News

Cathay Pacific re-opened (06-Feb-2023) The Deck lounge at Hong Kong International Airport on 06-Feb-2023. The airline is also working towards reopening The Pier First and The Wing Business within the next six months as it continues to add more flights to its schedule. As travel resumes, Cathay Pacific is also progressively reopening its global lounges, with lounges at Tokyo Narita Airport and Singapore Changi Airport reopening in Feb-2023, followed by lounges at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Mar-2023 and Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport lounge in Apr-2023, and the airline's signature lounges at San Francisco, Beijing Capital, Taiwan Taoyuan and Vancouver airports in 2Q2023 and 3Q2023. [more - original PR]

Xiamen Airlines, via its official WeChat account, announced (02-Feb-2023) it increased Fuzhou-Sydney frequency to twice weekly, effective Feb-2023. 

Singapore Airlines introduced (01-Feb-2023) complimentary unlimited inflight WiFi for all business class customers, as well as PPS Club members and PPS Club supplementary card holders. KrisFlyer members will also receive a free three hour WiFi plan when travelling in premium economy and a free two hour WiFi plan when travelling in economy class. [more - original PR]

Japan Airlines announced (31-Jan-2023) the following schedules changes to its international network for summer 2023, effective 26-Mar-2023 to 28-Oct-2023:

• North America: Increase from 82 to 92 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-New York JFK: Increase from daily to twice daily from 28-May-2023;
  • Tokyo Narita-New York: Increase from five times weekly to daily from 26-Mar-2023 to 27-May-2023;
  • Osaka Kansai-Los Angeles: Increase from three to four times weekly;
• Europe: Increase from 32 to 33 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Helsinki: Increase from four to five times weekly;
• Southeast Asia: Increase from 109.5 to 122 times weekly;
  • Osaka Kansai-Bangkok: Increase from weekly to daily;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Singapore: Increase from 11 to 14 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Haneda-Manila: Increase from 4.5 times weekly to daily;
  • Tokyo Narita-Manila: Increase from 13 times weekly to twice daily between 26-Mar-2023 to 30-Jun-2023;
• Oceania: Increase from 10 to 11 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Melbourne: Increase from three to four times weekly;
• East Asia: Maintain 56 times weekly;
• Hawaii/Guam: Maintain 36 times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Honolulu: Reduce from 10 to eight times weekly, except between 13-Jul-2023 and 04-Sep-2023;
  • Osaka Kansai-Honolulu: Increase from three to four times weekly;
  • Tokyo Narita-Guam: Increase from three to four times weekly from 15-Jul-2023 to 31-Aug-2023. [more - original PR - Japanese]

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced (31-Jan-2023) plans to increase Tokyo Haneda-New York JFK frequency from daily to twice daily, effective 28-May-2023 to 28-Oct-2023. The carrier will also increase Tokyo Narita-New York JFK frequency from five times weekly to daily between 26-Mar-2023 and 27-May-2023. JAL plans to introduce the A350-1000 on international services commencing with the Tokyo Haneda-New York service from winter 2023. JAL will relocate from terminal one to terminal eight at New York John F Kennedy International Airport from 28-May-2023, to be closer to its joint business partner on trans-Pacific services American Airlines. [more - original PR - Japanese]

Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicuci reported the carrier does not expect large Silicon Valley technology companies to resume business travel until late 2023/early 2024 (Bloomberg, 28-Jan-2023). Mr Minicucci stated the companies have largely "turned off" business travel, however at some point will expand and return to travelling. Alaska CCO Andrew Harrison noted approximately one third of the carrier's revenue is tied to the Californian market, adding tech-related business travel has been "severely depressed for some time now". US corporate travel bookings have overall returned to 85% of pre-pandemic levels amid a surge in blending 'bleisure' trips.

Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said (30-Jan-2023) the carrier is focusing on rebooking its 9000 passengers who have been impacted by Auckland International Airport flooding. The airline is providing a goodwill payment providing stranded customers with much-needed support for accommodation costs while they await their new flight. The airline is offering NZD250 (USD161.7) a night for accommodation for those who are displaced. [more - original PR]

Etihad Airways announced (30-Jan-2023) plans to migrate to Amadeus' Altea Passenger Service System (PSS) from 08/09-Mar-2023. The carrier's online booking management portal, online check-in, reservation systems and mobile apps will be temporarily offline during the system change. [more - original PR]

Qantas Airways launched (28-Jan-2023) a commercial policy for customers impacted by Auckland flooding. The commercial policy is available to customers holding a valid 081 ticket for flights to or from Auckland for tickets issued on/before 28-Jan-2023 for travel between 28-Jan-2023 and 01-Feb-2023. Passengers are permitted to rebook with Qantas Airways operated flight within plus or minus 10 days. Where a cabin is no longer available, customers can be accommodated or rebooked on the next available Qantas operated flight in a lower cabin and offered a partial refund if applicable. Passengers may also retain the value of the ticket in credit. [more - original PR]

Flybe, via its official website and Twitter account, announced (28-Jan-2023) it ceased trading and entered administration on 28-Jan-2023. The UK High Court appointed David Pike and Mike Pink of Interpath Advisory as joint administrators of Flybe Limited. UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed all Flybe services to and from the UK have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. CAA consumer director Paul Smith stated: "It is always sad to see an airline enter administration and we know that Flybe's decision to stop trading will be distressing for all of its employees and customers". [more - original PR - UK CAA - I] [more - original PR - UK CAA - II]