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BRITISH AIRWAYS’ Club Europe Upgrades

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If you’re flying long haul in British Airways’ very comfortable World Traveller Plus premium economy class and then connecting to a BA short haul flight, you can enjoy selected connections in the comfort of Club Europe.

ALL YOU have to do is book by 30 November 2019!

World Traveller Plus long-haul premium economy on British Airways.

World Traveller Plus is BA’s long-haul premium economy cabin. It gives you more space to relax on board, as well as a superior menu and greater baggage allowance than World Traveller economy class.

And now it can give you a free upgrade to Club Europe, too.

The comfort of Club Europe in the air and on the ground.

ABOUT CLUB EUROPE

Club Europe is British Airways’ short haul business class, and it offers:

  • More space to relax on board and a guaranteed window or aisle seat.
  • The chance to enjoy BA’s comfortable departure lounges.
  • Dedicated check-in desks and priority boarding.
  • More Avios and Tier Points for Executive Club Members.

Scroll down for terms and conditions.

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.

Terms & Conditions
1. Customers who book selected qualifying World Traveller Plus British Airways (BA) or BA flights with a connection onto a BA short haul flight will be eligible to be booked into Club Europe. Customers booked in W class on long haul will be booked into the lowest available Club Europe class up to and including D class, customers booked in E class on long haul will be booked into the lowest available class in Club Europe up to and including R class. Where the relevant classes are not available customers will be booked into Y class in Euro Traveller.
2. Certain route exclusions may apply.
3. Travel in Club Europe is subject to availability at the time of booking.
4. Customers who change their travel arrangements after the date of booking will only be seated in Club Europe subject to the new arrangements meeting the eligibility criteria.
5. There is no limit to the number of times a customer can take advantage of the offer.
6. Avios will be awarded for the cabin flown in.
7. Booking dates: 15 October 2019 – 30 November 2019.

BRITISH AIRWAYS Pilots Strike: 09, 10 & 27 September 2019

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In British Airways’ centenary year, the airline and the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) have failed to come to a negotiated agreement in their pay-dispute.

As the talks broke down, BALPA has given notice of strikes set to take place on 9, 10 and 27 September 2019.

A media release on the British Airways website states that, “It is completely unacceptable that BALPA is destroying the travel plans of tens of thousands of our customers with this unjustifiable strike action.” It goes on to describe BALPA’s action as ‘reckless’.

On the other side, BALPA said strikes were a ‘last resort’ born from ‘enormous frustration’ with airline management.

British Airways has advised it’s making changes to flight schedules to get as many people away on their journeys as possible. However, it expects many of its customers will not be able to travel on their preferred dates, and will be offering refunds and re-bookings for passengers booked on cancelled flights.

“We continue to monitor the situation, and are in close contact with our close friends at British Airways”, says The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

“All of our affected clients have been notified, and alternative travel arrangements swiftly made”, says The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper.

“We continue to monitor the situation, however, and are in close contact with our close friends at British Airways to ensure our clients’ travel plans aren’t disrupted’, added Hosper.

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS Premium Economy, Business & First Exclusives!

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ON SALE UNTIL 07 JUNE 2019 ONLY

We’re thrilled to have received these exclusive fares in premium cabins from our friends at British Airways offering brilliant value to Singapore and London.

Try these return fares from Sydney on for size.

SINGAPORE

  • WORLD TRAVELLER PLUS premium economy from $1699
  • CLUB WORLD business class from $2959
  • FIRST from $3859

LONDON

  • WORLD TRAVELLER PLUS premium economy from $3055
  • CLUB WORLD business class from $5969
  • FIRST from $9119

Fares are also available from other Australian cities into destinations right across Europe. Please contact us for the perfect fare for your journey.

BUSINESS CLASS BONUS!
All BA Club World business class bookings on flights BA15/16 made through The Travel Authority are eligible for chauffeur-driven transfers to-from Sydney Airport—a service previously only offered to First passengers.

Scroll down for terms and conditions.

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

We’d love to hear from you.

