Airlines

Qantas push for more customers to reunite with COVID credits

Qantas Retains Top Spot as Most Punctual Major Domestic Airline

The Qantas Group is pushing customers who have COVID-era travel credits to use them to book a vacation before the deadline of December 31, 2023. Travel is permitted until December 20, 2024.

The initiative coincides with the introduction of a new customer tool called “Find My Credit,” which can discover reservations that are up to three years old and may have undergone many revisions as a result of the pandemic’s numerous waves of border alterations.

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The majority of the $2 billion in COVID credits given by the Qantas Group came from the March 2020 border closures that resulted in a wave of widespread flight cancellations for which no airline system was prepared.

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This figure continues to drop each week as more customers claim their credits. For Qantas customers in Australia the figure now stands at just over $400 million, comprised of around $250 million in bookings made directly with Qantas and $150 million in bookings made through travel agents and other third parties. As a further incentive, Qantas customers who book a flight using a COVID credit between today and 31 July 2023 will receive double Frequent Flyer points.

HOW TO USE THE ‘FIND MY CREDIT’ TOOL

Find My Credit is a web-based tool accessed via qantas.com. It allows customers to search for COVID credits using their original booking reference that is up to three years old, even if it has been reissued or converted to a Qantas Pass.

By putting in their original booking details and surname or email address, the system will search for their credit and automatically email the detail they need to redeem their credit to the address on file.

HOW TO CLAIM DOUBLE POINTS

Qantas customers who book flights using their credits before 31 July will be eligible for double Qantas points.

To access the double points promotion, customers will need to register at www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/member-offers/double-points-travel-credits.html and book an eligible flight with a QF flight number. Double points will be awarded from eight weeks after travel.

HOW TO REQUEST A REFUND

If customers have made a booking directly through Qantas, they can call us on 13 13 13 to request a refund. it will also email customers who have made a booking directly with Qantas over the coming weeks to remind them how to access a refund if they prefer.

If a booking was made through a travel agent, customers should contact the agent directly to request a refund. Customers with COVID credits who do not have the option of a refund but whose circumstances have changed and who are no longer able to use their credit are also encouraged to contact Qantas to discuss a refund.

Airlines

Cathay Pacific asks business class customers to bring their own cutlery

In an innovative move towards sustainability, renowned Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has recently floated an unconventional idea to its business class customers.

Bringing their own cutlery sets onboard. This initiative, revealed through a member survey circulated within the airline’s “Cathay Lab” community – a platform comprising frequent business class travelers – has stirred a wave of curiosity within the aviation industry.

With sustainability becoming an increasing concern in aviation, Cathay Pacific’s survey aimed to gauge passengers‘ willingness to partake in various eco-friendly practices during their journeys.

Among the initiatives presented, including refilling reusable water bottles and recycling plastic, the prospect of bringing personal cutlery garnered significant attention. Some members expressed practical concerns, questioning the feasibility of carrying cutlery through airport security and the potential inconvenience for passengers unaware of regulations.

Others suggested that Cathay Pacific should simply provide reusable cutlery onboard instead. Furthermore, there were suspicions among some respondents that the BYO cutlery proposal might be a precursor to introducing additional charges, with one user humorously envisioning a scenario where the airline lends cutlery sets for a fee.

Despite the skepticism surrounding the proposal, Cathay Pacific’s exploration of innovative sustainability measures reflects a broader industry trend towards environmental consciousness.

Airlines

Air India and IndiGo’s Joint Initiative, Plans for 170 Wide-Body Aircraft

In a bold move that underscores their confidence in India’s burgeoning aviation sector, Air India and IndiGo have revealed ambitious plans to acquire a combined total of up to 170 wide-body aircraft.

This strategic investment marks a significant shift in the country’s aviation landscape, as it brings European aircraft manufacturer Airbus into a domain traditionally dominated by American giant Boeing.

With India positioned as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the timing couldn’t be more opportune for such expansion endeavors. The aim is clear: to elevate India’s status as a global aviation hub by enhancing connectivity through direct flights between Indian cities and international destinations.

Currently, a substantial portion of India’s international air traffic relies on overseas hubs, particularly in the Gulf region. IndiGo’s announcement of firm orders for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with an option for an additional 70, signals its commitment to capturing a larger share of the long-haul market.

Meanwhile, Air India’s comprehensive order, unveiled last year, encompasses 70 wide-body planes, including a mix of A350 and Boeing 787 models.

Recognizing the potential for disruption in the long and ultra-long haul segments, aviation consultancy CAPA India has emphasized the pivotal role Indian carriers can play in driving innovation and transformation.

With the current combined fleet size of Indian airlines exceeding 700 aircraft, the stage is set for Air India and IndiGo to spearhead a new era of growth and connectivity in the Indian aviation sector.

Airlines

Air China Makes Landmark Deal: Orders 100 C919 Jets from COMAC

In a strategic move that could reshape China’s aviation industry, Air China has inked a monumental deal with Comac, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s commercial aircraft procurement landscape.

The agreement, valued at a staggering $10.8 billion based on list prices, entails the purchase of 100 Comac C919 jets, a resounding endorsement of the homegrown challenger to aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing.

The announcement, disclosed in a filing by Air China, underscores the airline’s commitment to bolstering its fleet with domestically manufactured aircraft. These C919 jets, slated for delivery between 2024 and 2031, are poised to amplify Air China’s operational capabilities and enhance its competitive stance in the global aviation arena.

The C919, a formidable competitor to Boeing’s 737 Max and Airbus’s A320neo, symbolizes China’s ambitious foray into the global aviation market. With Air China’s commitment to acquiring a substantial fleet of C919s, the aircraft is poised to carve out a formidable niche in the industry, challenging the dominance of established players.

Notably, Air China‘s existing fleet comprises an extensive array of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, showcasing its diverse operational portfolio.

With nearly 500 airplanes in service, including models from the A320 family and the 737 series, Air China’s decision to incorporate the C919 into its fleet underscores a strategic diversification strategy.

While Airbus has enjoyed notable success in China, buoyed by its local assembly line, Boeing has faced formidable challenges in recent years. However, Air China’s resolute investment in the C919 signals a paradigm shift, amplifying China’s quest for self-sufficiency in aviation.