of December to June.

The other famous park in Tanzania is the Ngorongoro Crater found within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The crater is home to over 25,000 large animals and nearly half of these are zebras and wildebeests. The other animals are bufallos, elands, warthogs and hartbeests.

Resulting from these astonishingly large numbers of herbivores, the crater also numbers one of the largest predator populations in Africa which includes lions and spotted hyena. The other notable species is that of the large elephant population, most of which are bulls due to the relative scarcity of food for the breeding herds.

Discover the continent of Africa with our safaris to Africa. Visit Karl Strauss’s site and see the best camps and lodges in Kenya as you plan your tour.

Mombasa Beach Vacation: The Top 5 Beaches in Kenya

Mombasa, whose size is about 295km2, is found in Kenya and its famous for its beaches which are popular to many local as well as international tourists from around the world. Visitors are able to go on tour to the North as well as the South Coast of Mombasa to enjoy their holiday

One of the most popular beaches in Kenya is the Nyali beach which is located 10km away from the main city of Mombasa. Visitors come here in huge numbers to spoil themselves and have fun. On the beach itself we have numerous coconut trees that provide shade and relation as the waters of the Indian Ocean foam and break along the coastline.

Water lovers can engage in fun activities like scuba diving, canoeing, boat riding as well as sailing and surfing in the Indian ocean but at a small fee.

Dubbed the little paradise and 30 km south of Mombasa, Diani is a palm adorned 25km white sanded beach where turquoise waters of Indian Ocean caress the adorned coral reefs. Gentle sea breezes, warm sunshine and gentle nights make Diani the most intimate of beaches.

Diani beach borders the tropical rain forest that has colorful animals like the Colubus monkeys. One of the hotels that can be found around Diani beach is the Diani Beach resort.

On the north coast, we have Vipingo which is the most reclusive beach and is best for those on honeymoon and those seeking privacy. The beach is so secluded that when you walk on it, your footprints might be the only ones there! The sandy white beaches coupled with the crystal clear waters add an ambiance effect.

During the whale season, it’s the ideal viewing location. It’s a high class beach area with Vipingo Ridge golf course and posh residential houses. Water sports like surfing, diving, kayaking and sailing are availed for tourists. The beach is protected by magnificent coral reefs.

Watamu beach is touted as the most safest and unspoiled beaches in Mombasa. It is located on the northern side of Mombasa and is about 120km from Mombasa town. The beach is blessed with fine white sands and clear waters which is good for a relaxing beach stroll. Because the waters are clear, one is able to see marine life including fish, sharks, dolphins and turtles.

At evenings, the spectacular African sunset, dots the infinite horizons. Diving, surfing, snorkeling are among the water sports availed for tourists. Guest houses, hotels and resorts are available for accommodating visitors.

Tiwi an hour south of Mombasa city is an intimate sunny beach paradise, with infinite stretches of white sandy beaches lined with coconut palms and caressed, by the turquoise calm Indian Ocean waters.

This tiny beach is the consummate sun bathing destination whose coral reefs teem with adorned colorful fish species.

Looking to find the best deal on Kenya safari tours, then visit www.vesselafrica.com to find the best advice on Mombasa hotels and resorts as you plan your tour.

Traveling Through South Africa

A vibrant and diverse land, South Africa is home to dreamy beaches, exciting wild grasslands, awe-inspiring deserts, and even some rather impressive vineyards. The tragedy of Europe’s invasion and exploitation of the land has evolved since the fall of apartheid into a rich melting pot of both European and African culture. On a simple drive you may find yourself torn between the contrasting sights of white and black architecture and culture, from Paris to Delhi and back again. For those who are unaware, Indians are a significant portion of the communities of South Africa that have a great impact.

There is never a bad time to visit South Africa. The climate is warm and pleasant all year, though travelers form the Northern Hemisphere should remember that the seasons will fall in “opposite” order, as South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere: Christmas is in the summer, and July is the “depths of winter.”

In South Africa, June to September is the best time for safaris and wildlife observation. Because of dry season or dryness, animals come out near to the watering places. It is the best time to watch and observe them. Krger national park and in the protected game areas of KwaZulu Natal, are the noted parks of South Africa. Temp is around 25deg C. during day. As compare to the day, nights are cool. South African summer is warm on the east coast. Its Indian Ocean plays very important role in maintaining pleasant role for whole year. Some times summer is very bad and tough. Temperature goes up and very difficult to live. This could make bearable by extreme dryness. The autumn has usually pleasant temperatures. Some time its rains in autumn. Occasionally Cape Town goes thru unpleasant southeast winds. This usually abates from March to April.

