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SINGAPORE AIRLINES Adds 5th Daily Perth Flight

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Singapore Airlines has announced the launch of a FIFTH daily flight to Perth from Monday, 1 June 2020.

The new service will be operated by the airline’s medium-haul Airbus A350-900 aircraft, offering flyers the choice of Business or Economy Class aboard one of the world’s most modern aircraft.

The new inbound flight SQ229 will depart Singapore at 12:20 and arrive in Perth at 17:25, before returning as SQ230 from Perth at 18:40 and arriving into Singapore at 00:10 the next morning. See below for details of all five departures from Perth, effective 01 June.

“We’re delighted to learn of Singapore Airline’s new Perth services,” said Lisa Byers, General Manager of The Travel Authority Corporate & Resource in Fremantle, Western Australia.

“Having a fifth daily Singapore Airlines option from Perth is pretty astonishing. The service will improve connection times to a number of key destinations.”

Lisa Byers

Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Mr. Philip Goh, said the introduction of the fifth daily service to Perth reflected the Airline’s commitment to the West Australian market.

“Singapore Airlines has been operating to Perth since 1967 and has continued to invest, enhance, and grow our services to the city.”

Philip Goh

The A350-900 medium-haul aircraft is equipped with Singapore Airlines’ medium-haul Business Class and Economy Class cabin products, with 40 seats in Business Class and 263 seats in Economy Class.

The Business Class cabin boasts a 1-2-1 seat arrangement, providing every customer with direct aisle access, while the Economy Class cabin is arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration.

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.

AIR FRANCE Launches Domestic Business Class

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From 04 February 2020, Air France will offer Business class on its domestic network, on departures from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and the French regions.

The same service will also be available on short-haul flights connecting the French regions to international destinations.

With this move upmarket, the airline’s Business class customers with long, medium or short-haul connections to or from the French regions will enjoy seamless Business class service at no extra cost throughout their trip.

On short-haul flights, Air France offers its Business customers a dedicated catering service including:

  • A savoury snack
  • A sweet snack
  • A selection of beverages such as wines and champagnes from the Air France Business class wine cellar.
  • An oshibori to freshen up.

Air France Business customers will benefit from special services such as SkyPriority channels at the airports which offer it:

  • Dedicated check-in and baggage drop-off
  • Priority lines at security checkpoint and passport control
  • Priority boarding
  • Priority at transfer desks during connections
  • Priority baggage delivery

Away from the hustle and bustle of the airport, customers will also benefit from access to the Air France lounges where they can enjoy something to eat, work, rest or ask for information. Lounges for short-haul flights are available at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (terminals F and G), Paris-Orly 1, Bordeaux and Lyon airports. The airline’s partner lounges are available at Paris-Orly (terminal 1A), Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Montpellier and Mulhouse airports.

A more generous baggage allowance is exclusively dedicated to them. Business customers can take two pieces of baggage weighing 32kg each in the hold, as well as two carry-on bags and a cabin accessory for a total of 18kg.

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.

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES Announces New Perth Services

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Our friends at Philippine Airlines have announced the commencement of direct flights to Perth from March 2020.

The non-stop service will commence with four flights each week, injecting an additional 70,000 seats into the market.

“We’re thrilled that another airline is about enter the West Australian market.”

Lisa Byers, General Manager of The Travel Authority Corporate & Resource in Fremantle.

“The new flights are well-timed schedule into Manila, meaning travellers from Perth can connect to domestic destinations in the Philippines and the airline’s extensive network throughout Asia and beyond,” added Lisa.

Perth Airport Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brown said, “We had already been able to add around 400,000 new seats of capacity into Perth over the past 12 months from our key Asian markets. The Manila route builds on that momentum.”

The airline will operate the service on a A321 Neo which has 168 seats, including 12 fully-flat Business class seats.

PR223 and PR224 will operate on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday arriving into Perth at 7.20am before departing again at 8.40am.

The first flight is scheduled for 30 March 2020.

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.

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.

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

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SPOTLIGHT ON Etihad Airways

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Our friends at Etihad Airways dropped by recently to update us on numerous developments on the ground and in the air.

Here are some of our favourites.

USA PRE-CLEARANCE

Did you know that if you fly to the US from Abu Dhabi on Etihad, you can pre-clear US immigration before you board your flight, all from the comfort of Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi Airport?

When you arrive in the US, simply pick up your bags and go.

THE LOBBY on ETIHAD’S A380s

On Etihad’s A380, First and Business Class paseengers can relax in The Lobby, a lounge area located between the First and Business cabins.

With a leather sofa, table and a TV screen, The Lobby is designed for relaxing and socialising.

FREE STOPOVERS!

For a limited time, Etihad customers can explore Abu Dhabi on the way to their next destination with a FREE two-night stopover!

CLICK HERE to see how Etihad’s brilliant free stopovers program might work for you.

‘THE HOUSE’ LOUNGES

Etihad Airways and award-winning lounge provider No1 Lounges has introduced The House lounges in Sydney and Melbourne.

Complimentary entry is offered to Etihad Airways Business and First Class passengers, and to those travelling in The Residence. Gold and Platinum members of the airline’s Etihad Guest frequent flyer program and Business Class and First Class travellers ticketed on codeshare partner services operated by Etihad Airways will also eligible for access.

Sarah Bush, Director of The Travel Authority Group, hit the skies again recently, flying long-haul with Etihad Airways, and she visited The House in Sydney.

Here’s what she thought of it.

CHAUFFEURED TRANSFERS in the UAE

Did you know that Etihad’s First & Business Class passengers enjoy chauffeured transfer services between Abu Dhabi Airport to and from anywhere in the UAE operated by the airline’s fleet of Mercedes Benz cars.

FREE TRANSFERS for ECONOMY CLASS PASSENGERS

Etihad offers a comfortable, complimentary Etihad Coach & Airport Transfer service between Abu Dhabi Airport and Dubai or Al Ain. The service offers comfortable seating, on-board entertainment, mineral water, and refresher wipes and mints.

Passengers are required to book their transfer services online up to 24 hours before their flight.

EXTRAORDINARY Abu Dhabi Pass

Did you know that when you travel to Abu Dhabi with Etihad you can access to all kinds of attractions with The Extraordinary Abu Dhabi Pass?

Just keep and present your boarding pass at participating venues to gain access to discounts at a range of restaurants, spas and attractions!

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’ 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.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES WiFi & Wellness Enhancements

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Singapore Airlines has announced a range of in-flight enhancements designed to improve passenger experience.

Passengers travelling in Suites, First Class and Business Class, as well as PPS Club members can now enjoy unlimited and 100MB complimentary WiFi respectively on flights operated by the airline’s Airbus A350, A380, Boeing 777-300ER and B787-10 aircraft

To activate the appropriate access, passengers simply need to enter their last name and seat number via the ‘Complimentary Access’ prompt section on the on-board entertainment portal.

The airline has also collaborated with Singapore-based wellness brand COMO Shambhala, and launched a range of wellness dishes on selected flights.

The wellness dishes are aimed at enhancing passenger well-being by alleviating travel-induced stresses such as fatigue, and promoting good digestion and circulation for a more comfortable journey.

First Class and Business Class customers will be able to enjoy the wellness in-flight menu on selected flights departing Singapore to Hong Kong, Frankfurt, London, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The dishes will also be available for pre-ordering via ‘Book the Cook’ for First Class, Business Class and Premium Economy Class customers on all routes departing Singapore.

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.

AIR FRANCE’s Business Class Michelin Stars

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Air France has mapped out its Business cabin menu design right through until February 2020, and it probably won’t surprise you to learn that airline’s in-flight menus are in very capable, star-spangled hands.

From July to October 2019, Savoyard chef, Guy Martin, a groundbreaking chef of his generation, will treat Business Class customers to his renowned gourmet creations.

Air France chefs Andrée Rosier, Guy Martin and Julien Royer.

Awarded two Michelin stars, Martin’s cuisine has multiple and surprising sources – memories of trips, colours, smells, sensations and emotions, which have inspired him.

