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News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
The best thing that's ever happened in a business class cabin
Not since the advent of the lie-flat bed, has a business class offering been more of a gamechanger. OK, this might only be true if you've got as much of a sweet tooth as I do, but hear me out – you're cruising along at 38,000 feet, feet up on your glorious recliner, full of your gourmet dinner, when something absolutely glorious, and unexpected, comes rattling down the aisle. An ice cream sundae cart! With all the trimmings! On a plane! I rest my case. United Airlines is famous for this particular in-flight miracle, which has reached icon status among its passengers. After your meal, the cart comes along, offering to adorn your vanilla or chocolate ice cream scoop with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, slivered toasted almonds, M & Ms and a cherry on top. If there's a better food experience on a plane, I haven't had it. New cabins Last month, United Airlines unveiled its new United Elevated interior, which includes sliding privacy doors for all business class seats, and a brand new studio suite experience. There are eight of the new seats in each upgraded cabin, located at the front of each business class section. They are 25 per cent larger than the standard business offering and offer even more privacy. I flew from Sydney to LA on the standard Polaris service, here's how it went down. Baggage Like most business class offerings, your ticket includes two free checked bags, up to 32kg each, which is a challenge I was unable to meet, with my puny 22kg offering. You're also entitled to Premier Access, which is essentially a priority check-in lane, and the promise of seeing your bags faster on the other side with priority bag handling. Lounge Polaris customers also get access to United Polaris lounges, where they are available (currently there are six, Chicago O'Hare, Houston Intercontinental, LAX, New York Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles). Don't worry, if there's no Polaris Lounge at your departure airport, you will get access to a partner lounge of your choice. I used the Polaris Lounge at LAX. It features deluxe shower rooms with Therabody products, an a la carte restaurant (order the famous burger and the skillet cookie, even if you're not hungry, trust me on this) as well as a buffet for lighter meal options. If you're already tired, there's a private rest area with daybeds, soft lighting and white noise to help you rest and relax The seats Like many business class offerings, the staggered 1-2-1 seat configuration means every seat is an aisle seat, but window seats are definitely the pick of the bunch. But not all window seats are created equal – to enable a full lie-flat experience, the seats are offset, with one being right next to the window, the next being closer to the aisle and so forth. This makes seats 1L or 9L superior choices, as they are both front of their respective parts of the cabin, closest to the windows and with the most privacy and least disturbance from the aisle. There was lots of legroom, as expected, and top notch extras, including noise-reducing headphones, bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, premium toiletries and premium mattress toppers available on request (please, tell me, who is not requesting a complimentary 'mattress cloud'?). Food In addition to the expected champagne on arrival, the meals were excellent on my flight. The main meal is an event, with warmed mixed nuts, a main you can pre-order before you fly (I chose roasted salmon with hollandaise and pearl couscous) salad, bread and the aforementioned sundae. Still hungry after your movie is over? They offer midnight snacks, including an extremely melty grilled cheese sandwich, available anytime, and a snack bar you can help yourself to. The app It can be hard to stand out in a saturated airline market where most offerings are variations on the same thing, but United's app is where it truly shines. I've never come across such an efficient and user-friendly airline app experience. You can obviously plan and book using it, but it's once you arrive at the airport that it comes into its own. My gate changed, no worries, I got a notification. Boarding about to start? told me that too. In-flight I was updated about changes to our arrival time and upon landing, it knew my bag was about to come out onto the carousel before it was visible. There's also a terminal guide, meal and seat choices and delay and cancellation options but it's the real-time notifications, taking some of the stress and uncertainty out of travel, that gets my vote.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Aussie company's wild $30k luxe Euro trip
An Aussie travel company has just launched a 'once in a lifetime' experience set to shake up the industry. When you think of travelling around the world in a private jet the first thing that comes to mind is the price tag, which understandably is a lot, costing upwards of about $100,000 for a few weeks, according to Luxury Escapes founder Adam Schwab. But the man behind the online booking company known for its luxe holiday packages, has managed to compress the hefty price tag by teaming up with six different tour companies to charter a private plane around nine European countries for 25 days, in April 2026. He's described the experience as a game-changing move in luxury travel. 'The private plane experience around the world is really for the top 1 per cent – it's so out of reach for Aussies,' Mr Schwab told '[But] we were able to charter a plane for 25 days at a super wholesale rate which is inaccessible for the normal person. 