US announces electronic system for Visa waiver system
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that, beginning on a voluntary basis on August 1, 2008, travelers using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will be able to provide certain information electronically before traveling to the USA   [more]
Queens opens new Heathrow terminal
Queen Elizabeth II opened Heathrow Airport's gleaming new Terminal 5 on Friday, a day after a security breach at the world's busiest international airport   [more]
Virgin announces launch Pacific route
Virgin Blue has just announced that the launch route for its V Australia international offshoot will be Sydney-Los Angeles.   [more]
The best airport Restaurants and other time killers
Some fabulous feedback on the best airport restaurants, bars, spas, shops and lounges around the world   [more]
Afternoon tea is back at the newly reopened Plaza Hotel
NEW YORK (AP) -- Going to The Plaza Hotel for afternoon tea was never just about the food. It was about palm trees, harp music, what the ladies at the next table were wearing.   [more]
Emirates to supersize flights across Tasman
EMIRATES will add a new dimension to trans-Tasman flying by operating its Airbus A380 superjumbo between Sydney and Auckland next year   [more]
Jetstar offers baggage-free discount
JETSTAR will offer a discount on its fares to passengers who travel with carry-on baggage only.   [more]
A380 flies to london
Next month it will be possible to fly on the A380 from Australia to London with the announcement of a new schedule. The inaugural flight from Singapore to London on March 18th will be the first ever commercial service of the A380 to Europe   [more]
Air New Zealand’s Concierge in the Sky service a world-first
Air New Zealand is looking to revolutionise its long-haul customers’ travel experience with the introduction of an in-flight International Airline Concierge service – a first in the aviation industry.   [more]
British Airways to Launch New Carrier
British Airways plans to launch a new airline in June that will offer direct service between New York and the European mainland   [more]
Air China and Shanghai Airlines join Star Alliance
Two of China’s biggest carriers, Air China and Shanghai Airlines, have joined the Star Alliance, swelling the airline group to 19 carriers   [more]
Qantas shows off Airbus 380 in LA
Qantas showed off the new super-sized jewel of its fleet, the Airbus A380, with a Hollywood-style premiere in Los Angeles   [more]
Jetstar to offer more services out of Melbourne
Jetstar has announced that Melbourne’s Avalon Airport will base its first three Airbus A321s allowing for expanded services to Cairns, Hobart, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.   [more]
Cathay launches back-friendly economy seats
Cathay Pacific announced that Steelcase’s LiveBack seating technology is now available onboard flights. The technology is designed to enable shape changing mimicking spinal adjustments for different positions and to reduce the chance of lower back sag   [more]
Ten hotels that made history
Bedding down where Napoleon, Hitler and Diana did   [more]
Qantas launches carbon offset program
The pollution emitted by Qantas aircraft will be offset partly by a carbon credit program to be launched by the Flying Kangaroo in September   [more]
We've come a long way…the top ways travel has changed.
Ascent of low-cost airlines - The low-cost concept, with its simple fare structure, single passenger class, limited in-flight service and use of secondary airports, soared when Southwest Airlines expanded nationwide in the early 1990s.   [more]
Cathay Pacific introduces third daily Melbourne service, daily Adelaide flights and fifth Perth flight
Cathay Pacific will add an extra daily flight between Melbourne and Hong Kong from 1 October 2007 to offer three flights a day. The new service will depart at 15 minutes past midnight (00.15) daily, arriving in Hong Kong at 7:40am (07.40) next morning   [more]
Where the Aussie dollar stretches furthest
With the Australian dollar at an 18-year high against the US greenback, and performing at record levels against other currencies, there has never been a better time for Aussies to travel abroad   [more]
Top 10 List of Eco-friendly Asian Resorts
In line with the global movement to 'go greener', Agoda.com, an independent online travel company that specializes in discount hotel bookings, has released a Top 10 list of eco-friendly hotels in Asia.   [more]
Flight of the heat seekers
The cold snap has caused a spike in demand for midwinter breaks, Paul Edwards writes.   [more]
INTRODUCING “V AUSTRALIA”
VIRGIN BLUE ANNOUNCES NAME OF NEW INTERNATIONAL   [more]
Qantas launches premium economy cabin
Qantas today revealed the new Premium Economy cabin and seating to be offered progressively on its international Boeing 747-400 aircraft from February 2008 and on its fleet of new A380 being delivered from August 2008.   [more]
Finnair goes Air-obic
Finnair is launching a new mode of in-flight exercise based on the Asahi technique on board its long-haul flights.   [more]
Don't underestimate value of a travel agent
A report by Ed Perkins in the Chicago Herald Tribune in the USA says that contrary to what you might have heard, travel agents aren't obsolete.   [more]
Check out the hotel room of the future
The hotel room of the future may be closer than you think. The room, officially called Guestroom 2010, was a major attraction at HITEC, an annual conference for financial and technology professionals in the hospitality industry   [more]
Those alarming travel alerts - what do we do?
