Rodney's Travel News

03/02/2023

Qantas CEO apologises!

Australia's Qantas Airlines is putting passengers at ease with improved on-time departures and increased safety measures. In a letter to the airline's 14 million frequent flyers, CEO Alan Joyce highlighted the airline's recent performance, with 81.5% of flights taking off on time in January, compared to 78.5% in the same month three years prior. The improvement was made possible by a $200 million investment in additional crew and support staff, as well as 20 standby aircraft during peak season.

In recent weeks, at least six Qantas flights have been forced to turn back mid-flight due to technical or mechanical issues. Despite these incidents, Joyce praised the airline's strong safety culture and encouraged pilots to continue their conservative approach to flight issues. Mishandled baggage rates are also back to pre-Covid levels, according to Qantas. The airline is also adding 11 new aircraft, including Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A220s, to its fleet this year, with extended range A350s arriving in 2025.

02/02/2023

Qantas is ramping up its presence in Hong Kong with a significant increase in capacity. Starting from March 26, 2023 until June 18, 2023, the airline's four-times-weekly A330 service from Sydney will be upgraded to daily A380 flights. This means First Class and Premium Economy will be available for the first time, as the A330 only has a two-cabin Business and Economy service. Prior to the pandemic, Qantas operated seasonal A380 services to Hong Kong.

To accommodate the A380 service to Hong Kong, Qantas is making schedule and frequency adjustments. The daily A380 Sydney to Los Angeles route will now operate six times weekly with one 787-9 flight. The A330-operated Melbourne to Hong Kong service will be temporarily suspended. From March 26, 2023, the Melbourne to Singapore route will be operated by the 787-9 but will switch back to an A330 on April 22, 2023. These changes were made taking into account the recently announced three-times-weekly Melbourne to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta) route, which will be operated by the A330.

02/02/2023

Singapore Airlines has announced the expansion of its in-flight Wi-Fi, which is now available to all passengers in Business, First, and Suites classes. This includes unlimited Wi-Fi access, providing an enhanced travel experience for passengers.

Passengers traveling in Economy class can enjoy two hours of free Wi-Fi, while those in Premium Economy will receive three hours. To take advantage of the service, passengers must be part of the free-to-join KrisFlyer loyalty program. Top tier members of the program will receive unlimited Wi-Fi access regardless of their location on the aircraft.

Singapore Airlines is also introducing new and attractive Wi-Fi pricing plans for passengers who have exhausted their free allocation. These plans range from US$3.99 for one hour, US$8.99 for three hours, and US$15.99 for the entire flight.

“Staying connected, even at 35,000 feet in the air, has become an essential aspect of the travel experience,” said Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience at Singapore Airlines. “The changes are in response to customer feedback and are part of SIA's continuous investment to elevate the travel experience and maintain our leadership position.”

01/02/2023

The Thai government has recently approved a $9 billion masterplan to transform U-Tapao airport near Pattaya into a futuristic aviation city complete with lush gardens, hotels, entertainment complexes, and more. The airport, which was previously only used for a limited number of flights, is set to become a major gateway for tourists visiting the Gulf of Thailand and the East Coast of Thailand, which is home to numerous popular tourist attractions including the famous Pattaya Beach, the Sanctuary of Truth, and the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden.

The expanded U-Tapao airport will be capable of handling up to 75 million passengers per year and will be linked by high-speed rail to Bangkok's two other airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang. The high-speed rail system has the potential to increase the total passenger capacity of all three airports to 200 million passengers per year, making Thailand a major hub for the tourism industry, logistics, and aviation.

The new airport will feature a spectacular terminal building with radial design and nature-inspired interiors, providing passengers with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Adjacent to the airport, the Eastern Aviation City, also known as Aerocity, will be a commercial gateway that combines technology and innovation with a trendsetting lifestyle. This city will be filled with hotels, restaurants, offices, contemporary homes, and various shops, markets, galleries, and entertainment venues, making it not just a layover destination, but a holiday destination in its own right.

Construction of the project is set to begin early this year and is expected to boost the economy in the industrial east of Thailand. The Thai government is committed to making this one of the largest megastructure projects in the country and transforming U-Tapao into a world-class aviation city that will be a model for sustainable and smart city development.

