Welcome to your weekly wrap of all things airline.

From special deals and revamped fleets to early bird fares and simpliefied booking – it’s all here.

Kick back, get up to speed, and wind down to the weekend – we’re halfway after all!

British Airways reunites families for Christmas

British Airways is giving Australians the chance to reunite with family in Europe this Christmas and to reach them in style with the launch of special premium cabin fares, available for booking from now until September 21.

As the only European airline to fly to Australia, British Airways is offering fares to a wide variety of winter wonderlands via the award-winning Club World business class, to Europe from $7,212, London from $7,381, as well as Singapore for as little as $3,216.

The special fares are available for travel between September 12–March 16, 2016. To take advantage of the fares, those looking to fly Club World are required to make their ticket purchases at least 21 days before travel, three days in advance if travelling in First, and seven days ahead of any visit to Singapore.

Virgin Atlantic flying high

Virgin Atlantic Airways’ new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft is offering passengers a range of additional new benefits.  From specialised mood lighting across all cabins, increased seat sizes, a new ‘Wander Wall’ concept in Premium Economy, plus a walk-up bar in Upper Class, flying has never been more comfortable.

The Dreamliner aircraft is the first to be equipped with the new ‘Wander Wall’ concept, located at the front cabin. It features a small refrigerator, water fountain and full buffet of snacks and drinks for passengers to help themselves to, configured for day and night flights.

It is a compact social space where guests can stretch their legs and commune at their leisure, similar to the concept of the Upper Class Bar, making it the perfect on-board destination for social travellers.

Fiji Airlines makes things simple

Fiji Airways has further enhanced its customer offering with the introduction of its online check-in feature now available on all international flights.

This new service enables customers to conveniently check-in at www.fijiairways.com using a simple user-friendly interface. Online check-in opens 24 hours before and closes 4 hours prior to departure.

After completing online check-in, customers can print out a boarding pass and then only need to present themselves at the Express Bag Drop Counter to drop their checked-in luggage. The Bag Drop Counter will have service staff available to assist.

Meanwhile, in another service enhancement, Fiji Airways customers are now also able to purchase seats with extra leg-room on selected international flights at the airport. This allows them to guarantee a coveted exit row or bulkhead seat, which will cost AU$39 on short and medium haul flights and AU$64 for long haul flights.

Etihad offers Early Bird Fares

Etihad Airways has released its Early Bird fares for travel to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and USA in 2016. The sale offers great value Economy, Business and First Class fares for bookings between now and 31 October.

The airline has a wide selection of Early Bird fares for other popular destinations. For full details and to book visit www.etihad.com/au.

Tigerair releases domestic 72-hour sale

Tigerair Australia today launches a “massive domestic airfare sale” with all domestic routes on sale and over 10,000 seats available for more than 60% off the standard advertised “light fare.”

The sale which launches today at midday (AEST) and lasts 72 hours will see fares on sale from as low as $19 each way between Melbourne-Gold Coast and Melbourne-Hobart, from $25 each way between Adelaide-Melbourne and Sydney-Coffs Harbour and from $29 between Sydney-Melbourne and Brisbane-Sydney.

Singapore Airlines announces new deputy chairman

Singapore Airlines is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Seah Lim Huat to its Board as Deputy Chairman, with effect from 1 September 2015.

Seah, 69, will be an independent non-executive director. He will join the Board Executive Committee and the Board Compensation and Industrial Relations Committee.

A well-known business figure, Mr Seah is Chairman of DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank Ltd. He is also Chairman of LaSalle College of the Arts Limited, the National Wages Council and Singapore Health Services.

Air Astana launches seat upgrade tool

Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, has launched MyUpgrade; an innovative online tool that enables existing economy class customers to bid for an upgrade to Business Class before their flight.  The tool gives passengers the chance to name their own price, within a minimum and maximum range, to be considered for an upgrade to the premium cabin.

Air Astana customers who book an eligible flight at www.airastana.com will receive a pre-departure email inviting them to visit the secure online portal to make their offer.

Those customers booking via ticket offices and travel agents can also check their flight eligibility and make an offer via the dedicated marketing page on the airlines website. Customer bids are accepted up to 72 hours before departure.

United launches Dreamliner specials

United Airlines today announced special fares between Sydney and Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York City, Vancouver, Cancun and more than 200 other destinations across North America, on sale until 7 Sept., 2015.

Whether travellers are looking to soak up the sun on the beaches of Cancun, take a bite out of The Big Apple or discover the haunting history behind Alcatraz, United will get them there in style!

The special economy fares are available from,

• Sydney to Los Angeles (LAX)  from AU$1049 round trip*
• Sydney to Las Vegas (LAS)  from AU$1212*
• Sydney to San Francisco (SFO)  from AU$1255*
• Sydney to New York (NYC)  from AU$1285*
• Sydney to Vancouver (YVR)  from AU$1461*
• Sydney to Cancun (CUN) from AU$1751*

Sale ends 07 September 2015. Other terms and conditions apply – for full details, please contact your travel agent, united.com/au or call 131-777.

* Fares valid for departures from 1 October 2015 – 30 November 2015, 31 January 2016 – 15 March 2016, 24 April, 2016 – 16 June 2016.