Carry On: Miranda Kerr models new Qantas uniform

Any change of airline uniforms attracts plenty of public attention as well as much criticism. The unveiling of the new Qantas kit, designed by a Paris-based Australian, Martin Grant, and modelled by Miranda Kerr with staff members in Sydney, has been no exception.

The designs are notable for incorporating the Qantas triangular red logo in many of the 35 styles for men and women.

“Against French navy suiting and white shirting, variations of the Qantas red – ruby red and fuchsia pink – are featured in diagonal stripes, recreating the idea of the Qantas triangle, across tops and dresses for women and on ties for men,” the airline says.

Women will wear a combination of a dress, tops, a suit and a trench overcoat, accompanied by a scarf and a trilby hat in a knitted fabric made from recycled bottle tops. The men have suits described as “neat and structured.”

The figures associated with the change are impressive: some 400,000 garments will be produced from 350,000m of fabric. The outfits will be worn by 12,600 employees at 85 locations in 21 countries.

Sky’s the limit for Quantum class
Cruise ship company Royal Caribbean International has unveiled the first details of its next generation Quantum class. Among many features, it will offer “firsts at sea” such as a virtual skydiving, indoor sports and entertainment with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the line’s largest and most advanced staterooms.

The pictures show (a) a jewel-shaped, glass capsule called North Star rises more than 300ft above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver 360-degree view; and (b) RipCord by iFly, the first skydiving experience at sea allows both first-time flyers and seasoned skydivers to enjoy the thrills in a safe, controlled and simulated environment.

Austrian auctions business class
Austrian Airlines, part of the Lufthansa group, is offering its Smart Upgrade service to all long-haul travellers, giving the opportunity for a cheap way into business class. Economy class travellers can bid for the upgrade and 72 hours before the scheduled departure he or she will be advised if the amount is successful. To qualify for making a Smart Upgrade bid, the ticket must be issued no later than 72 hours before departure.

Christchurch lands Perth service
The official opening of the new Christchurch International Airport terminal was also the venue for Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia’s announcement of a resumption of direct services between Christchurch and Perth after a gap of more than 20 years. The twice weekly non-stop service will operate through the peak demand period from December 2013 until late April 2014. The news has greatly excited local tourism interests, who say it should result in new growth in both business and leisure visitor numbers from the booming Western Australian market. The 21-week initial service could become permanent if demand lives up to expectations

Auckland turns it on for TRENZ
More than 1000 delegates will be in Auckland this weekend for TRENZ, the tourism industry’s annual showcase. The Tourism Industry Association, which is running the show, says the 290 international travel buyers expect to generate about 700,000 visitors to New Zealand over the coming year. This, says TIA chief executive Martin Snedden, is worth tens of millions of dollars of new business. “The 80% of buyers at last year’s event told us TRENZ is more important than any other marketing and purchasing activities they undertake, and almost 60% expected an increase in the number of passengers travelling to New Zealand as a result of their attendance.” The four-day event is being held in The Cloud and Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront.”

787s may be ready for takeoff
In the best news yet for Boeing, airlines and passengers who love the 787 Dreamliner, the US Federal Aviation Administration has indicated it will end the three-month grounding as early as this weekend. Barring some last minute delay, sources have told the Wall Street Journal the FAA will announce Boeing has demonstrated that the 787's redesigned batteries are safe, convincing regulators that various internal enhancements and a new protective metal container will prevent fires and automatically suck out smoke or toxic fumes. The go-ahead will mean many of the fuel-efficient 787s – which rely more heavily on composite parts and advanced electrical systems that any previous jetliner – could resume carrying passengers as early as May.