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. Tigerair unveils new stripes
Virgin Australia’s budget carrier, Tigerair Australia, has ripped off its old stripes and stepped into new ones as part of a series of carrier upgrades.
Revealed this morning at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, the change will see the low-cost carrier’s female cabin crew replace the white shirts and black pants with a white and grey-sleeved shirt featuring the airline’s iconic orange around the neckline.
The top will be accompanied with a black skirt or black pants and a pair of black shoes.
2. No tsunami warning for Vanuatu
Officials say a 7.3 magnitude quake which struck off the coast of Vanuatu did not trigger a tsunami, clearing concerns of potential damage to the island nation.
The powerful earthquake occurred around 46 kilometres from Vanuatu’s Port Orly – an island popular for its white sand beaches and underwater activities.
Despite the severity of the shake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said it doesn’t expect a subsequent tsunami.
3. Hawaiian Airlines enters a new era
New lounge, new website, new inflight safety video and now new Business Class seats from Australia – welcome to a new era of Hawaiian Airlines.
The island nation’s national carrier announced an upgrade of its A330s overnight (currently used on trans-Pacific services), to compete with increased competition on flights between Australia and the US.
From second quarter next year, the airline will remove the existing recliner seats in the A330 Business Class and install business seats that convert into fully-flat beds.
4. flybuys members can now earn free Etihad flights
Etihad has entered a new innovative partnership with flybuys, giving members the chance to turn their everyday shopping into international flights.
Announced this morning, flybuys members can use their flybuys points to book Etihad flights and enjoy exclusive access to airfare deals to more than 100 destinations worldwide.
Additionally, flybuys members who link their accounts to their Etihad Guest membership will earn Etihad Guest Tier Miles when they spend at any Coles Supermarkets, Coles Online, Coles Express, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor stores nationwide.
5. Luxperience is not so average
‘Luxperience is average’ said no-one ever, according to organisers of the annual luxury experiential travel exhibition.
Post-exhibition survey results found that the event generated over AU$97 million worth of business from meetings conducted during the three-day event.
Around 85 percent of buyers said they saw Luxperience as a place to keep up-to-date and learn what’s new in the exclusive and experiential travel arena. Of those who participated in the familiarisation program, 96 percent will be recommending the products experienced to their clients.
The quality of buyers at this year’s event was a highlight for around 90 percent of the exhibitors, while 79 percent said they managed to establish strong new business connections.
“[It’s an] extremely upmarket event, exceptionally well organised and a perfect opportunity to meet with potential suppliers.”
Adam George, Evolution Luxury Travel Australia
Next year’s event is scheduled for 18-21 September 2016.
Click here for more information from this year’s Luxperience.
6. South African Airways expands in Nigeria
South African Airways has added to its West African network with flights to Abuja – its second Nigerian destination.
SAA’s Country Manager for Australasia, Tim Clyde-Smith, said adding a second destination in Nigeria will increase to the airline’s business travel options to the popular country.
“We have seen significant growth in traffic to Nigeria recently, both as a destination in itself and as part of our growing West Africa network, so the addition of Abuja is good news.”
Tim Clyde-Smith, South African Airways Manager for Australasia
The service will operate three times weekly between Johannesburg and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Utilising the A330-200, guests will have access to the latest in-flight entertainment, business class comfort and more.
Flights are on sale now for the service scheduled to commence on 26 January 2016.
7. Britain & Ireland Essentials are here
Travel agents will receive their Britain & Ireland Essentials brochure next week featuring all of Infinity Holidays’ tours and activities in the two destinations.
Heading your way from 26 October, the brochure features new partially-escorted itineraries in the Southwest of Britain including London, Devon & Cornwall.
There’s also a reversed and extended nine-night CIE Irish & British Focus fully escorted tour from Dublin to London plus a Game of Thrones self-drive tour in Ireland.
Click here for more information.
8. AccorHotels raises $500,000 for charity
The culmination of ten months of tireless fundraising from more than 200 AccorHotels around Australia has seen the hotel company raise $500,000 for charity.
Around $460,000 was given to Mission Australia and $40,000 for the Kokoda Youth Foundation, helping to reduce homelessness in Australia.
Celebration of the group’s fundraising efforts was capped off at Mercure Gold Coast Resort after a gruelling three-day Race to Survive adventure challenge which saw more than 200 AccorHotels staff compete.
9. Australia tunes into Macau
Celebrated Australian radio personality, Tim Webster, did what no other Aussie radio host has done before – broadcast his show live from Macau.
Webster with the support of the Macau Government Tourist, Cathay Pacific and Conrad Macao travelled to the peninsula earlier this month to give 2UE listeners a sample of its charm over two six-hour radio shows.
Using a make-shift studio inside his 34th level suite of the Conrad Macao he interviewed adventure seeker and jump master, A J Hackett’s Tony O’Rourke, on Macau’s SkyWalk – a 233-metre mark of Macau Tower.
10. TravelManagers join the All-Stars in NZ
TravelManagers were among the hundreds of Aussie agents picked up and taken across the ditch for the NZ mega-famil.
Featuring over 21 different tailor-made itineraries, the “Six Days. Two Airlines. One Destination,” All-Stars famil was hosted by Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Tourism New Zealand and aimed to give Australian travel agents a taste of the best New Zealand has to offer.
To qualify, agents had to take an online quiz, after which 400 lucky agents from a range of states, agencies and years of experience were selected.
P.S: Qantas’ close call
Another terrifying image of the @qantas lightning close call in Sydney Australia. pic.twitter.com/0zTNEuEHdx
— Daniel Shaw (@DanielShawAU) October 20, 2015
Sydney-based photographer, Daniel Shaw, snapped an incredible image of a Qantas plane narrowly out-flying a lightning bolt during last night’s storm.
The self-proclaimed ‘storm spotter’ was in his car shooting video when he saw the bolt of lightning strike just behind the Qantas aircraft.
Shaw said it was a ‘scary’ moment to watch.
Commercial aircraft are designed to withstand any lightning strikes and the safety of passengers was not at risk.
Click here for more Qantas information.
P.P.S: Celebrity Solstice arrives in Sydney on Back to the Future day
Celebrity Solstice has very little to do with the actual movie, except that her return to Sydney falls on the same day as the arrival of Marty, the Doc and Jennifer.
That’s right, the 3,000 passenger vessel sailed into the Harbour this morning – the same day the three pop-culture characters arrived in ‘the future’ during Back to the Future II.
It’s the ship’s fourth consecutive season cruising from Australia, during which she will sail from Sydney over the next four-to-five months on itineraries across the Tasman, to the South Pacific and around Australia.
