Wait, there’s a wholesaler wrap AND an airline wrap today?! Yep, you guessed it. These wraps should take up most of your day if you read them over and over. You’re welcome.

Air Astana receives five-star airline rating at APEX Awards

Air Astana received a five-star Airline Rating in the Major Regional Airlines category at the APEX Awards held in Boston on 24th September 2018.

More than 500 airlines from all over the world are rated by APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) on the basis of online passenger reviews of seat comfort, onboard service, food & beverage, in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi services.

Amongst other international awards, Air Astana became the first carrier from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS) and Eastern Europe to be awarded the prestigious four-star rating by Skytrax at its World Airline Awards 2012 and was also named ‘The Best Airline in Central Asia and India’ that year. Both achievements were repeated in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. TripAdvisor named Air Astana as a Winner in the Regional Airlines – Asia category in the 2018 Travellers’ Choice Awards, which identifies travellers’ favourite carriers around the globe.

Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, operates flights to over 60 domestic and international routes from hubs in Astana and Almaty. The company was incorporated in late 2001 and commenced operations on 15 May 2002. Air Astana fleet consists of Boeing 767/757, Airbus A320 Family aircraft including A320neo and A321neo and Embraer 190 aircraft

Air New Zealand to launch new, Kiwi-designed uniform

Air New Zealand is kicking off the design process for a new uniform for cabin crew and airport staff. Currently, close to 4,500 cabin crew and airport staff wear Dame Trelise Cooper designed garments. The airline will next month invite a selection of local designers, including Dame Trelise, to submit proposals for the new uniform.

Air New Zealand General Manager Global Brand and Content Marketing Jodi Williams says the airline’s customer-facing uniforms are among the most recognisable in aviation and a very visual representation of New Zealand on the world stage.

The new uniform, which is expected to roll out in 2021 will mark an exciting new phase for the Air New Zealand brand, preceding the arrival of the airline’s new long-haul aircraft fleet and new onboard product around 2023.

Qatar Airways wins two awards at the APEX 2019 Global Passenger Choice Awards Ceremony in Boston

Qatar Airways received two awards from the Airline Passenger Experience Association’s (APEX) 2019 Passenger Choice Awards (PCAs) in Boston on Monday 24 September. The airline was named the winner of the ‘Best Food and Beverages’ and ‘Best Cabin Service’ awards categories based on feedback from passengers of approximately 500 airlines around the world.

The APEX awards ceremony, held in Boston on 24 September, was attended by more than 5,000 industry professionals, as well as representatives from more than 100 airlines, and was hosted by Mr Brian Kelly, CEO and Founder of The Points Guy.

The APEX awards are based on passenger feedback in different categories and recognise outstanding performance and passenger service offered by airlines globally.

Earlier this year, Qatar Airways also received four awards from APEX Asia in Shanghai: ‘Best Overall Airline: Middle East’; ‘Best Food and Beverage: Middle East’; ‘Best Cabin Service: Middle East’; and ‘Best Seat Comfort: Middle East’, in addition to receiving a 2018 Five-Star APEX Official Airline rating.

Singapore Airlines to offer wireless headphones through Bang & Olufsen partnership 

Singapore Airlines will soon offer wireless headphones for use with its KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system on select flights, through a new partnership with Bang & Olufsen.

SIA and Bang & Olufsen today announced their partnership to enhance the customer experience of the Airline’s customers. For a start, Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H9i wired headphones will be made available this October on all of SIA’s newest Airbus A380 Suites cabins before the wireless version is offered on select routes in the A380 Suites cabins. The wired headphones will also be progressively rolled out to the rest of SIA’s other A380 Suites and First Class cabins in November.

Featuring powerful and precise Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound, advanced Active Noise Cancellation technology and an innovative aluminium touch interface, the Beoplay H9i headphones will improve customers’ in-flight entertainment experience while providing over-ear supreme comfort and breathability, due to luxurious genuine leather and adaptive memory foam. With up to 18 hours of playtime, the Beoplay H9i will enable customers to enjoy their favourite music, podcasts, television shows or movies even during the longest flights.

UFC and AirAsia deliver first-time Octagon Branding for UFC 229: Khabib vs McGregor partnership

UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, continues to push the boundaries with AirAsia as its brand partnership takes on new life via the biggest fight in MMA history, as UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (26-0, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) battles former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor (21-3, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland) in the main event of UFC 229: KHABIB vs. McGREGOR, presented by Harley-Davidson, on Saturday, October 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The match-up is the most anticipated in MMA history, the event will see UFC and  AirAsia deliver unprecedented branding inside the world-famous Octagon. The famed red corner will be taken over by AirAsia creating unparalleled visibility for the airline brand on fight night.

In the lead up to this colossal event, AirAsia’s cabin crew will join UFC’s Octagon Girls on stage during the official ceremonial weigh-ins, as one of the many highlights of a UFC fight week which sees thousands of fans in attendance and millions watching around the world.

Through this multi-faceted partnership, AirAsia will extend its brand presence on a global scale with asset integration across UFC’s social, digital, and Pay-Per-View broadcast of the event.

Uber and Emirates announce a unique multi-country partnership

Uber, the world’s leading ride-sharing app and Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, have announced an exclusive partnership that will provide Emirates passengers visiting Dubai from select international countries with discounted airport rides. The collaborative offer will see visitors to Dubai from Australia, Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa avail special offers from Uber on bookings made between 26 September to 10 December 2018.

To avail the special offers, travellers will need to book an Emirates Economy Flex or Economy Flex Plus fare on flights from Australia, Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa to Dubai via the Emirates website, www.emirates.com.au during the promotional period. Economy Flex Plus travellers will get one free ride from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 120 (or AUD $45), while Economy Flex passengers will get 50% off one ride from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to anywhere in Dubai up to the value of AED 60 (or AUD $22.50).

Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia re-affirm close ties with new three-year agreement

Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia have re-affirmed their strong commercial ties by signing a new three-year strategic marketing deal worth A$11 million.

The agreement will see the two parties jointly fund a range of tourism campaigns and promotional activities in eight of Australia’s key inbound markets – Singapore, as well as China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and the UK.

Singapore Airlines currently operates more than 130 scheduled flights per week to Australia, serving Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. This represents eight per cent of all Australia’s international arrivals. Together with subsidiary airlines SilkAir and Scoot, the SIA Group has close to 170 weekly flights to Australia.

Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand team up on campaign encouraging visitors to explore more of New Zealand

Regional New Zealand is set to benefit from an Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand joint venture campaign offering North American visitors a free domestic flight from Auckland to anywhere on the airline’s network.

The online campaign which is running throughout September allows customers in the United States and Canada to add on a domestic fare to another New Zealand destination at no extra cost when booking through Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand Regional General Manager Americas Liz Fraser says the campaign is all about getting visitors to discover as much of New Zealand as possible during their visit.

The campaign is an attractive way to encourage visitors into the regions to explore the vast range of attractions and activities they offer. Regional visitation is one of their main priorities and delivers long-term term economic, social and employment benefits to New Zealand communities and their people.