Qantas has today announced that it favours the Airbus A350-1000 for its potential non-stop ultra-long haul flights from the Australian eastcoast ports to destinations including London and New York.

A masterclass in the appreciation of Ceylon Tea took place at 40,000 feet when Emirates and Dilmah celebrated a 27-year partnership on board an Emirates A380 flight from Dubai to London this week. Held at the A380 On-board Lounge by Dilhan Fernando, CEO, Dilmah Tea and the founder of Dilmah, Merrill J. Fernando ahead of International Tea Day on 15 December, the masterclass was the first of its kind held in the skies.

Global airline alliance SkyTeam has officially opened the doors to its seventh branded lounge, adding to more than 790 members’ and affiliated lounges worldwide. Located in Istanbul’s new airport (IST), the facility is served by seven alliance members: Aeroflot, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia and TAROM.

The WA Government has confirmed that Philippine Airlines will launch four weekly direct flights between Manila and Perth, starting 30 March 2020.

On 5 December, Qatar Airways celebrated its 10-year anniversary since they first launched in the Australian market. To mark the milestone, the airline hosted a pop-up restaurant in Melbourne, with a specially curated menu to showcase local Australian produce. Qatar Airways first launched in Australia in 2009, offering flights three times a week from Melbourne to Doha, Qatar. The airline now operates 35 flights per week to and from Australia with flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. On a daily basis, the airline averages over 1,700 passengers each way between Australia and Doha, with London and Athens being the top destinations for Australian passengers.

Qantas will officially launch its new First Lounge in Singapore early next week after giving VIPs a taste of the high-end facility over a two-week trial period.

Airport hospitality services heavyweight Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has its sites firmly set on the North American market for its lounge operation, with New York JFK and major gateways in California to be introduced, LATTE can exclusively reveal.

American Airlines has partnered with the James Beard Foundation in a move that will see the culinary industry heavyweight bring world-class dining experiences to the airline’s elite.

Cathay Pacific is offering an enriched travel experience for premium passengers across its range of bedding, flavours and amenities. Through a new collaboration with luxury UK lifestyle brand Bamford, Cathay Pacific has designed a range of exclusive amenities, travel kits and plush bedding for the airline’s travellers in First and Business class.

Fiji Airways has accepted delivery of the first of two brand-new A350 XWB aircraft from aircraft manufacturer Airbus via a lease agreement with DAE Capital. The Nadi-based carrier is the first airline in the South Pacific to operate the wide-body aircraft type, which will deliver new levels of fuel efficiency. Fiji Airways will operate the A350 on the Nadi-Los Angeles and Sydney routes.

Qantas has kicked off 12 months of centenary celebrations as it marks a fresh milestone in aviation with a non-stop London to Sydney flight. Flown by the latest addition to the national carrier’s fleet, a brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner landed in Sydney at 12:28pm today [Friday 15 November, 2019], 19 hours and 19 minutes after leaving Heathrow.

Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, is preparing for its second ultra-long-haul research flight, as part of scientific studies into minimising jetlag for passengers and improving crew wellbeing.