It’s big, it’s fat, no, it’s not our post-Christmas feasting body, it’s the Big Fat Airline Wrap!

SkyBus wins second Gold at the 2017 Victoria Tourism Awards

SkyBus, operators of Melbourne’s popular airport express services, took the much coveted Gold prize for the second year running, this time for the ‘Major Tour and Transport Operators’ category at the 2017 RACV Victoria Tourism Awards.

Winning its first Gold in 2016, SkyBus won this year for its major contributions to Victoria’s tourism industry for its unparalleled world-class service transit between Melbourne city, its inner and outer suburbs, Tullamarine and Avalon airports.

In its 39th year of service, SkyBus will continue to contribute significantly to the Victorian tourism industry. The company plans to develop and launch more services in the months to come, with announcements already made for Gold Coast, marking its first entry into Queensland.

Emirates Collaborates with ESPN on Athlete Documentary Series

Emirates has collaborated with ESPN to produce ‘Flying the Flag’, a four-part documentary mini-series following the inspirational stories of four athletes in the UAE as they prepare to compete on the world stage. The series will begin on 29 November, ahead of UAE National Day, reinforcing the power of sport and the pride of these athletes to represent the UAE’s remarkable progress as a young nation and the region’s growing presence on the world stage of sports.

The series focuses on the stories of athletes in four different sports: Zahra Lari, a UAE National figure skater vying to become the first Emirati athlete to compete in the Winter Olympic Games; Mohammed Al Balooshi, UAE National Motocross Champion; Chirag Suri, professional Indian cricket player representing the UAE Cricket team; and Shadia Bseiso, the first Arab female wrestler from the Middle East to sign a contract with the WWE.

Each story brings to life the untold journeys of each sports star, as they endure the physically and emotionally demanding battles that test their grit and determination to find success.

We’re goin’ Scootin’ to Berlin!

Scoot, Asia/Pacific’s Best Low Cost Airline for four consecutive years and the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines (SIA), plans to spread its wings to its second European and third long-haul destination – Berlin – in the second half of 2018.

The four-times-weekly Singapore-Berlin flights will be operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliners, subject to regulatory approval. Berlin will be the SIA Group’s fourth destination in Germany, after Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich, which are operated by SIA.

Germany is the largest economy in Europe, while Berlin is a hub within Europe for technological innovation and boasts a strong entrepreneurial and start-up culture. Berlin’s rich history is unsurpassed and it is also famed for its arts and culture, having been designated a “City of Design” by UNESCO in 2006 and included in UNESCO’s Creative Cities network.

Scoot’s current route network comprises 62 destinations across 16 countries, with services to Honolulu launching in December, and Kuantan flights commencing in February 2018. Scoot operates a fleet of 16 787 Dreamliners and 23 Airbus A320 family aircraft, with four more Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 39 Airbus A320neo aircraft on order.

Sabre expands presence in Mongolia through new distribution agreement

Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, has entered into a new distribution agreement with Aviation Services Mongolia (ASM) to distribute the Sabre global distribution system (GDS) in Mongolia. In tandem with this, ASM has successfully converted Air Market – Mongolia’s largest travel agency – to the Sabre GDS.

With the implementation effective this month, Air Market will have access to 750,000 global hotel properties, 400 international airlines, and hundreds of other services including car rental, rail and cruise providers through the Sabre travel marketplace.

The partnership will help Air Market better cater to their customers’ travel needs, making it easier and more convenient for them to travel around the world regardless of their travel objectives, preferences and budgets.

Cathay Pacific Asia adventure sale

Cathay Pacific has launched an incredible promotion on fares from all Australian ports to 64 Asian destinations from just AU$703 return.

The sale period is from today until Friday, 15 December 2017, to help Aussies kick start their New Year holiday preparations with travel between 15 January – 30 April 2018.

Aussies looking to live a life well-travelled can enjoy the benefits of this promotion to set exciting new year’s resolutions to discover the latest culinary delights in Qingdao, gaze at inspiring Skyscrapers in Shanghai, or experience the bustling streets in Delhi.

On all flights passengers can experience Cathay Pacific’s award winning Economy Class, which is designed to make the travel journey a comfortable and seamless experience.

