———————————————————————————————————————– UPDATE: More airlines have grounded their 787 fleet after a FAA directive for all US based 787′s to be stopped from flying. So far all airlines have grounded their fleet excluding Ethiopian and LOT (which has just today launched its maiden trip to the US from Poland). ———————————————————————————————————————– Glancing at the front page of the
Hotel Review: Grand Hyatt, Seoul
After arriving on a long flight from Sydney, we jumped into a taxi and headed for our hotel in Seoul – a solid 40 minutes from Incheon airport. The taxi ride was rather interesting at night as we passed towering buildings with glowing flashing neon lights – welcome to South Korea! Arriving at the Grand
Whingers of the week: A rat named Erroll
It’s not often that I come across a single social media whinge that is so odd that it gets its own Whingers of the Week entry. I found one. Virginia (known as ‘Ginny’ according to her Facebook profile) posted the following complaint on the Qantas Facebook page. If the complaint itself doesn’t get you laughing,
Review: Cosmo Hotel Mongkok
On a recent trip to London I had the opportunity to stopover in Hong Kong, and wanting to immerse myself into the unknown, I booked a hotel off the tourist track. Neither the hotel or the city let me down and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok. 5 minutes walk from the
Review: Asiana Business Class OZ602 Sydney-Seoul
To celebrate my 30th birthday we decided to fly to London for a couple of weeks of shopping and general debauchery. Thanks to some great tips on how to secure cheap business class tickets through US Airways, I was able to get these Asiana business fares for almost a steal (under $3000/ea return). Asiana hails
The Independente Lisboa
It’s not very often that a backpacker hotel catches the attention of FlymeFunky, but this hybrid Lisbon hotel has certainly caught our eye… For the solo traveller, there’s something appealing about staying at a backpackers; you think you’ll be sharing travelling experiences with a bunch of like minded individuals, trading stories about what sight you
Random Airline of The Week: Adria Airways
There are literally hundreds of airlines operating scheduled passenger services around the world. Most people, if they are lucky, will only fly a handful in a lifetime. This series looks to show-off those lesser-known airlines, past and present. Adria Airlines Based out of the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, Adria Airways is the smallest full member of
Amazing Algarve
The stunning beaches and the variety of amazing accommodation options shows that Portugal’s Algarve region is much more than just the home of Peri-Peri chicken. Hugging the Atlantic Ocean for 155 kilometres at the southern base of the Iberian Peninsular is Portugal’s most popular tourist destination. The area attracts almost 10 million visitors a year
Amazon River Cruising
Cruising the Amazon river has never been easier, and one company in particular is giving its lucky passengers the opportunity to do it in style. Aqua Expeditions has launched it’s second luxury river boat the MV Aria to ply the waters of the Peruvian Amazon for up to 7 nights for 32 lucky guests. The
South Korea’s Grand Plans – 8City
South Korea is kicking off plans to build a tourist city of epic proportions with a price tag to match. In what seems like an epic throw-down to Dubai’s monopoly on its big-bigger-best tourism philosophy, South Korea hopes to complete this 80sq km tourism mecca by 2030 with the first stages to be completed by
Random Airline of The Week: flydubai
There are hundreds of airlines operating scheduled passenger services around the world. Most people, if they are lucky, will only fly a handful in a lifetime. This series looks to show-off those lesser-known airlines, past and present. Flydubai Flydubai was signed into being by the Dubai city government in early 2008 and at the Farnborough
Shhh… Star Alliance and ‘luggage tracking’ electronic bag tags?
