A few happy snapshots of Voyager crew at the annual btTB Awards dinner for 2012, celebrating our trifecta three-year-in-row win as Best Travel Management Services Provider, voted for by our clients. We also took out the Best Technology Services Award for the first time, in recognition of Voyager’s best in class proprietary management information software, Zuno. Voyager is now in BTTB’s ‘Hall of Fame’ for winning best TMC three years running, and will not be eligible to enter in this category next year. Thanks to all our clients for your votes and support again in 2012 – from all the team at Voyager!

Airline News

Heathrow by Invitation

The Travel Daily: London Heathrow Airport is opening up its exclusive ‘Heathrow By Invitation’ service – normally reserved for royalty, heads-of-state & diplomats – available to discerning travellers. The VIP services provide people with a dedicated private entry to the airport, private lounge for check-in and security procedures as well as personal limo service to the steps of the aircraft moments before the flight’s departure. Pitched as an “exclusive and sophisticated approach to international air travel,” LHR’s commercial director John Holland-Kaye says guests will rarely see another passenger. “The entire experience is personally tailored and utterly enjoyable,” Holland-Kaye said.

Qantas News:

Qantas Sydney-Newman Route

Qantas is to launch new once weekly direct return flights from Sydney to the WA mining port of Newman using B737s from 15 May. Regional GM WA Ian Gay said the new route would further meet demand for the Pilbara market.

Brisbane to Port Hedland

Qantas has commenced direct services between Port Hedland and Brisbane, using a Boeing B737-800 aircraft in an all economy class configuration. Flight will operate every Tuesday, QF983 departing 1110 arriving Port Hedland at 1415. QF984 departing Port Hedland 1500 arriving Brisbane 2120. The existing Port Hedland to Melbourne services will continue to operate as scheduled each Tuesday.

Jetstar News:

Sales Open on Jetstar Japan

BTTB Bytes: Seats on Jetstar’s new domestic airline in Japan have gone on sale ahead of the airline’s first flight, scheduled for 3 July 2012.Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan says the success of Jetstar’s low-fares model in the Asia Pacific region, combined with its leading role in the burgeoning but largely untapped Japanese LCC market, will help redefine the country’s domestic travel patterns. “Jetstar was the first low-cost carrier to fly to Japan, which gives our brand the benefit of incumbency in this emerging domestic market,” he says. 

“Our business model is based around sustainable low fares and across the Asia Pacific we’ve seen the potential this has to unlock new travel demand. This is the start of a far more dynamic domestic market in Japan.”

Jetstar Airways is the largest carrier between Australia and Japan, having flown more than 2million passengers between the two countries since 2007. It operates from Osaka and Tokyo to Cairns, Gold Coast and (via Manila) Darwin. The new domestic routes in Japan strengthen Jetstar’s network offering to its increasing customer base across Asia, including Greater China.

The Qantas Group recently announced plans to invest in Jetstar Hong Kong, which will fly to destinations including Japan from 2013.

Virgin News:

Virgin Codeshare with Atlantic on Sale

BTTB Bytes: Virgin Australia has commenced sales of its new codeshare to Hong Kong with Virgin Atlantic, operating directly from Sydney to Hong Kong. Under the agreement, Virgin Australia will codeshare on Virgin Atlantic’s daily direct service, which departs Sydney at 2.25pm and arrives into Hong Kong at 9.55pm. The service is operated by an Airbus 340-600 aircraft and features Virgin Atlantic’s award-winning Upper Class, Premium Economy and Economy configuration. Virgin Australia group executive of alliances, network & yield Merren McArthur says Hong Kong complements “our network strategy to provide access to the most important international business and leisure destinations from Australia”.

“Guests of Virgin Australia will continue to benefit from the reciprocal frequent flyer and lounge access agreement we have had in place with Virgin Atlantic since early 2010. Guests in Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class and Gold and Platinum Members of Velocity Frequent Flyer will also be able to enjoy Virgin Atlantic’s ClubHouse located at Hong Kong International Airport,” she says.

Virgin Premium Valet at Brisbane Airport

Virgin Australia has launched its Premium Valet parking at Brisbane Domestic Terminal.Located adjacent to the terminal, the latest DJ Premium Valet offers a valet car park (rates from $55/ hr) and a dedicated check-in desk for guests travelling with carry-on baggage only, and joins similar facilities in Sydney & Melbourne. It’s open daily, from an hour before the first flight of the day & 30mins after the last service, and is positioned off Chloris & Hibiscus Streets at Brisbane Airport.

Virgin Hobart Lounge

Virgin Australia will open a new lounge at Hobart Airport, in addition to a number of other initiatives. The 75-seat lounge will open next year, offering entertainment, a Luke Mangan designed buffet and full business facilities. An additional flight from Melbourne to Hobart will also be offered, commencing in Sep. DJ ceo John Borghetti said of the expansion: “We are committed to becoming the airline of choice in Tasmania.”

Virgin Expands Singapore Airlines Codeshare

Virgin Australia’s alliance with Singapore Airlines has stepped up a notch this month, as it expands beyond the country-state to points in Asia, South Africa & the UK.  Virgin passengers can now book and travel on Singapore Airliens SQ codeshare flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin and Adelaide to Singapore and onwards to Beijing and Shanghai in China. Flights are also now available to book for South African cities Cape Town and Johannesburg. Virgin Australia passengers from Perth can also fly to London, via Singapore, under the latest phase of the airline alliance. Virgin will further broaden its Singapore Airlines codesharing to other international destinations in India, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia in coming months.

DJ daily Sydney-Darwin

This month Virgin Australia operated its inaugural daily Sydney-Darwin flight. The DJ product includes the new Business Class cabin, with the carrier also set to open a new Lounge at Darwin’s airport in 2013. The service will connect with the new Silk Air four times weekly Singapore-Darwin flights.

Virgin SilkAir Codeshare

Virgin Australia is continuing to expand its relationship with alliance partner SingaporeAirlines, with the formal addition of seven more codeshare SilkAir India routes. Services to Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuran will all soon carry the Virgin code, subject to regulatory approval.

Virgin Atlantic Debuts New ‘Upper Class Dream Suite’

Virgin Atlantic revealed its new ‘Upper Class Dream Suite’ business class seats, ahead of the cabin’s first flight on the daily London – New York (VS003/004) service from April 21st. Sources at Virgin Atlantic confirmed the launch date to Australian Business Traveller, with April 21st tied to the debut of Virgin Atlantic’s newest Airbus A330. This will be Virgin’s first A330 fitted with business class, and will sport 33 seats over nine rows (in a mosty 1-2-1 layout) in the same space where the current A330s have 59 premium economy seats (arranged 2-3-2). Read more here: http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-atlantic-debuts-new-upper-class-dream-suite-on-april-21 

Skytrans News:

Skytrans Sydney Services

Qld regional carrier Skytrans has confirmed it will launch weekday nonstop services between Toowoomba and Sydney from 02 Jul. Flights are timed to support connections to or from domestic and international destinations from Sydney, Skytrans said. Two return services will operate each Wed to suit business travellers requiring a full day in the NSW capital.

The airline says its Dash 8 service, which are subject to final regulatory approval, will trim up to six hours off the roadtrip from Toowoomba to Brisbane and onwards to Sydney.

Singapore Airlines News:

Singapore Airlines’ third London flight goes A380 in June

Australian Business Traveller: Singapore Airlines will upgrade a third Singapore-London return flight to the Airbus A380 from June 1, when the daily SQ308/319 service swaps from a Boeing 777-300ER to the A380 — bringing all the airline’s Heathrow flights up to the superjumbo standard.

SQ308 leaves Singapore at 0905, arriving in London at 1530. The plane then departs Heathrow as SQ319 at 1830, arriving back in Singapore at 1420.

If you’ve got tickets booked on this flight, make sure you’ve picked the best seats for your now A380-enhanced journey using our best seat guides to the A380′s all-business class upper deck cabin or the business class version with economy at the back upstairs.