'We have got six tour companies sharing one plane, with around 140 passengers. 'It's not as luxurious as eight people on a plane, but 90 per cent of the benefits are the same – you're getting almost all the perks but at a lot less cost.' The price is $1200 per person, per day – over 25 days that's $30,000 and includes twin share, minimum 4 and 5 star accommodation and all the touring activities and most meals. While Mr Schwab said it still may not be for everyone, when breaking down what's involved 'it's worth it'. 'This is not to say $30,000 isn't nothing, but it's targeted as a 'once in a lifetime' experience,' he explained. 'Many of the routes we will fly aren't offered as direct flights by commercial airlines so flying on [your] own exclusive plane between some of the most extraordinary places in Europe will allow [our] travellers to make the most of the amazing outings hosted by local experts in each destination.' The A320-200 aircraft will travel between Prague, Bergen, San Sebastian, Porto, Marrakesh, Champagne, Sicily, Dubrovnik, and Istanbul. He said it takes the hassle out of spending hours at an airport, checking in baggage, going through customs and security, as this process involves a private, smaller airport, with bags also dropped off at each hotel you stay. The private trip is limited to 140 people, with a fleet of small luxury coaches taking a maximum of 25 people at a time on their in-destination adventures. Passengers will have options for Michelin-starred dining on top of the all-inclusive local culinary experiences. Other experiences include a Flåm Railway journey through Norway's fjords, a Pintxo tour in San Sebastian to explore the city's famed bars and sample Basque tapas, Agafay Desert luxury camp in Morocco and beachfront hotel in Taormina, Sicily with a private beach surrounded by carved rock. Mr Schwab said at a time where people are concerned about the cost of living, he's also noticed people are happy to spend a bit more on something that is of great value – 'paying less and getting more'. Luxury Escapes created the private charter tour in direct response to the growing demand for 'unique, meaningful travel', with customer research showing more than 70 per cent of Australians are more likely to indulge in a luxury holiday if it goes 'beyond the ordinary'. Mr Schwab said the new tour the most ambitious trip they've created, adding it's a seamless collection of once-in-a-lifetime European moments 'with some serious bougieness'.
Skift
19-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
AirAsia Move to Fully Rebrand as 'Move' Within 2 Years: CEO Nadia Omer
Shedding the "AirAsia" name is perhaps the online travel platform's way of saying: this is not just an airline app anymore. Move is looking forward to a future where brand loyalty isn't tied to a legacy airline, but to a travel experience. AirAsia Move is preparing to phase out the 'AirAsia' name from its branding entirely over the next 18 to 24 months. While many know Move as the digital arm of one of Southeast Asia's largest low-cost airlines, the company is now looking to separate the airline from the app that once bore its name. 'In another 18-24 months, AirAsia is going to move out. This is how we will be establishing this brand. Move searches are already starting to increase,' said Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia Move. The move to rebrand isn't just cosmetic. Over the past few years, AirAsia Move has absorbed all of AirAsia's digital assets, a decision that didn't come easy. 'The toughest part has been for AirAsia, the airline, to give up all of its digital assets so that we at Move, can shape it for the future,' Omer said speaking at the Skift Asia Forum last week. 'The choice
Travel Daily News
09-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
U.S. Travel Association calls Secretary Duffy's announcement "bold"
U.S. Travel backs Secretary Duffy's $12.5B air traffic control modernization plan to enhance aviation infrastructure and improve the travel experience nationwide. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Travel Association congratulated U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on announcing an initiative to modernize the nation's air traffic control system – an essential step toward strengthening America's travel infrastructure and ensuring a better experience for millions of travelers. 'We commend Secretary Duffy for his leadership and vision in tackling the urgent needs of our air traffic control system,' said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. 'Prior to President Trump's administration, America's leadership too often focused on fines and fees when it came to air travel. What Secretary Duffy announced today will benefit travelers and the broader U.S. economy, and it's the type of leadership that America's travel industry has been calling for.' The plan would address long-standing challenges in the aviation system by advancing vital new technologies and requesting increased federal investment to ensure timely implementation. The plan includes a technology overhaul that will bring desperately needed upgrades to the crucial systems that support almost 3 million air passengers each day. Critically, Congress is considering legislation that provides a $12.5 billion downpayment to support the plan. This funding would ensure the technology upgrades are not just aspirational, but actionable. 'For too long, outdated systems and underinvestment have slowed air travel and hampered growth,' said Freeman. 'The investment in Chairman Graves' reconciliation proposal would put us on a clear path toward a more reliable and resilient aviation system – one that can meet the demands of modern travelers and support the continued growth of the travel economy.' U.S. Travel Association will continue working with the Department of Transportation and industry partners to support the implementation of these long-overdue reforms. In addition to modernizing the air traffic control system, U.S. Travel is advocating for upgrading America's airports and the traveler experience. Freeman also testified before Congress on the urgent need to prioritize travel earlier in April.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Visa signs exclusive partnership with EgyptAir to deliver innovative technology solutions, enhancing customer experience
