A couple wee notes: 1. REX began jet services in 2021, not 2001. 2. This week's videos are reversed (this one and Andaz Bali) because of an editing issue. The “next 5” in the description is now accurate. 3. Don’t mind the “I’ll see you next time from…” at the end of the video…
RIP REX. The background info and historic photos add just the right amount of context for your trip reports, especially on this recreation of a historic route.
Absolutely love the way you narrate your videos! All the background information is so interesting and makes it stand out from all the other flight reviews out there. I think you have created your own very distinct niche and that’s no mean feat with so much of that content out there. Thank you for all the hard work you put into each and every review! 🙏🏼✨
Thanks very much for that - and yeah I figured I’d keep the photos to a few seconds and when interesting, people can pause rather than risk making the video drag on with loads of 12 second photos.
Love the History :) As a fellow UA-camr that spends countless hours writing scripts, I appreciate your words. Specifically, the efficient communication of information, and your dry humor "after a few hours, I finished unwrapping the meal" made me spit up my drink with laughter 😂. Enjoying the Kangaroo series.
Hahaha yah was wondering if someone would catch that one! I’m very happy to say I finished my 35th script in 52 days yesterday and now, no writing until late October haha.
Kevin ...the way you present these videos is perfect. The information you give regarding the history of the airline or the route or the airplane is absolutely the best. I think people forget that your viewership is more than just aviation geeks that "know everything". So every time you mention something new in the history of this industry someone out there in this big world learns something new. Thank you for what you do.
As a friend of a REX Saab pilot, I can confirm that the core of Rex services (the regional turoprop routes) are continuing with no disruption across Australia. The federal government is assisting but those routes were well set up and the airline will continue simply by dropping the jet services and returning to what made it what it was. Maybe in the future, it might expand again but in order to do that, the Qantas "monopoly" on airport slots will need to be massively modified.
I have never commented on your videos before. Not due to bad content but I didn’t need to say anything more than you have said. However this video really hit home as I am from here and worked for two airlines who are now defunct in this country. You did a wonderful job of narrating its history and also staying so true to aviation. Well done my friend. Awesome job and keep doing what you do.
Flight attendants were so attentive and quiet until you couldn’t even hear them! Unfortunate to say it was not meant to be for REX. Yet another great video as always
Kevin, your scripts and narration on the history of airlines and airports are exceptionally good. I have watched hundreds of other flight reviews from other vloggers, and nobody else comes close to the quality of your trip reports. Well done and please keep up the good work!👏👏👏👍👍👍
This video was fantastic. I didn't think I'd enjoy this series as much as I am. It's fascinating that a flight to Hawaii from Oakland could take 34 hours. Wow.
Awesome video- big fan of the history for context behind a lot of these other airlines. Very much so looking forward to the rest of this journey to London!
Hey buddy, I love your new method of presenting your content these days. I remember taking the survey and mentioning that a little bit of history would add a bit more quality to your already fantastic content (as I'm sure I'm not the only one with that suggestion). Any content with a little bit of useful and interesting history is always a good way to expose the good stuff that might have not been known to many. So thanks for taking the trouble of doing a bit of extra research and narratives for us viewers. Keep it up Kevin..💯👌🏽😊
So, there was a clip that I had to delete bc I didn’t have enough footage to ‘hold’ the audio I recorded. But, my commentary was, “Australia, I respect your right to call Rice Crispies Rice Bubbles, but then you need to explain to me what you actually think a bubble is…” (as the camera pans to a video clip of a water fountain labeled as a ‘water bubbler’) 😅
Hello Kevin. Yes, your mix of history and other commentary mixed with aviation is IMHO just right. Your video work is always spot on.... Your lovely southern hemisphere weather is in contrast, to the spinning world, 97 in Atlanta today.....After a while, you do get used to it! BTW, Happy Labor Day Weekend!
I flew this exact plane about 1 year ago in business class and it had much older seats, what I believe were the old Jet Airways ones which had much less legroom. It was still a great experience, but Rex must've updated it since then, so the insane legroom is entirely their doing. Great video as always.
Really enjoying this "journey" format and glad to hear you are enjoying it too! I could see this being reproduced for regions too, where you want to review a number of hotels/resorts in that region. Thanks again for the incredible quality of the review as well!
I really do enjoy the history of the airlines you fly. You do a good job of condensing the information to make it informative yet not a lecture. Also, I can't believe they folded so quickly! Such a shame. More competition is good for business.
Honestly, loving the history stuff. More of that please! I usually look forward to your upcoming videos but considering the next one is a QANTAS flight, I’m a little bit anxious….😅
The “part history lesson” aspect of the script is interesting and well-done. Keeping videos below 20 mins is appreciated. Below 15 would be even better, but maybe that is pushing it for you as a creator. In any case, I greatly enjoyed the video. Thanks for making it.
I'm really enjoying the historical segments, and the balance between them and the flight review is pretty much spot on. Splitting them up in an episodic manor like you have brings me back to watch the next video, even though the actual flight/airline you're taking may not be a big interest to me personally. Ironically what takes me out of the "flow" of the video is the mentioning of the flow and balance, i.e. "I don't want this to be a history lecture" in seemingly every video on the subject so far. Other than that rather minor quibble, your script work is great, and can't wait for the next episode.
