Backpackers Airline - Manchester to Melbourne

It's Beer Airways as backpackers lured to mile-high pub by Amy Coopes

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...125710589.html

December 14, 2003 Karaoke, dance-offs, beer and pizza at the
in-flight pub will be among the attractions of the world's first
low-cost, long-haul budget airline.

BackpackersXpress, the brainchild of Australian Glenn Millen, is set
for a June launch, outfitting two chartered 747s with a pub, live
entertainment and two enormous VB logos on the engine cowlings.

"We're configuring it for fun and one class," Mr Millen said. "Our
cabin features are designed around the backpacking culture."

Geared towards the half-million predominantly young budget travellers
who flock to Australia from the northern hemisphere every year,
Backpackers-Xpress will offer open-ended return tickets from
Manchester to Melbourne for $1290 starting in June 2004.

Mr Millen said the emphasis was on "education, fun, flexibility and
value".

"And we won't entertain complaints about noise," he said.

As well as karaoke and dance competitions, passengers will be provided
with a personal DVD service with 300 titles to choose from.

In-flight staff will be trained in stimulating interaction between
passengers and young Aboriginal people will brief inbound travellers
on indigenous culture.

Mr Millen said market research had shown that the greatest
dissatisfaction expressed by backpackers was the lack of contact with
indigenous Australians.

"We aim to give our customers predestination education as well as an
absolute motza of fun," he said.

This will include advice on Australian wildlife, the need to swim
between the flags, how to identify rips and how to avoid sunburn.

The project has been spurred on by negotiations with Melbourne
Airport, which is eager to expand the volume of incoming tourist
traffic.

Summer capacity into Australia from the UK for 2004 is almost sold
out.

Backpacking generates $2.5 billion every year and is forecast to grow
at 40 per cent a year, Mr Millen said.

Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey has compared the economic benefits
of one backpacker to 17 tonnes of exported wheat or 77 tonnes of
exported coal.

The airline has agreed to carry up to 20 tonnes of freight per flight
and display the VB logo in a bid to lower its cost base.

The advertising is also part of the contract with Carlton & United,
who have signed an in-principle agreement to be official brewer to the
airline.

BackpackersXpress will have a public face in Neighbours actor Ryan
Moloney, and the airline anticipates 139,000 passengers in its first
year. ####

in article ,
at wrote
on 12/13/03 4:53 PM:

It's Beer Airways as backpackers lured to mile-high pub by Amy Coopes


I hope they fitted the plane with extra bogs!!

Should ensure fewer drunks on regular services. Great!!



wrote in message
...
It's Beer Airways as backpackers lured to mile-high pub by Amy Coopes

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...125710589.html

December 14, 2003 Karaoke, dance-offs, beer and pizza at the
in-flight pub will be among the attractions of the world's first
low-cost, long-haul budget airline.

BackpackersXpress, the brainchild of Australian Glenn Millen, is set
for a June launch, outfitting two chartered 747s with a pub, live
entertainment and two enormous VB logos on the engine cowlings.

"We're configuring it for fun and one class," Mr Millen said. "Our
cabin features are designed around the backpacking culture."

Geared towards the half-million predominantly young budget travellers
who flock to Australia from the northern hemisphere every year,
Backpackers-Xpress will offer open-ended return tickets from
Manchester to Melbourne for $1290 starting in June 2004.

Mr Millen said the emphasis was on "education, fun, flexibility and
value".

"And we won't entertain complaints about noise," he said.

As well as karaoke and dance competitions, passengers will be provided
with a personal DVD service with 300 titles to choose from.

In-flight staff will be trained in stimulating interaction between
passengers and young Aboriginal people will brief inbound travellers
on indigenous culture.

Mr Millen said market research had shown that the greatest
dissatisfaction expressed by backpackers was the lack of contact with
indigenous Australians.

"We aim to give our customers predestination education as well as an
absolute motza of fun," he said.

This will include advice on Australian wildlife, the need to swim
between the flags, how to identify rips and how to avoid sunburn.

The project has been spurred on by negotiations with Melbourne
Airport, which is eager to expand the volume of incoming tourist
traffic.

Summer capacity into Australia from the UK for 2004 is almost sold
out.

Backpacking generates $2.5 billion every year and is forecast to grow
at 40 per cent a year, Mr Millen said.

Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey has compared the economic benefits
of one backpacker to 17 tonnes of exported wheat or 77 tonnes of
exported coal.

The airline has agreed to carry up to 20 tonnes of freight per flight
and display the VB logo in a bid to lower its cost base.

The advertising is also part of the contract with Carlton & United,
who have signed an in-principle agreement to be official brewer to the
airline.

BackpackersXpress will have a public face in Neighbours actor Ryan
Moloney, and the airline anticipates 139,000 passengers in its first
year. ####

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 22:10:03 GMT, Raffi Balmanoukian
a wrote:

in article ,
at wrote
on 12/13/03 4:53 PM:

It's Beer Airways as backpackers lured to mile-high pub by Amy Coopes


I hope they fitted the plane with extra bogs!!

And hope that the weather in Manchester is not freezing so they don't
ice up before takeoff!

[It does happen from time to time that an aircraft goes through
de-icing then the loos ice up in which case, it is not permitted to
takeoff!].

Cath

in article ,
at wrote
on 12/13/03 10:21 PM:

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 22:10:03 GMT, Raffi Balmanoukian
a wrote:

in article ,
at wrote
on 12/13/03 4:53 PM:

It's Beer Airways as backpackers lured to mile-high pub by Amy Coopes


I hope they fitted the plane with extra bogs!!

And hope that the weather in Manchester is not freezing so they don't
ice up before takeoff!

[It does happen from time to time that an aircraft goes through
de-icing then the loos ice up in which case, it is not permitted to
takeoff!].

Cath


Icing can actually happen in fairly high ambient temperatures, depending on
the elevation of the runway, humidity, and other factors.

Still, I remember the days of Royal Aviation, which used to run charters to
Cuba. I was in the bulkhead on one trip where I had a birds-eye view of the
galley which featured tubs marked, "extra beer." I pointed out to the FA
that there was no such thing. There was beer, and enough beer. "Extra"
beer was oxymoronic. She replied,

"Look, we're a Toronto based crew. When we fly from Toronto, the beer we
carry round-trip won't take you Maritimers one way. We know to stock up for
you people."

I pity the poor folks on board Beer Air.