text: Coincidentally, Travel Weekly‘s editor also debuted a new look today. However, his flare-leg jeans and snakeskin boots were not as well-received as United’s new shades of blue.
  Out with the gold, in with the blue: United Airlines unveils its next fleet paint design
  United Airlines is introducing customers and employees to a modernised aircraft livery, which will bring a refreshed look to its fleet. The design is a visual representation of United’s ongoing brand evolution while staying true to the history it has developed over the past 93 years of proudly serving customers around the world.
  The next iteration of United’s livery prominently features the colour most connected to the airline’s core – blue. Three shades – Rhapsody Blue, United Blue and Sky Blue – are used throughout the design in a way that pays respect to United’s heritage while bringing a more modern energy.
  The airline is keeping its iconic globe logo on the aircraft tail, which represents the carrier’s expansive route network of reaching 355 destinations in nearly 60 countries. The tail will be updated with a gradient in the three shades of blue, while the logo will now appear predominantly in Sky Blue.
  The engines and wingtips are also being painted United Blue, and the swoop that customers and employees have expressed fondness for on United’s Dreamliner fleet will be added to all aircraft in Rhapsody Blue. United’s name will appear larger on the aircraft body and the lower half of the body will be painted Runway Grey.
  United’s mission of ‘Connecting people. Uniting the world.’ will also be painted near the door of each aircraft.
  Etihad Airways lights up Burj Khalifa in Dubai with Dazzling ‘Choose Well’ show
  Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has lit up the world’s tallest building, the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai, with a spectacular branded light and sound display to celebrate the next stage of its ‘Choose Well’ brand promise at the start of Arabian Travel Market.
  At the event, the airline unveiled a major Economy transformation programme starting with the cabin upgrade and refurbishment of its Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, including new seats and personalised streaming entertainment, and a completely new and improved Economy dining concept on all its flights.
  A new advertising campaign, ‘Go Your Own Way’, using Fleetwood Mac’s anthemic classic as its supporting soundtrack, was launched the same day. As part of Etihad’s overall ‘Choose Well’ brand platform, the campaign will drive greater awareness of the airline’s commitment to providing its guests with greater control, choice and value by personalising their travel experiences.
  Emirates completes fleet renewal
  Emirates has completed its reconfiguration of its last 10 Boeing 777-200LR aircraft at an investment of USD$150 million (approximately $208 million), converting the aircraft from three to two class cabins, featuring wider Business class seats in 2-2-2 format and a full refreshed economy class, so Australian travellers can fly better in more spacious cabins.
  The reconfiguration of the 10 aircraft was executed fully in-house at Emirates Engineering’s state-of- the art facilities in Dubai.
  The engineering team spent a total of over 160,000 man hours on the project, working with more than 30 suppliers and handling over 2,700 spare parts at any one time. On an average, it took about 35 days for the team to completely strip and reconfigure a single aircraft.
  The first Boeing 777-200LR with the new configuration was rolled out for commercial service in March 2018 and over the course of the next 12 months, Emirates completed the conversion of the remaining nine aircraft in the fleet. The project was completed almost three months ahead of schedule.
  Australians can experience Emirates’ refreshed Boeing 777-200LR with a daily service from Adelaide, or when travelling from and to a number of destinations across its global network, including Santiago, Sao Paulo and Fort Lauderdale.
  Emirates has also announced the deployment of its latest Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First Class suites on its Dubai- Malé route from 1st June, 2019. The Maldivian capital will become the first destination in the South Asian region to be served on a regular basis by the new aircraft.
  Passengers travelling to and from the idyllic archipelago on Emirates flights EK658 and EK659, one of three daily non-stop services* connecting Malé, with Emirates’ hub in Dubai, will be able to experience the fully-enclosed First Class private suites inspired by luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz.
  Travellers to and from the Maldives can experience the new Emirates Boeing 777 product on flight EK658 departing Dubai daily at 0420hrs and arriving in Malé at 0930hrs. The return flight EK659 leaves Malé at 1100hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1400hrs.
  British Airways launches Autumn sale
  British Airways has announced a series of Autumn flight deals to over 110 destinations including hot spots Singapore, London and Rome across all cabins.
  On sale now until 7 June 2019, customers can book to fly in World Traveller (economy) to Singapore from just $752, London from $1211 and Rome (via London) from $1187. The sale is valid for travel from 1 May 2019 until 24 March 2020.
  British Airways’ regional commercial manager for the South West Pacific region, Nicole Backo, said: “We’re launching our autumn sale for Aussies to take the leap with an extended break to explore London, Rome and beyond.
  “We know the cooler Australian months bring wanderlust, so this is the perfect opportunity for travellers to grab an unbeatable deal and take a trip to new destinations, return to much-loved holiday spots or visit distant friends and family.”
  For more information, click here.
  Qatar Airways and Orbital Education celebrate official opening of Oryx International School campus at Mesaimeer
  Qatar Airways and Orbital Education have celebrated the official opening of the Oryx International School’s iconic new, purpose-built Mesaimeer campus on Sunday 28 April 2019.
  Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications, His Excellency Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, attended the official opening event, along with the chairman of Orbital Education, Kevin McNeany.
  The new Mesaimeer campus, which first opened its doors to Oryx International School students in September 2018, includes cutting-edge science and technology laboratories, inspiring performing arts facilities, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, five-star sporting facilities and an ultramodern auditorium.
  The school, which was initially located near the airline’s headquarters, has operated in partnership with Orbital Education since 2016 and offers a modified version of the National Curriculum of England for the children of Qatar Airways’ employees, from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 10.
  Finnair expands its push for change offsetting initiative
  Finnair is expanding its Push for change CO2 offsetting service for customers. The company has signed Letters of Intent on including Compensate service as well as a rewilding project by Snowchange Cooperative into the options available for CO2 offsetting.
  The target is to bring these options into the Push for change service during this year.
  Compensate is a non-profit foundation that was established in 2018 and their purpose is to fight climate change by offering consumers the possibility to begin living a carbon negative life and offset their everyday purchases at the time of sale.
  Compensate directs 100 per cent of the payments to various projects that reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
  Kerzner International has announced two significant leadership appointments as part of a brand-new management structure designed to position the company for continued growth and success. Brand verticals Kerzner is renowned for creating pioneering brands from the larger-than-life Atlantis to the ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts, and recently an industry-first with the launch of SIRO, the ultimate fitness […]
  Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has welcomed Santa Clause to bring early Christmas presents to the children of the Royal Far West Charity. Royal Far West is one of the charities supported by hotel owner, Dr. Jerry Schwartz, who organised for high-rise window cleaning entrepreneur Edvaldo Godoy of Updown Access to “sleigh” down the face of […]
  Travel operators are missing out on free cash for marketing, says Sam Patton, founder of The Social Spider, Australia’s first digital marketing agency dedicated to the travel sector. Some savvy travel companies are successful in accessing “magical” marketing funds from government and private sources but many were unaware of available cash or unwilling to spend the […]
  Banyan Tree has announced a host of 5-star gourmet Christmas and New Year dining experiences for each of its restaurants across the festive season. Here’s a selection: Banyan Tree Krabi Gala Dinner The Banyan Tree Krabi is hosting a sumptuous Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at its popular restaurant, The Naga Kitchen. Guests can enjoy an […]