Travel Bites
This blog is a collaborative effort and all about food and experiences around Sydney International Airport. Consider this your guide to the hidden gastronomic delights you might otherwise never discover.
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96 posts tagged Qantas
Airlines Axing Jobs, Airport Catering Companies Hiring?
Picture: “My Airport Aircraft Catering Vehicle (ACV)” by Stephen Abbott
The airline business in Australia is facing some tough times in light of today’s news. Air Australia and Qantas, one (former) giant and other virtually unknown to the public, have both announced they are facing difficulties leading to positions being made redundant.
In a press release posted on the airline’s website this morning, Air Australia – an Australian-based international and domestic airline was previously known as Strategic Airlines – said its fleet would be grounded “in the short term”. The Daily Telegraph
Although Air Australia is sticking to phrases like “in the sort or medium term” when referring to their fleet being grounded and flights not resuming, the public and most media publications are directly and without any doubt crying “bankrupt”.
In the short term, the fleet will be grounded. It currently appears that there are no funds available to meet operational expenses so flights will be suspended immediately. For clarity, it also appears highly unlikely there will be any flights in the short to medium term. Air Australia
At the same time, Australia’s flagship airline Qantas has made a public announcement about cutting 500 positions immediately, 5000 in the next 4 years, and a slow fleet growth through 2013. There are talks about closing down a major maintenance base and selling two airline catering units as Qantas is contends with competition from Middle East airlines and higher fuel prices. (via brisbanetimes.com.au)
Thousands of customers have taken to Twitter to express their fury over lost money and missed holidays using hashtag #airaustralia, whereas the first Air Australia employees have just expressed their disbelief as they been told they are out of jobs.
So now what? Has the global recession really finally hit Australia? As alongside with Qantas’ job cuts and Air Australia folding there were other businesses that announced hundreds of positions to be made redundant, it seems like some businesses really are facing trouble. Airlines seem to be among those struggling around the world, whereas airports seem to be blossoming. In Australia and abroad airports are expanding, restructuring and hiring.
A Treasury Department official said while recent job losses were painful for individuals, at least they were coming at a time of low unemployment. The Daily Telegraph
So what can we tell those who are about to or have already lost their jobs in the aviation business? At the time when unemployment in Australia is still below 5.2%, Sydney Airport’s biggest catering company SSP Australia is ready to start hiring food and beverage professionals to power up their floor and office staff in International Departures terminal 1. Right now you have the option to sign up for the Human Resources newsletter targeted specifically to the job seeker for alerts and notifications on open positions within SSP Australia.
Good luck!
Watching the #qantasluxury fail from my seat in the Virgin Lounge this morning. (Taken with instagram)
Happy 91st, Qantas!
Qantas is celebrating their 91st birthday in style this year by splashing out on a set of 50 brand spanking new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts to service the busy domestic and International routes.
”The next-gen jetliner set to become the backbone of the fleet for everything from high-traffic domestic routes to new routes into Europe.”
(Qantas to Australian Business Traveller)
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner itself is the most fuel-efficient airliner in the world today, consuming 20% less fuel than the similar Boeing 767. It is the first major jet to use composite materials for most of its construction.
Qantas has reaffirmed its intention to start flights on its own factory-fresh 787 before the end of next year, with the fleet to be complete by mid 2014.
Jetstar will also receive their fare share of the pie: 15 jets are designated to fly under the Jetstar flag domestically as well as en route to new destinations in Europe and North America. Milan, Munich, Rome and Athens are on the shortlist of new destinations for Jetstar. No US cities have been named at this time but San Fransisco is said to be in the running.
In light of the thrilling news and emerging prospects SSP Australia is wishing the Qantas air and ground staff a very happy birthday. Remember to claim your free TravelWise Card for a permanent -25% off all meals and drinks in our outlets to make this day a truly memorable one!
Aussie Customs Strike Set to Cause Delays
Australian Customs and Border Protection employees are set to walk off their jobs due to salary negotiations with Australian Government hitting another impasse. The strike will last up to 24 hours and take place in every major airport in Australia - delays can be anticipated at Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, South Australia and Brisbane Airports.
The strike in Sydney International Airport will start on Thursday 27th of October from midnight.
The strike is described as “the last resort” for the hard working Customs and Border Protection officers that carry on a very difficult job with a high level of responsibility to associated with their role in Border Security. The airport staff and Customs employees are thinking of the passengers as much as ever though and are trying their best to cause as little inconvenience as possible.
