We’ve done all the hard work, so you don’t have to! Read on for our top ten travel news stories we think you need to know today.
1. Virgin Australia, Etihad cover more of Europe together
Want more Virgin Australia and Etihad codeshare flights? The two airlines have delivered by expanding their agreement to cover more operations in Europe.
Virgin Australia has announced flights to Edinburgh, United Kingdom and Madrid, Spain will be added to its codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways.
Commencing today, the addition of Edinburgh and Madrid takes the number of Etihad-operated codeshare destinations that customers travelling on Virgin Australia’s network will be able to connect to from any Australian airport to 37.
2. One tourist dead in Thailand ferry fire
A 12-year-old has been confirmed as the lone fatality after a fire broke out on a ferry in Thailand carrying 117 passengers.
Shani Maril is said to have gone to the bathroom just before the fire broke out at the stern of the vessel while it travelled from Krabi to the island of Phuket.
According to rescue operators, the fire erupted in the engine room at the back of the ship, close to where the bathroom was located.
3. Hundreds of flights cancelled as French workers strike
Brace yourself and your clients for major European flight disruptions as French air traffic controllers walk off the job.
The two-day strike commenced overnight and saw the European civil aviation authority warning of major disruptions around France, as airlines have been urged to cancel around 40 percent of flights in and out the country.
The strike was called by the main air traffic union SNCTA, which is seeking talks over working conditions and a proposal to push back the retiring age of air traffic controllers from 57 to 59.
4. Cheaper, simpler Thalys passes
Travel agents will have an easier time booking Thalys European rail tickets through Rail Plus, after a remake of select seat reservation passes.
Until this week, Thalys charged passengers holding specific rail passes – including the Eurail Global Pass, Eurail Select Pass, Eurail Regional Pass, Eurail One Country Pass and France Rail Pass – a seat reservation fee (or Passholder Fare) ranging from $47 to $290 per sector on the main routes.
These fees were also split into three categories depending on the type of rail pass, the train journey and the level of seat availability.
Now, Thalys has simplified the system by applying a single seat reservation fee to holders of all five rail passes. In addition, the rail network has reduced the fee prices, which now range from $32 to $55 on the main routes.
Rail Plus’ CEO, James Dunne said the changes will be well received by agents, which have previously been dubbed as difficult to sell.
“Thalys has now addressed those concerns, and at the same time the network is increasing the availability of Passholder Fares, ensuring Australian rail travellers have a better chance of securing a seat on their desired departures.”
James Dunne, Rail Plus CEO
Examples of new Passholder Fares:
5. 5 ships + new itineraries = more P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is set to make waves during the 2016/17 peak cruise season, with five ships, additional itineraries and more departures around the country.
The new five-ship program was released this week, with 191 cruises and 38 unique itineraries between October 2016 and July 2017.
The program features the cruise line’s three existing ships – Pacific Pearl,Pacific Dawn and Pacific Jewel – as well as its two new ships – Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden – which will join the fleet from November this year.
6. AA/US Airways officially one
American Airlines (AA) says it has achieved a major milestone this week, after receiving a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its AA and US Airways operations.
The two airlines began their merger in January 2012, when US Airways Group – the parent company of US Airways – revealed it was keen to take over AMR Corporation – the owners of American Airlines.
Since, the two have aligned their operating policies and procedures.
With the new single operating certificate, the two airlines can now begin identical flight operations, maintenance and dispatch procedures.
Air traffic control communications will also start referring to AA and US Airways flights with the call sign ‘American’.
For the moment, the new certificate will not result in changes for customers, as the two brands continue to operate separate websites and airport counters.
However, American’s Chief Operating Officer, Robert Isom said the company is focused on moving to a single reservation system and website as well as combining frontline employee workgroups. These could be up and running by the end of the year.
7. Don’t like your cruise? Get your money back!
Costa Cruises is following in Carnival’s footsteps, and offering money back guarantees to passengers that don’t enjoy their cruise.
The offer is only available on the line’s Mediterranean, North Europe and Canary Islands sailings of up to 14 nights booked by the end the May and departing 5 April and returning before 30 November.
Passengers will get their money back if they aren’t enjoying their holidays and file the claim within 24 hours of embarkation.
