Big Fat Airline Wrap

Big Fat Airline Wrap

It’s our 70th Big Fat Airline Wrap today, and to celebrate we wrote another one. Sorry, no cupcakes or streamers here.

British Airways invests in substantial new catering for World Traveller customers

BritishAirwaysiStock

British Airways is today announcing a multi-million pound investment in its World Traveller economy class catering, introducing an exciting and expanded new menu, which provides more quantity and quality to both meals and great snacking options throughout the flight.

Options now include:

  • Pretzels with the welcome drink
  • Four-course meal with starter, main, dessert, cheese and biscuits, accompanied by a bread roll and bottle of water
  • Second meal or substantial snack depending on the length of the flight
  • Regional meal options served according to destination
  • Magnum ice-creams
  • Tuck box with chocolates and crisps
  • Hot breakfast on longer overnight flights
  • Graze movie-snack box on longer* flights
  • Complimentary drinks from the bar

Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group sign MoU for cooperation in Aviation Security

Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in aviation security.

The MoU was signed by Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, and Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, His Excellency Hamad Abdulla Al Shamsi, Vice Chairman, Etihad Aviation Group and senior representatives from Emirates Group Security, Etihad Aviation Group, at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai.

Emirates Brisbane Resumption – Australia & NZ Network Update

Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) is pleased to announce the return of scheduled services to Brisbane (BNE) effective Wednesday 06 June 2018. The services from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) will initially be operated four times weekly using Airbus A330-300s, with a view toward daily services once demand has been established.
BNE schedule is noted below:

flight

The new Brisbane services will be available for sale in the GDS and at malaysiaairlines.com from today.

SilkAir welcomes the new Boeing 737 Max 8 to northern Australia

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, today celebrated the arrival of its new aircraft, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 into Cairns. The newest aircraft to join the SilkAir fleet, the MAX 8 offers customers an enhanced on-board experience and new cabin products, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant flight.

The new aircraft was welcomed to the city with a water cannon arrival, and travelling guests were treated to a celebratory breakfast at the gate.

SilkAir is the first airline to operate the MAX 8 aircraft to Australia, with the aircraft touching down for its inaugural flight to Darwin on Sunday.

The Airline took delivery of the first of 37 MAX 8 aircraft it has on firm order in October last year, which marked a significant milestone in its journey towards expanding its network to bring customers to inspiring destinations across Asia and beyond.

Get 2018 off to a Flying Start with Air Tahiti Nui’s New Year Sale

Tahiti sailing

Air Tahiti Nui is offering Australians a fun and achievable New Year’s resolution in 2018 – the trip of a lifetime.

As part of the airline’s annual New Year Sale, Air Tahiti Nui has discounted flights to Tahiti and Bora Bora, bringing the ultimate getaway within reach of more Australians.

On sale until 24 January 2018, return economy airfares from Sydney to Papeete are priced from just $1149* per person.

Meanwhile return economy airfares from Sydney to Bora Bora start from $1675* per person.

Air Tahiti Nui Regional Manager Australia Alan Roman said the New Year Sale was a great way to add one of the world’s most sought-after destinations to the 2018 travel calendar and get the year off to a flying start.

Air Astana takes delivery of first Airbus A321neo

Air Astana A321neo

Air Astana, the award-winning Kazakh flag carrier, has taken delivery of the first A321neo at the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft is on an operating lease from Aercap, with the deal including two further A321neo and one A320neo aircraft for delivery planned in 2018.

The Air Astana A321neo is configured with 28 Business Class and 151 Economy class seats, all of which are equipped with personal IFE systems. The A321neo is powered by the latest generation Pratt & Whitney engines, which together with aerodynamic improvements, make it the quietest aircraft in its class and also delivers fuel consumption 15% lower than the previous model. The cabin features larger overhead-bin capacity and a new mood-lighting system with LED technology.

