Big Fat Airline Wrap
On Tuesdays, we get excited about two things: the Airline Wrap, and the taco Tuesdays special at our local. And one of them we get to share with you! We’ll never share our tacos, sorry.
Qatar executive unveils its first state-of-the-art Gulfstream G500 Jet on the opening day of Farnborough International Airshow
Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group, proudly unveiled its brand-new executive jet, the Gulfstream G500, on the opening day of Farnborough International Airshow.
The G500 jet will be one of the fastest and most technologically advanced aircraft in the Qatar Executive fleet when it enters service later this year. The G500 cabin will also set new industry benchmarks as one of the quietest in the industry, as well as having the best cabin altitude pressure, allowing for unparalleled passenger comfort.
The all-new G500 aircraft will officially join Qatar Executive’s fleet by the end of this year, and will mark the beginning of an agreement that was initiated in October 2014, between Qatar Airways and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
Emirates receives IATA 753 compliance certification for baggage operations in its Dubai hub
Emirates has been awarded IATA 753 compliance certification for its baggage operation in its home base of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The certification underlines the carrier’s capabilities to diligently track bags that flow through its Dubai hub for departing, arriving and connecting customers.
IATA Resolution 753 requires airlines to track bags at four specific points in the baggage journey to ensure that at any time the status of each bag is known, facilitating a more pro-active customer approach to managing baggage challenges.
To achieve certification Emirates developed an integrated Baggage Management System (BMS) in-house called Wasla to provide full control of its worldwide baggage operations. Wasla receives baggage scanning information from across the airline’s network and provides Emirates’ airport teams with information on the status of each bag on board.
Air Tahiti Nui adds helicopters to its Air Fleet
Air Tahiti Nui has added a fleet of four helicopters to its air operations in Tahiti to fill a void for private transfers, high end experiences and scenic flights.
A joint venture between Air Tahiti Nui and HBG – the French-Swiss leader in helicopter air transport – Tahiti Nui Helicopters was formed after the only Polynesian company offering a civil helicopter service closed last year, paving the way for a new operator to take to the skies in Tahiti’s Society Islands. With the arrival of the final two choppers this month, the operation is now in full swing.
Tahiti Nui Helicopters offers the choice of three panoramic flights from Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, ranging from 10 minutes to 45 minutes, and including an aerial journey into the volcanic heart of Tahiti, a breathtaking flight over the luminescent lagoons fringing Moorea and spectacular sightseeing above Bora Bora’s blue lagoon, with one trip also hovering over the heart-shaped island of Tupai.
The new helicopter service also packages up private inter-island transfers or something more bespoke such as a lift to the golf course, a spot of heli-skydiving or a leg up to get a bird’s-eye view of the sunset with a champagne in hand.
Garuda Indonesia awarded “World’s Best Cabin Crew” for fifth consecutive year
Indonesia’s national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia was yesterday awarded World’s Best Cabin Crew for the fifth consecutive year by Skytrax, an independent London-based flight service rating agency. The award has been retained by Garuda Indonesia since 2014 making it the first global airline to hold this recognition continuously while maintaining it’s ranking for 2018 in the top 10 World’s Best Airlines list.
The World’s Best Cabin Crew 2018 award was presented by CEO of Skytrax Edward Plaisted to CEO and President of Garuda Indonesia, Pahala N. Mansury at Langham Hotel, London, on Tuesday (17/6) coinciding with the biggest event airshow in the world; Farnborough Airshow 2018.
The recognition of Garuda Indonesia as World’s Best Cabin Crew 2018 is based on the assessment through a Customer Satisfaction Survey conducted by Skytrax globally involving more than 18 million passengers. The annual survey is conducted on more than 245 international airlines and measures 41 major aspects related to products and services provided by airlines.
Etihad Airways innovates upgrade programme to a dynamic live auction
Etihad Airways has enhanced its upgrade offering to a dynamic live auction which will make it easier for customers to secure a premium seat in a higher cabin class.
Customers will be able to take part in a bidding system where real-time notifications of their bid will be displayed on their screen, allowing two or more individual bids at the same time. Regular email and SMS updates will also be sent to notify them if they have been outbid.
Customers will receive an email invitation to bid for a one-cabin upgrade seven days prior to their flight or they can visit etihad.com to join directly. The auction will take place from 24 to six hours before their flight’s departure. Once the auction closes, the successful winner will be notified immediately.
Bidding guests are encouraged to still check-in online up to 48 hours prior to departure as the optimised system will still process their upgrade. If an upgrade offer is accepted, a new boarding pass will automatically be available on the Etihad Airways Mobile App or one will be provided at check-in.
Qatar Airways steals the limelight on the opening day of Farnborough International Airshow 2018
Qatar Airways was the centre of attention on the first day of the Farnborough InternationalAirshow 2018, displaying six of its most advanced aircraft, including the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777-300ER, both of which feature the airline’s award-winning Business Class seat, Qsuite. The airline also displayed for the first time its Boeing 747-8 Cargo Freighter, as well as Air Italy’s second Boeing 737 MAX 8 in striking new livery, Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream G500 jet and the JetSuiteX Embraer 135 jet.
Day one of the airshow kicked off with the award-winning airline committing to purchase five new CAE 7000XR Series full-flight simulators and two CAE 500XR Series flight training devices for the Boeing 777X and the 737 MAX from the global leader in training CAE. The contract signing ceremony between H.E. Mr. Al Baker and Mr. Nick Leontidis, CAE Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions, is a testament to the airline’s commitment to innovation and safety.