Air Canada inaugurates the only non-stop flights from Canada

Air Canada’s inaugural flight AC037, 787 Dreamliner service arrived at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport today to a water cannon welcome salute – marking the only non-stop service linking Canada and Melbourne, Air Canada’s third destination in Australia.

The seasonal service will now operate four times weekly between Melbourne and Vancouver until 4 February 2018, with year-round services beginning 3 June 2018.

Air Canada’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft features 30 International Business Class lie-flat seat suites, 21 Premium Economy and 247 Economy Class seats with upgraded, and personalized in-flight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft.

Flights are timed to optimize connectivity to and from Air Canada’s extensive North American network through the airline’s Vancouver trans-Pacific hub. All Air Canada flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption and, for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits.

The latest LAX developments

There’s been some exciting developments at LAX recently as part of its $14 billion modernisation project, which will transform it into a world class airport for Aussie travellers!

• Midfield Satellite Concourse – currently under construction, this project will bring 12 new gate facilitates that will be accessible via a tunnel corridor with moving walkways from Tom Bradley International Terminal. Interior design elements provide passengers with a variety of dining and retail options, more seats to relax in, work areas and pet relief stations. Watch the 1-minute video here, that takes you through the entire concours.
• Automated Screening Lanes – five of the 14 new Automated Screening Lanes at the Security Screening Check Point in the Tom Bradley International Terminal have been debuted. The new technology allows up to five passengers to fill trays at the same time and proceed to the body scanner, allowing more passengers to be screened each hour. The project is expected to be completed in the spring, and allow the checkpoint to screen almost a thousand more passengers per hour than its previous capacity.
• Automated People Mover – scheduled to open by 2023, the Automated People Mover will be a convenient and reliable way to access LAX terminals, by connecting Angelenos from METRO facilities (opening in 2019) and easily moving them to and from LAX. Watch the video here.

Cairns welcomes China Southern Airlines

There was a warm welcome for China Southern Airlines at Cairns Airport this morning as the first flight from Guangzhou to Cairns landed.

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer, Norris Carter, said the airport was delighted to roll out the red carpet.

Currently more than 80 per cent of international visitors to Cairns travel via other cities in Australia to get here. This new international flight means that more visitors will be able to fly directly into Cairns and spend more time here enjoying their holiday. Cairns locals also benefit from new international flight options to Asia, Europe and even North America.

The local Cairns community will have access to more than 200 destinations in the world by using the new service.

Emirates’ new Boeing 777 cabins wow customers

Emirates’ new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with its game changing fully enclosed private suites in First Class, as well as refreshed Business and Economy Class cabins, has now entered service, to the delight of customers.

The new Emirates cabins were unveiled for the first time at the Dubai Airshow last month, to positive acclaim from visitors at the show who had the opportunity to view the product. It also generated international excitement as consumers around the world viewed the first images, videos, and reviews of Emirates’ latest inflight offering.
Following its Dubai Airshow debut, Emirates’ first 777-300ER with the new cabin products has now begun operating on the Dubai to Brussels route. The first flight EK183 landed in Brussels on (1 December) with 288 passengers onboard, including a full First Class cabin.

While on the ground at Brussels airport, Emirates organised special guided tours to provide its trade and airport partners, VIP guests, and members of the media with a first-hand look at the innovative amenities that the airline provides in all three cabins for its customers.

American Airlines and Casper help travellers dream big with new suite of onboard bedding

American Airlines has partnered with innovative global sleep company Casper to offer a best-in-class sleep experience to customers.

Launching today, customers seated in long-haul international and transcontinental First or Business class and Premium Economy can enjoy a suite of advanced sleep offerings designed by Casper’s award-winning engineering team. The Casper line of sleep products will include a mattress pad, duvet, pillow, day blanket, lumbar pillow, pyjamas and slippers, with the exact offering varying based on the route.

Casper researched more than a dozen versions of the on-board pillow and tested it with a variety of fibres to find the perfect balance of support and breathability for customers. Inspired by performance outerwear, Casper’s signature duvet and the on-board duvet are created to provide comfort at all altitudes, and its sewn-through seams create small, rectangular chambers for a consistent fill distribution to stay fluffy and in place.