Fares shown are from Sydney, include taxes, are correct at 28 May 2019 but are subject to availability and change due to fluctuations in foreign currencies and fees or charges applied at the time of booking. Pricing is based on Low Season departures 30 April – 06 June 2019, 27 September – 25 November 2019, and 13 January – 24 March 2020. Advance purchase ticketing requirements (up to 21 days prior to travel) apply. Additional conditions apply.

British Airways Premium Economy plus Business within Europe!

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For a very limited time, our friends at British Airways have extended this brilliant offer to The Travel Authority Group.

Our fares include travel in World Traveller Plus Premium Economy between Sydney and London, and then travel on to your choice of British Airways’ European destinations in Club Europe Business Class.

Sale ends on 01 July 2019!

British Airways ‘World Traveller Plus’ premium economy.

Sample return fares from Sydney include:

  • Barcelona from $3805.00
  • Nice from $3826.00
  • Paris from $3834.00
  • Frankfurt from $3956.00
  • Prague from $3869.00
  • Rome from $3883.00

Prices shown include taxes and were correct at 18 April 2019, but are subject to availability and change. Departure date for each fare was 04 June 2019.

“This is a fabulous offer”, says Sarah Bush, Director of The Travel Authority Group.

“BA’s World Traveller Plus cabin is really terrific, and combined with the comfort of the airline’s Club Europe Business Class, this is a fabulous way to tackle long-haul at a great price”, added Sarah.

British Airways ‘Club Europe’ business class.

Benefits include:

  • Galleries Club Lounge access in London when flying from London to Europe
  • Lounge Access at destination when flying to London (where lounges exist)
  • 2-by-2 config on European flights Window or aisle with seat separator
  • Delicious meals and drinks including alcohol included
  • Dedicated Check-in
  • Dedicated boarding
  • Fast Track airport transfer connecting to Europe

Galleries Club Lounge, London.

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

We’d love to hear from you.

London on Sale with British Airways

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On sale until 31st March 2019 only
For Departures until 5th December 2019

We love an airfare sale as much as you do.

And we’re loving these fares from our very good friends at British Airways.

To London from Sydney:

  • World Traveller (Economy) from just $1,273
  • World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) from just $3,300

These prices include taxes and surcharges. They were correct at 22 March 2019, and apply to specific departures between 23 April and 06 June 2019, and between 27 September and 25 November 2019. They are subject to availability, and change without notice.

Sale fare are also available from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and Gold Coast.

Ask us about fares to destinations right across the UK and Europe!

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

We’d love to hear from you.

WE KNOW: Singapore’s Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

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Emma Dalton, Senior Corporate Travel Consultant at The Travel Authority Corporate Sydney, recently returned from an insightful (and luxurious) trip to Singapore and Europe.

Emma was invited by The Travel Authority Group’s friends at British Airways and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts to inspect their luxury offerings first-hand. As she travelled, Emma put BA’s Club World Business Class and airport lounges through their paces.

Click Here to read about Emma’s British Airways immersion.

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

Before pushing on to London and Paris, Emma ran her discerning eye over iconic Shangri-La hotels in Singapore, as well as a pair of ‘Hotel Jen by Shangri-La’ properties.

First stop: Singapore.

“We arrived into Singapore Changi Airport from Sydney on BA016 at 21.30, then were transferred by Carey Limousines to Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, arriving at about 23.00”, said Emma.

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is consistently ranked among the world’s best hotels. Set in 15 acres of lush gardens, the legendary hotel offers a tranquil retreat from the buzz and bustle of Singapore and the Orchard Road shopping precinct nearby.

“Shangri-La Hotel Singapore enjoys a great location. This is a city hotel with none of the hustle and bustle you might expect knowing the city’s renowned Orchard Road shopping precinct is just a short walk away”, says Emma.

The hotel features 792 luxurious guestrooms and suites across three distinct wings as well as 182 spacious serviced apartments and residences. It has always been popular with leisure and business travellers alike.

A Valley Wing Deluxe at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

Emma stayed in a Valley Wing Deluxe room.

“The Valley Wing has its own entrance which makes it feel very exclusive, and the rooms are so opulent. My Valley Wing Deluxe room had a grand ambiance to it. The over-sized bathroom and huge chandelier really made me feel like I was somewhere special”, Emma recalls.

