Big Fat Airline Wrap

Big Fat Airline Wrap

If you only read one thing today, make it this Airline Wrap. And the instructions on your medication packet.

Dubai International premieres free movie experience

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The customer experience at Dubai International (DXB) has taken another huge step forwards with passengers now able to enjoy free movies and TV shows before their flights, thanks to a partnership between Dubai Airports and regional content provider ICFLIX.

The initiative combines DXB’s world-beating free Wi-Fi experience, ‘Wow-Fi’, with ICFLIX’s award-winning video-on-demand service, allowing passengers to stream the latest Hollywood, Bollywood and Jazwood (Arabic) content to their smartphones and laptops.  

This is the latest in a series of unique bespoke concepts to be rolled out by Dubai Airports at the world’s busiest international airport as it strives to make DXB a destination in itself. In recent months, Dubai Airports has introduced Wow-Fi, artDXB, Early Birds discounts of up to 25 per cent, the first Jones the Grocer in an airport and a brand new sleep lounge ‘sleep ‘n fly’, with several other major projects in the pipeline.

Qantas and EL AL codeshare flights go on sale

Following Qantas and EL AL’s February 2017 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their relationship, the two carriers will now offer customers the opportunity to book on select flights operated by the other, as well as earn and redeem frequent flyer points.

From September 4 2017, and for travel from September 12 2017, Qantas will codeshare on EL AL’s flights from Hong Kong, Bangkok and Johannesburg.to Tel Aviv.

In turn, EL AL will codeshare on Qantas’ services between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and Hong Kong; between Sydney and Bangkok and between Sydney, and Johannesburg.

Lounge access will be available to eligible Qantas customers in EL AL’s lounges in Tel Aviv and Hong Kong, and to EL AL eligible customers in Qantas’ lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hong Kong.

Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight to Kyiv touches down at Boryspil International Airport

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The first Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Kyiv touched down on 28 August at Boryspil International Airport, marking the launch of direct daily flights between Doha and the Ukrainian capital. The new route by the World’s Best Airline will be served with an Airbus A320 aircraft.

Kyiv, one of Eastern Europe’s undiscovered cultural jewels, is filled with striking architecture and many art galleries and museums. The city is both historic and modern at the same time, and is quickly becoming a popular must-visit destination for travellers from around the globe.

Passengers from Kyiv will not only be able to take advantage of smooth and efficient transfers through the airline’s home and hub, Hamad International Airport, to more than 150 global destinations, but also take the opportunity to visit the State of Qatar itself.

Qatar Airways has a host of other exciting new destinations planned for the remainder of this year and 2018, including Canberra, Australia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; San Francisco, U.S. and Santiago, Chile, to name just a few.

Cathay Pacific to launch non-stop services to Brussels, Dublin and Copenhagen in Summer 2018

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Cathay Pacific continues to grow Hong Kong’s connections to the world. From Summer 2018, the airline will launch pioneering non-stop routes linking Hong Kong with Brussels, Dublin and Copenhagen, further strengthening the airline’s network and providing new trade and tourism opportunities between Asia and Europe.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer, Rupert Hogg, said that the announced services will meet customer demand for non-stop travel to these vibrant cities, while at the same time providing Europe-based passengers with more convenient access to key destinations in Asia and Southwest Pacific through the airline’s home in Hong Kong.

Following the recent launch of services to Gatwick, Madrid and Barcelona, Cathay Pacific’s European expansion continues. With the commencement of the new routes, the airline’s network will cover 15 European destinations served direct from Hong Kong.

Finnair continues strong growth, opens new routes 

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In line with its growth strategy, Finnair has announced a new year-round route to Nanjing, China and is adding two new European routes for its European Summer 2018 lineup including new non-stop flights to Lisbon and Stuttgart.

Further strengthening its solid presence in China, Finnair will open a new year-round route between Helsinki and Nanjing, China. Located along Yangtse River, Nanjing is one of the four ancient capitals of China, and a vibrant centre for culture and economy, with a population of more 8 million people.

The opening of the Nanjing route will increase Finnair’s growing footprint in Northeast Asia with the Finnish carrier flying to seven destinations in Greater China during the next European Summer period.