Credit Images to One Works

27/01/2023

Opulus Hotels, a luxury resort group co-founded by celebrity gardener and entrepreneur Jamie Durie, plans to turn a private country estate in Victoria into a major eco-luxury accommodation precinct. According to the Australian Financial Review, the group purchased the 27-hectare Stonefields estate, located just over an hour's drive from Melbourne, for $11 million.

The group now plans to invest an additional $70 million to transform the former home of close friend Paul Bangay into a celebrity-chef helmed restaurant and lobby, surrounded by 50 private villas. Guests will be able to enjoy the gardens during stays at the luxury eco-resort, which is scheduled to open in mid to late 2025, as well as a swimming pool and a sitting room with a fireplace.

Durie emphasized the project's focus on eco-friendliness, with planned features including air purification systems, a ban on volatile organic compounds paints, solar passive architecture and an on-site fleet of electric vehicles for guests to use on sightseeing trips. "It's going to be contemporary Australian architecture surrounded by Australian native landscape," Durie said. "But we will also take some design cues from some of Paul's beautiful formality."

According to Opulus co-founder, financier, and hotelier Dominic Lambrinos, the estate's room rates will be in the region of $900-$1,100 per night. The Stonefields estate represents Opulus Hotels' second acquisition, following its purchase of a 110-hectare site overlooking the Bass Strait in north-western Tasmania last year.

27/01/2023

Bonza Airlines is pleased to announce as Australia's newest low-cost airline has officially launched. As of today, tickets for flights with Bonza are available for purchase.

In light of recent regulatory approval, Bonza will be implementing a phased approach for its services, beginning with the availability of flights to 12 destinations on 15 routes. The inaugural flight will depart from the Sunshine Coast to Whitsunday Coast on January 31st.

They recommend that travelers who have already downloaded the Bonza app delete and reinstall the latest version to access the new flights.

23/01/2023

Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, has announced a new agreement with Starlink, SpaceX's satellite technology leader, to provide next-generation internet connectivity across its global fleet. This move is part of the company's ongoing strategy to enhance connectivity and provide guests and crew with the best possible Wi-Fi experience at sea.

The fleet roll-out of Starlink began in December 2022 with ships from Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises, with plans to expand to several other brands in the company's portfolio, including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Starlink offers faster service, greater capacity, and more reliable Wi-Fi on a global scale, rivaling on-land connectivity experiences. It greatly advances Carnival Corporation's focus on providing the best available Wi-Fi experience for its guests to stay connected while on vacation, including sharing photos and videos, streaming movies and live sporting events, and enjoying other content onboard with a reliable connection at even faster speeds.

Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, stated, "For many of our guests, it has become more and more important to maintain the type of connectivity at sea that they've become accustomed to at home, and of course to share the unforgettable experiences of their cruise with friends and family." He added, "The added bandwidth will give the brands the capabilities and flexibility to introduce new guest services and features, as well as help boost operational functions like onboard equipment monitoring and real-time communications between ship and shore teams."

Jonathan Hofeller, Vice President of Starlink sales for SpaceX, said, "In even the most remote waters, guests onboard Carnival Corporation ships will be able to share real-time updates with friends and family."

Starlink joins a growing portfolio of world-class communications service, satellite, and other technology providers that make up Carnival Corporation's industry-leading, fleetwide connectivity ecosystem. As a global cruise company with nearly 100 ships visiting over 700 ports worldwide, Carnival Corporation's innovative, multi-provider connectivity framework is designed to strategically route internet traffic to optimize network speeds across its fleet anywhere in the world.

06/01/2023

Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines have announced an agreement to expand their strategic partnership. As part of the initial phase, the two airlines will codeshare on flights between Singapore and Bangkok. In addition, Thai Airways will codeshare on Singapore Airlines' flights to several destinations in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and more. The two carriers also plan to expand codeshare arrangements to additional destinations in their networks, including Europe, India, and the Southwest Pacific, in order to increase connectivity and travel options. According to the CEO of Singapore Airlines, Goh Choon Phong, this partnership will strengthen the two airlines' relationship and "enhance the options and service offerings" for their customers. Thai Airways' Acting CEO, Suvadhana Sibunruang, added that the collaboration will allow for the expansion of Thai's network to more destinations and will benefit customers in areas including frequent flyer programs and airport ground services.

