Carry On: News for business travellers - Dreamliners coming downunder

Dreamliners coming Down Under
The grounding is over and the race is on for the first scheduled Dreamliner commercial service to Australia. Japan Airlines, which has one of the largest fleet of Boeing 787s, says it will replace its Boeing 777-200 on the Tokyo Narita-Sydney route from December 1. JAL will start putting its Dreamliners back on commercial flights from June.

But Qatar Airways, which had to cancel the launch of its Doha Perth service just two weeks before its scheduled February 1 start because of the worldwide grounding, could launch before then. So far there’s been no word from Qatar on when it will replace its B777, though it has resumed 787 services in the Gulf and will start long haul with Heathrow flights on May 15.

Qantas subsidiary Jetstar had expected to get its first 787 in August of the 14 ordered but says this may be delayed by a couple of months. These will gradually replace the A330s that fly from Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast to Hawaii, Japan and Singapore.

The travel habits of Kiwis
A MasterCard survey of spending priorities in travel throws up some interesting statistics and habits among Kiwis. They prefer domestic travel to international travel for leisure. Non-budget carriers are the most popular mode of travel internationally while driving is the main means of domestic travel.

Other highlights are:
• Australia continues to be the main international destination, followed by US and UK, while Auckland and Christchurch continue to lead as domestic destinations;
• Airline websites continue to be overwhelmingly the most preferred source for best travel deals;
• The average amount spent on an international trip is just over $3000 and just under $600 for domestic trips;
• Mid-range hotels are most popular for international travel, while staying with friends/relatives is the most common form of accommodation in domestic travel;
• The exchange rate only influences four in 10 people making their overseas travel plans; and
• Credit cards are the most preferred mode of payment for overseas accommodation and transportation. It is also used for recreational services and shopping together with cash.

Next holiday trip will cost more
Meanwhile, Visa has released its 2013 Global Travel Intentions Study revealing that travellers are looking to increase their holiday spend by an average of 5% for their next trip. The top three reasons for choosing a destination. Are now attraction, scenery and rich culture rather than cost. The survey of 12.631 people from 25 countries found the average budget of the next trip would be $US2501, up from $US2390. The highest spenders on average are Saudi Arabians at $US6666 with Australia and China coming in just behind.

Emirates boosts two Asia routes
Emirates will increase capacity on its Bangkok and Hong Kong services from Dubai later this year. Bangkok will receive a second daily non-stop Airbus A380 service from Dubai from October 27, while a fourth daily service to will initially be operated by an Airbus A330-200 before being upgraded to a Boeing 777-300ER later in the year. In New Zealand, Emirates offers a daily Boeing 777-300ER service between Christchurch and Bangkok via Sydney.

Unruly Russians risk dry trips
Drunken behaviour by Russian tourists have forced Turkish Airlines into considering whether its flight there should be booze-free. In 2012, some 28 Russians were unruly enough to require police intervention. In the latest episode, a drunken Russian coming back from holiday in Antalya got into a heated on-board argument first with his wife and, less wisely, with members of a Russian soccer team.

In recent months, Turkish has also been reported as considering ending alcohol service in domestic business class (there is none in economy). The airline already does not serve alcohol on a few international routes, most of them to conservative Islamic countries, such as Saudi Arabia.