Latest news with #QantasAirlines
1News
27-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Qantas increases summer flights between Australia and New Zealand
Qantas is increasing the number of flights between Australia and New Zealand by up to 20% throughout December and January, the airline has announced. Qantas Airlines said that around 60,000 additional seats will be available to cross the Tasman compared to the same time last year. Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said this is "great news" for travellers because it means more competition and choice at the busiest time of the year. "This follows increases to the Melbourne service and an upgraded Brisbane service. In total, Qantas will be operating 65% more seats for December and January than they were before the pandemic." Sydney to Auckland will have up to six additional flights per week on top of the current schedule of 35 per week. ADVERTISEMENT Wellington will have an additional five flights to Sydney a week and Christchurch will have up to seven extra flights a week to the city. Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson said that news shows Qantas recognises the "strength of the Christchurch and South Island market". Qantas in Christchurch (Source: Christchurch Airport) "These extra flights are a win for tourism, trade and travel. They'll help businesses thrive and give Kiwis even more options." Flights to Melbourne are increasing by seven for Auckland, three for Christchurch and two for Queenstown. Brisbane to Queenstown will have an additional three flights per week. The new flights have also been timed to connect with Qantas' international services, said Christchurch Airport, "offering travellers super convenient links to destinations across Asia and Europe". ADVERTISEMENT In addition to adding more flights for routes between Australia and New Zealand, Qantas will increase premium seat choices for customers by up to 80%. Tourism New Zealand regional director Andrew Waddel said 'we welcome the increase in capacity from Qantas and look forward to our Australian friends experiencing all Aotearoa New Zealand has to offer". New Qantas routes
Business Insider
24-04-2025
- Business Insider
I saw so much of Australia in just 8 days. This itinerary was my secret weapon for maximizing my short trip.
Many travel guides suggest spending two or three weeks in Australia, but I only had eight days. To make the most of my trip, I planned ahead and made sure to make time for my must-visit spots. I got to have downtime and see highlights throughout Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast. As an American, I've spent decades dreaming of visiting Australia. This past November, I finally booked my trip. While planning my eight-day vacation, I carefully crafted an itinerary so I could maximize every moment but still have some time to breathe. I know it'd be impossible to see all the vast continent had to offer in one short trip. After all, many online travel guides suggest visitors dedicate at least two or three weeks to seeing Australia. However, I tried to fit a variety of activities and places into my schedule, including stops in half of Australia's six states: Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales. With my strategic itinerary, I feel I proved even just eight days in Australia is well worth the trip. Day 1: I arrived in Melbourne and got some steps in. My Qantas Airlines flight arrived in Melbourne at 9:30 a.m. Immediately, I headed to my hotel so I could check in and take a much-needed shower after my long journey. I chose a hotel in the heart of the city, which was key to optimizing my busy itinerary. Next, I had booked a 1 p.m. cruise along the meandering Yarra River with a picnic lunch to get a lay of the land. This was the perfect way to see the city and enjoy how its landscape morphed from a skyline of highrise buildings to green parks along the way. After, I walked a few blocks to the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia's oldest art museum. I explored various exhibits, including powerful collections from First Nations artists. On the walk back, I checked out some colorful street art on Hosier Lane's beloved and Instagrammable bluestone laneway. Day 2: I saw some highlights in Victoria and had dinner in Melbourne. The next morning, I took a roughly 20-minute tram ride from my hotel to the Queen Victoria Market, where I had a flat white and croissant while perusing all the food stalls. Next, I took a 45-minute ride to Brighton Beach (I booked a driver through my hotel), and I was able to put my feet in the sand for a bit. I was mesmerized by the vivid hues of the many beach huts lining the shore. I continued on to Victoria's stunning Mornington Peninsula and Point Leo Estate, where I spent the afternoon sipping pinot gris and pinot noir over a lunch of fresh seafood. Walking around the 330-acre sculpture park on this picture-perfect day was also a real treat. Once I got back to Melbourne, I had dinner at the iconic Supernormal on Flinders Lane. I was blown away by the complex flavors in chef Andrew McConnell's Asian-inspired cuisine — the hype is real. Day 3: I flew to the Gold Coast and dove right in. A two-hour flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast Airport transported me to Queensland, which has some of the most beautiful coastlines I've ever seen. After checking into the beachfront Langham Gold Coast and enjoying an adorable Paddington Bear-themed afternoon tea in its Palm Court lobby bar, I strolled up and down the pristine golden sand between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise. I spent some time watching some fearless surfers tackle the waves. Then, it was time for a massage with acupressure ear seeding at the Chuan Spa, known for its Eastern wellness philosophy. In the evening, I dined on hotel room service while watching a lightning storm over the ocean from my balcony. Day 4: I interacted with wildlife and had more tasty bites in Queensland. This was the day I was most excited about: Queensland is one of few places in Australia where people are allowed to hold koalas — and this was my chance! I made my way to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where I peered at silly capybara and dingo, fed curious kangaroos by hand, and let a