Today’s Airline Wrap is so jam-packed not even a stuffed kebab when you’re drunk on a Saturday could rival it!

Travel well for less with your loved one this Valentine’s Day

Cathay Pacific is spreading the love this month and celebrating Valentine’s Day with a range of fantastic companion fares for Economy Class to more than 60 destinations across Asia and India, and select destinations in Premium Economy Class.

Book for two or more guests (partner, friend or family) travelling together by 23 February 2017 and pay as little as $634* per person for return Economy Class and from $1,468* per person for return Premium Economy Class. Bookings must be made by 23 February 2017, for travel between 16 February and 13 November 2017 (some blackout dates apply).

Without a valentine? Fear not, solo travellers also booking during the same period can save, with special fares across all classes. Fares start from $638* per person return for two or more travellers in Economy Class between Melbourne and Shanghai.

Those wanting to treat their loved ones can travel in Premium Economy Class from $1,468* per person return between Perth and Hong Kong. Solo travellers can fly from $719* return for Economy class between Melbourne and Beijing.

THAI Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Valentine Desserts

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) will offer passengers special Valentine desserts, specially prepared by THAI catering chefs, to mark Valentine’s Day on 14 February 2017.

Passengers flying on all THAI domestic flights to and from Bangkok (with the exception of breakfast meal service) will be served an array of Valentine sweet delights. For flights departing from Bangkok, Royal Silk Class passengers will be served Pana Cotta and Economy Class passengers will be served Brownies. On flights to Bangkok, Royal Silk Class passengers will be served Strawberry Tart and Economy Class passengers will be served Red Velvet Cake.

Valentine desserts will be served on all international flights departing from Bangkok. Royal First Class passenger will be served Rose Pana Cotta with Jelly pearls. Royal Silk Class passengers and Economy Class passengers will be served White Chocolate Brownie with rose raspberry sauce.

Palisade confirmed as Sunshine Coast Airport’s commercial partner in deal worth more than half a billion dollars

Palisade Investment Partners will be the Sunshine Coast Airport’s commercial operating partner in a deal worth more than half a billion dollars. Under the deal, the airport will continue to be owned by Sunshine Coast Council, with Palisade operating the asset under a 99 year lease. Palisade will be responsible for operating, investing and developing the airport and will oversee future negotiations with airlines to expand both domestic and international routes available from the Sunshine Coast. 

Jamieson said the partnership with Palisade will advance a number of Council’s important objectives.

1. New runway by 2020
2. Ensure airport safety and efficiency during program construction
3. Assistance with airport expansion costs

The council anticipates to enter into a construction contract to build the new runway in September this year.

Air Canada Unveils New Livery Inspired by Canada

At three events held simultaneously across Canada in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Air Canada unveiled for its customers and employees, a bold new livery inspired by Canada for its entire fleet, elegant new uniforms for its employees, and a taste of some of the new onboard menu offerings that its customers can look forward to, this coming April.

Air Canada’s fleet of 300 mainline and regional aircraft are being repainted in a bold black and white design that highlights its iconic red maple leaf encircled ensign, or “rondelle,” that returns to the tail of the flag carrier’s fleet after an absence of 24 years. Reflecting Canada’s vastness and contrasting seasons, with references to its wildlife and First Nations heritage, the new fleet livery was designed by international design firm Winkcreative, headed by Canadian entrepreneur Tyler Brûlé.

Videos and photos of Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the new livery are available here: aircanada.com/livery.

In 2017, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge will continue its global strategic expansion and will launch new international services.  Air Canada will also receive its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at the end of 2017, marking the start of its narrow body fleet renewal program, to be followed in 2019 with the delivery of its first Bombardier C Series aircraft.

Hawaiian Airlines Becomes Official International Airline for Giants Netball Sydney

Hawaiian Airlines has signed on as a Major Partner of GIANTS Netball for the inaugural season of the Suncorp Super Netball League, through to 2019. Under the two-year agreement, Hawaiian will be the team’s Official International Airline, which includes giving Members and Fans the chance to win a taste of the carrier’s signature Hawaiian hospitality with a seat upgrade to the ‘Best Seats in the House’ at GIANTS Netball home games at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (NSW), Qudos Bank Arena (NSW) and at Canberra’s AIS Arena.

