Qantas has launched its new, most exclusive Qantas Frequent Flyer program level, ‘Platinum One’, which it says will “only be available for a select group of the airline’s most loyal customers”. Features of the new level include a ‘Platinum One Special Service Team’, which will “monitor, support and enhance [Platinum One member’s] travel experience; assistance
Virgin Australia’s first ATR 72 RPT flight departed Brisbane for Gladstone this morning, signaling the start of the airline’s new regional turboprop operations. Virgin Australia flight DJ 1711 departed Brisbane for Gladstone at 10.30am. The airline is using the 68-seat ATRs, which are operated by Skywest on Virgin Australia’s behalf, for the new twice daily Brisbane-Gladstone
Qantas has detailed plans to operate almost 400 fewer domestic flights – capacity equivalent to around 60,000 seats – over the next month as industrial action by its engineers takes effect on its backlog of maintenance work. Qantas says that the cumulative effect of industrial action by ALAEA members, including work stoppages, a ban on
Jetstar has announced plans to recruit up to 100 pilots over the next 12 to 18 months to join its new Jetstar Japan operation. Jetstar says it will give “preference” to A320 rated crew for the new positions, as Jetstar Japan, which will begin operations in late 2012, plans to operate up to 24 A320s
Virgin Australia has announced the latest plank in its international airline alliance strategy, with codeshared services on Hawaiian Airlines flights between Sydney and Honolulu, and connections through to the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Kauai and The Big Island, going on sale today. Virgin Australia’s V Australia international long haul airline’s code will be placed on
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has announced that go slow action and overtime bans by the company’s Australian Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (ALAEA) members has caused it to ground five domestic aircraft for one month from October 17. Joyce said the grounding is necessary because insufficient maintenance is being worked on the airline’s fleet, meaning flights
