[whereisfifty]

Flew these guys the other week BNE-HIR in their Premium Economy, which is really Business Class. Excellent experience, food, seats, reliability, and got a free upgrade certificate on the return for no reason! Maybe it's because the flight was about 10% booked - I had the entire section and 2 cabin crew to myself.

They fly the new Embraer 170's which ooze modernity and refinement, although the toilet's a little cramped for the taller person. I think AirNorth have just started flying these as well?

Anyway, thumbs up and let's hope they stay in business.

[dot]

Expect to see a lot more about Skyair World - they will own 51% of LionAir Australia after all - I doubt the LionAir operation will be operating Embraers since they (the LionAir group) have a lot of 737s on order.

Oh - and welcome to AFF whereisfifty

[Arthur Hodgson]

Lion Air. Oh, where are they from? Gosh, I think it's Indonesia.
Thus, I don't think we'll be seeing them for a little while yet.

Here's an interesting little thread from Flyertalk...
safest airline within Indonesia / fly at all? - FlyerTalk Forums

[dot]

Originally Posted by Arthur Hodgson

Lion Air. Oh, where are they from? Gosh, I think it's Indonesia.
Thus, I don't think we'll be seeing them for a little while yet.

I wouldn't bet on that Arthur, the whole reason for the joint venture with SkyairWorld was to avoid the pain and delays associated with getting a Flight Operations licence (remember the delays that Tiger had when they repeatedly tried to launch services). Their somewhat sneaky path to a licence has drawn some interest from CASA, but they plan to launch late this year with six 737-900ERs.

In my view, the real question is 'How many pax would be prepared to fly with them given the poor safety record that Lion Air has in Indonesia?' . They will face a significant challenge in convincing the Australian travelling public that they offer a safe option for LCC pax.

[Arthur Hodgson]

Originally Posted by dot

I wouldn't bet on that Arthur, the whole reason for the joint venture with SkyairWorld was to avoid the pain and delays associated with getting a Flight Operations licence (remember the delays that Tiger had when they repeatedly tried to launch services). Their somewhat sneaky path to a licence has drawn some interest from CASA, but they plan to launch late this year with six 737-900ERs.

In my view, the real question is 'How many pax would be prepared to fly with them given the poor safety record that Lion Air has in Indonesia?' . They will face a significant challenge in convincing the Australian travelling public that they offer a safe option for LCC pax.

Well dot, I value my life and would not fly any airline associated with Indonesia. I know a bit about Indonesia too, as I sometimes travel with my wife when she takes groups of Indonesian students on study tours.

As for Tiger, I have no concerns at all about what is virtually a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. I have flown Tiger many times, and have found them to be quite professional (in Asia at least). Qantas trying to steal their staff is a bit underhand though, IMHO.