The biggest impact will be on the arrivals side of the busy Sydney International Airport as incoming travelers have historically experienced large queues and incurred hours of waiting unable to complete immigration formalities and luggage inspections - services directly administrated by Australia Customs and Border protection employees.
Family and friends coming to meet and greet the arriving passengers should be aware that there could be an extraordinary amount of time lapsing between when the plane is declared LANDED and when guests will wearily exit at Gates A - D downstairs at Sydney International Airport arrivals concourse.
If you are picking up passengers arriving during these Customs strike times here are few helpful hints to make waiting more palatable.
Say “TEXT ME”. - Ask your arriving passengers to send you a friendly SMS when they’ve cleared Immigration. This means that they are about 30 minutes away from surfacing at the exit doors we know historically from experience. Australian Customs and Quarantine are very thorough and passengers can anticipate queueing time for their luggage to pass through the x-ray machine.
Have a Champagne Breakfast: Head up the escalators and turn left. Walk for approximately one minute past the Express Lane door at Departures to theMontreux Jazz Café and experience the only Breakfast Buffet paired exclusive concert footage of Sting, Carlos Santana, Adele, the legendary guitarist Buddy Guy or NERD filmed on location in Switzerland at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Montreux Jazz Cafe is by far the liveliest cafe on the landside (GATE C Qantas Check In/Departures at Terminal 1) and opens at 6AM til 10PM. (Free wifi and power-jacks to charge your phone are also easily accessible and live music Tue-Sat at Happy Hour)
Go Local: Try anything and everything at Jared Ingersoll’s iconic Danks Street Depot. This iconic Sydney eatery is located just up the escalators from Arrivals. Turn Right and follow the signs to Gate H Check-In counters. Located in front of the Quicksilver store, Danks Street Depot at the airport offers all day breakfast made with bio-dynamic locally sourced eggs as well great Australian and New Zealand wines and beer at reasonable prices ($8 for a Glass of Chain of Ponds and $5.50 for a Coopers from the tap) with a complimentary serve of Jared’s Very Good Nuts when you “check in” on Foursquare. There are several snacks, sandwiches and salads to choose from all made fresh in an open kitchen. Open from 6AM with live music Wed - Sat from 6PM.
For official information on the Customs and Border Protection Strike visit: http://bit.ly/rXjwci and http://www.customs.gov.au/
![]]>The long walk ahead. (Taken with Instagram at Gate 57)](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltig3bDKsi1qe7pdqo1_500.jpg)
Just in time for the cold snap - Bambini Wine Room, located after customs at Sydney International Airport, is putting some meat on our bones. This Cape Grim steak looks amazing.
Mel Brown: Long-Hauled & Looking Good
Look at this picture….
How exactly does she do it?
This morning in Australia top tweets reported the former Spice Girl Melanie Brown’s arrival after a long haul flight from Los Angeles. How on earth does she come all that way, sprongs in tow and look this good?
Pens poised, we ponder today as to what her flight regime must be like. She is positively oozing beauty, energy and confidence after fourteen hours of recycled oxygen and packaged food. We guess her secret is to travel with a gaggle of wardrobe assistants, make-up artists, sky nannies etc.
Not rolling like Scary Spice with an entourage?
Here are a few tips from the our friends on the web on how to arrive after a long-haul with a touch of glamour:
1. According to comments on the Beauty Care blog lots of sleep and a good moisturizer are two essentials to looking great when meeting the paparazzi apres customs.
2. Frequent long-haul traveller @digitalgodess on Twitter believes that looking good will make you feel better. She recommends for flights over 6 hours an “in-flight ensemble” of loose comfortable clothing of 100% breathable fibers not dissimilar to space pyjamas given as amenities on premium international carriers like Qantas and Emirates in Business and First Class. Air is at a premium at 30,000 ft and the skin needs to be able to breathe. Also, in tight spaces accidents and spills happen so having a second set of clothes that you change out of at the end of the flight is always a good rule to follow.
(NOTE: Store your clean clothes - what you wore at at departure - in a plastic bag and in the overhead compartment to prevent creasing leaving them easily accessible for landing. The plastic bag will prevent exposure to the recycled air and keep your clothes from smelling like a microwave meal and likewise, restore your inflight gear in aforementioned plastic bag to ensure that it does not taint your carry-on luggage.)
She also recommends wearing two pairs of custom fitted medical grade compression socks sold by at dispensing chemists or professional pharmacies. (Yes they are expensive but over time will prove worth it as they greatly reduce swollen feet and ankles and then you like Ms. Mel Brown can saunter through customs in your Christian Louboutins as shown above).
