We tried to think of something to rhyme with Tuesday for this wrap, but are too focused on our 3pm wine to concentrate. Coolsday?

Etihad Airways introduces a range of comfort items and amenities for purchase on selected flights

In addition to its complimentary inflight service and hospitality offering, Etihad Airways has introduced a selection of inflight products aimed at enhancing the travel experience and providing more choice for its guests in Economy Class.

The items are available for purchase at attractive prices on a selected number of routes to and from Abu Dhabi.

The new selection includes comfort items such as Christian Lacroix male and female amenity kits featuring exclusive skincare products by pioneering Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza; Christian Lacroix cotton sleepwear in a range of sizes; Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut NV champagne; Coffee Planet cold brew coffee; and tasty snack boxes with sweet and healthy treats complementing the custom free meal service.

Emirates advises customers to arrive early to airport during busy holiday travel season

Emirates expects one of its highest passenger traffic periods for 2017 this upcoming weekend, which will start from Thursday 14 December as travelers head home or abroad for the holiday season.

More than 420,000 travellers will be passing through Emirates Terminal 3 during the weekend period, according to the airline’s latest booking figures. The busiest day for the airline is expected to be on Friday 15 December.

With road works and major infrastructure enhancements happening around the main airport highways and roads, Emirates urges customers to build in extra time to their journeys to avoid potential delays. Emirates reminds customers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departures.

Passengers can physically check in at the airport as early as six hours before departing on their flight. They are requested to check in no later than 2 hours prior to departure, regardless of class of travel. Customers who check in less than 60 minutes prior to their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted for travel. Customers can also check in online on both their desktops and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure.

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir to codeshare on Scoot flights

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir customers can now enjoy more choice and convenience when travelling to more than 130 destinations across the SIA Group network as a result of new codeshare agreement with the Group’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot.

Under the agreement, SIA will progressively add its ‘SQ’ designator code while SilkAir will add its ‘MI’ code to Scoot-operated flights between Singapore and more than 30 destinations served only by Scoot within the SIA Group. The codeshare arrangements will begin with Scoot flights serving Athens, Clark, Gold Coast, Hat Yai, Ipoh, Krabi, Kuching and Palembang.

In addition to through check-in service, SIA and SilkAir customers will be offered Scoot’s FlyBagEat privileges – which include checked baggage allowance, complimentary meal and beverage as well as blanket for flights above four hours. SIA and SilkAir customers will also be offered the flexibility to select seats on Scoot flights online through the SIA and SilkAir websites when booking their tickets, for a fee, in accordance with Scoot’s terms and conditions.

American Airlines and Casper help travellers dream big with new suite of onboard bedding

American Airlines has partnered with innovative global sleep company Casper to offer a best-in-class sleep experience to customers.

Launching today, customers seated in long-haul international and transcontinental First or Business class and Premium Economy can enjoy a suite of advanced sleep offerings designed by Casper’s award-winning engineering team. The Casper line of sleep products will include a mattress pad, duvet, pillow, day blanket, lumbar pillow, pyjamas and slippers, with the exact offering varying based on the route.

American put these designs to the test with customers on some of its longest flights, including Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand. The airline also tapped the expertise of some of its most frequent travellers, its flight attendants, for advice on fit, durability and comfort.

Cathay Pacific Asia adventure sale

Cathay Pacific has launched an incredible promotion on fares from all Australian ports to 64 Asian destinations from just AU$703 return.

The sale period is from Monday, 11 December – Friday, 15 December 2017 to help Aussies kick start their New Year holiday preparations with travel between 15 January – 30 April 2018.

Aussies looking to live a life well-travelled can enjoy the benefits of this promotion to set exciting new year’s resolutions to discover the latest culinary delights in Qingdao, gaze at inspiring Skyscrapers in Shanghai, or experience the bustling streets in Delhi.

On all flights passengers can experience Cathay Pacific’s award winning Economy Class, which is designed to make the travel journey a comfortable and seamless experience.

AirAsia and AJ Hackett gather bungy battlers for Crazy Jump Day at Macau Tower

Macau Tower hosted the seventh annual Crazy Jump Day on 4 December, powered by the world’s best low-cost airline AirAsia and organised by the world’s top adventure tourism company AJ Hackett.

Featuring the theme “AirAsia Destinations”, the costumed bungy jump event saw 23 participants from across Asia Pacific take the plunge from Macau Tower, the world’s highest commercial bungy jump at 233 metres operated by AJ Hackett.

The participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia and China (which covers Mainland and Macao) were selected to jump by AirAsia and AJ Hackett via a social media contest held a month before Crazy Jump Day.

The participants were chosen for their creativity, storytelling skills and the relevance of their costume to the theme, which was inspired by AirAsia’s extensive route network of more than 130 destinations.