The line will then offer a full cruise fare refund and any transport costs.
Costa isn’t the first cruise line to offer the money-back guarantee, Carnival previously introduced the ‘Great Vacation Guarantee’, which allows unhappy Carnival guests to end their cruise early and get a 110 percent refund.
The offer is only valid for US and Canadian residents on three- to- eight-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Canada and New England departing until 30 April this year.
8. Singapore Airlines enhances frequent flyer program
Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyers are now able to redeem their miles for vouchers with Scoot or Tigerair Singapore flights.
The latest enhancement to the program came into effect this week and allows electronic vouchers to be purchased or select airline products to be purchased via KrisFlyer miles.
Vouchers are available for redemption on the KrisFlyer website in three denominations – 3,200 KrisFlyer miles for a voucher of SG$30; 5,300 miles for SG$50; and 10,500 miles for SG$100.
The vouchers can be used to offset airfares, ancillary charges and booking fees for Scoot and Tigerair Singapore itineraries.
KrisFlyer members will also have the option to earn miles on Scoot and Tigerair Singapore flights later this year.
9. Universal revs-up for Fast & Furious
Universal Studios Hollywood is almost ready to shift into gear and unveil its new ‘Fast & Furious – Supercharged’ thrill ride.
With the seventh installment of the movie series out in cinema now and out performing expectations, Universal released a special 90-second behind the scenes look at the adrenaline charged attraction.
The video (above), shows car enthusiasts and movie fans how the ride combines dynamic hydraulic motion with special effects, visceral effects and special scenes filmed with cast members to offer a realistic and engaging virtual chase.
Due to officially launch on 25 June this year, actress Michelle Rodriguez says she can’t wait to see what happens when fans try the “sensory driven experience”.
Dwayne Johnson said he enjoys seeing himself “as Luke Hobbs and kick-ass…all in 3D,” and Tyrese Gibson loves that Universal puts visitors in the driver’s seat.
Universal isn’t the only travel company getting onboard with the ‘Fast & Furious’ buzz. Last month, Etihad unveiled a new Fast & Furious Boeing 777 aircraft.
The plane was painted with ‘Furious’ decal for flights between Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi.
10. Princess continues 50th celebrations with agents
(L-R): Princess Cruises BDM Michelle Piccirillo with Travel Extra owner Marcelo Buccella.
Princess Cruises really wants Aussie agents and travellers to know this year is its 50th anniversary.
Last week, the cruise lines announced a new partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to bring the ‘Sound of Music’ (which also turns 50 this year) to every ship. Read on
and this week, the cruise line delivered a special surprise cake to Adelaide-based travel agent and Travel Extra over, Marcelo Buccella, for his 50th birthday.
The delicious-looking chocolate cake was delivered to the birthday boy by Princess Cruises Business Development Manager SA/NT (and NTIA-nominated sales representative) Michelle Piccirillo.
Happy Birthday Marcelo & Princess!
Also for the cruise lines anniversary, passengers travelling with the line throughout the year will be served new onboarding dining, entertainment and shopping.
NTK Extra: Could this be the next face of Australian tourism?
Is this the future of Aus tourism?
We have the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, the Big Pineapple and even the Big Spud, but they don’t have anything on a new, peculiar and very toothless ‘big’ statue coming to regional NSW.
A small town is hoping to put itself on the map by erecting a 3.6 metre tall feature to be known as ‘The Big Bogan’.
Yep, it’s exactly as it sounds.
The large male figure will sport a singlet, shorts, trucker cap, thongs while holding a fishing rod and an Esky by his feet.
The idea for the big steel statue comes from Reverend Graham McLeod of Nyngan’s St. Mark’s Anglican Church, who sketched the idea and presented it to Shire council members.
And apparently they didn’t laugh it off like we did when we first read about it, because the project is actually being considered.
The Reverend said the statue is about bringing tourism and creating recognition for the Shire.
“Nyngan is a place where you leave Dubbo of a morning and stop for morning tea. This gives people another reason to stop. Actually, I’m even hoping we can attract people from overseas to come and sit with The Big Bogan.”
What do you think of the ‘Big Bogan’? Think it might actually draw tourists?