News in Brief: Wednesday November 27
The domestic subsidiary of Fiji Airways, Pacific Sun, will become as Fiji Link in 2014 with new livery to bring it in line with the Fiji Airways brand.
“As we’ve stated previously, Pacific Sun hasn’t had a brand alignment with its commercial position since its inception,” Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive Stefan Pichler said.
“Following the rebranding of Fiji Airways, we made it a priority to create a new identity for our regional carrier. ‘Fiji Link’ will fulfil its role as an extension of the Fiji Airways network, carrying our customers throughout Fiji and beyond within the Pacific. Importantly, it will deliver all the Fijian hospitality and warmth customers expect when visiting our region.”
Qantas will enhance its fleet of 30 Airbus A330 aircraft with new cabin interiors, with the work to be undertaken at its Brisbane heavy maintenance and engineering facility.
The airline will also recruit 30 apprentice engineers, with the majority to be based in Brisbane.
In Brisbane to officially open the $30 million upgrade to the hangar, chief executive Alan Joyce said the announcement “further cements” Qantas’ commitment to engineering and maintenance in Australia.
"Qantas is extremely proud of our state-of-the-art Brisbane heavy maintenance facility, which is ideally suited to undertake the upgrade of our Airbus A330 aircraft," he said.
China Southern Airlines will operate the first commercial flight using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Christchurch, as part of a one-off charter program to operate next February for Chinese New Year.
“This charter flight will be the first Dreamliner to fly to Christchurch commercially, the first Chinese airline to fly to New Zealand’s second largest city and the first China Southern charter flight to the South Island,” Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult said.
The mobile check-in feature on hotel firm Marriott’s mobile app has been expanded beyond the US and Canada to be available for 20 additional Marriott hotels in 19 countries, including the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay.
Thailand, Singapore, India, Australia and Philippines are the five Asia Pacific countries to be added to the program which will also be extended to China in early 2014.
Using the app, Marriott Rewards members can check-in through a smartphone from 4 pm the day before arrival, receiving an automatic notification once the room is ready. On arrival, they collect their key from the expedited mobile check-in desk.
Marriott expects to complete the full global rollout of mobile check-in at all 500 hotels, with check-out functionality also included, in the first half of 2014.
The Marriott Mobile App has been downloaded over 2.5 million times, and Marriott.com receives over 4.5 million visitors a month from smartphones.
Expedia has announced an Australian partnership with review service Feefo so customers can offer their feedback on the service they received from the site.
Since the launch of the review feed just over a week ago, Expedia Australia has received more than 2,600 reviews with 93% of respondents rating its service as "good" or "excellent", it revealed.
"We understand the importance of reassuring customers through feedback from fellow travellers," customer experience director Justin Lee said.
"Feefo provides an independent public platform where our customers and visitors can share their feedback on our site, which enables us to better anticipate our customers' needs and helps us deliver a better customer experience."
Insight Vacations has appointed of Amy Haughley, most recently of Flight Centre Limited, to the role of New South Wales Sales Manager for the Sutherland Shire, Wollongong, Newcastle and Grafton areas.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News
Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 opens with a vibrant ceremony at Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau
The two-day Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024, opened with a vibrant ceremony at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau. A pinnacle event in the South Pacific tourism calendar, the event brings together industry stakeholders from across the globe to delve into Fiji’s tourism offerings and cultivate long-lasting business relationships. Acting Prime Minister and Minister […]
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 […]
Seabourn’s two new value-add offers for 2024-25
Luxe cruise line Seabourn is offering two value-added promotions featuring must-have fares and a generous shipboard credit for guests seeking to book their next voyage. The exclusive “A Sail to Remember” Event includes must-have fares on most Seabourn ultra-luxury ocean and expedition voyages in October 2024 and beyond. The “More Moments on Us” Event offers […]
PONANT commercial team expands to meet growing demand in APAC
Luxury exploration cruise line Ponant has announced significant updates to their Asia Pacific commercial team in response to accelerated growth across the region. “These structural enhancements signify Ponant’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our valued trade partners in the Asia Pacific region,” general manager sales & marketing, Asia Pacific, Deb Corbett said. “We […]
Gen Z and millennials on track for rise in Europe rail trips, says TruTravels
Despite what you think, Gen Z and Millennials are not 'off the rails', but instead want a fast track to Europe.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
Envoyage premieres Worldwide 2024 in Santiago
There has been a warm reception for 300 attendees at Envoyage's gabfest in Santiago, Chile.
Disney Destinations launches epic Aussie agent incentive
Everyone needs a bit of Disney in their life (apparently) and agents can get their next dose for free here.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
No more island hopping to Palau as Nauru Airlines hits this boundary six.
Etihad Airways boosts connectivity with five interline partnerships
Etihad high fives itself with interline partnerships announcing a handful of new airlines, including Rex.
Discover the enchantment of India – A tale of timeless cities
Whether you're game enough to test out the street food or not, we recon India should be top of your list.
Qantas cops $100m penalty with passengers to get $20m back over cancelled flights
Qantas cops a $100m civil penalty, passengers to get back $20m over cancelled flights to resolve ACCC court battle.
Body found off Sydney Heads suspected to be missing cruiser
Tragic developments onboard Pacific Adventure this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours ‘Wonderlust Sale’ offers the wonders of the world for less
More for less... Great news for all apart from Wendy's wallet.
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com launches new AI feature in Aus. We're hoping AI never gets the nuance involved with writing these jokes.
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.