Board Chairman Ahmet Bolat has announced that Turkish Airlines is in negotiations with Margot Robbie to be the face of the advertising campaign for the new Istanbul to Australia route via Singapore. Previously I have written about Turkish Airlines application, the intention of Qantas not to oppose the application for...

I previously published a post back on 1 September advising Australians entering Brazil of this change. We now have the full details published on the Brazillian government website. It’s pretty much as predicted. There is one portal to visit to make your application: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/ What you need to apply We...

Back in September, Qantas applied to the International Air Services Commission (IASC) to codeshare flights with Garuda Airlines for flights between Sydney and Melbourne and Jakarta and Denpasar, Bali. Background Let’s take a step back. First, I’ll explain who IASC is. They are an Australian statutory authority that allocates ‘capacity...

A source and Qantas have confirmed, that the new tracking app is being implemented from today. The app now allows customers on some routes to check the status of their bags at points in their journey. Wisely, Qantas is trialling the baggage tracking ability on routes between ten major domestic...

Over 99% of the unionised portion of Virgin Australia cabin crew have just voted to be able to strike. Or, as it is known more formally, they run protected work stoppages as part of their negotiations for improved wages and conditions. Negotiations have apparently stalled. However, if an agreement is...

Qantas Group has made a change to its ‘Conditions of Carriage’ that customers have to agree to travel with the airline. According to AFF, and corroborated by that amazing public internet archive tool, the WayBack Machine the changes were made on 7 & 8 November 2023. The changes we are...

Connectivity is becoming more and more important while travelling. With many applications moving to the Cloud, it is increasingly difficult to perform computer-based tasks without access to the internet. Domestic airlines are responding to this need, providing WiFi access to the internet on domestic flights. However, some are not. In...

Since it came out of administration with new owner Bain Capital, Virgin Australia has run a single-model aircraft operation. The aircraft has been the Boeing 737-800. It will stick with that very efficient single aircraft operation but with some variation. It has already ordered and received three 737 MAX-8s, and...

This direct Brisbane to Los Angeles route with United Airlines is applauded. United Airlines is a member of Star Alliance. This route will join the existing Brisbane to San Francisco flight, both using a Polaris Business Class outfitted Boeing 787. New Flights The new flights to Los Angeles from the...

According to a report back in July 2023 by John Aldridge in the Sunday Times – which I accessed on Apple News, British Airways is going to invest millions in the refurbishment of its 12 A380’s, including removing convict class. It will be introducing new seats in the A380, which...

Previously, I reported that Virgin Australia could be facing protected strike action . These applications by the unions representing baggage handlers and cleaners to the Fair Work Commission have been granted. It looked like we were in for some legal strikes if the wage negotiations were unsuccessful. Strikes have been...

Last week at the Dubai Airshow, Etihad Airways issued a news release titled ‘…journey 2030 charts course for sustainable growth.’ Currently, Etihad flies to Melbourne and Sydney, Australia on a daily basis using a combination of Boeing 777-300ER and 787-9 Dreamliners. As well as being a bit of a buzzword,...

Taking industrial relations to the edge of legality seems in hindsight, to be retired CEO Alan Joyce’s MO. New CEO Vanessa Hudson is living with some of the fallout of that operating approach to industrial relations and safety. The suspension of a safety officer at the beginning of the pandemic,...

Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand, used to be partners in a former life, and are now seeking to reform that relationship. ET, the NZ Herald and the West Australian are reporting that applications have been made to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and New Zealand Ministry of...

Finally, Qantas is allowing the inheritance of a dead member’s frequent flyer points, a facility that Virgin Australia has had for a while. As of 6 November 2023, Qantas points no longer die with you. They don’t evaporate with the death of the Frequent Flyer member, but are held for...

Initiating the Qantas domestic fleet renewal program ‘Project Winton’, Airbus A220-300s will be replacing the current fleet of QantasLink Boeing 717s servicing domestic and short-haul international routes. Qantas has ordered 20 of the A220s and 20 A321XLR to gradually replace its current domestic fleet of Boeing 737s and 717s. The...