“The Tower Wing has a contemporary feel to it and, with large rooms, is suited to both business and leisure guests. There’s a floor dedicated to families, boasting five themed family suites and a room that has everything a parent would need if travelling with a baby or young child. Bottles and nappies, books and prams—you name it!”, says Emma.

Castle-themed Family suite.

Finally, a bit of a contrast, Emma described hotel’s Garden Wing as having a genuine holiday feel to it.

“Each Garden Wings room has a balcony—perfect for anyone looking for a city break with a resort vibe”, recommends Emma. The hotel’s pool—the largest in Singapore—will also certainly appeal to the holiday crowd.

Garden Wing Premier Balcony Suite

Highlights of Emma’s stay included:

  • The free-flowing Veuve from 11.00 in the Valley Wing Champagne Bar
  • Daily afternoon tea, dainty sandwiches and pastries, cookies and pralines at The Valley Wing Lobby Lounge
  • Daily evening canapes

Valley Wing Champagne Bar, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

“Also, the curated selection of cheeses and ‘Gins around the World’ at The Valley Wing Lobby are all great (and delicious!) selling points for this room category at the hotel”, Emma points out.

During her stay in Singapore, Emma also inspected Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa—a beachside resort on nearby Sentosa Island, Singapore’s playground. Even though the resort is just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, this is very much a leisure property popular with families.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa.

The beachfront Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is home to:

  • 454 rooms and suites
  • 6 restaurants and bars

Emma’s pick of the resort’s restaurants was Trapizza, a casual Italian eatery right on the beach.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort’s beachside Trapizza restaurant.

The inspections continued in Singapore at Hotel Jen Tanglin, and Hotel Jen Orchardgateway.

Previously known as Shangri-La’s Traders Hotels, Jen Hotels describe themselves as ‘fresh, friendly and fuss-free. Catering to a new Jeneration of independently minded business and leisure travellers.’

Club Room, Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore.

“The Jen Hotels vibe is fresh, local and vibrant. The rooms at both Singapore properties are modern and funky”, says Emma.

Her pick of Singapore’s Jens?

“The Hotel Jen Orchardgateway is in a perfect position for both leisure and corporate travellers. The rooftop pool is AMAZING and the rooms, although small, feel larger because of the well throughout floor-plan and loads of natural light”, says Emma.

Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore – Pool.

For more information about Shangri-La’s brilliant portfolio of luxury hotels, leave us a note in the form below, or call us to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

WE KNOW: British Airways ‘Club World’ Business Class

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Emma Dalton, Senior Corporate Travel Consultant at The Travel Authority Corporate Sydney, has recently returned from an insightful (and luxurious) trip to Singapore and Europe.

Pics from Emma’s British Airways Club World experience.

Emma was invited by The Travel Authority Group’s friends at British Airways and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts to inspect their luxury offerings first-hand. As she travelled, Emma put BA’s Club World Business Class through its paces aboard the airline’s Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

  • BA016 Sydney to Singapore – Boeing 777
  • BA012 Singapore to London – Airbus A380
  • BA011 London to Singapore – Airbus A380
  • BA015 Singapore to Sydney – Boeing 777

Club World cabin on British Airways A380 aircraft.

On the ground, Emma ran her discerning eye over Shangri-La hotels in Singapore, Paris and London, including some Hotel Jen by Shangri-La properties

CLICK HERE to read about Emma’s Shangri-La hotel inspections in Singapore.

With such high quality ingredients, it’s no surprise that Emma returned to work absolutely buzzing from her BA & Shangri-La experience.

“It was an amazing trip—just incredible”, said Emma.

“From the moment I entered The House lounge in Sydney to the moment I landed home nine days later, the entire experience was absolute luxury. British Airways Club World business class was great. Frankly, the reviews do not do it justice. I have absolutely no hesitation selling and recommending Club World”, added Emma.

British Airways now invites its Sydney Club World and First passengers to The House lounge, rather than the Qantas lounges which have been the airline’s longstanding choice.

The House location at Sydney International Airport.

However, Qantas lounges remain available to BA flyers under Oneworld alliance lounge access rules.

“The House lounge is quiet and intimate and has a great selection of food. You can have a sit down meal before you board your flight—great if you want to board your flight and get straight to work or sleep”, advises Emma.