Altogether Finnair will operate 38 weekly flights to Greater China with daily flights to both Beijing and Shanghai, four weekly flights to both Chongqing and Guangzhou, three weekly flights to both Nanjing and Xi’an as well as 10 weekly flights to Hong Kong. The inaugural flight to Nanjing on 13 May 2018 will be on an Airbus A330 aircraft.

Reminder: Travelling with Children to / from RSA- Documentation requirements

As we approach the next peak travel period a gentle reminder on the South Africa Department of Home Affairs implemented new travel requirements for minors (children under 18) travelling to/ from South Africa as of 01 June 2015. Parent/s travelling with children will be asked to produce the required documentations at check-in for each flight or their journey would be interrupted.

Regrettably from time to time we still get families travelling without being aware of the requirements or with no sufficient documentations. Please note of the following to minimise the impacts when you book families with children:

  • Children travelling with both parents, passport and full/ unabridged birth certificate with the details of both parents will be required
  • Children travelling with only one parent or unaccompanied will require to produce a legal document signed by any non-travelling parents, giving approval for the child’s travel.

Earlybird Sale to Africa and WW (on Sale to 30 September 2017)

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Spring has sprung and at SAA we are all excited to bring you the best airfares to South Africa and beyond. Please see below our new specials:

Early Bird Sale to Africa

  • Sale to 30 Sep 2017
  • Outbound departures: 12 Jan 2018 – 31 Aug 2018 (seasonality applies)
  • ADL/BNE/MEL/SYD base fare starting from: $890*
  • PER base fares starting from: $990*
Early Bird Sale to our Worldwide network
  • Sale to 30 Sep 2017
  • Outbound departures: 12 Jan 2018 – 31 Aug 2018 (seasonality applies)
  • LHR/FRA/MUC/IAD/JFK/GRU base fare starting from: $1190

British Airways Launches Premium Transfer Drive Service At London Heathrow

British Airways is introducing a new service, Premium Transfer Drive at London Heathrow to ensure that customers who are at risk of missing their connection are able to catch their onward flight.

The new scheme applies to customers travelling on UK domestic flights connecting on to either short-haul flights inClub Europe, long-haul services in Club World (long haul business class) or First, or to Silver or Gold Executive Club members.

British Airways’ team at London Heathrow will track these customers and provide an ‘airside’ car transfer between one flight and the next if there’s a risk they will miss their connection.  A message will also be sent to the inbound aircraft, allowing cabin crew to inform the customer that a car will be waiting for them on the tarmac, thereby alleviating any stress or worry.

Qatar Airways to Add Additional Frequency to Kathmandu from September

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Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it will add an additional daily flight on its Doha – Kathmandu route from 1 September, to meet high demand during Nepal’s festival season, which takes place every year in September and October.

The additional frequency will be served by an Airbus A320, departing Doha at 01:25 and arriving in Kathmandu at 8:55, starting 1 September. The added flight will accommodate passengers travelling to Nepal for its annual festival season, which features many large parades and outdoor fairs offering traditional Nepalese music and a colourful atmosphere.

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is an expanding metropolis filled with ancient temples, beautiful walled gardens and many markets offering an assortment of local crafts, pieces of jewellery and traditional clothing. Visitors to Kathmandu can spend the day wandering among the famed temples and relics of this ancient city, soaking up its atmosphere and enjoying an exhilarating feast for the senses.

Emirates introduces range of exclusive wines

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Emirates’ world-class wine programme continues to wow customers with a range of exclusive wines and champagnes offered on board and in its lounges. Over the next few months, those travelling on Emirates can look forward to an especially stellar wine list.

This includes prestigious wines such as the Chateau d’Yquem 2005, 1963 Graham’s Colheita Port, Dom Pérignon 2005 Rosé, Dom Pérignon 2009 Vintage and Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2008.

Emirates has built relationships directly with some of the world’s most prestigious chateaux and vineyards to handpick and secure these exclusive wines. Below is a list of wines set to be served in-flight and on the ground.

  • Chateau d’Yquem 2005 
  • Dom Pérignon 2005 Rosé 
  • 1963 Graham’s Colheita Port  
  • Dom Pérignon 2009 Vintage
  • Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2008 in First Class Lounges in Dubai

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