Business class passengers can look forward to the quieter, more exclusive A380 upper deck. The seats are the same popular fully flat beds as the 777-300ER, in a 1-2-1 configuration that gives direct aisle access to everyone in the cabin.

There’ll be more business class seats on offer too, up from 42 on the 777-300ER to either 60 or 86 on the A380, depending on whether Singapore Airlines uses its all-business class upper deck superjumbos.

Cathay Pacific News:

Cathay Adds Premium Economy

BTTB Bytes: Cathay Pacific has launched Premium Economy Class in Australia, boasting wider, longer seats with deeper recline. The service also includes dedicated check-in counters and priority boarding.  Onboard, there’s an enhanced meal selection, additional snack choices, larger pillows, environmentally friendly amenity kits, noise-cancelling headsets, a 10.6-inch touchscreen television, an in-seat power outlet as well as a multi-port connector for personal devices and extra personal storage space. Premium economy passengers also get an increase in baggage allowance. The new class is available on flights from Sydney  to Hong Kong and selected destinations around the world. Premium economy will be introduced in Perth in August 2012, in Adelaide and Melbourne in September 2012 and in Brisbane in January 2013. Australia was the first country after Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong home base to see the new Premium Economy class.

British Airways News:

BA Enhances Qantas Ties

British Airways has changed its daily Singapore to London service from the B777 to a B747 aircraft in a move aimed at strengthening ties with Qantas by offering improved passenger comfort on the leg, in addition to increased investments in premium lounges.

Aerolineas Argentina News:

Aerolineas Argentinas to Operate Five Weekly Sydney-Buenos Aires Nonstop Flights

Aerolineas Argentinas has confirmed its new non-stop route between Australia (Sydney) and Argentina (Buenos Aires), with the current intermediate stop in Auckland to be dropped effective 01 Jul. The carrier will also increase the Sydney-Buenos Aires services from the current thrice weekly operation to five times a week from December, with all frequencies to be operated using an Airbus A340. The move sees Aerolineas take on the former Qantas South America non-stop route, which was recently switched to Sydney-Santiago.

Hotel News

Starwood Perth Return

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced that the existing Citigate Perth hotel will become the new Four Points by Sheraton Perth from 01 Jun.
The move will see Starwood return to the WA capital after an 18 month absence.

Quest Brighton on the Bay Offer

Corporate Saver Package: Choose to stay at Quest Brighton on the Bay on your next business trip and take advantage of their Special Corporate Offer and enjoy great benefits. Their special offer includes overnight accommodation in a Superior Room, complimentary welcome drink in their Lounge Bar, Express Breakfast at Verve Restaurant, free internet and complimentary upgrade (subject to availability). Enquire with your Voyager consultant for details.

Thank you for your interest in Voyager’s innovative Zuno V1.0 reporting app.

If you have any queries regarding connecting to, or using Zuno for mobile travel management reporting, please email zunosupport@voyagertravel.com.au

Voyager is the market leader in intelligent technology and the first to launch a mobile travel reporting app in the Australian marketplace. Exclusive to Voyager, Zuno is an advanced business intelligence solution that provides unprecedented insight into your corporate travel program. Zuno delivers critical analysis, online in real-time. It also has the reputation of being the simplest to use reporting software in the corporate travel management sector.

Zuno enables you to stop sorting through mountains of data and get directly to the answers.

• Benchmark your costs against other companies;
• Receive email alerts when KPI targets are not achieved;
• Benefit from early detection of non compliant travel;
• Broadcast reports to colleagues quickly and easily;
• Receive daily insight via online dashboards;
• Customise your own dashboards and reports.

…We are a customer addicted to accurate, timely and relevant data. The Management Information available to us online in real time by your ZUNO system fully meets our requirements. We are able to download dashboard, standard and our own custom built reports quickly and export them when required, even directly to cost centres….’ Damon Rapke, Procurement Category Manager, Pacific Brands

There has been a coffee and sugar buzz in Voyager’s Melbourne office this morning after a morning tea staff fundraiser held in honour of the late Jim Stynes and his charity, Reach.

Voyager volunteers spent the previous evening baking up a storm, with Voyager matching the dollars raised in the contribution tin and ordering in coffees for everyone to go with the sweet treats.

The total funds raised for charity Reach came to over $500. Reach encourages all young people, no matter their circumstances, to believe they can achieve.

Airline News

Domestic Fares on the Up

The month of March has seen a swing away from recent trends of Business and most Economy class domestic airfares getting cheaper, government data of fare prices released on the 15^th March indicates. 

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Economies’ Domestic Air Fare Indexes shows Business class levels rose 4.2 pts higher than the month prior to a level of 81.1, while Full Economy fares increased 7 points to 116.2 – the highest ever recorded index level for that fare type. 

Restricted Economy fares were up 3.4 points to sit at an index level of 66.7, which is nearly 30 points less than 12 months ago. 

Best Discount fares also tracked higher, rising 7.2 points in Mar compared to the level achieved in Feb, and a massive 20 points higher than the corresponding period 12 months ago. Source: Travel Daily, 16^th March.

Amex Points Bonuses

American Express is offering a range of bonus deals for card members who transfer their Amex loyalty points to a range of airline partners. Among the deals before 31 Mar 2012 are transfers to the Etihad Guest program will come with a 20% miles bonus, while Virgin Australia’s Velocity Rewards scheme is offering 15% extra.

Amex members who transfer Membership Rewards points to Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer and redeem online for a SQ flight will receive a 15% discount on the usual number of miles needed, while bonuses are also on offer for transfers to Malaysia Airlines (25%) and Virgin Atlantic (30%).

Qantas:

Qantas Confirms Launch of Jetstar Hong Kong

Qantas has confirmed they will launch Jetstar Hong Kong in 2013 with a fleet of three Airbus 320′s, growing to 18 A320s by 2015, in partnership with China Eastern. 

It will service short haul routes in Asia including Greater China, Japan, South Korea and South-East Asia.
 
New Jetstar Hong Kong partner China Eastern is a member of the SkyTeam alliance rather than oneworld, although it is an existing Qantas Frequent Flyer partner.
 
Existing Jetstar operations outside Australia are based in Singapore, New Zealand and Vietnam, with new airline Jetstar Japan due to start flying in July 2012.
 
The A320′s range provides numerous options, including flights to Darwin, connecting on through Australia from there. 

Qantas Now Trialling Internet on A380s – First & Business Class

Qantas has begun offering Internet and email connectivity on A380 flights for first and business class passengers. The eight-week trial on six of its super jumbos between Sydney and Melbourne and Los Angeles follows completion of preliminary testing.

Qantas Cuts Flights to London via Hong Kong / Bangkok

Qantas is ceasing all flights from Hong Kong and Bangkok to London from March 25.

The move will leave Qantas with two daily services on the Kangaroo Route between Australia and London, both of which will fly via Singapore.

Travellers booked to fly with Qantas to London via Hong Kong (QF29/30) or Bangkok (QF1/2) beyond this date will see the longer trans-European leg of their journey made on a codeshare British Airways flight.

Another option for HK is the all-business class Hong Kong Airlines service to London’s Gatwick Airport, which can be partnered with Qantas flights from Australia to Hong Kong (see details on this further in blog).

Qantas recently upgraded its daily Sydney-Hong Kong service with an Airbus A380 for four days of the week (Thursday to Sunday), retaining the Boeing 747-400 for the remaining three days.

Choosing the best BA connection from Hong Kong

British Airways has three London services out of Hong Kong but you’ll find the 13 hour journey can be significantly more private, restful and productive if you choose the right flight.

Australian Business Traveller recommends the daily BA25, which uses a Boeing 747-400, so you can get a business class seat on the upper deck. This more private cabin offers storage bins by the window seats and no middle seats. Click here for more details on choosing the best BA connection out of Hong Kong.

New flight numbers

The closure of the Hong Kong-London services will also see a renumbering of some flights. Qantas’ flagship Sydney-Singapore-London Airbus A380 service will be renumbered from QF31 to QF1, with the return leg shifting from QF32 to QF2. The Sydney-Bangkok Boeing 747 service will be rechristened as QF23/QF24.