Service at The House includes à-la-carte dining with waiter service, shower facilities and unlimited WiFi.

Upon boarding flight BA016, the premium service and comfort continued.

“The luxurious Club World bedding by The White Company is just lovely. I loved that they supply a day blanket as well as a duvet for sleeping. Topped off by the biggest pillows in business class, it’s incredibly comfortable. I slept almost as well as I would in my own bed”, she reports.

Club World bedding and in-flight amenity kit.

Emma also noted some nice touches on the in-flight menu.

“In addition to an impressive wine list, on overnight flights, BA offers an an entrée and desert menu to help passengers maximise sleep time. This is a great option if you want something light before making the most of the comfortable bedding. Breakfast can be ordered in advance so it’s ready for you when you wake up”, says Emma.

Comparing the Club World cabins on different aircraft, Emma notes the configuration on both the A380 and the B777 was very similar, although the A380 did feel a little more updated.

“I was seated upstairs on the A380, but made sure to visit the Club World cabin on the lower level. Interestingly, even though there are more seats downstairs, the higher ceilings did make the cabin feel more spacious than the upper deck”, says Emma.

Club World’s forwards-backwards ‘yin-yang’ configuration.

Of Club World’s forwards-backwards seat layout, Emma says, “I travelled forwards and backwards on different sectors and, apart from take off and landing, I found little difference between travelling one way or the other.”

At Singapore Changi Airport, Emma accessed the British Airways Lounge and Concorde Bar in Terminal 1 before pushing on to Paris via London Heathrow. In transit, Emma made the most of services available at the British Airways Galleries Lounge in Terminal 5.

Elemis Spa, T5 Heathrow.

“At Heathrow T5, I recommend heading straight to the Elemis Spa in the lounge area. The spa offers complimentary 15-minute treatments for BA Club World and First customers. Club World customers can’t book ahead but I secured a spot right away”, says Emma.

“The mini facial was just great after our long-haul flight, and filled in the time before our onward flight to Paris. It was the perfect way to transit T5”, added Emma.

For more information about Emma’s BA experience, simply leave us a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.

We’d love to hear from you.

New Enhancements to British Airways First Class

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As if things weren’t luxe enough at British Airways’ very pointy end, from 31 March British Airways First passengers will enjoy a host of new features and thoughtfully created comforts.

The new enhancements include:

  • Delicious, indulgent dining experience, with exclusively designed crockery, cutlery and glassware from the finest British designers, William Edwards, Studio William and Dartington
  • Foam and microfibre mattress topper and 400 thread count bedding
  • Exclusively-designed male and female Temperley London loungewear, amenity bag and slippers
  • A range of luxury Elemis skin care products
  • High performance Meridian headphones offering a fully immersive in-flight audio experience

The rollout of these new First products will be complete by mid-April.

“British Airways’ premium cabins are some of the finest in the sky”, says Sarah Bush, Director of The Travel Authority Group, Sydney.

“These enhancements will take BA First to another level”, adds Sarah.

From your own stylish suite, to exclusive access to spa treatments, fast-track security, and elevated service, British Airways First is one of the finest ways to travel.

The British Airways’ First in-flight experience includes:

  • Private, spacious suites
  • A fully flat bed with mattress and duvet
  • Delicious, indulgent dining
  • Access to luxurious lounges and spa treatments
  • Exclusive and dedicated service
  • Priority boarding, straight from an exclusive First lounge

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.

British Airways unveils new Business Class ‘Club Suite’

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As we anticipated late last year, British Airways has unveiled its highly-anticipated new business class seat – ‘Club Suite’ – and confirmed it will arrive on the first of its Airbus A350 aircraft in July.

“We’re thrilled to see BA’s new aircraft launch with a brand new business class seat and experience”, said Sarah Bush, Director of The Travel Authority Group.

“This latest incarnation of BA’s impressive business class—’Club Suite’— really does look like a next-generation product. We look forward to seeing it for ourselves, and hearing client feedback after they fly”, added Sarah.

Like the airline’s existing Club World product, the newly-branded ‘Club Suite’ offers direct-aisle access in its 1-2-1 configuration, and each seat converts into a luxurious flat-bed.