06/01/2023

Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX:HLO) reveals that individual investors hold the largest stake in the company, with 47% of the shares. This means that this group has the most to gain or lose from their investment in the company. Private companies make up 27% of the company's shareholders.

Institutional investors also hold a significant stake in Helloworld Travel, indicating that analysts from these institutions have favorable views of the stock. However, it is worth noting that when multiple institutions own a stock, there is a risk of a crowded trade, which can lead to multiple parties competing to sell their shares quickly if the trade goes wrong. This risk is particularly high for a company without a history of growth.

Hedge funds do not hold many shares in Helloworld Travel. The largest shareholder is Sintack Pty Ltd., with a 13% stake, followed by the second largest shareholder with 13% and the third largest shareholder with 9.3%. CEO Andrew Burnes owns 6.6% of the company's shares. In total, six shareholders hold more than half of the shares, with smaller shareholders making up the rest.

Insider ownership of Helloworld Travel is significant, with insiders owning AU$35 million worth of shares in the AU$220 million company. The general public, comprising mostly of individual investors, holds a 47% stake in the company, while private companies hold 27%. It is worth noting that private companies may be related parties, and insiders may hold interests in public companies through private companies rather than in their individual capacity.

DISCLAIMER MY WIFE & I HOLD SHARES IN HLO

06/01/2023

Air Asia passengers who had booked a flight from Melbourne, Australia to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 2, 2023 experienced the downside of flying with a low-cost airline when their flight was delayed for four days until January 6, 2023. The affected passengers have reportedly complained to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) and claim that they were left stranded by the airline.

According to the passengers, the airline's call center was unable to provide any assistance or offer an alternative flight. In order to avoid similar issues in the future, it is important to follow a few basic rules:

1). Always purchase travel insurance, as it can provide reimbursement for unexpected expenses, but it does not necessarily provide an immediate solution.

2). If possible, avoid traveling if you cannot afford emergency accommodations and meals until your insurance can reimburse you.

3). Consider flying with an airline that has daily service to your destination.

4). Plan to arrive at your destination at least 48 hours before an important event, such as a wedding.

5). Remember that you get what you pay for, and sometimes it is worth paying a little extra for a more reliable airline.

6). Keep in mind that airline schedules are subject to change and delays can occur.

7). Use a professional travel agency as when things go wrong they have the experience to solve most issues.

03/01/2020

So many fires!

A massive fire burning in a national park on Kangaroo Island is “virtually unstoppable” and threatening the entire western side of the island.

18/12/2019

Have you been to Bali recently?

Chinese and Australian arrival numbers dropping off as a water shortage threatens Bali’s very survival.

17/12/2019

Christmas 2019 and New Year 2020 Double Demerits.

From Friday 20th December 2019 to 2nd of January 2020.

17/12/2019

Do you like to dress up?

Formalwear is becoming a relic of bygone years on many ships, much to the chagrin of old-school voyagers. And then there's the holdout, Cunard.

12/12/2019

We have always found SuperShuttle to be professional. Thankfully there are alternatives.

SuperShuttle will stop offering shared van rides to and from Los Angeles' main airport at the end of the year.

04/12/2019

Virgin Voyages!

Scarlet Lady has been out on the water for Sea trials. She was tested for performance, speed, maneuverability, and safety and she passed with flying colors. Soon she’ll be ready to head to her home port in Miami, to set sail on her Maiden Voyage.

04/12/2019

On February 21, 2020, Regent Cruises Seven Seas Splendor™ will be christened.

Can someone educate me why a major cruise line does not Google and see if there are other ships with the same name. Surely the English or other languages has enough words that no two ships should share the same name!

Sign up to become a Regent Insider and be the first to learn about the latest special offers, company announcements, and voyage collection debuts.

03/12/2019

Maybe every Sydney Train Station could have one of these!

A 100-metre high air purification tower in Xian in Shaanxi province has helped reduce smog levels in the city, preliminary results suggest.

02/12/2019

This is an old story looks like Hong Kong Airlines has now suspended operations.

Hong Kong Airlines must receive a cash injection at an undisclosed level set by ATLA, and then raise and maintain cash and cash equivalents, also at an undisclosed level.

