The US Government has rubber stamped the proposed joint business agreement between Qantas and American Airlines, paving the way for the start of the flagged new non-stop flight routes across the Pacific between Brisbane and both Chicago and San Francisco. The decision follows draft approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) last month.

British Airways has unveiled its new lounge in San Francisco, the third US lounge to benefit from the airline’s £6.5 billion (US$8.2 billion) investment plan for its customers, following the recent opening of its First and Club lounge at New York JFK’s Terminal 7.

Qantas will launch its new Brisbane-Chicago and Brisbane-San Francisco routes by the end of April 2020, the Australian carrier has confirmed today [Monday 17 June, 2019].

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will add a second property to its collection in San Francisco next year after being awarded the management contract of the former Loews Regency San Francisco. Lowes Hotels & Co sold the hotel to Westbrook Partners in May 2019, who in turn announced the deal with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts last week.

Qantas will introduce its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the Sydney-San Francisco route from 4 December. The move coincides with the delivery of Qantas’ next six Dreamliners which will replace ageing Boeing 747 aircraft over the next 18 months.

Virgin Hotels has officially opened its highly anticipated second property, Virgin Hotels San Francisco. The hotel, located at 250 Fourth Street, is situated South of Market (SoMa) just steps from Yerba Buena Gardens and the Moscone Center, and features 192 Chambers and two Penthouse Suites; multiple dining and drinking outlets, including the brand’s flagship space, Commons Club and Funny Library Coffee Shop. The hotel is also in close proximity to the new Central Subway Station, which, connects South of Market with Union Square and Chinatown.

Viceroy Hotels & Resorts has opened a boutique new property in San Francisco, located where Nob Hill meets Union Square. Hotel Emblem is inspired by the “Beat Generation” – San Francisco’s most celebrated literary and cultural movement of the 20th century that inspired millions to live boldly and uncensored.

United Airlines has been operating flights to Australia from the US west coast more than three decades. Last week, the Star Alliance member airline revealed it would begin a new nonstop service between San Francisco and Melbourne, complementing its existing Los Angeles–Melbourne city pairing.

United Airlines has announced its largest ever international network expansion from its hub at San Francisco International Airport. The airline will introduce non-stop year-round service to Toronto and Melbourne, Australia and seasonal service to New Delhi. United also announced it will begin a second daily flight between San Francisco and Seoul, South Korea.

San Francisco Travel and SFO International Airport are giving travel agents the opportunity to enter a competition to win a Google home hub or a Google home mini by completing a San Francisco specialist badge.

ONE65, a multi-level culinary concept envisioned by James Beard Award-winning, Michelin-starred executive chef and partner Claude Le Tohic, offering four distinct modern French cuisine dining experiences under one roof, is slated to begin a phased opening beginning this fall.

Singapore Airlines will launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles using the new Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra-long-range) aircraft in November. In addition, SIA will step up existing daily non-stop Singapore – San Francisco services to 10 times per week.