very musky-smelling male koala snuggle into my arms. Afterward, I went to Rick Shores restaurant to dine on its legendary Moreton Bay bug rolls (a type of lobster roll) while watching families frolic on the nearby beach. Dinner was at T'ang Court, where I had the best Cantonese food I've had outside of Hong Kong. Day 5: Once I got to Sydney, I gave myself some downtime. After a lazy morning at the pool and on the beach, I took a 90-minute flight from Brisbane to Sydney. Upon checking into my hotel in the late afternoon, I decided to just eat and go to bed early to save my energy for the busy days ahead. This was my only real rest day. Day 6: I ventured just outside Sydney to enjoy some nature in New South Wales. For day six, I had booked a full-day group tour through Oz Trails of the Blue Mountains (about 90 minutes from Sydney). This UNESCO World Heritage site is known as "the Grand Canyon of Australia" and has gorges, sandstone cliffs, and a eucalypt forest. Our many fabulous tour stops included the Sydney Zoo (where I fed wallabies), Govetts Leap Lookout, Cahills Lookout, and Katoomba Falls. The highlight of the day was the few hours spent at Scenic World, where we rode a cable car on the Scenic Cableway. I got epic views of the Jamison Valley and the enormous Three Sisters rock formations. My group also went through the rainforest via the Scenic Walkway and took the gravity-defying Scenic Railway (its 52-degree incline makes this the steepest passenger railway in the world). Day 7: It was time to see more of Sydney itself. It was finally time to see Sydney itself, so I took the 15-minute walk from my hotel to the city center. Then, I took a 90-minute guided walking tour to learn about the historic neighborhood of The Rocks, then continued my own exploration of Barangaroo and Circular Quay. I popped into shops and boutiques, visited the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and happened upon the weekend open-air market filled with artisan crafts and street food. This is where I purchased all of my souvenirs. Day 8: I enjoyed more of Sydney and checked out Bondi Beach. Of course, my visit wouldn't be complete without a stop at the iconic Sydney Opera House. I went on a morning tour with a guide who detailed the history and architecture of the building. I was so inspired that I impulsively bought a ticket to "Oscar," a ballet about Oscar Wilde, for that evening. Later, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a show in such a gorgeous venue. In the afternoon, I made my way to the famous Bondi Beach, a crescent of white sand dotted with sunbathers and surfers all living their best lives — Australia at its finest. For me, eight days in Australia was perfect. As I boarded my flight home the next morning, I couldn't believe how much I had packed into just eight days. I certainly experienced enough on this whirlwind adventure to fall in love with Australia's charm, beauty, and warmth — and it left me eager to return and explore even more someday.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man forced to sit next to corpse after woman died midway through flight
(WJW) — An Australian couple was left shaken after the body of a woman who died midway through a flight was placed on a seat right next to them. Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin sat down for an emotional interview on the Australian news program 'A Current Affair' after they arrived in Italy for a planned vacation, but what happened on the plane was still very much on their minds. Teen wanted in two Cleveland shootings arrested after standoff They explained how a woman on the Qatar Airways flight had come out of the bathroom and suddenly collapsed in the aisle next to their seats. Ring said the flight crew did everything they could to revive the woman but they were unsuccessful. 'Unfortunately the lady couldn't be saved, which was pretty heartbreaking to watch,' Ring said. He went on to detail how the crew then brought a wheeled chair into the aisle in an attempt to move the woman toward the front of the plane. However, because of the woman's size, they weren't able to move her. Ring said at that point he was asked by the flight crew if he and Colin could move over. He noted that they were the only two passengers seated in a row of four. 'They said, 'Can you move over please?' and I just said, 'Yes, no problem,'' Ring told the program. 'Then they placed the lady in the chair I was in.' Colin quickly moved across the aisle and sat in an empty seat next to another passenger, but for the remainder of the flight, which was 3.5 to 4 hours, Ring said he was never offered a different seat despite there being several empty spots in the plane. He also detailed another incident that happened after the plane landed. Ring said all the passengers in their area were told to stay seated as the ambulance crews and police officers made their way onto the plane. Thieves are stealing cars in under 90 seconds in Cleveland: Police 'Then the ambulance officers started pulling the blankets off the lady right beside me. I was there and I got to see her face, yeah…it wasn't nice,' said Ring, visibly uncomfortable as he recounted the memory. The couple said they sent emails to Qantas Airlines, the airline they booked through, and initially received no response. They also noted a lack of support from Qatar Airlines. 'They have a duty of care towards their customers as well as their staff, we should be contacted to make sure…do you need some support, do you need some counseling? This has never happened to us before, I don't really know how I feel, and would like to talk to someone to make sure I'm alright' Ring said. According to 'A Current Affair,' after the interview with the couple, 'Qatar Airways says it is looking into the situation,' and a spokesperson for the company issued a statement to Monday afternoon. Unknown illness kills over 50 people in Congo with hours between symptoms and death 'First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of the passenger who sadly passed away on board our flight,' the statement read. 'We apologise for any inconvenience or distress this incident may have caused, and are in the process of contacting passengers in line with our policies and procedures.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