Captain Ahmed Adel: We are keen on introducing the latest technological innovations to provide our customers with a seamless and exceptional travel experience. Leila Serhan: We are committed to being the preferred partner for leading global companies and institutions, offering customers the most secure payment solutions. Egypt: Dr. Sameh El Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman & CEO of EgyptAir Holding Company, and Andrew Torre, Regional President for Visa CEMEA, witnessed the signing of an exclusive partnership agreement between Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), the global leader in digital payments, and EgyptAir, the national carrier of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The agreement aims to provide advanced technological solutions to support growth and expansion plans within the Egyptian aviation sector. This partnership aligns with Visa's strategy to offer innovative technological solutions that help grow the businesses of its partners and reflects its vision of being the preferred partner for leading institutions and companies worldwide, particularly in the aviation sector. The agreement was signed by Captain Mohamed Elian, Chairman & CEO of EgyptAir Airlines, and Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for North Africa, Levant and Pakistan (NALP) at Visa, in the presence of Captain Montasser Manna, Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation, Malak Baba, Vice President and Country Manager at Visa Egypt, along with several leaders from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, EgyptAir, and Visa. Under this partnership, Visa will offer exclusive benefits to EgyptAir customers, including the launch of a new premium co-branded payment card that will allow customers to earn exclusive travel rewards, miles, and benefits. EgyptAir passengers who use this Visa co-branded card will be able to access travel and lifestyle privileges and accumulate miles faster. Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, stated: "Through our partnership with Visa, we aim to deliver a seamless and distinguished travel experience for our customers-not only onboard, but at every stage of their journey of booking. We are dedicated to adopting the latest technological innovations in our services and providing exclusive benefits that enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction. Strengthening partnerships with global organizations like Visa is an important step towards elevating the quality of our services." He added that 'we look forward to opening new horizons for expansion and service development, which will enhance our competitive ability both regionally and internationally, while contributing to supporting the digital transformation and financial inclusion strategy adopted by the Egyptian government to achieve Egypt's Vision 2030.' Captain Mohamed Alyan, Chairman of EgyptAir Airlines, said: 'We believe innovation is the key to excellence, and that building strategic partnerships with leading global institutions like Visa enables us to keep pace with rapid global technological advancements.' He added that 'the collaboration between EgyptAir — the national carrier of Egypt — and major technology companies such as Visa represents a promising opportunity to enhance the quality of services provided, elevate the travel experience to be more comfortable and luxurious, and help us attract new customers.' Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for North Africa, Levant and Pakistan (NALP) region at Visa, commented: "This multi-year exclusive agreement with EgyptAir demonstrates Visa's leadership in co-branded travel solutions and marks a significant milestone in our mission to enhance the payment experience for travelers worldwide. This wide-reaching partnership is a step toward meeting that need, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with EgyptAir to deliver new experiences for Visa cardholders in the region. Globally, consumers have reported that loyalty points and rewards significantly influence their choice of airline or hotel. Furthermore, travelers with co-branded credit cards are 40% more likely to choose an airline or hotel associated with their card, even if there are other comparable options available. With this in mind, we are delighted to work with EgyptAir to deliver new experiences for Visa cardholders across the region." This initiative marks a significant addition to Visa's suite of digital solutions in the Egyptian market and underscores its commitment to delivering advanced financial products that support digital transformation and promote financial inclusion, especially in key sectors such as travel and aviation. Holders of EgyptAir & Visa co-branded cards will enjoy exclusive offers, including opportunities to earn miles faster, personalized promotions, and other experiences tailored to customer preferences.
