The long awaited Emirates A380 Manchester service went into operation today, making the airline the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A380 Superjumbo.

Emirates A380 Manchester service operates on the following schedule:

The full media release from Emirates can be read below:

Emirates Sparks A380 Activity Across the Globe

Airline launches double-decker service to Manchester  

DUBAI, U.A.E., 1st  September 2010: Emirates' expanding A380 fleet is generating interest from airports across the world as Manchester becomes the latest city to be served by the superjumbo.

The international airline of the United Arab Emirates is now the world's largest operator of the A380 with 12 in the fleet. A further order for 32 A380s, announced during the Berlin Air Show in June, has prompted a flurry of enquiries from airports around the world.

Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman Emirates Airline & Group, who was born in the North West of England and joined the first Manchester A380 flight said: “This is a historic moment for Emirates as we bring our 21st century superjumbo to the North West twenty years after our first flight from the region. Our Manchester service has been an incredible success story, and we’re delighted to be opening the next chapter today.”

Mr Flanagan added: "People are realising that this is the passenger aircraft of the future. As a result of our announcement in Berlin, we have had enquiries from more than 20 airports across the world, asking whether Emirates would fly the A380 to their airports. These aircraft are a dream to travel in and a dream to have at your disposal for expansion. They are extremely popular with our passengers and where we deploy them, they fill up almost immediately - running at over 90 percent load factor."

Information from Airbus shows that the A380 has now flown to more than 100 airports across the globe, either commercially or for events or test flights.

The start of A380 flights to Manchester from today is the first time the world's largest airliner has operated a scheduled service to a regional airport. It is also the first time Emirates has brought its First Class cabin to the route.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director, Andrew Cornish, said: "The start of daily A380 services from Manchester to Dubai is a moment in history for our airport and the wider region. It's of such significance that we're expecting thousands of people to visit the airport on September 1st to catch a glimpse of her first flight. We've invested around £10m to upgrade the airport's infrastructure to accommodate the flagship of the Emirates fleet and are very much looking forward to welcoming her for the first time."

EK017 leaves Dubai daily at 0755hrs and arrives in Manchester at 1225hrs. EK018 departs Manchester at 1410hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0015hrs the next day.

Emirates’ A380 is renowned for its First Class Private Suites, Onboard Shower Spas and Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers, offering a wide range of drinks and canapés, as well as space to socialise or simply relax.

Passengers in all classes can lose themselves in the quietness of the aircraft and the award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system. There are more than 1,200 channels of on-demand entertainment, including 200 movies from around the world, 100 TV channels, more than 500 audio channels, 100 video games and news headlines.

Emirates now operates A380s on the following routes: London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris, Sydney, Auckland, Toronto, Bangkok, Seoul, Jeddah and Beijing. Hong Kong will be added to that list from 1st October and on 31st October,  the A380 will make a much-anticipated return to New York.

Emirates is the world's largest customer for the superjumbo and its total A380 order book is 90 - with 78 aircraft still to come.

Today Emirates began direct services to Dakar from Dubai, the new direct route will operate under flight number EK 797 and EK 798 for the return, with flight details as below:

Emirates Dakar service will be operated on an Airbus A340-300 configured with 3 classes, 12 first class seats, 42 business class seats and 213 economy class seats.

The full media release from Emirates can be read below:

Emirates brings West Africa closer with launch of new Dakar route

DUBAI, U.A.E., 1st September, 2010: Emirates has strengthened its links to West Africa with the launch of a new direct service to Dakar.

EK 797 took off this morning for the airline's 105th destination, creating the only non-stop, scheduled passenger link between Dubai and Senegal. The new route will cut current journey times to Dakar by around the equivalent of an eight hour working day, creating an easy, fast and convenient service for business and leisure travellers.

Nigel Page, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Africa & the Americas said: “Today marks a new chapter in air travel between the Middle East and West Africa. No more will passengers travelling to and from Senegal face long detours to Europe or other parts of Africa to reach their final destination.

“Instead, they can enjoy the convenience of a non-stop air link with Dubai, seamless connections to key centres in the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East through our state-of-the-art Terminal 3, a very competitive baggage allowance and the award-winning in-flight service for which Emirates is renowned."

EK 797 departs Dubai at 0955hrs every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and arrives in Dakar at 1600hrs. EK 798 leaves the Senegalese capital at 1740hrs and gets into Dubai at 0715hrs the following day.

An Airbus A340-300 is being deployed on the route, offering 12 seats in First Class, 42 in Business and 213 in Economy.

On the cargo side, Emirates will be transporting 65 tonnes of goods a week from various points on its global network, including oil industry equipment from the UAE; textiles from Asia, electronics from East Asia and Europe; and a number of products and garments from India.

One of the key imports from Senegal will be seafood, with Emirates SkyCargo expecting to transport up to 3,500 tonnes of seafood a year in the belly-hold of the A340-300. Fresh produce – such as lobster, shrimp and sea bream – will be landing in supermarkets and restaurants throughout the UAE and the rest of the GCC, as well as various destinations across the Emirates network, including Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Paris and Beirut. 

The new Dakar route caps an exceptionally busy few months for the airline. Since the start of the summer, Emirates has announced orders for an additional 30 Boeing 777-300ER and 32 A380 aircraft; and placed a US$2.0 billion order for GE90-115B Engines to power the new 777s. With 12 A380 aircraft now in service, Emirates has instated its flagship A380s on its Beijing and Manchester routes, with the latter also commencing today, 1st September.

Mr Page added: “Our new Dakar service is a further demonstration of Emirates’ commitment to investing in and supporting the development of its pan-African footprint.  Not only is the service already paying dividends through the creation of new jobs, such as our first Senegalese cabin crew and sales staff, but it will provide a significant long-term boost to trade and commerce in both the Middle East and West Africa.”

Trade between the UAE and Senegal has climbed from USD 14.2 million (AED 52.1 million) in 2003 to USD 184 million (AED 676 million) in 2009, according to figures from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dakar is the fifth new route to be launched by Emirates this year. The others are Tokyo, which launched on 28th March, Amsterdam on 1st May, Prague on 1st July and Madrid, on 1st August.

Singapore Airlines has announced a Business Class advance purchase fare sale aimed at leisure travellers.

The fares include the following:

• Sydney to Japan including Singapore Airlines new destination, Haneda in the heart of Tokyo (from 31 Oct), is $5172
• Melbourne to Delhi, $6160
• Brisbane to London, $8450
• Adelaide to Beijing, $4872
• Perth to Dubai, $6203
• Sydney to Johannesburg, $6387

All of the above fares are return and include taxes and surcharges, and are extremely great value for anyone wanting to experience the world class award winning Singapore Airlines Business Class.

The full media release from Singapore Airlines can be read below:

Singapore Airlines Business Class WORLD’S BEST BUSINESS CLASS JUST GOT BETTER –

Singapore Airlines Business Class is the best value it has been in recent times with the release today of special advance purchase fares targeted primarily at leisure travellers.

The fares to most destinations on the airline’s network give leisure travellers access to the world’s best Business Class* at prices that will enable them to afford to holiday in style.

“These Business Class fares represent excellent value for money, particularly when you take into consideration the extra space and comfort of our highly awarded product, and the excellent in-flight service,” Manager Passenger Marketing Australia, Dale Woodhouse, said.

Singapore Airlines’ Business Class seats on its A380 and B777-300 ER aircraft are the widest in sky and fold into a completely flat bed made up with a sheet and doona. “The airline’s service and in flight entertainment are unsurpassed too,” Mr Woodhouse said.

The special Business Class fares from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne include travel to destinations in South Africa, North Asia, India, Europe and the Middle East.

For example Business Class travel from Sydney to Japan including Singapore Airlines new destination, Haneda in the heart of Tokyo (from 31 Oct), is $5172; from Melbourne to Delhi, $6160; from Brisbane to London, $8450; from Adelaide to Beijing, $4872; from Perth to Dubai, $6203, from Sydney to Johannesburg, $6387. These fares are for return travel and include taxes and surcharges.

To take advantage of Singapore Airlines special Business Class fares travellers must book and pay 21 days in advance and there is a minimum stay of 10 days. The fares are on sale until further notice.

*As awarded in 2010/2009 by Travel & Leisure magazine, Skytrax World Airlines Awards, Asiamoney, Global Traveler, Conde Nast Traveler Awards, Guardian Observer Travel, and Global Traveller’s UK, Germany, and Asia Pacific editions.

Virgin Blue and Eithad Airways today announced a major commercial Partnership that will see the code sharing of services and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits when flying on each other’s frequent flyer programs.

The full media release from Virgin Blue and Etihad Airways can be read below:

VIRGIN BLUE GROUP ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ETIHAD

• V Australia to operate from Sydney to Abu Dhabi 3 times a week
• Seamless connections across Europe, UK and the Middle East
• Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer programs to be fully reciprocal

Virgin Blue Holdings Limited (ASX: VBA) and Etihad Airways PJSC today signed an agreement establishing a commercial partnership that will enable Virgin Blue’s international arm, V Australia, to launch direct services to Abu Dhabi in 2011 and the two airlines to offer a joint network of more than 100 destinations from October 1, 2010.

Together, Etihad and V Australia will move towards a total of 27 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Australia – including double-daily services between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi flights and six frequencies per week between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.

V Australia will operate three Sydney-Abu Dhabi services per week from February 2011 and three Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services per week by February 2012, using its new fleet of three-class Boeing 777-300ER and becoming the first Australian carrier to operate to the Middle East since 1991.

From October, Virgin Blue Group customers can access Etihad’s network of 65 destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Subcontinent. All Virgin Blue services will be available to Etihad customers, opening up 45 destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia, South Africa and Los Angeles.

The agreement integrates the Etihad Guest and Velocity frequent flyer programs, allowing members to earn status/tier points and frequent flyer points immediately along with reciprocal service benefits and lounge access for top tier members of both programs. The ability for members to burn miles on both carriers’ services comes into effect from October 1.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines, Mr John Borghetti, said the alliance with Etihad allowed it to redefine its long-haul operation and unlock a genuine global network that would be particularly attractive to Virgin Blue’s business and international leisure travellers.

“Everybody wins from this partnership. It increases competition, choice and convenience for the travelling public. Etihad will gain access to the valuable domestic feed in Australia and the Virgin Blue Group will gain access to an extensive international network serving multiple destinations across the Middle East, the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia.

“This is a real game changer and positions us as a truly global player. Just as Virgin changed the game in domestic travel ten years ago and last year made huge impacts on the Pacific route, this agreement will bring real benefits for the travelling public.”

“With the impending launch of our product enhancements across the group, Virgin Blue and Etihad are ideally suited as airline partners.”

Mr Borghetti said: “We expect the strategic alliance to have significant revenue and profit upside for both carriers. Importantly, each business will immediately gain from reciprocal traffic flow.”

Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Hogan, said the partnership would grow to become one of the Gulf carrier’s most significant.

“We are excited to facilitate the entry of V Australia into Abu Dhabi as the first Australian airline to fly to the United Arab Emirates.”

“Australia is a critically important market for Etihad and we are very pleased to be able to provide more capacity on our Australian routes through this partnership,” he said.

Mr Hogan said that by partnering across global and regional routes, Etihad and Virgin Blue Group could offer a comprehensive network to customers while realising significant, complementary benefits for the two airlines.

“With our combined route network, we will provide all-important access from Australia to both the USA and Europe, which improves our suitability for both business and leisure travel and puts us right in the race for major corporate travel accounts,” he said.

“Virgin Blue is fundamentally reshaping itself and, much like Etihad, they have made huge strides in a short space of time. We know there are huge opportunities in working together very closely in this market.”

Under the agreement, the two airlines will explore further avenues of cooperation, and will lodge an application for authorisation with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to allow them to cooperate across a broad range of commercial functions. It is only with this further cooperation that the airlines will be able to offer the full program of benefits the partnership will bring.

Jetstar has announced that from early 2011 it will increase services into Cairns from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The full media release from Jetstar can be read below:

Jetstar announces more low fare flying for Cairns

Low fares leader Jetstar will further expand its domestic low fare offering for Cairns by almost 30 per cent from early 2011, announcing new additional daily services from Melbourne, Sydney and brisbane, and building to a daily return Gold Coast-Cairns flight.

Jetstar’s new capacity represents 25 additional weekly return services to Cairns, increasing to 93 weekly return low fare flights serving seven Australian cities from the airline’s expanding Cairns hub.

Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan, who visited Cairns today, said this growth of 8850 more weekly seats represented Jetstar’s single largest injection of new domestic flying for Cairns.

“Jetstar will now be at record operational capacity on Melbourne-Cairns and Sydney-Cairns routes and complement Qantas on the largest Brisbane-Cairns market. Through Jetstar’s low fares, customers are responding to make these routes amongst Australia’s fastest growing air markets,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Our commitment to building to a daily Gold Coast-Cairns service will also better support inbound international visitation.”’

In June 2010 compared to June 2009 passenger data from the Federal Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) measured the Melbourne and Sydney routes growing by 25 and 19 per cent respectively in passenger numbers, displaying a Jetstar effect from prior growth.

From April 2011 Jetstar will offer 12 daily domestic return services to Cairns and provide convenient and real connectivity to vital international markets such as Japan and New Zealand on Jetstar.

Earlier this year Jetstar grew prior Cairns operations by 18 extra weekly services introducing from Perth and more Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney flights on Jetstar and a future direct Auckland service.

Mr Buchanan said Jetstar remained committed to offering the lowest fares through the Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee* whereby the airline will beat its competitors by 10 per cent.

Jetstar’s Brisbane-Cairns schedule from 13 January 2011

Brisbane-Cairns                                                                    Cairns-Brisbane
JQ928                   07.25 – 09.45        Daily                            JQ929 06.00 – 08.05 Daily
JQ932                   10.35 – 12.55        Tues, Fri, Sat NEW     JQ931 08.00 – 10.05  Tues, Fri, Sat NEW
JQ936                   13.20 – 15.40        Daily                            JQ933 10.15 – 12.20 Daily
JQ940                   19.35 – 21.55        Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun NEW       JQ935 14.20 – 16.25 Mon, Wed, Fri Sun NEW
JQ942                   21.10 – 23.30        Daily                            JQ939 16.40 – 18.45  Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

Jetstar’s Melbourne-Cairns schedule from 4 April 2011

Melbourne-Cairns                                                                 Cairns-Melbourne
JQ944                   06.00 – 09.35        Daily    (A321 aircraft)      JQ947 10.35 – 14.00  Daily    (A321 aircraft)
JQ946                   11.35 – 15.00        Daily    NEW               JQ949 15.30 – 18.55  Daily NEW
JQ948                   16.20 – 19.45        Daily                            JQ951 20.15 – 23.40 Daily

Jetstar’s Sydney-Cairns schedule from 4 April 2011

Sydney-Cairns                                                                      Cairns-Sydney
JQ952                   06.00 – 09.10        Daily    (A321 aircraft)      JQ955 09.25 – 13.15  Daily    (A321 aircraft)
JQ954                   11.00 – 14.10        Daily    NEW               JQ957 14.40 – 17.30  Daily NEW
JQ956                   15.30 – 18.40        Daily                            JQ959 19.10 – 22.00 Daily

Jetstar’s Gold Coast-Cairns schedule from 13 January 2011

Gold Coast-Cairns                                                                Cairns-Gold Coast
JQ966                   09.05 – 11.35        Daily                            JQ967 12.05 – 14.20  Daily

JETSTAR’S EVERY DAY LOW FARES

Qantas today announced plans to increase domestic capacity, including capacity on Qantas’s budget carrier Jetstar. The increase will add an additional 65 return services for Qantas and an additional 120 return services for Jetstar.

Of special note were the increased services into Broome Western Australia and Sydney to Perth. These new services will come about with additional Boeing 767-300 Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

QANTAS GROUP ANNOUNCES INCREASE IN DOMESTIC CAPACITY

SYDNEY, 25 August 2010: The Qantas Group today announced plans to increase capacity across its domestic route network by 9.6 per cent, including a number of new routes for both Qantas and Jetstar.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said over the next nine months the Group would increase capacity by more than 66,000 seats per week once fully implemented, with the addition of new aircraft to the domestic fleet and in response to the recovering domestic market.

“We are seeing improved demand domestically and the introduction of these additional services and aircraft will see the Qantas Group well placed to meet this demand,” he said.

“The changes will see around 65 additional return services for Qantas and around 120 return services for Jetstar introduced across selected routes.

“Seven additional aircraft will be deployed on the Qantas domestic network this financial year. In July 2010, we added a B767-300 to grow routes including the key east – west market of Sydney to Perth.”

Mr Joyce said an A330-300 will be added from January with a further five B737-800s being progressively added to the domestic network from March 2011.

“These aircraft will be deployed on a variety of growth markets, including the east coast, east – west and intra WA markets,” Mr Joyce said.

Qantas will commence direct Brisbane-Broome services next year, resulting in Broome becoming the third destination behind Perth and Karratha that Queensland passengers can fly to direct from Brisbane. The new services will be seasonal, operating from April-October, to coincide with the Broome dry season.

This new service will join Broome-Melbourne and Broome-Sydney services, resulting in passengers from the popular tourist destination being able to fly direct from Broome to three east-coast destinations, as well as Perth.