On the same day, a purchase agreement signing ceremony between Boeing and Qatar Airways, finalising the airline’s order for five 777 Freighters, also took place. The deal, valued at $1.7 billion at current list prices, was announced as a commitment in April. H.E. Mr. Al Baker and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Kevin McAllister signed the agreement at the Boeing chalet where a crowd of media and VIP guests gathered to watch this milestone moment in the history of Qatar Airways, which has seen its cargo division grow to become the second largest international air freight carrierin the world.
Renowned Hawai‘i street artist completes first mural commissioned by Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines has furthered its commitment to supporting local artists by commissioningthe company’s first large-scale mural painted by renowned Hawai‘i street artist Kamea Hadar. The muralcreated during last month’s 2018 POW! WOW! festival in Long Beach – the latest Southern California city to enter Hawaiian’s route network – tells a story of sustainability and the importance of protecting natural resources.
The mural is approximately 25 feet wide by 60 feet tall, and is located on the Jean Machine building at the intersection of Fourth Street and The Promenade North. When painting the piece at the weeklong art festival, Hadar drew inspiration from the flow of water and the role it plays in giving life. It features two female dancers and celebrates Hawai‘i’s ahupua‘a – an ancient land division extending from mountains to the sea – with its use of mossy-green to ocean-blue gradients, native vines and tropical flora such as the yellow hibiscus, Hawai‘i’s state flower.
Hadar’s POW! WOW! Long Beach mural sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines is the first artwork to be unveiled in a series of upcoming commissioned pieces called “Mālama ‘Āina” (to care for Mother Earth).
Star Alliance again voted Best Alliance at Skytrax World Airline Awards
Star Alliance has claimed the Best Airline Alliance title at the Skytrax World Airline Awards for the third year running, with the Alliance’s prestigious Los Angeles Lounge retaining the Best Airline Alliance Lounge Award for the fourth year in a row.
The base of its digital transformation is the Star Alliance Digital Services Platform (DSP), which was launched earlier this year. It is the first step to an overall enhancement of digital and mobile services offered to customers travelling across the network. The DSP can connect digital services of one member airline or third-party and make it available to all members, enabling them to build it into their own customer-facing digital applications. The longer-term aim is to allow customers to use any member airline’s website or mobile application to obtain all the information they need for travel on several Star Alliance member airlines.
Through DSP, United Airlines currently offers advance seat reservations on Singapore Airlines flights and Lufthansa provides baggage tracking information on journeys which include flights on other Star Alliance airlines. Additional features will be made available across the Alliance progressively.
The World Airline Awards were introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that was truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.
Qatar Airways congratulates France on their win of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Qatar Airways, an Official FIFA Partner and the Official Airline of FIFA, congratulates France on the outstanding win of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, following a month of football excitement in Russia. The tournament was watched by more than two billion spectators around the world, with more than 250 million views on Qatar Airways’ social media channels.
Qatar Airways proudly supported the matches as they unfolded and now preparesto look ahead to the thrilling prospect of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russiawas a thrilling competition, bringing people together through the shared love of football and sports and Qatar Airways took its celebration to the skies prior to the tournament’s semi-final and final match by flying a hand-painted Boeing 777 aircraft in FIFA livery to Moscow.
The bespoke aircraft was hand-painted in Ireland and showcases just one example of how the World’s Best Airline has committed itself to this important partnership, one of the biggest sporting sponsorships in the world, alongside dedicated fan-zones showcasing true Qatari hospitality.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
air tahiti nui emirates etihad airways garuda indonesia hawaiian airlines qatar airways star allianceLatest News
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
Global tour operator Collette has announced a series of special offers on selected dates across a range of tours in the peak northern hemisphere 2024 summer season. Greece The offers include ‘Greece & Its Islands’ features classics such as the Parthenon as well as the picturesque islands of Mykonos and Santorini. A saving of $700 […]
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Air India and All Nippon Airways have signed a codeshare agreement connecting their networks. The new commercial partnership will provide more travel opportunities for customers of both India’s leading global airline and the largest Japan’s largest carrier. Effective from 23rd May, the Air India and All Nippon Airways agreement will see passengers fly to their […]
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
A&K Travel Group will now provide a minimum of 18 weeks paid parental leave for both care-givers, setting a new standard for the travel industry. By providing 18 weeks of paid time off for all new parents, regardless of gender, A&K Travel Group is not only enabling parents to spend valuable time with their newborns […]
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!
Globally-renowned chefs gather for Vivid Food 2024
As a human, we agree that food is a fundamental part of the human experience. Some might say the most fundamental.
Air New Zealand returns to Hobart and Seoul
If you notice an uptick in Kiwis making their way through the Mona, you know why.
European Waterways targets multi-generational families with ‘floating villa’ deal
The jury is still out on whether spending a week on a 'floating villa' with family is a hell or a paradise.
Luxury Escapes launches ‘sail away’ sale
Rest assured, you'll be getting your 'sails' and 'sales' mixed up for the rest of the day.
Rex-owned National Jet Express adds weekly charter between Brisbane and Orange
This is for mining and civil contractors, so please, put your holiday attire away.
Let the games begin. Viking introduces eye-watering benefits for the industry’s top 10 advisors
Did someone say 'trip to Venice'? Hold my coat, this one is far too good to miss!
Best friends or frenemies? What is the REAL relationship between sales and marketing?
We can all stop fighting over the corner office because our mothers were right - we are all important in our own way.
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.