Travel Wires
Snoozy pods with pizza
Jucy is bringing its “pod hotel” concept to Auckland’s CBD. Jucy Snooze, opening next year near the SkyCity Convention Centre, will accommodate up to 466 visitors a night, mainly international budget travellers. At Jucy’s Christchurch and Queenstown pods, up to eight travellers sleep in bunk rooms, able to make private sleeping spaces by closing blinds. Visitors selfcheck at a terminal in the lobby or via smartphone app. Auckland’s version will have a mix of pods and private rooms; it’ll also offer shared workspaces for business people needing an office while they’re in town. Jucy says the site will house shops, a pizzeria and bar. And because it’s aimed at millennials, maybe a barber and tattoo parlour.
United moves on airline rules
Making airlines great again, the US Federal Aviation Administration may have to set minimums for aircraft seat width and legroom. The rules would mean seats and legroom couldn’t get any smaller than now, and set the trend for aviation globally. Last year the FAA rejected the idea but lawmakers are pushing the aviation authority to go ahead with it. Other rule changes would stop airlines kicking passengers off over-booked flights; ban pets from being stowed in the overhead compartment; ensure pregnant passengers are boarded early; and refund passengers for services not received, such as in-flight entertainment not working.
Flying the silent skies gets rowdy
Qantas has flown into unfriendly skies by axing music from in-flight entertainment on domestic routes. The airline said less than 10 per cent of passengers were tuning into radio and music channels, many bringing their own music onboard. Qantas flew 22 million passengers on its domestic network last year, so that’s up to 2.2 million unhappy passengers. Because it’s 2018, many have taken to social media, saying music blocks noise when sleeping and calms nerves at takeoff, landing and during the rough stuff. One won’t miss the airline’s musical choices: “Somehow I always get stuck on flights where Kasey Chambers’ Am I Not Pretty Enough is on a loop”.
Sydney air traffic — the only way is up
Australia’s competition watchdog says Sydney Airport’s 11pm-6am curfew and cap of 80 takeoffs and landings an hour should be reviewed. “It’s a balancing exercise of people whose houses are near the airport and the travelling public,” the ACCC chairman says. Recently, the Sydney Airport Master Plan 2039 predicted passenger numbers to increase by 51 per cent to 65.6 million in the next 20 years. A new airport is due to open in 2026.