Nah, that bit is more of a soft opening to those watching that may not give a crap about the history. Just need to reassure them this isn’t turning into the History Channel, yet at least lol. Only in a couple more.
@@tfft Given the History Channel's current line-up, I'm totally looking forward to "The Flip Flop Traveler: My flight from the middle of nowhere to Mars abord Kal-El Starways Express Business Class"
Great video Kevin! I will miss Rex. It is a shame you were on the right and not left so you missed the amazing landing into Adelaide. The issue with Rex was their variety of products as that is amazing but only on one aircraft, most have Virgins business, some Silk airs and one only has economy so that is why people didn’t want to choose them as you had no idea what you were going to get. Did you see the new Koala airlines? And also yesterday Qantas only got 1.25 billion Australian dollars in profit down from 2billion last year which is a great sign for airfares and new planes!
300 Qantas customers exacted revenge on the airline last week when a pricing error sold LA return first class tickets for A$5,000 instead of A$20-29,000 return. Qantas agreed to re book them in business which is still a 65% loss to Qantas. Lucky passengers unlucky ticketing employee. This is another great video with the additional non lecture an excellent addition. Thanks Kevin.
Yah I almost bought the flight but assumed it would be cancelled. That $5k is still above market value for the flight though in business class so they’ll survive haha.
Thank you for a great trip report as always Kevin. It is such a shame that REX no longer has jet services between the capital cities as this was my airline of choice for Australian domestic services. There were everything Qantas wasn’t, just a pity about their marketing. Keep up the the good work!!
Im currently binge watching your videos and im enjoying it so much! Im from Sydney (live in norway now) and so glad you got to experience Rex. Qantas on the other hand... yeah dont fly them 😂
I've had such great service every time I've flow Rex. So sad when I heard the news of Rex entering receivership, however once they encroached on QFs turf it was inevitable. QF deploys a staunch defence of the domestic corridors at all costs and uses Jetstar to undercut any competition.
I like your formula ... Very refreshing. I'm dreading your Qantas review. I worked for QF for 6 wonderful years and cringe when I see how they have botched their great reputation.
It really is quite breathtaking- not so much in 'being bad'... many airlines can fall into the same category at times, but it's just... they seem to have perfected the art of not caring on every single level. I never imagined an airline would lie to me about my flights being cancelled when in reality that wasn't the case to in effect, invol bump me and get me to agree to a new itinerary. These things are baked in at this point. It's extraordinary to be frank.
I’m not sure where you got the “30 minute” journey time to Sydney airport from the city by train, as it’s easily half that even if you’re going from Circular Quay.
I really love your style and it's the main reason I look out for your vids. Always share them to my friends as I feel you are really honest (and funny) with your reviews. Looking forward to round two of Kevin v the angry roo. Did you do any hotel reviews in Aus? Side note: agree with the bacon. I wish they would serve the streaky crispy bacon more...
There are a few hotels coming from within this trip (plus other SE Asia resorts in the next few months…) but none from Australia. And thanks for the feedback!
Rex airlines still flys regional routes in South Australia to ADEL and Melbourne. They no longer fly between capital cities. They were squeezed out by Qantas and Virgin airlines.
Im glad to hear that at least your arrival experience into Adelaide was a good one. I hope your Qantas debacle didn’t ruin your time here toooooo much. 🙃
Enjoyed flying on Rex’s 737s, but part of the problem was how they often did not fill their planes, sometimes operating flights with very few passengers. The demand/population in Australia is sadly just not there to support additional airlines.
Canada and Australia are so similar for airline industry. Big country, not a lot of density of people other than the main major cities. Only 3-4 big big airlines can work.
Literally just a few days ago, we had a new Koala Airlines announced to join the Australian market as a LCC based out of Melbourne. I saw that and thought, oh dear how long will this last? They chose to start with 737 MAX aircraft, which are big and IMO, too big for what Bonza was trying to do, these really niche point-to-point routes. I hope they flat-out compete with VA and QF on trunk routes in Australia and maybe some more isolated communities with lower frequencies, because that's likely the only way to fill these airplanes.
Personally, I think there is room for expansion in Aus in two ways. 1st for VA to expand their international presence, first with their current fleet and slowly bring on a few wide bodies. A regional 'boutique' carrier if you will (something like Oman Air), hopefully a part of a major alliance. 2nd, for a new entrant (hybrid or full service, something like Porter Airlines in Canada) to fly trunk and regional routes using right sized aircraft. E190s, ATRs, whatever fits the bill. You're correct in that they cannot just "Ryanair" the market and assume every flight needs 180 seats. Koala is either brave or dumb- we shall see lol
Yes 2021 for REXs first 737-8. Rex was born out of the demise of Kendall and Hazelton who had SAABs & Metros. The main routes were yes Regional but not all in Qld & not all Govt subsidised
Did you get a chance to set eyes on the Captain? It could be that he was forced to retire from Cathay Pacific due to their age limit, but didn't want to quit flying, and went to Rex. If that's the case, and he still wants to fly, I hope he found a new left seat.
09:25 definitely because this is an ex-Jet Airways plane. Recently flew a ex-Jet Airways, now Air India Express 737 Max 8 and the first three rows had these same massive seats. Air India Express does not have a business class or premium economy offering so I was initially confused. Seat number on the boarding pass and the seat style didn't match my expectations 😂. Definitely made the flight a lot more enjoyable!
