Emirates celebrates 9 years of the A380 service as newly revamped Onboard Lounge takes to the skies

Emirates’ newly revamped A380 Onboard Lounge has made its operational debut on a flight to Kuala Lumpur, marking the 9th anniversary of the airline’s award-winning A380 service.

The Onboard Lounge was first introduced on 1 August, 2008 and has since become a mainstay of Emirates’ double decker aircraft. Now in its 9th year, the Emirates A380 Onboard Lounge is arguably the most popular social spot at 40,000 feet.

The latest makeover of the lounge, inspired by private yacht cabins, features a more intimate and social area. With a clientele made up of Business and First Class customers on board the A380, the exclusive lounge accommodates 26 guests and serves the finest wines from around the world. The six wines on offer differ by destination but a champagne offering of Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot is always available. Emirates also has over 6,000 crew trained as mixologists who can whip up 14 cocktails such as its signature Bloody Mary or a non-alcoholic Apple Spritzer.

Oman Air increases codeshare flights with Etihad

Oman Air has established codeshare flights with Etihad Airways between Brisbane and Perth and Abu Dhabi.

The year-round fares are both economy and business class and the structure covers peak December to January travel periods as well as school holidays.

Base fares attract seven per cent commission if sold in Australia, and stopovers in Abu Dhabi are permitted.

Booking classes are very unique, with the same prime class for international and regional flights.

Etihad Airways introduces Boeing 787 on Seoul Incheon service

Etihad Airways has introduced the Boeing 787-9 on its scheduled daily service from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Seoul. The aircraft touched down this morning at the South Korean capital’s space-age Incheon International Airport.

Etihad Airways’ modern fleet of 16 Boeing 787 aircraft feature innovative, award-winning cabin designs and products, complemented by the airline’s acclaimed service and hospitality offering. Seoul flights include Food and Beverage Managers in Business Class and a Norland approved Flying Nanny in Economy Class to provide extra specialised care for families with young children.

Each Business Studio has an 18-inch personal touch-screen TV with noise-cancelling headsets. Guests can also enjoy mobile connectivity, onboard Wi-Fi and seven satellite channels of live TV.

Economy Smart Seats provide enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest, adjustable lumbar support, a seat width of approximately 19 inches and an 11.1” personal TV monitor on each seat. The aircraft has been designed with enhancements including humidity controls while air pressure levels are set to ensure a smoother flight, allowing guests to arrive feeling fresher.

Emirates SkyCargo wins multiple accolades

Emirates SkyCargo has once again topped the air cargo industry by winning several awards at industry forums around the world. The freight division of Emirates was recently named ‘Best Air Cargo Carrier- Middle East’ at the 2017 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards held in Singapore. This is the third consecutive time that Emirates SkyCargo has won this prestigious recognition.

Organised by Asia Cargo News, the AFLAS awards are an important recognition for leading service providers in the  global cargo industry. As the finalists and the winners are determined by the over 15,000 readers of the publication, Emirates SkyCargo’s win is a true reflection of customer sentiment in the air cargo industry.

Emirates SkyCargo’s emphasis on quality and customer focus were also recognised across other parts of its extensive global network. The air cargo carrier was awarded ‘Best Airline – Flown as Booked’ by the Air Cargo Agents Association of Pakistan (ACAAP). In addition Emirates SkyCargo was also named the ‘Best International Cargo Airline of the Year 2016-17’ by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), India for the second year running.

American Express confirms Lounge at Melbourne International Airport

As part of American Express’ growing investment in rewards, benefits and experiences for Australian Card Members, the global credit card company announced today plans to open an American Express Lounge at Melbourne International Airport later this year. This will be the brand’s second airport lounge in Australia since the opening of the American Express Lounge at Sydney Airport in November 2014.

Like Sydney, Melbourne’s American Express Lounge will be operated by global airport service specialists Plaza Premium Group, and will offer guests everything you can expect from a premium airline lounge: barista-made coffee, a self-service food buffet and drink station, complimentary WiFi and business facilities, as well as local and international newspapers and magazines.

Melbourne Tullamarine is an important transport hub for many Australian and international travellers and the new airport lounge will be a welcome travel benefit for card members. It joins the brand’s growing Global Lounge Collection, where eligible American Express card members have access to more than 1,000 lounges, in 500 cities across 120 countries, with Philadelphia and Hong Kong lounges also planned to open in 2017.