A report in The Sunday Telegraph's Escape says it is a modern dilemma, asking, should we disregard governmental travel advice on possible threats to our life and get on the plane, or play safe and abide by the warnings?   [more]
No slanging match or gimmicks from us: Tiger
TIGER Airways yesterday shrugged off jibes from competitor Jetstar about the release of its first Australian domestic fare, saying it was providing travellers with genuinely low airfares on a sustained basis rather than short-lived promotions.   [more]
Customers can get peace of mind and benefit of agents’ broad experience
The Sunday, June 3, Kansas City Star newspaper had an article that highlighted the resurgence of travel agencies and their many benefits to the traveling public   [more]
The role of business in Environmental Sustainability
Winds of Change - a speech delivered at the Spirituality & Sustainability Forum by Brett Godfrey, Chief Executive, Virgin Blue Airlines   [more]
Starwood Announces Plans to Open 420 Hotels Around the World
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide today announced that it anticipates executing 200 new deals and opening more than 80 new hotels in 2007, almost doubling the number of properties the company opened last year   [more]
Jetstar eyes Europe
BUDGET airline Jetstar is on course to expand into Europe within two years with a one-way fare of just under $800   [more]
Jetstar bound for Bali as market rebounds
QANTAS subsidiary Jetstar plans to double its flights from Sydney to Bali following the recovery of the Australian tourist market to the island.   [more]
Industry to zero in on emissions
THE aviation industry has set itself an ambitious goal of zero carbon dioxide emissions within 50 years, even if no one is quite sure how it will be achieved   [more]
Qantas announces more flights
Qantas Group General Manager Sales and Distribution Rob Gurney announced yesterday that Qantas will add three new Boeing 737-800 services a week between Brisbane and Perth from August this year   [more]
Forget the babysitter, more parents taking kids on business trips
Traveling for work once meant sacrificing precious time away from home. But as the American workplace becomes more flexible about letting employees juggle their duties with family life, they are finding it easier to bring their spouses and kids with them   [more]
Qantas walks away from privateers
THE Qantas board has performed a spectacular backflip, raising the drawbridge on Airline Partners Australia and signalling it could repel any further advances from the private equity consortium   [more]
Tiger to spark cheap-fare boom
THE arrival of Tiger Airways later this year, combined with growth in the Virgin Blue and Jetstar fleets, is set to create an unprecedented boom in ultra-cheap promotional fares.   [more]
Domestic airlines slip as flights cancelled, run late
The performance of Australia's major airlines in getting people to their destinations on time has slipped.   [more]
Emirates move pumps up Qantas pressure
THE federal Government's decision to allow airlines from the United Arab Emirates to double flights over the next four years has increased pressure on Qantas shareholders to sell, but seems unlikely to prevent another extension of the $11.1 billion takeov   [more]
Qatar Airways to fly to Melbourne
MELBOURNE will be the first Australian destination for the award winning Middle East airline Qatar Airways.   [more]
Porters - One way to handle your luggage
Personal Porter is a new service aimed at rescuing travellers rom those forlorn moments at the baggage carousel. It will pick up your luggage from your home or office and transport it to your hotel at the other end   [more]
Flight Centre privatisation crashes
THE $1.6 billion bid to de-list Australia's largest travel agent, Flight Centre, collapsed in acrimony last night after its fourth biggest shareholder declared it would vote against the private-equity funded deal.   [more]
Tiger poised for Australia
Singapore-based Tiger Airways is seeking regulatory approval to establish a new domestic Australian airline in competition with Virgin Blue and the Qantas Group.   [more]
BA TO CHARGE £120 FOR EXTRA BAGS ON LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS
BRITISH Airways will charge economy passengers on most routes an additional amount of between £30 and £120 if they check two suitcases into the hold, regardless of whether the combined weight of the luggage is under or equals to the 23-kilogram limit   [more]