I think REX's original company (the little SAAB props) are still going thank God, because they are the only ones other than Cuntas servicing my mid sized regional city, im wondering when they did the jet thing they somehow had that as a different division of the company so if it went tits up the core business was protected? My mates Mrs works at the airport for them and she says shes still got a job.
Funny story, around June my sister and I were planning for a trip for our parent's anniversary, and we were going to go to Australia because our original trip was canceled due to COVID. We were actually going to fly REX as they had a couple of good routes and were relatively cheap (cheaper than Qantas). the other flight would have been on Virgin. When we finally decided to go through with it, we decided to confirm the flight prices to book, only to see no REX flights listed anymore. It caused us to pause. It was only later we discovered they went bankrupt. It was good as my mother and father would end up in this conversation of someplace they wanted to visit more so we pivoted. But if REX hadn't gone bankrupt, we would have had to at least change airlines. On a side note, I wanna say something about Project Sunrise, but I suppose this is the wrong channel for that.
Great video as always Kevin and your very thorough and informative history lesson in aviation in Australia- I hope your flight on that strange but comfortable ex AA E jet is up to scratch to Darwin - I can’t imagine who you’ll be flying ex DRW perhaps JQ to Bali 🤷♂️
Min 8:40. ALL airlines, I mean ALL who offer premium economy seats, should have the foot rest integrated into them and not extend from the seat ahead of you. I don't know the reasoning behind this decision. Personally, AA bulk head seats have this feature, and that is a winner for me as I can extend or retract the legrest as needed to sleep on long haul overseas flights.
It was very sad to see Rex go into administration, I thought they were doing okay, unlike Bonza, who I didn't think would last because they were never on profitable routes with Melbourne being the only major city they serviced. Rex had even started a Melbourne to Perth service only a month before they went under. However, they strangely chose a night time service to Perth with red eye return. Unfortunately, Allan Joyce did a number on Qantas, turning them into a profit only driven airline, though it appears the new management is trying to restore them to what they were, but it will take time. Fortunately, I haven't encountered what you went through with Qantas and I hope someone there watches your video and rectifies the matter with an apology.
Rex saw the opportunity to become Australia’s second airline when Virgin Australia went into voluntary administration … even acquiring some of their aircraft. However, Virgin was saved by Bain Capital. But as I understand it, Rex did not alter course in terms of their jet operations, even though the fundamentals had changed with Virgin back in the sky. Meanwhile, Rex started flying jets during the pandemic when many Australians avoided flying for fear of being trapped in another state with ever changing border restrictions. This led them to lure people with very low fares that were arguably unsustainable. More recently, there was turbulence in the Rex board of directors, with a former boss attempting to oust most the board. Yes, it’s sad that Rex ceased jet operations and they had some wonderful crews but it seems there were a lot of underlying issues that will mo doubt come out in the report to creditors. 🤔
This is the reality but the "let's kick Qantas" crowd will rave on about unfair competitive practices. Qantas is in business to make a profitable return for shareholders and has no need to apologise for that.
Every business should focus on returning sustainable profits, but Qantas benefits from protectionist government policies related to open skies agreements- without those, they would NEVER be able to charge the fares they charge. Can't praise one without acknowledging the other.
So sad that Rex suspended jet ops. I wonder how many prospective customers will cast a wary eye on this as an omen and avoid spending money on the remainder of the operation.
Based on the comments I've been reading, it seems locals are very confident in their regional ops, speaking about them almost as if they were a totally separate airline. Might have something to do with the fact that the regional arm is getting direct support from the QLD government at the moment.
@@tfft I highly recommend spending several days visiting Adelaide. Not. Please understand, the national passtime in Australia is slagging off everyone else's cities. Whilst privately hating your own too. I live in Perth. Spike Milligan said "They don't bury people in Perth, they stand them up in bus stops to make the place look more lively".
I’ve suggested before that Rex should just have concentrated on its regional country routes and upgrading its ageing Saab 340 fleet rather than trying to jet up on the mainline routes. Now a very costly mistake. I only hope they get a massive injection of funds from somewhere.🤞🤞
Don`t be surprised to see a middle eastern carrier take Rex`s place Just as Virgin did with Ansett. I am not saying some thing just doesn`t add up but then my maths is terrible .
