Airline wrap: Qatar unveils enhanced economy, AirAsia mega sale is back + more!
Looking for our your Tuesday morning Big Fat Airline Wrap? Well, we’ve got news for you: it’s right here! The name may have changed, but all the latest airline deals and news are still in one place.
AirAsia Mega Sale is back with more value deals
AirAsia Mega Sale is back with 5 million promotional seats, this time with a bundle of discounts for hotels, add-ons and duty-free products to round out your trip.
Enjoy promotional members fares from as low as AUD$99* for flights from Perth to Bali or $199* from Brisbane to Bangkok.
FLIGHTS ON SALE | FARE | TRAVEL PERIOD |
Perth – Bali | $99.00* | 1 September 2019 and 2 June 2020 |
Perth – Kuala Lumpur | $129.00* | 1 September 2019 and 2 June 2020 |
Brisbane – Bangkok | $199.00* | 1 September 2019 and 2 June 2020 |
Melbourne Avalon – Kuala Lumpur | $139.00* | 1 September 2019 and 2 June 2020 |
Gold Coast – Kuala Lumpur | $139.00* | 1 September 2019 and 2 June 2020 |
Sydney – Kuala Lumpur | $159.00* | 1 September 2019 and 2 June 2020 |
Book on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app from 11 March 2019 (0001h GMT +8) to 17 March 2019 (2400 GMT +8) for travel between 1 September 2019 and 2 June 2020.
British Airways makes first-class investment
British Airways is set to deliver significant changes to the onboard product and service in its First cabin as part of its £6.5bn investment for customers.
The new look and feel, set to take to the skies from March 31, will include new bedding, amenities and menus that would not look out of place in a revered five-star British hotel.
The airline’s First customers will be offered super-soft, sophisticated new male and female loungewear designed exclusively by luxury British fashion brand Temperley London. The loungewear will be coupled with bespoke British Airways amenity bags, featuring Temperley’s “Star” design. The bags will be filled with products from No 1 British Skincare brand, ELEMIS, including products from the highly sought after ULTRA SMART PRO-COLLAGEN range*. The amenity kit contains the essentials to cleanse, revive and hydrate.
The airline’s chefs have also designed new delicious A La Carte menus that focus on fresh seasonal ingredients of British provenance. The new menus will be served on elegant bone china crockery, designed exclusively for the airline by high-end British tableware designer William Edwards. The new tableware will be accompanied by contemporary cutlery from Studio William.
The airline will also be introducing a new signature afternoon tea service, showcasing the great British tradition of high tea. The menu will include a selection sandwiches, delicate pastries and scones, as well as a wide range of tea infusions.
Malaysia Airlines launches free side trip campaign
Discover Malaysia and its popular tourist destinations with Malaysia Airlines’ latest Free Side Trip offering.
Whether the goal is to immerse in local cultural, explore hidden gems or relax and unwind, take advantage of the Free Side Trip deal and visit one of the five destinations below:
Johor Bahru:
Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Johor Bahru offers a mix of culture and city exploration. Take a tour of Istana Besar, visit the Old Chinese Temple, walk along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee or if you need to entertain the kids, opt for Legoland Malaysia and the Angry Birds Theme Park.
Kuala Terengganu
Boasting a beautiful gateway to tropical islands, Kuala Terengganu offers unforgettable scenery. From witnessing the Crystal Mosque, relaxing at Lang Tengah beach and visiting the coral-fringed Perhentian Islands, it’s a must-have on the bucket list.
Kota Bharu
One of the most traditional places in the country, Kota Bharu offers a plethora of tours including the World War II Museum and Istana Jahar royal residence. There’s an optional boat ride down the Galas River along with the opportunity to ride on the Jungle Railway or relax on Irama Beach.
Alor Setar
One of the most important cities on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Alor Setar offers architectural treasures and is home to two of Malaysia’s most renowned leaders.
Kuantan
One of the few seaside towns in Malaysia, Kuantan is a tourist hub with hidden gems from the modern Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque to Sungai Pandan Waterfalls.