The perfect time for celebrations would be during the spring because of the mild temperatures. It’s green everywhere with various beautiful flowers on the trees. Normally visitors visits during August and September and enjoy Nature’s Gift of beauty, flowers. Christmas is a good season to visit South Africa as well.

Following care is a must while traveling in Johannesburg and in the capital Pretoria: 1) Preferable travel in group. 2) Don’t carry much cash while site seeing. Keep cash in your room only. 3) Get full information in detail about tour / program and follow strictly. 4) Never drive with unlocked windows and doors. 5) It is advisable to go for rent a car. 6) If feels danger of attack, drive off immediately.

While special inoculations aren’t necessary, if you’re visiting during the rainier season, you should acquire a malaria shot. Don’t underestimate the mosquitoes; pack long-sleeved shirts and mosquito nets. The hospitals are quite competent and the pharmacies have a wide variety of medicines, but you must pay for these things locally, so you’ll want to get health insurance before you travel.

Customs Allowances: Each person may bring a liter of liquor, two liters of wine, 2 packs of cigarettes and 250 grams of tobacco as well as 50ml of perfume. The unit of currency is the South African Rand. As exchange rates vary, you will need to check the rate when you are booking hotels or making travel arrangements. The major, international credit cards are accepted in all states. With your own credit card and pin number you can get cash at many cash machines problem-free. The FIFA Football World Cup takes place in South Africa in 2010.

Graham McKenzie is the webmaster for a leading South African Flight comparison & Booking portal, to book a flight, simply visit our website at: http://www.saflights.co.za

Top Ten Traveling Locations in Southern Africa

Cruising on a boat at sunset while sipping champagne or driving down a winding road while majestic mountains protect the massive waves caressing the cliffs are all things witnessed and experienced when you arrive in the Southern most point of South Africa. The best places you won’t want to miss are Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Hermanus.

In the southern part of South Africa, the Garden Route, travelers can learn some history search for a lonely elephant or wander through magical forests. In Mossel Bay, tourists can hear the tale of Bartholomew Dias and rocky travels through stormy weather at the Cape or search for the last elephant in Knysna forest. Last but not least, visitors can partake in an interesting visit with colorful and playful ostriches.

Experience the ultimate silence of the vast open desert of Namibia. In Sossusvlei you will find the highest dunes in the world. Dead Vlei is a surreal experience with skeletons of ancient Camel Thorn Trees silhouetted against the golden orange sand dunes. Have your own pirate experience on the road to Swakopmund with the misty ocean, lined with ships, and the ever changing dunes protectively encircling you.

Tucked away somewhere in Africa lies an ancient waterfall, cascading a blanket of liquid dreams onto a gorge as old as time. Anyone wishing to experience more waterfalls should fly to Livingstone in Zambia where the Victoria Waterfalls await.

When in Zambia, one cannot leave without experiencing a visit to the Chobe National Park. There visitors are enchanted by more elephants than any one man could have ever imagined existed. Become mesmerized by a boat ride across the Chobe River; you’ll never want to leave.

The Indian Ocean offers up its idea of paradise with its tranquil tropical islands, White beaches, colorful sea creatures and warm, calm waters await to greet you. A stop in Mauritius is also warranted as well as diving and snorkeling at Portuguese Island where visitors can learn about the Sultans in Zanzibar. For more local flavor, don’t forget to make a stop in Inhaca.

The most dangerous of the animal kingdom, the Big Five, awaits visitors at Kruger National Park. Lazy drives down dust covered roads will lead you to nature as you witness lion’s on the hunt, hippos asleep in the water or elephants playing gleefully at a favorite watering hole.

While visiting these creatures take time to explore the other areas around the Kruger National Park. For panoramic views, potholes carved through the ages and canyons stretching for miles go to Graskop, Sabie and Pilgrims Rest.

Art lovers are sure to be in heaven with a visit to the little Town of Clarens in the Free State Province of South Africa. There, a feast of Africa’s best artists will captivate you as you lazily explore all it has to offer while sipping wine from a farm in Stellenbosch.

Serious diving and fishing should be done in Mozambique on the East Coast of Africa. With the same warm water, coral reefs and unspoiled white beaches it is the poor mans island holiday.