American put these designs to the test with customers on some of its longest flights, including Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand. The airline also tapped the expertise of some of its most frequent travellers, its flight attendants, for advice on fit, durability and comfort.

QantasLink starts hopping to Kangaroo Island with carbon neutral flights

QantasLink is today celebrating the launch of its direct flights to Kangaroo Island providing travellers with access to a popular new destination. Year-round flights from Adelaide commenced today, with seasonal Melbourne flights to commence on 17 December.

The launch also marks an industry-first with Kangaroo Island becoming the airline’s first carbon neutral destination. In partnership with the South Australian Government, Qantas will fully offset all flights to the Island by supporting new tree planting projects set to deliver local environmental, economic and community benefits, while continuing to drive awareness for Qantas customers to “Fly Carbon Neutral” right across the network.

QF2142 departed Adelaide this morning marked by celebrations for customers at the gate and a water cannon salute for the aircraft on the tarmac.

Air New Zealand opens brand new lounge in Perth

Air New Zealand will tomorrow welcome customers to its first-ever lounge at Perth Airport.

The new lounge caters for more than 110 customers and carries the airline’s signature sleek modern design created in conjunction with award-winning global architectural firm Gensler and Australian based design firm Marsden Collective. The design follows that already seen in Air New Zealand lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports, as well as in lounges throughout New Zealand.

The 441 square metre lounge is located on level two of the airport terminal with windows overlooking an internal atrium and four different zones to meet the needs of customers, including a café, as well as business, lounge and quiet areas. A self-service food buffet and drinks station is also on offer.

Hong Kong on sale

Cathay Pacific has launched an exciting promotion on fares from all Australian ports to Hong Kong from just AUD$606 return.

The sale period is from today until Sunday 10 December, to help Aussies kick start their New Year holiday preparations with travel between 15 January – 7 December 2018.

This promotion offers Aussies looking to live a life well travelled the opportunity to discover the latest culinerary delights, from the night noodle markets to quaint lane way bars and incredible shopping hot spots.

On all flights passengers can experience Cathay Pacific’s award winning Economy Class, which is designed to make the travel journey a comfortable and seamless experience.

Euronews aboard EasyJet with Immfly

Available on more than 30 airlines worldwide, Euronews joins EasyJet’s newest Air Time entertainment offer, developed by Immfly, currently deployed on the British carrier’s fleet.

Thanks to the onboard wireless network, travelers of the Europe’s second largest airline company (with more than 78 million passengers per year) can now access the free service via their personal devices.

Euronews’ inflight offer on board EasyJet includes articles on international news, business, culture, sci-tech and European affairs, all available in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

The inflight entertainment and services platform is developed in partnership with Barcelona-based company Immfly, which also offers Euronews on Iberia Express, Volotea and XL Airways.

Emirates helps Australians find their True North 

Emirates is helping Australians find their ‘True North’ as part of a new collaboration with Spotify to discover their ideal travel destination.

The ‘True North’ campaign is an interactive, personalised experience that connects users with destinations across the globe that are aligned with their musical preferences. The collaboration is a world-first in the aviation industry and will see the launch of the True North microsite, which takes a user’s Spotify listening history and uses a custom algorithm to find the destination for them.

People can identify their True North by linking their Spotify account and answering a series of questions about their music taste in order to be matched with one of 12 destinations from Emirates’ global route network. Their recommended destination, which can include Glasgow, Singapore and Madrid, is determined by matching the musical genres distinctly popular in that region with the genres that are distinct for that person based on their Spotify profiles.

British Airways Will Close Boutique Airline, Open Skies, in 2018

In a blow to the boutique airline concept, British Airways said it is shutting down its ten-year-old subsidiary, Open Skies, which currently flies between New York and Paris.

Instead, BA parent company IAG, which also owns Aer Lingus and Iberia, will use the Open Skies airport gates and other assets at Paris’ Orly to expand service by its new budget offshoot, Level, which already flies from Barcelona to the U.S. West Coast, as well as to several destinations in Latin America.

As of September 2018, the Open Skies brand will cease to exist, and all of its staff will be transferred to the budget offshoot to create second hub after Barcelona. As a result, Level will launch new flights from Paris to Newark, Montreal and Martinique, and Guadeloupe starting next summer.