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. Which airlines are the most satisfying?
Qantas and Singapore Airlines are pushing all the right buttons at 32,000-feet, according to the Roy Morgan Research Customer Satisfaction Awards.
Research conducted in October this year found Aussies are most ‘satisfied’ by the two airlines for their inflight service, entertainment and offerings.
In domestic, Qantas scored an 84 percent satisfaction rating for its economy product – only slightly above major competitor, Virgin Australia, which scored 82 percent.
2. Flight Centre buys into two companies
It really is Christmas over at Flight Centre, as the travel group expands its business by buying into two travel companies in one day.
Revealed this morning, the group completed its acquisition of StudentUniverse.com (SU) and purchased a majority stake in BYOjet.com.
Shareholder in the online youth company accepted Flight Centre’s $28 million bid to own 100 percent of the SU group – less than a week after the offer was made.
3. Malaysia unveils Sharia-compliant airline
Abu Dhabi may be aiming to become a hub for Halal travel, but Malaysia is hoping to be the main provider of air services for Muslim flyers.
The Southeast Asian country this week launched inaugural operations of the world’s first Sharia-compliant airline, which follows practises of Sharia-law in the sky.
There are already sharia-friendly airlines, however, Rayani Air has been accepted as the first fully compliant airline ‘by relevant authorities’.
4. Qantas delivers more tourism to the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is celebrating its biggest year in tourism this year and it’s all thanks to new flight services.
This year, Air New Zealand continued to operate its services, while Jetstar increased its operations.
There’s also Qantas, which sent its regional subsidiary, QantasLink, back to the Sunshine Coast – the first time in ten years.
According to Visit Sunshine Coast’s CEO, Simon Ambrose, the rising services and reintroduction of Qantas capped off an outstanding year and will contribute to record breaking growth.
“It’s fantastic to have all these holiday makers arrive on the flight, but we are probably even more excited by the prospect of the start of Qantas’ business schedule after the holidays, because it will add a new dimension to the Sunshine Coast’s tourism sector.”
Simon Ambrose, Visit Sunshine Coast CEO
During November there were 79,905 passenger movements at Sunshine Coast Airport, up 10 percent from November 2014, while the Commonwealth’s BITRE data revealed Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) as the fastest growing airport in Australia, with a 13.8 percent increase in passengers for the year up to September 2015.
5. Silversea rolls out fully-inclusive fares
Silversea Cruises is now offering its guests a choice of fully inclusive fares and improved cruise-only fares on selected Mediterranean, African and Asian voyages in 2016.
The fully inclusive packages are available for new bookings made on or after 18 December 2015 on a trio of Silver Cloud voyages to Africa and the Indian Ocean; 30 Mediterranean cruises aboard Silver Cloud, Silver Wind and Silver Spirit; and previously announced Silver Shadow Asia cruises.
Extending the all-inclusive concept from land to sea, Silversea now offers fifty 2016 voyages in the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa that include Silver Shore Select Excursions at every port of call, plus complimentary WiFi to keep you connected while at sea.
For guests who want a complete end-to-end experience, optional upgrades are also available for all of the selected voyages which will include transfers, a 2-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay for Mediterranean and Asia voyages or a 3-night luxury post-cruise safari in Kenya or South Africa for African voyages.
6. INCENTIVE: Win a trip to Disneyland
Air France is trying to drum up local sales by offering agents the chance to win a magical trip to Disneyland in Paris.
To be the winner agents simply need to earn the highest number of points, which can be earned through each Air France sale.
Consultants will receive one point for every Air France economy return ticket originating Australia to France / Europe; three points for selling one Air France premium return ticket originating Australia to France / Europe; or five points for business return tickets originating Australia to France / Europe.
Once a sale is made, agents need to email webpromo.au@airfrance.fr with their agency name, full name, passenger name, ticket number and PNR number.
The winner will be notified by Air France on 10 March. The prize includes four return economy tickets from Australia to Paris; four park tickets for both Disney® parks; two nights accommodation in a Disneyland® Hotel; and food and beverage vouchers for Disneyland® Paris.
7. INCENTIVE: Win a cruise on the Med or Caribbean
Princess Cruises is giving travel agents the chance to escape to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean every time they sell a Princess itinerary.
The offer is only open to Princess Academy members who secure new bookings from now until 1 March next year.
For every cruise sold agents will be able to vote for either a seven-night ‘magical Mediterranean cruise’ or an eight-night ‘carefree Caribbean’ voyage.
Winners of both Princess cruises will also receive up to $4,000 worth of eZAir credit to assist with flights.
Click here for more information.
8. Crossing the trans-Atlantic on the Queen
Agents were invited to celebrate the 250th trans-Atlantic crossing of Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton in November, with a special famil aboard the cruise liner.
Ten top-selling Australian consultants were flown by Qantas to the US where they boarded Cunard’s flagship.
Eight nights on the ship saw agents receive the royal treatment including a cocktail event with Captain Kevin Oprey as well as specialty dining in the liner’s Todd English Restaurant, pre-dinner drinks in the Veuve Clicquot Champagne bar and passes to the indulgent Canyon Ranch spa.
9. Agents live it up in Southern California
Viva! Holidays, Gate 7, San Diego Tourism Authority, Visit West Hollywood and Fiji Airways treated a group of agents to a six-night famil in Southern California this month.
The group enjoyed three nights in San Diego before travelling to Amtrak by Los Angeles where they spent two nights in West Hollywood staying at the Mondrian and Chamberlain hotels.
Highlights included a guided tour of Sea World San Diego, The USS Midway Museum, some wonderful hosted meals and shopping at the Las Americas Outlets in San Diego and Beverly Centre in LA.
10. ‘Open the door, I want a smoke’
Okay, so he wasn’t exactly screaming that out loud but he may as well have been.
Who?
A passenger on an Orient Thai Airlines flight who stood up and demanded staff open the door so that he could have a cigarette.
A video captured by a fellow passenger, showed the man in a black t-shirt arguing with flight attendants near a door.
The argument took place at Surat Thani Airport where the aircraft had diverted to due to bad weather.
Of course, staff refused to open aircraft doors and the man made a phone call instead.