I just got back from our Gold Coast flight yesterday, after launching our Melbourne route. Had to handle a barrage of media queries/interviews and caught up on emails. Adrenaline from the last intense 48-hours is finally dissipating.

Launching a new route, especially a major destination such as Melbourne is a mammoth undertaking, and one that we tackle with bare minimum resources to make it happen. Its always a major drama. Final regulatory approvals need to be secured. The booking engine with promo fares must be loaded to face the onslaught on sales at midnight. Advertisements and press releases must be vetted. Logistics of the press conference must be scrutinised - especially when we were lucky to be graced by the presence of two senior Victorian Ministers at our event: Minister of Trade & Industry Theo Theophanus (whom I've come to regard as a personal friend after working with him for over a year to make Melbourne happen), and Minister of Tourism Tim Holding.

Wouldn't have been possible without a stellar team: Kat, Spencer, Senthil, Darren, Sherliza and many others who made this happen through sheer will spiced with madness.

The flight back yesterday was an 8+ hour day flight. I only managed to get 1-hour's work done on the laptop before my mind started zoning out. Couldn't focus and concentrate any more.

Thankfully, since July, AirAsia X has introduced portable media players that come with a selection of Hollywood blockbuster and regional movies, TV shows, music and games - to while a way the long flight hours - for a small fee ;-) (RM35)

We've realised that for long-haul flights, we must provide an entertainment option for our guests who cannot sleep on the flight. The new aircraft that will come into service this November, will be equipped with in-flight entertainment systems in all seats! Latest interactive, touch-screen system with a lot of entertainment content as well as cool applications, including a USB port to charge your iPod/Blackberry (two devices I always have with me when travelling).