Air Vanuatu celebrates milestone 30th birthday at Sydney Airport

Vanuatu’s national carrier, Air Vanuatu delighted passengers flying from Sydney to Port Vila on (11/12) with a surprise celebration for their milestone 30th birthday.

Passengers travelling from Sydney to Port Vila on NF11 ETA 1155 were welcomed at check-in and treated to an array of birthday goodies including lollies, cupcakes and balloons.

Among the passengers sharing in the festivities was Weekend Today Show host Steve Jacobs, who now calls Vanuatu home and is a regular guest on the flight from Sydney to Port Vila.

Air Vanuatu flies six times a week from Sydney and three times from Brisbane with onward domestic connections daily using their 70-seater ATR-600 aircraft. The airline also operates a one-stop from Sydney to Espirtu Santo on a Boeing 737-800 with Business Class.

Finnair revamps business class with a Nordic touch

Finnair has today announced the launch of a new business class service concept and new Marimekko design elements for both cabin classes, celebrating its Nordic roots and offering customers a unique Nordic customer experience

Finnair General Manager – Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Geoff Stone said Finnair’s new service concept had been inspired by pure essentials, Nordic design and meaningful encounters and would offer a wider range of dining and wine options, served on-demand and at a customer’s preferred time, just as if dining in a restaurant.

Finnair’s new business class service concept will commence 7 February 2018, on flights to Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai, with a gradual roll-out of the remaining long-haul destinations during the European Spring and Summer.

Etihad Airways increases Maldives frequency from daily to 11 flights a week in Summer 2018

Etihad Airways today announced four additional weekly flights on the popular Abu Dhabi – Malé route, taking frequency to the idyllic Maldives to 11 services a week from June next year.

The extra flights, effective 15 June 2018, will operate year-round and provide more travel options with an early morning arrival enabling guests to maximise their stay in the Maldives.

In addition to providing greater choice and flexibility for UAE and GCC residents, overall connectivity and timing options between the Maldives and key countries on Etihad Airways’ European network will be enhanced. These include the major markets of the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Russia.

The expansion from the current daily operation will continue to see a two-class A320 aircraft on the route, offering 16 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy.

Fiji Airways drives mobile strategy with Travelport Fusion

Travelport (NYSE: TVPT), a leading travel commerce platform, announces the signing of an agreement with South Pacific airline, Fiji Airways. With this agreement, Travelport will provide the airline with a mobile application powered by its new Travelport Fusion product.

Travelport Fusion is a quick-to-market mobile solution that helps airlines keep up with the rapid changes in mobile technology. The new mobile app will provide Fiji Airways with a robust tool, providing a more compelling and engaging experience for travelers.

It will allow Fiji Airways to fully maintain their brand identity with consistent brand experience. As part of the service and support from Travelport, Fiji Airways will also benefit from future product upgrades.

Tigerair Australia commences new flights between Hobart and the Gold Coast

Tigerair Australia will today commence flying the only direct low cost service between Hobart and the Gold Coast, providing a convenient and affordable air travel option between the two popular destinations.

Tigerair will operate four weekly return flights between the ‘Apple Isle’ and the Gold Coast on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The new services have been scheduled to suit the airline’s core market of budget and leisure travellers; ensuring customers will enjoy more time at their destination on arrival, with flights scheduled to depart from Hobart at 8.50am (AEDT) and arrive in the Gold Coast at 10.20am (AEST). The return flights are scheduled to depart from Gold Coast Airport at 10:50am (AEST) and arrive in Hobart at 2:30pm (AEDT).

Qatar Airways is the first airline in Africa and Middle East to achieve highest certification for IATA’s new distribution capability Global Messaging Standard

Qatar Airways recently achieved the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) NDC Level 3 Certification, demonstrating its use of the latest technological standards in providing information about airfares and other services to customers and to travel agents or another third party. NDC ensures that customers have fast access to full fare and travel product information, making for better decisions and easier transactions for travellers.

IATA has led this industry-wide initiative to standardise the way that airlines and travel service providers communicate with one another and customers. This certification, the highest level to be achieved under IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) Certification Programme, provides increased transparency and speed of communication, allowing customers access to a wider choice of products and services, enabling them to make more informed buying decisions.

The certification is a significant achievement, as Qatar Airways is the first airline in the Africa and Middle East region and second globally to implement the latest version of the standard. It shows that the airline is committed to improving the experience for its passengers at every part of their journey, both on the ground and in the air.

Emirates celebrates holiday season with special Christmas treats

Emirates is spreading the festive joy with treats across all cabin classes this December. Customers travelling for the holidays will enjoy several Christmas specials both on the ground and on board from food to entertainment.

