At last, Fiji Airways joins the grown-ups Fiji Airways has officially become a full member of the OneWorld alliance instead of a lone member of its half-baked ‘connect’ member program. This is a significant milestone for the airline and its passengers. As of today, 1 April 2025, the Fijian national...

Friday, 28 March 2025, saw the formal announcement from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approving the ‘integrated alliance’ between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia. Now allowing an additional 28 flights per week between Australian capital cities and Doha in Qatar. Or, more formally, its approval of: ‘…cooperative conduct...

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) has released details of the interiors of the brand-new Embraer E190-E2 cabin layout. The airline has opted for a dual-class configuration primarily for use in Western Australia’s charter market. It’s a significant upgrade from the aging Fokker 100 fleet. No more middle seats The E190-E2...

Previously, we knew that the two Auckland lounges, Business and First, were to be refurbished. The plan involved closing one while it was redeveloped and funnelling passengers into the other until both lounges were complete. That is no longer the plan. Now, as reported in ET, both lounges will close,...

Airbus A330s have become Qantas’s workhorse for medium—and long-haul routes. They have been almost entirely removed from domestic and trans-Tasman routes so they can be used on longer international ones. Ten of these aircraft, deployed on routes like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo, are having their economy cabins upgraded with...

London’s main airport, Heathrow, has been forced to close due to a large fire at an adjacent substation that provides it with power. According to a statement from Heathrow authorities, the airport is suffering from a ‘significant power outage’. “To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will...

Air France has announced the launch of a completely redesigned La Première first-class cabin for the 777-300ER fleet. Four suites will occupy the first five windows, meaning each suite will cover nearly 3.5 square metres (376 square feet). The suite will premiere in the northern hemisphere spring 2025. The first...

Australia’s airline industry is under fire again, with renewed scrutiny on passenger rights and compensation for delays and cancellations at a Senate inquiry. It looks like Qantas will need to be dragged kicking and screaming to compensate consumers for not delivering flights on time. Remember this is the airline that...

Don’t expect any flashy moves. Virgin Australia’s new CEO, Dave Emerson, has a clear mandate: stay the course while delivering solid returns so we can sell this thing and make a killing. Well, that at least is my interpretation of what Virgin Australia’s majority owners, Bain Capital, will want. Minority...

Almost universally hailed for their comfort and technology, the new Business Class Aria Suites on Cathay Pacific 777s will arrive in Sydney this month according to ET. Background Cathay Pacific has been a leader in passenger comfort and privacy in Business Class. In 2011, the airline introduced reverse herringbone seats...