We skipped breakfast this morning and shout at our colleagues anytime someone mentions food, so imagine our rage at this headline.

Etihad Airways launches 48 hour Challenge to Promote Abu Dhabi Stopovers

Etihad Airways has thrown down the gauntlet to the millions of travellers who transit through its Abu Dhabi home, by challenging them to experience a host of once-in-a-lifetime activities throughout the Emirate in just two days.

The airline will also be giving away 500 great prizes to members of the public who take up the 48 Hour Challenge and who post their experiences on Instagram using the hashtag #EtihadChallenge. The amazing prizes on offer range from 24-carat gold spa treatments to desert safari trips.

The ‘48 Hour Challenge’ is part of Etihad Airways’ wider stopover campaign promoting Abu Dhabi as a ‘holiday within a holiday’ for travellers flying through the airline’s hub. The city’s many highlights can now be enjoyed through a series of exciting stopover programs.

Emirates Wins Best Airline Worldwide at the 2017 Business Traveller Awards

Emirates was recognised with four accolades at the ‎Business Traveller Middle East 2017 Awards. At a ceremony attended by key travel industry executives, Emirates was crowned “Best Airline Worldwide”. It was also named “Airline with the Best First Class”, “Airline with the Best First Class Lounge” and “Best Frequent Flyer Programme”.
“Our customers are at the heart of our brand. In every step of the customer’s journey, we thoroughly and regularly examine the product to achieve a high level of customer care,” Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Adel Al Redha said.

“Providing a truly memorable experience is about continually innovating across our product and offering a personal touch and a warm welcome. Moreover, our Skywards accolade solidifies the programme’s standing as an industry-leading loyalty programme that offers Emirates customers value through exceptional privileges and benefits. We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts by Business Traveller Middle East’s readers.”

Qantas to offer codeshare on Emirates flights to Venice

Qantas will begin codesharing on Emirates operated flights from Dubai to Venice from 1 May. This marks the third Italian city Qantas will codeshare on with Emirates, complementing services to Rome and Milan.

Qantas Frequent Flyers also have the opportunity to earn status credits and Qantas points as well as burn points on this route. Tickets are on sale.

Stop…Asia time! Asia is on sale now

Flights to Asia’s top destinations are on sale now with AirAsia. Book now until 30 April 2017 for travel between 26 April 2017 and 04 September 2017 for low fares to top destinations in Asia.

From Sydney, fly one-way to Kuala Lumpur from $189*; Seoul from $239*; Penang from $249*; Kota Kinabalu from $269*; Taipei from $289* or Kochi from $299. * From Perth, fly one-way to Bali from $129*; Kuala Lumpur from $139*; Penang from $169*; Kota Kinabalu from $179*; Taipei from $239*; Seoul from $299* or Kochi from $329*. From Darwin, fly one-way to Bali from $99*

From Melbourne, fly one-way to Kuala Lumpur from $199*; Penang from $229*; Seoul from $239*; Kota Kinabalu from $259*; Taipei from $289* or Kochi from $289*. From the Gold Coast, fly one-way to Kuala Lumpur from $199*; Penang from $239*; Kota Kinabalu from $259*; Taipei from $279*; Kochi from $289* or Seoul from $319*.

ANA HOLDINGS Management Strategy Update

ANA Holdings (ANA HD) have updated its FY 2016-2020 Mid-Term Management Strategy, set out in January 2016.  ANA HD expects to achieve record profitability by FY2020 increasing profits from its core Full Service Carrier (FSC) airline business on international routes, maintaining market share in its domestic market, growing revenues significantly in its Low Cost Carrier (LCC) division and maintaining healthy growth in its cargo business.

Key highlights include:

• Reaffirm commitment to increasing both international passenger and cargo revenues by 40% by FY2020
• Revise growth projections for LCC division by FY2020 is a near 10 fold increase from FY2015 levels and 3x greater than projections set out in January, 2016
• Commitment to grow international seat capacity, with fleet size increasing from 268 now to 335 aircraft by FY2020 – an additional 35 aircraft compared with previous plans
• Maintain domestic mainline revenues and seat capacity at current levels

QANTAS AND UNIONPAY INTERNATIONAL SIGN MOU TO EXPAND COOPERATION

Qantas Airways became the first Australian airline to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UnionPay International, China’s largest payment network provider, to expand the acceptance of UnionPay cards for payment across all Qantas customer touchpoints.

Under the agreement, Qantas and UnionPay will explore the potential for UnionPay card payments for a wider range of flight reservations and other flight-related purchases such as seat selection and excess baggage. In addition, Qantas and UnionPay will also identify relevant marketing and promotional opportunities beneficial for both brands, including exclusive deals. At present, UnionPay cardholders can only use their cards for flight bookings made on Qantas’ website for flights originating in China.

British Airways Unveils Plans For JFK Terminal 7

British Airways today unveiled details of its multi-million pound re-design for New York JFK Terminal 7, the airline’s flagship US airport. Costing an estimated AUD$89 million (£52 million), the investment will transform the airport experience for the thousands of customers that use it each week.

The redesign at JFK will be complete at the end of 2018, revealing a spacious, modern new check-in concourse with a separate Club World and First area, designed with customer privacy in mind. The intimate space will draw inspiration from The First Wing, which recently opened at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and the new premium check-in area at Gatwick’s South Terminal.

Business class, First customers and Gold and Silver Executive Club card holders will benefit from completely regenerated lounges with more space and restaurant-style pre-flight dining.

Emirates goes all A380 to Melbourne

Emirates will provide an all-A380 service from Melbourne when it upgrades its third daily flight from the Australian city, EK408 and EK409, from a Boeing 777-300ER to an A380 operation.

This will add 945 seats per week to the Australian city from 25 March 2018, representing a 10% increase in capacity. The popular Emirates A380 offers 489 seats in a three-class cabin configuration with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 399 spacious seats in Economy.

The additional weekly seats on the route will support more business and leisure travel between Dubai and Melbourne and together with Qantas’ new Melbourne, via Perth, London B789 Dreamliner service beginning on the 24th March 2018, offers customers more options to London and Europe under the joint partnership.

Plaza Premium opens Terminal 4 arrivals lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport unveils new arrivals lounge benefiting both passengers and airport visitors alike. The lounge located in Terminal 4 arrivals feature 25 luxury shower rooms, a lounge and bar area and a new and unparalleled dining concept, Flight Club.

The arrivals lounge can accommodate up to 75 people at any one time and Flight Club is unique to Plaza Premium Group offering a dining experience inspired by healthy eating. The concept has been specifically designed for travellers that are renowned for eating unhealthy whilst travelling.

The new arrivals lounge follows the continued success of Plaza Premium Group at London Heathrow Airport and the first step in the Group’s expansion plans for 2017 which includes another new arrivals lounge in Terminal 3, a new departures lounge in Terminal 5 and the first Aerotel transit hotel in Heathrow at the end of the year.