International Fleet Refresh – Boeing 747-400 Aircraft

Qantas will introduce its fourth newly-fitted Boeing 747-400 to its international network later this month, offering more customers a new in-flight experience. The newly-fitted B747 will provide customers with a new product and service experience, which is aligned with their flagship A380 and will include Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

Features of the newly-fitted B747s include an extension to their inflight entertainment offering, with larger personal screens and over 1,500 content selections. Customers in Business can relax in the award-winning Marc Newson designed fully-flat Skybed with cabin mood lighting proven to promote relaxation and assist with reducing jetlag. Customers in Economy can enjoy a new level of comfort with a custom designed seat featuring a unique footrest net and ergonomic cushioning as well as a self-service snack bar with healthy snacks and drinks.

By the end of June, Qantas will have six newly-fitted B747 aircraft operating on long haul Pacific routes including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Santiago.

The remaining three newly-configured B747 aircraft will be introduced across the long haul Pacific routes and Brisbane – Singapore by the end of October 2012.

For First customers travelling between Australia and the US, the A380 First suite will continue to be available on QF11 and QF12 (Sydney/Los Angeles) and QF93 and QF94 (Melbourne/Los Angeles). QF107 and QF108 services between Sydney, Los Angeles and New York will progressively operate newly-fitted Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

Qantas will have a fleet of 12 A380s and nine newly-configured B747 aircraft by the end of this year.  

Qantas Launches Santiago

Qantas is celebrating the launch of its latest international gateway Santiago today with new 747-400 services to the Chilean capital.

Increased Surcharges & Taxes on Award Flights

Higher jet fuel costs will soon impact surcharges, fees and taxes payable by Qantas and Jetstar passengers travelling domestically in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the carbon pricing system in Australia will soon increase surcharges, fees and taxes payable for Australian domestic Qantas Classic Award flights.

Qantas Frequent Flyers may choose to pay surcharges, fees and taxes using points for domestic Australian and New Zealand Classic Award flights. As a result of these changes, the points required to pay surcharges, fees and taxes for these flights will increase to be consistent with increases in the cash price payable for surcharges, fees and taxes.

Therefore, for bookings made from 1 April 2012, the Frequent Flyer points required when paying for surcharges, fees and taxes on domestic Classic Award flights in Australia and New Zealand will increase from 4,500 to 4,850 points.

For bookings made after 1 July 2012, the Frequent Flyer points required when paying surcharges, fees and taxes will increase from 4,850 to 5,250 points for all Australian domestic Classic Award flights.

Qantas Auckland/LA policy

Qantas has issued its policy for people affected by the withdrawal of Qantas operated flights between Auckland and Los Angeles effective 06 May. People with Qantas 081 tickets are being rerouted from Auckland to services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with one stopover permitted in each direction.

Hong Kong Airlines:

Hong Kong Airlines All-Business Class Flight Hong Kong to London

Hong Kong Airlines is now listing Virgin Atlantic alongside Qantas as partners for shuttling business travellers from Australia to Hong Kong and connect to HKA’s daily all-business class flight from Hong Kong to London.

The Hong Kong Airlines flights use three new Airbus A330-200s with just 116 seats (by way of comparison, Qantas’ international versions of the same aircraft use some 253 seats across both business and economy class).

The flight from Hong Kong (HX875) will depart at 11.50pm, arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport the following day at 5.55am. The return service, HX876, will be wheels up from Gatwick at 9.30pm and reach Hong Kong at 6.05pm the next day.

Aussie business travellers will be more familiar with London’s Heathrow airport but in many ways Gatwick is more convenient than the mega-hub of Heathrow. It’s a smaller and more manageable airport with a direct rail link on London’s Thameslink line to several stops convenient for the City of London financial district (and a decent arrivals lounge at the Sofitel).

Club Premier vs Club Classic

While being an all-business class flight, HKA offers two versions of what it calls ‘Club Class’.

34 Club Premier mini-suites sit at the pointy end of the A330, with fully flat 1.8 metre (6’1″) beds in a spacious 1-2-1 staggered layout.

Passengers are treated to a ‘fine dining service’ with individual table settings, a turndown service with duvets, pyjamas and slippers plus luxury amenity kits, or you can while away the hours watching a few shows on your 15.4″ 16:9 HD video screen.

The 82 Club Classic seats have a more conventional ‘cradle’ or recliner design in a roomy 2-2-2 cabin layout. Each seat has a 1.3 metre (51 inch) seat pitch and 10.4″ HD video screen.

“The concept for the all Club Class aircraft will provide passengers with a private jet style ambience and an exceptional crew to guest ratio” said Gerard Clarke, General Manager UK for Hong Kong Airlines of what he terms as the airline’s “new flagship route”.

Each Club Class cabin includes its own in-flight bar, with in-flight wireless Internet available through the plane.

Hong Kong Airlines says that all passengers will enjoy lounge access at Hong Kong and Gatwick, with “limousine transfers for Club Premier passengers”.

Virgin Australia:

New Virgin Baggage Rules

Virgin Australia will introduce a new baggage policy from 16 May, with allowances to be based on the number of pieces checked in rather than the total weight.

The new arrangements only apply to domestic and short-haul international flights, and travellers will also have the option to purchase allowances for extra bags at “significantly discounted fees”.

There’s also a new flat rate policy for overweight baggage, replacing the previous per kilogram excess baggage fee.

As at present, no baggage is included for Saver fares, while Flexi fares will include one piece up to 23kg and those travelling in Premium Economy or Business can have two pieces of luggage, each up to 32kg.

Silver, Gold and Platinum Velocity members also have an expanded allowance depending on their membership level. Travellers can purchase a maximum of three pieces online (including any free allowance based on fare type), with one additional piece costing $12 on
shorter domestic flights or $15 on longer sectors.

Two additional pieces on domestic routes cost $32/$45 while three extra pieces cost a flat rate of $52 short/$75 long.

It costs more to buy baggage at the airport – $40 for one piece, $100 for two pieces, $160 for three pieces and $120 each for four-nine additional pieces.

Overweight baggage fees of $40 per piece will be also charged for each piece over 23kg up to 32kg.

Meanwhile, international short haul pre-purchased bags cost $25 (Tasman)/$25 (Islands)/$30 (Southeast Asia and Perth to/ from New Zealand) for one piece. Two additional pieces cost $80/ $80/$95, while three additional pieces pre purchased online cost a total of $135/$135/$160.
International short-haul baggage paid at the airport costs $80 for one extra piece, $200 for two extra pieces, $320 for three additional pieces, and $240 each for four-nine extra items. Bags weighing more than 23kg and less than 32kg will also incur a $60 per piece overweight fee.

Virgin Point Fare Upgrade Promotion

Between 1 March and 30 April 2012, Velocity is halving the number of Points required for members to upgrade from a Flexi Fare to a Business Class or Premium Economy seat (subject to availability).

Points Earning and Burning Across Virgin Airlines

Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Australia have announced the further integration of their frequent flyer programs, which will now allow members to redeem miles or points when taking flights on any of their sister-branded airlines across their respective route networks.

The move builds on the previous arrangement launched in 2010 which enabled points earning across the Virgin family but didn’t offer inter-carrier redemptions.

Virgin Samsung Galaxy from April

Virgin Australia will pass out Samsung Galaxy Tabs in business from April. Wireless streaming to follow. For detailed information click here:  http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-goes-android-samsung-galaxy-tabs-and-streaming

Etihad:

Etihad Increases Baggage Allowances

Etihad have increased their baggage allowances by 10kg in their Diamond First and Pearl Business Classes.

The new baggage allowance available from March 1, 2012, is 50kg in Diamond First Class and 40kg in Pearl Business Class. These new allowances will also be honoured when connecting onto an Etihad marketed flight with their partners Virgin Australia, airberlin and Air Seychelles, to ensure a seamless connection.

