Big Fat Airline Wrap
Get the latest wrap on what the aviation industry is up to, including flying the Olympic torch, new airport lounges, added flights and more.
LATAM Airlines delivers Olympic torch to Brasília
LATAM Airlines, the official airline supporter of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is also the official supporter of the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay, with the special honour of delivering the Olympic torch from Geneva to Brasília yesterday.
The special operation saw the airline is fly a Boeing 767-300ER to carry the flame, on a non-stop flight. The aircraft is the first to feature the new visual identity of LATAM Airlines, and carry a special identification in reference to the to the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay.
Complete Travel Marketing introduces Plaza Premium’s airport experience
Complete Travel Marketing has been appointed by Plaza Premium Group, managers of the largest independent airport lounge network worldwide, to introduce Plaza Premium’s top-notch airport services and facilities to travellers and trade in the Australian and New Zealand markets through a strategic combination of sales, marketing and public relations activities.
Plaza Premium Group group sales & marketing director Pauline Cheung said “Australia and New Zealand are beautiful countries with rich travel resources and our expansion in these markets is part of our global plan to enhance passengers’ airport experience.”
“We are proud to deepen our commitment to these markets, and strengthen our connections with travellers and trade through Complete Travel Marketing to promote our acclaimed Plaza Premium Lounge and transit hotel chain Aerotel that stewards growth of our brands in these two countries,” Cheung added.
Malaysia Airlines extensive redesign of its Golden Lounges
Malaysia Airlines has announced an extensive redesign of its Golden Lounges, providing the best pre-flight experience for eligible guests.
This is another great milestone for the airline as it rebuilds itself from the inside out. Internationally-renowned interior design firm Duoz are the masterminds behind the project taking the premium lounges into new levels of luxury.
Key features include:
– a uniquely Malaysian design with modern functionality
– new demonstration kitchen concept
– upgraded offering of Malaysian and international gourmet specials
– Fine dining in the First Class lounge
– Faster WiFi and universal power sockets
Recently Malaysia Airlines launched their new Business Class seat on-board A330 aircraft, meaning guests can look forward to an enhanced experience both on the ground and in the air.
Airbus profits down in challenging year
Airbus Group says it’s facing a “challenging year” after profit sank in the first quarter and troubles surfaced with a gearbox on the A400M military cargo jet, yet is maintaining forecast for growth over 2016.
The parent of European plane-maker Airbus on Thursday reported 399 million euros ($A595.34 million) in profits for the quarter, down 50 per cent from 792 million euros in the same period last year, when profits were boosted by a big asset sale.
The company said problems with the engine propeller gearbox on the A400M could have a “significant” financial impact.
Airbus is evaluating plans for planes in production and already in service.
Airbus also said it informed British authorities of “mistakes and omissions” in applications for credit export financing for customers discovered during internal auditing. It didn’t elaborate.
Source: AP
AirAsia X increases flights to eight destinations
AirAsia X has announced an increase in frequencies to eight destinations including Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in Australia.
In the next few months, flight frequencies will be increased between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Melbourne (to 14x weekly flights), Sydney (to 11x weekly) and Perth (to 14x weekly).
They join increases to Osaka (to 9x weekly), Sapporo (to 5x weekly), Beijing (to 11x weekly), Shanghai (to 11x weekly) and Taipei (to 14x weekly) from Kuala Lumpur.
To coincide with the increase in frequencies AirAsia has launched a sale for all AirAsia X flights (flight code D7) with low fares available to Kuala Lumpur from Perth from $149*, Melbourne from $239*, Sydney from $249*, and Gold Coast from $269*. Fares between Auckland and Gold Coast are on sale from NZ$119* and from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur priced from NZ$329*.
AirAsia X’s award-winning Premium Flatbeds are also on sale to Kuala Lumpur from Perth from $469* and Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast from $699*.Premium Flatbed fares between Auckland and Gold Coast are on sale from NZ$250* and from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur priced from NZ$799*.
The travel period is from now until 24 November 2016.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
air asia x airbus LATAM Airlines malaysia airlinesLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.