TWO Big Fat Wraps in one day?! Yes, the long weekend has left us dazed and confused as well, although that might be the hangover talking.

Qantas to Host 74th IATA AGM in Sydney

Qantas today welcomed the announcement that the International Air Transport Association’s 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place in Sydney in June 2018.

One of the most prestigious events on the aviation calendar, the AGM – and the associated World Air Transport Summit – will attract more than 1,000 delegates and is expected to provide a boost to the NSW economy with attendees often choosing to stay and explore the region following the AGM.

The announcement of Sydney as next year’s location and Qantas as host airline was made at the conclusion of IATA’s 2017 AGM in Cancun.

Fiji Airways Implements EAM RFID across Entire Fleet

Fiji Airways has completed installation of over 4,000 ultra high-frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags throughout its entire fleet of 15 aircraft. One of the first of the Oceanian airlines to utilise RFID, Fiji Airways has taken a keen interest in being an early adopter of customer-centric tech since rebranding in 2013.

Fiji Airways is integrating RFID to improve in-cabin inspections for onboard emergency equipment such as life vests, life rafts, oxygen bottles, fire extinguishers, extension seat belts, earmuffs, flashlights, survival kits as well as oxygen generators across the A330, B737, ATR, and Twin Otter fleet.

To continue with the RFID program, Fiji Airways and EAM RFID Solutions intend to deploy a wider Cyber Physical System (CPS) by tagging other items (including seat covers) and seeking to advance opportunities with additional system integration with Engineering maintenance system AMOS.

Scandinavian Airlines: Baggage or No Baggage?

Many European carriers have introduced airfare products that do not include checked baggage. On SAS this product is called SAS GO LIGHT and it corresponds to a fare basis ending in “LIGHT”. Easy to recognise and bookable by using the “Best Buy” entry in your GDS.

However in most instances Australian travellers to Europe need a checked baggage allowance in additional to their hand luggage. To select SAS GO fares which include the standard 1PC (23kg) baggage allowance, you must use a fare display entry which gives you ALL fare options, not just the lowest ‘Best Buy” fare.

Amadeus, Sabre and Galileo have different entries, therefore please refer to your clue cards or contact your GDS support team for guidance.

For accidental SAS GO LIGHT fare tickets requiring baggage, this can be booked in the ancillary tool in your GDS by choosing XBAG and free text: PREPAID.

Take note that it is cheaper to book a SAS GO fare which includes 1PC checked baggage, than booking a SAS GO LIGHT fare + PREPAID XBAG.

Air Astana Launch Services from Astana to New Delhi  

Air Astana will launch direct flights from Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan to New Delhi, the capital of India on 2nd July 2017. The service will be operated three times a week using Airbus A320 and Embraer 190 aircraft. Air Astana continues to operate daily flights between Almaty and New Delhi, with the service having been inaugurated on 4th September 2004.

Kazakhstan’s award-winning carrier offers travellers from New Delhi a wide range of convenient flight connections in Astana, with services to international destinations including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Kiev, Baku and Tbilisi, as well as to many cities across Kazakhstan. Together with other Air Astana international passengers travelling through Astana between 1st June and 10th September 2017, those using the new services to and from New Delhi will be entitled to free admission tickets for EXPO 2017 Astana – Future Energy.

On Mondays and Thursdays, the flight (KC 241) will depart Astana at 07.20 and arrive in New Delhi at 10:55, with the return flight (КС 242) departing New Delhi at 12.00 and arriving in Astana at 17.00 local time. On Sundays, flight (KC 249) flight will depart Astana at 20.35 and arrive in New Delhi at 00.10 (+1), with the return flight (КС 250) departing New Delhi at 01.10 and arriving in Astana at 06.10 local time.
Economy class return fares start at US$316 including tax, with Business Class return fares starting at US$1,873 including all taxes.

Lufthansa Group brings direct payment option to the check-in counter and gate with card terminals

From June 2017 onwards, customers will be able to pay with Amadeus Airport Pay for ancillary services while checking in. This new service, developed by Amadeus and In-genico, will subsequently be available at more than 170 airports around the world. Customers will be able to pay for ancillary services, such as excess baggage, with chip-cards (credit/debit cards), girocard payments and compatible digital wallets.

Additionally, airline staff are able to initiate compensation payments with these terminals, for instance in case a passenger voluntary steps back from an overbooked flight.

The standard used by the Amadeus Airport Pay solution is also fully compatible with PCI-DSS, a series of security standards defined by the payment card industry. By using a PIN method for the cards, fraud is prevented during the payment process itself.

With Amadeus Airport Pay airlines and ground handlers can now reach any passenger with an EMV chip card or an EMV-compliant mobile wallet in any airport worldwide, regardless of the check-in infrastructure; this means airlines worldwide can deploy quickly. As a result, airlines can convert more ancillary sales by offering travellers a fast and secure payment method that overcomes the inconveniences generally faced by travellers nowadays at airports.

Sri Lanka one Step Closer to Being Asia’s New Travel Hot Spot for Australians

Verdant rainforests, palm-fringed beaches, UNESCO temples and an intriguing culture, Sri Lanka is an inspiring destination that will soon be more accessible than ever for Australians with SriLankan Airlines starting to operate daily non-stop flights from Melbourne to Colombo from 29th October this year.

