Latest news with #JamesD.Morgan
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Virgin drops ‘celebration fares' in huge sale
Virgin Australia has dropped 'celebration fares' for select international flights following a new landmark deal which will connect Aussies with more than 170 international destinations. The airline has partnered with Qatar Airways to launch long-haul international flights from Sydney to Doha. The new route will connect Australians with more than 170 destinations through Qatar's global network, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Flights from Brisbane will commence on June 19, followed by Perth on June 26 and Melbourne in December, growing the capacity of seats from Australia to Doha to about 2.65 million per year. Virgin has dropped 'celebration fares' following the major announcement, with select fares to Doha and destinations in Europe slashed by up to 15 per cent. Virgin Australia has announced a landmark deal with Qatar Airways. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied The reduced fares are for select dates between October 16 and March 31. The sale will last until June 30, or until sold out. Virgin Australia chief executive officer Dave Emerson said the new Sydney-Doha service offered 'enhanced connectivity' and 'incredible choice'. 'On board Virgin Australia's new flights to Doha, guests can expect a world class experience on board the award-winning Qatar Airways Boeing 777,' Mr Emerson said. 'These aircraft feature elevated service, premium amenities, the renowned Q suite's business class, spacious economy cabins, and high speed StarLink Wi-Fi free for all guests.' The deal will connect Aussies with more than 170 destinations. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied Frequent Flyer Members are set to get 50 per cent bonus Status Credits for flights between Australia and Doha on bookings made up until the end of June for travel between October 1 and May 27. Platinum members will also receive 100 per cent bonus points on eligible flights, followed by 75 per cent for Gold members and 50 per cent for Silver members. Virgin Australia has dropped 'celebration fares' following the announcement. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied Select international fares have been slashed following the deal. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied Hundreds of new jobs are also projected following the deal, while secondment opportunities for pilots and cabin crew are also expected. Mr Emerson said the deal marked the 'beginning of a new era' for the company, and international travel. 'Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we're not just launching a new route — we're opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience,' Mr Emerson said. 'This partnership strengthens Australia's global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism and injecting billions into the national economy.' Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the milestone was reached after months of 'meticulous planning and tireless dedication'.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Fares slashed after Virgin's landmark deal
Virgin Australia has dropped 'celebration fares' for select international flights following a new landmark deal which will connect Aussies with more than 170 international destinations. The airline has partnered with Qatar Airways to launch long-haul international flights from Sydney to Doha. The new route will connect Australians with more than 170 destinations through Qatar's global network, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Flights from Brisbane will commence on June 19, followed by Perth on June 26 and Melbourne in December, growing the capacity of seats from Australia to Doha to about 2.65 million per year. Virgin has dropped 'celebration fares' following the major announcement, with select fares to Doha and destinations in Europe slashed by up to 15 per cent. Virgin Australia has announced a landmark deal with Qatar Airways. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied The reduced fares are for select dates between October 16 and March 31. The sale will last until June 30, or until sold out. Virgin Australia chief executive officer Dave Emerson said the new Sydney-Doha service offered 'enhanced connectivity' and 'incredible choice'. 'On board Virgin Australia's new flights to Doha, guests can expect a world class experience on board the award-winning Qatar Airways Boeing 777,' Mr Emerson said. 'These aircraft feature elevated service, premium amenities, the renowned Q suite's business class, spacious economy cabins, and high speed StarLink Wi-Fi free for all guests.' The deal will connect Aussies with more than 170 destinations. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied Frequent Flyer Members are set to get 50 per cent bonus Status Credits for flights between Australia and Doha on bookings made up until the end of June for travel between October 1 and May 27. Platinum members will also receive 100 per cent bonus points on eligible flights, followed by 75 per cent for Gold members and 50 per cent for Silver members. Virgin Australia has dropped 'celebration fares' following the announcement. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied Select international fares have been slashed following the deal. Supplied/James D. Morgan/Getty Images. Credit: Supplied Hundreds of new jobs are also projected following the deal, while secondment opportunities for pilots and cabin crew are also expected. Mr Emerson said the deal marked the 'beginning of a new era' for the company, and international travel. 'Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we're not just launching a new route — we're opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience,' Mr Emerson said. 'This partnership strengthens Australia's global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism and injecting billions into the national economy.' Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the milestone was reached after months of 'meticulous planning and tireless dedication'.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Influencer Takes Baby Wombat From Its Mother
A baby wombat is seen at Melbourne Zoo, Australia, on Sept. 17, 2014. Credit - James D. Morgan—Getty Images A U.S. influencer has drawn anger and criticism in Australia, including from the country's Prime Minister, after she was filmed taking a baby wombat in the wild, separating it from its mother. The video purportedly shows influencer Sam Jones, who has over 90,000 followers on Instagram under the handle 'samstrays_somewhere.' Per her Instagram bio, she's an'outdoor enthusiast & hunter,' who hails from Montana. The video in question, filmed in an unknown location in Australia, shows Jones running across the road to a car, with the baby wombat in her hands, and the baby's mother running behind. After the wombat hisses, seemingly in distress, Jones eventually returns the animal to the bush. The video has since been deleted, and Jones has now made her Instagram profile private. Despite the original video being deleted, the footage continues to be shared across social media, drawing ire worldwide. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also joined the criticism against Jones. 'To take a baby wombat from its mother… is just an outrage,' Albanese said in a press conference on Thursday. 'I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there. Take another animal that can actually fight back.' This comes after a statement from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who said that Jones' travel visa will be under review to see if she violated the terms of her stay in the country. 'Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I'll be surprised if she even bothers,' he said in an email statement, according to CNN. 'I can't wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I don't expect she will return.' CNN notes that according to Australian broadcaster the ABC, Jones spoke out about the incident before switching her social media channels to private, saying the baby wombat was 'carefully held for one minute in total and then released back to mom.' There is also now an online petition to ban Jones from Australia, which is 'to send a message to Australian politicians and legal officers to not let this case go' according to the petition organizer in the description. Contact us at letters@