Plus, all Etihad Guest members also receive an extra allowance in addition to these new increases:

Etihad Guest is free and easy to join –enrol today!

Essential Abu Dhabi Stopovers

Travellers who require an essential stopover in Abu Dhabi when flying Etihad, can take advantage of some superb accommodation choices with Etihad’s compliments: enjoy the first night free, and the second night at a great rate – prices start at $45. Visit etihad.com/stopovers for more information!

Emirates:

Emirates Increases New Fuel Levy

The “further escalation” in jet fuel prices recently has seen Emirates already revise its new fuel surcharges which recently came into effect.

Originally Emirates announced it would impose fuel surcharges of US$10 to US$15 per sector on Economy class sectors and US$45 to US$55 in Business Class, excluding New Zealand.

However the airline has advised the trade its since revised the fuel surcharges, which also now include New Zealand.

Emirates economy class fuel levies are now: US$15 to New Zealand; US$30 to Asia/Colombo/Middle East; and US$45 to Africa/America/Europe/South Asian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean.

Business and First class fuel surcharges are now: US$105 to New Zealand; US$135 to Asia/Colombo/Middle East and US$165 to other destinations.

Skytrans:

Skytrans Sydney Service

Regional Queensland carrier Skytrans has confirmed it will launch flights from Toowoombato Sydney from July. Skytrans says schedules and fares for its Sydney Dash 8 turboprops operations will be released in April.

Qatar:

Qmiles Bonus Points

Qatar Airways are offering up to 100% bonus frequent flyer ‘Qmiles’ on Business Class and up to 50% on Economy Class fares to any of its 100 destinations. Eligible flights are to be taken between 15 Mar and 30 Apr. More info at www.qmiles.com

Jetstar 787s to China

Jetstar has confirmed the rollout of its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft which will join the Jetstar fleet from mid-2013. The new planes look to be based in Singapore, and will be configured with Business and Economy Class cabins. They will gradually replace the Airbus A330s currently used on Jetstar’s long-haul  nternational routes from Singapore to Melbourne, Auckland and Beijing.

Hotel News

Quest: The Largest Network in Australasia

Voyager Preferred Partner Spotlight: Quest accommodates the changing needs of the extended stay corporate traveller, along with the preparedness to develop properties in emerging business related locations. Quest is where corporate travellers need to be – the perfect travel partner. For more information please download the Quest brochure.

Perth & Brisbane Hotel Rates at a Premium

Extract from The Australian 26th March: Business executives will be slugged $760 a night for a room in Perth’s Pan Pacific tomorrow night – and there’s little else available as the mining boom continues to take its toll on the city’s overheated accommodation sector.  Any hotel on the market within the Perth CBD, or in nearby Fremantle, is being snapped up.

Industry analysts reckon there will be more hotel acquisitions as long as the resource boom holds up. “You are paying top rates in Perth; some of those sales are seeing people pay more than $400,000 per hotel room. That means there will be a spate of new hotels built,” says a key tourism analyst. Accor, Australia’s largest hotelier, says Perth is “on fire” given revenue per available room in its hotels has grown 16 per cent in the past year with 20 per cent growth expected for this year.

The strong performance might be good news for hoteliers, but it’s not great news for business executives struggling to find accommodation in the West Australian capital. CBRE Hotels senior director David Kennedy says the Perth accommodation sector is in crisis. “Occupancies in the major hotels are all in excess of 90 per cent, and that’s with increasing average room rates. Some hotels are charging as high as $600 or $700 a night during the week.”

Hotel analyst Dean Dransfield, of Dransfield Hotels & Resorts, has a solution. “Because airlines are unreliable, if you have an early morning meeting in Brisbane or Perth on a Monday it makes a lot more sense to get a room and go the night before.
“The Sunday night hotel room rates are much cheaper than the week nights. If you arrive on a Sunday night you can have an 8am meeting the next day.” Dransfield says business executives are trying to avoid staying overnight in Perth or Brisbane through the week because of the high cost and lack of availability. “Airplanes are much cheaper than hotel rooms,” he says. The lack of accommodation in Perth is causing executives to change their behaviour. “I have heard of companies avoiding meeting in Western Australia if they can,” he adds.

Melbourne, which has plenty of hotel stock, is not ramping up rates. But in Brisbane, which has a lack of good hotels, you could not get a room in the CBD for less than $1000 a night last Tuesday, Accor spokesman Peter Hook says rooms have been going for more than $500 a night closer to the airport. “That is not unusual.” Accor’s Brisbane hotels experienced a 17 per cent rise in revenue per available room in the year to this month. “Business travel is filling up the city hotels Monday to Friday, but weekends are a little soft,” Hook says.
“Sydney is effectively full six days a week — our hotels have done close to 92 per cent occupancies for March while Melbourne was a little softer for the first three months of the year with occupancies up just 2 per cent on 2011. But rates are holding.”

Park Hyatt Sydney Reopens

The iconic Park Hyatt Sydney is celebrating its official reopening following the completion of its extension and total refurbishment.

Burswood Entertainment Complex Rebrand

Burswood Entertainment Complex has announced to the ASX that on 30 June 2012, its 2 hotels – InterContinental Perth Burswood and Holiday Inn Perth Burswood – will undergo a rebrand. This is in line with plans stated in early 2011 to align Crown Ltd’s Melbourne and Perth operations under the Crown branding. 

As a result IHG will be stepping away from the management of those 2 hotels on 30 June 2012. InterContinental Perth Burswood will change its name to Crown Metropol and Holiday Inn will become a Crown Promenade Hotel. 

Crown Ltd have advised that all contracted rates will be honoured per current signed agreements.

Over the coming weeks your IHG Account Manager will be in contact to ensure a smooth transition. In the meantime, please contact your IHG Account Manager or Voyager Client Relationship Manager if you have any questions regarding the transition.

New Auckland Sofitel

Accor has announced that the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour will officially open 18 April. The former Westin is already operating under the Sofitel brand, and will undergo a revamp over the next 12 months. 

Edwardian turns Blu

All 13 Radisson Edwardian Hotels across the UK will be rebranded as Radisson Blu by the end of 2012. 

Sofitel So Launch in Bangkok

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has opened its second Sofitel So property in Bangkok, Thailand. The 238 room and suite Sofitel So Bangkok is positioned near Lumpini Park and features the So FIT swimming pool, So SPA facility & rooftop HI SO private cabanas.

 Sofitel’s other Bangkok hotel, Sofitel Bangkok Silom will rebrand as a Pullman property in April.

Hilton Hotels are Offering Double HHonors Points

Source: Australian Business Traveller - Hilton Hotels are offering double HHonors Points and double Qantas or Virgin Australia Velocity frequent flyer points — with the Double Your HHonors offer running between now and the end of June.

The hotel group’s properties aren’t as numerous in Australia as they are elsewhere in the world. But if you’re heading to Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Surfers Paradise, Perth or Sydney, you can pick up the extra points closer to home.

2000 frequent flyer points under the HHonors Points and Fixed Miles earning style are a good reward for a one-night Hilton stay.

You’ll need to register for the promotion at Hilton’s HHonors programme website, and you’ll have a choice of double points or double miles. Pick wisely — your choice can’t be changed once you’ve made it.

If you’re a Hilton regular, the double HHonors points may prove more useful, while occasional guests will likely get more out of the airline points.

But make sure you check the relatively extensive list of non-participating hotels. They’re mainly in the US, but the useful Hilton at London Paddington (above the Heathrow Express platforms) is also not participating. 

Hotel Grand Chancellor Collection

Voyager Preferred Partner Spotlight: Each of the properties in the Hotel Grand Chancellor collection shares a dedication to the perfect travel experience – from authentic, relaxing holidays to productive and rewarding meetings and corporate trips. Guests staying at any Grand Chancellor hotel in Australia or New Zealand can expect first rate standards of service and quality while enjoying convenient access to the city’s best leisure attractions and business destinations.

