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 goes ‘Mad Max’ on a special Oscars flight
They passed through security, had their own Qantas boarding passes printed and were even escorted to their seats for their flight home.
We’re not referring to the Academy Awards winners, we’re talking about their gold statues aka those shiny and highly desirable Oscars.
Qantas renamed its flight QF12 from LAX the ‘Oscar One’ on Monday as a tribute to the six Mad Max: Fury Road Oscars travelling on the service.
2. Amadeus welcomes revenue growth
Amadeus’ new mobile technology combined with its initiatives, new low-cost partnerships and acquisitions contributed to the company’s 10.4 percent increase in revenue for the year ending December 2015.
According to latest figures, Amadeus made €751.8 million in adjusted profit over the 12 months and around €1,465.4 million in EBITDA, up 12.2 percent on the prior year.
Luis Maroto, President & CEO of Amadeus, said both Distribution and IT Solutions businesses delivered increases in revenues, while revenue growth was underpinned by additional business in North America and Asia-Pacific.
“Despite recent economic concerns we are positive for 2016 based upon the expansion of our offering to travel providers, the continuous improvement of our competitive position, the migration of additional carriers to the Altéa platform, the growth of New Businesses, and our strengthened position in the low-cost carrier and hybrid segment with the addition of Navitaire,” he said.
3. Hotels.com comes out to support equal marriage
Hotels.com has become the latest travel business to wave the rainbow flag in celebration of this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and to showcase its support for marriage equality in Australia.
In an open letter from Vice President Asia-Pacific, Abhiram Chowdhry said as an accommodation website the company understands that “love and life comes in all shapes and sizes” and so supports the right of its employees to live “in an environment free of prejudice and discrimination and enjoy the same freedoms that opposite-sex couples enjoy”.
“Times have changed. Diversity makes the workplace and the world a better place.”
Abhiram Chowdhry, Hotels.com Vice President Asia-Pacific
4. Intrepid thrives post-PEAK
Intrepid surprised the industry last year when it announced its separation from the TUI Group and the dismantling of their joint company, the PEAK Travel Group, after only four years.
At the time, Intrepid MD, James Thornton, said the move was a result of differences in philosophies and Intrepid’s desire to focus on its “values, vision” and growth.
Intrepid walked away in July with six brands, 17 destination management companies and a business that carries well over 350,000 passengers a year – a leap from the single brand, few DMCs and day touring company, Urban Adventures pre-partnership.
5. Sell a oneworld RTW fare & WIN one for yourself
You’re booking a round-the-world (RTW) fare for a client when suddenly your mind starts to wander and it’s no longer the couple across for you travelling to four different continents on a single air ticket, it’s you.
Sometimes as travel industry professionals we help make other people’s dreams a reality but are forced to push aside our own.
That is until now.
6. LA airport gets the ‘Star’ treatment
Star Alliance is improving customer experience at Los Angeles’ Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) through a combination of co-locating the member airlines in a one single check-in zone and the progressive introduction of more automation.
The aim is to offer customers a wider choice of check-in options, giving them more control over this part of the travel process and creating time savings.
As a prerequisite to providing these enhancements, check-in for all 10 Star Alliance member carriers operating out of TBIT has been consolidated in one singe aisle. The check-in counters for Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, EVA Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS and Turkish Airlines are now all in aisle “C”, at the north end of the terminal. This not only allows customers to easily identify the location of the check-in desks, but also permits the member airlines to share counter space to even better match capacity to the actual demand.
A range of joint automated services is also progressively being made available by the TBIT based Star Alliance member carriers. Passengers are being encouraged to make use of the various mobile and web check-in options available. For those needing to print boarding passes at the airport, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has installed 24 common-use kiosks, which can print both boarding passes and luggage tags. In addition to the traditional full service check-in desks, fast bag-drop counters can also be made available for those who have opted to self-tag their bags.
To further support these improvements, LAWA will be opening a new North Security Checkpoint located at the end of Aisle “C” sometime in March.
7. Guests get a first look at the new ibis Styles Brisbane
ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street invited guests to be the first to check out its new digs this week, marking its official opening.
The new premium economy hotel adjoins the Myer Centre and Queen Street Mall, giving guests views from each room of either the city skyline or Brisbane River and the South Bank cultural precinct.
The 368-room new-build hotel features ibis Styles’ signature Sweet Beds, lively colours and upbeat furnishings throughout the hotel and a new restaurant and bar – The Social. The premium economy experience guests can expect includes SmartTV’s with media ports in each room, Wi-Fi connectivity throughout, 24 hour reception, guest laundry as well as meeting space with an outdoor terrace.
8. AccorHotels grows with 2 new properties in the Top End
AccorHotels has added two new properties to its portfolio with the rebranding of the Darwin Airport Hotel and Darwin Airport Resort to Novotel Darwin Airport and the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort.
The 136-room Novotel Darwin Airport is located just metres from Darwin International Airport terminal and will undergo an extensive refurbishment.
The neighbouring 181-room Darwin Airport Resort has rebranded to Mercure Darwin Airport Resort, and a further 108 new-build rooms will be added to the property as well as a refurbishment of the public areas.
Chief Operating Officer AccorHotels Pacific, Simon McGrath, said the company is delighted to expand its network in the Top End and looks forward to taking the properties into a “fresh new phase in 2016”.
9. United’s big 3-0 party
United celebrated 30 years of non-stop service to the Australian market last month.
The occasion was marked by United providing cupcakes and refreshments at the Sydney International Airport check-in counters. Guests, Menzies check-in staff and Sydney airport security joined United Airlines’ airport and maintenance staff to celebrate 30-years of service in Australia.
Click here for more information from United on its big 3-0 year.
10. Beckham chats to British Airways
Where does iconic British soccer player and frequent flyer, David Beckham, like spending his downtime?
It’s hard to decide, but it would be a mix of New York, LA, Singapore, Paris and his home, London.
British Airways recently spoke to the famous sportsman for its High Life magazine, during which he told them Marina Bay Sands is one of his favourite places to stay.
During the interview he mentioned that his best holiday to date took place in the Maldives because of its family specialties and one of his favourite spots in the USA is Utah due to its “breath-taking” landscapes.
Still on the bucket list for the soccer player and his family are destinations where food is “the central part of the journey”.
