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12 January 2012 |
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ATLAS NEWSLETTER
Dear Atlas subscriber,
Welcome to 2012!
I hope you all had an enjoyable break over the holiday period and perhaps had time to think about your next holiday. We have a special focus on Vietnam in this issue and some firsthand feedback from Lisa Byers (Our General Manager in W.A.). There is lots of important and useful news and information provided this month so you can stay ahead of all the aviation news like new lounges, visa's on board and useful schedule changes.
We are all looking forward to a happy and prosperous year with all our clients and suppliers alike and wish you the same in return.
As always I appreciate any feedback you might have.
Sincerely,
Sarah Bush
Director
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 NO MORE IN-FLIGHT DUTY FREE
Qantas will cease flying between Sydney and Buenos Aires on the 24th March 2012 and flights on this route will no longer offer in-flight duty free shopping.
From 26 March 2012 Qantas will commence flights between Sydney and Santiago and no In Sky Shopping will be available on this route either. |
EMIRATES UPDATE
 New baggage delivery service
Emirates have just introduced a new "Baggage Delivery" service at Dubai International Airport in Terminal 3. This will allow passengers to have dedicated agents collect their checked luggage and deliver it to their final destination. A fee of approximately AUD53.00 will cover up to four checked bags delivered anywhere within Dubai, Ajman and Sharjah. There is a surcharge on deliveries to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fijairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
A380 network expands to include Melbourne
Emirates announced that it will operate daily A380 flights from Dubai to Melbourne from October 2012. The move will see the Melbourne Emirates superjumbo flights extend onto Auckland/Melbourne to Dubai and onwards to London Heathrow as well as other A380 destinations including Manchester, Paris and Rome.
WiFi aboard select A380
Emirates are now offering passengers inflight WiFi aboard 11 of their A380 aircrafts, for use through smartphones, tablets and laptops. WiFi is priced from US7.50 for mobile devices and US15.00 for laptops on flights of about 7 hours.
New destination Venice
Emirates will be adding a double daily service between Dubai and Venice effective 25 March 2012, using a three class, 267 seat Airbus 340-400 aircraft.
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QANTAS TO PILOT CUTTING-EDGE INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY
Qantas announced last month that they will commence inflight connectivity on selected A380 aircraft starting next month. Qantas will install internet capability on six of its A380s on selected flights between Sydney and Los Angeles and Melbourne and Los Angeles.
Passengers will have the opportunity to access the internet via their WiFi enabled personal electronic devices, such as iPhones, iPads and BlackBerrys. The trial will be available initially to customers travelling in First and Business class and will form part of Qantas' on-going strategic evaluation of connectivity options, including the review of next generation technology platforms. |
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BRITISH AIRWAYS - NEW LOUNGE OPENING AT NEWARK, NEW YORK IN APRIL 2012
 British Airways customers will soon be able to enjoy a more relaxing, comfortable and altogether more contemporary experience when they visit the British Airways lounge at Newark airport soon.
This new lounge will reflect the style and luxury of their flagship Galleries Lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and will offer customers:
* An elegant space with 166 seats
* Dining area with a dedicated area for First Class customers
* Comfortable seating with views of the runway extending to Manhattan on clear days
* Power outlets throughout the lounge and complimentary WiFi
* Deli and Coffee Bar
* Two Silver Bars offering fine wines and premium spirits
* Work & Entertainment Zone
* Washrooms and shower
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QANTAS & BRITISH AIRWAYS BANGKOK CHANGES
 British Airways have announced they are ending their services between Sydney and Bangkok with their last flight departing from Sydney on Saturday 3rd March 2012.
Qantas will operate between Sydney and Bangkok and customers can then connect onto the British Airways flights between Bangkok and London.
Effective 25 March 2012 Qantas Sydney to Bangkok new daily flight schedule:
QF23 Sydney 12:30 - Bangkok 18:50
QF24 Bangkok 20:55 - Sydney 09:00 the next day
With the change in schedule, Qantas now offers same day connections to Phuket, Koh Samui and Chaing Mai. |
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 WORRIED ABOUT WHO YOU'LL BE SEATED NEXT TO??
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines may have a solution, with the carrier set to launch a "Meet & Seat' service in 2012 that gives passengers a chance to select 'seat mates' via a link to Facebook and Linkedin profiles.