I appreciate the fight- I thought for a moment maybe everyone just agreed with me! But I will say you are correct… “GOOD” Aussie bacon is in fact fantastic. I just haven’t seen many good examples of it 😅
Some point of reviews from me: I started watching your contents a few years ago, when you focus more about Hotels reviews, don't know how your videos find me (maybe when i start reaching about hotels in Bali). I started watching your hotel reviews, and fell in love with them, the way you reviewed them was just amazing, not like any other hotels reviews (or content creators), not showing yourself, not trying to get free staff, or get paid, just you , the camera and the hotel in front of you. Your clear voice makes it very appealing and inviting. So I got hooked. But..... I think something changes this year, from hotel reviews, that focus on unbiased, "clean" and honest hotels reviews it becomes more like flight reviews. Your route of your journey also has become a mix mash , and very confusing, very not organised. My biggest problem is that you lose the way with what you started here, focusing on so many flights, some of them for just simple economy flights, some domestic flights, with video if just 10-20 minutes I don't think has any point, business classes are something else, but economy and in domestic, I think its pointless. I really really hope you go back to your videos from years 2022 and backward (maybe even 2023), when your channel was more focused about hotels and resorts, they were longer as well and very helpful and enjoyable to watch. With really unbiased opinions. I LOVED IT! Please bring the old structure back🙏🏻
I honestly don’t understand the paragraph following the “But…” but I think I can explain the gist of it. The real answer is much more nuanced but it’s long so excuse the bluntness. Hotel videos quite simply don’t make enough money to sustain more than 2 videos per month. The disadvantage for new channels (and advantage for older channels) is that there is no “how to” guide about creating content. This is why you’ve seen many different hotels and resorts from many parts of the world on my channel. Each and every one is testing the market and how it performs. This is my full time business so making smart decisions about the content I create is critical to keeping the channel alive. Most in my position would decide it made sense to completely eliminate the hotel reviews, but I do enjoy them and think they add to the channel overall and that’s why I’m sticking with 2-3 per month- even though they rarely break even. If you own a restaurant and you have certain dishes on your menu that require a lot of prep work with expensive ingredients but never sell, no restaurant would in their right mind keep them on the menu. This is why you will not find many self funded hotel review channels out there. It’s simply not a viable business unto itself. Hope that explains a bit.
You being surprised by the amount of wasteful packaging is rich considering how much of a carbon footprint you create with these pointless flights around the world. I wonder...have you ever offset even a fraction of these flights??
A couple wee notes:
1. REX began jet services in 2021, not 2001.
2. This week's videos are reversed (this one and Andaz Bali) because of an editing issue. The “next 5” in the description is now accurate.
3. Don’t mind the “I’ll see you next time from…” at the end of the video…
RIP REX. The background info and historic photos add just the right amount of context for your trip reports, especially on this recreation of a historic route.
Thanks for the feedback!
Absolutely love the way you narrate your videos! All the background information is so interesting and makes it stand out from all the other flight reviews out there. I think you have created your own very distinct niche and that’s no mean feat with so much of that content out there. Thank you for all the hard work you put into each and every review! 🙏🏼✨
Really appreciate that, thanks very much! More enjoyable on my end to not have the same 'formula' for each video as well.
Enjoying this series a lot. Your balance of ‘flight vs. history’ is spot on - I’ve been pausing to study the old posters - great stuff.
Thanks very much for that - and yeah I figured I’d keep the photos to a few seconds and when interesting, people can pause rather than risk making the video drag on with loads of 12 second photos.
@@tfft It works well!
@@tfft great decision! I've noticed you do that often, for example menus at restaurants or aircraft stats.
Love the History :) As a fellow UA-camr that spends countless hours writing scripts, I appreciate your words. Specifically, the efficient communication of information, and your dry humor "after a few hours, I finished unwrapping the meal" made me spit up my drink with laughter 😂. Enjoying the Kangaroo series.
Hahaha yah was wondering if someone would catch that one! I’m very happy to say I finished my 35th script in 52 days yesterday and now, no writing until late October haha.
I'm really enjoying this format, the background information makes a huge difference vs most channels out there.
Thank you for the extra effort!.
Appreciate that!
Kevin ...the way you present these videos is perfect. The information you give regarding the history of the airline or the route or the airplane is absolutely the best. I think people forget that your viewership is more than just aviation geeks that "know everything". So every time you mention something new in the history of this industry someone out there in this big world learns something new. Thank you for what you do.
Yes exactly, every video is a balancing act between the "every video" viewers and the first time viewers. I appreciate you pointing that out.
As a friend of a REX Saab pilot, I can confirm that the core of Rex services (the regional turoprop routes) are continuing with no disruption across Australia. The federal government is assisting but those routes were well set up and the airline will continue simply by dropping the jet services and returning to what made it what it was. Maybe in the future, it might expand again but in order to do that, the Qantas "monopoly" on airport slots will need to be massively modified.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I have never commented on your videos before. Not due to bad content but I didn’t need to say anything more than you have said. However this video really hit home as I am from here and worked for two airlines who are now defunct in this country. You did a wonderful job of narrating its history and also staying so true to aviation. Well done my friend. Awesome job and keep doing what you do.
Thanks very much for that. For some reason I really do always appreciate the ‘I usually don’t comment, but…’ comments the most!
Love your quiet sarcasm. Genius
The only way sarcasm should exist, I say 😅
Flight attendants were so attentive and quiet until you couldn’t even hear them! Unfortunate to say it was not meant to be for REX. Yet another great video as always
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
6:47 flight to info ratio - nailed it!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Kevin, your scripts and narration on the history of airlines and airports are exceptionally good. I have watched hundreds of other flight reviews from other vloggers, and nobody else comes close to the quality of your trip reports. Well done and please keep up the good work!👏👏👏👍👍👍
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Great vid and a great subject matter that sets you apart from the usual, this is a plane and here's the toilet type vids. Thanks
Yeah, I tried to make the restroom video clips interesting like a year ago, but it's really.... a stretch haha 😂
This video was fantastic. I didn't think I'd enjoy this series as much as I am. It's fascinating that a flight to Hawaii from Oakland could take 34 hours. Wow.
I'm assuming that was the longest leg.....
I have 40 videos in my mind at the moment but if I remember correctly the longest leg was Honolulu to Fiji.