New cabin baggage rules revealed
The new regulations will come into effect from 31st March 2007   [more]
Ooops - Bangkok's old airport to reopen
Thailand's military-installed government have decided to re-open Bangkok's old Don Muang airport, to allow masses of problems at the new and recently opened Suvarnabhumi Airport to be fixed.   [more]
Sydney lands another Gulf carrier
BRISBANE and Melbourne airport officials upset that Etihad has chosen Sydney as its first Australian destination may have a long wait before they see the airline's planes landing at their facilities.   [more]
Finnair's new Asian agenda: Non-stop and Daily
Finnair is set for a massive boost to its links from Australia   [more]
Next-generation sleeper seats: have some airlines been caught napping
The battle to win the hearts and wallets of business class passengers has intensified with two more airlines announcing the installation of next-generation sleeper seats.   [more]
Children take off on Emirates with a new set of Toys
Emirates has a surprise for children traveling on board their long haul flights. Fromthe beginning ofJanuary, they will find a brand new bumper bag of goodies to make flying fun   [more]
Qantas bows to criticism and brings forward surcharge reductions
QANTAS will cut fuel surcharges on domestic and some international flights following criticism the airline was not passing on the benefit of lower oil prices to customers.   [more]
Qantas to boost San Francisco
Qantas has announced it would increase its non-stop services between Australia and San Francisco from three to five per week from 26 March 2007   [more]
A futurist shares his outlook on travel: Five predictions
We've all heard of "big things" on the horizon for travel. Space tourism is a promising new market. Evolving technology influences almost every aspect of the industry.   [more]
Holidays with Kids magazine announces Top Ten best Australian and overseas family-friendly resorts
Holidays with Kids magazine polled its readers recently to nominate their favourite family-friendly resort within Australia and overseas for 2006   [more]
New United Airlines first class unveiled
United Airlines has unveiled initial details about their $165 million upgrade to the international widebody fleet, including the new luxurious United First Suite.   [more]
Air New Zealand Enhances Service
Air New Zealand has announced a re-launch of its Pacific Premium Economy to provide enhanced in-flight services for customers flying long-haul routes   [more]
Spongebob packs lunch on Singapore Airlines
For the month of December Singapore Airlines will serving childrens meals in unique lunchboxes   [more]
Tighter rules on airline baggage
AUSTRALIA is set early next year to introduce strict new rules on airline hand baggage, including limiting the amount of liquids carried on board by passengers.   [more]
Tourists ignore Fiji Travel Advisories
It is very much business as usual in the majority of Fiji's resorts, islands and even in Nadi, all located well away from the coup hotspot of Suva.   [more]
Singapore and Virgin Atlantic codeshare agreements expand
Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic are set to expand their codeshare operations in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East and Singapore.   [more]
Emirates to enable in-flight mobile phone use
Passengers will be able to use their mobile phones on Emirates flights in the new year, in a deal announced today by the Dubai-based airline.   [more]
Two new carriers to join oneworld
LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador will join oneworld, strengthening its position as the leading airline alliance serving Latin America   [more]
Conde Nast Traveler Announces Results of the 19th Annual Readers' Choice Awards
The November 2006 issue of Conde Nast Traveler celebrates the 19th annual Readers' Choice Awards. The results are derived from the largest independent poll of consumers' preferences, the Readers' Choice Survey.   [more]
Qantas cuts fuel surcharges
Qantas has just announced the reduction of its international fuel surcharges for tickets issued on or after next Tue 24 Oct 06.   [more]
Virgin double flights from Sydney to London
Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will be doubling the amount of flights from Sydney to London, due to popular demand for its Premium Economy seats.   [more]