What is different, however, is the addition of a suite door for greater privacy, 40% more storage—including a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, generous 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming, and PC/USB power.

The new Airbus A350 aircraft itself will also promote a feeling of well-being, space and calm due to its reduced noise levels, high ceilings and ambient lighting which is intended to compliment the time of day and outside light. Customers will experience a cabin with higher levels of humidity and refreshed air as the cabin pressure is equivalent to an altitude of just 6,000 feet.

There are also environmental benefits to flying on the state-of the-art A350 as 25% lower fuel burn significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “The arrival of our first A350 featuring our new Club Suite is one of the most exciting developments in our £6.5 billion investment programme.”

As well as a new 56-seat Club World cabin, the three-cabin A350 will feature the latest World Traveller Plus cabin (56 seats) with new furnishings including a plush new pillow and warm quilt, new amenity kits and an enhanced service and an improved dining experience. The World Traveller (economy) cabin offers 219 seats. Customers will also benefit from high-speed WiFi, allowing travellers to browse the internet on their personal electronic devices.

After launching on short-haul routes, BA’s new A350s will commence long-haul services from October. The airline will commence retro-fitting its existing long-haul fleet with the new Club Suite at this time, too.

For more information about BA’s new Club Suite, leave us a note in the form below, or call us to discuss!

We’d love to hear from you.

oneworld Alliance Turns 20!

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As oneworld® marks its 20th anniversary, the global airline alliance has unveiled a suite of benefits for customers and member airlines.

The CEOs of oneworld member airlines met in London on 01 February to mark the 20th anniversary, and unveil a transformation of the global alliance.

oneworld CEO Rob Gurney said, “In the two decades since oneworld was launched, the industry and consumer behaviours have changed fundamentally. Most of our member airlines have undergone comprehensive restructuring. Some have merged. When oneworld first took off, hardly any airline offered online bookings. Smartphones were in the future. Social media did not exist. Airline fares included everything. Low-cost carriers were in their infancy.

“Since then, global alliances have grown greatly in terms of membership but, to be frank, they have failed to keep pace with the changes that their members, the industry at large and the marketplace have experienced. At oneworld, we are making up for that. As we enter our third decade, we are undergoing a radical transformation, with a host of fresh initiatives to strengthen further the relevance of the alliance to our member airlines and our customers.”

Those initiatives include:

Digital revolution
Customers flying on connecting flights on oneworld airlines will be able to check-in, obtain boarding passes, track baggage, receive flight updates and pay for additional services through their preferred airline’s app or website, progressively from this year.

Improved customer experience
oneworld-branded and managed airport lounges to be rolled out at key airports, offering more space and service.

More member airlines
Royal Air Maroc to join in 2020 and Fiji Airways to be fully implemented as first oneworld connect partner next month, increasing the alliance network to 1,100 destinations in 180 territories, with more oneworld connect partners to be signed.

Royal Air Maroc is oneworld’s first full member recruit for six years and its first from Africa.

An updated brand
New oneworld market positioning that is ‘fresh, contemporary and more inclusive’ reflecting the diversity of the alliance’s member airlines and their customers, with the tagline Travel Bright. This initiative also includes a new website.

oneworld was launched on 1 February 1999 by founding members American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas.

Since then, they have been joined by:

  • Finnair and Iberia (1999)
  • LATAM (then LanChile, 2000)
  • Japan Airlines and Royal Jordanian (2007)
  • S7 Airlines (2010)
  • Malaysia Airlines (2013)
  • Qatar Airways (2013)
  • SriLankan Airlines (2014)

Royal Air Maroc was invited into the alliance in December and is on track to join during 2020.

Around 30 airlines linked to the alliance’s full members are oneworld affiliate members, offering its full range of services and benefits. Fiji Airways was introduced as the first oneworld connect partner in December 2018, offering a subset of the alliance’s services and benefits, and is on track for full implementation next month.
Collectively, these airlines now:

  • Serve 1,100 airports in 180 territories, with 14,000 daily departures.
  • Carry almost 550 million passengers a year on a combined fleet of 3,500 aircraft.

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.