The format of these videos really works for me. The content you're putting out is awesome.
Appreciate that!
Awesome video- big fan of the history for context behind a lot of these other airlines. Very much so looking forward to the rest of this journey to London!
Appreciate that! (and great name! haha)
Great vid as always, looking forward to the entire series.
Appreciate that!
Thanks Kevin. I do love your contents. Very enjoyable and insightful 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Hey buddy, I love your new method of presenting your content these days. I remember taking the survey and mentioning that a little bit of history would add a bit more quality to your already fantastic content (as I'm sure I'm not the only one with that suggestion). Any content with a little bit of useful and interesting history is always a good way to expose the good stuff that might have not been known to many. So thanks for taking the trouble of doing a bit of extra research and narratives for us viewers. Keep it up Kevin..💯👌🏽😊
Appreciate that!
Format & flow perfect, loving this series! 😎
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
I learned a lot in this video.
But the main thing I learned is that Rice Krispies are called Rice Bubbles down under!
Rice Krispies are a little grainier than Rice Bubbles tho…so I’ve heard….no first hand experience…being an adult and all:)
@@toniblackmore3016 Wait, adults can't eat Rice Krispies? (Glances nervously towards the kitchen)
@@obroni no silly, real adults only eat cereals that taste like cardboard coated self restraint!
So, there was a clip that I had to delete bc I didn’t have enough footage to ‘hold’ the audio I recorded. But, my commentary was, “Australia, I respect your right to call Rice Crispies Rice Bubbles, but then you need to explain to me what you actually think a bubble is…” (as the camera pans to a video clip of a water fountain labeled as a ‘water bubbler’) 😅
I may steal that “Coated in self restraint” line 😂
Hello Kevin. Yes, your mix of history and other commentary mixed with aviation is IMHO just right. Your video work is always spot on.... Your lovely southern hemisphere weather is in contrast, to the spinning world, 97 in Atlanta today.....After a while, you do get used to it! BTW, Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Yeah, where I live, 97 is a normal day... years ago I'd dread it but you're correct, it's just 'regular' after a while. Have a happy holiday!
I flew this exact plane about 1 year ago in business class and it had much older seats, what I believe were the old Jet Airways ones which had much less legroom. It was still a great experience, but Rex must've updated it since then, so the insane legroom is entirely their doing. Great video as always.
Ah ok great to know. Thanks for watching 🩴
Wow..
Thirty three flights in thirty days,it is very tire.thank you for doing these vlog for your subscribers.
Thanks for subscribing! 📺
It is so daunting that a niche airline like REX floundered and went out of business. Nonetheless, great narration as always Kevin!
Appreciate that!
Really enjoying this "journey" format and glad to hear you are enjoying it too! I could see this being reproduced for regions too, where you want to review a number of hotels/resorts in that region. Thanks again for the incredible quality of the review as well!
Appreciate that!
Kevin your videos are great! Keep them coming … I don’t know how you travel so much it must be very tiring.
Ikr?
The tiring part is actually when I need to lock myself in door at home and edit for 12 hours a day hahaha
I really do enjoy the history of the airlines you fly. You do a good job of condensing the information to make it informative yet not a lecture. Also, I can't believe they folded so quickly! Such a shame. More competition is good for business.
Agreed! and thanks very much 🙏
As always, it is well presented no matter the content; information is always great.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Honestly, loving the history stuff. More of that please!
I usually look forward to your upcoming videos but considering the next one is a QANTAS flight, I’m a little bit anxious….😅
Lol, It has a slightly higher score but... at the root of it, I think is a more disturbing mix of events lol
G'day Kevin, Brilliant trip report thanks. Can't wait for part 2 of the Flying Kangaroo debacle.
Appreciate that!
The “part history lesson” aspect of the script is interesting and well-done. Keeping videos below 20 mins is appreciated. Below 15 would be even better, but maybe that is pushing it for you as a creator. In any case, I greatly enjoyed the video. Thanks for making it.
I fear 15 minutes would feel like one long over run sentence haha.
I'm really enjoying the historical segments, and the balance between them and the flight review is pretty much spot on. Splitting them up in an episodic manor like you have brings me back to watch the next video, even though the actual flight/airline you're taking may not be a big interest to me personally.
Ironically what takes me out of the "flow" of the video is the mentioning of the flow and balance, i.e. "I don't want this to be a history lecture" in seemingly every video on the subject so far. Other than that rather minor quibble, your script work is great, and can't wait for the next episode.
Nah, that bit is more of a soft opening to those watching that may not give a crap about the history. Just need to reassure them this isn’t turning into the History Channel, yet at least lol. Only in a couple more.
@@tfft Given the History Channel's current line-up, I'm totally looking forward to "The Flip Flop Traveler: My flight from the middle of nowhere to Mars abord Kal-El Starways Express Business Class"
Loved the video as always. Staying at the PH Bangkok ? Fab stuff looking forward to that video.
Yupp, will be out early October.
Thanks for the info + video!
Thanks for watching 🩴
The left window would have given you an amazing view of our CBD and Adelaide Oval!
Had that when I left 😉
Watching your videos is like flipping on “How It’s Made” on TV. Don’t care what I’m watching them make, it’s the HOW he describes it.
Haha, very glad to hear (and I totally get what you mean).
