Airlines

Qantas Grapples with $66 Million Fine After “Ghost Flights” Scandal

Qantas to Introduce Daily Flights from Bengaluru to Sydney

Qantas, the renowned Australian airline, finds itself in the midst of a significant controversy, agreeing to pay a hefty $66 million fine in the aftermath of what has been dubbed the “ghost flights” scandal.

The scandal revolves around accusations that Qantas continued to sell seats on flights that had long been cancelled, leaving passengers in the lurch. Australia’s competition watchdog revealed that Qantas had confessed to misleading consumers by advertising seats on tens of thousands of flights, despite the fact that these flights had been cancelled.

This compensation scheme will see domestic customers receiving $225 and international customers receiving $450. Qantas emphasized that this compensation is in addition to any refunds or alternative flight arrangements that may have already been offered to impacted passengers.

Affected customers will be notified via email starting next month, outlining the process for lodging a claim. Further details can be found at www.qantasremediation.deloitte.com.au. Vanessa Hudson, Qantas’ chief executive, expressed regret over the airline’s failure to meet its own standards and acknowledged the disappointment experienced by customers.

As part of the agreement, Qantas has pledged not to engage in similar conduct in the future. Additionally, the airline has committed to promptly informing customers of cancelled flights, ensuring that notifications are issued within 48 hours of the decision to cancel. Furthermore, Qantas will cease selling tickets for such journeys within 24 hours of cancellation.

This commitment extends to Qantas subsidiary Jetstar as well. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Qantas will seek approval of the proposed penalty from the Federal Court. However, Qantas intends to initiate the remediation process before the court approval is obtained, signaling a proactive approach to addressing the fallout from the scandal.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.