We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for the top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Loyalty expands with Qantas & Virgin
Frequent flyers are getting a little more bang for their buck as both Qantas & Virgin roll out new loyalty program agreements & benefits.
Let’s start with Virgin Australia.
Velocity Frequent Flyer has signed a new partnership with Le Club AccorHotels, which will allow members to transfer points between the two loyalty programs.
2. Fiji Airway’s Oprah moment
Fiji Airways has just had a major Oprah moment and we’re all now a wee-bit jealous of the airline’s shareholders and staff.
The airline has revealed it will give FJ$2.5 million (AU$1.6 million) to its major shareholder, the Fijian Government.
It’s the first payment to the government in over seven years and comes after confirming it will give bonuses to management and non-management staff.
3. Countdown to helloworld’s Frontliners Forum
Two days of learning, professional development and networking are just around the corner for hundreds of helloworld frontline staff.
The two-day event, which kicks off on 31 July, will see top travel consultants, industry experts and specialists gather in Cairns for the events featuring a stellar line up of interesting sessions to benefit agents.
The Forum, which will be hosted by entertainer and actor Steve Jacobs, has many sessions including business updates, presentations, workshops, keynote speakers and will culminate in the Gala Awards Dinner which will celebrate impressive high achievers across the helloworld network.
4. Royal Caribbean APAC changes
A touch of good news with a bit of bad news over at Royal Caribbean as the cruise line announces changes to Asia Pacific management.
Here’s the good news. Adam Armstrong, who is popular amongst trade for his creativity (and infamous ice skating skills), is coming back to Sydney.
Armstrong returns from secondment as International Commercial Director. He steps back into the role of Commercial Director Australasia & South East Asia, which is based out of the Sydney office.
5. AA flights to LA on sale
Clients can now book American Airlines’ direct services between Sydney and Los Angeles.
Tickets are now on sale, with the first flight scheduled to depart from Sydney Airport on 19 December.
The services are part of a proposed joint business partnership with Qantas that allowed the flying Kangaroo to move aircraft on the Sydney to San Francisco route without losing seats to LA.
Subject to regulatory approval, the new flight will operate on a daily schedule departing Sydney to LA at noon and arriving at 6.50am; then flying back at 9.50pm and arrive in Sydney 7.55am.
American’s new service between Sydney and Los Angeles will be operated with the state-of-the-art, three-class Boeing 777-300ER.
The aircraft features all-aisle access, fully lie-flat seats and a walk-up bar in the premium cabins; Main Cabin Extra seating provides more legroom; and all seats feature personal, in-seat entertainment screens with up to 250 movies, over 180 TV programs and more than 350 audio selections, international Wi-Fi capability, and universal AC power outlets and USB ports.
6. NTIA 2015 winners: Dubai Tourism’s success story
Dubai Tourism proved it is still Australia’s ‘Best Tourism Office – International’ by taking out the title for the second time at this year’s NTIA Awards.
Speaking to KarryOn, the tourism board’s Director for Asia Pacific, Julie King, said winning the award for the second time in three years was ‘thrilling’ and reward for the team’s strive to continuously raise the bar.
Over the last year, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing has doubled its team in the market to provide further resources across the country.
7. Etihad Airways’ Melbourne soiree
[L-R]: airberlin’s Tamas Hanyi, Etihad Airways’ Sarah Built, Etihad Airways’ Alan Glover and Virgin Australia’s Ange La Mantia.
More than 300 of Victoria’s top industry representatives kicked up their heels at Etihad Stadium this week to celebrate Etihad Airways’ new second daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flight.
Guests at the soiree were treated to a performance by The Voice Season two contestant Jesskia Samarges and a lucky prize draw which included a pair of Business Class tickets to Europe.
They were also able to experience firsthand the airline’s luxurious new First Suite and Business Studio which were on display at the venue.
Etihad Airways commences its second daily non-stop Melbourne – Abu Dhabi service on 2 August, becoming the only airline to offer double daily non-stop flights between the Victorian capital and the UAE.
8. Exclusive screening of Tales by Light
You’re invited to a rare screening of Tales by Light – a story that follows Australian photographers on a global expedition – with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.
Held on 28 July from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, the afternoon will see budding photographers and adventure seekers treated to two short episodes of the popular National Geographic TV series, followed by light refreshments and a presentation by the Lindblad sales team.
Uniting exploration, photography and the natural world, Tales by Light gives viewers a rare glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s best photographic storytellers.
The episodes that’ll be screened are: Submerged – World-renowned Australian underwater and nature photographer Darren Jew captures a Humpback Whale mating chase in Tonga; and Panorama – Leading landscape photographer Peter Eastway follows in the footsteps of Frank Hurley – the pioneering Australian photographer on Shackleton’s expedition to the south a century ago, to capture the wilderness and wildlife of Antarctica and South Georgia.
The event will be held at Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in NSW.
Spaces are limited so click here to get your entry in now.
9. All new levels of onboard violence
This proves the accuracy of recent research that found an increase in the number of booze-related violence mid-flight.
According to reports, a 30-year-old unnamed man reportedly locked himself in the lavatory onboard a recent flight from Hong Kong to Russia so that he could light up a cigarette.
Flight attendants warned him to stop smoking and return to his seat, to which he responded by shattering the lavatory mirror and starting a brawl. He also allegedly harassed a woman.
That’s when other passengers got involved.
In a video captured by one of the travellers, the man in a red T-shirt, who is believed to be the violent passenger, is seen chatting to a fellow passenger.
He is then confronted by a man in white who lunges at red t-shirt and pushes him to the ground.
White t-shirt then begins kicking the passenger and is joined by at least four other men who also start punching and kicking the man.
According to reports the men then helped tie red t-shirt up for the rest of the flight.
Unsurprisingly, an investigation is underway.
10. And in other slightly less weird news…
#UA447 on the way to LA just emergency landed at Grand Junction – loss of oxygen in the cabin #Unitedairlines pic.twitter.com/uu96A0fT45
— David Schamis (@dschamis) July 22, 2015
Fear is clearly not in the vocabulary of these flyers who posted oxygen mask selfies after their aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing.
While most people get a little anxious, these travellers saw it as an opportunity to share unique pics from the sky.
The photos were taken during a United Airlines emergency landing en route to Los Angeles from Denver.
Unexpected stop in Grand Junction on my way to LAX. #thatsafirst #oxygenmask https://t.co/jYJcs7pFTh pic.twitter.com/379ubBhbLw
— Niles Emerick (@naemerick) July 22, 2015
The plane was forced to land in Grand Junction Colorado instead due to complaints of low cabin pressure.
The pilot deployed the oxygen masks to ensure all passengers were getting enough air until arrival.
“The masks dropped — initially they instructed anyone who wasn’t feeling well to put on the masks, but then they quickly told everyone to put them on.”
Passenger David Schamis told Mashable
One passenger is believed to have passed out, while others were well enough to snap a few pics for their friends.