Welcome to today’s Airline Wrap, with more flights, fares and fancy aircrafts than you’ll know what to do with. Get all caught up here!

AirAsia Vietnam sale

AirAsia has launched a sale on airfares to Ho Chi Minh from AU$129 one-way.

The booking period starts from now until 26 February 2017, while the travel period is 1 May 2017 – 30 September 2017.

Terms and conditions apply. Fares include airport taxes and surcharges. Limited availability, until sold out. Selected travel periods apply. Processing Fee of up to AU$10 may apply. Booking valid until 26 February 2017. Get more info here.

Hawaiian Airlines backs Sydney Harbour Challenge

One of the world’s most spectacular international outrigger canoe racing events will come to Sydney again this month with over 1,000 paddlers from across Australia and around the world competing in the fourth annual Sydney Harbour Challenge presented by Hawaiian Airlines on Saturday, 25 February 2017.

Hawaiian Airlines, a proud sponsor since the regatta’s inception in 2014, will be transporting two teams from its island home, including Red Bull Wa’a from Kona and the carrier’s very own Team Kokua from Honolulu. This year’s event has also attracted teams from across Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Tahiti, Tonga and the U.S. Mainland.

Beginning at 8am, crews will be racing throughout the day on a challenging 22km course from Manly Cove to Luna Park and back, through ocean swell as they round the cliffs at Middle Head and flat water within the harbour itself, passing Sydney Harbour National Park, Bradleys Head, Taronga Zoo, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

WIN 5 Plaza Premium Airport Lounge Passes

To celebrate the recent opening of the Plaza Premium Lounge at Brisbane Airport and the upgraded travel portal, Plaza Premium are giving away 5 airport lounge passes.

The travel portal was launched early last year allowing agents to make direct bookings and has recently been upgraded to include prices in Aussie dollars.

For your chance to win 5 complimentary lounge passes for you or your clients, simply register at partnerportal.plaza-network.com before 31 March 2017 and answer in 25 words or less: What makes airport lounges the perfect place to start your vacation? Email your answers to sales@ctmarketing.com.au to be in the chance to win.

SAA retains highest level of IATA green status

South African Airways (SAA) has become one of a very few global airlines to maintain Stage 2 status of the IATA Environmental Assessment Program (IEnvA). IEnvA is a comprehensive airline environmental management process that measures a range of operational aspects.

According to Tim Clyde-Smith, SAA’s Country Manager, Australasia, the IATA program introduced sustainability standards for airlines to cover all areas of operation to help them achieve world’s best practice.

“SAA’s Stage 2 assessment was conducted in December 2016 and showed that responsible environmental management can deliver commercially beyond the clear social and environmental benefit through projects such as our tobacco biofuels venture, the introduction of fuel-efficient navigation approaches, and the on-going drive to embed a culture of environmental sustainability.

“IEnvA is a strict assessment program based on recognised international environmental management systems such as ISO 14001. It was developed jointly by leading airlines and environmental consultants and SAA has been part of this process from its commencement,” he said.

Emirates reduces fares

Emirates is making it easier than ever for Australians to explore their extensive European network, with reduced fares on flights to a range of destinations for travellers that book before 21 February 2017.

Emirates Skywards members can also earn an additional 10,000 bonus points on Economy Class flights and additional 15,000 bonus points on Business Class flights booked before 31 March 2017*.

Return Economy fares start from**:

• $1,339 to Zagreb
• $1,359 to Rome
• $1,379 to Paris
• $1,419 to Dublin
• $1,449 to Manchester

Return Business Class fares start from**:

• $6,199 to Zagreb
• $6,219 to Rome
• $6,289 to Paris
• $6,379 to Dublin
• $6,429 to Manchester

More seats on Cathay Sydney – Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific has announced it will increase capacity into Sydney with the introduction of a third daily Boeing 777-300ER from 29 October this year.  The move to the larger Boeing aircraft is in response to greater demand for the airline’s services from Sydney.

This is the third time since February 2015 Cathay Pacific has increased the size of its aircraft on daily Sydney – Hong Kong flights and represents a total increase in capacity over this time of more than 25 per cent.

Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777-300ER offers a three-class service with 40 seats in Business Class, 32 in Premium Economy and 268 in Economy.

Schedule from 29 October 2017: