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WE KNOW: Singapore Airlines Regional Business Class

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The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper, recently flew between Singapore and Bali aboard a Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 aircraft.

“Flying with Singapore Airlines is always a bit of a treat. Service and experience are always top-notch,” says Peter.

Peter travelled in business class, sampling Singapore Airlines’ new regional, medium haul Business Class product.

“Narrower than the Business Class seats on SQ’s 777s and A380s, the new medium haul business class seat—available on both SQ’s 787s and A350s—is super-comfortable and and thoughtfully designed.

“Everything from handy storage areas, charging and headset ports, foot rests, controls and table spaces are precisely where they should be, and the entertainment system and F&B were fabulous,” notes Peter.

‘And even though this is a ‘regional medium haul’ product, I would happily travel long haul in it”

Peter Hosper, The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director

Singapore Airlines’ 787-10 aircraft have 36 Business Class seats with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration, and 301 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Economy Class aboard Singapore Airlines’ 787-10 aircraft.

The airline operates four daily direct services from Singapore to Bali. At the time of publication, two services were operated by Airbus A330-330 aircraft, and two by Boeing 787-10 aircraft.

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SINGAPORE AIRLINES Confirms 4th New Aircraft for Perth

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Singapore Airlines has confirmed that, from 1 October 2019, customers travelling to and from Perth will experience its latest medium-haul cabin products, in-flight entertainment system on all four daily flights.

Currently operating two Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, one Boeing 787-10 aircraft and one A330-300 aircraft to Perth, Singapore Airlines will complete the final upgrade of aircraft when SQ225/224—the current A330-300 services—begins operating with a Boeing 787-10 from Tuesday 1 October.

The 787-10 is configured with 337 seats across two classes, featuring 36 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, and 301 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout.

“We’re thrilled to see each Singapore Airlines’ Perth service being operated by some of the world’s most advanced new aircraft”, says Lisa Byers, General Manager of The Travel Authority Corporate & Resource, Fremantle.

“Our clients will love the consistency and quality of the product and service offered by this combination of SQ Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 services”, added Lisa.

Singapore Airlines medium-haul Business Class on the 787-10 is arranged in a forward-facing 1-2-1 staggered configuration to provide direct aisle access from every seat. Each seat reclines directly into a 76” fully-flat bed.

For fares and more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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QANTAS Aims for Brisbane-Chicago & San Francisco Flights

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Qantas is set to grow its network in the United States, with the airline confirming it will fly directly from Brisbane to Chicago and San Francisco should its joint business with American Airlines be approved by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).

The new routes, to be operated by Qantas’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, are expected to launch by the end of April 2020 and will add more than 170,000 seats across the Pacific each year.

“These are exciting times for Qantas flyers”, said The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

“Brand new routes operated by brand new aircraft opening up new destinations attractive to both business and leisure travellers is a smart move, indeed”, he added.

Directly linking Australia and the third-largest US city for the first time, Qantas would operate the flights four times per week between Brisbane and Chicago. The city is one of American Airlines’ major hubs, giving Qantas customers access to 30 additional unique one-stop destinations from Australia. With the added gateway, Qantas customers will be able to connect to more than 200 onward destinations from Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth.

The direct service from Brisbane will save customers flying between Australia and Chicago more than six hours of travel time on a return trip.

Brisbane – Chicago

  • The 14,326km flight will take approximately 16 hours 20 minutes (slightly more or less depending on winds).
  • When it launches, it is expected to be the fourth-longest passenger flight in the world.

The new three-times-per-week Brisbane to San Francisco service will complement Qantas’ existing flights from Sydney and Melbourne – meaning customers could choose from double daily Dreamliner services from Australia’s east coast to San Francisco.

Brisbane – San Francisco

  • The 11,367km flight will take approximately 12 hours 40 minutes (slightly more or less depending on winds).
  • 14 flights per week from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to San Francisco.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the launch of 787 flights from Brisbane to Chicago and San Francisco would be a win for customers and tourism.

“This will give Qantas and American Airlines customers unprecedented access. These flights will make it one stop from Chicago to Hamilton Island or San Francisco to Townsville”, he said.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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QANTAS Announces San Francisco as next Dreamliner Destination

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From early December 2019, Qantas passengers flying between Sydney and San Francisco will experience the airline’s next generation Economy, Premium Economy and Business cabins aboard the 787 Dreamliner.

The change coincides with the phased delivery of Qantas’ six additional Dreamliners, as the more efficient aircraft gradually replaces the Boeing 747 aircraft on the airlines’ international network by the end of 2020.

“As much as we’re sad to see Qantas’ fleet of 747s being retired, the deployment of these new aircraft and their brilliant in-flight offering bring new levels of quality on popular routes for our business and leisure clients”, said The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

“We look forward to experiencing it for ourselves”, added Hosper.

Business Class on the Qantas Dreamliner. Source: Qantas.

The Sydney-San Francisco Dreamliner service will operate daily, complementing Qantas’ existing four-times-per-week Dreamliner service from Melbourne.

The popular Californian city is one of five international destinations currently served by the Qantas Dreamliner, along with Los Angeles, New York, London and Hong Kong.

Premium Economy cabin on the Qantas Dreamliner. Source: Qantas.

Qantas International Acting CEO Naren Kumar said the ongoing roll-out of the Dreamliner was good news for more passengers across the airline’s network.

“Our Dreamliner is the most comfortable aircraft we have ever flown. Customer feedback on the cabin environment, from the seats to the anti-jetlag measures, continues to exceed our expectations,” said Mr Kumar.

“We’ll also soon begin upgrading the cabins of our A380 aircraft which means the inflight experience for our customers travelling to the United States will have never been better”, he added.

Economy Class on the Qantas Dreamliner. Source: Qantas.

The new aircraft will bring Qantas’ total fleet of Dreamliners to 14 in the second half of 2020.

Qantas’ Dreamliner carries 236 passengers across three cabins. It features the latest version of the airline’s Business Suite, as well as a next generation Premium Economy seat and a significantly improved Economy seat with extra storage compartments and more legroom.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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QANTAS Perth-London Flights: One Year Down

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Qantas’ landmark non-stop Perth-London services have been operating for more than a year now, and the airline reports that they’re exceeding expectations, breaking speed records and supporting more than $100 million in visitor spending in Western Australia.

“Qantas’ direct Perth-London services have really changed the way travellers and airlines think about long-haul”, says The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

Business Class cabin aboard Qantas’ 787 Dreamliner. Image credit: Qantas.

“The very-near future of ultra-long-haul aircraft and flights promises to be very exciting indeed. We look forward to new city-pairs, and innovative offerings that take these services to new heights. We thrilled to see an Australian airline leading the way and inventing the future”, added Hosper.

Visiting Perth recently to mark the first anniversary of the service – which remains the only direct connection between Australia and Europe – Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce released a report card showing what Perth-London has achieved so far.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce. Image credit: Qantas.

Key among the insights was an independent analysis by Deloitte Access Economics, which found the non-stop 787 Dreamliner service had in its first year:

  • Facilitated more than $100 million increase in spending by visitors, 92% from international stopover passengers.
  • Supported creation of 601 full-time equivalent jobs, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector.
  • With 71% of international visitors on the route choosing to stopover in Perth, helped to drive more than 1 million visitor nights spent in WA.

Other insights included:

  • UK residents make up the majority of overseas passengers at 31%.
  • Qantas has seen a 30 per cent increase in the total number of passengers travelling between Australia and London via Perth – including a 7% increase in visitors from the UK travelling to Perth.
  • Interestingly, 25% of outbound passengers on the new services start their journey in Melbourne.

Mr Joyce said, “The work we put into managing passenger jetlag and designing a comfortable cabin has paid off. It’s the longest flight on our entire network but it has the highest level of customer satisfaction.

“We didn’t plan to regularly break speed records in both directions. The current title holder arrived into Perth from London a full hour ahead schedule thanks to prevailing winds and our new flight planning system.”

