Dreaming of flying away? Well, we’re sorry to say this airline wrap will probably just make your wanderlust worse. But only for once more before Christmas!

Vietnam Airlines receives two awards at World Travel Awards 2018

Vietnam Airlines has been named the World’s Leading Cultural Airline and World’s Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class at this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards gala ceremony, held in Lisbon, Portugal on 1 December 2018.

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Each year the World Travel Awards covers the globe with its Grand Tour – a series of regional gala ceremonies to recognise excellence within each continent, culminating in a Grand Final at the end of the year, which this year was held at the historic Pátio da Galé in Lisbon, Portugal. Today, the World Travel Awards™ brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Vietnam Airlines has retained these dual awards for two consecutive years, echoing its commitment to bringing customers the highest quality service, in line with the airline’s impressive four-star Skytrax ranking.

Change for Good raised almost HK$12 million in 2017

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Rupert Hogg and Director Customer Simon Large present the 2017 Change for Good donation to UNICEF HK Chairman Judy Chen.

The Cathay Pacific Group and the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) announced that a total of HK$11.7 million was raised from the Change for Good inflight fundraising programme in 2017. Since its launch in 1991, the programme has successfully converted spare change from Cathay Pacific passengers into supplies and services to improve the lives of vulnerable children worldwide.

Of the total donation in 2017, Cathay Pacific has designated HK$2.73 million to support UNICEF’s Schools for Asia programme in Myanmar and India. The thematic programme, which aligns with one of the airline’s key community engagement endeavours of promoting youth development, aims to provide quality and sustainable learning for children.

There is a particular focus on disadvantaged children who are less likely to receive an education because of their gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic location or economic circumstance.

Qatar Airways launches flights to Mombasa – the Airline’s second destination in Kenya

Qatar Airways’ first non-stop flight from Doha to Mombasa, Kenya landed today at Moi International Airport, marking the airline’s second gateway in Kenya. Qatar Airways flight QR1333, operated by an Airbus A320, departed Hamad International Airport (HIA) on Sunday 9 December at 02:30 and arrived at Moi International Airport at 08:40, where it was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute.

On board the inaugural Qatar Airways flight to Mombasa, Qatar Airways Chief Flight Operations Officer, Captain Jassim Al-Haroon, was joined by the Kenyan Charge D’Affaires a.i. to the State of Qatar, Mr. Washington Oloo.

The VIP delegation was greeted upon arrival by the County Government of Mombasa Deputy Governor, H.E. Dr. William Kingi, County Government of Mombasa, Executive for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Hon. Fawz Ali, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Director Aviation Safety Security and Regulation, Capt. Tom Ogenche, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director, Middle East Directorate, Amb. Jackline Yonga, Kenya Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Betty Radier, Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Hersi, Moi International Airport General Manager Marketing and Business Development, Mr. Jimmy Kibati and Moi International Airport Manager, Mr. Peter Wafula.

Air New Zealand to operate Christchurch – Singapore services

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines will deliver South Island travellers greater choice and increased frequency as part of their joint venture alliance, with Air New Zealand to operate flights between Christchurch and Singapore from December 2019.

The airline will operate a five times weekly seasonal service between Christchurch and Singapore from 1 December 2019 to 22 February 2020 using new configuration Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Up to now, Singapore Airlines has been operating the seasonal service three times a week, in addition to its daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.

The increase in seasonal services to Christchurch follows approval for the two airlines to extend their alliance for a further five years until March 2024.

In addition to Christchurch services, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines also offer three daily services between Auckland and Singapore and four times weekly service between Wellington and Singapore via Australia under their joint alliance. Tickets for the new Air New Zealand operated service will go on sale from 23 January 2019.

South African Airways proudly honours Nelson Mandela with special fly-over

On Saturday December 2 in Johannesburg, South African Airways, the national flag carrier and iconic South African brand, joined the world in honour of Nelson Mandela, the first President of a democratic SA and Nobel Laureate, with a special fly-over at the Global Citizen Concert.

The fly-over was reminiscent of another special and historic “Madiba moment” when SAA did a fly-over more than two decades ago at the 1995 Rugby World Cup finals. The world watched as former President Mandela captivated the crowd and the world. The moment when Madiba walked onto the pitch wearing a Springbok cap and replica of the number six captain jersey was immortalised in the inspiring movie Invictus.

SAA again captured the crowds at the concert when the biggest aircraft type in its fleet, the Airbus A340-600, with a message “Global Citizen – Be The Legacy – Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018” on its belly, seamlessly executed the fly-over at approximately 13h35. In the cockpit were Captain Andre Steenkamp, and First Officer Bradley Bennetts, with Captain Pierre Gouws overseeing safety.

The crowds cheered when the SAA aircraft glided across the skies over the excitement-filled FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, shortly before the official program for the day got underway.

Emirates gets festive this winter holiday

Get festive this winter season with Emirates’ tailor-made holiday sweaters and pyjamas. Available at the Emirates Official Store and online, essential holiday wear is now available in time for a cozy winter night at home, stocking stuffers, as well as special occasions and gatherings with friends and family.

Adults: Available in all sizes, Emirates Official store is offering a holiday red unisex sweater with a Dubai twist through its embroidered design of pilots and crew along with camels and palm trees. Retailing for USD$ 50, shoppers can purchase the limited edition sweater on www.emirates.store.com.

Children: Shop for little ones this holiday season and surprise them with a festive Emirates pyjama set. Both are embroidered with Emirates pilot and cabin crew design with cross stitches that resemble small hearts. The festive Emirates onesie is available for newborns and children up to 18 months, retailing for USD$ 26 and the full pyjama set is for children aged between two to eight years old, retailing for USD$37.

When Cathay Pacific meets Seattle…every day

Cathay Pacific has announced that its forthcoming non-stop service to Seattle will go daily from July 2019, further strengthening the only direct link between Hong Kong and the bustling city on the west coast of the United States, and offering its customers more choice and increased convenience.

Launching next year as a four-times-weekly operation on 31 March 2019, the airline is upping frequency to daily from 1 July 2019 to meet thriving demand. The additional services are scheduled to depart Hong Kong on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; returning the following day from Seattle.

Flown by the airline’s technologically-advanced Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the Seattle route is Cathay Pacific’s eighth to the United States and follows existing services to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), New York (Newark), San Francisco and Washington DC.

Out of Australia, Cathay Pacific has more than 70 flights a week to Hong Kong from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns. Fares start from just $1,361* return to Seattle.