Frequent Hotel Grand Chancellor guests and those who book accommodation on behalf of their company are welcome to participate in the GC Rewards and Chancellor Club loyalty programmes, which offer exclusive deals, special benefits and redeemable perks for each stay at a Hotel Grand Chancellor destination in Australia and New Zealand. For more information go to http://www.grandchancellorhotels.com/ or contact your dedicated Voyager Client Relationship Manager.

Car Supplier News

Europcar Expansion

Europcar has expanded its operation in Western Australia with four new depots added in recent weeks at both airport and city locations in the cities of Esperance and Kalgoorlie.

Xinjiang Dabancheng Sanjang Wind Project

When you offset your corporate travel flight emissions with Climate Friendly’s simple FlightPortal solution you can support a diverse range of projects which reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Xinjiang Dabancheng Sanchang Wind Project is in the far North West of China. Locally manufactured wind turbines generate clean renewable electricity to help meet China’s ever-increasing demand.  It also provides a valuable boost to the local economy in this remote part of China.  The project displaces approximately 135 000 tonnes of CO² equivalent per year.  The revenue from the sales of carbon credits made this project possible.

Be the first to view Climate Friendly’s brand new video about this project.

To find out how simple it is to offset your company’s flights using credits from this and other high quality carbon offset projects please contact your Voyager dedicated Client Relationship Manager.

For more information also go to the Climate Friendly website please click here.

Typhoid in Zimbabwe

The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade is advising travellers of an outbreak of Typhoid in the Zimbabwe capital of Harare. According to the Smartraveller website more than 1,500 cases of typhoid have been reported in parts of Harare since Oct 2011. Travellers are being advised to ensure their typhoid vaccinations are up to date – more details at www.smartraveller.gov.au.

 New Workplace Health & Safety Laws

Emergency services provider International SOS is advising travel managers to take note of the new Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

The new laws, which are being rolled out across in each Australian jurisdiction and have come into effect in some states and territories already, set an expected standard of care for all employees, contractors and vendors. Tougher new penalties for breaches include criminal charges and higher fines.

While the laws have so far only come into effect in NSW, Queensland, NT and the ACT, as well as at Commonwealth level, it is worth highlighting that regardless of the head office location, if staff are employed or supplying services in states where the laws have passed, responsibility is on the company to comply with the changes.

One of the most significant changes is that duties owed under Australian workplace safety laws may apply to Australian businesses or undertakings which have workers travelling for work purposes, or who are based in overseas jurisdictions. They may also apply to foreign businesses that have workers travelling to, or based in, Australia.Steve Bell, Senior Associate at Freehills law firm, advises that companies sending employees overseas for travel and longer-term duties are required to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers while they are at work, whether the worker is in Australia or overseas.

International SOS advises the following measures be adopted:

1. Identify duties applicable to workers travelling or based in Australia and overseas and relevant stakeholders.

2. Undertake a gap analysis by reviewing existing safety management system against the new duties owed.

3. Update policies and procedures and consider risks to workers travelling or based abroad. Give particular attention to training procedures, welfare facilities, emergency plans and procedures for isolated workers.

4. Consider adequacy of current consultation, co-operation and co-ordination arrangements and supporting systems to manage safety risks.

5. Identify and appoint officers to be responsible for ensuring the business is complying with its obligations.

New Zealand: Hepatitis A Outbreak

There is an outbreak of hepatitis A in Auckland. The local health authorities have detected a cluster of at least 19 cases. Most of those infected are under 20 years of age. Investigations into the cause of the outbreak are ongoing.

In 2006, Auckland reported 29 cases of Hepatitis A.

The Disease
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that causes liver inflammation. It can be spread person-to-person as well as through contaminated food and water. There is a vaccine available to prevent infection.

Symptoms include jaundice (yellow colour of the skin and eyes), fever, chills, fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Many infected people, especially children, suffer only a mild flu-like illness. Most cases recover fully. Hepatitis A does not cause ongoing illness. Severe cases can occur among the very young and the older population. The fatality rate in adults older than 50 years of age is 1.8%.

International SOS comment

Anyone travelling to New Zealand, especially to affected areas, should:

Consider having a hepatitis A vaccination prior to travel. See your healthcare provider for an individual recommendation.

Maintain a high level of personal hygiene. Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

Select safe food. Meals should be thoroughly cooked and served hot. Avoid under-cooked or raw meat, fish or shellfish. Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables unless you have peeled them yourself.

Drink only boiled or bottled water, or canned or carbonated beverages. Avoid ice, as it may have been made with unsafe water.

For more information:

See “Hepatitis A” in the “Diseases and Prevention” dropdown on International SOS Country Guides.

See the International SOS Travel Advice Article “Selecting Safe Food and Water”.

Contact any International SOS Alarm Center.

Indonesia Travel Advisory

DFAT has reissued and updated info on its Smartraveller website relating to travel to Bali and Indonesia, following the recent disruption of an alleged terror cell.

Airline News

Qantas:

Q streaming

Qantas is trialling Q Streaming – the very latest in wireless flight entertainment (IFE) technology. During the trial, all domestic customers flying the nominated B767 (VH-OGH) will be able to access inflight entertainment using Apple iPads. The iPads will be loaned free to customers during the trial. Q Streaming will provide customers with greater choice and flexibility, with access to over 130 ours of on-demand movies, television and radio programs.

Inflight connectivity

Qantas is trialling inflight connectivity which will enable customers to access the internet inflight via a wi-fi connection. During the trial, customers travelling on six nominated A380 aircraft between SYD/MEL and LAX will be able to access the internet on their personal devices. Access will be free to all customers in First cabins on the nominated aircraft. Customers in other cabins on the nominated aircraft will be offered access on a mix of paid and free of charge basis, depending upon the needs of the trial. The inflight connectivity trial will run for 8 weeks from February 2012.

QF points transfers

Qantas is offering a 20% boost on hotel loyalty scheme points when they are transferred into the QF Frequent Flyer program. Points can be transferred into the scheme from Accor’s A|Club, Hyatt Gold Passport, Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards and IHG’s Priority Club programs.

Qantas & British Airways: JSA economy class fare restructure

Qantas and British Airways are aligning their economy class fare structure on JSA routes, in order to support the new arrangements for travel between Australia and UK/Europe via Asia. From 25 March 2012, both Qantas and British Airways will operate services between UK/Europe and Australia via Singapore. Qantas will also fly between Australia and Bangkok and Australia and Hong Kong with British Airways operating services between Bangkok and UK/Europe, and Hong Kong and UK/Europe.

To support this new arrangement and provide customers with more consistent access to seats, Qantas and British Airways are changing their economy class fare structures for these routes.

S, Q and O inventory classes will be dedicated to long-haul itineraries between Australia and UK/Europe.

L, V and N inventory classes will be dedicated to mid-haul itineraries between Australia and Singapore/Hong Kong/Bangkok.

Y, B, H, K and M inventory classes will continue to be available for both long-haul and mid-haul itineraries.

Qantas Frequent Flyers and British Airways Executive Club members won’t experience any changes as a result of the fare class realignment.

From 1 February 2012, all new bookings made in economy or World Traveller economy class will be booked under the new fare structure.

Points Upgrade SMS Notification

Qantas is advising customers that they may now be notified of successful frequent flyer point pgrade requests up to 24 hours before departure by SMS.

QantasLink jets to Rockhampton, Gladstone and Mackay

QantasLink has announced a major boost to its services throughout Queensland, including the launch of Boeing 717 services to the booming resource towns of Rockhampton, Gladstone and Mackay.

Executive Manager Narendra Kumar said the introduction of two B717s to the QantasLink fleet in Queensland would add more than 200,000 seats of annual capacity. “QantasLink’s new 115-seat B717 services will offer customers faster flight times and more seats at peak times by complementing existing aircraft on these routes,” he said.

Rockhampton and Gladstone will launch on 15 March, followed by Mackay on 26 March, and the expansion also includes new Q300 and Q400 services across other destinations including Emerald, Roma and Bundaberg.