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Unveils Its Newest Brand
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today unveiled its newest hotel brand, ELEMENT, which has been created by the team behind Westin Hotels & Resorts.   [more]
The world's Top 10 Hip Hotels revealed
TripAdvisor(TM), the largest travel community in the world, today announced the top 10 hip hotels from around the globe, according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors.   [more]
Allocated seating on Jetstar
From today, Jetstar will offer seat allocation across all its Australian domestic services without an impact on its consistent low fare offering to customers.   [more]
Qantas boosts lounges
Qantas has announced a partnership with luxury hotel brand Sofitel that will see the hotel group operate the airline’s new International First Class lounges in Sydney and Melbourne.   [more]
Coming Soon - Online check-in from Qantas
Qantas will shortly launch a new product - Online Check-in - and Reho Travel has obtained exclusive access to the details.   [more]
Bangkok's new Airport ready to roll
Massive convoys will cross Bangkok's sprawling city centre on Thursday morning but don't panic, these are nothing to do with the coup that had no effect, but thousands of trucks carrying equipment that will make Bangkok's new airport actually work.   [more]
Airport hand luggage curbs relaxed
Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports are to be eased from Friday, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.   [more]
Military Coup in Thailand - Tourist Impact Minimal
The Thailand Chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said the impact of the military coup on Thailand's tourism sector has so far been minimal and that visitors should definitely continue with their plans to visit the country.   [more]
Thai army coup ousts PM
BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Thai army took control of Bangkok on Tuesday without a shot being fired, dismissed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, revoked the constitution and promised a swift return to democracy after political reforms.   [more]
MFS and S8 embrace $700m merger
AFTER almost three years of courting, the Queensland diversified property and funds management group MFS has unveiled a friendly merger with travel group S8 to form a $1.7 billion property and leisure development company.   [more]
VIRGIN BLUE JOINS FORCES WITH FOXTEL AND AUSTAR TO LIVEN UP AUSTRALIAN SKIES
The days of pre-recorded and pre-censored in-flight entertainment and news bulletins are now officially over…for Virgin Blue travellers anyway. In an Australian first, Virgin Blue Guests will now be able to watch live television at 40,000 feet   [more]
Qantas once again disguises airfare increase as a fuel surcharge
What happened to the days of airfares increasing due to rising costs? This week Qantas announced further fuel surcharges on long haul flights.   [more]
New Bangkok Airport Location and Opening Date Confirmation
The location of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok will be opened officially on 28th September 2006 and is located 40 min south east of the current airport   [more]
UK Aviation Incident - Update
Following a 14 August 2006 assessment of the threat level to aircraft departing the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom's threat level from international terrorism was reduced from Critical to Severe.   [more]
Security stepped up after foiled UK bomb plot
Travellers to and from the UK will face heavy security in the wake of a foiled terrorist plot.   [more]
Top 10 quirkiest hotels revealed
The top 10 "quirkiest hotels" worldwide have been revealed by online travel community TripAdvisor.   [more]
Virgin Blue releases new Corporate Plus fare
Virgin Blue has stepped up its tenacious campaign to attract more corporate and Government travellers with the overhaul of its business friendly Blue Plus fare to offer a number of new benefits including a book and hold capability.   [more]
Top Travel Group Highlights Dangers of Web Scams
The winner of this year's National Travel Industry "Best Agency Group", Travelscene American Express, has highlighted the importance of utilising a travel agent in the wake of recent internet scams which have stung Australian travellers.   [more]
Jetstar International releases all time low fares