Visit these places first and then come back for the rest.

Overview Of Flights to Johannesburg

The largest airport in South Africa is Johannesburg OR Tambo International, the air transport hub for the country. If you are flying to Johannesburg, then Jhb OR Tambo is the chief airport except you made flight booking to Lanseria airport.

JHB International, now known as OR Tambo, presently carries approximately 20 million passengers annually and accounts for roughly half the air-traffic that comes and goes out of South Africa.

It?s tough to even think that the lively Johannesburg of today was once a shanty tiny town packed with miners dreaming of diamond. Johannesburg is not only the biggest and the busiest trade centre of South Africa; it is also an excellent tourist destination.

To get a glimpse of Johannesburg?s past, visit Gold Reef City. It also offers a trip to a mineshaft and some present day entertainment. For a quicker look at the tradition of the area, visit the Lesedi Cultural Village, which is a mixed group, comprising of Xhosa, Basotho, Zulu, and Pedi folks. You may find this experience highly pleasing and enlightening, as you see the dances and get information their culture and history.

Some tourists head for places like Soweto and Nelson Mandela?s previous home, the Regina Mundi Church, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum. Take a break and enjoy a refreshing drink at a ?shebeen?. The most popular one is the Wandie?s Place.

The animals are housed in the Johannesburg Zoo without any bars. It has also gone far in reproducing the natural habitat for the animals. This is a good option if you can?t visit a natural reserve. Whilst you are in neighbourhood, you can rent out a dinghy and splurge some time lazing at the Zoo Lake to try bird watching, and if you feel hungry by the day end, stop at the Moyo?s, to enjoy the mouth-watering African cuisine followed by the finest African music of the city.

Another very interesting sight is just an hour?s drive away from Johannesburg, it is called The Cradle of Humankind, which is a World Heritage site. The Sterkfontein Caves can be found here. In this place, Mrs. Ples, a skull, 3 million year old was first found in 1947.

Johannesburg is a haven for the shoppers. It offers exciting shopping experiences. There are stylish malls like Sandton City, Hyde Park, and Nelson Mandela Square; and on the other hand a wide variety of lively African flea markets. Most travellers just can?t go without purchasing some striking arts and crafts, available for sale at the markets. Some of such articles are traditional carvings, local wire-work, bead work, and fertility dolls.

Some of the treat in the city include food and wine. With food influenced by the mized cultures of this place, you can exactly test just anything, such as Italian, Malaysian, Indian, Mexican, Moroccan, French, Creole, and African. So check that you have ample of time to explore all the Johannesburg has to offer.

Important considerations for Luxury Safaris in Africa

Luxury safaris? Isn’t that a paradox? Once upon a time perhaps, but not anymore. Now it is possible to have all the rugged adventure of a real African safari while still enjoying the luxury of gourmet meals and pillow topped mattresses. That is what luxury safaris to Tanzania and Kenya can offer you.

Tanzania is rapidly becoming a popular vacation destination. The luxury safaris here offer something of interest for anyone. The landscapes are breathtaking and the wildlife you will encounter is incredible both in the sheer numbers of animals to be seen and the huge variety of creatures you will encounter.

You can get a customized itinerary that starts and ends at a time that is convenient for you. Whether you plan on staying a few days or several weeks, there is so much to do that you will never get bored. You may take the safari tours of the many National Parks. Theres Tarangire, notable for its large herd of elephants and unique Baobab Trees, or Arusha, where you can see breathtaking views of volcanic Mount Meru. Or you can safari in the Serengeti which boasts the largest concentration and variety of wildlife in the world. Don’t forget, at the end of every day’s adventures, you get to retire to comfort and gourmet meals.

It may be that you can only take so much of the great outdoors. If this is the case than you may want to finish your holiday on the Island of Zanzibar. Here you can partake of the very active nightlife or spend you days at one of the many beach resorts.

Kenya is also one of the more popular destinations for those seeking adventure. The Kenyans like to say that they originated the idea of a safari vacation. They have perfected it over the years and now offer a complete line of luxury safari holidays. On top of the wildlife and scenery, Kenya also boasts miles of coastline that leads to warm ocean waters great for swimming, snorkeling or other water activities.