Mr Joyce said Jetstar would also add new routes and increase services to key leisure destinations across Australia. “Jetstar plans to increase Australian domestic capacity by up to 30 per cent in this financial year,” Mr Joyce said.

“Last week Jetstar announced new services in Perth and Launceston and today detailed additional services to Cairns – an important tourism destination.

“With Qantas and Jetstar, the Qantas Group has two strong and complementary brands to ensure we are able to respond to opportunities and changing market conditions.

“Qantas and Jetstar now jointly operate on over 20 routes across Australia, including the high traffic Sydney to Melbourne route”.

Qantas have announced that it will be introducing its award winning Premium Economy Class on services to Japan and Germany, these new premium economy classes that will be in operation from October 2010 for the Tokyo route and from February 2011 for the Frankfurt route, will be operated from two retrofitted Boeing 747 aircraft, that will include 40 Premium Economy seats.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

Qantas Introduces Premium Economy to Japan and Germany

 Sydney, 24 August 2010

Qantas today announced that it would introduce Premium Economy on its Tokyo and Frankfurt services.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said Qantas would retrofit six two class Boeing 747s to include 40 Premium Economy seats with the new offering to be available on the Tokyo route from October 2010 and the Frankfurt route from February next year.

“Qantas first introduced Premium Economy in 2008 and customer feedback for the product has been extremely positive. Our customers enjoy priority check-in, dedicated cabin crew, an additional baggage allowance and priority boarding and disembarkation.

“Qantas currently offers Premium Economy on services to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Buenos Aires. Increased demand for this product, particularly from our leisure travellers, means we are now rolling Premium Economy out on another two Qantas routes,” Mr Joyce said.

In May this year, Qantas was awarded the World’s Best Premium Economy Class and World’s Best Premium Economy Seat in the 2010 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Qantas Premium Economy offers:

• superior recline and leg room – nine inch seat recline and up to 40 inch seat pitch;
• extra wide 19.5 inch seats designed by Qantas Creative Director Marc Newson and manufactured by Recaro, with ergonomic cushioning and an adjustable headrest;
• in-arm touch screen video monitor;
• Neil Perry inspired menu with premium wines;
• a self-service bar offering a selection of refreshments throughout the flight; and
• pre-take off refreshments – Champagne, orange juice and water.

To celebrate the launch, Qantas is offering all inclusive Premium Economy return fares starting from:

• $1,999* to Tokyo on selected services from 10 October 2010; and
• $3,999* to Frankfurt on selected services from 3 February 2011.

Emirates have announced that it today expanded Emirates A380 services into Hong Kong and from 1 October 2010 increase its existing A380 services from Dubai to Bangkok to a daily service.

The full media release from Emirates can be read below:

Emirates’ A380 Network Continues to Expand

DUBAI, U.A.E., 19th August 2010: Emirates, the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A380, today announced Hong Kong as the newest destination for its super-jumbo.

Emirates has a total of 12 A380s in service with 78 on order and Hong Kong will become the Dubai-based global airline’s 11th A380 destination.

Starting on 1st October, Emirates’ A380 will operate daily from Dubai as EK384 via Bangkok with the return flight operating as EK385.

Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East and Australasia, said: “We are very excited to announce Hong Kong as a new Emirates A380 destination.

“This commercially-vibrant metropolis became part of Emirates’ ever expanding network back in 1991, and today we operate a double-daily service between Hong Kong and Dubai, one non-stop and one flight via Bangkok. We also operate 18 weekly Emirates SkyCargo freighter services.

“We are proud to be able to demonstrate our commitment to Hong Kong by putting our flagship aircraft on this route. Our passengers from Hong Kong now have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful service and comforts available on this aircraft and our passengers from Thailand will have the option of flying the A380 to either Dubai or Hong Kong.”

Emirates’ luxurious A380 products include two onboard shower spas in the First Class cabin, featuring signature amenities by the airline’s premium spa brand, Timeless Spa. For First and Business Class passengers the onboard lounge is the social highlight, featuring a fully-stocked bar and a selection of hot and cold canapés.

Flat-bed massage-equipped private suites await passengers in First Class, while in Business Class there is a new generation of all-aisle flat-bed seats, for those travelling on the main deck in Economy Class can stretch out in seats with a pitch of up to 33 inches.

In all classes, there is mood-lighting and ice, the award-winning, inflight entertainment system featuring over 1200 channels of on-demand entertainment, including movies and music in Thai and Cantonese.

Emirates currently operates the A380 from Dubai daily to Paris, Jeddah, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok, Sydney, Auckland, Beijing and double daily to London Heathrow. On September 1st Emirates will begin daily flights with the A380 to Manchester and from 31st October the aircraft will make a welcome return to the non-stop service between Dubai and New York’s JFK airport.

In the lead up to Ramadan Etihad Airways has announced increased services between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah during the holy month of Ramadan. These additional services will be operated by two three class Airbus A330 and A320 Aircraft.

The full media release from Etihad can be read below:

BOOST FOR Saudi FLIGHTS During Ramadan

Etihad Airways is providing additional flights between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah during the Holy month of Ramadan.

The extra services to Jeddah will operate until 12 September and build upon the 28 return flights Etihad currently operates every week to the Saudi Arabian destinations of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

The services – which will be operated by two and three class Airbus A330s and A320s – also open a range of short and long-haul connection options for air travellers in Saudi Arabia flying via Etihad’s home base in Abu Dhabi to destinations around the world.

Hareb Almuhairy, Etihad Airways’ Vice President of Sales in the United Arab Emirates said: “The additional flights from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah will cater for the great demand from Umra travellers during the holy month of Ramadan and will significantly enhance the travel options to Muslim communities throughout our network.

“Passengers will be able to connect quickly and conveniently from all regions in the world including the Middle East, GCC, Australia, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast and North Asia, Africa, North America and Europe.”

Throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, Etihad Airways will also be welcoming guests to a traditional Emirati tent at the airline’s premium check-in counter at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Arabic coffee, dates and refreshments from Etihad’s Diamond First class cabin menus will be served to all Etihad Airways passengers between 7.00pm-8.00pm, to coincide with the evening prayer and the breaking of the fast. 

Etihad launched its service from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh with eight services per week in December 2004. It commenced operations in the same month to Dammam with13 flights per week and in May 2006 commenced daily flights to Jeddah.

Etihad Airways has announced that from October 2010 they will introduce all economy services operated by two Airbus A320 aircraft.

The new all economy flights will be operated to destinations where there is less demand for premium classes such as Alexandria, Calicut, Colombo, Damascus, Doha and Thiruvananthapuram.

The full media release from Etihad Airways can be read below:

ETIHAD TO LAUNCH ‘ALL ECONOMY’ SERVICE IN OCTOBER

Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the UAE, will introduce its first ‘all economy’ class aircraft into its fleet in October 2010. The two Airbus A320s will be configured to carry 162 economy class passengers, an increase of 42 from the current economy capacity.

The all economy cabin aircraft will operate to short haul Etihad destinations, which have high demand for economy traffic and low demand for premium traffic. Initially these will be Alexandria, Calicut, Colombo, Damascus, Doha and Thiruvananthapuram.

Plans are in place to expand the all economy fleet to 10 A320 aircraft which will enable the airline to launch new short haul destinations which have low demand for premium travel and also to existing Etihad destinations.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “Etihad has grown at a remarkable pace during the past six and a half years. We have built a strong brand and a robust business, and it is the right time to challenge the way we serve our various markets and segments.

“Our all economy aircraft will allow us to offer a more competitive product in key point-to-point markets in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, while maintaining the high standards of service we have become known for.”

Customers travelling on the new ‘all economy’ aircraft will receive the same world class service and product that is featured on our current narrow body fleet, such as seat back in-flight entertainment screens and hot and cold meals and beverages. Each seat has a 32 inch pitch.

Etihad currently has 15 A320 aircraft within its fleet and 35 aircraft are on order from Airbus.

After the United Continental Airlines Merger earlier this year the merged company has finally released a revised logo and aircraft livery.

The new logo features the company’s name UNITED in capital letters in a custom sans-serif font together with the Continental logo that was first used in 1991.

The new aircraft livery will feature Continental’s colors/design with the blue gold white continental globe logo along with the company name UNITED in the new font and color.

The full media release from United Airlines can be read below:

NEW VISUAL BRAND IDENTITY FOR THE NEW UNITED AIRLINES

Logo and livery to create a more modern look, reflective of the world's leading airline

CHICAGO AND HOUSTON, Aug. 11, 2010 – United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) and Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today revealed refinements to the visual branding for the new global airline that will result from the proposed merger between the two airlines.

The new logo displays the combined company’s brand name in capital letters (UNITED) in a custom sans-serif font, joined with the global mark which has represented Continental’s brand image since 1991.

A corresponding update of the combined airline’s aircraft livery will adopt Continental’s livery, colors and design, including its blue-gold-white globe image on the tail, combined with the new-style UNITED name on the fuselage.

Both airlines have earned strong brand recognition in one of the world’s most visible and highly competitive businesses. The new visual identity builds upon the significant value of each airline’s current brand, while advancing the combined airline’s future brand image.

Virgin Airlines Founder and President Sir Richard Branson has announced a reciprocal frequent flyer mile earning on all Virgin branded sister airlines.

The announcement will mean that as of today Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America, V Australia and Virgin Blue passengers will be entitled to earn miles on their local Virgin Frequent Flyer membership when flying on any of these sister airlines.

The full media release from Virgin Airlines can be read below:

VIRGIN AIRLINES GIVE FLYERS A MORE REWARDING VIRGIN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE AROUND THE WORLD

Travelers on Award-Winning Virgin Airlines Will Earn Virgin Points or Miles on All Four Airlines and the Opportunity to Win the Trip of a Lifetime to Necker Island

Houston, TX (August 10, 2010) – Today Sir Richard Branson announced at the National Business Travel Association International Convention and Exposition that the award-winning Virgin airlines – Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin America and V Australia/ Virgin Blue – known around the world for their stylish, innovative and value-based flying experience, are teaming up to offer each airline’s loyalty program members the opportunity to earn miles or points when taking flights on their sister-branded airlines.

As of today, guests flying on Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America, and V Australia/Virgin Blue are all eligible to earn miles or points for their flights that can later be redeemed under any of the carrier’s frequent flyer programs.  The reciprocal agreements enable Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members to earn Flying Club miles/status points; Virgin America’s Elevate members to earn Elevate points; and V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members to earn Velocity points – wherever they are flying on a Virgin-branded carrier around the world.* 

Also as of today, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members can redeem their miles on either of the airlines.  V Australia/Virgin Blue Velocity members and Virgin America Elevate members will be eligible to spend their miles or points to fly on either airline as of the fourth quarter of 2010. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members and Virgin America Elevate members will be eligible to spend their miles or points on either airline as of the second quarter of 2011.

To celebrate this Virgin milestone, each Virgin airline is offering members who fly with at least two of the four Virgin branded airlines between now and December 31, 2011, the chance to win a week holiday in the British Virgin Islands on Sir Richard Branson’s private island Necker**.   For more information, visit: www.virginatlantic.com, www.virginamerica.com, or www.vaustralia.com.  For the Official Rules for the Sweepstakes, including complete details, please visit: www.virginatlantic.com, www.virginamerica.com, or www.vaustralia.com.**

“Virgin is known around the world for its legendary in-flight service but now it is even more rewarding to fly with our global airlines.  In celebration of the closer ties between the airlines, as well as to reward our most loyal guests, three globetrotting Virgin loyalty program members will win a holiday on Necker,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder and President of the Virgin Group.

“We always strive to offer Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members easier ways to earn miles and better rewards.  I am sure that earning and redeeming on all Virgin airlines worldwide will be highly valued by our members.  This new frequent flyer program further allows us to reward travelers who prefer to fly with, and remain loyal to, the Virgin branded airlines and we hope this offers an added incentive to do so,” said Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic.

“Virgin-branded airlines are famous for reinventing the category and offering travelers a better flying experience with unrivalled value, brilliant service and innovative amenities.  Travelers around the world seek out Virgin airlines for this reason, and we’re pleased to partner with our award-winning sister airlines to allow our loyal guests to earn Virgin frequent flyer credits wherever they are flying – in the U.S., Europe, Asia Pacific or Australia,” said Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush.   

“We hope that the new agreements will encourage more travelers from around the globe to enjoy a customer experience that is second to none.  Our goal is to deliver a better class of service and this latest partnership will help us deliver more rewards to the savvy travelers who rightly expect more from an airline,” said Virgin Blue Chief Executive Officer John Borghetti.

This new opportunity gives added value to the already existing program that was launched in June of 2009 allowing V Australia guests to earn Elevate points for the Virgin America leg of their journey and offering Virgin Atlantic and V Australia passengers to earn on each other.  This followed Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Blue‘s similar arrangement that began in 2008.

In addition, Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic announce today that they have negotiated and signed an international one-way interline agreement offering seamless travel on the networks of each carrier.  For bookings and travel beginning in September 2010, guests will be able to book a single ticket and check their bags through to their final Virgin destination when traveling on both carriers if they book through Virgin Atlantic (via call center) or travel agent.  Virgin America launched a U.S.-Australia interline arrangement with V Australia/Virgin Blue in June 2009. Virgin Atlantic and V Australia/Virgin Blue also have an interline agreement in place.

About the Clubs:

As a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club member, a passenger will earn Flying Club miles, which can then be spent on a host of wonderful rewards.   Passengers can also earn miles with our Flying Club partners, which include other airlines, hotels, restaurants and a range of companies worldwide.  Non Flying Club members can join the program as a Flying Club Red member with an online account, where they can check their mileage balance, view statements and be among the first to hear about exclusive Virgin Atlantic offers, competitions and news.

Elevate is Virgin America’s first-of-its-kind loyalty program in the US which offers guests the ability to redeem points for any unsold seat – on any Virgin America flight, at any time.  Elevate offers one of the industry’s most generous and easy-to-redeem flight reward programs, as few as four roundtrips or 2,500 points can earn members a reward flight.  Elevate members are able to retain their points indefinitely, as long as they either earn or redeem points at least once every 18 months.  Elevate members receive exclusive offers that only the world-class Virgin brand could provide, such as tickets to the star-studded in-flight premiere of HBO’s Entourage and the chance to compete to earn a seat on a Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space flight.

Mercure Sydney Airport has unveiled newly refurbished rooms on levels 7 through 8 that feature a 42” LCD TV, iPod Docking station, and a designer desk with power and network ports for a great working away from the office environment.

Cheap rates at the Mercure Sydney Airport start from US $148
Check Full rates in your local currency 

The full media release from Mercure can be read below:

Mercure Sydney Airport has unveiled three newly refurbished floors. The new rooms on levels 7 - 9 are a traveller's dream, with contemporary décor and a clever new flexible layout that makes the rooms seem more spacious. The rooms feature a designer desk that doubles as both a work space and a place for dining, with all data and power points at desk height to make working away from home a breeze.

The superior rooms boast comfortable tub chairs, with some rooms featuring an ottoman so guests can stretch out and relax in style. Bright throw cushions add a splash of colour with a burnt orange stripe. Each room features a clock radio with ipod docking station so you never miss a flight and can play your favourite music, and a 42” LCD TV with pay channels and inhouse movies. Many rooms feature water views or views over the adjacent parklands, while from most you can watch flights taking off and departing – but with all rooms having sound-proofing you feel like you are miles away from the airport.

The suites in the hotel have also undertaken a transformation and now offer a separate lounge and dining area, ideal for small meeting or as an extra space to unwind. Marble-topped dining tables are perfect for intimate dinners or private meetings and the lounge seat doubles as a comfortable sofa bed for families. A separate 42” LCD in the bedroom means there will never be fights over what to watch and the king size bed provides the perfect night’s sleep with a thick mattress and lots of room to move about.

Mercure Sydney Airport is situated out of direct flight paths and all rooms feature new window coverings including both a soft copper sheer curtain and full black-out curtain to ensure complete rest.

More than your standard airport hotel, the Mercure also features an outdoor pool, spa and tennis courts and is surrounded by parklands and waterways that you can explore at your leisure to banish the jetlag.

Cheap rates at the Mercure Sydney Airport start from US $148
Check Full rates in your local currency here  

oneworld Alliance along with many of its member airlines have taken out several awards at the 2010 US Global Traveler Wines on the Wing survey, with oneworld taking out the best alliance for wine, in addition awarded oneworld member airlines included:

• American Airlines – Best North American Airline for wines, Best North American Red Wine, Best North American Sparking wine
• British Airways, LAN Mexicana named top ten for Champagne and Sparkling wine
• American, British Airways & LAN – in Top 10 best White Wines
• Iberia, American, LAN & Mexicana – in Top 10 for reds 
  

The full media release from the oneworld Alliance can be read below:

Cheers again to oneworld, as best alliance for in-flight wine 
03 August 2010

Judges at another leading wine-tasting competition have raised their glasses to the oneworld^® alliance and many of its member airlines.

oneworld is named the best alliance for wine in the 2010 Wines on the Wing survey published this month by US magazine Global Traveler - which confirms the findings of the Cellars in the Sky awards presented by the UK's Business Traveller in February this year.

Besides winning the "best alliance" title, oneworld's member airlines also flew high in the Global Traveler Wines on the Wing awards - just as they did in Business Traveller's Cellars in the Sky.