3. To smell as fresh as you look, pack a small parcel of disposable wet wipes (they seem to work well on children), and dab on a small amount perfume or body spray.
4. Drink water, and lots of it. Hydration aids in a healthy glow, and remembering to ‘start before you depart’ ensures you glow when you go, go, go.
Have you got any tips on how to avoid the not so good long-haul look and be a little more like Mel B?
@JenFreshOnTheGo
Passion for Life, Guardians of Tradition, Creators of Fine Gastronomy. From the caviar tzar himself, Peter Rebeiz, we discovered the legend behind Sydney International Airport most elegant place to have a quiet indulgence, enjoy succulent oysters and champagne and relax after customs.
Sydney International Airport proclaimed “Delicious”.
Sydney International Airport was awarded awarded the world’s best airport food and beverage operator at the inaugural Airport Food & Beverage Awards in January 2011.
Sydney International Airport claimed top honors winning best overall airport food and beverage offer (10-25 million passengers).
With over 20 eateries before Customs ideal for those wanting to spend time with friends and family before setting off on their adventure; the airport also has on offer world class eateries after Customs that provide the perfect place to relax and treat yourself to a gourmet meal ahead of a long journey.
For those looking for an alternative to airline food, there is also an array of appetizing ‘grab & go’ options to enjoy at the gate on on the long haul flights.
You can satisfy a craving for Japanese at Itacho Sushi or Asakaze, enjoy yum cha at China Grand Restaurant, treat yourself at Silk Road or Sahara Grill; feast on authentic Italian at Rossini’s or Trattoria Prego or discover some of Sydney’s favourite drinking and dining establishments including Danks Street Depot and Bambini Wine Room.
The airport also offers a plethora of choice as it relates to personal budgets and palates. Families gravitate towards the open air kitchen, intimate seating and sharing options (think pizza) at Trattoria Prego whilst the urbane sophisticate can often been seen grazing on the freshest and finest seafood at the Caviar House & Prunier.
Mentionables: Before Customs …
Danks Street Depot – One of Sydney’s premium dining and drinking establishments, practicing sustainable and ethical principles in sourcing raw ingredients to create delicious and nutritious cuisine. (kid friendly)
Montreux Jazz Café – offers customers a chance to immerse themselves in the exciting world of the Montreux Jazz Festival while enjoying breakfast, lunch, dinner or coffee. (Popular with local airport staff and renown for the breakfast buffet and the BB King Burger - a great value at around $12!)
After Customs …
Seafood Bar - Caviar House & Prunier -This internationally renown restaurant opened its doors for the first time in Australia at Sydney Airport, serving the best seafood the world has to offer. (Fine Caviar is available and can be packed for long haul flights and make perfect gifts)
Trattoria Prego – A classic Italian venue offering classic Italian flare including an extensive eat in menu and mouth watering deli options and the freshest display case of salads, sandwiches and pastries. (Intimate seating, free wifi, power jack at tables)
Itacho Sushi Bar – Itacho is the only full service authentic place to get made to order sushi and sashimi. The chefs are Japanese, and the menu offers hot and cold dishes, nigiri and tempura. (TIP: If you are in a hurry, grab a few Bento Boxes from the cases - they are made fresh on-site and will give you something manageable to eat on the plane or at the gate.)
Bambini Wine Room – The Bambini Wine Room continues its tradition of delighting discerning Sydneysiders with great food and award winning wines. Try one of the special Australian wines on offer and the ambiance. Convenient are the power-jacks, banquette seating and free wifi spots. Good for coffee and meals.
Godiva – one of the world’s leading luxury chocolatiers offering deliciously sweet hand made treats including sublime hot chocolate. (everyone loves Chocolate!)
Thanks to Travel Troll’s orginal post, we’re excited that food at Sydney Airport has gone from strength to strength.
Whet your appetite at www.sydneyairportshopping.com.au
We’ve got Football Fever.
A serious case of it.
The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner and after the Wallabies redeemed themselves with a convincing win over South Africa’s Springboks over the weekend we’re feeling confident (Hush now! These B-team utterances about the ‘Boks need not be brought up here!).
It’s not long before we’ll be donning the green and gold jerseys and heading to Sydney International Airport with a ticket to New Zealand in hand and when we get there we’ll be stopping off at the Danks Street Depot cafe (which is just before security at T1) to let it be known to Jared Ingersoll that Australia is the greatest rugby playing nation on earth…contrary to what he claims in this little video!!
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie….Oi, Oi, Oi!