Perhaps the biggest attraction is the great wildebeest and zebra migrations. It is an awe inspiring sight to watch millions of animals travel across the Masai Mara, seemingly as a single unit. Timing is everything if you wish to see the migration at its peak. Although the exact times differ from year to year, it is possible to predict the herd’s arrival in a particular spot based on when it left the Serengeti.

If you miss the mass migration, there will still be plenty of other things to see and do. Not only is there a great deal of wildlife to be seen, but you can also climb a mountain, visit one of the many interesting outdoor marketplaces, or just relax and sun bathe at the beach.

It is not at all surprising that luxury safaris are rapidly becoming a very popular holiday destination. They have also become well known as a honeymoon choice. Newlyweds have discovered what many others already know, a luxury safari to Tanzania or Kenya may just be the best vacation trip ever.

American Airlines: From Texas to the World

American Airlines is the world?s largest passenger airline with headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, which is also its main hub. American Airlines serves hundreds of destinations and operates flights in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean, Japan, China and India.

American Airlines was founded in 1930 and is the first airline to offer electronic ticketing. American Airlines is also the first airline to offer a frequent flyer program. Its AAdvantage rewards program remains the largest frequent flyer program with more than 50 million members.

Flying almost 700 planes to over 250 cities, American Airlines is especially popular on routes within the USA and between the United States and Latin America, carrying over a million passengers a year between the two markets. In fact, no other carrier serves more passengers between Latin American and the USA than American. But American Airlines is also strong in many other international markets.

There are four American hubs throughout the world: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miami. The airline also has a strong presence in all the New York airports, in Los Angeles, and Boston. The company’s maintenance facilities, employing thousands of workers are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kansas City, and Fort Worth.

American Airlines is also the parent company of a regional carrier called American Eagle Airlines. American Eagle Airlines offers regional service in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico. Like American Airlines, American Eagle is also headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

American Airlines is a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, the third largest airline alliance in the world. An airline alliance is an agreement between at least two airlines to work together, with member airlines offering integrated services in order to make airline travel more convenient for passengers. Alliances usually work around shared passenger terminals and frequent flyer programs. Oneworld celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2009.

Part of the reason American Airlines serves so many destinations around the world, but especially in the USA, was its acquisition of Trans World Airlines (TWA) and the TWA hub in St. Louis in 2001. Unfortunately, the acquisition of TWA caused American to bleed cash, and these financial problems were compounded when two American Airlines planes were hijacked and crashed on 9/11. After the September attacks, American Airlines was forced to relinquish its St. Louis hub and to lay off a small number, that is, a few dozen, former TWA employees. American Airlines continues to struggle to minimize its losses, and in 2008 was the first airline to charge fees for checked baggage. Despite the nearly universal unpopularity of the move with passengers, just as they adopted other American Airlines innovations, other carriers also announced their own baggage fees.

Most of American’s jets are McDonnell Douglas MD-82 or MD-88 series twinjets. The carrier announced recently that it will order the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to its fleet.

In 2008 American became the first carrier to offer in-flight Internet service on all its planes. This innovation came only a year after the airline began offering Wi-Fi on its flights within the United States.

Preparation for an African hunting expedition, Safety Thoughts and Suggestions.

An African safari or an African Hunting trip can be very rewarding and exciting. Common sense and careful preparation will make this a safe and memorable trip. If you feel you are ready for an African safari, think again. Even if you are traveling to a country you are familiar with, it is still very important to be aware of the physical conditions and safety. Here are tips on what to do before leaving home and while you are abroad.

Preceding leaving home make certain you have adequate information concerning the country you are visiting, including that on traditions and security. This may be found in travel guides and books. Check that you are updated regarding the latest matters and alterations in the governing.

Keep a computer scan of your passport, write your passport number down and perhaps learn it in case you mislay it. It is important that youhave the diplomatic delegation agencies contact inforamtion of the country you are journeying to. This guarantees easier processing of your documents case you mislay or misplace them. .Photocopy the official documents you will have with you, scan them and electronic mail them to yourself so that you can access them where you’re at. The internet caf?s are almost in every bigger and smaller territories of Africa so you will have no trouble involving this.

It’s imperative to have a medical exam for a healthy vacation. Remember you are looking forward to relishing the most wonderful time, so you don’t want to become ill to upset all your plans. Should you have a chronic illness( suchlike diabetes, high blood pressure, sinus difficulties or even nervous disorder), consult your Doctor of Medicine, who can give you a letter explaining the health trouble in English and the specifics .

