AirAsia X’s Australian Cabin Crew a Big Hit

Travellers aboard AirAsia X flights out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are now being welcomed by the first Australian cabin crew to fly for the airline.
Chloe Markham and Hayley Austin, both from Queensland, are the first Australian graduates from the AirAsia-CAE Aviation Centre of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur.
They have completed their cabin safety training program which covers all aspects of cabin safety training and procedures which enables graduates to join airlines, including AirAsia, on a range of aircraft types.

AirAsia X chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said the airline was delighted to recruit enthusiastic Australians as crew aboard its flights between Australia and other destinations across ASEAN.

Chloe Markham had some previous experience in aviation in Australia including in ground operations in Mackay and Perth before deciding to fulfil her love of aviation by joining the cabin crew with AirAsia X.

“I had always noticed the fantastic, happy culture of the AirAsia staff,” Chloe said.

For Hayley Austin a school trip to Japan cemented a love of Asia and a dream to work for an Asian airline.

“I watched the flight attendants working on the aircraft and thought from that moment on that I’d like to be a flight attendant for an Asian airline,” Hayley said.

Chloe and Hayley are both currently based in Kuala Lumpur which is their hub for flights to such destinations as Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan, India, South Korea, New Zealand and the Middle East.

Emirates Enhances its Service to Khartoum, Sudan

Emirates is set to upgrade its service between Dubai and Khartoum with the deployment of a larger Boeing 777-300ER on the route from 1st September 2016.

The Boeing 777 will replace the current Airbus A340-300 and offer travellers on the route an enhanced on-board product experience and additional seats in Economy Class.

Enhancements include an updated ice entertainment system with larger TV screens across all three cabin classes and over 2500 channels of on demand audio and visual entertainment, featuring the latest movies, music, audio books, podcasts and games.

The aircraft also has eight private suites in First Class with automated sliding doors for privacy, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class – nearly 100 seats more than the A340-300.

Emirates flies four times a week between Khartoum and Dubai, and enables Sudanese travellers to connect to destinations across its global network, particularly the Middle East, the United States, United Kingdom and Asia Pacific region, with just one comfortable and convenient stop at the airline’s Dubai hub.

Emirates flight EK733 departs Dubai every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 14h35 and arrives in Khartoum at 17h40. The return flight EK734 leaves Khartoum at 19h10 and arrives in Dubai at 0020 the following morning.

Cathay Pacific and Dragonair introduce enhanced worldwide baggage policy

Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair are pleased to announce the introduction of an enhanced baggage policy, which will see passengers benefit from increased check-in allowances and generally lower excess baggage charges.

Under the revised weight system policy, all passengers, regardless of their class of travel, will enjoy an additional 10kg allowance for check-in baggage. Marco Polo Club Silver, Gold and Diamond members will benefit from an extra 10kg, 15kg and 20kg respectively.

In line with global industry standards, the zoning of excess baggage charges will also be adjusted. The new zone combinations will see an extensive reduction of charges of up to 40%.

To improve check-in efficiency and reduce queuing time at airports across the airlines’ networks, the revised baggage policy will follow a weight system with piece count. Passengers in Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class will be entitled to check-in two baggage items free of charge. First Class passengers will be entitled to check-in three baggage items free of charge. Marco Polo Club Gold and Diamond members will be entitled to check-in one additional item on top of their travel class allowance.

In addition to the enhanced check-in baggage policy, Dragonair will increase its carry-on baggage allowance, which currently stands at 5kg in all classes, to match that of Cathay Pacific. The new allowance for passengers travelling in Economy and Premium Economy will be increased to 7kg; Business Class and First Class passengers will enjoy allowances of 10kg and 15kg respectively.

The enhanced check-in baggage allowance will be applicable to air tickets issued or exchanged on or after 15 September 2016, while the new carry-on baggage policy will be effective from 15 September 2016.