It’s our 70th Big Fat Airline Wrap today, and to celebrate we wrote another one. Sorry, no cupcakes or streamers here.

British Airways invests in substantial new catering for World Traveller customers

British Airways is today announcing a multi-million pound investment in its World Traveller economy class catering, introducing an exciting and expanded new menu, which provides more quantity and quality to both meals and great snacking options throughout the flight.

Options now include:

• Pretzels with the welcome drink
• Four-course meal with starter, main, dessert, cheese and biscuits, accompanied by a bread roll and bottle of water
• Second meal or substantial snack depending on the length of the flight
• Regional meal options served according to destination
• Magnum ice-creams
• Tuck box with chocolates and crisps
• Hot breakfast on longer overnight flights
• Graze movie-snack box on longer* flights
• Complimentary drinks from the bar

Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group sign MoU for cooperation in Aviation Security

Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in aviation security.

The MoU was signed by Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, and Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, His Excellency Hamad Abdulla Al Shamsi, Vice Chairman, Etihad Aviation Group and senior representatives from Emirates Group Security, Etihad Aviation Group, at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai.

Emirates Brisbane Resumption – Australia & NZ Network Update

Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) is pleased to announce the return of scheduled services to Brisbane (BNE) effective Wednesday 06 June 2018. The services from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) will initially be operated four times weekly using Airbus A330-300s, with a view toward daily services once demand has been established.
BNE schedule is noted below:

The new Brisbane services will be available for sale in the GDS and at malaysiaairlines.com from today.

SilkAir welcomes the new Boeing 737 Max 8 to northern Australia

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, today celebrated the arrival of its new aircraft, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 into Cairns. The newest aircraft to join the SilkAir fleet, the MAX 8 offers customers an enhanced on-board experience and new cabin products, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant flight.

The new aircraft was welcomed to the city with a water cannon arrival, and travelling guests were treated to a celebratory breakfast at the gate.

SilkAir is the first airline to operate the MAX 8 aircraft to Australia, with the aircraft touching down for its inaugural flight to Darwin on Sunday.

The Airline took delivery of the first of 37 MAX 8 aircraft it has on firm order in October last year, which marked a significant milestone in its journey towards expanding its network to bring customers to inspiring destinations across Asia and beyond.

Get 2018 off to a Flying Start with Air Tahiti Nui’s New Year Sale

Air Tahiti Nui is offering Australians a fun and achievable New Year’s resolution in 2018 – the trip of a lifetime.

As part of the airline’s annual New Year Sale, Air Tahiti Nui has discounted flights to Tahiti and Bora Bora, bringing the ultimate getaway within reach of more Australians.

On sale until 24 January 2018, return economy airfares from Sydney to Papeete are priced from just $1149* per person.

Meanwhile return economy airfares from Sydney to Bora Bora start from $1675* per person.

Air Tahiti Nui Regional Manager Australia Alan Roman said the New Year Sale was a great way to add one of the world’s most sought-after destinations to the 2018 travel calendar and get the year off to a flying start.

Air Astana takes delivery of first Airbus A321neo

Air Astana, the award-winning Kazakh flag carrier, has taken delivery of the first A321neo at the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft is on an operating lease from Aercap, with the deal including two further A321neo and one A320neo aircraft for delivery planned in 2018.

The Air Astana A321neo is configured with 28 Business Class and 151 Economy class seats, all of which are equipped with personal IFE systems. The A321neo is powered by the latest generation Pratt & Whitney engines, which together with aerodynamic improvements, make it the quietest aircraft in its class and also delivers fuel consumption 15% lower than the previous model. The cabin features larger overhead-bin capacity and a new mood-lighting system with LED technology.

The aircraft will be operated on Air Astana’s network of domestic and regional routes.

Air Astana currently operates 13 A320 aircraft and one A320neo, which was delivered in 2016. The carrier plans to increase the fleet of A320neo family aircraft to 17 by 2020.

Air Astana offers in-flight connectivity across Boeing 767 fleet

Air Astana has completed the installation of an in-flight broadband communication system across the Boeing 767 fleet. The new service is available to both Business and Economy class passengers, who can now connect to the internet, use various applications for instant messaging, social networks, listen to audio and check mail through personal computers, tablets and smartphones.

Air Astana passengers can choose from three connectivity packages: Light option covers 15 Mb, Regular option covers 50 Mb for 15 USD, and Super option offers 100 Mb. All services are estimated to operate at an average speed of 2 to 5 Mbps.

The Boeing 767 is operated on domestic trunk routes and high-density, long-haul routes out of Almaty and Astana.