Mark Harada

Australia, Sydney

Editor at KarryOn

Box the compass with Mark Harada & Gaya Avery.

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Articles

Singapore Airlines reveals $50M+ upgrade to Changi lounges

1 week ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

Over the next two years, the airline will invest a cool S$45 million (around AU$55 million) to transform its SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounges at its Changi Airport Terminal 2, promising a significantly enhanced experience for premium travellers at its main hub. With work beginning today (15 April), the renovations will roll out in phases, aiming for completion around mid-2027.
These 10 airports have the best toilets + the cleanest hubs

1 week ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

According to the recent World Airport Awards, the world’s cleanest airports for 2025 are where you might expect them to be: East Asia. Coming in as the world’s most spotless hub is Tokyo Haneda, which if you know anything about Japan shouldn’t come as too much of a shock. Following the Japanese gateway was Singapore Changi, with Doha Hamad, Seoul Incheon and Hong Kong rounding out the top five cleanest airports.
APT Travel Group appoints Jenni Carey as BDM Vic & Tas

1 week ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

“Travel is all about connection, and I’m excited to keep working closely with our amazing trade partners across Victoria and Tasmania, supporting them in growing their business with APT and Travelmarvel,” Carey told Karryon.
Inside Travel Director Alastair Donnelly's novel take on why Japan needs more visitors, as Expo 2025 launches

1 week ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

Over the next six months, officials forecast the five-yearly event will attract nearly 30 million visitors. And while the majority of those patrons will no doubt be domestic, tourism authorities also expect to see huge interest among international travellers. This is on top of the millions of overseas visitors already planning trips to the country, which continues to skyrocket in popularity, including with Australians.
2025’s ‘Best Airports’ revealed - how did Aussie hubs fare?

2 weeks ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

Scoring the award for a record 13th time, Singapore Changi edged last year’s winner Hamad International Airport (Doha) to the prize. Following the top two are Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), Incheon International Airport (Seoul) and Narita International Airport (Tokyo). Hong Kong, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome Fiumicino, Munich Airport and Zurich Airport rounded out the top 10 in the best airport category.
US travel just got easier for many Aussies thanks to a new baggage trial

2 weeks ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

American Airlines and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have teamed up with Sydney Airport to trial an US-first program that allows passengers travelling on AA’s daily Sydney-Los Angeles service to check their baggage through to their onward American destination without the need to claim their bags and recheck them with the carrier for their connecting flight.
AirAsia unveils new Aussie route, its first to this port

2 weeks ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

Flying four times per week, the service will add more than 74,000 seats per year on the route. Flights will depart Adelaide at 7.50am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and arrive in Denpasar at 10.40am (local time). Return flights leave Bali at 11.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and land in SA at 7.10am. On sale today with prices from $199, the new flights will also allow travellers to connect to over 130 other destinations in the AirAsia Group network.
what’s the impact on travel?

2 weeks ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

According to the Samoan government, recent “continuous power outages and electricity rationing” have caused damage to homes, food spoilage, business disruptions and an economic cost estimated at 16% of GDP “underscoring severe disruptions to national productivity, public services, and economic activity”.
Velocity Frequent Flyer reveals perks for Virgin Australia’s upcoming Qatar flights

2 weeks ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

With the first services departing from June 2025 (Melbourne follows in December), the loyalty program is offering US$20 ‘Dine on Us’ vouchers for all Velocity members, including kids, to use at select eateries at Doha’s Hamad International Airport – crowned World’s Best Airport in 2024. All travellers need to do is add their Velocity Frequent Flyer number to their booking before check-in, for what Virgin claims is an Australian airline first.
Another passenger tries to open door during Aussie flight

2 weeks ago | karryon.com.au | Mark Harada

On Saturday night, a Jordanian national was arrested in Sydney after allegedly trying to open emergency exits on an AirAsia flight from Malaysia. Shadi Taisser Ayed Alsaaydeh, 46, faced court after the incident, charged with two counts of endangering aircraft safety and one count of assaulting a crew member. According to the ABC, the court heard allegations that Alsaaydeh, seated at the rear of the aircraft, first attempted to open an emergency exit latch.