LOW-COST Qantas offshoot Jetstar International will today launch long-haul overseas fares it believes are up to 30 per cent lower than the cheapest everyday fares available from competitors.   [more]
A quarter of business travellers ‘ignore corporate travel policy’
Business travellers' awareness and understanding of corporate travel policies is often limited, a new global poll reveals.   [more]
Austrian Airlines launches new sleeper beds
Austrian Airlines will progressively introduce a 49-seat Business Class from mid July 2006, operating six times weekly from Sydney and three times weekly from Melbourne.   [more]
Emirates offer new service for parents
Emirates are happy to announce that they have launched a new complimentary service for passengers travelling with infants. Baby strollers will now be available to parents on arrival located at arrival gates at every Emirates Airline gate at Dubai Airport   [more]
Air fares to rise as agents forced to take pay cut
AIRLINE travellers will be slugged up to $200 in extra charges on tickets by the end of the year as travel agents try to recoup losses caused by airlines cutting their commission rates.   [more]
Peace returns to Nepal – Now is the best time in years to head to the hills.
After 10 years of conflict, there are positive signs of a long-term peaceful solution to the unrest in Nepal – making the coming trekking season the best time in years to head to the Himalaya   [more]
New tours of duty
THE travel agency industry is in turmoil as people increasingly turn to the internet to book their own transport and accommodation.   [more]
Best in Air
Want to fly from Melbourne to Singapore for less than $250? A rash of cheap fares from new no-frills Asian airlines means soon you will be able to do just that, writes Paul Edwards.   [more]
Jetstar to allocate seating on flights
JETSTAR will allow domestic passengers to choose seats in advance after canning its unpopular free-for-all experiment in unallocated seating.   [more]
American Express forms Strategic Relationship with Bureaux
American Express' Small Business Services and Bureaux Business Lounges, today announced a strategic relationship that provides American Express Business Cardmembers with access to Bureaux's high quality meeting facilities in Sydney and Melbourne.   [more]
British Airways introduces compulsory online check in
From 25 April 2006, all customers travelling within the UK on any domesticflight, will be required to check in either online at www.ba.com or by checking in at a kiosk at the airport.   [more]
Cathay Pacific buys Dragon Air
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said on Friday it would pay HKD$8.22 billion (USD$1.06 billion) in cash and shares to take over rival Dragonair in a long-expected deal that expands its access to the fast-growing mainland Chinese market.   [more]
Japan Airlines to join oneworld alliance
Japan Airlines will join oneworld, the airline alliance led by British Airways Plc and American Airlines Inc, in early 2007, the carriers said on Sunday.   [more]
Sydney Airport to welome A380's arrival
Sydney Airport has welcomed Singapore Airlines' decision to make it the world's first destination for a scheduled service of the Airbus new generation superjumbo   [more]
From nowhere to No. 1 — S8 top in travel
BARELY eight months after its first foray into the travel agency game, Surfers Paradise property group S8 is set to become the southern hemisphere's biggest travel retailer   [more]
URGENT WARNING for travellers to Europe and Australians born between 1965 and 1994
NSW Health has advised GPs to provide free Measles, Mumps & Rubella vaccines to all susceptible people born since 1965. This is as a result of measles outbreaks in several Australian states and several overseas destinations – Germany, Fiji and Kenya.   [more]
S8 & Travelscene merger to create Australia’s largest travel organisation
S8 Limited (ASX:SEL) and Travelscene Limited are to merge in a move which will create a major force in the Australian travel and tourism sector.   [more]
Australia's S8, Virgin tie up to create UK travel agency
Travel group S8 has linked up with Richard Branson's Virgin Group to create a United Kingdom-based chain of 300 retail travel agency stores, as it seeks to expand internationally.   [more]
Toll takes over Virgin Blue
The local airline landscape is set for some dramatic changes after Patrick Corp., which has a 62.4% stake in Virgin Blue, accepted Friday a A$6.20 billion ($4.52 billiontakeover bid from Toll Holdings )   [more]
