Big Fat Airline Wrap
We hate to break it to you, but this is the last airline wrap of the year! Which means if you haven’t got your Christmas shopping done by now, you might be in trouble (we definitely are).
Air Astana celebrates delivery of first Embraer E190-E2
Air Astana celebrated the delivery of its first Embraer E190-E2 at a ceremony held in the carrier’s Aviation Technical Center hangar at Astana airport today. The aircraft is the first of five ordered under a leasing agreement signed with AerCap in 2017, with the remaining four aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2019.
The aircraft is also the first E2 to be delivered to an airline in the CIS. The new generation Embraer E190-E2 aircraft will replace older Embraer E190s in the fleet, which have operated with Air Astana since 2011. All aircraft delivered directly from the manufacturer’s factory in Brazil.
The new aircraft features a special Snow Leopard livery, which is intended to draw global attention to the threat of extinction faced by this large wild cat, which is a native to the mountain ranges of southern Kazakhstan.
Air Astana will operate the Embraer 190-E2 on domestic services across Kazakhstan, as well as to destinations in Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus and China. The inaugural E2 commercial service from Astana to Almaty in scheduled for the 19th December 2018.
British Airways’ in-flight enter-sleigh-ment given Christmas makeover
To help customers get in the festive spirit at 38,000 feet British Airways has added a selection of Christmas treats to its in-flight entertainment system.
Up to 40 new films, TV show episodes, audiobooks and music CDs have been introduced under the ‘Festive Cheer’ category.
‘The Holiday’ and ‘Elf’, last year’s two most popular Christmas films on board return, alongside ‘Gremlins’, ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’, ‘Scrooged’ and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’.
In terms of television, customers can relive classics like ‘The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special’ or hone their lunch preparation with ‘Nigella: At My Table Christmas Special 2017’. And for those who prefer to listen to tree-mendous music, there are carols from The Choir of King’s College Cambridge.
To accompany the festive inflight entertainment, British Airways will also be serving Christmas meals on flights as the day approaches.
Emirates takes delivery of its last Boeing 777-300ER aircraft
Emirates celebrated an important fleet milestone with the delivery of the final Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its order books. A6-EQP is the 190th Boeing 777 aircraft to be delivered to Emirates, the world’s largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft and also the only airline in the world to have operated all the six variants of the Boeing 777 family.
One of out every eight 777 aircraft ever manufactured by Boeing has been delivered to Emirates. Emirates will also be one of the first airlines in the world to fly the two next-generation models- the Boeing 777-8 and 777-9.
It was also the 146th delivery of a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to Emirates. The airline welcomed the first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft into its fleet in March 2005 and over the last 13 years, the 777-300ER has become the backbone of Emirates’ fleet operating currently to over 119 destinations across the airline’s global network.
Emirates has operated one out of every five Boeing 777-300ER aircraft produced to date and the average age of a Boeing 777-3000ER in Emirates’ fleet is a mere 6.5 years.
Cathay Pacific expands its Japan network with new route to Ishikawa Prefecture from April 2019
Cathay Pacific is introducing a new scheduled seasonal service to Komatsu next spring, making the beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural attractions of Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture more easily accessible to travellers.
The new two-times-weekly service will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 3 April 2019 and 26 October 2019 using Airbus A330-300 aircraft featuring both Business and Economy Class cabins.
Cathay Pacific has operated charter flights to Komatsu, the gateway to Ishikawa, in central Honshu, at peak holiday periods over the past two years, and the introduction of the new scheduled service underlines the airline’s commitment to its key Japanese market.
With the addition of Komatsu to the network, Cathay Pacific and its regional airline Cathay Dragon will soon fly to a total of nine airports in eight cities across Japan – including Tokushima, which will be inaugurated on 19 December 2018. Together, the two airlines operate more than 150 services per week between Hong Kong and Japan during the summer months, providing unrivalled convenience to passengers.
New daily direct Qantas service from Sydney to open-up Sunshine Coast to the world
Qantas today announced a second direct service between Sydney and the Sunshine Coast. The new service will build on the growing demand for Sydney and is well timed to take advantage of international connections.
The new daily Qantas service is expected to begin in March 2019 and has been timed to connect the Sunshine Coast to the extensive Qantas international network over Sydney to Europe, America, Asia and the Pacific.
The new service adds further choice to the very popular early morning Sydney business service and builds on Sunshine Coast Airport’s record passenger growth, recently released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE).
The BITRE report for September 2018, Sunshine Coast Airport recorded a 7.2 per cent increase in passenger movements compared to September 2017. Hobart was the second fastest growing with a 4.9 per cent increase. For the year to the end of September 2018, Sunshine Coast Airport recorded 12.3 per cent growth in passenger movements, comprising a 12.4 per cent increase in domestic travellers and 10 per cent growth in international passenger movements.
ANA’s first A380 exits the Airbus Paintshop with special “Honu” livery meant to bring good luck and prosperity
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and five-star airline for six consecutive years, is proud to announce that its first Airbus A380 has rolled out of the Airbus Paintshop in Hamburg, Germany. The new plane is Japan’s first Airbus A380 and sports a Hawaiian green sea turtle, known as “Honu” in the Hawaiian language, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
Each of ANA’s three Airbus A380s will feature livery in different colours and with different designs. The blue livery of the first aircraft connects ANA’s corporate colour scheme with Hawaii’s blue skies. The second aircraft, planned to start operation in July 2019, will have an emerald green livery that is inspired by the crystal clear waters of Hawaii while the third will be orange in reference to the beautiful Hawaiian sunset.
ANA is set to receive the new A380 jet, nicknamed FLYING HONU, in March 2019, with the inaugural flight scheduled to depart from Tokyo Narita Airport and travel to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on May 24, 2019.
This new aircraft is a reflection of ANA’s continual efforts to improve the travel experience while helping passengers reach the world’s premier tourist destinations. The Flying Honu theme shows the airline’s commitment to getting every detail right on every flight.
A very cherry Christmas for Air New Zealand Cargo
Air New Zealand is helping Kiwi exporters to serve up Christmas dinner to people around the world this holiday season.
The airline will work with meat processors and exporters from around the country to move more than 700 tonnes of lamb to the United Kingdom in the lead up to Christmas. More than 1000 tonnes of Central Otago cherries will also be sent to Asia and the United States over the summer season – that’s more than 65 million individual cherries!
Capsicums, crayfish and salmon are other in demand export items at this time of year which Air New Zealand carries around the world.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
air astana Air New Zealand Cargo all nippon airways british airways cathay pacific emirates qantasLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.