02/12/2019

I wouldn't suggest this is the best way for an upgrade!

https://globalnews.ca/news/6242908/florida-woman-fake-illness-bigger-seat/

A Florida woman was taken into custody after allegedly saying she faked a medical episode on a plane in order to get a bigger seat, police said.

01/12/2019

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/norwegian-joy-cruise-ship-more-passengers-sick-after-last-week-2019-12

Early Sunday morning, the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the Port of Los Angeles to treat 19 people that disembarked from the Norwegian Joy, a cruise ship, ABC 7 reported. KTLA reported that just 10 people were treated. The ship had travelled through the Mexican Riviera.

01/12/2019

AMAZING!

Scientists played vibrant sounds of healthy coral to attract young fish - a practice that could be used to revive coral reefs globally

30/11/2019

Two Americans were killed and five were injured after a tour bus crash in Belize. The seven Americans were on an independent bus tour after coming off the Carnival Vista cruise ship.

23/11/2019

This was never the case in Hawaii!

Just be careful don't be an easy target!

“They’re definitely scouting. You know they’re driving around, they’re scouting for easy targets,” said HPD Sgt. Chris Kim.

22/11/2019

Pan Am Bangkok Promotional Video 1960's

22/11/2019

Who is responsible? Someone needs to be held accountable!

A Singaporean boy died aboard a cruise ship in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Monday. Alan Heng Kai Lun, 10, was found unresponsive in a swimming pool on the Genting Dream, a ship operated by Dream Cruises. He was reportedly on the ship with his mother Madam Chang Lei...

21/11/2019

Would you do this?

“Why am I watching a man sleep,” one viewer asked. “This is weird.”

21/11/2019

TASMANIA Australia's new hotspot!

When it comes to “best of” lists, normally cities like Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast come out on top.

18/11/2019

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas will continue its “Farewell Tour” with the demolition of the Hard Rock Café on Monday.

17/11/2019

Very informative!

An in-depth trip report on-board Qantas Project Sunrise London to Sydney non-stop research flight QF7879. Check out all the unusual flight details, research,...

16/11/2019

Good luck finding any cheap seats!

Cheap Air Asia flights from Sydney to Madrid are available from midday on Saturday, November 16 with booking dates from now until the end of March 2020.

14/11/2019

19 hour direct flight from London to Sydney not too far away from landing now!

14/11/2019

Guarantee this is not something you would see in Dubai! 😂

Pigs might not fly, but LiLou the therapy pig wants to make air travel less stre...

13/11/2019

OH NOOOOOOOooooooooo

Carnival Cruise Line has shifted its cola choice from Coca-Cola to Pepsi, the company announced.

13/11/2019

Got to be careful these days! Social Media can come back and bite you!

Mikhail Galin, 34, was all set to fly with his beloved moggy, Victor, when cat-astrophe struck - Aeroflot banned him from taking Victor on board because he weighed in at 22lbs, 5lbs over the limit.

12/11/2019

Poor behaviour!

A plane passenger was left disgusted after the person behind her put their bare feet on top of her headrest prompting her to take a photo and share it online.

07/11/2019

Knott's Berry Farm is a good alternative to Disneyland!

Despite of the debut of the Star Wars themed land at Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm is once again on pace to have a record attendance year.

06/11/2019

WOW this aircraft has been in service for 48 years! It deserves to be retired!

After 48 years, El Al has decided to retire its 747 fleet -- and to mark the occasion, Israel's national carrier got creative, using a flight tracker to "draw" the plane in the skies over the Mediterranean Sea.

06/11/2019

Hijacked plane in Amsterdam - military involved.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10293218/schiphol-airport-military-police-called-to-situation-after-reports-three-knifeman-try-to-hijack-plane-in-amsterdam/

A SUSPECTED hi-jacking may be underway in Amsterdam. Dutch military police said they were investigating a suspect situation on board a plane at Schiphol airport. Police did not offer any mor…

06/11/2019

So disappointing for an airline that I used to work for when it was really profitable! Then again we had no share holders back then!

The redundancies come amid a decrease in demand for air travel, with the cost cutting measure aiding to pay back $4.3billion that the Australian airline owes in wage debt.