Travel Weekly took a leaf out of Spider-Man’s book by donning an alter-ego for airline news with the ‘aviation wrap’. Someone should have told us the red and blue leotard was optional.

United Airlines launches new safety video featuring Spider-Man

Before customers fly with United, they will receive a safety briefing from “your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man”.

Beginning 1 June, United Airlines will launch its latest safety demonstration video featuring the Marvel superhero in an entertaining mini-drama film.

In addition to the safety video, United’s broader promotional partnership with Sony Pictures in celebration of Spider-Man: Far From Home in North American theatres from 2 July will include one-of-a-kind Spider-Man: Far From Home-themed Polaris business class amenity kits and unique experiences for MileagePlus members to see the highly-anticipated summer blockbuster through MileagePlus Exclusives.

Hawaiian Airlines launches new brand campaign, celebrates 15 years of flights between Sydney and Honolulu with fare sale

Hawaiian Airlines has put its award-winning hospitality centre stage with its new brand platform, ‘Return to Aloha’, created by whiteGREY.

The new creative campaign is the first iteration of the ‘Return to Aloha’ brand platform which will be rolled out in further executions throughout 2019, and is the first work whiteGREY has produced for Hawaiian Airlines since winning the business late last year.

Fellow WPP AUNZ agency MediaCom was responsible for media strategy and implementation for the new campaign.

Rob Sorensen, vice president of marketing and e-commerce at Hawaiian Airlines, said: “Our new brand platform captures the Aloha spirit and will further strengthen our position as the preferred travel partner to inspire Australians and New Zealanders to travel with us to Hawaii.”

Hawaiian Airlines is also celebrating 15 years of nonstop service between Sydney and Honolulu.

Coinciding with the airline’s 90th year of continuous operations, Hawaiian Airlines is marking the milestone by offering Australian travellers exclusive fares from just $899 return to Honolulu, with additional return flights from Honolulu to ‘neighbour islands’ for just $15 return.

From Friday 17 May until Friday 24 May, special celebratory fares are available for sale starting from $899 per person return from Sydney or Brisbane to Honolulu (all-inclusive) plus $15 to add return flights from Honolulu to a ‘neighbour island.’

These fares are valid for travel in low season periods through to March 2020.

Sydney Airport launches new assistance service for passengers

Sydney Airport has partnered with Medical Travel Companions (MTC) to offer a new service that provides extra assistance to cater for a wide variety of needs, allowing passengers to relax and enjoy their travel experience.

The new service allows passengers to engage a qualified companion to assist them throughout the airport journey and beyond, with MTC’s professional travel companions providing assistance to passengers including families with young children, people with disabilities, elderly travellers and passengers recovering from injury or surgery, among others.

Assistance can be provided across the entire airport journey with the service tailored to cater for individual needs. Passengers seeking assistance can book their travel companion online.

Singapore Changi Airport invites Aussies to become a ‘Jewel Citizen’

To celebrate the opening of the latest wonder of the world, Jewel Changi Airport, Changi Airport is offering Australians the chance to win a trip to Singapore.

The exclusive opportunity to win a Jewel citizenship has kicked-off. The lucky winner will have the opportunity to bring three others along to be among the first Aussies to experience Jewel’s Canopy Park. The winners will also receive return flights to and accommodation in Singapore.

To apply for the chance to win a Jewel citizenship, entrants will need to complete a simple three-step application via the competition webpage.

The competition runs from 15 May 2019 until 26 June 2019. The winner will be officially announced on 28 June 2019.

For more information and to enter, click here.

Qatar Airways unveils new TVC celebrating its sponsorship of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™

Qatar Airways, the Official Partner and Official Airline of FIFA, has annouced the launch of its new TVC campaign celebrating the the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™, taking place from 7 June – 7 July in cities throughout France.

The film features a mother telling her daughter a bedtime story during a flight of imagination, in which she describes an amazing new land where women’s football reigns, where players rule and fans from many nations gather to cheer. The film features one of the most famous faces from the world of football, Brazilian football superstar Neymar, celebrating with fellow football fans.

Air Vanuatu announces partnership with luxury Melbourne Airport lounge

Pictured (R-L): Melbourne Airport services manager Allan Hutchison, sales executive for southern region Amanda Board with The House Melbourne Airport staff.

Air Vanuatu has announced luxury Melbourne airport lounge The House as its preferred lounge partner for its business class passengers travelling to Vanuatu.

Owned by UK company No1 Lounges, The House offers stunning airport views, a la carte dining, full waiter service, an extensive wine list, showers and other amenities. The lounge is located in Tullamarine Airport’s T2, airside on the second floor.