Singapore Airlines to Place US$13.8B Order for Boeing Aircraft to Drive Additional Growth throughout next Decade.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has agreed to place firm orders with Boeing for 20 777-9s and 19 787-10s, for additional growth and fleet modernisation through the next decade. SIA has today signed a letter of intent with the US airframe manufacturer comprising the 39 firm orders plus six options for each aircraft type, which if exercised will enlarge the deal to as many as 51 aircraft. The 777-9s are due for delivery from the 2021/22 financial year and the 787-10s for delivery from the 2020/21 financial year.

The General Electric GE9X is the sole engine type for the 777-9s, which are intended primarily for use on long-haul routes. SIA has selected the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 to power the 787-10s, which are to be operated on medium-range routes.

In addition to the 30 previously-ordered 787-10s, SIA has outstanding orders with Airbus for five A380- 800s and 57 A350-900s. SilkAir has outstanding orders with Boeing for 37 737 MAX 8s, while Scoot has orders with Boeing for eight 787-8/9s and Tigerair has orders with Airbus for 39 A320neos.

AirAsia X launch Hawaii route, the airline’s maiden service to the US

The long-haul low-cost pioneer will operate a four times weekly service from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to Honolulu, Hawaii via Osaka, Japan starting28 June 2017.

To celebrate the launch, AirAsia X will be offering fares from as low as AUD$156* from 11 to 26 February 2017 for travel from 28 June 2017 to 6 February 2018. During this offer period, guests wanting to travel in greater comfort can experience AirAsia X’s award-winning Premium Flatbed from AUD$849*. From Australia, AirAsia X operates flights to Kuala Lumpur from Melbourne (18 flights per week), Sydney (17 flights per week), Perth (14 flights per week) and Gold Coast (11 flights per week).

Find these special introductory fares on airasia.com. Offer not available on AirAsia mobile app.

 Guests transiting in Osaka do not require a Japanese visa during the two-hour stopover, and can return to their seats on the flight after clearing security with any carry-on luggage or belongings. Guests can also make use of AirAsia’s Fly-Thru service to connect seamlessly to Honolulu from other cities within AirAsia and AirAsia X’s extensive flight network with just one additional stop. 

British Airways and Liberty London create exclusive range of on board wash bags

Top British brand Liberty London have created an exclusive range of wash bags for customers flying in First with British Airways. The sleek, slim and stylish wash bags, which are expected to be launched in Australia in the second quarter of the year, feature a contemporary look using a range of carefully chosen prints from Liberty London’s vast textiles collection, updated for today’s modern traveller.

The new Liberty London First wash bags are now exclusively available on board. Throughout the year further print designs will be added to the collection, giving British Airways customers the opportunity to enjoy even more of Liberty London’s iconic style.

Prints for both the men and women’s Liberty London wash bags were chosen to reflect British Airways’ own colour scheme and contain a range of carefully selected skincare and well-being products provided by Aromatherapy Associates, respectively.

Once on board customers will enjoy: a private and spacious suite, with a fully flat bed, complete with mattress and a crisp white cotton duvet to sleep during the flight; the opportunity to unwind watching thousands of hours of the latest movies and TV shows thanks to British Airways High Life Entertainment on widescreen TVs; and enjoy delicious five star in-flight dinning served by attentive cabin crew at 35,000 feet.

Island Air Join Oz Billing Settlement Plan, streamlining transactions with Australian travel agents

Island Air, the value leader airline in the Hawaiian Islands joins Australia’s Billing Settlement Plan (BSP), which will make it easier and more efficient for travel agents to book reservations on Island Air flights.

The BSP, which is administered through the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is a standardised electronic billing system that facilitates the flow of data and fund transfers between airlines and IATA-accredited travel agencies and provides a simplified approach to selling, reporting and administering airline tickets.

Currently, travel agents interact directly with Island Air for sales reporting and payment remittance, which is costly, time-consuming and inefficient. Now as part of the Australia BSP, travel agents in Australia who sell Island Air tickets will submit sales reports and payments electronically through the BSP. Island Air, in turn, will receive payment from the BSP along with one settlement report covering all IATA-accredited agents in Australia.

For more information about Island Air or to make a reservation, visit www.islandair.com or call (800) 652-6541.