American Airlines took the toast as best North American airline for wines, as well as Best North American Red Wine and Best North American Sparking Wine.

American, British Airways, LAN and Mexicana were named among the top ten for Champagne and sparkling wine. American, BA and LAN were also in the top ten for white wines, while Iberia, American, LAN and Mexicana were in the top ten for reds.

Twenty six airlines submitted 46 white wines, 49 red wines, and 23 champagne or sparkling wines currently on their international Business Class and North American premium class wine lists for a blind taste test in the Wines on the Wing awards. The tasting was organised by Global Traveler's wine columnist and noted wine expert, Eunice Fried, using 30 independent judges who are noted wine-industry experts.

oneworld was named the World's Best Alliance in the 2010 World Airline Awards and has been voted the World's Leading Airline Alliance for the past seven years in the World Travel Awards.   It is the only winner of this award since it was introduced in 2003.

Singapore Airlines have announced a plan to trial a paperless cabin with the trial of electronic versions of the SilverKris, KrisShop and KrisWorld in flight magazines and with future plans to provide electronic versions of the airlines menus, wine lists and international newspapers.

This initiative is expected to dramatically reduce the total weight which in turn will reduce the amount of fuel consumed.

The trial is expected to commence from 31 July on two Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft followed by two Airbus A380s all equipped with the latest Panasonic eX2 In-flight entertainment systems.

The full media release from Singapore Airlines can be read below:

SINGAPORE AIRLINES ANNOUNCES TRIAL TO GO PAPERLESS

In its latest move towards more environmentally-friendly operations, with the ultimate aim of a paperless cabin, Singapore Airlines will progressively introduce an electronic version of magazines on its award-winning KrisWorld inflight entertainment system. As a first step, the Airline will offer in electronic format its three inflight magazines - SilverKris, KrisShop and KrisWorld – as part of a trial with a privately held Singapore-based company, SmarttPapers Aviation Pte Ltd.

SilverKris, SIA’s travel magazine; KrisShop, the Airline’s inflight sales catalogue; and KrisWorld, SIA’s inflight entertainment guide; will be the first publications featured as part of the inflight entertainment system offerings.

The SmarttPapers™ application uses a patented file compression technology to compress and transform magazines and newspaper contents into a digital format for integration into the inflight entertainment system.

In line with efforts to reduce the amount of paper carried on board, thus reducing weight and saving fuel, the Airline aims to extend this initiative to other publications at a later date, including menu cards and the more than 100 international and local magazines currently carried system wide. The plan is also to introduce e-newspapers and e-books on board using the same technology. 

Singapore Airlines will be the first in the world to have this unique feature on its aircraft fleet equipped with the latest Panasonic eX2™ inflight entertainment system (IFE), starting with two Boeing 777-300ERs from 31 July, followed by two Airbus A380s. More A380s and B777-300ERs, as well as other aircraft fitted with the eX2™ system - Airbus A330-300s and A340-500s - will have this feature included in the fleet.

Said Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr Yap Kim Wah, “This opens up a wide range of opportunities to benefit our customers and at the same time results in less weight in the aircraft. E-books and e-magazines have gained popularity and we want to offer these to our customers.”

Added Winston Wei, CEO of SmarttPapers Aviation Pte Ltd, “We are pleased to be chosen by SIA to enable this revolutionary onboard experience. Customers will be able to enjoy a wide range of current and archived publications starting with the Airline’s three inflight magazines in high resolution from the comfort of their seats. Features will include a keyword search, personalised font size and different zooming levels to aid reading.”

Milan was the center stage for an Emirates A380 adorned with a giant AC Milan shirt sticker, to celebrate a 5 year sponsorship deal of the AC Milan Football team by Emirates.

The occasion was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al- Maktoum, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates, Adriano Galliani Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of AC Milan, as well as the Managing Director of Adidas Jean Michel Granier.

The full media release from Emirates can be read below:

DUBAI, U.A.E., 29th July 2010: AC Milan's biggest fan has arrived in Milan for the official launch of the Fly Emirates AC Milan shirt.

An Emirates' A380, adorned with a giant AC Milan shirt sticker, swooped down on Malpensa Airport for the event in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group and Adriano Galliani, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of AC Milan.

They were joined by Adidas Managing Director Jean Michel Granier; Giuseppe Bonomi, President and CEO of SEA which owns Milan Malpensa and members of the AC Milan team including Captain Massimo Ambrosini.

Sheikh Ahmed said: “Today’s official unveiling of the Fly Emirates AC Milan shirt, that will be seen by fans around the world, is emblematic of our passion for the sport of football and Italy.  As we mark the occasion of our new five-year sponsorship agreement with AC Milan, we have made it even more momentous by flying an Emirates' A380 to Milan, providing passengers with an opportunity to experience our super-jumbo product for the first time on the Italy route."

Adriano Galliani, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of AC Milan, said: "This spectacular presentation of our new jersey best summarises the philosophy of the three companies, Adidas, Emirates and Milan, at the top in their fields. I'm sure it's the first time that such a large plane is wearing a soccer jersey. All that will serve as a stimulus to do more and better in the near future."

Adidas Managing Director Jean Michel Granier, said: "The launch of the new AC Milan jersey has always been a very important moment for Adidas and it is the culmination of a long creative process which lasted almost two years. It is also a big responsibility because, for millions of people in Italy and worldwide, the AC Milan jersey is much more than a simple piece of sport apparel; it is a symbol, a sign of belonging, a second skin."

Whilst on the ground in Milan, invited guests and media had the opportunity to tour the Emirates' super-jumbo before the return leg of its journey to Dubai.

The A380 replaced this morning's EK 093 Dubai-Milan service, which departs Terminal 3 at 0735hrs and arrives at 1215hrs in Milan. The A380 is also serving EK 094, which leaves Milan at 1600hrs and reaches Dubai at 0005hrs the following day.
Special menus recognising the unveiling event have been added to today's flights and headrests throughout the 489 seat aircraft have been AC Milan-branded.

The double-decker offers 399 seats in Economy, 76 new generation lie-flat seats in Business Class and 14 First Class Private Suites.

On the upper deck of the aircraft, passengers can enjoy an Onboard Lounge - staffed for the full duration of the flight once the plane reaches cruising altitude. In First Class, customers have the use of two Onboard Shower Spas.

Emirates first signed a sponsorship agreement with AC Milan in September 2007. The following year, the relationship was elevated to Top Institutional Sponsor. The first time that AC Milan fans will see players wearing the Fly Emirates shirt on the pitch is during the Emirates Cup in London, which kicks off on Saturday.

Other teams sponsored by Emirates include Paris Saint Germain Football Club in France, Hamburger SV in Germany, Olympiacos FC in Greece, and Arsenal in the UK. Emirates also holds Official Partner status for the FIFA World Cup™

Singapore Airlines has announced that from 1 August 2010 plans to serve rare Grand Cru Red Burgundy label wines in both Singapore Suites Class and First Class

Wines that will be introduced on Singapore Airlines Suites and First Class include:

• MAZIS-CHAMBERTIN 2001 DOMAINE FAIVELEY
• CLOS VOUGEOT 2004 LOUIS JADOT
•  GRIOTTE-CHAMBERTIN 2004 LOUIS JADOT
• CORTON CLOS DE LA VIGNE AU SAINT 2005 LOUIS LATOUR
• CORTON CLOS DES CORTONS FAIVELEY 2006 FAIVELEY
• LE CORTON 2006 BOUCHARD PERE ET FILS

The full media release from Singapore Airlines can be read below:

SINGAPORE AIRLINES TO SERVE RARE RED BURGUNDY VARIETY IN SUITES AND FIRST CLASS

From 1 August 2010, Singapore Airlines will feature six of the most acclaimed “Grand Cru” Red Burgundy labels in its wine selection available to Suites and First Class customers.  With the introduction, customers on each flight will be able to look forward to a “Grand Cru” Red Burgundy label in addition to the current wine selection. SIA will be the only airline to offer these labels on board.

Red Burgundy is a red wine label originating from the French region of Bourgogne and made predominantly with the popular Pinot Noir grape variety.  Possessing a reputation for being challenging to cultivate, these Pinot Noir grapes are grown around the world, but those from the region of Bourgogne produce some of the finest wines in the world.  The six labels offered by the Airline are classified as “Grand Cru”, a classification that designates a vineyard known for its excellent reputation in producing wine.

Singapore Airlines’ wines are selected by three world-renowned wine experts - Michael Hill-Smith, Australia's first Master of Wine; Jeannie Cho Lee, the first Asian Master of Wine; and Steven Spurrier, a leading authority and author on wine. Singapore Airlines serves approximately 2.1 million bottles of wine on board every year, across all classes.

Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice-President Product and Services, Mr Yap Kim Wah said, “We are very pleased to enhance our current wine selection on board, which also includes the popular and renowned Red Bordeaux labels, with the prestigious “Grand Cru” Red Burgundy labels.  We are also delighted to be able to obtain six different labels to meet the volume required for all our flights and we hope our customers, both wine connoisseurs and non-wine connoisseurs alike, will take the opportunity to try these the next time they fly with us.”

Steven Spurrier, one of the Airline’s three wine consultants, added “As with our second growth Bordeauxs, the reputation and quality of the Grand Cru Burgundies are pretty much as good as we can get. All six labels would be five stars, without question.”  
 

Singapore Airlines’ Suites and First Class customers can also choose from an international selection of beer and liqueurs, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.  This is in addition to the Airline’s exquisite list of champagne of Dom Pérignon 2000 and Krug Grande Cuvée, and selection of top-quality wines including pourings from France, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, as well as port wine from Portugal.

LIST OF RED BURGUNDY LABELS TO BE INTRODUCED

IN SINGAPORE AIRLINES’ SUITES AND FIRST CLASS FROM 1 AUGUST 2010

1)       MAZIS-CHAMBERTIN 2001 DOMAINE FAIVELEY

A beautiful wine, ripe and smooth and a very classy palate; has a good deep colour, good solid middle, very impressive ripeness on the nose that shows the purity and depth of a Grand Cru.

2)       CLOS VOUGEOT 2004 LOUIS JADOT

A fairly substantial wine that is surprisingly open; has a lovely deep ruby colour and intense appealing aromatics of dark berries with a hint of undergrowth and spices; the fruit has good depth and density on the mid-palate with firm but velvety textured tannins.

3)         GRIOTTE-CHAMBERTIN 2004 LOUIS JADOT

A grand and classy wine with great purity and vineyard origin; has a good deep young colour, liquorice spice and fresh red fruits on the nose, really beautiful aromas of crushed red, leafy fruits, terrific vibrancy and lift and lots of grip.

4)       CORTON CLOS DE LA VIGNE AU SAINT 2005 LOUIS LATOUR

A wonderfully balanced and complex wine with a ripe cherry colour and a delicious aroma of red fruits along with more spicy notes that highlight the wine’s natural elegance. It contains finely crafted tannins with a beautiful structure combined with a subtle hint of vanilla oak, resulting in a long and polished finish.

5)       CORTON CLOS DES CORTONS FAIVELEY 2006 FAIVELEY

This wine has a fine robust red berry fruit nose, good depth and is rather concentrated. It has an obvious structure, well-extracted cherry fruit and evidence of oak in the tannic structure.

6)       LE CORTON 2006 BOUCHARD PERE ET FILS

This wine has a fresh youthful ruby red, ripe crushed berry fruit nose and is a very good expression of the Pinot Noir fruit. It is both satiny-smooth and well-structured, with a well-balanced acidity and natural tannins which back up the fruit.

Emirates has appointed Barry Brown the new Emirates Vice President for Australasia, Barry a 23 year veteran of the airline industry has worked in various roles within the region, including Chief Commercial Officer at Oman Air and similar roles at both Sri Lankan Airlines and Hazelton Airlines in Australia.

The full media release from Emirates can be read below:

Emirates appoints new Vice President Australasia

DUBAI, U.A.E., 28th July 2010 - Emirates announced on Wednesday, the appointment of Barry Brown as its Vice President for Australasia.

Brown, originally from Sydney, has more than 23 years experience in the airline industry and in his new role will be responsible for Emirates’ commercial operations in both Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to his appointment at Emirates, Brown was employed as the Chief Commercial Officer with Oman Air and before that he held similar positions with SriLankan Airlines and Hazelton Airlines in Australia.

Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Far East & Australasia, said: “I am pleased to welcome Barry Brown to Emirates as Vice President Australasia and the entire team is looking forward to working with him.

“Barry will be overseeing Emirates’ third largest market; we currently operate 70 flights a week between Dubai and Australia into the four gateways of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

“Emirates also operates 28 flights a week to two gateways in New Zealand, Auckland and Christchurch.”

Brown said, “I am really excited to take on this new role, and to working with the team in this region as we continue to build on the success of Emirates and our commitment to both Australia and New Zealand. We have a lot happening over the next few months including the upgrade to the state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ERs on key routes and the Emirates Melbourne Cup, a race which this year celebrates its 150th running.”

Etihad Airways have announced they will commence flights from the UAE to Seoul South Korea from 12 December 2010.

The service will be operated from a 3 class Airbus A330-200, with 10 First class seats, 26 Business class sets and 164 Economy class seats.

The full media release from Etihad can be read below:

ETIHAD TO COMMENCE SOUTH KOREAN OPERATIONS IN DECEMBER

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced it will commence operations to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on December 12, Seoul will become the 65^th destination on Etihad’s network.

Etihad will operate a daily return service to Seoul’s Incheon Airport from its home base in Abu Dhabi, operating Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route. The Etihad aircraft will be configured with three cabins, offering 2,800 seats each week to and from Seoul. 

James Hogan, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “South Korea is emerging as a key partner for the UAE, and the decision to commence services to Seoul reflects this strengthening partnership. Over the past two years, Korean business has been building a strong presence in the UAE, particularly in the clean energy sector, construction, technology and small to medium enterprises.

“We expect the increasing trade relations between the two countries will lead to growing numbers of business travellers, as well as people from both regions visiting friends and relatives.”

At present, there are over 5,000 Korean nationals living and working in the UAE, as well as a significant number of Korean businesses in operation.

Earlier this year, H.H. Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, visited Seoul to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The visit followed the announcement in December 2009 that a South Korean consortium had won a landmark contract to build and operate four nuclear power reactors in the UAE, worth around US$40 billion.

Mr Hogan said: “These developments are very exciting for the UAE and will play a key role in the Emirates’ evolution. We are committed to supporting trade between the two countries through our passenger and freight services.”

The new service will offer South Korean air travellers convenient onward connections via Abu Dhabi to a number of key destinations across the airline’s global network, including the GCC, Istanbul, Athens, London, Paris and South Africa.

“Etihad Airways is grateful to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the Abu Dhabi Government, along with South Korean Government and its Civil Aviation Authority for their support, which has enabled the planned commencement of these important new services,” Mr Hogan said.

Aircraft configuration: Three class A330-200 – 10 First class/26 Business class/164 Economy class.

Proposed schedule:

Emirates and OnAir have announced plans for Emirates to equip its A380 aircraft with the OnAir In-flight Wi-Fi internet system that will allow passengers to use the internet in-flight.

The roll out is expected to start in the beginning of 2011, and will also allow passengers to make telephone calls and send SMS messages from their standard mobile phone.

The full media release from Emirates & OnAir can be read below:

EMIRATES SELECTS ONAIR

Complete inflight connectivity solution to be installed on Emirates’ flagship Airbus A380 aircraft

Geneva, Switzerland, 20 July 2010 – Emirates and OnAir today announced an agreement to install full Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir in-flight passenger communications services on their Airbus A380 aircraft fleet. All 90 of the flagship, double-decker aircraft operating on long-haul intercontinental routes will be equipped with the system

This will allow passengers to use their mobile phones, smart phones and BlackBerrytm devices onboard Emirates A380 aircraft to make voice calls, send SMS text messages or utilise data services wirelessly to their iPodtm, iPhonetm , iPadtm and laptops equipped with GPRS modems.

The first OnAir-equipped Emirates Airbus 380 will come into service in June 2012.

Emirates will commence installation of the OnAir connectivity features on its A380 aircraft at the beginning of 2011, allowing passengers to access the internet via WIFI on personal portable devices such as laptops, smartphones and mobile telephones. Mobile OnAir along with Inmarsat uses the industry’s most advanced and extensive infrastructure for mobile communications, providing Emirates passengers global connectivity.

“Emirates inflight entertainment system is a consistent global award winner and we are constantly looking to enhance the services we provide to our passengers,” stated Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline. “Our decision to install a full set of in-flight connectivity services is part of our on-going effort to provide customers with the real-time access to information that they demand.”

“Emirates have established themselves as pioneers of in-flight connectivity. We are very proud that after rigorous evaluation, they have chosen OnAir technology for their flagship aircraft fleet,” said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. “In choosing SwiftBroadband technology, Emirates benefit from a powerful platform combining cockpit and cabin communications – and one that offers further evolution into the future, should market demand require.”

Emirates passengers will be able to stay connected in-flight using their own mobile phones or smartphones to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages and emails, and access the Internet. Using the Internet OnAir service, passengers will be able to access the Internet just as they do on the ground by connecting their laptops via wireless connection.