Really enjoying this swries and format, Kevin.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Great video Kevin! I will miss Rex. It is a shame you were on the right and not left so you missed the amazing landing into Adelaide. The issue with Rex was their variety of products as that is amazing but only on one aircraft, most have Virgins business, some Silk airs and one only has economy so that is why people didn’t want to choose them as you had no idea what you were going to get. Did you see the new Koala airlines? And also yesterday Qantas only got 1.25 billion Australian dollars in profit down from 2billion last year which is a great sign for airfares and new planes!
Noticed neither The Fin Review or The Age mentioned the cost of suffocating competitors out of existence in their analyses. Funny that.
I did see about Koala and let's just say, I'm not holding my breath lol
definitely love the brief history lesson or sit rep for each review regardless of the airline
will definitely not mind more of them 😄😄😄
Thanks!
Dispite what was said at 8:46, I click the video RIGHT AWAY. 😁
Well, I always like to see if I like it first 😅 but no arguments against your method haha.
Love the history.
Glad to hear!
300 Qantas customers exacted revenge on the airline last week when a pricing error sold LA return first class tickets for A$5,000 instead of A$20-29,000 return. Qantas agreed to re book them in business which is still a 65% loss to Qantas.
Lucky passengers unlucky ticketing employee.
This is another great video with the additional non lecture an excellent addition.
Thanks Kevin.
Yah I almost bought the flight but assumed it would be cancelled. That $5k is still above market value for the flight though in business class so they’ll survive haha.
Thank you for a great trip report as always Kevin. It is such a shame that REX no longer has jet services between the capital cities as this was my airline of choice for Australian domestic services. There were everything Qantas wasn’t, just a pity about their marketing. Keep up the the good work!!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Im currently binge watching your videos and im enjoying it so much! Im from Sydney (live in norway now) and so glad you got to experience Rex. Qantas on the other hand... yeah dont fly them 😂
Hey Kevin. Good to 👀 you again. Love your videos❤❤❤❤
Thanks for watching 🩴
I've had such great service every time I've flow Rex. So sad when I heard the news of Rex entering receivership, however once they encroached on QFs turf it was inevitable. QF deploys a staunch defence of the domestic corridors at all costs and uses Jetstar to undercut any competition.
Yah, it really is like trying to battle an angry roo lol
I like your formula ... Very refreshing.
I'm dreading your Qantas review. I worked for QF for 6 wonderful years and cringe when I see how they have botched their great reputation.
It really is quite breathtaking- not so much in 'being bad'... many airlines can fall into the same category at times, but it's just... they seem to have perfected the art of not caring on every single level. I never imagined an airline would lie to me about my flights being cancelled when in reality that wasn't the case to in effect, invol bump me and get me to agree to a new itinerary. These things are baked in at this point. It's extraordinary to be frank.
I’m not sure where you got the “30 minute” journey time to Sydney airport from the city by train, as it’s easily half that even if you’re going from Circular Quay.
Google 😉
Thank You ✈️
Thanks for watching 🩴
I really love your style and it's the main reason I look out for your vids. Always share them to my friends as I feel you are really honest (and funny) with your reviews. Looking forward to round two of Kevin v the angry roo. Did you do any hotel reviews in Aus?
Side note: agree with the bacon. I wish they would serve the streaky crispy bacon more...
There are a few hotels coming from within this trip (plus other SE Asia resorts in the next few months…) but none from Australia. And thanks for the feedback!
7:30 - 7:35 Do I sense some sarcasm in that "wonderful" 😆
Wonderful is the most wonderful of all wonderful sarcastic words.
Nah.
Rex airlines still flys regional routes in South Australia to ADEL and Melbourne. They no longer fly between capital cities. They were squeezed out by Qantas and Virgin airlines.
They sure are.
Im glad to hear that at least your arrival experience into Adelaide was a good one. I hope your Qantas debacle didn’t ruin your time here toooooo much. 🙃
Nah, not in Adelaide, just in ADL haha
Enjoyed flying on Rex’s 737s, but part of the problem was how they often did not fill their planes, sometimes operating flights with very few passengers. The demand/population in Australia is sadly just not there to support additional airlines.
Certainly not when Qantas has avenues to gobble up an out sized potion of those passengers!
I’d agree if the anti competitive practices of Qantas and Virgin weren’t tolerated/ignored.
“Thank you for flying Cathay Pacific!” 😂
Did a double take lol
Canada and Australia are so similar for airline industry. Big country, not a lot of density of people other than the main major cities. Only 3-4 big big airlines can work.
Also similar with the protectionist policies which protect AC and QF.
Literally just a few days ago, we had a new Koala Airlines announced to join the Australian market as a LCC based out of Melbourne. I saw that and thought, oh dear how long will this last? They chose to start with 737 MAX aircraft, which are big and IMO, too big for what Bonza was trying to do, these really niche point-to-point routes. I hope they flat-out compete with VA and QF on trunk routes in Australia and maybe some more isolated communities with lower frequencies, because that's likely the only way to fill these airplanes.
Personally, I think there is room for expansion in Aus in two ways. 1st for VA to expand their international presence, first with their current fleet and slowly bring on a few wide bodies. A regional 'boutique' carrier if you will (something like Oman Air), hopefully a part of a major alliance. 2nd, for a new entrant (hybrid or full service, something like Porter Airlines in Canada) to fly trunk and regional routes using right sized aircraft. E190s, ATRs, whatever fits the bill. You're correct in that they cannot just "Ryanair" the market and assume every flight needs 180 seats. Koala is either brave or dumb- we shall see lol
Yes 2021 for REXs first 737-8.
