AIRLINE NEWS
Qatar Airways has now completed the installation of Starlink WI-FI across its entire Boeing 777 fleet, which includes the aircraft operating between Auckland and Doha. Travellers in all cabins can now enjoy complimentary, uninterrupted Wi-Fi from gate to gate*, whether streaming for work or entertainment. Qatar is working on equipping the remainder of its fleet with Starlink and aims to have over 100 aircraft connected by 2026. (*Gate-to-gate access may not be available in all airports).
Emirates’ new restrictions on power banks are now in effect. The devices are no longer able to be used or charged in the aircraft cabin. Passengers may bring one single power bank on board, however, it must be under 100-watt hours. Capacity rating information must be available, and it has to be stored in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of the passenger who owns it (not in an overhead locker). Many other airlines are adopting similar safety measures around power banks.
Qantas now has two of its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, named 'Great Ocean Road' (VH-OGA) and 'Outback Way' (VH-OGB), both operating their inaugural commercial services between Sydney and Melbourne and Sydney and Perth, respectively. Qantas is the first airline in the Asia Pacific region to fly the game-changing new aircraft type, and the fourth airline globally. The fleet will get to about 20 extra-long-range XLRs by the end of 2027. The key to this latest variant of the Airbus A320 family is that it has larger fuel tanks and interior hand luggage compartments and takes 200 passengers (20 Business; 180 Economy). The extra range that these aircraft are capable of means they could fly longer routes to destinations across South East Asia, routes similar in flight duration to the inaugural customer Iberia of Spain, which flies the A321XLR across the Atlantic between Madrid and Boston (8.5 hours). From the passenger comfort perspective, these are long sectors for smaller narrow-body aircraft; however, airlines will see a very fuel-efficient aircraft capable of opening up secondary medium-haul routes.
Due to ongoing global engine supply challenges, Spanish charter airline Wamos Air has again been contracted by Air New Zealand to add capacity over the busy Summer period with flights operating between 30 October 2025 to 30 April 2026. Air New Zealand will use a Wamos Air Airbus A330-300 (includes Business, Premium Economy and Economy) to operate selected services between Auckland and Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tokyo, and Bali. We are advised in advance which aircraft is operating your flight and so we will let you know if your flight is affected.
Air New Zealand has just celebrated 75 years of flying between Wellington and Sydney. The first W LG - SYD service departed on 03 Oct 1950 with TEAL’s Solent flying boat Ararangi and after a short break whilst the land based airport was built, service recommenced in July 1960 with Electra aircraft, later replaced by DC8 and Boeing 767 jet aircraft, through to the current Airbus A320 fleet.
American Airlines has partnered with champagne house Bollinger to serve its Special Cuvée in its Flagship international lounges at Dallas Fort Worth, Miami and Chicago O’Hare airports. It will eventually be offered at Los Angeles and Philadelphia but is available for purchase at the lower category Admirals Club locations.