The Big Fat Airline Wrap
Well folks, we did it. It’s finally Friday again.
And yes, we did have a short week this week, but we also all worked really hard for that day off!
So take a deep breath, sit up and shake off the tightness in your shoulders, get aalll your airline news in today’s wrap, then wind down into the weekend.
You earned it!
Etihad does business best
Etihad Airways has been named Best Airline – Business Class at the 26th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2015.
The prestigious award, voted for by the readers of TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, TTG mice, TTG-BT Mice China, TTG associations and TTG Asia Luxury, was presented to the airline at a gala ceremony in Bangkok last week.
Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “The ground-breaking new Business Studios on our fleet of A380s and B787 Dreamliners, in particular, have redefined luxury air travel by offering an unprecedented level of style, comfort and hospitality that sets a whole new benchmark for business class travel worldwide.”
Spring into holiday mode with Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines has just released its Mid-Spring fare deals to dream locations across South-East Asia, South Asian Sub-Continent and the UK at bargain prices. Starting from $629 Economy Class* return or $3014 Business Class return, globetrotters can now again take advantage of a wide range of must-have deals on offer until 12 October 2015.
Malaysia Airlines offers a generous 40kg and 30kg baggage allowance for Business Class and Economy Class passengers respectively, and once on board travellers will be instantly greeted by a calming ambience and warm welcome from cabin crew.
To tantalise tastebuds, the airline dishes up a menu that is made from the freshest ingredients. Business Class passengers can take advantage of the carrier’s Chef-on-Call service and select one of 25 meal options consisting of Malaysian specialities, Chef recommendations and healthy choice dishes, providing you book at least 24 hours ahead.
Additionally those travelling on Economy Class can opt to upgrade their complimentary Economy meal via MHGourmet, with a selection of Western and Japanese cuisine for that exquisite dining experience.
For more information or to make a booking, visit www.malaysiaairlines.com or call Malaysia Airlines’ Reservations on 13 26 27.
Fly with Finnair
The first of Finnair’s next-generation Airbus A350 XWB aircraft has been unveiled at a special delivery ceremony at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse, France. Finnair is the first European airline to fly the Airbus A350 XWB.
Finnair intends to double its Asian traffic by 2020 from the 2010 baseline, and the A350 fleet investment is the backbone of this strategy. The company has ordered a total of 19 A350’s, making it the biggest investment in Finnair’s history.
The A350’s first scheduled commercial flight, from Helsinki to Amsterdam and Oslo will be on October 9 (today!) as part of its crew familiarisation tour.
In addition, Finnair’s Airbus A350 XWB’s Nordic Sky entertainment system and Wi-Fi keeps passengers better connected and more entertained during their journey with an improved range of entertainment options for a more enjoyable and peaceful flight.
Nordic Sky’s unique flight programme, displayed on 16 inch touch screens in Business class and on 11 inches in Economy class, shows the main stages of the flight, guiding passengers from departure throughout all stages of their journey, informing them in advance when meals will be served, when rest lighting will be activated, and when passengers can make purchases from the in-flight shopping service. This enables passengers to manage their time on-board effectively.
AirAsiaX spreads the word
Indonesia AirAsia X announces that it has complied with Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation’s regulatory requirement of aircraft ownership as mandated by Indonesia’s Aviation Law No. 1 Year 2009.
The regulation requires every commercial scheduled airline in Indonesia to have a minimum of 10 aircraft under its fleet, in which 5 must be owned.
On 28 September 2015, Indonesia AirAsia X complied with the regulation by inducting 8 more aircraft to its fleet, bringing the total number of aircraft to 10.
The airline has also complied with Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation’s directive to turn the airline’s equity positive. AirAsia Indonesia’s shareholders have converted the company’s short-term loan to perpetual securities or bonds with no maturity date, which are classified as equity according to the financial accounting standards (PSAK).
This step to issue perpetual securities or bonds was taken based on the recommendation from two prominent accounting firms. This move has allowed AirAsia Indonesia to return to a positive equity position.
Happy birthday Adelaide!
Adelaide Airport on Wednesday October 7 celebrated the 10th birthday of its award-winning T1 domestic and international terminal. Around 70 million passengers have passed through the state-of-the-art terminal since it was officially opened by then Prime Minister John Howard on October 7, 2005.
Since then, international passenger numbers have almost tripled, domestic passenger growth is 36% and regional numbers are up by 46%, for a total average increase of 46%. Close to 8 million passengers passed through Adelaide Airport in 2014/15.
Adelaide Airport T1 marked its birthday with a cake cutting ceremony in the main concourse where free cupcakes and retail vouchers were handed out to customers.
Cathay shows its caring side
Cathay Pacific Airways has launched its 2014 Sustainable Development Report, which outlines the various sustainable development measures undertaken by the airline and the Cathay Pacific Group’s subsidiaries based in Hong Kong. The theme of the report is “Sustaining a Life Well Travelled”.
“At Cathay Pacific we believe that life should be lived well, and that part of living well is to take a more sustainable approach that can help to preserve the environment for future generations. The Cathay Group’s sustainability strategy focuses on five key aspects, including our operations, people and communities, customers, suppliers and infrastructure,” Cathay Pacific director corporate affairs James Tong said.
Highlights of Cathay Pacific’s sustainability progress in 2014 included switching off one aircraft engine while taxiing at the airport upon arrival and reducing the weight onboard, implementing a number of measures to reduce food waste where possible, and helping the airline’s teams in the procurement of more environmentally friendly and sustainable products, such as lighter and reusable containers and cutlery for the inflight meal service.
Image: Gizmodo
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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