The optional service will be offered to passengers who check-in online. |
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 PASSPORT FEES RISING
With immediate effect The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade advises that passport issuing fees have increased:
- Adult passport now $233.00
- Child passport now $117.00
For further information click here. |
GARUDA TO OFFER ONBOARD VISA PROCESSING TO BALI
 After an initial trial phase on flights from Sydney to Jakarta, Garuda Indonesia has extended its visa on-board processing service on all flights from Sydney to Denpasar.
This service now allows passengers to fast track through immigration and avoid currency exchange and airport queues. Passengers that take advantage of the new service will have their visa processed by immigration officials on-board the aircraft and payment will be processed when checking-in with Garuda at Sydney Airport.
Garuda's future plan is to introduce the service on all flights departing Australia. |
THREE OF THE BEST
This month Lisa Byers, General Manager from our office in Western Australia, presents her personal favourites from around the world.
 AIRLINE PRODUCT:
I am extremely lucky and get to try out many products but I "still call Australia home". My most recent journey on Qantas was in November to Singapore in Business Class and the service, cabin staff and food was outstanding. We are very proud of our local carrier and look forward to a great year ahead with Qantas in 2012.
 HOTEL/RESORT:
If you are looking for a designer and boutique residence in Shanghai then look no further. JIA Boutique Hotel is the place to stay. Located on busy Nanjing Road and a short taxi away to the Bund or Xiantindi this is a delightful property to stay and experience. Issimo is the resident Italian restaurant and possibly the best Italian fare I have had outside of Italy. The reception and lobby area is located on level 3, and JIA rates include hot breakfast daily at Issimo, complimentary tea/coffee 24/7, afternoon cakes and wine each evening served in the lobby area which is reminiscent of an inviting and relaxed home living room. The bedrooms are studio or suite style and perfect if you are looking for more than a hotel room as all are equipped with fully decked out kitchens and free broadband/WiFi. I stayed at JIA for a week and did not want to leave.
 DESTINATION:
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam is a wonderful and relatively unknown destination and is the largest island in Vietnam located in the Gulf of Thailand. You will discover a very relaxed pace, delightful people, amazing food, very cold beer - all to be savoured from the many beach bars that are 1 meter from the white sandy water's edge. Watch the sun go down each cool and breezy evening where time stands still for a little while. Famous for its black pepper crops (fantastic garlic/pepper dipping mix served with a dash of fresh lime), fish sauce factories (the finest available in Vietnam) and the local protected species of Ridgeback dog, that has webbed feet and are very friendly and treated like kings. 2012 sees an international airport opening in Phu Quoc so getting there will be much easier so make sure you do yourself a favour and visit soon as this magical place will not remain as quaint once opened up to the international world.
Stay tuned for next month's Three of The Best! |
| NEWS AND SPECIALS FROM THE EVENTS AUTHORITY |
 TTA CONFERENCE SPECIAL
Book and hold your next conference at The Observatory Hotel in Sydney before 27 February 2012 and make the most of our $90.00* per day delegate rate! This amazing package includes arrival morning and afternoon tea, working lunch, flipchart, whiteboard, data projector & screen.
Accommodation at The Observatory from $295.00 per room per night.
For further information contact our Events Team today.
*Terms & Conditions apply - Offer not transferable to existing bookings. Subject to availability. |
 GARUDA SPECIAL TO BALIINCLUDING TAXES AND FEES
Business Class to Denpasar
From $1350.00* inclusive of taxes
(Amex Points 135,000 per person)
Ex. Sydney
Please contact us for further information.
*Conditions apply: Fares are subject to availability at time of booking. Valid for departures effective immediately to 31 March 2012. Sale ends 29 February 2012. Fare based on departure ex. Sydney. |
 JAPAN AIRLINES SALE TO TOKYO
INCLUDING TAXES AND FEES
Economy Class to Tokyo
From $1,000.00 inclusive of taxes
(Amex Points 100,000 per person)
Ex. Sydney
Please contact us for further information.
*Conditions apply. Fares are subject to availability at time of booking. Valid for departures effective immediately to 30 September 2012. Sale ends 31 January 2012. Advertised price based on departure ex Sydney, fare valid for departures ex: BNE, MEL, ADL, PER, CBR. |
TWO BALI SPECIALS HIGHLIGHTED
INCLUDING TAXES AND FEES
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa
Located minutes away from the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport on the sun-drenched shores of beautiful Nusa Dua, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa's 23 acres of sculpted gardens provide an oasis of space and tranquility in the heart of exotic Bali. The accommodation features 382 rooms and suites in a resort hotel that
invites you to immerse yourself in the pageantry of one of the world's most vibrant cultures.