The partnership comes ahead of Air Vanuatu’s new non-stop flight service between Melbourne and Port Vila commencing 18 June 2019, expanding the airline’s offering in Australia and providing greater accessibility to Vanuatu for Australians.

Air Vanuatu will operate three direct flights per week from Melbourne to Port Vila on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, using the airline’s Boeing 737-800. Daily flights are also available from Sydney and five flights a week from Brisbane.

Emirates A380 takes pole position at Spanish Grand Prix

The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona got off to a spectacular start yesterday when Emirates’ newest A380 aircraft performed a low-level fly-past over the race track while watched by thousands of spectators.

The special fly-past at the start of the race was to mark the occasion of Emirates being the Title Sponsor of the Spanish Grand Prix. The airline is the world’s largest operator of the A380, with over 100 in service operating to more than 50 destinations.

The aircraft with tail number A6-EVC is Emirates’ newest A380 to join its fleet and was on its way from Airbus’ delivery centre in Hamburg to Dubai with a stopover in Barcelona to participate in the Grand Prix activities.

Singapore Airlines records highest ever annual revenue amid a year of higher net fuel costs

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group reported an operating profit of S$1.06 billion for the 2018-19 financial year amid a challenging market environment, with transformation initiatives contributing to a record revenue performance.

Although a decline from last year’s operating profit of S$1.5 billion (S$482 million lower or -31.1 per cent), the group’s underlying performance was strong against the backdrop of a S$1 billion increase (+25.1 per cent) in fuel cost due largely to a 21.6 per cent increase in fuel prices, and the absence of one-off revenue items recorded last year (-S$243 million).

Group net profit for the financial year was S$683 million, down 47.5 per cent year-on-year. The reduction was primarily due to the lower operating profit (-S$482 million), in addition to higher non-operating costs.

Net finance charges increased S$45 million, as the group raised more borrowings during the year for aircraft purchases.

The group had also recognised its share of losses (S$116 million) arising from Virgin Australia’s non-cash accounting adjustments in prior quarters. There was also a S$60 million charge in relation to SilkAir’s re-fleeting costs for its transition from an Airbus to Boeing fleet, and restructuring costs incurred in preparation for the carrier’s integration into SIA.

Expenditure for the group rose S$999 million (+7.0 per cent) to S$15.3 billion, with higher net fuel cost (+S$688 million or 17.6 per cent) contributing two thirds of the increase.

Fuel costs before hedging for the group rose by S$1 billion, predominantly due to a US$16 per barrel (+21.6 per cent) increase in average jet fuel price.  The higher fuel price was partially alleviated by a larger hedging gain compared with last year (+S$314 million).

Group non-fuel expenditure rose S$311 million, driven by airline operations. Non-fuel costs of the airline businesses rose S$327 million (+3.4 per cent), contained within the overall rate of expansion of the airline operations (+4.1 per cent).

Cost savings were achieved from numerous initiatives under the transformation program. Consequently, non-fuel unit costs declined 0.8 per cent.

LAX unveils new digital services offering

Guests at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can now pre-order food for pick-up at select lax restaurants as part of a newly enhanced digital marketplace.

LAX guests can now save time and enjoy a more efficient experience thanks to a number of new digital services and the enhancement of the flyLAX.com website. This includes the ability to pre-order food and shop online by viewing products and menus for numerous restaurants and retail stores at LAX.

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) created the upgraded experience in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports.

The enhancements to the shopping and dining experience at LAX include the launch of a digital product catalogue and digital food ordering services, powered by Grab.

Guests can pre-order food on their mobile device, Facebook messenger app or desktop/laptop computer by accessing FlyLAX.com and following the link to ‘Dining, Shopping and More’ and choosing one of the participating terminals, or by going directly to LAXShopDine.com. No additional downloads or mobile app is needed.

While the initial launch includes seven restaurants from which guests can pre-order meals, new restaurants, features and amenities are anticipated in the future.

TWA Hotel officially opens at New York City’s JFK Airport

The retro TWA Hotel at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport opened its doors last week, selling out all of its 512 rooms on opening night.

Nightly rates start at US$249, but travellers will be able to visit for shorter amounts of time while on layover. The hotel is selling US$25 passes for its gym and short-term stays, starting at US$139 for four hours.

The hotel features a food-hall with some of New York’s favourite mainstays, including Empanada Republic, The Halal Guys, and Fresh&Co.

Travellers who wish for something a bit more upscale can visit the Paris Cafe, helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Check it out here.