OnAir has operated more than 120,000 fully connected flights to date to over 300 cities operating to 75 countries across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and has signed agreements with more than 25 customers worldwide.

OnAir also serves corporate jets, private VIP and Governmental customers.

British Airways have just announce that British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia have been granted anti-trust immunity from the US Department of Transportation to operate transatlantic flights as a joint business.

With this decision CEOs from each of the three airlines said that this announcement would increase competition on transatlantic flights which would benefit customers and employees of the companies.

In addition Finnair and Royal Jordanian have also received antitrust immunity from the US Department of Transportation

The full media release from British Airways can be read below:

GREEN LIGHT FOR TRANSATLANTIC JOINT BUSINESS


British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia have received the regulatory green light to operate a joint business on transatlantic flights. Following European Union approval on July 14, the airlines have now been granted anti-trust immunity from the US Department of Transportation.

British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh, said: “This final approval is fantastic news for all three airlines and the oneworld alliance. We’ve waited 14 years to bring the benefits of the transatlantic joint business to our customers and level the playing field with the other two global alliances.  As we have argued all along, the EU-US market is highly competitive and Heathrow’s liberalisation in 2008 opened it up even further. We are delighted that the US and EU authorities have recognised this.

“We’re pleased that the DOT and EU have worked together to ensure that there is consistency in the number of slots that the three airlines have to give up for our competitors to use on services from Heathrow to the US.”

American Airlines chief executive, Gerard Arpey, said: “This is a great day for the customers, employees and shareholders of American Airlines and our joint business partners in the oneworld alliance. We thank all of the regulators who reviewed our proposals, both here in the United States and in Europe, and all those persons and organisations that supported us in this effort. We look forward to delivering enhanced competition for customers on transatlantic flights. By working collaboratively, we will enhance our product offerings, strengthen our route networks and better position our airlines to compete in an ever-changing global aviation marketplace.”

Iberia’s executive chairman, Antonio Vazquez, said: “We’re delighted we have received approval for our joint business as it will be very positive for our employees, our shareholders and, most important of all, our customers. A new kind of collaboration between our three airlines will lead to better service levels for our customers. This means that our customers will have more destinations to choose from around the world, better scheduled travel times, better connections and more competitive fares. I am convinced that consolidation is the best and only way to succeed in the airline industry, and the approval we have received today to create a joint business is a very important step towards this consolidation process.”

The airlines plan to launch the transatlantic joint business this autumn and will co-operate commercially on flights between the EU, Switzerland and Norway and the US, Canada and Mexico. Customers will be able to travel more easily on all three airlines’ combined route network that will serve 433 destinations in 105 countries with 5,178 daily departures, providing more frequent and convenient schedule options than any of the three carriers could offer individually.  By working together, the airlines will expand customer choice by supporting routes that would not be economically viable for a single airline.

Customers will also benefit from greater access to discounted fares, expanded opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and elite tier benefits on flights and continued reciprocal airport lounge access.

 
Fellow oneworld members Finnair and Royal Jordanian also received antitrust immunity from the US Department of Transportation.

Further details of the Qantas Next Generation Check-in system have been announced in the lad up to the systems launch in Perth next week.

The Qantas Next Generation Check-in system will feature a new smart card based frequent flyer card that will be used for both check-in and boarding along with a state of the art baggage drop facility that will feature the electronic Q Bag tag.

The trial of the next generation check-in system will begin in Perth next week and will be progressively built and rolled out to Sydney and other Capitals from late 2010.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

AUSTRALIAN DESIGNER MARC NEWSON DESIGNS QANTAS NEXT GENERATION CHECK-IN

SYDNEY, 20 July 2010: Qantas today announced it had worked closely with Marc Newson in the design of its new Next Generation Check-in experience, which will launch in Perth next week.

Qantas Executive Manager Customer Experience, Ms Alison Webster, said the Next Generation Check-in elements had been developed with Qantas Creative Director Marc Newson, who provided creative direction on each of the components, including design and aesthetics.

“Next Generation Check-in has been designed to deliver an enhanced check-in experience for our customers – providing greater speed and ease through the airport terminal by eliminating airport queuing,” Ms Webster said.

“With this in mind, careful consideration has been given to the functionality, aesthetics, and ease of use for both our customers and airport employees.

“The Next Generation Check-in experience will feature product elements developed for Qantas by Blue Sky Design Group in conjunction with Marc Newson, including a new Qantas Frequent Flyer Card, Q Card Reader and Bag Drop facility. The Q Bag Tag, a world first, was designed exclusively for Qantas by Marc Newson.”

The new Qantas Frequent Flyer Card features an “intelligent Q” smart chip and will act as a permanent boarding pass, replacing eligible customers’ existing Frequent Flyer cards. The card will be used at various points throughout the experience, including at check-in, at bag drop, and to board the aircraft.

Customers arriving at the airport who have not yet checked in online or via their mobile device, will be able to simply touch their card at an all-new Q Card Reader located throughout the check-in hall. The simple and clean design of the Q Card Reader will provide both visual and audible recognition of successful check-in.

All customers travelling with bags will be able to use the new Bag Drop service at Next Generation Check-in airports. The Bag Drop injector has been designed to ensure the Bag Drop process is simple and quick for all customers and will eliminate queuing for those travelling with bags.

The new Kiosks with enhanced functionality will be customised in colour and trim by Marc Newson.

The Q Bag Tag features world first enhanced baggage technology and Qantas is the first airline in the world to introduce this technology. The tag was exclusively designed by Marc Newson for Qantas, and will be introduced later in 2010.

Throughout the Perth trial of Next Generation Check-in, construction and training will continue in Sydney, which will be ready to launch later in 2010, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra in 2011. The program is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2011.

About Marc Newson

Australian Marc Newson is one of the most influential designers in the world today. His association with Qantas began with the award-winning Skybed International Business sleeper seat in 2003. As Qantas Creative Director, Marc oversees all Qantas product development, including aircraft interiors, onboard product and lounges. Marc's designs are an integral part of most major permanent museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, London's Design Museum, Musée National d'Art Moderne – Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

About Blue Sky

Blue Sky is a young, dynamic and leading Australian design consultancy. With international exposure, the company has undertaken projects in the fields of consumer electronics, domestic appliances, white goods, medical equipment, lighting systems, sporting goods and information technology products. Qantas commissioned Blue Sky to create the Next Generation Check-in environment because of their innovative design techniques and their ability to bring this unique vision to life.

From today, an online demonstration providing a step-by-step guide to Next Generation Check-in will be available on qantas.com/nextgenerationcheckin

British Airways announce that design and planning for the British Airways 787 Dreamliner is well underway

The full media release from British Airways can be read below:

Qantas have announced that they plan to introduce a new Inflight Entertainment program from August on both their Domestic and International services. The new program will feature two new hosts Melbourne Model Pia Miller and TV Presenter David Whitehill.

Along with this they have also announced that Qantas A380 passengers will be able to use the inflight entertainment system for longer, with the system being made available from the moment a passenger is boards a Qantas A380 aircraft until the moment they depart, with this change headsets will be head sets will be handed out and collected at both boarding and disembark.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

QANTAS LAUNCHES NEW INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

SYDNEY, 15 July 2010: Qantas today announced it would launch a new inflight entertainment program on all Qantas domestic and international flights from August.

As part of the refresh of its inflight entertainment, Qantas introduced two new hosts to its inflight program Welcome Aboard; well known Melbourne model and presenter Pia Miller and television travel presenter David Whitehill.

Pia and David will present the latest lifestyle news, product innovations and special offers from Qantas each month.

Qantas had previously worked with both Pia and David, Pia as Ambassador for the 2010 Formula 1™ Qantas Australian Grand Prix and David who brought us all the news from South Africa on the Qantas Socceroos, and knew they were the right choice for Welcome Aboard.

From next month, Welcome Aboard, (the Qantas inflight program which offers passengers the latest travel and lifestyle news from across the Qantas network), will have a new look and graphics, a new contemporary style and will feature more destinations across Australia.

Qantas has also commissioned young emerging artist Vanessa Jade to produce a theme song titled My My for its domestic inflight entertainment. Recorded this month in Sydney, the song is an acoustic style track, contemporary and upbeat.

Also new to the Qantas inflight entertainment team is respected finance consultant Alan Kohler who will present Talking Business and one of Australia’s most versatile, well known composers and conductors, Guy Nobel, will now host the symphony channel.

This month Qantas will also provide customers with the ability to enjoy Qantas’ inflight entertainment on its A380 fleet for longer, making the entertainment system available from the moment customers board the aircraft until the moment they disembark.

To accompany this offering, headsets will not be collected from passengers until after disembarkation. Qantas will roll out this offering to a number of international and domestic fleets in the future.

Qantas today announced the opening of a new Domestic Transfer Facility at Sydney International airport, the new facility will is 50% larger than the current facility and features a larger check in area with 6 additional check-in counters.

The new facility located on the arrivals level at Sydney International Airport will operate shuttle buses transferring passengers to the Domestic Terminal every 10 minutes during peak times and every 20 minutes during off-peak times.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

Qantas Launches New Domestic Transfer Facility

Sydney, 14 July 2010

Qantas today launched its new Sydney Domestic Transfer Facility at Sydney International Airport.

Qantas Group Executive Customer and Marketing, Ms Lesley Grant, said Qantas customers now transferring from international to domestic flights will enjoy a new purpose built transfer facility, which will provide faster transfer to Qantas domestic flights.

“The new transfer facility is fifty per cent larger than the current facility and includes a new spacious check-in area, six additional check-in counters and an additional bag drop area,” said Ms Grant.

“Additional check-in staff and counters will ensure Qantas customers are transferred to their domestic flight quickly for passengers to meet their connecting domestic flights.

“An express bag drop facility will provide an even quicker transfer for customers who have their onward boarding passes and bags tagged to their final destination.”

Similar to regular check-in at the airport, the new transfer facility will house both premium and economy check-in counters. It also offers increased seating capacity.

The new purpose built facility remains on the arrivals level at Sydney International Airport, and the process for customers transferring remains the same.

The shuttle bus continues to operate between the international terminal and domestic terminals every ten minutes during peak times and every twenty minutes during off peak times.

Qantas have announced that that they expect to receive the first of their 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in mid 2012.

The first 15 Qantas 787 Dreamliners will actually fly under the Jetstar international brand and will allow the carrier to further expand into southern European and Asian networks.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

QANTAS TO RECEIVE FIRST BOEING 787 IN 2012

SYDNEY, 14 July 2010: Qantas today announced it would receive the first of 50 Boeing 787

Dreamliners – a B787-8 series aircraft – in mid-2012.

The change follows an agreement reached with Boeing to bring forward the delivery of eight B787-8s by around two years. The first aircraft will be used by Jetstar for its international operations.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said the Qantas Group had firm orders for 50 B787s in place, and remained the second largest airline customer for the Dreamliner.

“Today’s announcement confirms that the B787, with its new technologies and improved fuel efficiency, is still very much the right aircraft – for both Qantas and Jetstar,” Mr Joyce said.

“It will be ideal for point-to-point flying on medium density routes, both short and long haul and will allow Jetstar to move into southern Europe as well as build on its Asian network.

“It will also be suitable for Qantas services into Asia, and even for high traffic routes on Qantas’ domestic network.

“This is further confirmation that Qantas remains committed to growing both our airline brands by renewing our fleet and improving flexibility of our domestic and international operations.

“We will also continue to have the capability to maintain and grow our share of the Australian market.

“The phased delivery of 50 B787s will deliver lower operating and maintenance costs, greater fuel efficiency and improved environmental performance to both airlines.

“The 787s will also deliver benefits for passengers with larger windows, higher humidity and a lower cabin altitude pressure improving the flying experience.”

The change to the Group’s B787 order will see*:

• Qantas Group firm orders remain at 50 aircraft, comprising 15 B787-8s and 35 B787-9s;
• the first eight aircraft – all B787-8s – delivered from mid-2012; 
• the remaining seven B787-8s, along with 35 B787-9s, to follow from 2014, allowing for the retirement of Qantas’ remaining B767-300ER fleet and providing for international growth for Jetstar or Qantas; and
• Qantas retain the ability to purchase up to 50 additional aircraft.

The Group’s first 15 B787s will be delivered to Jetstar for international growth which will also enable the transfer of A330-200s from Jetstar to Qantas and the retirement of Qantas B767-300ERs.

Jetstar will configure the B787-8 fleet for its low fare international operations to accommodate 313 passengers in two classes that includes its international business class, StarClass.

* delivery timeframes are based on current Boeing planning guidance and may be subject to change.

Singapore Airlines was recently announced the best airline for the third year in a row by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) at the recent 2010 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards held at the Westin Hotel Sydney.

The full media release from Singapore Airlines can be read below:

Singapore Airlines wins Best Airline third year running

For the third consecutive year, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has awarded Singapore Airlines (SIA) the prestigious Best Airline International Online Award at the 2010 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards on Saturday night.

SIA reinforced its position as the world’s most awarded airline and fought off competition from a number of esteemed finalists including Qantas, Emirates, V Australia and Air New Zealand. Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Subhas Menon, said the Airline was thrilled by the recognition from AFTA and added the award underlined the Airline’s enduring strive towards consistency, reliability and service excellence.

"In yet another year of unprecedented impact on the travel industry, commencing with the GFC and culminating with airspace closures due to volcanic activity in Europe, the travel industry has worked tirelessly to re-establish itself and get back into groove.”

“We are elated that once again, we have been recognised by the Australian travel trade. We would like to thank them for their support. Singapore Airlines’ third triumph as the Best International Airline is a result of the commitment and contributions of our dedicated staff as well as the collaboration and professionalism of travel agents across Australia,” Mr Menon said.

A total of 950 guests attended the awards event at the Westin Hotel Sydney, where 28 awards were announced at the industry’s night of nights. In addition to the celebrated gala event, SIA also sponsored the first ever AFTA NTIA after party.

Singapore Airlines continued to bolster its services in 2009/10, including carrying out the first multi-sector demonstration flight under the ASPIRE programme, which aims to promote environmental stewardship in the region.

Singapore Airlines, is the first to fly the A380 which flies daily each from Sydney and Melbourne to Singapore as well as London, Paris, Zurich, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Singapore Airlines also inaugurated flights to Munich earlier this year and later in 2010 will fly to Haneda in Tokyo City from Singapore. Last month the Airline announced the delivery of new aircraft and a flight simulator to the Singapore Flying College’s Maroochydore base, highlighting the Airline’s ongoing commitment to the Australian market, which it has served for more than 40 years.

Greek Airline Aegean Airlines officially joined the Star Alliance Airline Network at a ceremony in Athens.

Aegean is now the 28 member of the Star Alliance and their joining comes just months after Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines joined the alliance in May.

The full media release from the Star Alliance can be read below:

AEGEAN AIRLINES JOINS STAR ALLIANCE NETWORK

Connecting Greece to the World

Improved Access to Greek Vacation Hotspots

ATHENS, Greece – June 30th, 2010 – At a ceremony held in Athens today, Aegean Airlines was accepted into the Star Alliance network as the 28^th member.

Theodore Vassilakis, Chairman of Aegean Airlines said: “Joining Star Alliance is an honour and a great opportunity for Aegean. As of today our customers will enjoy recognition, loyalty benefits and end-on-end global service that Star Alliance is renowned for. At the same time, there will be a ‘star’ on the map, showing that services and access to Greece have been significantly upgraded.”

Aegean Airlines completed the integration and systems upgrade process in a short 12 months, following its acceptance as future member in May 2009.

Jaan Albrecht, CEO Star Alliance said: “AEGEAN brings a wealth of experience and an extensive domestic and international route network to the alliance family. For alliance members, Greece is an important travel market where Athens can be built into a major hub airport with growing connection traffic. It has already become an important player in the Southeast European area and we fully expect entry into Star Alliance will support its further development.”

Connecting Greece to the World

Greece is of strategic importance due to its geographic position in the eastern Mediterranean, acting as the main southeastern access point into the European Union. With AEGEAN, the Star Alliance network to/from/within Greece now covers more than 1,500 weekly flights to 69 destinations in 27 countries.

Moreover, the large Greek communities spread across more than 100 countries – such as the U.S, the U.K., Australia, Germany and Canada – now enjoy the advantages provided by an airline alliance when visiting friends and families.

Also, the business community in Greece will now be able to make use of Star Alliance Frequent Flyer benefits both on domestic flights, as well as on multiple carrier itineraries when travelling across Europe and overseas.

Greece is also an important meetings and conventions market. Hence, the inclusion of AEGEAN into both Star Alliance Convention Plus and Meetings Plus will provide for new business opportunities.

Improved Access to Greek Vacation Hotspots

Greece is undoubtedly one of the most sought after vacation destinations. Not only will AEGEAN provide seamless travel to over 17 domestic destinations, but through the inclusion of these in the Star Alliance Europe Airpass, as well as in the very popular Round-the-World fare, flights to these destinations are now available at very attractive prices.  By the same token, Frequent Flyers can redeem their miles to travel to this wide array of new destinations in the Star Alliance network.

Publicly listed Aegean Airlines began operations some 11 years ago and now operates a fleet of 30 aircraft covering a total of 54 domestic and international routes on more than 150 daily flights. Specifically, 26 routes in Greece are covered, as well as another 28 international routes. Since 2008, AEGEAN has become the largest Greek airline in terms of passengers.