Air New Zealand and Qantas apply to co-operate on the Tasman
Air New Zealand and Qantas today announced they have signed a codeshare agreement for their Tasman routes. The airlines will shortly file applications seeking authorisation from the New Zealand and the Australian Governments   [more]
Qantas says goodbye to Australian Airlines
The Qantas Group today took a major step in its two-brand strategy, with the announcement of the axing of Australian Airlines services cushioned by a new expanded network for Jetstar.   [more]
Qantas doubles excess baggage charges
EFFECTIVE 08 Apr Qantas will increase its charges for additional domestic baggage to $22 per piece   [more]
Online air bookings via Travel Managers outstripping offline for first time
American Express research reveals the “incredible pace” in the adoption of online travel booking and expense reporting tools since 2004   [more]
Reho Travel recognised as a Dynamic Small Business
The Internet has had a huge impact on the travel sector. Cameron Bailey talks to a travel agent who was at the cutting edge way back when doing an online booking was a radical geek experiment   [more]
Great Photo wins trip to Club Med
Vicky Pang's great photo of her towering over Big Ben wins her a trip to Lindeman Island   [more]
Emirates new aircraft
Emirates launches the new A340-500 with non-stop flights from Sydney to Dubai   [more]
Virgin Atlantic announces plans to operate to Australia
Sir Richard Branson today welcomed the deal reached between the UK and Hong Kong to liberalise their air services arrangements and announced that Virgin Atlantic plans to launch services to Australia, via Hong Kong, from next summer.   [more]
The Star Princess arrives in Australia
The largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built is now visiting Australia   [more]
Lower Airfares as showdown looms
Domestic air travellers enjoying some of the lowest real discount airfares on record can expect further deals in the new year as cut-price Qantas subsidiary Jetstar and Virgin Blue position themselves for a showdown   [more]
Qantas cuts value of Frequent Flyer points
Qantas has made it harder for passengers to travel using frequent flyer points in a major overhaul of the popular scheme   [more]
Indonesia sets visa tariff
Indonesia set the cost of one-month tourist visas at $US25 ($A33), but immediately said the controversial impost would be reviewed if it affected holiday arrivals   [more]
The bird flu....some long awaited facts!
Some facts about   [more]
Pacific Blue heads for Fiji
Pacific Blue will begin flights between Australia and Fiji from September this year   [more]
Sky's the limit for passenger screening system
More than half of all airline passengers entering New Zealand are now being pre-screened by the Immigration Service using its $NZ3 million ($A2.6 million) Advanced Passenger Processing (APP) system, introduced last August.   [more]
Budget airline to fly from Avalon
Melbourne is to get a second domestic airport with the new Qantas subsidiary, Jetstar, to launch no-frills passenger services out of Avalon.   [more]
BA goes wireless
British Airways is installing wireless internet connection in 80 of its main airline lounges around the world   [more]
Qantas travellers switched to Jetstar
THOUSANDS of people with Qantas bookings are being switched to new no-frills airline Jetstar   [more]
British Airways switches terminals
British Airways has transferred carefully selected flights between Terminals at Heathrow Airport   [more]
Air France takes over KLM
Air France succeeded on Tuesday in its bid to create the world's biggest airline by revenue, winning nearly 90 percent of Dutch rival KLM in an unprecedented takeover that heralds a new era for the industry   [more]
Snow on New Zealand's slopes heralds the start of winter
New Zealand's keenest snowboarders and skiers headed for Queenstown's Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski areas today after a cold snap blanketed the mountains with early season snow   [more]
Qantas announces fuel surcharge
Qantas said today it would introduce a fuel surcharge on passenger tickets sold after 17th May 2004   [more]
Have gun online service, will travel
About a decade ago, many Australian travel agents believed the sky was falling. A wicked thing called the internet made it easy for customers to cut them out and book their holidays online   [more]
