Despite the growing use of AI as a travel research tool, the majority of consumers still rely on travel professionals to book complex trips. Speaking with Travel Daily, Adam Ewart, CEO of luggage shipping company Send My Bag, said that around 35% of travellers are now using AI to research holidays, yet only 8% actually … Read more
Qantas’ Project Sunrise plane will land in Australia today, after making a direct 20-hour plus flight from the factory in France. The specially adapted Airbus A350-1000ULR is expected to land in Melbourne on Friday after performing a flight test designed to push its range capability. It is fitted with an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank, … Read more
Australian travellers are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for trip ideas, but new government advice warns the technology can create costly mistakes if not carefully checked. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has highlighted the risks of relying on AI tools for overseas travel planning, including incorrect visa advice, outdated transport details and … Read more
VOMO Island Fiji has become the only resort in the Pacific region to have its childcare team complete Worldwide Kids’ Tier I Professional Childcare Training and pass a full facilities audit. The luxury private-island resort, set between Fiji’s Yasawa and Mamanuca archipelagos, has had its full Kids’ Village team complete the internationally recognised qualification, delivered … Read more
Oceania Cruises has announced its Specialty Cruises for next year, which will see guests travel alongside culinary and cultural leaders. The line’s 2027 Specialty Cruises will visit the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and Japan, and include exclusive events, expert insights and distinctive experiences. Select voyages will be hosted by celebrated culinary icons and television personalities, such … Read more
THE Federal Government has given the green light for the Brisbane Airport Master Plan 2026, which will see the hub invest more than $5 billion over the next five years alone. Highlights of the future strategy include the construction of a new Terminal 3 that will be operational by the early 2030s in preparation for … Read more
QANTAS Group has confirmed that London will be the first destination for its historic Project Sunrise flights and the bespoke Airbus A350-1000ULR. The non-stop Sydney to London flight will take off in Oct 2027 and mark the first time Qantas has been able to link the two cities directly since it began flying between them … Read more
Smartraveller review shifts advice for UAE and Qatar to level three. Following intense lobbying from the travel industry, the key Middle Eastern transit hubs of the UAE and Qatar have both been lowered by Smartraveller from Do Not Travel to Reconsider Your Need To Travel. Advice has also been lowered for Israel, Bahrain, and Kuwait, … Read more
The new partnership gives Qantas Frequent Flyer members access to Classic Reward seats across Philippine Airlines, including 15 island destinations in the Philippines that were previously missing from Qantas’ partner network. For QFF members, it adds one-stop reward options via Manila to Boracay, Cebu, Palawan and other leisure destinations, along with broader access to North America and … Read more
Travel bosses share insights In light of a peace deal between Iran and the United States reached yesterday, Intrepid Managing Director ANZ, Brett Mitchell is hopeful the milestone will precipitate a change in travel restrictions in the Middle East. “As conditions evolve, we hope ofÏcial travel advice will continue to reflect the situation on the … Read more
Jetstar and Qantas have confirmed launch routes from Western Sydney International, flying to Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The inaugural flight, JQ362, departs at 11am on 25 October 2026 bound for Gold Coast Airport, making Jetstar the first commercial passenger airline to take off from Australia’s newest international airport, with Qantas to follow next … Read more
Queenslanders chasing snow now have more direct ways to reach the slopes from this month, with Jetstar and Air New Zealand both launching seasonal Brisbane to Queenstown services in June. Jetstar flies first. Its direct Brisbane to Queenstown service starts on 15 June, operating three times a week through the snow season to the end of September. … Read more
Aussies will soon have a new way to fly to Asia with the arrival of Starlux Airlines in Australia. Starlux launched just six years ago and has come a considerable way since then. Based in Taipei, the carrier already has an extensive network of Asian destinations, flies to multiple US ports and even operates a handful … Read more
These Articles first appeared in TRAVEL DAILY Qantas Gold Coast – Auckland Qantas Airways is launching new direct flights from the Gold Coast to Auckland. Qantas Flight QF209 will depart Gold Coast on Tuesday, Thursday at 2:15pm and Arrive in Auckland at 7:20pm. Return flights from Auckland will depart the same days at 11:05am and … Read more
In a throwback to its heyday in the 1980s and 90s, a once-renowned Queensland island has welcomed back permanent accommodation. But this time around, guest stays will look a little different. Dunk Island Resort closed in early 2011 after being wiped out by Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Since then, the island has only offered basic campsites. … Read more
A New report from YouTrip has revealed Australians’ unwavering desire to travel, with 93% of survey respondents saying they still plan to venture overseas this year despite rising costs and global uncertainty. Nearly two-thirds (63%) said they remained determined to travel, while 30% said they would change destinations instead of scrapping their plans altogether. Only … Read more
The UAE has removed all temporary airspace and airport restrictions imposed during the Iran conflict, clearing the way for Emirates, flydubai and Etihad to return to full schedules after two months of disruption. The all-clear came on Saturday, when the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed all temporary limits on airspace and airport operations … Read more
Ponant Explorations has unveiled the initial release of its 2028 voyages, in alliance with its partner Smithsonian Journeys. The first departures for the 2028 line-up include an all-new solar eclipse itinerary in Western Australia’s Kimberley region (pictured), along with a number of returning favourites. ‘Solar Eclipse on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast’ is a 10-night voyage … Read more
Japan Airlines will introduce the robots for trial run at a Tokyo airport amid country’s surge in inbound tourism and worsening labour shortages. Japan’s famously conscientious but overburdened baggage handlers will soon be joined by extra staff at Tokyo’s Haneda airport – although their new colleagues will need to take regular recharging breaks. Japan Airlines … Read more
By Matt Leedham – Karryon Five luxury cruise line leaders told Karryon that demand remains robust despite the Middle East airspace closures, with Travel Agents successfully rerouting clients and cancellation rates minimal across the luxury sector. Reading the sensationalised media headlines these past few weeks, you’d be forgiven for thinking the travel industry was in complete … Read more
Qantas Europe flights will increase services and capacity ahead of the peak summer travel season as travellers scramble for options to avoid Middle East airspace and the US-Israel war on Iran continues to wreak havoc on routes. Australia’s biggest airline has made some major schedule and route changes from April 2026 as demand and airfare prices for Qantas … Read more
Gold Coast Airport will welcome another international carrier to South East Queensland, with Fiji Airways set to commence direct Gold Coast–Nadi flights from June 11, 2026. The new service on Fiji Airways’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 will operate three times weekly direct flights between the Gold Coast and Nadi , providing an additional 53,000 seats per year … Read more
The Viking Libra hydrogen cruise ship has been floated out in Italy ahead of her November 2026 delivery, marking a major milestone as the world’s first hydrogen-powered ocean cruise ship capable of zero-emissions sailings. The float-out ceremony for the Viking Libra hydrogen cruise ship took place at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona, Italy, and significantly represents the first time … Read more
The war in the Middle East has caused significant disruption to air travel around the world, including Australia With hubs such as Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai being used by countless Aussie travellers to get to Europe, thousands were left stranded when conflict began earlier this month. Despite the threat of drone strikes and missiles in the area, thousands of Australians have been safely evacuated … Read more
In short: The UK government has updated its guidance for British and Irish dual nationals. Travellers who hold both an expired UK passport as well as a valid passport from a country that’s eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation may now be able to enter the UK. What’s next? The new rules will come into … Read more
Frustrated Australian-UK and Irish dual citizens have questions about the new UK passport entry requirements that come into effect on February 25. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed officials had relayed concerns from British Australian dual citizens to the British High Commission in Australia. The Deputy British High Commissioner Dr Brian Jones … Read more
