Aviation Wrap: Delta’s world-first parallel reality experience, Boeing’s new jet takes flight + MORE!
![Boeing 777X WH001 during its first flight at Paine Field in Everett, Washington on January 25, 2020.](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
With only four days of work, we’re welcoming this week with an Aviation Wrap, a handful of hobnobs and an overwhelming hangover.
World-first parallel reality experience coming mid-2020 on Delta Airlines
Delta Air Lines, in partnership with Misapplied Sciences, will launch the first-ever parallel reality beta experience for customers departing Detroit Metropolitan Airport this year.
Unveiled at this year’s CES conference, the new, opt-in technology allows multiple customers to see personalized content tailored to their unique journey on a single digital screen – at the exact same time and in their preferred language.
New Boeing 777X completes successful first flight
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Boeing 777X WH001 makes its first flight at Paine Field in Everett, Washington on January 25, 2020 (The Boeing Company)
The new Boeing 777X jetliner took to the skies at the weekend, entering the next phase of its rigorous test program.
Based on the popular 777 and with proven technologies from the 787 Dreamliner, the 777X took off in front of thousands at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, at 10:09am local time for a three hour, 51 minute flight over Washington state before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field.
Future of former Thomas Cook-owned airline secured with new strategic investor
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6 January 2019: Condor Thomas Cook airplane landing and taxiing at Frankfurt airport (iStock.com/Marc Dufresne)
Polish Aviation Group (PGL), the owner of LOT Polish Airlines (LOT), has announced the acquisition of Condor, putting a successful end to the protective shield proceedings.
The combination of LOT and Condor will see about 20 million passengers carried per year.
Condor, which was formerly a subsidiary of the collapsed Thomas Cook Group, will continue to act under its current leadership while gaining from expanded connectivity and operational synergies between the airlines.
To get up to date with Travel Weekly’s coverage of the collapse of Thomas Cook, click here.
Chubu Centrair International Airport appoints Travelport as digital media partner
Travelport today announced that it has been appointed as digital media partner by Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan. As part of the appointment, Travelport will promote the airport and its connected destinations to a global network of travel agents.
ANA announces schedule for double daily departures from Sydney
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has released it’s new schedule for double daily flights from Sydney to Tokyo (Haneda Airport), with ANA’s Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft departing Sydney at 12:55pm and arriving into Tokyo Haneda Airport at 8:30pm commencing 29 March.
Once daylight saving is finished in NSW from 5 April, the new departure time from Sydney will be 12:00pm and arriving into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport at 8:30pm.
The announcement follows news of an improved partnership between Virgin Australia and ANA on its codeshare between Japan and Australia.
Inaugural Citilink flight touches down at Melbourne Avalon
On Saturday, the first Citilink flight landed at Melbourne Avalon Airport, launching a new low cost daily direct flight to Denpasar, Bali for Victorians.
A subsidiary of Garuda, Citilink inaugural flight QG560 touched down with Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings and Citilink vice president of sales and distribution Amalia Yaksa on board, as well as a number of Avalon staff.
The flight was welcomed with Balinese dancing, Citilink branded cupcakes, and special guests and Avalon stakeholders.
Ice cream a firm favourite for Air New Zealand customers
With more long weekends on the horizon, many Kiwis will be enjoying an ice cream or two as they head to the beach, Bach or barbecues.
Air New Zealand data shows New Zealanders’ fondness for ice cream on the ground extends to inflight consumption, with the airline’s customers consuming more than 960,000 servings of ice cream on international flights departing New Zealand in the past year.
Total consumption of ice cream on board has grown by more than 20 percent over the past decade. Air New Zealand customers were served more than 860 tonnes of ice cream on their journeys over that period – equivalent to the weight of five 777-300 aircraft.
Changi Airport announces Terminal 2 expansion works
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Changi Airport’s new proposal will include a reinvigorated arrivals hall (image supplied)
Changi Airport Group (CAG) has announced that expansion and renovation works at Terminal 2 (T2) will commence in February 2020, beginning with check-in rows 9 to 12 in the Departure Hall.
This marks the beginning of a multi-year expansion project which will increase T2’s handling capacity, as well as to replace facilities and amenities which are nearing the end of their shelf lives.
With a record 6.3 million Australians passing through Changi Airport in 2019, the revamped Terminal 2 is set to significantly enhance the passenger experience for Aussies.
Among the additions, a refreshed T2 will sport even more greenery and natural elements at every turn, in keeping with Changi’s signature garden theme in its terminals. There will also be space added in the Departure and Arrival Halls, giving more room to airport operations such as check-in and immigration clearance.
Emirates marks 20 years of operations to Bahrain
On 25 January 2000, Emirates took off from Dubai International Airport headed for Bahrain. When the B777-200 landed, it marked a major milestone for the airline – its first flight to the country.
Twenty years later, the route has gone from strength-to-strength, and since the first flight, more than 6.7 million passengers have flown with Emirates on the route to Dubai –four times the population of Bahrain.
Emirates continues to play an instrumental role in serving the skies and communities in Bahrain, helping passengers seamlessly connect to a network of over 150 global destinations.
The airline has also advised its ‘Fly Better’ sale has now closed.
Featured image: Boeing 777X WH001 during its first flight at Paine Field in Everett, Washington on January 25, 2020 (The Boeing Company)
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
all nippon airways ana aviation wrap boeing Condor delta Destination wrap travelport virgin australia Wholesaler WrapLatest News
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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?