Rex was born out of the demise of Kendall and Hazelton who had SAABs & Metros.
The main routes were yes Regional but not all in Qld & not all Govt subsidised
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I love it
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Did you get a chance to set eyes on the Captain? It could be that he was forced to retire from Cathay Pacific due to their age limit, but didn't want to quit flying, and went to Rex. If that's the case, and he still wants to fly, I hope he found a new left seat.
No I didn't
09:25 definitely because this is an ex-Jet Airways plane. Recently flew a ex-Jet Airways, now Air India Express 737 Max 8 and the first three rows had these same massive seats. Air India Express does not have a business class or premium economy offering so I was initially confused. Seat number on the boarding pass and the seat style didn't match my expectations 😂. Definitely made the flight a lot more enjoyable!
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I think REX's original company (the little SAAB props) are still going thank God, because they are the only ones other than Cuntas servicing my mid sized regional city, im wondering when they did the jet thing they somehow had that as a different division of the company so if it went tits up the core business was protected? My mates Mrs works at the airport for them and she says shes still got a job.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
Qantas started in 1920, not 1934. It was mainly a domestic airline until QEA and the commencement of international services.
I don't believe I said Qantas started in 1934...
In your intro you had the Lanhgam Jakarta. Do you altrady have that video or is it an upcoming video?
In the intro in the bottom right of each clip it says which month each video will come out in. (Sept).
Funny story, around June my sister and I were planning for a trip for our parent's anniversary, and we were going to go to Australia because our original trip was canceled due to COVID. We were actually going to fly REX as they had a couple of good routes and were relatively cheap (cheaper than Qantas). the other flight would have been on Virgin. When we finally decided to go through with it, we decided to confirm the flight prices to book, only to see no REX flights listed anymore. It caused us to pause. It was only later we discovered they went bankrupt. It was good as my mother and father would end up in this conversation of someplace they wanted to visit more so we pivoted. But if REX hadn't gone bankrupt, we would have had to at least change airlines.
On a side note, I wanna say something about Project Sunrise, but I suppose this is the wrong channel for that.
Why would it be the wrong channel to say something about aviation? Lol
If you come back to Brisbane I’ll have that bacon fight with you.
A true bacon connoisseur is ready to have a bacon fight anywhere at any time. 😂
@@tfft middle rashers FTW
I quite liked Rex airlines, trouble is it is hard to keep a 4th airline.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Great video as always Kevin and your very thorough and informative history lesson in aviation in Australia- I hope your flight on that strange but comfortable ex AA E jet is up to scratch to Darwin - I can’t imagine who you’ll be flying ex DRW perhaps JQ to Bali 🤷♂️
A bit more exotic than JQ to Bali 😉
Hmmmm you may have me there unless you took SQ via SIN😊
I’ve lived in SE Asia for 10 years, Singapore isn’t exotic to me lol
Min 8:40. ALL airlines, I mean ALL who offer premium economy seats, should have the foot rest integrated into them and not extend from the seat ahead of you. I don't know the reasoning behind this decision. Personally, AA bulk head seats have this feature, and that is a winner for me as I can extend or retract the legrest as needed to sleep on long haul overseas flights.
Oh I can tell you the reason, the integrated ones weigh a whole lot more.
It was very sad to see Rex go into administration, I thought they were doing okay, unlike Bonza, who I didn't think would last because they were never on profitable routes with Melbourne being the only major city they serviced.
Rex had even started a Melbourne to Perth service only a month before they went under. However, they strangely chose a night time service to Perth with red eye return.
Unfortunately, Allan Joyce did a number on Qantas, turning them into a profit only driven airline, though it appears the new management is trying to restore them to what they were, but it will take time.
Fortunately, I haven't encountered what you went through with Qantas and I hope someone there watches your video and rectifies the matter with an apology.
My guess would be that they were restricted to those slot pairs.
I wish I had a baby kangaroo to feed!! But don’t so I hit the like button 😅😊
I hear they're quite a handful, you may have lucked out lol
Rex saw the opportunity to become Australia’s second airline when Virgin Australia went into voluntary administration … even acquiring some of their aircraft. However, Virgin was saved by Bain Capital. But as I understand it, Rex did not alter course in terms of their jet operations, even though the fundamentals had changed with Virgin back in the sky. Meanwhile, Rex started flying jets during the pandemic when many Australians avoided flying for fear of being trapped in another state with ever changing border restrictions. This led them to lure people with very low fares that were arguably unsustainable. More recently, there was turbulence in the Rex board of directors, with a former boss attempting to oust most the board. Yes, it’s sad that Rex ceased jet operations and they had some wonderful crews but it seems there were a lot of underlying issues that will mo doubt come out in the report to creditors. 🤔
This is the reality but the "let's kick Qantas" crowd will rave on about unfair competitive practices. Qantas is in business to make a profitable return for shareholders and has no need to apologise for that.
Every business should focus on returning sustainable profits, but Qantas benefits from protectionist government policies related to open skies agreements- without those, they would NEVER be able to charge the fares they charge. Can't praise one without acknowledging the other.
