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. Booze-related air rage on the rise
Alcohol and flying is becoming a bit of a dangerous mixture, according to new figures that show disruptive booze-fuelled violence mid-flight is on the rise.
From celebrities to everyday pax, flyers are having trouble keeping it together, with some 40 percent more alcohol-related incidents reported on flights during the first six months of this year alone.
But do these figures really come as a surprise?
2. Air Canada sends the Beach Bunnies to the snow, eh
Beach bunnies will have an easier time hitting the Canadian ski slopes with the introduction of Air Canada’s first-ever non-stop flights between Vancouver and Brisbane.
Commencing 17 June next year, Air Canada will add Brisbane as its second Australian destination, with three times weekly flights to Vancouver on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Subject to regulatory approval, the airline hopes to eventually increase it to daily.
The new direct service will take out the stopover in Sydney, saving holidaymakers up to five hours when travelling between the two cities.
3. Qantas is one step closer to returning to San Francisco
Qantas is one-step closer to relaunching direct services between Sydney and San Francisco.
Last month the airline dropped the good news when it announced an expansion its partnership with American Airlines (AA).
The extended agreement would see AA takeover four codeshare flights between Los Angeles and Sydney so that Qantas could move its Boeing 747 on the San Fran route.
4. Smartraveller adjusts Nepal advice
The Australian government has lowered its overall advice for Nepal from ‘reconsider your need to travel’ to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’.
The change comes as the country slowly rebuilds damaged infrastructure.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said while it has lowered its overall advice, it still continues to warn Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in a few districts. This includes Humla; Mugu; Dolpa; Mustang; Manang; Lamjung; Gorkha; Dhading; Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
There’s also the Sindhupalchok; Kavrepalanchok; Dolakha; Ramechhap; Okhaldhunga; Solukhuma; Sankhuwasabha and Taplejung districts.
5. 4 reasons to get excited about Rocky Mountaineer’s 2016 season
If you think you’re familiar with the Rocky Mountaineer product, then you’re set to get a little bit of a surprise this coming season.
Steve Farrelly – National Sales Manager Australia and New Zealand – revealed in Sydney earlier this week that the coming season, which is set to launch in nine months, will see the company roll out a number of changes.
Speaking to travel agents at a Rail Plus and Rocky Mountaineer hosted event, Farrelly explained that adjustments are designed to secure the company’s position as a premier luxury operator.
6. Fiji Airways signs new codeshare
Real Tonga and Fiji Airways have signed a new agreement to codeshare on services from Nuku’alofa to Vava’u.
The new codeshare arrangement will provide connections between Vava’u and Nadi (weekly) and Suva (twice weekly) via Nuku’alofa.
Fiji Airways will operate a Nuku’alofa – Vava’u flight three days per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Real Tonga will be code-sharing on that flight, so that the new services are an integral part of the Real Tonga schedule.
The services will be operated by Fiji Link’s brand new ATR 72 aircraft, offering customers comfort and convenience.
Tevita Palu, CEO of Real Tonga said the agreement enables the airline to provide extra capacity, particularly during the busier peak seasons.
The Nuku’alofa-Vava’u flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
7. United brings Soho House’s Cowshed Spa Brand onboard
United Airlines and Cowshed Spa, the premium spa and lifestyle brand of London-based Soho House & Co., are joining together in a partnership to bring travelers contemporary new amenities onboard and at more than a dozen United airport lounges worldwide.
Beginning 1 August 2015, United will exclusively offer Soho House’s Cowshed skin-care products onboard in newly redesigned amenity kits for premium-cabin customers on intercontinental flights.
Also, a collection of Cowshed products will be available in many of the carrier’s United Club locations and other lounges.
United customers will enjoy formulations inspired by the scents of an English country garden, with playful names designed to lift spirits and relax travelers.
“This is another step in enhancing our customers’ experience in flight and on the ground.”
Tom O’Toole, United Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
8. Sydney is Number One
Sydney has again been voted the number one city in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in the 20th annual Travel + Leisure 2015 World’s Best Awards in the USA.
In addition, Sydney properties dominated the Top Hotels category, taking out four of the top five positions, with the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney named the number one hotel in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
The Park Hyatt Sydney, Intercontinental Sydney and Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay also placed in the top five, reflecting the incredible standards in the State’s accommodation sector.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase welcomed the accolade from the prestigious lifestyle magazine.
“Once again Sydney continues to stand out against its international rivals with our city and our hotels a cut above the rest.”
Sandra Chipchase, Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer
9. Alcohol experts mix-up new beverages at Qantas lounges
It’s only the best for Qantas’ first-class and business-class passengers whether its service, food and now alcohol.
The airline has recruited a team of experts to help select wine, Champagne, spirits and other beverages for its lounges around the world.
Dubbed ‘The Qantas Rockpool Sommeliers’ the team is made up of 16 highly experienced sommeliers and mixologists from the renowned Rockpool Restaurant Group.
10. Travel Counsellors wrap up roadshows
Travel Counsellors has wrapped up a series of consumer roadshows that visited ten locations across the country.
Attended by thousands of keen travel lovers, the roadshows visited the states of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and included stops at Newcastle, Mooloolaba, Hobart, Wollongong, Ballarat, Parkwood, Chatswood, Mornington, Geelong and Adelaide.
Featuring informative presentations from more than 25 suppliers including Jetstar, Intrepid Travel, Etihad, Royal Caribbean, APT, G Adventures, AAT Kings, Albatross and more, the roadshows covered everything from river cruising to adventure travel, coach tours and beyond.
NTK Extra: The note left behind on Virgin everyone is talking about
Travel fans around Australia are on the search for ‘the girl in seat 5F’ – a Virgin Australia passenger that left a sweet note behind in a copy of Voyeur magazine.
The note is making the rounds on the Internet after it was discovered by twitter user Alan Higgins (@athiggy84) earlier this week.
Higgins was flying to the 2015 APCS Summit in Brisbane when he decided to flick through a copy of the inflight magazine.
