Tuesday at the Travel Weekly office means two things: the first is that it’s airline wrap day, and the second is that our weekend hangovers are finally wearing off.

Samoa Airways commission update

Effective immediately, Samoa Airways’ commission level for tickets issued in Australia and New Zealand by authorised IATA Retail Agents and Consolidators on OL (162) plate will be 5 per cent.

Samoa Airways reminds that its Economy Class Fiafia Saver fares (V, T, Q, O, N, L , K, W, H, M) include 1 x 7kg carry-on, 1 x 23kg checked baggage, hot meal, beverage selection and wireless IFE. For Fiafia Flexi fares (B, Y), the baggage allowance is 1 x 32kgs and flight changes are permitted within 24-hours of departure.

Fiafia Business (U, J, C) fares include a 2 x 32kgs checked baggage allowance, cabin baggage of 1 x 7kgs + Small laptop-size personal bag, priority check-in/boarding/baggage, lounge access on departure from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, complimentary headphones and tablets to access the wireless IFE, as well as full food and beverage inflight service.

Direct to Dammam as British Airways launches third route to Saudi Arabia

British Airways has today announced it will fly from Heathrow to global business hub, Dammam in Saudi Arabia from December 1, 2019. Tickets are on sale now.
The route will be the only direct flight from London and launch as a daily service via Bahrain.

Flights will be operated by a four-class Boeing 777-200 departing year-round from Heathrow Terminal 5, landing into Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport.
Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province and is known as the heart of the country’s petroleum industry.

Dammam will be the third city in Saudi Arabia British Airways flies to with the airline already serving Riyadh and Jeddah with non-stop daily flights.

Qatar Airways Reaches Significant Milestone with Delivery of 250th Aircraft

Qatar Airways today celebrated the arrival of its 250^th aircraft, an Airbus A350-900 from Toulouse, France, the latest addition to the group’s growing fleet of passenger, Cargo and executive aircraft.

This impressive landmark comes just 22 years after the carrier began operations, and is testament to the incredible growth of an airline that has become world-leading in that time, winning a host of awards, including the Skytrax World Airline of the Year accolade on no less than four occasions.

The new A350-900 joins the airline’s state-of-the-art fleet, where the average age of aircraft is less than five years old. As of 20 March 2019, Qatar Airways’ fleet is made up of 203 passenger aircraft, 25 Cargo and 22 Qatar Executive jets.

Singapore Airlines takes in-flight wellness to new levels

Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) acclaimed International Culinary Panel (ICP) will be embarking on a new approach in the year ahead with seasonal menus that are prepared in a lighter cuisine style. The initiative, which was one of many announced at SIA’s World Gourmet Forum today, is the latest addition to the Airline’s series of in-flight wellness offerings.

SIA’s World Gourmet Forum 2019, titled “A Taste of the Future”, is a gathering of the Airline’s ICP Chefs and Wine Consultants to explore the latest dining trends and showcase new in-flight initiatives. In addition to the new seasonal menus, today’s event saw the unveiling of SIA’s refreshed beverage programme, which included an extensive selection of artisanal wines being made available in-flight, new initiatives for a more personalised in-flight dining experience, as well as the Airline’s push towards greater sustainability on board.

Fly Emirates to Dubai and receive a discounted Uber ride upon arrival 

Australian passengers travelling with Emirates to and through Dubai can enjoy a stress free end-to-end journey by booking today and receiving a free or discounted, reliable Uber ride from and to Dubai International Airport. Visitors travelling from more than 50 global destinations within Australia as well as, North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Asia, can take advantage of this offer starting now until 18 June 2019.*

Emirates Economy Flex Plus and Emirates Economy Flex passengers travelling from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide can redeem the exclusive offer by visiting the Emirates website during the promotional period.**

Australian Economy Flex Plus travellers can use two free rides from and to Dubai International Airport from anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 120 (approximately AUD$45.99) per trip, while Economy Flex passengers will get 50 per cent off two rides, from and to Dubai International Airport to anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 60 (approximately AUD$23) per trip.