Rex actually cares about their customers more than that one company in aussie. Sad that they have collapsed.😢
Sad indeed
So sad that Rex suspended jet ops. I wonder how many prospective customers will cast a wary eye on this as an omen and avoid spending money on the remainder of the operation.
Based on the comments I've been reading, it seems locals are very confident in their regional ops, speaking about them almost as if they were a totally separate airline. Might have something to do with the fact that the regional arm is getting direct support from the QLD government at the moment.
Were you captivated by the magnificent vista of Adelaide? 😂😂
I was… but I’m sensing sarcasm lol
@@tfft I highly recommend spending several days visiting Adelaide. Not. Please understand, the national passtime in Australia is slagging off everyone else's cities. Whilst privately hating your own too. I live in Perth. Spike Milligan said "They don't bury people in Perth, they stand them up in bus stops to make the place look more lively".
@@karlp8484 shame. Adelaide is a nice city clean and small the hills , the wine regions pity fellow Australians slag it off but each to their own.
I’ve suggested before that Rex should just have concentrated on its regional country routes and upgrading its ageing Saab 340 fleet rather than trying to jet up on the mainline routes. Now a very costly mistake. I only hope they get a massive injection of funds from somewhere.🤞🤞
I'm sure there's some hedge fund in the US that would love to compete with Bain Capital lol
No Flip Flop again today 😭
Fully explained here: bit.ly/tfft_welcome
Who is excited for the roots and hubs series?
You are!
@@tfft certainly ☺️
When will a facereveal happen Kevin?
In approximately 1,577,750,400 seconds.
@@tfft ill be there, 50 years from now
Nobody took the bacon bait?
So far I've had one vote of support, one 'fight' and one offer to fight next time I'm in Brisbane. I'd say overall, the world agrees with me lol
Don`t be surprised to see a middle eastern carrier take Rex`s place Just as Virgin did with Ansett. I am not saying some thing just doesn`t add up but then my maths is terrible .
Thanks for watching 🩴
So sad but that’s what happens when you serve INSTANT COFFEE onboard !
I was un aware VA and QF were serving fair trade Blue Mountain pour over lol
Ok so if I learned one thing then to never open an airline. They drop like flies.
I mean, not the air planes, but the businesses...
Just in Australia lol
I'll fight you...
Good Aussie bacon is fantastic.
Crispy American bacon is rubbish. There I said it.
I appreciate the fight- I thought for a moment maybe everyone just agreed with me!
But I will say you are correct… “GOOD” Aussie bacon is in fact fantastic. I just haven’t seen many good examples of it 😅
@@tfft yes,the good bacon is unfortunately hard to find. Btw loving all your content. Here to the channel growing at an exponential rate 👍
Vale Rex jets.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Some point of reviews from me:
I started watching your contents a few years ago, when you focus more about Hotels reviews, don't know how your videos find me (maybe when i start reaching about hotels in Bali).
I started watching your hotel reviews, and fell in love with them, the way you reviewed them was just amazing, not like any other hotels reviews (or content creators), not showing yourself, not trying to get free staff, or get paid, just you , the camera and the hotel in front of you.
Your clear voice makes it very appealing and inviting. So I got hooked.
But.....
I think something changes this year, from hotel reviews, that focus on unbiased, "clean" and honest hotels reviews it becomes more like flight reviews. Your route of your journey also has become a mix mash , and very confusing, very not organised.
My biggest problem is that you lose the way with what you started here, focusing on so many flights, some of them for just simple economy flights, some domestic flights, with video if just 10-20 minutes I don't think has any point, business classes are something else, but economy and in domestic, I think its pointless.
I really really hope you go back to your videos from years 2022 and backward (maybe even 2023), when your channel was more focused about hotels and resorts, they were longer as well and very helpful and enjoyable to watch. With really unbiased opinions. I LOVED IT!
Please bring the old structure back🙏🏻
I honestly don’t understand the paragraph following the “But…” but I think I can explain the gist of it. The real answer is much more nuanced but it’s long so excuse the bluntness.
Hotel videos quite simply don’t make enough money to sustain more than 2 videos per month. The disadvantage for new channels (and advantage for older channels) is that there is no “how to” guide about creating content. This is why you’ve seen many different hotels and resorts from many parts of the world on my channel. Each and every one is testing the market and how it performs.
This is my full time business so making smart decisions about the content I create is critical to keeping the channel alive. Most in my position would decide it made sense to completely eliminate the hotel reviews, but I do enjoy them and think they add to the channel overall and that’s why I’m sticking with 2-3 per month- even though they rarely break even. If you own a restaurant and you have certain dishes on your menu that require a lot of prep work with expensive ingredients but never sell, no restaurant would in their right mind keep them on the menu.
This is why you will not find many self funded hotel review channels out there. It’s simply not a viable business unto itself.
Hope that explains a bit.
You being surprised by the amount of wasteful packaging is rich considering how much of a carbon footprint you create with these pointless flights around the world. I wonder...have you ever offset even a fraction of these flights??
Your handle is literally “ijustFLYdammit”… find someone else to troll.
Sorry but this video is irrelevant to me in business class.
Do a video about economy class which most travellers would travel in
👎👎👎👎
Congrats?
This video is about business class. More than 50 of my videos are about economy class.
Your trolling game falls flat champ.