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. Thanks for the flight delays
It’s the one day a year everyone in the USA stops to give thanks. It’s also the busiest day for airlines as millions of Americans travel back home to be with their loved ones.
In true Thanksgiving style, around 3.61 million people will try to get on a plane this Thanksgiving holiday (up from two million in 2009), giving airlines a whole lot of extra work.
Travellers are being warned to expect flight delays and potential cancellations not only due to increased passenger demand but unpredictable weather. Around 70 percent of all flight delays this holiday are expected to be from poor weather.
2. Qantas generates HOW MUCH for Aus tourism?
Tourism Australia may have parted ways with the Flying Kangaroo back in 2012, but that hasn’t stopped the carrier that ‘still calls Australia home’ from contributing significantly to local tourism.
According to a Deloitte Access Economics report, Qantas helped generate the $21 billion made for Australia’s economy in 2014/15, including $9.5 billion in tourist expenditure.
How is this possible?
3. Indonesia increases airport security
Australians travelling to Indonesia should expect to cross paths with more airport police after the Southeast Asian country raised security levels for all gateways.
Over the next few months all Indonesian airports will be guarded with extra army personnel, police and sniffer dogs.
According to Transport Ministry Aviation Director General, Suprasetyo, increased airport security is in response to recent terror activity in Paris as well as those on Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines flights.
4. SmartFlyer Australia is a ‘formidable force’
They may be the new kids on the block but they’re backed by industry royalty and they’re set on becoming a major local player.
SmartFlyer Australia – the newest home-based agency to arrive Down Under – this week took a huge leap forward across the country after its parent company, the Goldman Group, merged with Riche Travel Pty Ltd, an established mobile travel business.
Through the new purchase, SmartFlyer Australia added new consultants to its portfolio, bringing the number of agents under the new brand to 24.
5. Adventure World supports Aussie explorers
It’s not often you get a bunch of legendary Aussie explorers in the same room together, but it happened last night in Sydney, and KarryOn are still trying to process what just happened…
The spirit of adventure was high last night at the Australian Museum’s unveiling of the Trailblazers: Australia’s 50 greatest explorers exhibit. The who’s who of Aussie exploration were in attendence – including adventurer and retail magnate Dick Smith and Jessice Watson, who at 16 became the youngest person to sail around the world solo.
6. Star Alliance gets a sharp new look
Star Alliance has redesigned its website to offer a fresh, modern look and user-friendly experience across both desktop and mobile devices, complementing the individual websites of its member airlines.
Upgrades to its iPad and Android apps to improve usability and add new features will also be available shortly, as part of a wider initiative to meet the needs of today’s travellers for information at their fingertips.
The new website, accessible under www.staralliance.com, adopts bold visual design throughout as well as mobile-friendly navigational principles that allow it to be accessed easily on any screen size. Its information and content is targeted to the audience of Alliance travellers, who regularly fly on more than one of the Alliance’s 28 member airlines.
The website is a one-stop shop for access to information about the whole of the Star Alliance network, the benefits offered to its frequent flyers, and about Star Alliance products for both leisure and business travel. In many cases, the site offers links to a member airline website for deeper research.
Selecting “flight search” allows the visitor to scan the schedules of all 28 member airlines, serving over 1,300 airports worldwide, to find connections that best meet their travel needs. Once the right connection has been identified, a link is offered to the relevant airline website for booking.
The home page also offers a link to “flight status” – offering up to the minute information on the status of over 18,500 daily flights worldwide.
7. Contiki’s hot plumber is at it again
Ladies listen up. The ‘hot plumber’ is back again, this time cruising the West Coast of the US. And he seems of forgotten to pack his shirt.
Logan Dodds (the ‘hot’ plumber’s actual name) posted a new video of his travels along America’s West Coast on YouTube recently, describing it as the ‘the sickest 10 days’ of his life.
8. Dancing Queen and Tourism Queen?
Australians understand the appeal of the Sunshine Coast with its beautiful beaches, incredible wildlife and all-round favourable weather.
Now thanks to one talented pocked-sized dancing sensation, the destination’s attractiveness has made its way across the Pacific and into the booming American tourism market.
In case you missed last night’s big news, the petite hero we’re referring to is Bindi Irwin (the daughter of the late Steve Irwin), who successfully out-danced army hero Alek Skarlatos and Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter to win the final of the US Dancing with the Stars (DWTS).
9. itravel checks out Singapore Airlines’ digs
A group of itravel agents were taken onboard a Singapore Airlines A380 to gain first-hand experience on what it’s like to fly in the carrier’s premium economy class.
Team members were given a tour of the aircraft by sales representative Charlotte Koong.
During the walkabout they were able to test out the eight-inch recline, calf and foot rests and adjustable winged head rests that the Premium Economy seats have to offer, not to mention the extra space.
They also had a peek at the Business and First Class Singapore Airlines lounges in Sydney Airport’s departure terminal, adding to their knowledge on the ground and air benefits of the Singapore Airlines product.
10. The Force continues to fly with ANA
All Nippon Airways continues to go fly after sci-fi fans with a second Star Wars-themed aircraft emerging from the factory.
The R2-D2 inspired Boeing 777-300ER is the second aircraft to feature droid livery.
On one side of the aircraft fans can spot the popular R2-D2 character and on the other side there’s the BB-8 to promote next month’s release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The plane made its inaugural trip from Osaka to Tokyo earlier this month, and will be used on domestic routes.