It?s important to read the health tips for the traveler. Diseases like Malaria have to be avoided. Some of the things you will eat won?t go down well. Be armed! Make sure you have seen your dentist recently. And it is also advisable to pack a medical kit with pain killers , repellants , bandages , and an antiseptic cleaners, for your self and children traveling with you If you are on regular medication , take care to pack enough to last the travel time .

See to it you?re insurance coverage is authorized in case you become ill or hurt overseas. Some insurance company* specialize in overseas travel insurance and might allow you to buy short-term coverage. Arrange a restriction on your credit card, in case it is stolen, stealers will be incapable of drawing out a huge amount of money .

Article of clothings iare very important. Please make certain to understand the climate and weather conditions before your safari. If you’ve engaged a hunting expedition operator, contact the company for recommendation on clothing during the particular time frame of your trip. Keep in mind that decency is desirable by all the African nations.

To relive symptoms of jetlag, eat light, drink plenty of liquids but avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine a couple of days after your trip. Try to unwind and rest on your flight so you will be able to be energetic once you reach your destination .Try to slumber when locals do in order to get accustomed the local time.

Use 2 wallets. Hide one of them with essential belongings in your jacket pockets. Fill the supplemental with a little amount of money. In case of an assault you’ll be able to turn over this one. Don’t count your money publically, since you may become a target for thieves. Keep what notes you have in your pocket and wallet. Keep greater denominations distant from nosey eyes.

Do not ride in any cab you find ? make certain it belongs to an official company. Investigate with the hotel reception about charge per unit* you can predict to spend when using a cab. Always set a toll preceding to getting into the taxi or require for a meter to be utilized. Pick up the hotel?s business card. You’ll be able to present this to a cabbie if you can not find your way back.

These iare a few pointers on journeying to Africa. Whenever you’re preparing for a Safari or a Hunting expedition, some countries to definitly visit include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Republic of South Africa, Republic of Botswana and Rwanda. Careful preparation and gearing up will make your vacation to Africa a travel to cherish.

Qantas: Australia’s National Airline

Qantas Airlines is the national airline of Australia. Qantas is Australia?s largest airline with its main hub at Sydney International Airport. Qantas also has hubs at Melbourne Airport, Brisbane Airport and Perth Airport. Qantas operates international flights into Brisbane, Parth, Singapore, Los Angeles and London.

The world’s second oldest airline in continuous operation and the oldest airline in the English-speaking world, Quantas was founded in 1920. It is a member of the Oneworld alliance, one of the world’s largest airline alliance programs.

Qantas is both privately held and of the world’s very most profitable airlines. Voted third best in the world by the World Airline Awards in 2008, Qantas and its subsidiaries maintain hundreds of Boeing and Airbus planes, naming each after Australian aviators, Australian cities, Australian cities, Greek gods and goddesses, and stars.

The name Qantas is an acronym for ?Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services.?

Qantas operates flight seeing charters to Antarctica on behalf of Croydon Travel. They first flew Antarctic flight seeing trips in 1977.They were suspended in 1979 due to the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 on Mt Erebus and were restarted in 1994. The flights now require specific polar operations and crew training due to the whiteouts which contributed to the Air New Zealand disaster.

Qantas rewards frequent fliers with points based on distance flown, with additional points for travel in first and business class. Miles may be earned and spent on both Qantas and Oneworld alliance carriers. Following criticism of its rewards program in 2008 over the unavailability of reward seats, Qantas introduced Any Seat rewards, allowing members to pay for any seat on a flight, and Points Plus Pay, allowing members to qualify for travel with a combination of points and cash payments.

The first airline to allow cell phone use during flights, Qantas also provides seat-back access to email and web browsing and wireless internet. It also offers an extensive in-flight entertainment system. Some planes use Mainscreen, where drop-down video menus offer either television programs or recent films, depending on the length of the flight. Other planes use Total Entertainment, which is an on-demand audio/video system.

Qantas recently announced a plan to reduce the airline?s carbon footprint. This works by passengers choosing to fly carbon neutral and then offsetting their own flight emissions by making a small donation to the Qantas program, either in the form of cash or frequent flyer mile points. Qantas donates the money to verifiable carbon offset projects that have met the necessary government requirements to be eligible for Greenhouse Friendly accreditation. Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe and professional golfer Greg Norman are the program?s ambassadors.

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