QantasLink also recently upgraded capacity on several other routes including between Cairns and Weipa, Cairns and Horn Island, Townsville and Cloncurry/Mt Isa and Townsville-Moranbah.

QantasLink jets to Rockhampton, Gladstone and Mackay

QantasLink has announced a major boost to its services throughout Queensland, including the launch of Boeing 717 services to the booming resource towns of Rockhampton, Gl

Virgin:

Virgin Australia has implemented its new business class product on its Boeing 737 narrow-body domestic fleet nationwide**. Each aircraft has eight comfortable leather seats in the business class cabin, with a 38” pitch giving passengers great personal space with a dedicated crew member in the front cabin who will serve a good choice of food and wine on all flights.

**Please note: Since the business class product launch, Virgin Australia has decided to stop selling their old Boeing 737-700 aircraft as business class and will downgrade the cabin and fares to economy by the end of April, along with offering rebates on business class fares already paid by passengers who ended up travelling on those planes. Unlike the Boeing 737-800s, which all sport Virgin’s new business class, most of the 13 older-model Boeing 737-700s in the airline’s domestic fleet retain the original premium economy seats in the first rows. While these seats have been recovered in new material, and include the same meals and service as business class on the -800 aircraft, there is a distinct difference between the ‘business class experience’ on the old and new aircraft.

The entire Boeing 737-700 fleet is now being marketed and sold as economy-only flights” – including the first three ‘premium economy / business class’ rows.

Rebates offered on business class fares

According to Australian Business Traveller, passengers who’ve paid business class fares but landed in a 737-700 are entitled to a travel voucher worth 50% of the cost of their ticket. This voucher can be claimed by calling Virgin Australia’s Guest Contact Centre on 13 6789. Forward bookings for travel not yet made will be offered travel credit equal to the difference between the cost of the business class fare and the lower flexi-fare for that flight.

Until the end of February the meal service in the 737-700′s ‘business class’ cabin will remain the same as for 737-800 flights. Other business class perks such as lounge access will also remain.

From March 1st, meals served to passengers in those first three rows will revert to Virgin Australia’s standard flexi-fare offering.

How to choose the best business class seats on Virgin Australia Boeing 737

Tips on how to choose the best business class seats on Virgin Australia Boeing 737 – http://www.ausbt.com.au/best-seats-guide-virgin-australia-boeing-737-business-class

Virgin Australia extends seat selection options on intenrational long haul services

From 20 February Virgin Australia introduced Advance Seat Selection for Economy Promo fares and Extra Legroom Selection for all Economy fares on its international long-haul flights numbered between VA 001 – VA 050.

In response to feedback from guests, the following options have been introduced:

Advance Seat Selection will be extended to those guests travelling on Virgin Australia International Long-Haul Promo fares (Q, T & V classes) for a small fee of AUD$20.00 per person, per sector*.  Seat Selection remains complimentary for :

All other fares in Economy Class;
Premium Economy;
Business Class; and
Platinum, Gold and Silver Velocity Frequent Flyer members, regardless of fare paid, and extended to their travelling party when requested in the same booking

Pre-purchase of Extra Legroom seating will be available for guests travelling in Economy Class, including Groups , up to 365 days prior to travel for a fee of AUD$150.00. Previously this feature was only available on the day of travel at the Virgin Australia International check-in counter.

For further information please contact your dedicated Consultant or Client Relationship Manager.

Free Beer/Wine on Virgin

On all Virgin Australia domestic flights, economy passengers travelling on save type fares now receive complimentary:

Tea, Coffee, Water

Guests travelling between Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth & Sydney (Monday – Friday) will be offered in addition to the above complimentary (between 4pm – 7pm)

Wine and beer

DJ Sydney to Darwin

Virgin Australia has opened sales for its new direct service between Sydney and Darwin, which connects with the new Darwin-Singapore flights operated by Singapore Airlines subsidiary Silk Air.

The new DJ 737 route will commence daily operations from 02 Apr, with the service including the carrier’s new business class product and premium passengers able to access a new Virgin Australia lounge at DRW.

Singapore Airlines Codesharing

Singapore Airlines has commenced codesharing on part of the Virgin Australia domestic network, with the move adding 20 more cities to SQ itineraries.

Tickets for the codeshare flights include services from Melbourne to Hobart, Launceston, Darwin and Mildura; from Perth to Darwin, Port Hedland, Newman and Karratha; from Brisbane to Darwin, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Williamtown; and from Sydney to Canberra, Ayers Rock, Ballina, Hervey Bay, Maroochydore, Coffs Harbour, Albury and Port Macquarie.

The alliance between the carriers also allows SQ’s KrisFlyer loyalty program members to earn and redeem miles for Virgin Australia flights, as well as giving lounge access to eligible pax.

Virgin – Skywest Alliance

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued an interim approval for an alliance between Virgin Australia and Skywest. The pact will see the two airlines able to jointly contract with corporate customers, offering seamless scheduled and charter services to regional, domestic and international destinations.

The interim approval allows them to begin marketing the combined services immediately, while the ACCC considers formally authorising the deal. Virgin Australia Group Executive of Commercial, Liz Savage, said the deal would “improve the airline’s ability to meet the growing demand from the resources and mining industries”.

As well as coordinated pricing and schedules, the alliance plan proposes extending the Velocity frequent flyer scheme to Skywest charter services, giving joint corporate customers the ability to earn points and status credits as well as access Virgin lounges.

DJ boosts capacity

Virgin Australia has announced a range of extra flights as “part of an accelerated capacity growth plan for major corporate, resources sector and leisure routes”. From 13 Feb DJ will operate extra flights on key trunk routes such as BNE-MEL, SYD-MEL and ADL-MEL, as well as from BNE to Cairns and Proserpine. The growth also includes extra services to Gladstone and Rockhampton to meet demand.

Virgin Atlantic ‘Upper Class’ Overhaul

Virgin Atlantic will overhaul its ‘Upper Class’ business class cabin, seats and service in the coming months as the airline invests £100 million upgrading its appeal to business travellers.

Passengers will see “a new cutting-edge Upper Class cabin including an enhanced seat, a futuristic bar, and many other cabin updates to give passengers a unique flying experience”, the airline promises, although it’s yet to reveal any images or hard details of the new product.

Also set for a make-over is the in-flight dining service, such as ‘express supper menus’ for lighter meals and quicker service,

The new Upper Class service will debut in the second quarter of this year on an Airbus A330 plying one of three daily services between London and New York.

It will then be rolled out through the rest of the Virgin Atlantic fleet over the next three years through to 2015, including the carrier’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A380-800s.

Etihad:

Etihad inflight connectivity on 3 Airbus A330-300s has taken off priced at US$10 for mobile/tablets & $20 for laptop wifi.

Etihad EU carbon levy

ETIHAD Airways will apply a US$3 levy to its fuel surcharge on flights into and out of Europe from 01 Mar 2012 to offset the European Union’s carbon scheme. EY said as carbon prices flucuate the levy cost may also change.

Etihad miles for money

Etihad Airways has announced a new PointsPay system which will allow members of its frequent flyer scheme to exchange Etihad Guest miles for funds on a prepaid Visa card. The transfers are done via an iPhone App, allowing the creation of a “virtual” PointsPay Visa card number which can be used for online shopping.

The system will be phased in gradually from this month, with plans for the entire Etihad Guest membership to have access by the end of April.

“This is a break-through innovation for the airline and loyalty industry, transforming our Etihad Guest miles into a global currency,” said chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner.

The move will allow Etihad points to be effectively redeemed at over 30 million points of sale across the globe.

Skytrans:

Skytrans SYD route

Cairns-based passenger and charter carrier Skytrans is moving forward with plans to launch new services between Toowoomba & Sydney by March. GM Michael Thinee confirmed Skytrans would begin the route with a daily service using either a 36- or 50-seat Dash-8 aircraft. The airline had initially hoped to offer double daily services on the route but has been restricted due to demand from the booming resources sector.