To be entitled to a Free Side Trip, book a flight with Malaysia Airlines departing from Australia to either Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, ASEAN, Taiwan, London or India until 17 May 2019.
Star Alliance opens new lounge at Amsterdam airport Schipol
Star Alliance customers travelling from the Dutch capital can look forward to a new premium lounge experience at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
The new Star Alliance Lounge will welcome eligible First and Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold Card holders as well as eligible paid lounge members of the Air Canada Maple Leaf Worldwide Club and United Club programmes as of March 8th onwards.
The lounge is located airside in the Departures 2, Schengen Area on the Panorama terrace level. Easy access is provided to the departure gates for Alliance member carrier flights to European destinations in the Schengen Zone.
Earn miles with Singapore Airlines digital waller Krispay
KrisFlyer members can now earn KrisPay miles instantaneously when they spend at various partner outlets across Singapore, with the latest enhancement to the KrisPay app.
After making a purchase, members can simply launch the KrisPay app and key in the amount spent under the new “Earn” tab, and a QR code will be generated. The partner’s cashier will then scan the QR code, resulting in an instant reward of KrisPay miles. Members can convert KrisPay miles earned to KrisFlyer miles (one KrisPay mile is equivalent to one KrisFlyer mile) instantaneously within seven days of accrual.
Macao mascot takes to the skies
To celebrate Macao’s feats as a City of Gastronomy, the former Portuguese territory’s adorable mascot Mak Mak has taken to the skies, her image painted on the livery of one of Air Macau’s new aircraft.
Air Macau, in co-operation with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), painted the tourism mascot on ‘Cidade de Macau’, the latest aircraft in the expanding fleet.
Dressed as a chef, Mak Mak is expected to not only encourage visitors from around the world to explore the historic centre of Macao but also promote Macao as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Qatar Airways unveils its enhanced economy class product and seven new upcoming destinations at ITB Berlin 2019
Qatar Airways stole the limelight on the opening day of ITB Berlin, the world’s largest international travel and tourism trade show, as the airline’s Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, revealed the airline’s new Economy Class experience and announced seven upcoming additions to its rapidly-growing global network.
The unveiling ceremony, which took place on Wednesday 6 March, the first day of the show, was attended by the Qatari Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the Mayor of Berlin, Mr. Michael Müller.
Qatar Airways’ new Economy Class experience features a seat with an innovative 19-degree recline system, additional legroom, dual trays, 13.3-inch 4 K widescreens and type ‘C’ fast charging USB port. The airline’s new in-flight dining experience ‘Quisine’, truly redefines Economy Class service, with all new retail-style tableware, a menu offering more choices, 25 per cent larger main courses, 20 per cent larger appetisers, and 50 per cent larger desserts.
At a press conference attended by nearly 200 members of the media, H.E. Mr. Al Baker also revealed an array of forthcoming global destinations the airline will launch in 2019, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Langkawi, Malaysia; Davao, Philippines; Izmir, Turkey; and Mogadishu, Somalia.
Emirates invites Australians to visit great destinations in 2019
Emirates is connecting Australians to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations across the UK, Europe, Dubai and the Americas, with competitive fares on Business and Economy Class flights when booked by 22 March 2019.
Passengers can fly better with Emirates, experiencing the superior onboard service and world class hospitality the airline has become synonymous with, on the way to great global destinations. This includes the launch of four weekly services between Dubai and Porto from 2 July 2019, operated by a B777-300ER.
Economy Class passengers can enjoy fares starting from $1,179 to Dubai, $1,299 to Dublin, $1,309 to Porto, $1,329 to Athens, $1,339 to Rome and $1,369 to Edinburgh.
While Business Class passengers can enjoy fares starting from $6,849 to Dubai, $7,249 to Dublin, $7,139 to Porto, $7,349 to Athens, $7,399 to Rome and $7,669 to Edinburgh.
From 2 July 2019, Australians can travel to the newest destination in Emirates’ vast global route network, Porto. Visiting Portugal’s second largest city, travellers will enjoy the city’s world-famous Port wine and historical city centre, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Emirates will operate four weekly flights between Dubai and Porto, providing Australians with a convenient connection to Portugal’s second largest city.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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