Losing luggage is more common than you think… You arrive at your destination ready to hit the sights when you realise that one vital piece of your holiday hardware hasn’t arrived with you – your luggage. Lost in the abyss of an airport underbelly, your luggage may or may not be reunited with you. Panic
The world’s best ‘Premium Economy’ cabins
Can’t afford business class but want more room to stretch out? The rise of premium economy has been rapid with almost 30 airlines offering this cabin for purchase. But what do you get for your precious holiday or business travel cash? Not all premium economy products are created equal, with some airlines simply adding legroom
Virgin Australia throws down gauntlet to Qantas
It’s a big day in Virgin Australia news with the airline unveiling a trio of announcements. The airline today revealed that it has invested heavily in the Australian arm of low cost carrier Tiger Australia, purchased full equity of WA carrier Skywest, and to top it all off with a crescendo has sold 10% of
Golden Ticket – The Shortcut to Star Alliance Gold
Don’t fly much but still want to be treated like a VIP? Aegean Airlines and it’s Star Alliance partners might just have the answer. Remember waiting in line for 45 minutes to check-in on that long flight, hoping to still get a good seat? Then someone rocks up, waving a shiny plastic card and skips
Wellington Airport – the funkiest airport in the world?
If you haven’t heard, Wellington is fast becoming the capital of cool. Lonely Planet not so long ago rated Wellington as the best/coolest little capital city on the planet. So it would be quite fitting that it has an airport that bedazzles travellers as they visit, would it not?. Most airports have settled for being simple
Life on Abercrombie & Fitch CEO’s Corporate Jet
Abercrombie & Fitch – there are few brands that symbolise frat masculinity and Hamptons prep as effortlessly as this US label. Michael Jeffries, CEO of A&F, is known for his eccentricity and his steadfast perfectionism in managing the brand. It seems quite fitting that he would employ similarly precise regiment and quirky protocols on his corporate
Air Pacific Ranks in Condé Nast Airline Awards
We are just loving Air Pacific at FlymeFunky at the moment so it was great to hear that the airline had been ranked among the Top 10 Small Airlines of the world in this years Condé Nast Travellers’ Readers Choice Awards. The carrier was ranked 5th, up two spots from last years position. It has been
Hawaii’s Other Islands
Out of the nineteen islands that make up the Hawaiian archipelago it is Oahu that tourists will spend most of their time. The home of the capital Honolulu and the famous Waikiki beach, the island is a very popular holiday destination and home to over 85% of the state’s population. There are other islands in the
Whingers of the week: Qantas
This week, we stalk the Qantas facebook page to scope out social media’s worst travel complaints… FlymeFunky response: If you haven’t heard, apparently the contrails from Qantas jets are poisoning us in an epic plot to destroy the masses. If the conspiracy theorists are to be believed, there is “hugely damning evidence” that the airline is spaying us
Sexy Singapore: Boutique Hotels
In this new five-part series, we dish out the goss on the revival of this incredible city-state. No longer just a lonely transit point, Singapore is truly investing in becoming a tourist destination in its own right. In this series, we will be looking at the Singapore’s new boutique hotels, nightlife, best attractions, restaurants and shop.
Random Airline of The Week: flyNiki
There are literally hundreds of airlines operating scheduled passenger services around the world. Most people, if they are lucky, will only fly a handful in a lifetime. This series looks to show-off those lesser-known airlines, past and present. flyNiki Niki Airlines or flyNiki as it is more commonly known is the second airline owned by
World’s Coolest Hotels – Igloo and Ice Hotels
If the mere thought of having to suffer through another long hot Australian summer brings a sweat to your brow, you may want to start packing your bags. Every year over winter in the Northern Hemisphere a number of hotels are built for those that want to experience what life is like living in a freezer. You
Random Airline of The Week: Bangkok Airways
There are literally hundreds of airlines operating scheduled passenger services around the world. Most people, if they are lucky, will only fly a handful in a lifetime. This series looks to show-off those lesser-known airlines, past and present. Bangkok Airways Bangkok Airways was founded in 1968 as a contracted air taxi service (under the name
Island Dreaming – Fiji
If our story on the unveiling of Fiji Airways‘ new aircraft has inspired you to take a well deserved holiday, here are a few places in Fiji that may just make the decision a little easier. Keeping away from the chain hotels and tourist hot spots of Denarau Island, Suva and Nadi we have a look
Revealed: Air Pacific’s New A330′s
After months of nail-biting anticipation, Air Pacific (or should we say Fiji Airways) has finally released details of its new aircraft livery and revamped cabin product to be delivered on its new A330 aircraft. The new birds are expected to take to the skies next year. Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s MD and CEO, today said:
