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. Qantas tweaks loyalty program for parents
Qantas is taking care of its loyalty members who are busy looking after new babies by offering parental leave.
Previously, Silver, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers would often see their status drop when they took time out to raise a child if they were not flying as frequently as they used to.
But the new initiative lets eligible Silver, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers keep the benefits of their membership status for up to 18 months – even if they are not earning the number of Status Credits usually required to retain that tier.
2. Virgin Australia connects Aussies to Italy with Alitalia
Australians will be able to fly straight to Italy – via the UAE of course – now that Virgin Australia has teamed up with Italian airline, Alitalia.
The two carriers teamed up for a new codeshare agreement, which will allow Virgin Australia customers to book travel on Alitalia’s daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Rome and Milan Malpensa.
Subject to regulatory approval, Aussies will travel to the UAE on one of the Virgin’s three weekly services from Sydney before swapping over to the Alitalia flights.
The Fiumicino-based carrier uses the Airbus A330 aircraft on flights from Abu Dhabi to Rome and the Boeing 777 on services to Milan.
3. WIN a copy of ‘Do Big Small Things’
Get your hands on a copy of G Adventures’ founder and New York Times Bestseller, Bruce Poon Tip’s second book – an interactive travel journal.
We’re giving you the chance to win one of 10 copies of ‘Do Big Small Things’ which features simple, playful prompts and eye-opening visuals.
Poon Tip says his latest book is an inspirational look at life and travel and how doing big, small things can lead to happiness.
Click here for more information and to enter the competition.
4. G Adventures’ third incentive winner is…
Congratulations to Chrissy Morton, from The Travel Agent at Caloundra, who is the third winner of G Adventures’ UMI (Uber Massive Incentive).
The lucky agent was selected at random to win two places on a G Adventures ‘Japan Express’ tour after she confirmed a G Adventures tour booking before the end of March.
Chrissy said she was delighted to have won and be heading overseas with G Adventures.
5. Princess ‘cruises’ from Adelaide
It’s not homeporting, but it’s pretty close. Princess Cruises will make history during the 2017/18 wave season when it operates its first cruise FROM Adelaide.
Golden Princess will make the historic trip when she leaves the city on a 17-night international cruise to New Zealand on 8 January 2018.
This is good news for Adelaideans who’ll be able to hop on a cruise ship straight from their doorstep rather than boarding a plane to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and then setting off on their cruise holiday.
6. Hurtigruten promises the Northern Lights
Hurtigruten is so confident its clients will see the Northern Lights during the colder period that the cruise line is issuing a Northern Lights Promise across the 2016/17 winter season.
Applicable to passengers booking the 12- day Classic Round Voyage between 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017, if they are unlucky enough that the Northern Lights don’t occur during their voyage, Hurtigruten will send them to try again next winter.
Click here to view Hurtigruten’s “Northern Lights Promise” Flyer.
7. Ovation of the Seas joins the Royal fleet
Ovation of the Seas is officially a part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, making it the 24th vessel in the company’s portfolio.
One of the newest, biggest and most technologically advanced ships in the world was handed to the company in Germany last week.
She is the third Quantum-class ship for Royal Caribbean and the first to sail Down Under when she arrives for her inaugural Australia season in December this year.
8. Last chance to sign up for MEETINGS
Hosted buyer spots are at a premium with one week to go before applications close for CINZ MEETINGS, New Zealand’s only national business tourism event.
Run by Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ), the 20th MEETINGS is being held in Auckland at ASB Showgrounds on 15 and 16 June.
The event is expected to have some 190 exhibitors representing venues and suppliers from throughout New Zealand, including 20 new exhibitors. They are set for two days of pre-scheduled appointments with top event organisers looking for the best places to send their delegates.
Hosted buyer applications close on 18 April. Click here to apply to attend CINZ MEETINGS 2016.
9. ANA rolls out BB-8 plane
All Nippon Airways has received the last of its Star Wars-inspired aircraft, with the final of the three decorated to represent the adorable BB-8.
The aircraft entered service this week, joining the existing R2-D2 planes, and it operating on various international routes.
A roll out event was held at Osaka Itami Airport. A celebration of all three aircraft was held at Tokyo Haneda Airport and a welcome event was held at LAX where the droid, BB-8 made a special appearance.
10. WATCH as an Air India plane falls off a crane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2XHAyrgvQY
Oops, we dropped it.
Footage has been released of an Airbus A320, which was accidentally dropped to the ground while it was being transported near Begumpet Airport this week.
The plane was hanging off a crane when suddenly it ended up toppling to the side and crashing into the wall below.
Everyone surrounding the scene scattered to safety, but luckily no one was injured during the incident.
According to a deputy commissioner in the North of India, N Prakash Reddy, the aircraft was unused and reserved for training purposes.