About Star Alliance:

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller.  Its acceptance by the market has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award, Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue1, bmi, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Air India has been announced as a future member. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers over 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries.

About Aegean Airlines:
Aegean Airlines is the largest Greek carrier, carrying 6.6 million passengers in 2009, an increase of 10% over 2008.  After taking delivery of 22 new Airbus A320/321, the company operates a fleet of 30 aircraft.  Within its ten year scheduled services history AEGEAN has been awarded six times by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) in recognition of its operating performance, commercial success and commitment to customer comfort and satisfaction. Additionally, AEGEAN has been repeatedly awarded by the Athens International Airport as the single largest contributor to the airport’s passenger growth. AEGEAN has also received the Skytrax World Airline award as the best regional airline in Europe for 2009. In February 2010 the shareholders of Aegean and recently privatized and re-fleeted Olympic Air entered into an agreement that, once approved by EC authorities, will eventually lead to the merging of the two companies.

Boeing Today announced that it had completed firm configuration of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which involved years of collaboration with airline customers and partners to determine the final configuration of the stretched version of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The full media release from Boeing can be read below:

Boeing today announced the completion of firm configuration for the 787-9 Dreamliner. Boeing reached this milestone after years of collaboration with airline customers and partners to determine the optimal configuration for the new stretch version of the Dreamliner.

"Firm configuration means the airplane's structural, propulsion and systems architectures are defined and not changing," said Mark Jenks, vice president of 787-9 development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Boeing has completed the trade studies required to finalize the airplane's overall capability and basic design, allowing the airplane manufacturer and its suppliers to begin detailed design of parts, assemblies and other systems for the 787-9. As detailed designs are completed and released, production can begin. The first 787-9 delivery is scheduled for late 2013.

"We have a disciplined process in place to ensure we have completed all of the requirements for the development stage of the program," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The team has done a fantastic job to get us through this important milestone."

The 787-9 is the second member of the 787 family. A slightly bigger version of the 787-8, the airplane will seat 250-290 passengers, 16 percent more than the 787-8. The 787-9 will have a range of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 km).

"We have been working closely with our customers for years to reach this milestone," said Mark Jenks, vice president of 787-9 development. "We are excited about the performance and capability this airplane will offer our customers."

The 787 Dreamliner is an all-new twinjet designed to meet the needs of airlines around the world in providing nonstop service between midsize cities with new levels of efficiency. The airplane will bring improved levels of comfort to passengers with larger windows, bigger baggage bins and advances in the cabin environment, including lower cabin altitude, higher humidity and cleaner air. Delivery of the first 787 is planned for the fourth quarter of 2010.

American Airlines has announced that it has expanded its mobile boarding pass system to an additional four Airports

The American Airlines mobile boarding pass system is now available for use at these additional airports:

• London Heathrow – LHR
• Colorado Springs – COS
• San Jose – SJC
• Washington Reagan – DCA

In total the American Airlines Mobile boarding pass system is now available for use in a total of 42 Airports both in the US and overseas.

The full media release from American Airlines can be read below:

American Airlines Expands Mobile Boarding Passes for Use With Mobile Phones or Smartphones to Four More Airports

London Heathrow Airport First International Location to Implement Mobile Boarding

Now at 42 Airports, Customers Can Avoid Printing a Paper Boarding Pass and Instead Simply Show Barcode on Mobile Phone or Smartphone at Security or Gate

American Airlines customers departing from London Heathrow (LHR), Colorado Springs (COS), San Jose (SJC) and Washington Reagan (DCA) can now save time and paper by choosing to receive boarding passes electronically on their mobile phones or smartphones.

Mobile boarding passes, which use a two-dimensional (2-D) barcode, were rolled out in partnership with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 2008 and are currently available to travelers departing on American Airlines and American Eagle flights from 42 airports.

"We know our customers are mobile by definition, which is why the option to use personal devices to expedite travel has been so popular with our customers over the past two years," said Andrew Watson, American's Vice President – Customer Technology. "Eligible passengers departing from London Heathrow or one of the 41 U.S. cities that currently offer the program now have the option to avoid printing a paper boarding pass and choose instead to have their boarding pass displayed on their mobile device, thereby speeding the process at the airport, and helping the environment by saving paper."

The mobile boarding pass process is simple. When customers check in for their flight using AA.com and opt to receive their boarding pass on their cell phones or smartphones, they will receive an e-mail with an Internet link to the boarding pass. Customers must have an active e-mail address where their boarding pass can be sent and an Internet-enabled mobile device where the 2-D barcode can be received. The mobile boarding pass contains a 2-D barcode that can be scanned at security checkpoints and at American Airlines gates. At the airport, customers simply scan their cell phone or smartphone screen when going through Security (proper identification must be presented) and when boarding, just as they would a traditional paper boarding pass. Customers who wish to check bags can also use the electronic option by scanning the boarding pass on their cell phone or smartphone screen at American Airlines self-service machines, ticket counters, or curbside check-in facilities.

At this time, customers who opt to use the electronic boarding pass may list only one person in their reservation. They must be traveling on American or American Eagle to a U.S. destination from one of the 42 participating airports on a nonstop or same-plane direct flight or connecting flight through a participating mobile-boarding airport. Domestic destinations include those within the United States, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. London Heathrow is the first international location to offer the program, and American Airlines is one of the first carriers to roll out the mobile boarding pass technology in the U.K.

Customers who check in online and wish to print a paper boarding pass are still able to do so. At the end of the online check-in process on AA.com, customers can  choose how they would like to receive their boarding pass by selecting either "Print" (customers can print the pass at that time, or use a self-service check-in machine to print at the airport), "E-mail for Print" (boarding pass is e-mailed and customers can print at their convenience), or "E-mail for use on Cell Phone or Other Device" (customers receive an electronic boarding pass via e-mail on their cell phone or mobile device, which would then be presented at the airport).

American Airlines is a founding member of the global oneworld® Alliance. For more information on mobile boarding passes, including instructions on how to use the system, visit www.aa.com/mobileboarding.

Air France has announced from next week it intends to start flights Air France Premium Voyageur Class to both Boston and Doaula.

Premium Voyageur is Air France’s Premium Economy Class, from next week Air France will operate Premium Voyageur class to the following destinations:

• Abidjan
• Beirut
• Boston
• Doala
• Mumbai
• Cairo
• Dakar
• Detroit
• Dubai
• New York Newark
• Buenos Aires
• Rio de Janeiro
• Hong Kong
• Washington
• Houston
• Seoul
• Luanda
• Los Angeles
• Libreville
• Lagos
• Mexico City
• Tokyo
• Yaoundé
• Chicago
• Beijing
• Port Harcourt
• Shanghai
• Sao Paulo
• Singapore
• Montreal

The full media release from Air France can be read below:

Premium Voyageur: 2 new destinations

Air France continues the deployment of the Premium Voyageur cabin class on its long-haul network. Next week two additional Air France destinations, Boston and Doaula, will be operated with aircraft equipped with this new intermediate cabin.

Premium Voyageur will be available to seven destinations in the United States - Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Newark, and Washington - and nine in Africa: Abidjan, Dakar, Cairo, Douala, Libreville, Johannesburg, Lagos, Luanda and Yaoundé. 

Today Premium Voyageur is available on over half of Air France’s international long-haul network. All international Boeing 777-200s and 777-300s are equipped with this cabin class from now on and so will all the Airbus A330s and A340s by the end of this year. By then, the whole of the Air France international network will have Premium Voyageur available. 

Premium Voyageur, an intermediate cabin class, is designed for business customers that presently travel in economy class but are seeking additional comfort at a lower fare than business class.  

With Premium Voyageur, Air France completes its product offer on its long-haul network and adapts its range of products to suit customers’ new requirements. At an extremely competitive fare, customers have a private cabin with 40% extra space, a 48cm-wide seat that reclines to 123° in a fixed shell.  

This new product has received high customer satisfaction and is appreciated for the enhanced comfort and good value for money it offers.

70% of customers would recommend it to their friends.  

Destinations operated with Premium Voyageur today:

Abidjan, Beirut, Boston, Doala, Mumbai, Cairo, Dakar, Detroit, Dubai, New York Newark, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Washington, Houston, Seoul, Luanda, Los Angeles, Libreville, Lagos, Mexico City, Tokyo, Yaoundé, Chicago, Beijing, Port Harcourt, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Singapore and Montreal

Lufthansa has reopened its renovated Frankfurt lounge and it is bigger and better than ever. The new lounge is close to 1,400 square meters in size and includes the first ever Jet Friends kids lounge located next to the customary comfort, bistro and work areas.

The full media release from Lufthansa can be read below:

Biggest Lufthansa lounge at Frankfurt Airport

First dedicated lounge area for children / Summer special for frequent flyers

Spacious with even more room and variety – all that and more add to the attraction of the Lufthansa Business Lounge in Departure Area B at Frankfurt Airport after extensive renovation. Newly reopened right on time as the holiday season gets underway, the lounge will spring a surprise on passengers at the Terminal in the shape of a very special innovation: On an area of close to 1,400 square metres, the lounge offers a first-ever “Jet Friends” lounge for children alongside the customary comfort, bistro and work areas.

Besides a spacious comfort area equipped with leather armchairs and TVs, the bistro in the completely refurbished lounge serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, fruit and meals in a menu that varies with the time of day. In a separate rest room, guests can unwind and relax in peace and quiet or get some work finished in preparation for a business appointment at their destination. They can also freshen up in one of the five shower rooms in the bathroom area.

Fun and games in the first “JetFriends” children’s lounge

The biggest Lufthansa lounge in the airline’s global route network has a surprise in store for children on the move: The youngest among its clientele now have their own dedicated area to romp about in and play. A kids’ corner and playpen will keep the very young quietly occupied, while drawing tables, bean bags, a PC with Internet access and game consoles are available for the older children. For their entertainment, the lounge also has a children’s cinema with comfortable leather benches.

Summer special for frequent travellers

Frequent flyers can also make use of a very special offer at the start of the holiday season: Between 24 June and 31 August, they will have the chance of taking their family with them into Lufthansa Business Lounges for a fee of 40 Euros (56 AUS dollars) and make their journey that much more pleasant and relaxed. The offer is valid for spouses or partners and children up the age of 18 in all Lufthansa Business Lounges in Germany and the USA.

Lufthansa lounges, worldwide

The Lufthansa lounge world encompasses around 60 lounges, worldwide, with total floor space of more than 28,000 square metres. Depending on their booking class and customer status, Lufthansa passengers can spend time prior to their flight, unwind, freshen up or work in four different lounge types – First Class, Senator and Business lounges or the Welcome Lounge in Frankfurt. Together with more than 800 lounges made available to Lufthansa passengers by Star Alliance and cooperation partners, Lufthansa offers premium customers a lounge network that ranks among the biggest in the world. To expand and enhance that offer, the airline is investing around 150 million Euros up to 2013 in the construction of new lounges or lounge refurbishment.

Currently, Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines operate flights via 12 getaways from five origins in Australia. Within Europe, the Group’s airlines fly to over 150 destinations, offering Australia traveller the most extended network of all airlines.

Japan Airlines in Australia has announced that for a limited period it is offering Australian registered Japan Airlines Mileage Bank members an additional 10Kg of checked baggage.

This limited campaign will apply to the following travel and registration periods:

•  Flights departing 1 July 2010 to 30 September 2010
• Campaign registration 28 June 2010 to 27 September 2010

To be eligible for this promotion passengers must meet these campaign requirements:

• Be an Australian registered Japan Mileage Bank Member
• Have Purchased and adult one-way or return ticket from Australia to Japan (Tickets to destinations other than Japan are exclude from this campaign)
• Have the ticket issued in Australia
• Have the ticket issued on a JAL ticket number (Beginning 131)
• Register for this campaign 3 days before departure

The following are not eligible:

• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank (JMB) and other airline award tickets
• Group fares
• Child and infant fares
• Tickets issues outside Australia
• Ticket issued on another airlines ticket number
• Flights operated by another Carrier (e.g. Australian domestic flights)

Please speak to your Australian local travel agent to take advantage of this campaign, and for more information and to register for this campaign refer to the following website http://www.au.jal.com Or call 1300 525 287

The Accor hotel group has announced plans for two new Pullman hotels in Southeast Asia, the Pullman Kuala Lumpur and the Pullman Saigon Center will both target luxury and business travelers from around the world.

The Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar will be Accor’s largest hotel in Southeast Asia with 515 rooms, the Pullman Hotel Kuala Lumpur is due to open in July 2011

The Pullman Saigon Center will featuer 300 rooms, will be located in District 1 on Tran Hung Dao street and is set to open in 2013

The full media release from the Accor Hotel Group can be read below:  

Accor to open signature Pullman hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Saigon

The Accor Group announced two major projects for its 5-star Pullman brand – Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar, and Pullman Saigon Centre.

Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar will be the largest Pullman hotel in Southeast Asia with 515 rooms, three restaurants, two bars and extensive meeting and leisure facilities. The hotel, which is scheduled to open in July 2011, is currently under construction. It is located close to Menara Telekom and Midvalley Mega Mall.

It will be the third Pullman in Malaysia, following the opening of Pullman Putrajaya and Pullman Kuching in the past two years. Accor is looking for additional Pullman projects in other key Malaysian destinations including Penang, Langkawi and Port Dickson.

Vietnam is another destination targeted for significant development of the Pullman brand.

Pullman Saigon Centre is the latest Accor signing in Vietnam. The Pullman will be a 300-room hotel, with contemporary architecture and chic interiors, and a highly attractive location in the city centre in District One on Tran Hung Dao,

Pullman Saigon Centre will target business, conference and leisure travelers from around the world and will help fill the continuing demand for upscale accommodation in the city.

When completed in 2013, Pullman Saigon Centre will comprise 300 rooms, 1,500 sqm of ballroom and meeting facilities, two restaurants, a bar, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. 

Three are three other Pullman hotels under development in Vietnam – in Vungtau, Sapa and Lao Cai. Accor is already the largest international operator in Vietnam with 14 hotels currently in the network, and with an additional 12 under development.

Qatar Airways has announced that they plan to expand flights and services into Vietnam with the existing Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) service increasing to a daily service, in addition to this for the first time Qatar will be flying to Hanoi via Bangkok.

The three new flights between Doha and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) will commence operation from 1 November 2010 and will operate via Bangkok Thailand. These new services along with the existing four times a week direct services will result in daily services to Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to the additional Saigon flights, Qatar Airways will also introduce a four times a week Doha to Hanoi service (via Bangkok Thailand) that will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, just like the new services to SGN the Hanoi service will begin operation from 1 November 2010.

After 1 November 2010 the total number of services operating into Vietnam will total 11, as follows:

• Doha Ho Chi Minh Direct 4 Flights per week
• Doha Ho Chi Minh via Bangkok 3 Flights per week
• Doha Hanoi via Bangkok 4 flights per week

Qatar Airways senior vice president, Commercial East Asia and Southwest Pacific, Marwan Koleilat said that Vietnam was a key growth market for the airline.

“Qatar Airways is delighted to be expanding in Vietnam with the country forging ahead and experiencing rapid economic development,” he said in the announcement.
 

“The new route to Hanoi and the boosting of our Ho Chi Minh City flights to daily services demonstrate the confidence that Qatar Airways has in Vietnam.”

“We have a serious commitment to the Vietnamese people not only to bring tourists to Vietnam, who will contribute to the economy, but to also provide the traveling public access a growing global network and world class airline services.”

Sydney International Airport has announced the introduction of a new 15 minute parking zone at the Sydney International Terminal Car Park.

The new zone will allow greater flexibility when picking-up passengers at Sydney’s International Airport, and will operate in a similar method to the 10 minute free parking pickup zone that was implemented at Sydney’s Domestic Terminal 2 last year.

The full media release from the Sydney Airport can be read below:

Sydney Airport has announced that a free 0 -15 minutes time band has been introduced at the International Terminal’s car park.

This is a significant change as previously vehicles which used the car park for less than 15 minutes paid the 0 - 30 minute rate of $7.

The CEO of Sydney Airport, Russell Balding, said that the new free 0 -15 minutes time band would be welcomed by people who were using the car park to pick-up an arriving passenger.

“This change has been made following the successful introduction last year of the T2 Domestic Terminal pick-up area.  The initiative at T2 received a very favourable response so we reviewed the situation at the International Terminal to see what we could do there to improve the user experience,” Mr Balding said.

“The previous arrangements were put in place when the airport was owned by the Australian Government.  They did so for sound operational and security reasons: to manage congestion at the terminal frontage.  

“We looked at the existing situation and are confident that we can make this change without any impact on the terminal frontage.  While the free 0 – 15 minutes time band has been introduced, there is:

• no change to arrangements for dropping passengers off on the Departures Roadway
• no change to the prohibition of pick-ups on the Departures Roadway or the Arrivals Court Road
• no change to the parking fees for other daily time bands at the International Terminal
• no change to the fees or arrangements that apply at the Domestic Multi Storey Car Park
• no change to other ground transport fees for taxis and shuttle buses

“Along with the recent upgrades to the International Terminal, this new free 0 -15 minutes time band will improve the experience for travellers at Sydney Airport.  

