Speaking in Sydney yesterday, United CEO Jeff Smisek touched on a number of areas we've been eagerly waiting to hear about:

-No Ch 9 (ATC communications) coming to CO aircraft--two expensive
-No timeframe on determining the future of three-cabin first class
-Economy product on UA 747's leaves much to be desired
-Hopes to have PTV on UA747 economy class before A350's arrive.

The above info comes from Twitter and this article.

I am frankly surprised ...

I don't watch Oprah Winfrey, but I do know that she has given away some nice items to members of her audience in the past (new cars for everyone for example).

Today, to kick off her 25th and final season, all 300 members in the audience were invited to join Oprah on an all-expense paid, 8-day trip to Australia. While Oprah didn't mention what class of service the audience will be flying on, the flights will be on Qantas and piloted by John Travolta (I knew he was a pilot but did not know he was a licensed QF pilot).

If you're in the Chicago area, it might be very profitable to be a part of her studio audience during this final season. Request tickets here.

After starting A380 service between Los Angeles and Australia last year, Qantas will soon be doubling A380 flights on its Los Angeles-Melbourne route.

Right now, QF uses an A380 to fly from Los Angles to Melbourne three times a week. By spring next year, it will fly six times per week utilizing the 450-seat A380. The A380 is also used on flights between Los Angeles and Sydney.

I can't see how the Australian market can bear more capacity and maintain profitable price levels for tickets. I am still predicting that either Virgin Australia or Delta (more likely) will pull out. Delta Economy fares to Australia have been $699 r/t for weeks. That's great for consumers, but not for DL's bottom line.

The Sydney Morning Herald recently speculated about the impact of a United-Continental merger on the Australian airline market:

The Americans know they will have to become even better pals if they are successfully to merge their companies to form the world's largest airline. It is an engagement that has left aviators scurrying to assess the implications since Tilton and Smisek announced the $US3 billion ($3.5 billion) marriage of United and Continental in a New York hotel three ...

This week we answer some frequent flyer questions, both our own and from listener mail. In addition we tried something a little different, recording the whole discussion from the time people joined the call. We discussed:

Damian joins us to discuss his very recent experience in LOT business class Standby on United Airlines US Airways open to merger - anyone want an airline? United Airlines finalizes 787 order Program options for Qantas travellers ...

  Note the original $1243 a/i price for this fare, which booked tickets into First Class on Qantas codeshares. I am usually really good at monitoring the Mileage Run Deals forum on flyertalk and have taken advantage of quite a few "sale" fares the last three years. I missed this one, unfortunately.   While United honored a "full-fare" Business Class ticket from LAX-AKL via SYD a couple years ago for $1800 r/t (normal price ~8-10X that) AA quickly announced ...