The aircraft will be operated on Air Astana’s network of domestic and regional routes.

Air Astana currently operates 13 A320 aircraft and one A320neo, which was delivered in 2016. The carrier plans to increase the fleet of A320neo family aircraft to 17 by 2020.

Air Astana offers in-flight connectivity across Boeing 767 fleet

Air Astana has completed the installation of an in-flight broadband communication system across the Boeing 767 fleet. The new service is available to both Business and Economy class passengers, who can now connect to the internet, use various applications for instant messaging, social networks, listen to audio and check mail through personal computers, tablets and smartphones.

Air Astana passengers can choose from three connectivity packages: Light option covers 15 Mb, Regular option covers 50 Mb for 15 USD, and Super option offers 100 Mb. All services are estimated to operate at an average speed of 2 to 5 Mbps.

The Boeing 767 is operated on domestic trunk routes and high-density, long-haul routes out of Almaty and Astana.

Latest News

  • Travel Agents

Wendy Wu Tours first China mega-famil for 100 travel agents will be full of Wow!

Wendy Wu Tours will run its first mega-famil for 100 travel agents to China this month, as interest in the destination steadily increases. The group will be made up of agents from across Australia, New Zealand and the UK will visit Zhangjiajie, the backdrop for the film Avatar. Delegates will “be treated like royalty every […]

  • Tourism

Tourism Australia announces appointment of Regional General Manager United Kingdom

Tourism Australia has announced the appointment of Andrew Boxall to the role of Regional General Manager United Kingdom and Northern Europe. With more than 25 years of tourism industry experience, Andrew has worked internationally across the Middle East, India, Europe and the UK. More recently he was Flight Centre Travel Group’s executive general manager for […]

  • Destinations
  • Hotels

Chef Alessandro Pavoni Unveils Cibaria at Manly Pacific MGallery Collection

Renowned Chef Alessandro Pavoni will introduce Cibaria Manly – a relaxed Italian all day dining destination set against a beachside backdrop – to the Manly Pacific MGallery Collection, The chef, best known for his culinary success at Ormeggio at the Spit and a’Mare, envisions Cibaria as a European-styled culinary haven where socialising seamlessly transitions from […]

  • Hotels

Hotel Review Atlantis, The Royal: Stunning in every sense

Atlantis Dubai invited Travel Weekly to experience the newly launched luxury resort, Atlantis The Royal as well as Dubai’s first and ultimate entertainment resort, Atlantis, The Palm. The experiences, restaurants and beach clubs at both resorts made up a series of meticulously crafted luxury moments for which Dubai is renowned. From fire-breathing fountains to culinary […]

  • Tourism

Flight Centre’s Big Red Sale starts today

Flight Centre’s biggest sale has just landed giving Aussies the chance to lock in more affordable holidays close to home and overseas with saving of up to 50 per cent. The Big Red Sale starts today, 9 May, and runs until 5 June 2024. Flight Centre Global Managing Director Andrew Stark said that after the […]

  • Cruise

Aurora Expeditions announces savings for solo travellers

Aurora Expeditions has today announced savings for solo travellers thinking of going north for the summer. Adventurous solo travellers can take advantage of no solo supplements, enjoying a guaranteed private cabin on select departures during Aurora’s Arctic 2024 season with plenty of options available on unforgettable voyages visiting Greenland, Svalbard, Northwest Passage, Iceland and more. […]

  • Aviation
  • Destinations

Etihad and Tourism officials launch free Abu Dhabi Stopover

Etihad Airways and the UAE’s Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have announced the launch of Abu Dhabi Stopover which invites guests flying through to turn their stopover into a free hotel stay and holiday. The Abu Dhabi Stopover, exclusive to Etihad Airways, will enable passengers to enjoy a convenient free stay in […]

  • Destinations

Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts

Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]

  • Travel Agents

Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland

Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]

  • Cruise

Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers

French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]

  • Destinations

Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents

World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]