“I hope that the NSW Government will support this action by improving the availability and affordability of public transport services to and from the airport.

“Only a minority of passengers, about 13%, use the car park.  The majority of people use other transport options including train, taxis, bus and shuttle bus services, limousine services and rental cars.  There are lots of transport choices for people to consider.

“Sydney Airport has been a long-term advocate for improving public transport services to the airport and has been lobbying the NSW Government to provide additional bus routes and to lower the train fare,” Mr Balding said.  

Etihad Airways has expanded the introduction of their self service kiosks at Abu Dhabi Airport, the this expanded service will allow an Etihad passenger to enter their Etihad Frequent Flyer card, type in their booking reference or e ticket number, and then scan their Passport at which point they will be able to chose their seat and print boarding pass & baggage tags.

There are currently 8 self service check-in terminals in the economy check-in area and two in the T3 Premium check-in area.

The full media release from Etihad can be read below:

ETIHAD LAUNCHES SELF SERVICE KIOSKS AT HOME-BASE

Etihad Airways continues to expand its customer ground services with the launch of dedicated self service check-in kiosks at Abu Dhabi airport’s Terminal 3. Etihad customers can now also use the kiosks at Terminal 1.

Customers of the UAE’s national airline have access to eight kiosks in the economy check-in area of Terminal 3, and there are two kiosks in the T3 premium check-in area.

To use the kiosks, customers simply key in their booking reference or e-ticket number; scan their passport; or insert their Etihad Guest card. Once this has been done the customer can choose their seat and print their boarding pass and baggage tags.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The introduction of the new self service kiosks is another achievement in our pledge to continually enhance the services we offer our customers at all times in their journey.

“The first ten kiosks are conveniently placed throughout the Etihad terminal and will enable customers, especially those travelling on short haul flights, to save time on their journey and allow them to relax in our lounge or visit the shops and restaurants airside in the airport.”

Etihad offers a range of online services at www.etihad.com. Via the website customers can check-in for their flights up to 24 hours in advance as well as choose their seats on the aircraft. The airline also has city check-in facilities in Abu Dhabi city and Dubai.

Etihad will also complete the next phased roll-out of its new digital strategy towards the end of 2010. Within the strategy customers will be offered a range of services and information via mobile devices and other digital channels. It will also include a brand new website and online shopping experience for airline customers.

Etihad launched its own iPhone application earlier this year – the first of its kind. The application enables members of the Etihad Guest loyalty programme to manage their accounts and stay informed of the latest offers via their iPhone and provides them full access to over 1,700 products from the airlines award winning reward shop.

Southwest Airlines has launched their 8 week Rapid Rewards Promotion, which will give its customers the opportunity to earn rapid reward credits for answering Trivia questions.

The full media release from Southwest Airlines can be read below:

Eight-Week Promotion Offers Daily Opportunities To Win Prizes

DALLAS, June 21, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Just in time for the first day of summer, Southwest Airlines (NYSE LUV) is launching a Vacation Destination Giveaway through the airline's frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards. The eight-week promotion begins today and runs through August 15, 2010. Members will have a daily opportunity to answer Rapid Rewards trivia questions and play an instant win game with prizes including Rapid Rewards credits and free (See Terms and Conditions below) roundtrip tickets. The promotion will also feature a Southwest destination each week. To register for the promotion and see complete details, visit: southwest.com/vac8iondestin8ion. To view a blog post, visit: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/behind-scenes-southwests-new-denver-advertisements

"Our Vacation Destination Giveaway is a fun way for us to engage and educate our Members about our breadth of service and our Rapid Rewards program," said Ryan Green, Southwest's Director of Customer Loyalty. "We will feature eight of our 69 destinations, and then give our Members a chance to win a trip to go, see, and do."

It is fast and easy to earn free travel through Rapid Rewards. Rapid Rewards Members earn credits by flying or using the program's Preferred Partners. It takes just eight roundtrips, or 16 credits, to qualify for an Award ticket. However, Members can accelerate their earnings by using the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card from Chase, doing business with any of the airline's other Preferred Partners, or by purchasing Southwest's Business Select fares when flying. Plus, once it's earned, Southwest Airlines allows the Member to transfer the Award to anyone.

After nearly 39 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded; now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the One Report. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

Terms and Conditions:

The Rapid Rewards Award is free, but travel is subject to the government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per roundtrip. Travel good on Southwest Airlines published, scheduled service. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply. No purchase necessary. A purchase of any kind will not increase your chances of winning. Must be a Rapid Rewards Member and legal resident of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 and older to enter. Void where prohibited. Contest ends 8/15/10. To enter and for official rules, go to southwest.com/vacationdestination.

Qantas today announced that it had expanded its codeshare agreement with China Eastern to include services via Singapore. This new agreement will take effect from 1 July 2010 and will give customers of both airlines greater options when flying between Australia and China.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:  

QANTAS EXPANDS CODESHARE WITH CHINA EASTERN

SYDNEY, 21 June 2010: Qantas has expanded its codeshare relationship with China Eastern to include services between Australia and China via Singapore.

The expanded arrangements allow Qantas to codeshare on China Eastern services between Singapore and Shanghai from 1 July, building on its existing codeshares on China Eastern domestic flights. China Eastern will commence codesharing on Qantas services between Singapore and Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide (supplementing its existing codeshares on Qantas domestic and trans-Tasman services).

Group Executive Qantas Airlines Commercial, Mr Rob Gurney, said the arrangements meant Qantas could now offer its customers a greater number of services and connectivity options for travel between Australia and China.

“We are very pleased to be adding services between Singapore and Shanghai to our network as part

our successful partnership with China Eastern,” Mr Gurney said.

“From 1 July, we will codeshare on three China Eastern services each day between Singapore and Shanghai. This will enable daily connecting services to Shanghai from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth via Singapore, as well as three services a week from Adelaide to Shanghai via Singapore.

“China is an important market for Qantas and for Australia in general, and Qantas is playing its part in developing the already strong business and tourism ties between the two countries.

“These new services complement our daily direct flights between Sydney and Shanghai and our existing codeshare with China Eastern on its domestic network.

“On 22 April, we added seven new destinations to this codeshare, so that Qantas customers can now fly on China Eastern between Shanghai and a total of 10 Chinese cities.

“And on 6 May, a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement commenced between Qantas and China Eastern, increasing the benefits available to customers of both airlines. “This continued strengthening of the relationship between the two carriers is good news for Australia-China trade, investment and tourism. It is also timely, with the Shanghai World Expo underway and showcasing the best of Australia in China.

“Qantas is a Gold Sponsor of the Australian Pavilion at the Expo, reflecting our commitment to and confidence in the Chinese market.”

The new codeshare services are available for sale now, for travel from 1 July.

Hawaiian Airlines have announced that they intend to launch a direct Maui Las Vegas service from October this year. Initially this service will be twice a week starting from 2 October 2010.

The new service will be operated via Boeing 767-300 aircraft that is capable of seating 264 passengers.

The full media release from Hawaiian Airlines can be read below:

Hawaiian Launching Nonstop Maui-Las Vegas Flights in October

WAILUKU, MAUI – Fulfilling the longstanding wishes of kama‘aina throughout Maui County,

Hawaiian Airlines today announced that it will introduce its first-ever nonstop flight between Maui and Las Vegas, starting twice-weekly service on October 3, 2010.

Peter Ingram, executive vice president and CFO of Hawaiian Airlines, said the addition of three

new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to Hawaiian’s fleet this year is giving the company increased flexibility to expand its Las Vegas service.

“We’ve known for a long time how popular Las Vegas is with Maui residents, so we’re pleased to offer this new flight to address that demand,” said Ingram. “At the same time, we believe the convenience of this new nonstop service will boost visitor traffic to Maui, as Las Vegas is home to so many people with strong ties to the islands as well as a busy hub for flight connections on other carriers.”

“This is great news for our community,” said Mayor Charmaine Tavares. “Our residents will enjoy

flying direct to a favorite destination. Aside from being a fun vacation spot – many of our island families have relatives and friends in Las Vegas. This new service will make it more convenient for them to stay connected. I want to thank Hawaiian Airlines for expanding their flight service and bringing this welcomed addition to Maui.”

Hawaiian’s new Las Vegas nonstop flight is designed for the travel convenience of Maui residents.

Flight #32 will depart Kahului Airport on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. and arrive at McCarran International Airport at 4:35 p.m., giving enough time to enjoy a full evening in Las Vegas the first day.

Flight #31 will depart Las Vegas on Sundays and Wednesdays at 6:25 p.m. and arrive on Maui at

9:25 p.m., allowing for a full final vacation day in Las Vegas before arriving home in time to enjoy a good night’s sleep.

When Daylight Saving Time begins, the Las Vegas departure and arrival times will be approximately one hour earlier.

Hawaiian will serve the Maui-Las Vegas route with its wide-body Boeing 767-300 aircraft seating up to 264 passengers, resulting in more than 2,000 new air seats per month. Passengers will be treated to the hospitality of Hawaiian’s distinctive and award-winning “Hawaii Starts Here” onboard service, showcasing the culture, music, natural beauty, and people of Hawaii throughout the flight.

Jetstar today announced the launch of daily Melbourne to Singapore flights with their new 2 class Airbus A330-200.

In addition to this announcement Jetstar also announced that from 17 March 2011 it planned to operate daily direct flights between Singapore and Auckland New Zealand.

The full media release from Jetstar can be read below:

Jetstar launches long haul low fare flying in Singapore with new A330 Melbourne-Singapore* daily service

One-way fare special Melbourne-Singapore* A$99# at Jetstar.com

Lowest fare ever offered on this market

Jetstar has launched Singapore’s first long haul low fare airline offering two-class A330-200* daily direct services between Melbourne and Singapore.

In operating its next two wide body A330s from its major Asian hub in Singapore, the low fares leader will start a daily direct Singapore*-Melbourne return service from 16 December 2010.

From 17 March 2011 Jetstar will start daily direct Singapore - Auckland* return services with flights to soon go on commercial sale. To be part of this future exclusive JetMail launch sale for this market sign-up now at Jetstar.com.

Both new A330 routes form part of Jetstar’s ever expanding pan Asian network, provide first time value based long haul flying in Singapore and Auckland.

It grows the Qantas Group’s presence in these markets and these services will offer a Qantas code share and connectivity to Jetstar and Qantas flights through Singapore.

Jetstar makes a commitment to always offer the lowest fares and now has available a range of special launch fares and holiday packages that will make air travel on these important markets more accessible and affordable for everyone. All Jetstar fares and Jetstar Holidays packages are covered by the Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee# whereby Jetstar will beat any competitor by 10 per cent. (#Conditions Apply).

Melbourne-Singapore* special sale fares (JetSaver Light) will  be available TODAY (9 June 2010) between 5pm and 7pm (Aust AEST) from A$99# one way at Jetstar.com for a strictly limited time unless seats sell out prior.

Additional launch one way sale fares (JetSaver Light) on the Melbourne-Singapore* route will be available TOMORROW (10 June 2010) between 5am and 5pm from A$249# at Jetstar.com. (#Terms and Conditions apply, see Jetstar.com).

Passengers travelling from Melbourne can also connect via the airline’s Singapore hub at Changi Airport across Jetstar’s growing pan Asia network, with one-way JetSaver Light sale fares available from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur from A$254, Phuket from A$289, Macau from A$329 and Jakarta from A$299 at Jetstar.com**.(**Terms & conditions apply).

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said by building this new long haul flying through Singapore, Jetstar’s three largest operations in Australia, Singapore and New Zealand would be connected offering customers an array of new affordable travel options.

“Connecting our three largest operations in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore strengthens each of these businesses and builds a solid foundation for future growth beyond Singapore to North Asia and Europe,” Mr Buchanan said.

Following this announcement Jetstar will serve 12 long haul destinations and almost 60 destinations in total across its expanding pan Asian network.

Its long haul services offer flyers greater choice including its international business class, StarClass, modern fleet, comfortable all leather seating and a range of meals and in-flight entertainment.

Mr Buchanan was joined by Jetstar Asia & Valuair CEO Ms Chong Phit Lian at today’s announcement held in Singapore.

Ms Chong said Jetstar continued to spread its wings out of Singapore with this aviation first and would better link, through low fares, destinations into Asia and beyond for all our partners.

Welcoming the announcement Melbourne Airport’s CEO Chris Woodruff said: “This is fantastic news for travellers.  These daily services will enable people travelling on the extensive Jetstar network in Asia to get here very easily from any one of their multiple Asian destinations. 

“These extra flights will mean more seats at affordable prices and, of course, more flexibility to fly to and from Victoria though this international hub,” Mr Woodruff said.

Tourism Victoria CEO Greg Hywood said: “The State Government continues to work with Jetstar and other key airlines to generate more inbound tourists for Victoria and these new flights which will further enhance our connectivity with travel networks throughout Asia.

"Victoria's tourism industry is worth $15.8 billion to the State's economy, and it is through the commitment of key airlines like Jetstar that we can draw new and return visitors to the State.”

Jetstar’s new Melbourne-Singapore* A330 daily service will offer attractive fares and through connections from Changi Airport onto other Jetstar markets in Asia including Phuket and Bangkok (Thailand), Denpasar and Jakarta (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur and Penang (Malaysia), Hong Kong and Macau (China) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).

Additionally a number of return connections to Australia ex Melbourne will include Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston and Jetstar’s New Zealand ports of Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown.

Emirates must really love the Airbus A380 if today’s announcement by Airbus and Emirates was an indication of commitment. Anyway Emirates have increased the total number of Airbus A380 aircraft which it will order to 90 with today’s commitment to an additional 32 aircraft.

The increase in Emirates A380 aircraft order was announced at todays ILA Berlin Air Show

The full media release from Airbus can be read below:

Dubai based Emirates Airline has ordered a further 32 A380s from Airbus, taking their total firm orders for the iconic flagship of the 21^st century to 90 aircraft. The order has a list price of US$ 11.5 billion. The agreement was signed in a ceremony today at the Berlin Air Show witnessed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, by Emirates Airline Group Chairman and CEO His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, and Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders

“This latest order, adding to 58 A380s previously ordered, affirms Emirates’ strategy  to become a world leading carrier and to further establish Dubai as a central gateway to worldwide air travel. The A380 is our flagship in terms of passenger comfort, innovation, operating and environmental efficiency and revenue generation. Our latest commitment signals Emirates’ confidence in the growth to come in a thriving aviation sector,” said H.H.Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al- Maktoum.

“Emirates has supported the development of the A380 from the earliest days, and today’s order - the single largest A380 order ever - is the best endorsement I can imagine. On behalf of all of us at Airbus, we thank Emirates for their confidence and support. The A380 is indeed a remarkable eco-efficient aircraft, a profit generator for airlines and a great flying experience for passengers,” said Tom Enders.

Following delivery of their first A380 in July 2008, Emirates now operates ten aircraft serving eight international destinations including London Heathrow, Toronto, Paris, Jeddah, Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney and Auckland. The airline expects the list of destinations to increase as more and more airports around the world are A380 ready. Emirates’ tenth A380, received on 7 June 2010, is on static display at the ILA Berlin Air Show. All Emirates’ A380 are powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines and delivered from Hamburg. In Germany more than 30 major suppliers are directly feeding into the A380 programme. The A380 programme alone adds an estimated 40,000 direct, indirect and induced German jobs. 

The world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, is also the quietest and most fuel efficient, demonstrably consuming less than three litres of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometres. Nearly 5.5 million passengers have already enjoyed the new experience of flying on-board one of the 30 A380s in service, taking them to 20 major international destinations worldwide in unequalled comfort.

The A380 in-service fleet has accumulated over 15,000 commercial flights, and its operators have unanimously praised its popularity with passengers, higher load factors and superior profitability. With a range of 8,300nm / 15,400 km, and seating from 400 to more than 800 passengers, the A380 is the answer to alleviate traffic congestion at busy airports, cope with growth and minimise environmental impact. A380 firm orders now stand at 234 from 17 customers.

The oneworld airline alliance has now officially accepted Kingfisher Airlines as a member elect of the oneworld alliance.

This announcement expands oneworld’s power to 13 airlines, expanding oneworld’s reach to over 800 destinations in 150 Countries.

The full media release from oneworld can be read below:

oneworld invites Kingfisher Airlines on board

07 June 2010

• Regulatory OK gained for India's leading airline to join premier air alliance
• Implementation programme already well underway
• Alliance carriers to share Kingfisher Airlines' new lounge at New Delhi
• British Airways to launch code-sharing with new partner later this month
• Another key step for oneworld in alliance's ‘breakthrough year'

Kingfisher Airlines today became a member elect of oneworld^® after completing a formal membership agreement with the alliance - moving India's leading airline a landmark step towards flying as part of the world's premier airline alliance.

The contract was signed by the Kingfisher Airlines' Chairman and Chief Executive Vijay Mallya and his counterparts from all 12 of oneworld existing partners and members elect.

It follows a memorandum of understanding reached between Kingfisher Airlines and oneworld, announced in late February, setting out a framework for membership discussions.

A key condition for oneworld inviting Kingfisher Airlines to join has already been met - with India's Ministry of Civil Aviation granting approval for the carrier to become part of the alliance, just weeks after the airline filed its request for authority to proceed, enabling Kingfisher Airlines and oneworld to move fast forward to complete the formal membership agreement today.

