Executive Traveller (Aus)

1 month ago | executivetraveller.com | David Flynn

Executive Traveller exclusiveSaudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air intends to shake up the skies with ‘Mercedes Maybach’ business suites when the state-owned startup begins flying towards the end of this year. But the luxe treatment won’t stop at the curtain behind that exclusive cabin: CEO Tony Douglas says budget-minded travellers can look forward to world-beating premium economy seats on its Boeing 787 fleet.

1 month ago | executivetraveller.com | David Flynn

Cathay Pacific will soon begin flying a handful of Airbus A330 jets fitted with two very different business class seats. The bulk of the business class cabin sports the regional business class recliners which are familiar to many travellers making short hops around Asia. But up front are eight seats that are superior in every way: from privacy, personal space and the size of the video screen, to becoming a fully lie-flat bed.

1 month ago | executivetraveller.com | David Flynn

Qatar Airways is putting frequent flyers onto the status fast track with the airline’s new ‘Level Up’ promotion. It’s an opportunity to lock in Platinum or Gold status in the airline’s Privilege Club rewards program with just one business class flight. That serves up worldwide lounge access, priority check-on and boarding, preferred seating, boosted baggage allowance, bonus miles, and more. And of course, the benefits of Privilege Club status extend beyond Qatar Airways.

1 month ago | executivetraveller.com | David Flynn |Notso Swift

Just how luxurious can first class travel get? If you’re flying out from Melbourne with Emirates, you might soon find out. From Monday March 31, the Gulf carrier will debut its ‘game changer’ first class suites on the new daily non-stop Melbourne-Dubai service (EK404/EK405). The ‘game changer’ suites are fully enclosed, with floor-to-ceiling partitions and sliding doors creating a cosy cocoon above the clouds.

1 month ago | executivetraveller.com | David Flynn

Smartphones, tablets, ebook readers and noise-cancelling headphones have all become part of the modern traveller’s kit. This has led to the rise of ‘power bank’ battery packs as a must-have accessory to keep all that tech juiced up when you’re on the go. But airlines have become increasingly wary of these power banks – specifically, the lithium-ion cells inside them – due to the fire risk posed if they overheat or short-circuit.