The Big Fat Airline Wrap
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We skipped breakfast this morning and shout at our colleagues anytime someone mentions food, so imagine our rage at this headline.
Etihad Airways launches 48 hour Challenge to Promote Abu Dhabi Stopovers
Etihad Airways has thrown down the gauntlet to the millions of travellers who transit through its Abu Dhabi home, by challenging them to experience a host of once-in-a-lifetime activities throughout the Emirate in just two days.
The airline will also be giving away 500 great prizes to members of the public who take up the 48 Hour Challenge and who post their experiences on Instagram using the hashtag #EtihadChallenge. The amazing prizes on offer range from 24-carat gold spa treatments to desert safari trips.
The ‘48 Hour Challenge’ is part of Etihad Airways’ wider stopover campaign promoting Abu Dhabi as a ‘holiday within a holiday’ for travellers flying through the airline’s hub. The city’s many highlights can now be enjoyed through a series of exciting stopover programs.
Emirates Wins Best Airline Worldwide at the 2017 Business Traveller Awards
Emirates was recognised with four accolades at the Business Traveller Middle East 2017 Awards. At a ceremony attended by key travel industry executives, Emirates was crowned “Best Airline Worldwide”. It was also named “Airline with the Best First Class”, “Airline with the Best First Class Lounge” and “Best Frequent Flyer Programme”.
“Our customers are at the heart of our brand. In every step of the customer’s journey, we thoroughly and regularly examine the product to achieve a high level of customer care,” Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Adel Al Redha said.
“Providing a truly memorable experience is about continually innovating across our product and offering a personal touch and a warm welcome. Moreover, our Skywards accolade solidifies the programme’s standing as an industry-leading loyalty programme that offers Emirates customers value through exceptional privileges and benefits. We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts by Business Traveller Middle East’s readers.”
Qantas to offer codeshare on Emirates flights to Venice
Qantas will begin codesharing on Emirates operated flights from Dubai to Venice from 1 May. This marks the third Italian city Qantas will codeshare on with Emirates, complementing services to Rome and Milan.
Qantas Frequent Flyers also have the opportunity to earn status credits and Qantas points as well as burn points on this route. Tickets are on sale.
Stop…Asia time! Asia is on sale now
Flights to Asia’s top destinations are on sale now with AirAsia. Book now until 30 April 2017 for travel between 26 April 2017 and 04 September 2017 for low fares to top destinations in Asia.
From Sydney, fly one-way to Kuala Lumpur from $189*; Seoul from $239*; Penang from $249*; Kota Kinabalu from $269*; Taipei from $289* or Kochi from $299. * From Perth, fly one-way to Bali from $129*; Kuala Lumpur from $139*; Penang from $169*; Kota Kinabalu from $179*; Taipei from $239*; Seoul from $299* or Kochi from $329*. From Darwin, fly one-way to Bali from $99*
From Melbourne, fly one-way to Kuala Lumpur from $199*; Penang from $229*; Seoul from $239*; Kota Kinabalu from $259*; Taipei from $289* or Kochi from $289*. From the Gold Coast, fly one-way to Kuala Lumpur from $199*; Penang from $239*; Kota Kinabalu from $259*; Taipei from $279*; Kochi from $289* or Seoul from $319*.
ANA HOLDINGS Management Strategy Update
ANA Holdings (ANA HD) have updated its FY 2016-2020 Mid-Term Management Strategy, set out in January 2016. ANA HD expects to achieve record profitability by FY2020 increasing profits from its core Full Service Carrier (FSC) airline business on international routes, maintaining market share in its domestic market, growing revenues significantly in its Low Cost Carrier (LCC) division and maintaining healthy growth in its cargo business.
Key highlights include:
- Reaffirm commitment to increasing both international passenger and cargo revenues by 40% by FY2020
- Revise growth projections for LCC division by FY2020 is a near 10 fold increase from FY2015 levels and 3x greater than projections set out in January, 2016
- Commitment to grow international seat capacity, with fleet size increasing from 268 now to 335 aircraft by FY2020 – an additional 35 aircraft compared with previous plans
- Maintain domestic mainline revenues and seat capacity at current levels
QANTAS AND UNIONPAY INTERNATIONAL SIGN MOU TO EXPAND COOPERATION
Qantas Airways became the first Australian airline to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UnionPay International, China’s largest payment network provider, to expand the acceptance of UnionPay cards for payment across all Qantas customer touchpoints.
Under the agreement, Qantas and UnionPay will explore the potential for UnionPay card payments for a wider range of flight reservations and other flight-related purchases such as seat selection and excess baggage. In addition, Qantas and UnionPay will also identify relevant marketing and promotional opportunities beneficial for both brands, including exclusive deals. At present, UnionPay cardholders can only use their cards for flight bookings made on Qantas’ website for flights originating in China.
British Airways Unveils Plans For JFK Terminal 7
British Airways today unveiled details of its multi-million pound re-design for New York JFK Terminal 7, the airline’s flagship US airport. Costing an estimated AUD$89 million (£52 million), the investment will transform the airport experience for the thousands of customers that use it each week.
The redesign at JFK will be complete at the end of 2018, revealing a spacious, modern new check-in concourse with a separate Club World and First area, designed with customer privacy in mind. The intimate space will draw inspiration from The First Wing, which recently opened at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and the new premium check-in area at Gatwick’s South Terminal.
Business class, First customers and Gold and Silver Executive Club card holders will benefit from completely regenerated lounges with more space and restaurant-style pre-flight dining.
Emirates goes all A380 to Melbourne
Emirates will provide an all-A380 service from Melbourne when it upgrades its third daily flight from the Australian city, EK408 and EK409, from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 operation.
This will add 945 seats per week to the Australian city from 25 March 2018, representing a 10% increase in capacity. The popular Emirates A380 offers 489 seats in a three-class cabin configuration with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 399 spacious seats in Economy.
The additional weekly seats on the route will support more business and leisure travel between Dubai and Melbourne and together with Qantas’ new Melbourne, via Perth, London B789 Dreamliner service beginning on the 24th March 2018, offers customers more options to London and Europe under the joint partnership.
Plaza Premium opens Terminal 4 arrivals lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport unveils new arrivals lounge benefiting both passengers and airport visitors alike. The lounge located in Terminal 4 arrivals feature 25 luxury shower rooms, a lounge and bar area and a new and unparalleled dining concept, Flight Club.
The arrivals lounge can accommodate up to 75 people at any one time and Flight Club is unique to Plaza Premium Group offering a dining experience inspired by healthy eating. The concept has been specifically designed for travellers that are renowned for eating unhealthy whilst travelling.
The new arrivals lounge follows the continued success of Plaza Premium Group at London Heathrow Airport and the first step in the Group’s expansion plans for 2017 which includes another new arrivals lounge in Terminal 3, a new departures lounge in Terminal 5 and the first Aerotel transit hotel in Heathrow at the end of the year.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
airasia ANA Holdings british airways Business Traveller Awards emirates etihad airways Flight sale heathrow airport qantas qatar airwaysLatest News
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Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
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SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
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Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
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Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
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Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
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Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
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Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
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Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
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Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
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Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
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UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
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Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
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Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
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Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
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In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
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Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
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MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
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Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
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Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
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Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
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‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
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‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
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‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
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Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
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‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
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Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
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Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
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HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
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Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
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Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
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Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
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Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
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InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
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Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
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Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
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Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?