Tag Archives: aviation

Top Two Reasons to Visit Universal Orlando

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Top Two Reasons to Visit Universal Orlando

Banking on the popularity of a pair of global franchises, Universal Orlando is bookending the summer of 2013 with two major attractions, Transformers: The Ride-3D and The Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield.

Transformers: The Ride-3D

At the grand opening of Orlando’s Transformers: The Ride-3D on June 20th, Bill Davis, president & COO of Universal Orlando said, “We think [Transformers] is going to kick start the summer for us.” The park hopes that momentum will carry right through to the end of the summer with the unveiling of the completed Springfield.

Recognizing that Transformers is an important franchise worldwide, Universal wanted to create a ride to bring guests right into the action. The Transformers: The Ride-3D attraction debuted in 2011 at Universal Studios Singapore and was followed by a second installment in 2012 at Universal Studios Hollywood.  As a result of the huge success in those two parks, Transformers was fast-tracked to Orlando, taking only one year to complete construction.  While the Transformers ride is the same as it is in Singapore and Hollywood in terms of the experience, the architecture is different and there are technological nuances that are unique to the Orlando attraction, including projection and animation advances that have been implemented in the newest version of the ride.

“This attraction is ground-breaking in the level of immersion [and] it is ground-breaking technologically and visually,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “It is at the top tier of attractions in the world.”

As a result, the scale and level of execution of the Orlando version of the Transformers attraction is unparalleled. Because the characters of Megatron and Optimus Prime are both about 30 feet tall, the ride’s creators wanted to ensure that guests fully appreciate their massive scale. To accomplish this, they created a “media silo” in which riders travel vertically through a 60-foot high screen. In addition, the attraction incorporates sequences with director Michael Bay’s signature “slow-motion” style, the first attraction of its kind to feature this cinematic device. Another Transformers exclusive is the character of Evac, who was created especially for the ride. In fact, Evac merchandise is not available anywhere except inside Universal’s parks, which makes Evac toys and gifts very popular souvenirs for park visitors.

Springfield Comes to Universal Orlando

Capitalizing on the massive appeal of yet another well-known franchise, Universal created the award-winning The Simpsons Ride in 2008 to take riders into the animation of television’s “The Simpsons,” but now park guests can actually walk into Springfield and immerse themselves completely in the Simpsons’ hometown. Bringing Springfield to life was a group effort by Universal Orlando, Fox Studios and Gracie Films. The result is not only true to the vision of the show but every detail is completely accurate, down to the pickle on the top of every Krusty burger. Currently, about half of Springfield is open to the public including Moe’s Tavern, the Quik-E-Mart and a Simpsons-themed food court offering menu items that are not available in any other area of the park. The remaining construction is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, featuring an entirely new interactive ride called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, which will make its debut at Universal Orlando.

“People from around the world should definitely put at the top of their [summer] itinerary a visit to Universal Orlando Resort to see the terrific brand new Transformers attraction,” said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts.

Tui places £4bn order for new-generation B737s

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Tui places £4bn order for new-generation B737s

By Lee Hayhurst

Tui places £4bn order for new-generation B737sTui Travel has today unveiled a multi billion-pound investment in new-generation aircraft.

Europe’s largest travel group is to order 60 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth £4 billion with options on a further 90 of the narrow-body type.

Deliveries will start in January 2018 and run until March 2023.

The 737 MAX aircraft utilises a new-technology engine type claimed to result in a 13% improvement in fuel efficiency and a 40% reduction in noise over today’s main competitors.

The new 737s will provide lower per seat costs than current-generation aircraft, according to Tui.

Around 80% of the group’s passenger flew on 114 narrow-body aircraft across six airline brands including Thomson Airways in the last financial year.

“In order to maintain cost competitiveness and support Tui Travel’s aim to minimise the environmental impact of its activities, the existing narrow-body aircraft will need to be replaced in the next decade,” the company said.

“The proposed transaction will ensure that the group has sufficient aircraft to fulfil its long-term plans and that the expected accrued value justifies the cost of the purchase.”

Chief executive Peter Long said: “A major part of Tui Travel’s strategy is to provide our customers with unique holiday experiences they can only get from us.

“This multi billion-pound investment in the B737 MAX – representing the future generation of more fuel-efficient aircraft for our short and medium-haul programmes – will be a further driver in delivering this.

“It comes as the first of our Boeing 787s touches down in the UK to commence replacement of our long-haul fleet with best-in-class aircraft.