Packages from $1204.00 per person
(Amex Points 120,400 per person)
Inclusions:
- Return economy airfares flying Garuda Indonesia (including Australian departure taxes/levies)
- Twin Share accommodation in a Deluxe room at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa
- Daily breakfast
- Return private airport transfers
W Retreat & Spa, Seminyak
Serenity meets sophistication in Bali's trendiest enclave.
237 guestrooms and villas with spectacular views, where stylish designs meet traditional architecture and inspire lavish amenities. Get outside for your daily dose of sun, sand, sea and surfing, and you'll find yourself right in the heart of it all at W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak. Go
paragliding off breathtaking cliffs, or take the plunge with the adrenaline rush of bungy-jumping and sky-diving. If you just can't get enough of the water, the surf is always up,or you can make a splash with kayaking and white-water rafting.
Packages from $1445.00 per person
(Amex Points 144,500 per person)
Inclusions:
- Return economy airfares flying Garuda Indonesia (including Australian departure taxes/levies)
- Twin Share accommodation in a wonderful Garden View Retreat at the W Retreat & Spa
- Daily breakfast at the Fire restaurant
- High speed wireless internet access
- Soaking bathtubs
- Rainforest shower
*** Special Return Business Class upgrade: $750.00 per person ***
Packages also available with Virgin Australia and Jetstar.
Please contact us for further information. |
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A FUSION OF FLAVOURS CRUISE WITH LUKE NGUYEN
 Our General Manager in WA, Lisa Byers recently experienced an 8 day Luxury Mekong River Cruise with APT cruising from Vietnam to Cambodia on the RV Amalotus.
In keeping with Lisa's passion for Vietnam and Luke Nguyen, she is very excited to announce that in 2012, APT will be conducting several cruises designed and attended by Luke - chef and owner of Red Lantern, as well as author to acclaimed cookbooks 'Secrets of the Red Lantern', 'Songs of Sapa' and 'Indochine'. Luke brings to APT a wealth of local insight into his native Vietnam and on every itinerary that includes time in Vietnam, Luke has personally selected a Dine Around Dinner option for our guests to choose from in Hanoi and Saigon.
Luke will also personally provide a tantalising glimpse into the tastes and traditions of the various reqions and he will reveal hidden gems that only locals know about, culminating in him escorting the group on a walking tour of his family's neighbourhood in Ho Chi Minh.
This tour and cruise will be a 'foodies' heaven so please contact us for further information and dates on how to be part of this fantastic journey.
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PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISE - 50% DISCOUNT
Join the Parisian celebrity Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato aboard
The Gauguin on the 23 June 2012 sailing to Tahiti and the Society Islands and enjoy 50% off standard cruise fares.
You will have the opportunity to learn essentinal culinary techniques from this world-class chef as he leads demonstrations and personally prepares gourmet dishes for guests. You will also enjoy the Gauguin's signature high standard of luxury and service as they explore paradise aboard the ship that was recently named the 2011 Magellan Silver Award Winnder in the Small Cruise Ship category by Travel Weekly.
7 nights from only U$3,161.00 per person* including taxes and fees
Please contact us for further information.
*Cruise-only fares quoted in US$, per person based on double occupancy, category F and reflect savings of 50% off standard cruise fares and include air credit and port taxes. Amex points payment available, cost subject to exchange rate. |
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11 DAYS VIETNAM FAMILY HOLIDAY
INCLUDING TAXES AND FEES
 On this family holiday explore the Old Quarter and enjoy the traditional water puppet show in Hanoi - the ancient capital city of Vietnam, cruise the scenic Halong Bay on an overnight Junk boat, experience a cycle ride to the impressive Imperial Citadel in Hue, wander around the ancient harbour town of Hoi An, crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels and discover the tranquil waterways of Mekong Delta.
Price from $2827.00 per adult & $2228.00 per child
(Amex Points 282,700 per adult & 222,800 per child)
Inclusions:
 Return economy airfare with Thai Airways including taxes - Private English speaking guides
- 7 nights selected hotels
- 1 night Halong Bay cruise
- 1 night train
- 1 domestic flight
- Specific meals
- All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles
- Sightseeing
- Evening entertainment
*Must depart between 1 May 2012 and 20 June 2012. Prices are vaild til 29 Feb 2012. |
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CALL US TODAY ON 1300 WE KNOW (935 669) | |
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