Jetstar:

Jetstar Japan has announced details of its first flights, which are set to debut on 03 July 2012 flying to five major Japanese cities.Jetstar Japan’s first base will be at Tokyo Narita Airport, with an initial fleet of three new Airbus A320 aircraft flying to Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

Fares and schedules have not been announced at this stage, but Jetstar Group ceo Bruce Buchanan said the airline was on track to be the first low cost carrier to fly domestically from the Japanese capital.

Jetstar’s focus on the Japanese market has also been reflected in extra international capacity, with more than 36 additional weekly international flights to and from Japan added by the Jetstar Group since the start of 2012.

Emirates:

Emirates will launch Barcelona as its second passenger gateway into Spain from 3rd July, after doubling frequencies to Madrid from 1st July.

Cathay Pacific:

Cathay Pacific re-opens Wing Business Lounge at Hong Kong Airport http://www.ausbt.com.au/cathay-pacific-re-opens-wing-business-lounge-at-hong-kong-airport

Hong Kong Airlines:

Hong Kong Airlines flights between Australia and London incorporate its new all-business class service between Hong Kong and London Gatwick.

The daily service will debut 07 Mar, using dedicated A330-200 aircraft configured to seat just 116 passengers in two cabins – 34 in Club Premier with fully flat bed suites, and 82 in Club Classic cradle seats. Passengers in both cabins are offered lounge access in Hong Kong and London, while Club Premier passengers have a limousine transfer option too.

Delta Airlines:

Delta begins full flat-bed seat installations on Boeing 747-400 aircraft

Delta Air Lines is renovating its Boeing 747-400 aircraft fleet to include full flat-bed seats in the BusinessElite cabin and new “slim line” seats offering more personal space and individual in-seat entertainment throughout the Economy cabin. The airline already has taken delivery of the first modified aircraft, which operated its first flight on Jan. 26, 2012 from Tokyo-Narita to Detroit. As modifications are completed throughout 2012, customers will increasingly see the upgraded aircraft on various routes across the Pacific and Atlantic. Customers will experience the new interiors on each 747 flown by Delta by October, 2012.

If you would like to learn more about Delta’s renovation please contact your Client Relationship Manager for further information.

United Airlines:

United rebrands premium cabins, upgrades food, entertainment, amenities

United Airlines has announced the company is upgrading its premium-cabin services to offer customers new food and beverage options, additional choices in in-flight entertainment, and – on long-haul international flights – new amenity kits, pillows and blankets.

United is also rebranding its international, long-haul premium-cabin services, introducing:

United Global First, the international first-class experience on three-cabin aircraft.
United BusinessFirst, the international business-class experience on two-cabin and three-cabin aircraft.
United Global First, United BusinessFirst

Beginning March 3 on long-haul international flights and many flights within Asia and the Pacific, first-class customers on three-cabin aircraft will experience United Global First, with a higher level of privacy and comfort, a flat-bed seat, priority airport services and more-personal attention.

On most of United’s three-cabin aircraft, United Global First suites offer flat-bed seats, laptop power, USB ports, individual audio and video on demand with noise-reduction headsets, additional storage compartments and a multi-course meal with complimentary wines.

The rebranding and expanded menu options come as United continues with plans to invest more than $550 million to upgrade aircraft interiors. The airline has installed Economy Plus seating on dozens of Continental aircraft. When fully deployed, United will offer customers more extra-legroom economy-class seats than any other airline in the world.

United continues to upgrade its widebody fleet with new premium cabins, with more than 130 aircraft outfitted with flat-bed seats. Once completed in early 2013, United will offer more premium-cabin flat-bed seats than any other airline.

Beginning later in 2012, customers will see additional improvements, including larger overhead bins on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft – increasing the available carry-on storage space by approximately two-thirds – and satellite-enabled inflight internet service. United is also introducing on-demand entertainment on its popular transcontinental p.s. service, along with an expanded premium-cabin service with flat-bed seats.

Qatar:

QR Heathrow lounge

Qatar Airways has opened a new Premium Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4, dedicated to the carrier’s First and Business Class passengers. The facility is Qatar Airway’s only Premium Lounge located outside of its hub in Doha, and resembles a boutique hotel or private member’s club, the airline says.

Malaysia Airlines:

Malaysia Airlines oneworld alliance

Malaysia Airlines is moving closer to full participation in the oneworld alliance, with the carrier’s network added to the Global Explorer round the world fare. Qantas is sponsoring MH into the alliance, and effective immediately the full global schedule of flights offered by Malaysia Airlines will add almost 20 additional cities in South East Asia to the oneworld network.

Singapore Airlines Airline, Scoot:

Singapore Airlines’ low-cost long-haul offshoot Scoot will operate five weekly flights to the Gold Coast from 12 June this year. Flights will go on sale in coming months.

Royal Brunei:

Royal Brunei Airlines has just announced an increase in flights from Melbourne, with the current four times per week services increasing to daily from March 2012.

The increase will come just a year after the route was launched, with Melbourne now Royal Brunei’s only Australian destination.

The daily flights will link via Brunei to Melbourne’s top two long-haul markets, the UK and China, and the increase sees the addition of almost 89,000 extra seats a year.

Hotel News

Royce: Melbourne’s 5 Star Designer Boutique Hotel

Developments: In 2011 the hotel completed an extensive renovation to their lead in rooms. The hotel reduced their internet charges, now offers 1 hour free internet access in all public areas, and all guest rooms have high speed & wireless internet access at a cost of $7.50 for the first two hours or a maximum daily charge of $19.95 (max download of 1000mb).

Day Delegate Special: $69 per person per day inclusive of arrival tea/coffee, morning tea, working style lunch, afternoon tea, room hire, pens, pads, mints, iced water and standard AV equipment (1 x Whiteboard,1 x Flipchart, 1 x OHP or Slide Projector & 6 foot Tripod Screen). Valid until 31 March 2012. Terms & conditions apply – contact groups@voyagertravel.com.au

Accor A|Club app

Accor has launched a new application for its loyalty A|Club members that will allow them to earn bonus points via Facebook. A|Club Places allows members staying at a participating hotel to check in using the app and they can unlock badges that rewards people with points and vouchers.

To download the app see – http://on/fb.me/AClubPlaces.

** A|Club will be rebranded as Le Club Accor Hotels in March.

Hilton growth rate

Hilton Worldwide has laid claim to being the fastest growing major hotel chain globally, adding more than 950 hotels since Jun 2007, lifting its portfolio by 29%. Last year Hilton opened 170 hotels, adding more than 29,400 rooms, and signed management or franchise agreements on more than 320 other properties.

1st DoubleTree Jakarta

Hilton Worldwide will launch the DoubleTree by Hilton brand in the Indonesia capital in 2014. The 261-room urban-resort complex, is to be built near the ‘Golden Triangle’ commercial zone, and will be targeted at business and leisure travellers.

Four Points by Sheraton Sydney Refurb

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has signalled a strong focus on the Australian four-star hotel market, with a major makeover for Sydney’s Four Points by Sheraton as well as the imminent announcement of the first Australian property under its funky Aloft brand.

The $15m renovation of the Four Points would see all 630 rooms upgraded, along with public spaces and despite the scale of the project it’s expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Starwood moving to 24 hour room stays

Starwood hotels including Sheraton, Westin, W, St. Regis and Le Méridien is moving to 24-hour room stays with check-in and check-out at any hour of the day (or night) for top-tier members of the Starwood Preferred Guest programme.

Under the Your24 scheme, Starwood says it will abolish set check-in and check-out times in favour of ‘around-the-clock’ service.

This is a boon for business travellers who often find that flight schedules don’t match up with hotel arrival and departure times.

This includes early arrivals which see you landing at 6am, but unable to get into your room until the early afternoon, and of course late-night flights where you have to check out of the hotel long before your 11pm departure.

Starwood’s Your24 scheme also allows a full 24 hour room stay: if you check-in at 8am on a Monday, for instance, you’ll have the room through until 8am Tuesday.

It’s available to Starwood Preferred Guest members with Platinum status who spend 75 or more “eligible nights” at Starwood hotels.

