AIRLINE NEWS

AIR CANADA will make its upcoming seasonal Vancouver-Melbourne service a year-round operation next June, as well as launching flights between Montreal and Tokyo Narita from June 1, 2018. ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS (ANA) is upping the frequency of its Hong Kong flights at the end of this month from nine to 12-14 times a week, while decreasing flight frequency on its Chengdu service. AUSTRIAN AIRLINES has confirmed it will begin offering premium economy class seating on all its long-haul flights starting March 6 next year. Tickets are already available for purchase. CHINA AIRLINES is considering launching new flights to Ontario in California following increased demand on its existing Taipei-Los Angeles service. DELTA AIR LINES has revamped its business class amenity kits, with the new Tumi-designed cases being offered on all Delta One flights. Skincare products are from Kiehl’s. EVA AIR will launch its first new uniform in 14 years, designed by fashion house Shiatzy Chen. The airline unveiled the new staff attire at the retirement ceremony for its Boeing 747. FINNAIR will launch flights to Nanjing in May 2018 – its seventh destination in China, while also increasing flight frequency to Tokyo, Bangkok and Delhi from next summer. GARUDA INDONESIA is drastically reducing its premium seating on services departing Amsterdam in favour of higher volume, starting October 29. Flights to London Heathrow will also go from three to two flights a week. MALAYSIA AIRLINES’ London Heathrow Terminal 4 lounge is set to undergo a renovation later this year, with new features to include a demonstration kitchen and fine dining for first class. QANTAS has announced it will overhaul its A380 cabins to offer more business and premium economy class seating, while removing some seats in economy class, by the end of 2020. QATAR AIRWAYS business and first class passengers can now pre-order their meals from 14 days to 24 hours before their flight on select routes from Doha to Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Americas. VIETNAM AIRLINES is expanding its codeshare agreement with Garuda Indonesia to encompass domestic Vietnam and Indonesia flights as well as services between the countries via Singapore.