Airlines

Who is Vanessa Hudson, the first female CEO of Qantas Airways? look up her background.

The Qantas Group has today announced Vanessa Hudson will become the next CEO and Managing Director, taking over from Alan Joyce when he retires in November 2023.

Ms Hudson is currently the Group’s Chief Financial Officer and has worked in a number of executive positions across the Group over 28 years, including Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President for Qantas across the Americas and New Zealand.

Ms Hudson will continue in her current role while also being CEO designate and joining the Board, before taking over as the company’s 13^th CEO in 103 years following the 2023 Annual General Meeting. An announcement on a new CFO will be made in the months ahead.

Chairman Richard Goyder said the appointment came after a rigorous selection process and allows for a smooth transition from current CEO Alan Joyce.

About Vanessa Hudson

Vanessa Hudson joined Qantas in 1994. Since then she has held a variety of senior commercial, customer and finance roles across the Group, in Australia and overseas, including Executive Manager of Sales and Distribution; Senior Vice President for Qantas across the Americas and New Zealand; Executive Manager of Commercial Planning; and Executive Manager for Product and Service.

In these various roles her responsibilities ranged from sales channels, revenue management and network planning, to transformation in catering, airports and network.

In February 2018, Vanessa was appointed to the role of Chief Customer Officer and became a member of the Group Management Committee.

In October 2019, Vanessa became the Group’s Chief Financial Officer and held this portfolio through the COVID crisis, when sudden border closures saw revenue evaporate in a matter of weeks. Careful management through this period – including equity raising, debt raising and asset sales – saw the company make it through the crisis and ultimately emerge with a stronger balance sheet than pre-COVID.

Vanessa has a Bachelor of Business and was admitted as a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1994. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two daughters.

Career Summary

Qantas

2019 – Present: Chief Financial Officer

2018 – 2019: Chief Customer Officer

2016 – 2018: Executive Manager, Sales and Distribution

2013 – 2016: Senior Executive Vice President, The Americas

2010 – 2013: Executive Manager, Commercial Planning

2005 – 2010: Executive Manager, Product Services

2001 – 2005: General Manager, Inflight Services

1997 – 2001: Catering Product Manager

1995 – 1997: Financial Controller, Commercial Division

1994 – 1995: Internal Audit Supervisor

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

1992 – 1994: External Audit

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.