Martin’s Seared Pike perch on an Air France business class menu.

From November 2019 to February 2020, martin hands the Business class apron strings over to Andrée Rosier for the first time. The first female chef to be awarded the title of Meilleur ouvrier de France in 2007, and a Michelin-starred chef herself, Rosier delivers authentic, innovative cuisine based on Basque culture, predominated by fresh seasonal produce.

The airline’s Singapore departures will be handled by another French chef with two Michelin stars, Julien Royer. Like Singapore, Royer offers a cosmopolitan cuisine with carefully selected seasonal products.

We have some brilliant Business Class airfares with Air France in conjunction with Qantas.

Sydney to Paris return from just $5999!

Fare shown was correct at 16 July 2019, but is subject to availability and change. It is based on a journey departing Sydney on 20 October 2019, and routes via Hong Kong.

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.

ANA: New Premium Cabins

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Japan’s largest airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA), has collaborated with renowned architect Kengo Kuma and leading British designers Acumen to create its new cabin products “THE Suite” and “THE Room”.

Inspired by Japanese heritage and Western design principles, and five years in the making, the new cabins will be featured in First Class and Business Class respectively for the first time on completely redesigned Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the Tokyo-London route.

The first redesigned aircraft will serve the Tokyo (Haneda)-London route (NH211/NH212) from 02 August 2019.

“The design process is just as much about what we decided to include as what we decided to omit,” said architect Kengo Kuma of his involvement in the project.

“My work is about understanding how space is used and creating the most comfortable conditions in any environment.”

New First Class Seat – “THE Suite”
Designed with impeccable attention to detail, THE Suite is inspired by luxury Japanese hotels and is the most spacious fully enclosed seating ever seen on an ANA aircraft.

New features include the addition of privacy-enhancing doors as well as a crystal-clear 43 inch monitor that is the world’s first 4K personal monitor on a commercial airliner. THE Suite also boasts a movable partition which can be adjusted upon request to pair seats as well as a universal PC and USB port.

New Business Class Seat – “THE Room”
Inspired by modern, multifunctional Japanese living spaces, THE Room offers for the first time flexible doors for personal privacy that can also be adjusted to share the space with fellow travel companions – from dining together with the family to conducting meetings with colleagues.

With its forward and rearward layout, THE Room offers one of the world’s largest Business Class seating environments. With a design focus on minimisation and de-cluttering, the Business Class seat offers a ‘place for everything’ including discreet areas for all personal belongings.

New Interior Cabin Design
Complementing these comfort-boosting upgrades to seating areas, ANA has also revamped the entrance area of the aircraft to create a hotel like reception complete with welcome monitors.

ANA has also designed a new food service area to embody the Japanese ‘Omotenashi’ philosophy of hospitality with a redesigned self-service bar area, which now boast mini-fridges stocked with beverages and snacks for customers to enjoy at any time.

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.

QATAR AIRWAYS is Bringing its Qsuite to Perth

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The 2019 Skytrax World’s Best Airline Qatar Airways, has announced a temporary change to the aircraft its operating into Perth.

Between September and December 2019, Qatar Airways’ Perth-Doha services will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the airline’s award-winning Qsuite business class product.

“We’re really excited about this, even if it is only temporary”, says Lisa Byers, General Manager of The Travel Authority Corporate & Resource in Fremantle.

“Whilst the Boeing 777 lacks First Class and the A380’s spacious bar and lounge, our clients will love getting a taste of the Qsuite’s unique a face-to-face ‘party of four’ configuration and flexibility”, added Lisa.

Qatar Airways’ Qsuite was named World’s Best Business Class at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Clients of The Travel Authority enjoyed it first-hand with an exclusive invitation to experience the Qsuite on a day trip to Canberra in early 2019. Read more about that experience HERE.

In-flights pics from The Travel Authority’s Qatar Airways day trip in February 2019.

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines, operating one of the youngest fleets with an average age of five years. The airline has daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to over 160 destinations worldwide via one stop at Doha.

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.