Reho's Karen Cavu among finalists for the Avis Travel Agents' Scholarship of Excellence 2004
The finalists will now attend the National judging on October 12. The successful applicant will be named winner of the   [more]
Temporary suspension for arrivals into Vientiane
Travel Indochina has received official notification that access to Vientiane will be closed between 22 November and 1 December 2004. This is due to increased security measures for the Association of South East Asian Nations Summit (ASEAN) summit to be hel   [more]
Jetstar Asia announces routes
Jetstar Asia, Qantas Airways' no-frills carrier, announces seven new destinations it will serve out of Singapore, including Shanghai, in a move sure to raise the stakes in Asia's cut throat budget aviation market.   [more]
LAN Airlines expands with two new Sydney - Santiago flights
LAN Airlines, the national carrier of Chile, is expanding its services between Australia and South America, with a fourth weekly service from Sydney to Santiago starting this month and a fifth weekly flight from July 2005.   [more]
Circling the Globe
Fancy a stopover or two ? or nine? Paul Edwards explores the joys of around the world tickets   [more]
Changes to Australian Customs By-laws governing passenger and crew duty-free concessions
From 1 February 2005 importations or inwards duty free purchases in accompanied baggage will be permitted free from duty and/or tax provided that the maximum limits stipulated below are not exceeded. If the maximum limit is exceeded in a category, duty a   [more]
Airlines waive cancellation fees
Australians travelling to or from destinations hit by devastating tsunami waves across Asia will be offered refunds by many travel operators.   [more]
Across the sea or around the corner?
Getting there keeps getting easier but deciding where is the hard part, writes Paul Edwards. Take note of the views of some travel professionals to help you make your destination decisions   [more]
After the tsunami
Even as earthmovers continue their grisly work among the ruins of what were glamorous resorts, thousands of Australians are tackling the dilemma of whether or not to take holidays on Asia's sands of death.   [more]
Travel agent told to drop misleading fare slogan
The Flight Centre has been banned from using its   [more]
Pilgrimage for the patient
If you want to be in Gallipoli in time for Anzac Day it's not too late, writes Paul Edwards.   [more]
Bypass the Internet for longhaul bargains
It is better to phone your local travel agent for deals rather than roving the internet, Ben Sandilands writes.   [more]
Virgin Blue All inclusive campaign pays off
Virgin Blue Airlines has announced it will move to all-inclusive air fare pricing from Tuesday May 10 following months of lobbying various organisations including the ACCC, the Australian Consumers Commission and the Federal Government   [more]
At one with the world - The Sunday Age / Sydney Herald
Going solo can offer special rewards - so long as you take some precautions, writes Paul Edwards   [more]
Swiss joins Star Alliance
Swiss International Air Lines has been accepted as a member of the Star Alliance.   [more]
North and South
After a budget holiday? The Americas are right on the money. By Paul Edwards.   [more]
Qantas to fly to Beijing next year
Australian flag carrier Qantas Airways announced Wednesday it will resume flights to Beijing early next year, more than six years after it suspended services to the Chinese capital.   [more]
SO, YOU'VE GOT 'FREE' CREDIT CARD TRAVEL INSURANCE
Some of you are travelling with 'free' travel insurance offered to you by your banks via their credit cards. You are lead to believe, that you will be 'fully' covered in all sorts of circumstances. ALL IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS!   [more]
Qantas reopens Korean air route
National carrier Qantas Airways Ltd has reopened services on its Australia-Korea line for the first time since 1998   [more]
Virgin Blue adds Samoa to list
Virgin Blue has extended its Pacific reach and will begin flights to Samoa through a new offshoot - Polynesian Blue - after finalising a deal with the island nation's government yesterday.   [more]
Qantas swoops on Asia
QANTAS has extended its reach into Southeast Asia with a long-awaited merger with Singapore's Valuair that will double the size of its 49 per cent- controlled discount carrier, Jetstar Asia   [more]
The power of an Alliance in the evolution of the industry