Rydges SYD underway

Work has commenced on the building of Sydney Airport’s $68m Rydges hotel at the International terminal, slated to open in 2013.

QT Sydney in Design

Design Hotels has confirmed the addition of its first Sydney and only Australian-based hotel, QT Sydney, which is preparing to open in August this year. The property is set within the historic Gowings department store and heritage-listed State Theatre on Market Street in Sydney’s central business district. The 200-room hotel will feature 12 room styles, ranging in size from 36 to 42sqm and will include some of the historic building elements within each room, including the original floor boards.

Quality Hotel Homestead Overlander – Roma

Has been completely flooded and is estimated to be inoperable for at least 6 months.

Rendezvous Hotel Name Changes

Effective from 1^st February, 2012the Rendezvous properties listed below have changed their property names:

Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane – Clarion Collection to RENDEZVOUS HOTEL BRISBANE ANZAC SQUARE – CLARION COLLECTION.

The Marque Brisbane – Clarion Collection to RENDEZVOUS STUDIOS BRISBANE ON GEORGE – CLARION COLLECTION

The Marque Sydney – Clarion Collection to RENDEZVOUS STUDIOS SYDNEY CENTRAL – CLARION COLLECTION

Rendezvous Hotel Auckland – Clarion Collection to RENDEZVOUS GRAND HOTEL AUCKLAND – CLARION COLLECTION

Rendezvous Stafford Hotel – Clarion Collection to RENDEZVOUS HOTEL SYDNEY THE ROCKS – CLARION COLLECTION

Frankfurt Airport are warning of possible flight cancellations and disruptions today after the German union for air traffic workers called for strike action. On Thursday more than 150 flights were cancelled at Europe’s third biggest airport. Industrial action is expected today between 8am-10pm local time and comes after yesterday’s disruptions between 3pm-10pm. Lufthansa says it expects to axe about 250 short- & medium-haul services tomorrow, but long-haul services are mostly unaffected.

Passengers are being advised to check with their carriers or tour operators for the latest flight info.

Virgin Galactic Launches:

Sometime in the next 12 months passengers will be able to journey into the final frontier aboard Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, heralding the true beginning of commercial space flight according to CEO Sir Richard Branson…Read more

Jetstar Expands Darwin International:

Jetstar has announced a new direct flight from Darwin to Manila and onwards to Tokyo, as part of a major strengthening of the NT capital’s role as a gateway to Asia. However the move will see Jetstar cease its existing direct flights between Darwin and Vietnam, with the cancellation effective from 25 Mar 2012. From the same date the new Darwin-Manila-Tokyo route will launch four times per week, while the carrier will boost its Darwin flights to Singapore to ten services per week.

Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong-London Service to Feature Premium Economy:

Cathay Pacific’s newly configured Boeing B747-400 and B777-300ER, featuring the highly anticipated premium economy cabin, will be deployed on the Hong Kong-London route from May onwards. Between May and June, the B747-400 will service the route thrice weekly – Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. From July until October, it will go daily. The aircraft will feature a total of 359 seats: nine in first class, 46 business class seats and 26 premium economy seats. As a result of the premium economy cabin, there will be fewer economy class seats: 278 instead of 324…Read more

Guangzhou-Shenzhen High-Speed Rail Service Commences:

December 26 marked the opening of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. In the early phase of operation, the train will operate at 300km per hour, almost halving the commute time between China’s third largest city and the fast-developing Special Economic Zone across the border from Hong Kong.

Sofitel Launches Flagship Hotel in India:

Sofitel Luxury Hotels welcomed its first hotel in India on December 26 with the opening of the Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The 302-room hotel is strategically located at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the new financial district in Mumbai with easy access to the Bandra-Worli sealink, which connects Bandra with Mumbai’s city centre. The immediate area around the hotel consists of offices of many multinational corporations including BNP Paribas as well as the National Stock Exchange and the world’s largest diamond trading centre, the Bharat Diamond Bourse.

Best Western’s India Expansion:

Best Western has announced plans to construct 66 new hotels in India over the next five years, as part of US$300m investment in the sub-continent. Most of the properties will be either four or five star hotels, built primarily in the metro areas of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Virgin Australia improves Mackay services:

Virgin Australia has announced enhancements to its Mackay service, including extra weekday flights between Mackay and Brisbane and the opening of its first-ever lounge at Mackay Airport…Read more

Air China Daily to Sydney:

Air China is lifting nonstop frequencies between Beijing and Sydney from 4-5 weekly to daily over the Northern Summer 2012 period. The Star Alliance carrier is also upping frequencies on the Beijing- Shanghai-Melbourne service from four times weekly to five.

Emirates Doubles Glasgow Services & Launches Dublin and Ho Chi Minh City:

Emirates launched services to Dublin on 9th January 2012, will launch services between Dubai and HCMC from June 4, and has underlined its commitment to Scotland with plans to introduce a second daily non-stop flight to Glasgow, commencing 1st June 2012.

Starwood Plan new Sheraton in North East Brazil:

Starwood will be opening the Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Convention Center in March 2014.

Korean to Gatwick:

Korean Air will begin a new thrice weekly service between Seoul Incheon and London Gatwick beginning 29 Apr, boosting its flight options to the UK capital to 10 weekly in alignment with its daily London Heathrow service.

Tiger Boosts Aussie Seats:

Tiger Airways has revealed a range of additional frequencies on its Australian domestic routes during the upcoming Northern summer scheduling period.

Eurostar – Provence Direct:

Eurostar will operate weekly direct train services between the UK and France’s Provence region.

New FIFO Carrier:

A new domestic Fly In Fly Out air charter carrier is expecting to launch in Q1, called JetGo Australia. The airline says its owners and management team ‘possess extensive industry experience’. The jetgoaustralia.com website states the start up is ‘committed to the introduction of modern high technology aircraft that bring a new level of efficiency, reliability and cost effectiveness, yet to be deployed in the Australian market”. It’s understood JetGo will offer services from Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast utilising Embraer 135 jets. Source: Travel Daily

Virgin Australia ends One-Off Lounge Access:

Virgin Australia is winding down the ‘single-entry pass’ program through which infrequent flyers can purchase a one-off entry into its airport lounges…Read more

Singapore Airlines Returns Airbus A380 to Melbourne Flights:

Singapore Airlines is returning the popular Airbus A380 superjumbo to its Melbourne flights from late March, bringing better seats, a quieter ride and a more comfortable cabin for business travellers…Read more

Singapore Airlines Adds More Flights to Sydney, Brisbane and Perth:

Singapore Airlines is adding flights to several of its Australian routes, with Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth all seeing extra flights as SQ bumps several of its flights up to daily…Click here to see how those schedules pan out – and when you’ll see the changes.

Thai Airways News Update:

Later this year, Thai Airways will lift the curtains on their new fleet of A380 aircraft.
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) recently received the award as the Best Airline in Southeast Asia at Global Traveler Magazine’s 2011 GT Tested Awards.

AirAsia X set for major network revamp; Sydney flights rumoured:

Malaysian low-cost long haul carrier AirAsia X has just announced a “re-alignment” of its routes which will see it withdraw services to Europe and India.
The move comes amid widespread speculation of the imminent announcement of a Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route for the carrier.

AirAsia X flights to Mumbai will be suspended effective 31 Jan, while the daily operation from Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi will cease from 22 Mar.

The six weekly London flights will stop from 31 Mar, while AirAsia X will also withdraw from Paris Orly with the last flight on 30 Mar this year.

Source: The Travel Daily

Qantas-Woolworths Points Promo:

QANTAS Frequent Flyer is giving away 2.5 million points to Woolworths Everyday Rewards cardholders this month. Ten prizes of 250,000 points each will be given to shoppers who use their cards for over $30 in purchases at a participating supermarket between 11 Jan and 24 Jan.

Source: The Travel Daily

Qantas Wins Award:

QantasLink named Regional Airline of the Year by leading Aviation Magazine Air Transport World.

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam opens Feb 2012