Aviation Wrap: Air Canada’s new seasonal services, Singapore Airlines gets new route, Air New Zealand Nelson lounge opens + MORE!
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Please stow your tray table and be sure your seat is in an upright position as we prepare to bombard you with all the latest updates, sales and general tat from direct from the aviation industry.
Kia Ora Auckland! Air Canada inaugurates seasonal service from Vancouver
Air Canada’s inaugural flight AC51, 787 Dreamliner service touched down in Auckland on Saturday 14 December, marking the carrier’s launch of its seasonal service between Canada and New Zealand. Flights are now operating four times weekly until the end of March 2020.
Air Canada’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners feature 20 Signature Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy and 214 Economy Class seats with upgraded in-flight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft. All Air Canada flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption and, for eligible customers, access to priority services, Maple Leaf Lounges and other benefits.
Etihad Airways to give away one million Velocity Frequent Flyer points
Etihad Airways is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with Virgin Australia with a massive giveaway of one million Velocity Frequent Flyer or Etihad Guest Miles.
All Velocity Frequent Flyers members in Australia, alongside all Etihad Guest members in Australia, can enter the online competition for a chance to win one of 10 prizes – winning either 100,000 Velocity Frequent Flyer Points or 100,000 Etihad Guest Points. This could help the winners get on their way to a once in a lifetime trip to Rome, an amazing chance to visit London, or a luxury Business flight to Bali.
Etihad Guest and Velocity Frequent Flyer members can enter online by answering a simple question about how they would use their points or miles. To find out more and enter the competition, follow this link: EtihadOneMillionPointsGiveaway
Etihad’s one million points giveaway will kick-off from 12:00am, 13 December 2019 and run until 11.59pm, 3 January 2020 Sydney time.
Singapore Airlines to add Brussels to route network
Brussels will become the latest European destination in Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) route network next year, when non-stop flights are introduced from Singapore to the Belgian capital. The first flight will be launched on 25 October 2020.
Subject to regulatory approval, flight SQ304 will depart Singapore on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 2355hrs (local time). The return sector, operated as flight SQ303, will depart Brussels on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1120hrs (local time). SIA will operate the Airbus A350-900 on these flights.
Air New Zealand opens new lounge in Nelson
Air New Zealand has today opened its new regional lounge in Nelson.
The lounge, which will cater for around 130 customers, has almost double the seating of the previous space.
It is located on Level 1 of the new Nelson Airport terminal and has a number of different zones available to customers – including a café, buffet and light refreshments, a self-service drinks station, as well as business, lounge and quiet areas.
IATA to improve efficiency of cargo handling audits
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new programme to raise global standards in cargo handling operations.
The Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) programme aims to reduce audit complexity and duplication for cargo handling facilities.
Qatar Airways launches augmented reality game with Facebook to coincide with the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019
Qatar Airways has launched a new Augmented Reality (AR) experience that allows customers to play an innovative football game where they must ‘Blink to Score.’ This immersive feature lets the player interact through a virtual experience on Facebook.
The award-winning airline has set another precedent, becoming the first regional carrier to leverage the newly launched Facebook AR ads format, enabling consumers to play the AR game directly from Facebook’s newsfeed, without having to install additional applications.
Qatar Airways has launched a creative campaign with football legend Xavi playing the AR game, delivering the first of its kind experience on the Facebook app to millions of football fans across the world. This initiative is directly in line with the airline’s mission of bringing people together.
Emirates touches down in Mexico City + celebrate 27 years of the perfect brew with world’s highest tea appreciation masterclass
Emirates celebrated the inaugural flight of its new daily service from Dubai to Mexico City via Barcelona. The Emirates Boeing 777-200LR touched down in Mexico City on 9th December, marking the airline’s first passenger flight to Mexico.
Emirates flight EK255, with a group of VIP guests and media on board, was welcomed by Mexico International Airport with a water cannon salute.
Meanwhile, a master class in the appreciation of Ceylon Tea took place at 40,000 feet when Emirates and Dilmah celebrated a 27-year partnership on board an Emirates A380 flight from Dubai to London this week.
Held at the iconic A380 On-board Lounge by Dilhan Fernando, CEO, Dilmah Tea and the founder of Dilmah, Merrill J. Fernando ahead of International Tea Day on 15th December, the master class was the first of its kind held in the skies.
Emirates and Dilmah have enjoyed a longstanding partnership of brewing the finest teas on board and in Emirates airport lounges around the world. Today, the airline serves a special selection of 12 Dilmah teas catering to the tastes and sensory preferences of all its customers – including an exclusive tea created just for the airline.
AirAsia’s #takemebackairasia campaign hits billboards
AirAsia’s #TakeMeBackAirAsia social media campaign has been brought to life thanks to six West-Australian Instagrammers, who now have their ‘Baligrams’ featured on billboards across Perth.
The winners were chosen as part of a search to find the company’s newest Instagram creative directors, at the same time helping to encourage travellers to visit Australian holiday favourite, Bali.
The winning photos are currently being featured on billboards across Perth including the CBD. AirAsia also awarded one lucky winner with return flights to Bali.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
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Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
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Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
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Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
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Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
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Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
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Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
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Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
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Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
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UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
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Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
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Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
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Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
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In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
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Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
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MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
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Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
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Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
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‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
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‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
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‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
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Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
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‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
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Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
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Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
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HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
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Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
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Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
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Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
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Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
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InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
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Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
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Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
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Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?