The new flights will tap into growing interest of Australians to visit the destination, which has seen a strong increase in visitation numbers from Australia of over 30% over the last three years.*

The new A330-200 aircraft will take Victorians directly to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital and largest city, in just 11 hours.

According to Chad Carey, co-founder of Asia Travel Specialist GetAboutAsia, Sri Lanka’s destination diversity is one of the main draws luring Australians.

“From stunning scenery, incredible beaches, tea stations and an intriguing culture that goes back thousands of years, Sri Lanka has everything Australians love in a holiday with a vibe that perfectly combines the dramatic India and the laid-back Bali attitude” Mr Carey said.

Introducing United Airlines’ New Transcontinental Service

Premium transcontinental business class offers many of the same amenities found on international routes such as flat-bed seats and enhanced food and amenities Routes will now feature an industry-leading complimentary hot meal and alcoholic beverages for customers seated in Economy Plus

Boston-San Francisco added as premium transcontinental route in addition to New York/Newark-Los Angeles and New York/Newark-San Francisco

CHICAGO, June 8, 2017 – United Airlines (UAL) announced today updates to its transcontinental service beginning July 1 including: adding Boston–San Francisco to its premium transcontinental route network, upgrading meal service and amenities for customers seated in business class and adding complimentary hot meal and beverage service for customers seated in Economy Plus.

“We routinely see high demand for travel between our coasts and we want to provide the same level of quality typically reserved for international routes – this includes all flat-bed seating in business class as well as an industry-leading dining experience for customers in Economy Plus,” United’s vice president of marketing, Mark Krolick said.

“Our updated premium transcontinental service not only connects travelers between four of the nation’s largest markets, it connects customers to the best food, drinks and amenities from these world-class cities.”

These flights are available now for booking.

Oman Air Business Class services

Oman services to/ from Australia are via the Asian hubs of KUL & BKK and use MH, TG as their interline partners in their Business Class fare structures.

With x2 daily into KUL and x3 daily into BKK, Oman Services offer competitive business fares across our network including the Middle East and 7 EU destinations: LON, MAN, PAR, MIL, FRA, MUC & ZRH.

Oman Air’s new B787 Business Class features 8 seats 2-2-2 configuration with every direct aisle access for every seat, generous 180 degrees fully lie flat bed seats with 203cm seat pitch and 58cm seat width, electronically controlled backrest, seat bottom, leg rest and seat depth, beverage and handset compartment, touchscreen IFE and handset, and 2 USB plugs and PC power outlet in every seat.

A full guide to Business Class air fares can be found here.
MW Tours Fam trip to Korea

MW Tours and China Southern Airlines with agents from around Australia have just returned from a trip to Korea including Seoul and Pusan. The tour included highlights such as a Bibap Show, Insadong Antique Market, Haesinsa Temple and Everland Theme Park. The photo shows the fam group “getting their Sexy Korea on” in traditional costume on after their Kimchi Cooking class.

In the back row we have Ann Bridgewater – Ballarat Cruise and Travel, Vic Jo Meredith – MTA, Qld Mark O’Neill – The Adventure Specialist, NSW Karen Robinson – Travel View, NSW David Armstrong – Bicton Travel, WA Kylie Duncan-Tiver – MTA, SA Sarah Butler – Travel Directors. WA

In front row there is Toni Perrin – Travel Managers – Qld, Renee Brown – Thor Travel, SA, Kay Russell – MW Tours SA, WA & NT Sales Manager Sally Laing – China Southern Airlines NSW Erica Torres Garcia -, iTalk Brighton, Vic. Laying in front is Yumi, the travel director from MW Tours in Korea.

AirAsia Female Pilots Take Naelofar Hijab to the Skies

AirAsia and leading hijab brand Naelofar Hijab has unveiled a special collaboration with an exclusively designed hijab for the airline’s female pilots. Beginning June 2017, muslim female pilots from AirAsia and AirAsia X will don the white Naelofar Hijab that is specifically tailored to meet their workday needs.

“This is the first time ever for AirAsia to collaborate with a designer to produce hijab wear for our female pilots. We are happy to work with Naelofar Hijab to create a piece that complements our female pilots’ look while providing enhanced comfort as they perform their duty. We are currently looking into revamping hijab designs for our ground staff as well,” Regional Head of Branding for AirAsia, Rudy Khaw said.

AirAsia female pilots were involved throughout the design process where they worked closely with Naelofar Hijab designers to create a functional, yet comfortable headscarf suitable for their day-to-day operations. Before being rolled out, prototypes undergo multiple wear testing by members of the airline’s pilots. Using fabric materials with enhancement properties, the new hijab allows great stretch and recovery for easy movement along with adornment of the signature Naelofar Hijab symbol in Swarovski crystals for a finishing touch.

South African Airways update their current specials to Africa

Economy Saver: The sale is valid for departures effective immediately to 20 June & 15 July – 13 September & 05 October – 25 November 2017 & 14 January – 20 March 2018, and includes generous baggage allowance of 2 pieces of 23k. Get in quick as the sale ends 21 June 2017. Check out the fares here.

Their Business class specials have been extended to 1 July. Sydney levels have also dropped and are valid for departures effective immediately to 31 August 2017. It includes generous baggage allowance of 2 pieces of 32kg each. For business class airfares check them out here.