“We are leading the way in redefining mainstream holidays, and putting our customers at the heart of everything we do is integral to our continued growth.

“I can confidently say that being able to offer our customers the most advanced, comfortable aircraft, whether they are travelling with us to short or long-haul destinations, while reducing our environmental impact, will only strengthen our position.”

Thomson Airways’ first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is due to arrive at Manchester airport this morning. It has flown from the Boeing Everett Factory in Seattle and will be followed with the delivery of a further three Thomson 787 aircraft this summer.

View a timelapse video of Tui’s Dreamliner production

 http://bcove.me/y2fphluo

Thomson will fly the aircraft from Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands and Glasgow airports on long-haul routes to Sanford, Florida and Cancun in Mexico.

Chris Browne, managing director of Thomson Airways, said: “After much anticipation we are very excited to welcome the 787 Dreamliner to our fleet, and as the first airline in the UK to take delivery we hope our customers will enjoy the unique experience of this revolutionary aircraft.

“The introduction of the Dreamliner is a major milestone in our journey of modernising the holiday experience. Customers will be amazed at the unique look, feel and service – all of which will ensure the unique Thomson holiday experience starts as soon as they step on board this fabulous new aircraft.

“The extended flying range of the Dreamliner also unlocks a host of new and exciting holiday options for our customers, increasing the range of long-haul destinations available with Thomson Airways, from four UK airports this summer.

“This winter we’ll fly the Dreamliner direct to Phuket in Thailand and from summer 2014 we will be introducing holidays to Mauritius and Puerto Vallarta, flying direct on our new 787 aircraft.”

The Thomson 787 Dreamliner will carry 291 passengers.

Thomson Airways will be taking delivery of eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners in total, up to May 2015.

Search for couple missing overboard from Carnival Spirit / Cruise fall couple may have been arguing, claims police source

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Search for couple missing overboard from Carnival Spirit

09 May 2013

Search for couple missing overboard from Carnival SpiritA major search is under way after two people were reported missing from Carnival Spirit off the coast of Australia.

After the pair – a 26-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man who were travelling with family and friends – were unaccounted for during the debarkation process at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, the authorities were contacted and searches began.

The New South Wales (NSW) police said an air and marine search and rescue operation was under way off the coast of Forster – more than 130 miles north of Sydney.

Officers from the Marine Area Command reviewed CCTV footage and determined the pair had gone overboard about 8.50pm local time on Wednesday.

A spokesman for NSW police said: “Police and Australian Search and Rescue have determined a search area approximately 60Nm east of Forster and have deployed aircraft and marine vessels.

“Officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the pair and, in these early stages, are focused on the search efforts.”

A spokesman for Carnival Cruise Lines said: “We have naturally been concerned since we became aware that two passengers were missing from Carnival Spirit and our thoughts are clearly with their families at this difficult time.

“We are working closely with New South Wales Police and assisting them in their inquiries.

“At approximately 9.15am today during the debarkation process for Carnival Spirit at the conclusion of a 10-night cruise in Sydney, it became apparent that two guests, a 26-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, were unaccounted for.

“The ship immediately initiated standard missing person procedures including a full search of the vessel as per protocol. The guests in question were travelling with family and friends and initial reports indicate that the couple were last seen onboard the vessel last night.”

Cruise fall couple may have been arguing, claims police source

14 May 2013

Cruise fall couple may have been arguing, claims police sourceA couple who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of Australia on May 8 had been arguing before the fall, a senior police source told the Associated Australian Press.

The incident occurred on the Carnival Spirit as it sailed along the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

CCTV captured Paul Rossington and Kristen Schroder in the ship’s casino on Wednesday evening having a heated argument, which led them to skip dinner with Ms. Schroder’s family.

Later footage shows the pair ‘mucking around’ in the ship’s corridor, apparently no longer arguing. The couple then head to the deck of the ship where Ms. Schroder can be seen climbing over the Spirit’s railing, facing the sea.

Around 8.50pm, the footage shows the couple going overboard into the Tasman Sea, one immediately after the other. Police have been unable to determine whether Ms. Schroder jumped or fell, but Mr. Rossington can be seen jumping overboard moments later.

The search for the pair was called off last Friday afternoon after police had searched 500 square nautical miles off the coast of Forster, NSW.

Carnival Australia has defended the company’s safety standards, saying rails on the ship are higher than required by international regulations.