A team of experts from British Airways - which is serving as Kingfisher Airlines' oneworld sponsor, mentoring and supporting it through its joining programme - and from the central oneworld team has just returned from visiting their Kingfisher Airlines counterparts in Mumbai and Delhi to set its joining programme in motion.  The first element has already been successfully accomplished with Kingfisher Airlines passing oneworld's safety audit with flying colours.

The next step in building links between oneworld and Kingfisher Airlines takes place next month, with the opening of the new international passenger terminal at New Delhi, when all the alliance's six carriers serving the Indian capital will share Kingfisher Airlines' new premium passenger lounge there.

Meantime, individual members of oneworld have started developing bilateral co-operation with Kingfisher Airlines.  British Airways today announced it had reached agreement to code-share with its new Indian partner.  The BA prefix will be added to flights by its Indian airline to various points across the Indian sub-continent, with Kingfisher Airlines' IT designator placed on services operated by the UK carrier to key cities in Europe from later this month.  Full details will be announced nearer to the launch of these code-share operations.

The addition of Kingfisher Airlines as a oneworld member elect comes in a breakthrough year for the alliance, in terms of both membership consolidation and expanding co-operation between its members airlines, enabling oneworld to build further on its position as the leading quality airline alliance, to expand its unrivalled route network still further and to offer even more services and benefits to customers.

Japan Airlines has been expanding its co-operation with its oneworld partners since reaffirming its membership of the alliance in February, filing days later with American Airlines for anti-trust immunity for a joint business across the Pacific and more than doubling its code-sharing with British Airways.

Meantime, American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian are looking forward imminently to gaining long-awaited final approval for their application for anti-trust immunity across the Atlantic and the proposed transatlantic joint business between American, BA and Iberia, following tentative approval given by the US Department of Transportation in February and market testing of proposed remedies by the European Commission.

Elsewhere, LAN Airlines celebrated its 10^th anniversary as a oneworld member on 1 June.  Since joining, it has added to the grouping its affiliates in Argentina, Ecuador and Peru.  With Mexico and Central America's leading airline Mexicana joining oneworld in November 2009, this extended oneworld's position still further as the leading Latin American alliance.

Russia's leading domestic carrier S7 Airlines is on track to join oneworld later this year.

Kingfisher Airlines' addition to oneworld will link oneworld's unrivalled alliance network with India's most extensive domestic network.  It will bring 56 cities onto the oneworld map - all of them in India.  This will expand oneworld's global coverage to more than 800 destinations in almost 150 countries, served by a combined fleet of 2,350 aircraft operating some 9,000 flights a day, carrying some 340 million passengers a year.

A firm date for Kingfisher Airlines to join the alliance and start offering its services and benefits will be announced as its implementation programme progresses. 

The process to bring any airline on board any alliance normally takes 18 to 24 months to complete.  It is a complex project, covering virtually every facet of airline activity.  It involves connecting all the alliance recruit's IT systems to those in all other oneworld airlines, bringing its customer service, frequent flyer and distribution processes into line with oneworld standards and culminating in what will be the biggest training and communications programmes in the airline's history.

When it joins, the oneworld logo will be added alongside that of Kingfisher Airlines itself virtually everywhere it appears - from its aircraft fuselages, to airport signage, stationery and even name tags.  

Once it is part of oneworld, members of Kingfisher Airlines' King Club will be able to earn and redeem rewards and gain tier status points across the entire oneworld network - expanding the reach of the scheme from across the 69 destinations in nine countries served by Kingfisher Airlines itself to the 800 destinations in some 150 countries served by oneworld as a whole.

Their King Club benefits will be extended, in effect, across all 12 other oneworld airlines, including, for top tier members, access to any of the 550 plus airport lounges offered by the alliance's carriers whenever they fly on any fare type on any flight operated and marketed by any oneworld member.

At the same time, Kingfisher Airlines' network will be covered by oneworld's market-leading range of alliance fares.

Kingfisher Airlines Chairman and Chief Executive Vijay Mallya said: "I am delighted that Kingfisher Airlines has been invited to join what is very clearly the world's best airline alliance and to fly alongside the best collection of airline brands in the world. By becoming part of oneworld, we will be able to offer our guests travel to more than 800 destinations in 150 countries, on a network that offers the best coverage of the routes and places that really count, flying with the highest quality airline partners.  Joining oneworld will clearly strengthen our competitive position still further. Now that Kingfisher Airlines has now become a member-elect of oneworld, we have moved one crucial step closer towards becoming a full-fledged member and our  team will certainly do all that is necessary to ensure we complete the implementation programme smoothly and on schedule".

American Airlines Chairman and Chief Executive, and oneworld Governing Board Chairman, Gerard Arpey, added:  "Coming as we deepen our links with Japan Airlines after its reaffirmation to oneworld, as we prepare for Russia's leading domestic carrier S7 Airlines joining us later this year and as we await final long-awaited approvals from the authorities in both the USA and Europe for our transatlantic partners to work more closely together across the Atlantic, the addition of Kingfisher Airlines is another key element in making 2010 even more of a breakthrough year for oneworld.

"It is another key element in our efforts to solidify oneworld's standing as the premier global alliance, with the finest collection of airlines brands delivering the highest levels of service to the markets that matter most throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia."

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of sponsor British Airways, added: "We are very pleased to have gained regulatory approval so quickly from New Delhi to add Kingfisher Airlines to oneworld - and we intend to move ahead with its implementation just as speedily and smoothly.  We very much look forward to welcoming India's leading airline on board the world's premier airline alliance."

Besides Mr Arpey and Mr Walsh, the ceremony today was attended by Kingfisher Airlines' Senior Vice-President Manoj Chacko, Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler, Finnair Chief Executive Mika Vehviläinen, Iberia Chairman and CEO Antonio Vázquez, Japan Airlines President Masaru Onishi, LAN Airlines President Ignacio Cueto, Malév Hungarian Airlines Chief Executive Martin Gauss, Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce, Royal Jordanian Chief Executive Hussein Dabbas, member elect S7 Airlines Deputy Chief Executive Anton Erimen and oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch.

Australian discount carrier & Qantas subsidiary Jetstar has announced that it intends to introduce an in-flight entertainment solution with the Apple iPad.

Jetstar’s iPad In-flight entertainment system will go into trials from June this year on domestic routes and is expected to be rolled out across their entire domestic and international network later this year.

Jetstar passengers should expect to pay $10 to rent the iPad.

The full media release from Jetstar can be read below:

Jetstar first airline to announce iPad trial for in-flight entertainment

Australia's low fares airline Jetstar has announced it will trial the newest and hottest new gadget in the world, the iPad, for onboard entertainment. 

Jetstar will be one of the first airlines in the world to trial iPads, to begin later in June on selected domestic routes across Australia.

The iPads will provide in-flight entertainment with movies, TV programs, eBooks, music videos, games and CDs. Jetstar passengers can pay just $10 to rent the iPad on board.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said introducing the iPads was very exciting for Jetstar as it anticipates huge demand for the hotly anticipated mobile device.

"We are really excited to commence the trial of the iPads, as we're always looking for ways to enhance our customer's Jetstar experience," Mr Buchanan said.

"Given the demand for the iPad so far, I anticipate it will have strong appeal amongst our passengers.

"In addition to offering low fares, great customer service and more choice, it's important that we can provide the latest in innovative technology to entertain our customers on board," Mr Buchanan said.

"Based on demand for the iPads as part of the trial, we'll be looking to roll out the devices across our entire domestic and international network later in the year.”

Jetstar is working with in-flight entertainment specialist Bluebox Avionics and Stellar Inflight to implement the trial.

Qantas have announced that it intends to increase Qantas A380 Melbourne Services with daily Qantas A380 Melbourne to London Services.

Qantas will gradually increase A380 services out of Melbourne as follows:

• Five services a week when Qantas receives eights A380
• Six services a week when Qantas Receives ninth A380
• Daily services after Qantas receives tenth A380

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

QANTAS TO INCREASE A380 SERVICES FROM MELBOURNE

ADELAIDE, 31 May 2010: Qantas today announced that it would introduce daily A380 services between Melbourne and London and six A380 services per week between Melbourne and Los Angeles.

At present, two return services between Melbourne and London via Singapore each week are operated by the Qantas A380. This will increase to five services a week after Qantas’ eighth A380 is delivered, six services a week after its ninth is delivered and daily services when its tenth A380 arrives. Melbourne-Los Angeles services operated by the A380 will increase to four a week with the delivery of Qantas’ ninth A380 and to six a week after its tenth is delivered.

Qantas currently has six A380s in service. It expects to take delivery of its seventh in the final quarter of 2010, enabling Sydney-London A380 services to go daily, and to have received the tenth aircraft by March 2011.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said the steady growth in A380 operations on Melbourne-Singapore-London services would add capacity and allow more customers to experience Qantas’ award winning product and service on the aircraft.

“We are delighted to be making this commitment to introduce daily A380 services on one of our flagship routes,” Mr Joyce said.

“The Qantas A380 first flew between Melbourne and London in January 2010, and we consider it a priority to increase the frequency of those services when the next tranche of A380s begins arriving from late this year.

Not only will this benefit customers travelling from Melbourne to London, it will also enable a connection to A380 services for Qantas passengers flying into Singapore from Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

“Melbourne-Los Angeles is an equally important trunk route for Qantas, so we have also targeted an increased frequency of A380 services to serve this market.

“More than 550,000 passengers have flown on the A380 since it entered the Qantas fleet in 2008, and customer feedback about the aircraft has been outstanding. It has won several awards for its Marc Newsondesigned onboard product, including the Chicago Athaneum Good Design ™ Award for its first class suite and the Australian International Design Award of the Year for its economy seat.”

Qantas also announced a number of other important initiatives on its international network:

Qantas services between Sydney and Johannesburg will increase from six per week to daily from 21

September 2010 (South African Airways will continue to codeshare on all these services);

• Qantas will expand its codeshare on British Airways services between London Heathrow and Europe to include six new destinations: Rome, Milan, Toulouse, Prague, Warsaw and Budapest (available for sale from 14 June and for travel from 21 July 2010). This will take the number of Qantas codeshares on BA services beyond London to 29 destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe.
  

• Qantas will also increase the frequency of its codesharing on services between Heathrow and Nice, Stockholm and Amsterdam. The expanded arrangement follows the authorisation earlier this year of the Joint Services Agreement between Qantas and BA for a further five years from 2010.

• From November 2010, Qantas will upgrade its four-times-weekly service between Sydney and Manila (including one service per week via Brisbane) from a Boeing 767 aircraft to an Airbus A330 aircraft delivering more capacity and a higher level of product and service for customers on the route.

Lufthansa have just announced a new first class cabin and seat on the delivery of its first Airbus A380.

Lufthansa’s new A380 First Class will feature:

• Board aircraft directly from First Class Lounge – No more crowded gates
• 8 Fully lie flat seats (2.07 m Length X 80cm wide)
• In-flight power with all international adaptors
• 2 very large bathrooms (similar size to Emirates A380 minus shower)
• Air Humidification System (available in the entire aircraft)

The full media release from Lufthansa can be read below:

Quietest First Class in the world with many innovations – Additional travel comfort in Business and Economy Class – Customers’ wishes integrated into design

Lufthansa will unveil its newly developed First Class when it accepts delivery of its first Airbus A380 today. The world’s largest and most modern commercial aircraft promises relaxed and comfortable travel – and not only in First Class. In Business and Economy Class on its A380, Lufthansa also offers the highest level of passenger comfort. The generous proportions of the cabin alone create a feeling of spaciousness.

“The A380 offers our passengers a first-rate travel experience. The very dimensions of the Airbus A380 and its flight characteristics make travelling on this aircraft a truly unique experience. In all three travel classes, our passengers can enjoy the ultimate in comfort. The exceptional and exclusive First Class concept, which was designed according to our passengers’ wishes and needs, is particularly impressive,” said Thierry Antinori, member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board responsible for Marketing and Sales, at the presentation of the new First Class.&nb

Developed by customers, for customers – top-flight travel in the new First Class

In future, Lufthansa passengers can expect a First Class experience that sets new standards in terms of exclusivity and comfort. The first impression upon entering the cabin is one of spaciousness, inviting passengers to relax and unwind. Superb-quality materials plus a clear, uniform design language echo the elegant features of the First Class Lounges and the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt on board the A380 and provide a harmonious travel experience. The generously proportioned, open design and exclusive ambience with simple, distinct lines and subtle colours creates a light, appealing and inviting atmosphere. A concept with separate cabins was deliberately rejected because at numerous customer events, and during in-flight tests and surveys, Lufthansa passengers expressed a clear preference for an open-plan design. However, thanks to a flexible privacy screen, First Class guests can determine the degree of individual privacy they desire.

In order to adapt the new First Class concept to the actual needs of passengers, Lufthansa customers were substantially involved in its development. From the outset, their experiences and wishes were integrated into the design. A quiet atmosphere is one of the most important needs of First Class customers. Sound-absorbing curtains partition off the rest of the cabin, while special sound-insulating material in the aircraft’s outer skin and sound-absorbing carpeting block footstep noise and ensure the world’s quietest First Class cabin. The atmosphere soon lets passengers forget that they are travelling by air. Another important factor in customer comfort is the newly developed seat, which combines ergonomics and comfort and which can be extended to create the “best bed in its class”. Measuring 2.07 metres in length and 80 centimetres in width, the comfortable bed offers plenty of room, enabling passengers to enjoy deep, relaxing sleep. The air humidification system -- the first of its kind to be installed on a commercial aircraft -- and the lighting concept, which adjusts according to the time of day, also contribute towards passengers’ well-being on board.

On the A380, First Class passengers have an extraordinary amount of space. In the cabin, overhead bins were omitted in order to provide more headroom. Instead, each passenger has an individual closet, which is lockable, in addition to the generous storage facilities around the seat.

Instead of just a washroom with a lavatory, First Class passengers will find a luxurious bathroom with wash and changing areas separated from the lavatory area. The room is well- equipped with various bath amenities and provides plenty of space to move around in.

Successful Lufthansa Business Class provides even more comfort

Passengers travelling in Lufthansa’s successful Business Class on the A380 can enjoy the recognised benefits of a seat that converts into a comfortable, two-metre-long bed. Compared with the previous Business Class cabin, functionality and user-friendliness have been further improved. A new control console for the in-flight entertainment system has been installed. Thanks to the larger luggage bins on the A380, Business Class passengers also have more storage space.

More individual space for Economy Class passengers

A newly developed seat has been installed in Economy Class – as in First Class. In cooperation with internationally renowned designers and ergonomics experts, Lufthansa is thus offering passengers in Economy Class a maximum amount of space. Thanks to the optimal ergonomic design and seat structure, which also have slimmer seat backs, passengers in this travel class will also enjoy more space and comfort. The new seat concept provides passengers with an additional five centimetres of personal space and thanks to the slim-line seat back, they also have more legroom at knee level.

Cinema on board – time just flies with the new in-flight entertainment programme

The varied in-flight entertainment programme, which can be accessed via a personal monitor, caters to all interests. Passengers can choose from a wide selection of the latest feature films, a range of international music and radio channels, and a current TV programme. New kids’ channels have been introduced, with a varied programme for young passengers and a multi-player game mode. The 3D game graphics, which are controlled with an external game controller, provide a special highlight. In all travel classes on the A380, the popular service information about the flight, the route and the flight position can be viewed as a 3D animation. Moreover, external video cameras will be used for the first time. Among other things, they will transmit pictures taken from the tailfin perspective to passengers’ individual monitors.

The A380 has a total of 526 seats, including eight in First Class, 98 in Business Class and 420 in Economy Class.

Singapore Airlines and Spanair have jointly announced the signing of a code share agreement between the two airlines.

This new agreement will allow Singapore Airlines passengers to book and fly from Singapore to Spain and outlying Spanish destinations return under Singapore Airlines flight numbers with a reciprocal arrangement in place for Spanair passengers.

The media release from Singapore Airlines can be read below:

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND SPANAIR SIGN CODESHARE AGREEMENT

From 17 May 2010, customers of Singapore Airlines can enjoy convenient connections from Barcelona’s El Prat Airport to three domestic destinations in Spain, under a codeshare agreement with Spanair.

The codeshare arrangement allows Singapore Airlines’ customers to travel on Spanair’s services between the following city pairs: Barcelona and Madrid, Barcelona and Palma Mallorca, and Barcelona and Bilbao. Reciprocally, Spanair’s customers can travel on Singapore Airlines’ services from Spain to Singapore via Barcelona.

The flights are now open for sale. Details of flight times and flight codes are detailed below.

Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Marketing & the Regions, Mr Huang Cheng Eng said: “The codeshare arrangements with our Star Alliance partner Spanair will improve connectivity between Singapore and another three important cities in Spain. It reflects our commitment to offer our customers convenient connections and greater flexibility when planning their travel itineraries by offering them more choice of destinations.”

Madrid, Spain’s capital city, is the centre of the country’s economic, political, social and cultural activities. It is a vibrant city full of museums, art galleries and restaurants, in addition to being a shopping paradise. 

Palma is the capital city of the Spanish island of Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Besides its famous beaches, the island is noted for its fine restaurants, nightlife, excellent museums, parks and shopping.

Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country and the Provincial Capital of Biscay. It is a major seaport and industrial centre.

Spanair commercial director, Mrs Nuria Tarré said: “We are very happy and proud to offer our customers a unique travel experience connecting Spain and Singapore via our hub in Barcelona. Our partnership with Singapore Airlines will offer more connectivity, more comfort as well as premium benefits like our different VIP lounges around Spanair’s airports.”   

Spanair S.A is a major airline in Spain based in Barcelona. It has an extensive route network of scheduled passenger services within Spain and its islands, Africa, the Mediterranean countries and Europe. Its main hubs are at Barajas International Airport, Madrid and El Prat International Airport, Barcelona.

Qantas Mobile Boarding Passes have now been introduced by Qantas, as part of the Qantas Next Generation Check-in Initiative.

To use the Qantas mobile check-in and Boarding Pass system passengers simply need to  open a browser to Qantas.com enter their frequent flyer or flight number details and perform a mobile check in from here a 2D barcode is sent to their device to be used/scanned at the gate for boarding.

After a passenger’s 2D barcode is scanned a boarding receipt is generated and provided to the passenger that contains the passenger’s details along with their allocated seat.

Qantas Mobile Boarding pass as seen on an iPhone

The Qantas Mobile Boarding pass system will operate similar to that of Air France pictured above.

The full media release from Qantas can be read below:

QANTAS LAUNCHES MOBILE CHECK-IN

SYDNEY, 28 April 2010: Qantas has launched new technology enabling domestic Mobile Check-in as part of its Next Generation Check-in initiative.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said Mobile Check-in was a key offering of the broader Next Generation Check-in project announced last year which is set to streamline the domestic airport experience for Qantas customers.

“Enhancing the customer experience by increasing speed and ease through our airports is the key driver for the Qantas Next Generation Check-in project,” said Mr Joyce.

"Our research showed us our customers wanted more control over their travel experience. They want to be able to check-in before they even arrive at the airport and then move quickly through the airport to board their flight.

“Mobile Check-in now offers customers the ability to check-in remotely, while on the go, removing another airport process for our busy modern travellers.

“Qantas continues to introduce new services such as Mobile Check-in and domestic Advance Seat Section as part of our Next Generation Check-in roll out, for which a pilot will commence in Perth in July. We’ll be unveiling our full Next Generation Check-in service in Sydney later this year.”

Domestic Advance Seat Selection rewards top tier Frequent Flyers, (Platinum, Gold and Silver), with even more choice as these customers now have the ability to preselect their seat online prior to travel.

Mobile check-in provides customers with the ability to check-in for their flight via their personal mobile device, including iPhones, Blackberrys and other web-enabled mobile devices, between 24 hours and 45 minutes prior to departure.

A 2D bar code is sent to their phone which is then scanned by a reader at the gate, and a boarding receipt is printed for the customer with their name, frequent flyer details, flight number and seat allocation.

The Qantas Mobile application was initially launched in 2008. In addition to the introduction of domestic Mobile Check-In, Qantas Mobile provides customers with the ability to access real time flight information direct to their mobile phone including arrival and departure times, access worldwide Qantas Club lounge locations, contact numbers for Qantas offices worldwide and the up to date timetables for Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar and codeshare flights for up to 353 days.

Frequent Flyers can access Qantas Mobile with their Frequent Flyer number, last name and PIN to view all bookings recorded against their Frequent Flyer membership, as well as their points balance and date of last activity.

Non-Frequent Flyers can log in with their booking reference and last name to view their booking including passenger details, flight details, check-in information and baggage allowances.

Ports that have launched Mobile Check-in include Sydney Terminal 3, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Gladstone, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Kalgoorlie, Broome, Karratha, Newman, Paraburdoo and Port Lincoln. There are also plans to roll out Mobile Check-in to Adelaide, Cairns, Sydney Terminal 2, Newcastle and Port Hedland in coming months.

The Qantas mobile phone application is accessed by typing qantas.com into a web-enabled mobile browser.

As posted earlier on this site below is the formal announcement that United and Continental Airlines will merge, under the name United Airlines, to form the largest airline in the world, also the merged company will use the Continental Airlines logo as pictured below:

UNITED AND CONTINENTAL ANNOUNCE MERGER OF EQUALS

TO CREATE WORLD-CLASS GLOBAL AIRLINE

Customers and Communities to Benefit from Greater, Easier Access to World’s Most Comprehensive Network; Preserves and Enhances Service to Small Communities

Employees to Benefit from Enhanced Long-Term Career Opportunities and Greater Stability as Part of Stronger Global Competitor

Shareholders to Benefit from Strong Financial Foundation, Expected Net Annual Synergies of $1.0 Billion to $1.2 Billion and Sustainable Long-Term Value

Award-Winning Customer Service Combines With Industry-Leading On-Time Performance

Industry-Leading Frequent Flyer Program Provides More Opportunities to Earn and Redeem Miles Worldwide

Existing Alliance Partnership Provides Platform for Smooth Integration

Name of Airline Will be United with Continental’s Logo and Livery

HOUSTON AND CHICAGO, May 3, 2010 – Continental (NYSE: CAL) and United (NASDAQ: UAUA) today announced a definitive merger agreement, creating the world’s leading airline with superior service to customers, expanded access to an unparalleled global network serving 370 destinations around the world, enhanced long-term career prospects for employees, and a platform for improved profitability and sustainable long-term value for shareholders.  The all-stock merger of equals brings together two of the world’s premier airlines, creating a combined company well positioned to succeed in an increasingly competitive global and domestic aviation industry.

Glenn Tilton, chairman, president and chief executive officer of UAL Corp., will serve as non-executive chairman of the combined company’s Board of Directors through December 31, 2012 or the second anniversary of closing, whichever is later.  Jeff Smisek, Continental’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, will be chief executive officer and a member of the Board of Directors.  He will also become executive chairman of the Board upon Tilton’s ceasing to be non-executive chairman.

The combined organization will draw on the talented group of leaders from both companies, and key management positions will be determined prior to the transaction’s closing.   The combined company’s management team is expected to include an equitable and balanced selection of executives from each company with the intention that each company will contribute roughly equal numbers.  In addition to Smisek and Tilton, the 16-member Board of Directors will include six independent directors from each of the two companies and two union directors required by United’s charter.

The holding company for the new entity will be named United Continental Holdings, Inc. and the name of the airline will be United Airlines.  The marketing brand will be a combination of the brands of both companies.  Aircraft will have the Continental livery, logo and colors with the United name, and the announcement campaign slogan will be “Let’s Fly Together.”  The new company’s corporate and operational headquarters will be in Chicago and it will maintain a significant presence in Houston, which will be the combined company’s largest hub.  Additionally, the CEO will maintain offices in both Chicago and Houston.

Tilton said, “Today is a great day for our customers, our employees, our shareholders and our communities as we bring together our two companies in a merger of equals to create a world-class and truly global airline with an unparalleled network serving communities worldwide with outstanding customer service.  Building on our Star Alliance partnership, we are creating a stronger, more efficient airline, both operationally and financially, better positioned to succeed in a dynamic and highly competitive global aviation industry.  This combination will provide a strong platform for sustainable, long-term value for shareholders, opportunities for employees, and more and better scheduled service and destinations for customers.  Knowing and respecting our colleagues at Continental as we do, we are confident that together we can compete successfully in what is now, clearly, a global marketplace.” 

Smisek said, “This combination brings together the best of both organizations and cultures to create a world-class airline with tremendous and enduring strengths.  Together, we will have the financial strength necessary to make critical investments to continue to improve our products and services and to achieve and sustain profitability.  We have forged a highly collaborative partnership with United over the past two years as we prepared for and executed a seamless transition to Star Alliance, an important achievement that gave us valuable experience in working together and built mutual respect between our two companies.  I look forward to working with the employees of both companies around the world, so our airline can become an even stronger global competitor, deliver sustainable profitability, achieve best-in-class customer service under our unified brand, create long-term career opportunities and deliver increased value for shareholders.”

The combination of United and Continental brings together the two most complementary networks of any U.S. carriers, with minimal domestic and no international route overlaps.  The combined company will offer enhanced service to Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East from well-placed hubs on the East Coast, West Coast, and Southern and Midwestern regions of the United States.  The combined company will have 10 hubs, including hubs in the four largest cities in the United States, and will provide enhanced service to underserved small- and medium-sized communities.  The combined carrier will continue to serve all the communities each carrier currently serves.  Together, Continental and United serve more than 144 million passengers per year as they fly to 370 destinations in 59 countries.

Employees will benefit from improved long-term career opportunities and enhanced job stability by being part of a larger, financially stronger and more geographically diverse carrier that is better able to compete successfully in the global marketplace.  The companies believe the effect of the merger on front-line employees will be minimal, with reductions coming principally from retirements, attrition and voluntary programs.  The company will provide employees with performance-based incentive compensation programs focused on achieving common goals.  The combined company will be focused on creating cooperative labor relations, including negotiating contracts with collective bargaining units that are fair to the company and fair to the employee.

  On a pro forma basis, the combined company would have annual revenues of approximately $29 billion based on 2009 financial results, and an unrestricted cash balance of approximately $7.4 billion as of the end of first quarter 2010, including United’s recently closed financing transaction. 

In the merger, Continental shareholders will receive 1.05 shares of United common stock for each Continental common share they own.  United shareholders would own approximately 55% of the equity of the combined company and Continental shareholders would own approximately 45%, including in-the-money convertible securities on an as-converted basis.

The merger is expected to deliver $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion in net annual synergies by 2013, including between $800 million and $900 million of incremental annual revenues, in large part from expanded customer options resulting from the greater scope and scale of the network, and additional international service enabled by the broader network of the combined carrier. Expected synergies are in addition to the significant benefits derived from the companies’ existing alliance and expected from their future joint venture relationships.  The combined company is also expected to realize between $200 million and $300 million of net cost synergies on a run-rate basis by 2013.  One-time costs related to the transaction are expected to total approximately $1.2 billion spread over a three-year period.

The combined airline will have the most modern, fuel-efficient fleet (adjusted for cabin mix) and the best new aircraft order book among major U.S. network carriers.  It will have the financial strength to enhance customers’ travel experience by enabling it to invest in globally competitive products, upgrade technology, refurbish and replace older aircraft, and implement the best-in-class practices of both airlines.  

The merger will create the industry’s leading frequent flyer program, offering vast opportunities for customers to earn and redeem miles, including on Star Alliance partners.

United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline network.  Star Alliance customers will continue to benefit from service to over 1,000 destinations, more connecting opportunities, additional scheduling flexibility and access to leading reciprocal frequent flyer and airport lounge benefits with Star Alliance's 24 other member airlines around the world.

The merger, which has been approved unanimously by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is conditioned on approval by the shareholders of both companies, receipt of regulatory clearance, and customary closing conditions.  The companies expect to complete the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2010.  During the period between signing and closing of the merger, the CEOs of both companies will lead a transition team, which will develop a specific integration plan. 

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as financial advisors and provided fairness opinions to United, and Lazard and Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisors and provided fairness opinions to Continental.  Jones Day, Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP acted as legal advisors to Continental, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP acted as legal advisor to United.

Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue have announced that they plan to see approval to operate an airline alliance on the Trans Tasman route.

The Alliance would forge code sharing agreements on the route and provide reciprocal Frequent Flyer and Airline Lounge arrangements.

The Full media release from Virgin Blue can be read below:

Virgin Blue Airlines Group and Air New Zealand

Announce Trans-Tasman Alliance Proposal

BRISBANE and AUCKLAND, 3 May, 2010: Virgin Blue Airlines Group (ASX: VBA) and Air New Zealand Ltd (NZSX: AIR) have today announced their intention to seek regulatory approval to create an alliance on the Trans Tasman.

The proposed alliance will allow the airlines to strengthen their competitive offering on the trans-Tasman route and to collaborate on future route and product planning, code sharing and frequent flyer program benefits.

Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand have had trans-Tasman teams working on the alliance proposal for some months and later today will file applications with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the New Zealand Ministry of Transport. The regulators are expected to take around six months to review the applications prior to authorisation.

The airline CEOs; Co-founder and Chief Executive of the Virgin Blue Airlines Group, Brett Godfrey, and Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Rob Fyfe; said the alliance would deliver trans-Tasman travellers cheaper airfares, increased frequency, better connections, loyalty scheme reciprocity and expanded Lounge access.

Mr Godfrey said the alliance would stimulate a new wave of competition in Australasian aviation.

“A great alliance should deliver great value and consistent product and service standards and that is where we will make new inroads,” he said.

“Virgin Blue is close to unveiling our ‘Airline of the Future’ concepts which in our 10th year will reveal the fresh direction of the ‘new blue’ and likewise Air New Zealand has signalled its future product and design direction.”

“This will mean more seats and more low fares than ever before on the Tasman,” Mr Godfrey said.

“This market stimulation is likely to allow Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue to harness the alliance benefits to start new routes or additional frequencies.”

“We believe we are well matched and the timing is good and incoming Chief Executive, John Borghetti, thoroughly supports this strategy,” he added.

The airlines said that while the alliance is a significant development for both carriers, it will not impact or place restrictions on any existing partnerships or alliances of either airline

The proposed alliance will connect regional centres in Australia and New Zealand but only as part of a Tasman journey and does not include domestic-only travel in either Australia or New Zealand. The agreement is also not a signal of intention by Air New Zealand or Virgin Blue to take a shareholding in the other.

“We are two of the world’s most innovative and nimble airlines and by working closer together we believe we can deliver significant benefits to customers and shareholders,” Mr Fyfe said.

“Our alliance is about working closely together to give customers cheaper fares, increased frequency and better connections, while delivering improved returns,” he said.

“Simple moves like integrating schedules and capacity, allowing customers to book multi-sector journeys on one code, providing reciprocal loyalty scheme benefits and reciprocal lounge access for qualifying customers will be a compelling proposition for leisure and business travellers on both sides of the Tasman.”

Mr Fyfe said that the number of seats flown on the Tasman by the alliance carriers would grow more quickly than they would without the alliance.

“By combining our New Zealand customer base with the strong market presence that Virgin Blue has in Australia, additional flights and new routes will make sense much more quickly. Also, the ability to offer Air New Zealand codeshare flights to domestic destinations in Australia, and Virgin Blue codeshare flights to regional destinations in New Zealand as part of connecting Tasman journeys will be a great benefit to our frequent flyers and a boost for tourism in both countries,” Mr Fyfe said.

The proposed agreement will have four key components:

1. A broad free-sale code share arrangement covering:

• All Tasman sectors currently operated by either airline
• Domestic Australian sectors as part of a connecting Tasman journey 
• Domestic New Zealand sectors as part of a connecting Tasman journey

2. A revenue allocation agreement under which:

• Revenue generated across all Tasman sectors currently operated by either airline, or which may be developed under the agreement, will be allocated between the two carriers, and; 
• A joint trans-Tasman Network Planning & Revenue Management Team representing both airlines will oversee the Tasman operation

3. A frequent flyer co-operation agreement that will provide reciprocal loyalty scheme benefits to members of Air New Zealand’s Airpoints loyalty programme and Virgin Blue’s Velocity Rewards programme.

4. A lounge co-operation agreement that will ensure lounge access to qualifying guests of either airline.

Frontier Airlines have announced that they plan complete its roll out Gogo Inflight internet on Embraer fleet by the end of 2010.

Prices to access the Gogo Inflight internet service on Frontier Aircraft will start from $4.95 for a flight up to 1.5 hours.

The full media release from Frontier can be read below:  

Frontier Airlines Improves Inflight Customer Experience

Partners with Aircell for Gogo internet service on Embraer fleet

DENVER (April 22, 2010) – Frontier Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RJET), is pleased to announce it’s taking the inflight customer experience to another level with the addition of Gogo® inflight internet service on its Embraer fleet. Frontier plans to have the service installed on its fleet of 32 E170 and E190 aircraft by the end of 2010.

“Our customers have told us how important inflight entertainment and connectivity is in their travel experience,” said Executive Vice President and COO Wayne Heller. “We look forward to providing our customers with internet service at 35,000 feet and are thrilled to have Aircell as a partner in this effort.”

Gogo internet access will be available for purchase starting at $4.95, based on length of flight and type of device used to access Gogo. Once connected, customers can use Gogo to check e-mail, log into a corporate VPN, watch their favorite Frontier commercials and more!

“We pride ourselves in providing our guests with a comfortable and enjoyable inflight experience,” said Vice President of Marketing and Branding Ian Arthur. “Each of these amenities, combined with our unmatched customer service, truly provides a differentiated and better experience. We always have an ear to our customers‟ needs and will continue to develop an airline that meets and exceeds those expectations.”

“We are very excited to partner with Republic Airways and further enhance the inflight entertainment options available on Frontier Airlines,” said Michael Small, Aircell‟s President and CEO. “We both share a common focus of service excellence and adding Gogo is simply the latest example of advancing that goal.”

Frontier currently offers 24 channels of DIRECTV® service and first-run pay-per-view movies onboard its fleet of 52 Airbus aircraft. While the Gogo inflight internet service will be installed on the Embraer fleet in 2010, the carrier will continue to research inflight connectivity options to further enhance the Frontier travel experience.