Alliances are fulfilling an increasingly important role as airlines seek new ways of doing business and some may not survive if they are unwilling to transform was the warning from Star Alliance CEO, Jaan Albrecht in Sydney on Monday discussing trends in   [more]
Qantas to fly to San Francisco
SYDNEY, 11 August 2005: Qantas today announced the addition of San Francisco to its international network from 29 March 2006.   [more]
Qantas expands cut price strategy
Qantas has embarked on a long-term plan to split the national carrier in two in an attempt to slash costs, and has announced plans to add a fifth fuel surcharge in 16 months to counter rising oil costs.   [more]
Power to the passenger
Airlines increasingly use technology to give passengers control over how they spend their time before and during flights   [more]
Web check-in for Virgin
Virgin Blue is the first airline in Australia to launch a progressive new online Web Check-In service which allows Virgin Blue Guests to check-in for their flight from their home, office or via any Internet-connected personal computer up to 24 hours   [more]
SINGAPORE SET TO BECOME THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TRANSIT LOUNGE
As of October 2005, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched a new initiative to make it easier for the five million air passengers who transit in Singapore each year to sample the delights of the Lion City before heading onto their next destination   [more]
Emirates enhances economy class
Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, is introducing an enhanced, new-look Economy Class across its fleet starting 1st November   [more]
Virgin Blue Airlines introduces it's Loyalty Program today......Velocity
Velocity is the next generation of loyalty programs. You can earn points faster with the airline's Program Partners and redeem them on an exciting range of Velocity Rewards, including international flights.   [more]
Australians caught as Bali airline shuts down
Up to 2000 Australian tourist are caught in the collapse of Bali-based Air Paradise International which has suspended services because of the downturn in tourists following the latest terrorist attack on the resort island.   [more]
QF Board approves Jetstar International aspirations
The Board of Qantas Airways yesterday approved the establishment of a new long haul value based airline under the Jetstar brand.   [more]
Holiday businesses travelling badly
All is not well in the travel workplace. Insiders are reporting low wages, high staff turnover and a glut of graduates from self-titled travel colleges. The effects of SARS, terrorism and technology, and the airlines' increasing reluctance to pay commissi   [more]
Check-in Procedure of Flight SQ220
To assist and improve our services especially during the peak season period, please see below an important notice from Singapore Airlines regarding check-in procedures for passengers travelling on Flight SQ220 Sydney to Singapore   [more]
A world of wonder awaits but don't leave it too long
Those in the know reckon now is the best time to visit China. Paul Edwards finds out why. WHEN it comes to savvy holiday planning, you can't beat the knowledge and resources of travel professionals.   [more]
Air Canada to commence non stop flights Sydney / Los Angeles
SINGAPORE Airlines has been gazumped in its bid to become the next airline to enter the lucrative Australia to US route after Air Canada announced it would start services between Sydney to Los Angeles and Toronto next year.   [more]
Dot Travel domain makes it's debut
NEW YORK -- It's official now: The travel industry has its own Internet domain name, dot-travel, which officially launched here Jan. 29.   [more]
Air New Zealand to carry more skiiers
Air New Zealand is to introduce additional flights from Australia into Queenstown by 47 per cent for this year’s ski season.   [more]
Internet access onboard Singapore Airlines
Another first in superior inflight entertainment for Singapore Airlines, passengers flying to and from Sydney will now be connected online at 35,000 feet at the same speed and access they enjoy from broadband connections on the ground, with Connexion by B   [more]
Ozjet suspends scheduled services
OzJet chairman Paul Stoddart announced this evening that start up business class only carrier, OzJet had suspended all scheduled services with immediate effect, because of a lack of support.   [more]