Japan Airlines (JAL) has unveiled the details of its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft and cabin interiors.

Scheduled to replace its longstanding flagship Boeing 777s after nearly two decades, this highly anticipated international service will debut on the Tokyo-New York route before the year’s end.

After that, the A350s will progressively replace existing 777s aircraft that operate the airline’s top international routes – which sadly means we’re unlikely to see them in the skies over Australia.

An Overview of Seating across Classes:

1. First Class: The Epitome of Luxury

• Seating Configuration: JAL offers an exclusive environment with just six suites, amplifying the sense of privacy and exclusivity. Each suite features individual doors – a first for JAL – which not only assures privacy but also crafts an open individual atmosphere, thanks to the removal of overhead storage compartments.

• Specifications:
  • Type: Enclosed Private Suite with Door
  • Seat Pitch: Approximately 211cm (83 in.)
  • Bed Length: Maximum of approximately 203cm (80 in.)
  • Individual Monitor Size: 43 in.

• Noteworthy Features:
  • Three seating modes available: Sofa, Seat & Single Bed, or Double Bed.
  • The world’s first headphone-free stereo system with built-in headrest speakers.
  • Ample storage space for personal items within the suite.

2. Business Class: A Fusion of Comfort and Functionality

• Seating Configuration: With an increased capacity to 54 seats, spacing remains a priority, ensuring passengers a comfortable individual inflight experience. Each seat features doors for added privacy. Additionally, overhead compartments are thoughtfully placed only on the window side, maintaining an open and airy atmosphere.

• Specifications:
  • Type: Enclosed Private Suite with Door
  • Seat Pitch: Approximately 130cm (51 in.)
  • Bed Length: Maximum of approximately 198cm (78 in.)
  • Individual Monitor Size: 24 in.

• Noteworthy Features:
  • Cushioned bed mode with ample foot area.
  • Electric privacy partition for communication with co-travelers.
  • Integrated headphone-free stereo and ample storage space.

3. Premium Economy Class: Redefining Class Comfort

• Seating Configuration: This cabin offers substantial privacy enhancements through larger partitions and is the world’s first Premium Economy Class to boast electrically operated reclining functionality.

• Specifications:
  • Type: Fixed-back mechanism
  • Seat Pitch: Approximately 107cm (42 in.)
  • Individual Monitor Size: 16 in.
• Noteworthy Features:
  • Large privacy partitions.
  • Electric leg rest with horizontal adjustments.
  • A significantly larger 16-inch 4K widescreen monitor compared to the previous model.

4. Economy Class: A Nod to Spacious Comfort

• Seating Configuration: Continuing its legacy of six consecutive SKYTRAX awards for “Best Economy Class Airline Seat”, JAL’s new economy seating prioritizes legroom and overall comfort.

• Specifications:
  • Type: Reclining mechanism
  • Seat Pitch: Approximately 84-86cm (33-34 in.)
  • Individual Monitor Size: 13 in.
• Noteworthy Features:
  • Spacious seating with a wide seat pitch.
  • The industry-leading 13-inch 4K monitor in its class.

Inflight Entertainment

Passengers aboard the A350-1000 will be treated to Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s latest inflight entertainment system and Wi-Fi service.

The introduction of 4K monitors across all classes, paired with Bluetooth connectivity, ensures a premium viewing experience. Integration with the JAL Mobile App further personalizes this experience, allowing passengers to curate their favorites list.

Redefining the Dining Experience in the Skies

First Class and Business Class passengers can expect a renewed vegan and vegetarian menu, curated under the watchful eye of Chef Fumio Yonezawa.

For long-haul business travelers, a new service slated for spring 2024 will empower passengers to customize their inflight dining schedule.

Meanwhile, Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers can look forward to a revamped vegan and vegetarian menu, in addition to a new optional paid menu offering diverse culinary choices.

Enhanced Amenities

First and Business Class passengers will receive amenity kits adorned with artwork from Heralbony’s artists. In a move toward sustainability, the packaging will transition from petroleum-derived plastics to paper. As a special inaugural celebration, an exclusive “MISOKA” toothbrush, free from petroleum-derived plastic, will be provided for a limited period.

In Conclusion

The A350-1000 heralds a new era of luxury, comfort, and innovation for JAL’s international flights. Passengers on the Tokyo (Haneda) to New York (JFK) route are in for an experience that seamlessly marries Japanese aesthetics with modern conveniences, setting a new benchmark in global aviation.

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Qantas is making headlines for a positive reason today: the airline has announced it will revise a much-hated policy related to its frequent flyer program.

Previously, the rules of the program stated that the Qantas Points accumulated by a member would be automatically forfeited when they died. However, this is set to change in the coming weeks.

Qantas has decided to scrap the longstanding policy, labeled as inequitable by many, which prohibited family members from inheriting the unused points of their departed loved ones.

Soon, relatives will have the ability to reclaim these points. While the details haven’t yet been released, it looks like the revamped policy will provide a 12-month period in which family members can request the transfer of the remaining points to their accounts.

Virgin’s loyalty program, Velocity, lets members bequeath their points to friends or family through their will. The designated beneficiaries can easily acquire the points by providing the necessary documents to the airline from the executor.

Qantas’ decision to reevaluate and modify this particular policy is a welcome one for many, addressing longstanding concerns about the fairness of automatically voiding points.

Vanessa Hudson, the new head of the airline, has mentioned that this rule change is part of a broader review of various policies, hinting at more customer-centric modifications in the future.

Stay tuned for more information as it comes to hand.

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The low-cost carrier Bonza has unveiled a new service, ‘Bonza Holidays’, which lets Australians book customised holiday packages via the Fly Bonza app to any of its 21 listed destinations.

Launched in the Whitsundays today, the initial phase of Bonza Holidays offers comprehensive packages which include flights and accommodation, coupled with optional travel insurance.

Bonza has plans to expand its offerings in the next phase, launching next year, to include car rentals, activities, attractions, and tours, further bolstering the domestic tourism sector.

Bonza offers 23kg of checked baggage, 8kg of hand luggage, and standard pick seats in every package.

There’s also a price match guarantee, promising to refund the difference if customers find an equivalent holiday package at a lower price within 24 hours of booking.

Bonza’s Chief Commercial Officer, Carly Povey, emphasized the strategic importance of Bonza Holidays in enhancing the overall travel experience and fostering long-term economic growth in the regions. Povey stated that this initiative aligns with Bonza’s mission of facilitating Australians to explore their country more affordably and conveniently.

Moreover, Bonza Holidays aims to extend beyond renowned chains to incorporate various accommodation options, ranging from small family-run businesses and holiday parks to large hotel chains, recognizing the diverse accommodation landscape in regional Australia. “What you see on the app today is just the beginning. We’ll be adding more choices for where to stay in all 21 destinations,” Povey assured.

The implementation of Bonza Holidays is seamlessly integrated into the existing Fly Bonza app, which has been downloaded by over 1.26 million Australians. Bonza has partnered with Melbourne-based travel-tech startup, Awai, to execute the package holiday strategy through its app.

The launch of Bonza Holidays is also marked by a special promotional offer in partnership with Daydream Island in the Whitsundays, providing a $25 food and beverage credit and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine on arrival for all bookings made until 30 October 2023 for travel within specific dates.

Customers eager to explore the Bonza holiday packages need to download the latest version of the Fly Bonza app and select ‘book a holiday’ from the home screen to avail the services.

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The low-cost carrier Bonza has revealed Darwin and Alice Springs as the airline’s newest destinations and it expands into the Northern Territory.

Bonza will add 12 new flights per week to and from the NT with three new routes: Sunshine Coast to Darwin, Gold Coast to Darwin and Melbourne to Alice Springs.

Travellers from other destinations can connect via these hubs.

Bonza’s entrance to the Territory will add more than 116,000 seats per year to the Top End and Red Centre combined.

The new routes are a result of the NT Government’s Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme that aims to create more competition in the NT skies.

Flights are now on sale, with the Sunny Coast-Darwin route priced from $149pp (one way) starting on 29 November; Gold Coast-Darwin also priced from $149pp (one way) starting on 1 December and Melbourne-Alice Springs starting from $139pp (one way) commencing on 12 December.

The airline’s debut in the NT marks its fifth State or Territory and 20th and 21st destinations on its current route map.

“Our purple army of supporters have been asking us to add the NT to our route map and today I’m humbled to share the great news from Darwin. Visitors from the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast can now fly direct to the Top End without transferring through a major city airport. The people of Melbourne can now access Alice Springs without it breaking the bank,” said Bonza CEO Tim Jordan.

“The news today also gives Territorians the opportunity to visit loved ones or holiday in SE Queensland, Melbourne and surrounds. Our team of legends look forward to connecting Territorians to loved ones in time for Christmas this year,” he added.

Travellers are encouraged to download the latest version of the Fly Bonza app which is the only place to book direct.

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Singapore Airlines will launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Brussels, the capital of Belgium, from 5 April 2024, returning to the city after more than 20 years.

The airline will operate four weekly flights with the long-haul variant of its Airbus A350-900s, which feature 253 seats in three cabin classes: 42 in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy Class, and 187 in Economy Class.

Flight SQ304 will depart Singapore for Brussels on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 2355hrs (local time).

The return sector, operated as flight SQ303, will depart Brussels for Singapore on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1210hrs (local time).

Tickets are now available, and the airline has also released Saver and Advantage reward seats.

This means that both Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members and Virgin Australia Velocity Points holders can use their points on the new route – though availability is better via KrisFlyer.

The Velocity website isn’t showing business class reward seats, even when Saver seats are available via KrisFlyer (usually these Saver seats are also available via Velocity). It’s worth calling Velocity to confirm availability.

The addition of Brussels increases the number of European destinations in the airline’s network to 13.

Apart from being the capital of Belgium, Brussels is also home to the European Union (EU) and is dubbed as the EU’s capital city. With many air and rail links, it’s a convenient city to fly into for exploring Western Europe.

Want more Velocity Points? Don’t miss the offer of 75,000 bonus points plus a complimentary annual flight with our favourite Velocity card, the Amex Velocity Platinum Card – ends 27 September!

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Qantas has responded to intense criticism about the amount of Covid-related flight credits that were due to expire at the end of the year.

The airline has announced that it will remove the expiry date on the credits, for both Qantas and Jetstar customers.

Following this decision, Qantas customers with COVID credits can request a cash refund, while Jetstar customers can use their COVID vouchers for flights indefinitely (but can’t get a refund).

To encourage more people to use their credits for flights, from 4 September 2023 Qantas is offering double the standard number of Qantas Points for any flights booked with a Qantas COVID credit before 31 December 2023.

The airline says that, due to system limitations, Qantas COVID credits can’t be converted into a travel booking after this date, but can be taken as a refund at any time.

ADVICE FOR CUSTOMERS

Qantas

Find your travel credit – Use the ‘Find My Credit’ tool on qantas.com
Request a refund – Call 1300 668 885
Use your travel credit – Visit qantas.com/travelcredit for specific advice based on your type of travel credit (most credits can be used online at qantas.com)
For more help – Speak to the Travel Credit Concierge team on 1300 171 505. If your original booking was made through a travel agent or third party website, contact them directly.

Jetstar 

Find your voucher – Contact via Live Chat
Use your voucher – Visit Jetstar.com to book using your voucher (vouchers can be redeemed on all Jetstar fares, including sale and Club Jetstar fares, and on domestic or international trips)
Check your available balance – Use the Voucher Balance Checker on Jetstar.com
Extend your voucher – Jetstar customers can extend their vouchers indefinitely by contacting LiveChat or the contact centre after the voucher has expired.

If you’ve already booked travel with a Qantas COVID credit or Jetstar COVID voucher, you don’t need to do anything and there’s no change to your trip.

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Qantas has today announced another huge profit result, as well as a nice little bonus for customers.

The airline is giving Frequent Flyers who have flown at least one Qantas flight in the past 12 months their choice of Qantas points or status credits.

Eligible customers will receive an email inviting them to choose between 1,000 points or 30 status credits. 

Those who flew 10 or more times will be gifted 5,000 points or 75 status credits.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: “Our customers have shown a lot of patience and understanding as the industry has recovered. We’ve announced a points or status credits gift today but we know the best way we can thank them is to consistently deliver the standards they rightly expect, and reinvest our profits to keep improving their experience.”

Qantas has announced a further investment into new aircraft, including a mix of A350s and 787s to replace the current A330 and A380 fleet.

The airline is also launching a huge fare sale today. Qantas fares will be up to 40 per cent off, including return flights from Sydney to London for $1799 and Melbourne to Los Angeles for $1199.

Jetstar fares are up to half price, with domestic Jetstar flights starting from as low as $29 one-way and Jetstar international flights from $145 one-way.

Customers who still have Covid credits can use them on these fares.

Love Qantas Points? Don’t miss the big offer of 75,000 bonus Qantas Points and a $450 travel credit every year, plus lounge passes and more, with our favourite card: the Qantas Amex Ultimate Card!

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