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 to the Solomons with Solomon Airlines
In a major coup for Solomon Airlines, the carrier has entered a new codeshare agreement with Qantas on flights between Australia and the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara.
Commencing 15 November, Qantas will place its code on Solomon Airlines’ services from Brisbane and Sydney to Honiara.
In return, Solomon Airlines will give eligible Qantas customers lounge access in Honiara.
2. Accor pledges to pay & treat women equal to men
AccorHotels is getting in good with the ladies (no seriously, I’m loving them right now) after pledging to achieve gender parity in management and equal pay.
Making the pledge at the Women’s Forum held in Deauville, AccorHotels swore to introduce changes that will lead to further equality by 2017 for the 35 percent of women employed as hotel managers.
The first stage of the pledge is to reduce the pay gap between men and women at the Paris head office and in three other countries.
3. Economy passengers travel with more on United
United Airlines is waving off competition to the US by allowing Australians travelling in Economy to fly with 46 kilos in checked baggage for free.
Announcing its new baggage policy this morning, the carrier will allow Australians to fly to the US with two free check-in bags each weighing up to 23 kilograms.
The offer is available to passengers that book a flight between Australia and the US in Economy from 4 November 2015 to fly on or after 17 December.
4. helloworld bounces around with the NBL
Families, teens and basketball fans around Australia will have plenty of opportunity to get to know the helloworld brand this season.
The agency group today announced a new partnership with the National Basketball League (NBL) to be the Official Travel Partner during the 2015/16 NBL season, which kicked off earlier this month.
helloworld is the second travel organisation to link itself to the sport, following United Airlines which has sponsored the Sydney Kings for several seasons.
5. Airlines on missile alert
Qantas and Singapore Airlines say they are closely monitoring any safety risks after receiving warnings of long-range missile dangers for flights from Dubai to London.
The European Aviation Safety Agency issued an alert yesterday, advising all airlines that Russian warships had commenced firing missiles into Syria and that they could cross under passenger planes.
Before reaching Syria, these warships need to travel above the Caspian Sea, Iran and Iraq.
6. Hawaiian Airlines goes solo
Hawaiian Airlines has revealed a restructure of its Australian operations which will see the carrier terminate its long-running relationship with helloworld off-shoot, World Aviation Systems.
Citing growth in the local business, the carrier said it had decided to create an in-house model.
Gai Tyrell, Hawaiian Airlines Regional Director, said World Aviation Systems had contributed considerably to the airline’s presence in the Australian market before thanking them for their representation.
“Our business has now matured and evolved in both Australia and New Zealand and it is appropriate to scale up our commercial resources in line with our operating presence and future plans.”
Gai Tyrell, Hawaiian Airlines Regional Director
7. Meet you in NYC
New York City’s official tourism marketing organisation is enticing travellers to visit by showcasing the destination’s ‘vibrancy’.
NYC & Company unveiled the newest iteration of its Make it NYC meetings and conventions marketing campaign at IMEX America 2015 featuring iconic imagery such as the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
As well featuring new images the campaign has also received a new tagline ‘Meet Where You Want to Be’.
The company’s President and CEO, Fred Dixon, said the campaign aims to encourage more people to choose NYC as a place ‘to be’ this year and beyond.
Click here for more on New York.
8. Agents are loving the ‘real rewards’
Travel agents across Australia and New Zealand are loving the returns and transparent approach of roomsXML’s ‘Real Rewards’, according to the company’s APAC MD.
Mark Luckey said agents are particularly fond of the program’s clarity and transparency.
“Agents are disillusioned with programs where the dollar value of points are unknown and expire. How many dollars is 5000 points worth?”
Mark Luckey, roomsXML MD
9. Fiji International arrives at Natadola Bay
A Prime Minister, golf professionals and a couple of promotion girls visited the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa this week for a gala dinner during the inaugural PGA OneAsia Fiji International tour in Natadola Bay.
Nearly three hundred guests attended the event including Fiji’s President, Prime Minister and many renowned golf professionals vying for the FJD$1.54 million prize purse.
The event commenced with a spectacular performance by the young and vibrant VOU Music & Dance School, followed by the official welcome speech and official opening by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.
10. Agents go to the races
Consultants were told to put on their best gowns and clip in their favourite fascinator for a day at the races with Lindblad Expeditions.
The expedition cruise operator partnered with the Australian Turf Club to sponsor two spring race days at Royal Randwick Racecourse, which gave them prime access to the field.
Several top selling agents for the Lindblad Expeditions Handicap were invited for the unique experience along with exclusive access to the winner’s circle and presented the sash on the winning jockey and horse.
Among those in attendance were Jenny Brushe, iTravel Wahroonga; Lyn Tyson, TravelManagers Australia; Derek and Rob Kirk, ITalk Travel Hornsby; Carolyne Evans, Low & James Travel Associates, Neutral Bay; Louise Brown, Spencer Travel; Tina Killeen, Spencer Group of Companies; and Christine Gardiner, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.
P.S: Travellers are booking insurance WHEN?
We already know some Australian travellers have really bad travel insurance habits, but we didn’t realise it was THIS bad.
A new study conducted by InsureandGo found more and more holidaymakers are pushing aside their travel insurance and leaving it to last minute.
So last minute in fact, nearly one in five will purchase it online the day before or the day of travel.
P.P.S: Head or overhead space?
Which do you prefer – additional overhead bin space or more room between the top of your head and the carry-on storage section?
Boeing has started rolling out new overhead bin sections dubbed as ‘Space Bins’ because they give passengers almost 50 percent more space for carry-on luggage.
The extra space increases the number of bags in overhead bins from 118 to 178 and help to simmer arguments over spacing.
However, it also means passengers are sacrificing around two inches of head space.
Alaska Airlines is the first major commercial airline to introduce the wider storage section which could save travellers up to $4.8 billion in fees to check their bags.
“We’ve been on a mission to improve our cabin experience for several years and Space Bins are part of a $200 million investment we’ve made to make flying more comfortable and enjoyable.”
Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines Vice President of Marketing
