Qatar Airways has doubled its frequencies to a number of destinations in Eastern Europe and the Nordics, following a significant increase in passenger demand to the popular destinations of Prague, Warsaw and Helsinki.

Commencing mid-December, the award-winning airline will introduce an extra daily flight on each of the routes to meet the growing inbound and outbound travel demand by adding an Airbus A320 service, offering an additional 132 daily seats in both directions.

The frequency increases, the latest in a number of such upgrades across the Qatar Airways route network, come just eight weeks after the airline launched its direct service to Prague, Czech Republic, on its first anniversary of scheduled service to Helsinki, Finland, and more than a year since the daily service to Warsaw, Poland was upgraded to a wide-body Airbus A330 service.

Qatar Airways has extended their Early Bird Sale fares to 1 November 2017, with fares starting from $1,030 return to destinations across Europe including London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona.

The deal marks the first time a commercial partner will have branding rights across the shirts of all three formats of men’s international cricket in Australia, a highly visible and valuable proposition. The creation of a shirt partner category forms a major part of the changes made to Cricket Australia’s commercial partnership model, first announced during the 2016-17 season.

This deepens Qantas’ seven-year association with cricket in Australia which already includes naming rights for all overseas men’s tours and their position as Australian Cricket’s airline of choice, moving National and State male and female players around the country and world.

Qatar Airways Cargo’s Inaugural Freighter Touches Down in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Qatar Airways Cargo’s Boeing 777 freighter arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport last Thursday to a grand water salute welcome in the presence of dignitaries, officials from Qatar Airways Cargo, Pittsburgh International Airport and media. The cargo carrier launches Pittsburgh as its thirteenth freighter destination in the Americas.

Prior to the arrival of the inaugural flight, Qatar Airways Cargo and Pittsburgh International Airport celebrated the launch of this new route, inviting the local business community, freight forwarders and shippers to a networking reception.

The twice-weekly QR8143 freighter flight takes off from Doha on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with stops at Luxembourg and Atlanta, Georgia before arriving in Pittsburgh. On the return from Pittsburgh on Thursdays and Sundays, the freighter stops at the cargo carrier’s European hub, Luxembourg, before arriving into Doha, Qatar.

Complementing the airline’s daily wide-body A350 passenger flights to Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, the introduction of freighter service to Pittsburgh will inject an additional 200 tonnes of weekly capacity, offering businesses in the city and the state a direct air freight uplift to the cargo carrier’s global network of over 150 destinations.

British Airways has revealed its annual travel predictions for the year ahead, selecting the top 18 must-see destinations for 2018.  Operating a daily service from Sydney, British Airways connects customers to London Heathrow Terminal 5 where they can connect to a network of over 200 destinations worldwide.

Highly-anticipated sporting events, new routes and TV programmes all influence the top travel predictions. The latest season of Game of Thrones has put Croatia firmly on the map, and a number of far-flung destinations rank among the top picks, including Barbados and Muscat.

As one of the most desirable holiday destinations, the Seychelles is a must-see for 2018. Famed as some of the most idyllic islands on the planet, the Seychelles has something for everyone, whether you’re a sun-seeker looking for serious relaxation, or a thrill-seeker wanting to scuba dive or trek through the jungle. From 24 March 2018, British Airways will be the only airline to offer direct flights from the UK.

Qatar Airways Upgrades to A330 Service To Seychelles To Meet Increased Passenger Demand

In order to meet rising passenger demand, Qatar Airways has announced plans to upgrade service on its Seychelles route to an A330 aircraft, starting 29 October 2017, as the award-winning airline prepares to celebrate its one-year anniversary of flying to the Seychelles later this year.

The 260-seater A330 aircraft will increase the airline’s current daily capacity by 130 per cent on this route, connecting Seychelles-based passengers to more than 150 destinations globally.

Qatar Airways launched service to the Seychelles in December 2016, and has since contributed to the development of tourism and the growth of local business in the Seychelles.

The Airbus A330 aircraft, which features 24 seats in Business Class and 236 seats in Economy Class, enables passengers to enjoy the airline’s superior entertainment system, Oryx One, offering countless entertainment options. Business Class passengers can also relax in flatbed seats, offering an unsurpassed standard of comfort on board.

Come the end of October, Sri Lankan Airlines will be operating daily nonstop flights from Melbourne to Colombo, and to make it even easier for agents, Tempo Holidays have paired flights with their signature package Sri Lankan Highlights.  

Commencing in Colombo, travellers onboard this independent signature package will enjoy all the comforts and authentic experiences promised in the range. These include a comprehensive Sri Lankan cookery demonstration, complete with a visit to a tea plantation, front row seats at an incredible cultural show in Kandy and an afternoon of refinement with High Tea at the famous Grand Hotel.

With nine nights in superior accommodation, nine breakfasts and six dinners, and entrance fees to many of Sri Lanka’s iconic attractions, this signature package provides a hassle free and memorable holiday for travellers.  

Prices for this package, with direct economy flights to Sri Lanka included, start from A$3140.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au