Airlines

Qatar Airways takes delivery of first Airbus A350 in years

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Qatar Airways has received the delivery of its first A350-1000 aircraft, following a high-profile legal battle with the European aircraft maker Airbus over a paint and surface fault that grounded dozens of the Doha-based carrier’s A350s.

According to FlightRadar24.com, the aircraft, registered A7-ANT, departed Toulouse at 21:29 and arrived at Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) at 04:21 on 13 May, increasing the carrier’s total A350 fleet to 54.

The A350 paint issue has been resolved, according to Airbus(Opens in a new browser tab)

Airbus tore up the order with Qatar Airways for its remaining 23 A350s at one point and was ready to find a new buyer, but the two parties eventually negotiated an “amicable” settlement in February after originally pursuing a high-risk multi-billion-dollar case in London’s High Court. It was quickly discovered that paint was cracking, bubbling, and peeling off areas of the fuselage, exposing a fine layer of mesh that served as protection against lightning strikes.

A long-term solution that addressed the underlying problem that Qatar Airways had demanded. Airbus tore up orders for both the remaining A350s and a sizable order for single-aisle A320 series aircraft, threatening to put Qatar Airways’ ambitious growth plans in danger.

Airbus scraps A350 contract with Qatar Airways in feud(Opens in a new browser tab)

In order to fill the gap with 737MAX aircraft, Qatar Airways had gone to Boeing, however, Airbus has since reversed the orders. The first of the airline’s 50 A321neo aircraft won’t now be delivered until 2026 as a result of the carrier having partially lost its position in a lengthy delivery queue.

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Airlines

Virgin Australia Launches Black Friday Sale on Flights Worldwide

Virgin Australia has launched its much-anticipated 2024 Black Friday sale, offering unbeatable deals on both domestic and international flights.

With fares starting at just $49 for one-way domestic flights and return fares to New Zealand as low as $405, this is a fantastic opportunity for travelers to save big. The sale is available for bookings made between November 28 and December 5, with travel dates ranging from January 6 to September 18, 2024.

Whether you’re looking to explore Australia or venture abroad, these discounts cover Virgin Australia’s entire network.

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For domestic travel, Virgin Australia is offering one-way flights starting at $49, with the cheapest route being Sydney to Ballina Byron. Other attractive domestic deals include flights from Sydney to Gold Coast from $65, Melbourne to Hobart from $85, and Brisbane to Prosperine from $79.

Additionally, flights to iconic Australian destinations like Hamilton Island, Uluru, and the Whitsundays are available at significantly reduced prices, providing excellent options for those looking to explore more of the country.

International travelers can also take advantage of great offers, with return flights to popular destinations like New Zealand, Bali, and Fiji. Notable international deals include return flights from Sydney to Queenstown (New Zealand) for $435, Melbourne to Denpasar (Bali) for $589, and Brisbane to Port Vila (Vanuatu) for $499. These discounts offer an excellent chance to visit exotic locales without breaking the bank.

This international airline is offering free flight tickets to Indian travelers

Virgin Australia’s sale covers a wide range of routes from major cities across Australia. For example, from Sydney, you can fly to Melbourne for just $89, Adelaide for $119, and Perth for $209 one-way. Melbourne residents can take advantage of flights to Brisbane from $119, Darwin from $205, and Nadi (Fiji) from $599 return.

Brisbane-based travelers can book one-way flights to Hamilton Island from $109 or to Apia (Samoa) from $689 return, while Perth residents can enjoy flights to Broome for $179 and Darwin for $219 one-way.

The sale also includes affordable fares from Adelaide, Hobart, and Darwin. Adelaide to Gold Coast is available from $109, while Hobart to Melbourne is priced at $85 one-way. In Darwin, flights to Adelaide start from $139, and one-way flights to Melbourne are available from $205.

Virgin Australia’s Black Friday sale began at midnight on November 28 and runs until 11:59 PM on December 5. Travelers can book flights for travel between January 6 and September 18, 2024, ensuring plenty of options for future trips. Whether you’re planning a domestic getaway or an international adventure, these limited-time offers make now the perfect time to book your next flight.