Skill up on all you need to know with bite sized travel news designed specifically to help you, the Travel Agent, be your best today and tomorrow.
1. Woman apparently wouldn’t follow boarding procedures & was dragged off the plane (literally)
*Gasps* “Oh I see, her… that’s crazy.” *Giggles* “Oh my god, nobody is going to believe me when I tell them.”
Passengers on a recent domestic flight in the US couldn’t believe their eyes, when police officers boarded their plane and literally dragged a fellow traveller off the aircraft.
A video posted to Youtube captured the disturbing scene, in which the woman, who appears to have gone completely limp, is cautiously being pulled by the wrists down the aircraft aisle by three officers.
2. Where is Qantas sending the Dreamliner to first?
Passengers flying from Melbourne to Los Angeles will be the first to experience the Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner when the inaugural international service takes-off on 15 December next year.
The Qantas Dreamliner will carry 236 passengers in a three-class configuration and complement the daily Airbus A380 service already flying from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Operating six times per week, the Dreamliner will replace the 747 service that currently operates on this route alongside the A380.
Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans said the arrival of the Dreamliner would be a step change for the airline and for customers, both in terms of operational efficiency and passenger comfort.
3. Air New Zealand recruits a supermodel, Game of Thrones actor & more for new safety video
If Air New Zealand’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Hobbit’ safety videos taught us one thing (aside from what to do in an emergency situation of course), it’s that the carrier doesn’t need to look too far for internationally recognised local talent.
So when it came time for a follow-up to the Hollywood safety video starring Anna Farris, Air New Zealand decided to cast an all-star lineup of homegrown talent.
Shortland Street’s Jayden Daniels opens the clip as he sets off on a trip around Northland’s Bay of Islands and Hokianga in a red convertible with three Air New Zealand crew members.
4. Two new agencies join the Virtuoso network
Two new Australian based agencies – Toorak Travel and Travel Masters – have joined Virtuoso’s global luxury travel network, adding to the strong growth for the Asia Pacific region this year.
According to Virtuoso’s Asia Pacific Managing Director, Michael Londregan, the pair were selected from an “overwhelming response from Australian agencies” keen to obtain Virtuoso membership.
“These [two] agencies exhibit key characteristics for member success, both having well established experience and dynamic forward thinking energy,” he added.
5. Hawaiian Airlines’ upgraded Premium Cabin arrives
Good news for those that can afford a little business comfort, because Hawaiian Airlines has just upgraded its Premium Cabin on flights between Sydney or Brisbane to Honolulu.
Described as ‘elegant’ and roomy, the upgraded cabin touched down in the country this week, giving Aussies access to 18 lie-flat seats and superior offerings for a business class product.
Here’s what to expect on board…
6. China Southern arrives in Adelaide
Image: Adelaide Airport/Facebook
South Australia officially has its first direct connection to mainland China with China Southern Airlines’ inaugural Adelaide-Guangzhou flight touching down this week.
Operating three-times weekly on the Airbus A330-200, the service is expected to inject an annual $23.4 million dollars into South Australia’s record visitor economy.
China Southern Airlines President, Mr Tan Wangeng, led a delegation to Adelaide on the maiden flight, recognising the growing commercial and tourism opportunities between Guangzhou and Adelaide.
7. Scenic launches Southeast Asia 2-17/18 program
Scenic has launched its 2017/2018 Southeast Asia River Cruising program, which includes a number of new Freechoice activities and Freechoice Dining options.
Guests cruising the Mekong can now enjoy two new Freechoice activities in Siem Reap – a tethered balloon ride to experience spectacular aerial views over Angkor Wat, and for the more adventurous – a vintage Vespa tour off the beaten track. In Kampong Cham there are three new activities including a local folklore tour with a visit to Phnom Pros, and a tour of the eco village Cheung Kok which is being supported by a French NGO to develop a community based eco-tourism project. In Champasak, Scenic is now offering a coffee plantation visit to the Boloven Plateau, known as the ‘Champagne of coffee’.
Scenic Freechoice Dining options now include Square One at Park Hyatt Saigon and a Vespa foodie tour of Saigon by night, and the Cargo Club in Hoi An.
Click here to check out the 140-page brochure.
8. P&O hooks passengers up with an app
Missing a family member? No worries, just send them a message on the app. Want to update your friends on your current food and wine cruise? No worries, just hit them up via the app. Want to make reservations to Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill? No worries, just open the app.
P&O Cruises has launched its first onboard app, which lets guests plan activities, make booking, share experiences and even contact their onboard buddies.
Available free on personal devices when connected to P&O Cruises’ Wi-Fi, the WhatsOn app provides a new way for holidaymakers to stay in touch during their trip.
P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the app would revolutionise onboard customer service.
9. Air Seoul takes off on the GDS
Agents will have an easier time securing Air Seoul fares for their clients now that Korea’s low-cost airline is signed up for a multi-year distribution agreement with Sabre.
The carrier, which only launched earlier this year, flies between Gimpo and Jeju and offers international services to Japan and Cambodia.
Consultants will be able to access Air Seoul’s flights and fares in the Sabre Travel Marketplace, which now includes content from over 100 LCCs globally.
10. Buffalo Tours go ‘wild’ in Borneo
Who doesn’t want to see Orangutans and Proboscis monkeys up close and personal?!
In what we’ve dubbed the cutest famil of the year, a group of Agents were given the chance to experience Borneo’s wildlife with Buffalo Tours, Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia.
Along with the wildlife, the group also visited a Longhouse where they were treated to lunch and traditional dancing by the communities local children. After a few days in Kuching the group then flew to Malaysia and stayed at the Berjaya Times Square, where they saw the sights of the city and completed their trip with some last minute shopping.
Click here for more pictures.
11. Desert encounter adds spice to Oman adventure
Could this have been the best famil of the year? This picture surely suggests it was.
This lucky group of Travellers Choice members were flown to Oman via Etihad Airways and treated to an exclusive tour of the exotic destination with Peregrine Adventures.
The exciting itinerary included visits to bazaars and souks, stops at mosques, a tour of Oman’s forts, a sunset cruise along Muscat’s coast and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the tranquil oasis, Wadi Bani Khaled.
Bryon Cruise & Travel’s Jessica Milford said a highlight of the trip was taking a 4WD journey across the Wahiba Sands for a night at 1000 Nights Camp.
Click here for more pictures.
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