This airline wrap is shorter than our temper after we woke up thinking it was Friday. Okay, maybe it’s not that short.

Finnair Plus becomes most rewarding frequent flyer program in Nordics

Finnair has announced changes in its Finnair Plus frequent flyer program which, combined with the updates made earlier this year, makes this the most competitive reward program in the region. The renewal is based on Finnair customer wishes with flight reward prices to be more easily reachable. Finnair Plus offers its members a vast selection of benefits, services, interesting events and partnerships from which customers can choose the most suitable way to use points for example.

Finnair will soon be introducing a Family and Friends program, making it easier for families and friends to pool points together and track their progress towards their targeted award.

Earlier this year Finnair made changes to its point expiry policy leading to points now not expiring provided the customer keeps on earning or using points at least once every 18 months. This is a change from previous policy whereby points expired 36 months after they were earned, regardless of member activity. The new policy allows members to save points and unlock more rewards.

LAX celebrates fifth anniversary of Pets Unstressing Passengers program

Los Angeles World Airports celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) Program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the courtyard of the Theme Building on Wednesday 23 May. During the celebration, nearly 40 therapy dogs from the program, and their handlers, walked the grass carpet, took photos and were interviewed about their participation in PUPs.

In 2013, the PUPs program began with 20 therapy dogs. There are now close to 90 dogs in the program. The therapy dogs and volunteers roam the departures levels in the gate areas of each terminal and visit guests who are waiting on flights. The teams also provide information to guests and answer questions they may have. On average, each team of PUPs volunteers can interact with between 3500 and 7000 guests at LAX each year. Last year alone, the PUPs volunteers logged more than 4,000 hours of service at the airport. Over the last five years, the LAX PUPs team has helped 56 airports nationwide start similar programs.

During the celebration, PUPs Program Director Heidi Huebner also introduced the pets and their handlers to the attendees and media present. Huebner has led the program since its inception and has seen how many lives the volunteers and their pets have affected in a positive manner.

Air Astana celebrates sixteenth anniversary with opening of new aviation technical centre in Astana

Air Astana, the award-winning Kazakh flag carrier, marked its sixteenth anniversary with the opening of a new Aviation Technical Centre at Astana’s Nursultan Nazarbayev international airport today. The new Aviation Technical Centre enables Air Astana to undertake all aircraft engineering and servicing requirements up to heavy maintenance level. The project was financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at a cost of US$ 19 million.

The Aviation Technical Centre’s energy efficient, single span hangar offers 5,500 square meters of floor space and can accommodate a widebody type like the Boeing 787 or Boeing 767 alongside a single aisle aircraft like the latest Airbus A320neo family at the same time. The Canadian designed structure is built to a very high specification and designed to remain fully operational even under the extremely low temperatures experienced in Astana during winter months.

In addition to the hangar, the Aviation Technical Centre incorporates a spare parts warehouse and a complete range of workshops for the repair and overhaul of aircraft components. An auxiliary building provides space for the existing Air Astana Engineering and Centre to significantly expand training of engineering and maintenance staff to international standards.

Air Tahiti Nui Regional Manager Alan Roman resigns

Alan Roman has announced he will step down as Air Tahiti Nui Regional Manager Australia/New Zealand later this month to spend more time with his family.

After three and a half years with the Tahitian airline and more than 30 years in the industry, Roman is looking forward to a well-earned break and the opportunity to pursue new professional challenges.

Roman’s last day with the airline will be May 29.

HNL is Changing 

On Friday, June 1, Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) will feature new signs and names for terminals, gates andbaggage claim carousels. The changes –which will happen overnight on May 31 –will improve the guest experience by simplifying directions for travelers throughout the airport.

Hawaiian Airlines will have additional team members on hand to assist guests during the transition. From June 1 to June 3, keep an eye out for Hawaiian Airlines volunteers wearing purple Team KōkuaT-shirts in airport gate areas and lobbies if you need a hand with directions.

Here is what you need to know as you arrive at HNL effective June 1:

• Gates will be labeled with a letter followed by a number, from A13 through G10. See attached airport map for details of the renumbered gates.
• Each baggage claim carousel will be labeled by numbers instead of the current letter designations, B through H.International passengers will pick up checked bags in carousels 1-5.Guests arriving on Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland or North America flights will pick up checked bags in carousels 6-11.
• Terminals are also being renamed. The Interisland Terminal (from which Hawaiian Airlinesoperates) will be identified as “Terminal 1”; the Overseas Terminal as “Terminal 2”(for all other airlines); and the Commuter Terminal as “Terminal 3”(Mokulele Airlines). Terminal 3 will be located on the east end of the airport with access from Aolele Street.