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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BA Celebrates Centenary With Retro Liveries

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This announcement from British Airways is sure to send plane-fancier hearts aflutter.

As part of the airline’s centenary commemorations, British Airways has today announced it will be painting four of its aircraft in much-loved retro designs from its past—the first confirmed as a Boeing 747 in a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) design.

This first aircraft will return to London Heathrow from the paint factory on 18 February ready to re-enter service the following day. Pleasingly, this coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Boeing 747 flight only a few days earlier.

The 747 has been deliberately chosen for the BOAC livery as it is a later variant of the same aircraft type that adorned the design when it was initially in operation.

Three more aircraft will receive popular designs from British Airways’ past over the coming months with more details to be revealed in due course.

All four aircraft will fly British Airways’ routes, proudly showcasing some of the popular designs as part of the airline’s centenary celebrations.

“So many British Airways customers and colleagues have fond memories of our previous liveries, regularly sharing their photos from across the globe. It’s incredibly exciting to be re-introducing some classic designs, and what better place to start than the iconic BOAC livery”, said Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO.

The BOAC livery will remain on the Boeing 747 until it retires in 2023. By this time, British Airways will have retired the majority of its 747 fleet, replacing them with new state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft. This includes
taking delivery of 18 A350s and 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in the next four years.

“This is such a lovely way to commemorate British Airways’ 100th birthday”, says Sarah Bush, Director of The Travel Authority Group.

“We look forward to seeing this gorgeous old livery—and the three to come—take flight on aircraft across BA’s global network, and we wish them a very happy 100th birthday”, adds Sarah.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

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INTRODUCING THE TAHITIAN DREAMLINER

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Air Tahiti Nui has launched the ‘Tahitian Dreamliner’—a brand new aircraft to coincide with the airline’s 20th year of operations.

The new aircraft has initially been deployed on the Papeete-Auckland route. Travellers departing from Australia will fly on Qantas-operated Air Tahiti Nui flights across the Tasman, and board the Tahitian Dreamliner in Auckland for onward travel to Tahiti.

Trans-Tasman connections are also permitted on Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Jetstar in accordance with airfare rules. Please contact us for full details.

SERVICE FREQUENCY
Air Tahiti Nui operates three flights a week between Auckland and Papeete in Tahiti—Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, crossing the International Dateline in the process.

Papeete to Auckland services operate Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.

AIRCRAFT CONFIGURATION
The airline’s Dreamliner is configured with three cabins:

  • Poerava Business Class
  • Moana Premium Economy
  • Moana Economy

POERAVA BUSINESS CLASS
Air Tahiti’s Poerava Business Class has been enhanced with the introduction of a 180-degree full-flat seat.

Designed to optimise space, the seat includes a wide range of storage areas, and is configured in five rows on a six-across (2-2-2) layout.

  • 60 inches of pitch
  • A fully flat 78 inches bed
  • Luxurious cushion and cover comfort system
  • Individual touch screen and remote control
  • Personal lighting and privacy divider.

Onboard business class amenities include a thick duvet, one large and comfortable pillow, and a luxury kit of accessories.

MOANA PREMIUM ECONOMY
The Tahitian Dreamliner features Air Tahiti Nui’s first premium economy seat and cabin.

The cabin offers a more comfortable flying experience with extra leg room and relaxation space in 32 seats configured in five rows in a seven-across
(2-3-2) layout.

  • 20.4 inches-wide seats
  • Pitch of 38 inches
  • Recline of 8 inches.

The onboard amenities include: a comfortable polar blanket, one big pillow and a complete kit of accessories.

MOANA ECONOMY
The two Moana Economy class cabins feature a total of 232 seats specially designed for long-haul travel.

Economy class seats are installed in a nine-across (3-3-3) configuration.

  • Pitch of 31 inches
  • Recline of 6 inches

The onboard amenities include: a comfortable polar blanket, one comfortable pillow and a complete kit of personal accessories.

For more information, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.