• Festive Christmas menus onboard – like rolled turkey buffé served with cranberry jus lié, mashed potatoes, Vienna chicken sausages and seasonal vegetables.
• Newly designed amenity kits – a new range of Bulgari amenity kits are being rolled out in First and Business Class
• Special treats for kids – kids will enjoy a specially created festive menu with roast turkey, sweet potato mash, carrots and peas, as well as a moist chocolate brownie with cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate lollipop
• Christmas classic movies on ice – Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, will feature Christmas classics for the month of December
• Emirates Official Store has a range of new Christmas inspired products – including a limited edition red First Class blanket, and Christmas sweaters and festive pyjamas

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand to boost Singapore-Auckland services to three daily flights

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand today announced they will jointly launch a third daily flight between Singapore and Auckland from 28 October 2018, boosting capacity on the route by up to 40 per cent and adding more than 165,000 seats annually between the two cities.

The additional service, along with a revision of current schedules, will shorten connection times and improve connectivity through the Singapore hub.

The new service will operate daily during the peak Northern Winter season (28 October 2018 – 30 March 2019), and five times per week during the Northern Summer season (31 March 2019 – 26 October 2019). During peak months the airlines will jointly operate a total of 35 return services a week between Singapore and New Zealand, including Christchurch and Wellington flights.

Under their joint venture alliance that took effect in January 2015, the airlines will continue to operate one daily return service each on the Singapore-Auckland route, with a third service operated by Singapore Airlines during the Northern Winter season and Air New Zealand during the Northern Summer season.

Qatar Airways Reconfirms and Upsizes its Order to 50 of the larger A321neo ACF Aircraft

Qatar Airways has reconfirmed and upsized its earlier order for 50 A320neo with a firm order instead for 50 of the larger A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex configuration), in an order signed today in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron. The order was signed by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and Mr. Fabrice Brégier, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and President Commercial Aircraft during the French President’s visit to Doha.

The selection of the largest member of Airbus’ single family reflects the airline’s need for efficiency and additional capacity. This updated order replaces the original one placed in 2011.

Joining Qatar Airways’ fleet of 50 A320neo from 2019 onwards, the A321neo ACF will support the continuous development of Qatar Airways’ global network leveraging from the A321neo range capability and the unprecedented customer experience. The total value of the deal is at $6.35 billion at list prices.

Etihad Airways introduces second daily flight to Jordan

Etihad Airways is launching a second daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Amman, effective 25 March 2018.

The double daily year-round schedule will provide greater choice to local passengers travelling between Abu Dhabi and Amman, with attractive timings of early afternoon and evening departures from the capital cities of the UAE and Jordan, respectively.

The additional flights, operated by an Airbus A320 with 16 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy, will also improve connectivity over Abu Dhabi to a wider network of destinations across Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.

New flights deliver more tourists to Queensland

The first of two new air services from China landed in Queensland today, creating a new route that will deliver thousands of tourists to Australia.

China Southern Airlines’ new Guangzhou to Cairns service landed today and will operate three times a week, while Air China will launch its new Beijing to Brisbane route flying four times a week from 12 December.

Last month China Eastern Airlines also boosted the frequency of its Shanghai to Brisbane route, from four times a week to a daily service.

The Turnbull Coalition Government, through Tourism Australia, has invested significant marketing support to attract these new air services. Chinese travellers can now fly to Australia from 17 cities with ten airlines operating around 150 direct flights per week to six ports in Australia.

Emirates shares in passion for films at the 14th edition of DIFF

Emirates shares in the passion for films at the 14th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), and joins some of the event’s biggest stars on the red carpet. Along with the honourable presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the DIFF opening red carpet hosted a variety of local, regional and global talents.

Sir Patrick Stewart, Cate Blanchett, Wahid Hamid, Irrfan Khan, Hend Sabri and Sonam Kapoor were just some of the icons that were in attendance on the inaugural night of the eight day festival.

Currently ongoing till the 13th of December, the Dubai International Film Festival continues to delight film enthusiasts with regional movie premiers, forums and a host of other film related activities that cinema lovers in Dubai are sure to enjoy. Emirates has been a principal and founding sponsor of DIFF since the festival’s inception, helping to shine the spotlight on some of the best films to hit the screens.

An award-winning year as Qatar Airways sweeps International Awards Ceremonies

It has been a record-breaking year for Qatar Airways, as the airline has claimed more global awards than ever before in its 20th year of operations. Qatar’s national carrier has received more than 50 individual awards across multiple categories since January, demonstrating its continued commitment to exceeding passenger expectations with its innovative approach to product development and dedication to customer experience.

At a time when many airlines are scaling back and during a particularly challenging year, Qatar Airways continues to thrive, showcasing its best-in-class cabins, crew, catering, in-flight entertainment, on-board magazine, lounges and more.

Leading the host of awards received by the airline this year is the prestigious accolade of 2017 ‘Airline of the Year,’ awarded by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. Known as ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry,’ Qatar Airways was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’ at the Skytrax awards ceremony held in Paris in June.