Airlines

United Airlines now has the largest and most expensive in-flight training facility in Houston.

United Opens Expanded and Newly Renovated Global Inflight Training Center in Houston

The largest Inflight Training Center for United has opened in Houston. It is a 56,000 square foot facility with new classrooms, extra cabin and door trainers, and a state-of-the-art aquatic centre with a 125,000-gallon pool and a mock fuselage to practise the safe evacuation of the aircraft in the unlikely event of a water landing. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joined United CEO Scott Kirby at a ceremonial ribbon cutting event in Houston to officially open the new training center.

The $32 million expansion project more than doubles the available training space and supports the airline’s plan to hire and train a total of 15,000 people in 2023, including 4,000 flight attendants.

United plans to train more than 600 flight attendants per month at the newly expanded Houston facility and the expansion project is another example of United’s focus on long-term investments in infrastructure, tools and technology to support its United Next growth plan as well as the airline’s continued commitment to Houston.

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New United flight attendants will go through a six-week and a half training course at the Houston facility and then return every 18 months to stay current on their qualifications. The campus includes inflight service training spaces with mock seats, a 400+-seat auditorium and a public address room where trainees can practice their onboard announcements. The centerpiece of the building is a new Aquatic Center that includes a 125,000-gallon pool to practicing the safe evacuation of the plane in the unlikely event of a water landing.

As part of the construction of the facility, and in support of Mayor Turner’s climate action plan to build local storm-resilient infrastructure, United included an underground prefabricated storm detention vault that can hold more than 268,000 gallons of water and store stormwater runoff in large underground pipes or vaults.

United has operated for more than 70 years from its hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).and is one of the largest employers with over 11,000 local employees and plans to hire 1,800 more in 2023. The airline maintains a corporate office presence downtown and is the leading carrier at George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH), with about 400 flights per day and more direct flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other airline.

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.

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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.