Sydney Airport has unveiled its design vision for the much-anticipated overhaul of the T2 Domestic terminal, the first major redevelopment in more than three decades at Australia’s busiest domestic terminal.

The $200 million investment aims to provide a faster, smoother, and more efficient travel experience for the 17 million passengers that use T2 every year, focusing on next-generation technology, modern facilities, and greater operational efficiency.

Once complete, it is anticipated that 95 per cent of passengers will travel from the kerbside to airside in less than 15 minutes.

In line with the Australian Government’s security mandate to install ‘standard three’ security equipment by the end of 2025, the terminal will feature next-generation security technology and state-of-the-art scanners across seven processing lanes totalling 26 metres.

These new systems will allow passengers to leave items like laptops and liquids in their carry-on luggage, dramatically reducing security processing times, with each lane able to process 500 passengers per hour— a 113 per cent increase compared to the current average throughput of 235 passengers per hour.

The streamlined security design will feature dedicated lanes for family and assistance, while two brand new lifts post-security will provide a more seamless experience for passengers to access the food court and gate lounges.

Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport, said: “We are excited to announce our design vision for the T2 Domestic terminal. We believe these changes will make the T2 experience one of the fastest and most efficient in Australia which is a great outcome for passengers and our airline partners.

“While we understand that the upgrade works may cause temporary disruption, we want to thank passengers and our airline partners for their patience and understanding during this important transformation. We’re working hard to minimise any inconvenience and ensure the terminal remains operational throughout the process.”

The long-awaited reunion of Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand is now officially “official”, bringing enhanced travel options and seamless experiences for Virgin Australia passengers crossing the Tasman.

Under the new codeshare agreement between the two trans-Tasman carriers, travellers can directly book Virgin Australia flights operated by Air New Zealand with a VA flight number into Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for travel. These flights are in addition to Virgin Australia’s existing services to Queenstown.

Virgin Australia guests and Velocity Frequent Flyer members can also enjoy a variety of benefits and rewards when booking and travelling on around 300 services between Australia and New Zealand each week on Virgin Australia flights operated by Air New Zealand (with a VA flight number). These include:

• Earning Velocity Points and Status Credits*
• Lounge access for Velocity Gold and Platinum members*
• Seamless customer experience when connecting onto a Virgin Australia flight on its Australian network, including transfer of baggage and boarding passes issued for the entire journey.
• Velocity Gold and Platinum Status entitlements including one additional checked bag (up to 23kg), priority check-in and priority boarding*
• Virgin Australia Business Flyers will also have access to exclusive discounts and benefits in addition to options for corporate customers*

Routes included in the codeshare agreement (travel dates available from 9 December 2024, flights can be booked to depart from Australia):

• Sydney <> Auckland
• Sydney <> Christchurch
• Sydney <> Wellington
• Adelaide <> Auckland
• Brisbane <> Auckland
• Brisbane <> Christchurch
• Brisbane <> Wellington
• Melbourne <> Auckland
• Melbourne <> Christchurch
• Melbourne <> Wellington
• Gold Coast <> Auckland
• Gold Coast <> Christchurch
• Perth <> Auckland
• Cairns <> Auckland (seasonal)
• Hobart <> Auckland (seasonal)
• Sunshine Coast <> Auckland (seasonal)

Virgin Australia flights operated by Air New Zealand (with a VA flight number) are currently on sale and operating.

In a significant move to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia, The Langham Hotels & Resorts (LHG) has announced the upcoming debut of The Langham, Kuala Lumpur in 2027. This will be the second property to launch in the region this year, following the recently unveiled plans for The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok. The Kuala Lumpur property will join the brand’s highly regarded hotel in Jakarta, expanding LHG’s footprint in a region that’s quickly emerging as a key growth market.

“We are excited to introduce our flagship brand to Kuala Lumpur, a dynamic gateway city in one of the world’s most rapidly evolving travel markets,” said Mr. Bob van den Oord, CEO of LHG. “The Langham, Kuala Lumpur will be a key symbol of our vision to create world-class hotels that celebrate both timeless luxury and modern elegance, not only in Southeast Asia but across the globe.”

Set within the prestigious Golden Triangle CBD, The Langham, Kuala Lumpur will offer 198 elegant guestrooms and suites, complemented by an array of exclusive amenities. Guests can unwind by the sky pool—one of the highest in the city—or indulge in world-class dining at T’ang Court, the celebrated three Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant from The Langham, Hong Kong. Also on offer is a unique destination bar and a new location of The Langham, London’s iconic Palm Court, famous for its afternoon teas.

Wellness and relaxation are at the heart of the guest experience, with Chuan Spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a variety of in-room offerings, ensuring every stay is a rejuvenating one.

For events, the hotel will feature a grand banquet hall and an elegant selection of meeting rooms, designed to host both intimate gatherings and large-scale celebrations with unparalleled service and sophistication.

As the latest jewel in The Langham’s collection, The Langham, Kuala Lumpur promises to be an exciting addition to the region’s luxury hospitality landscape, offering travellers an unforgettable experience in Malaysia’s vibrant capital.

Qantas’ growing international map now includes the Pacific Island Nation of Palau. Made up of over 300 islands, it is additionally home to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rock Islands. It marks our fifth international route to launch from Queensland in the last 12 months following services from Brisbane to Vanuatu and Manila.

Known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, will operate as part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Australian Federal Government and will help maintain strong trade and tourism links between Australia and Palau.

Route fast facts:

• Inaugural flight will depart from Brisbane on Saturday 7 December 2024.
• Flights will depart Brisbane weekly with a Boeing 737 aircraft.
• Average flight time is 6 hours.
• Brisbane to Palau service will operate as QF165.
• Palau to Brisbane service will operate as QF166.

Destination fast facts:

• Palau is made up of over 300 islands and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rock Islands.
• Palau requires all visitors to sign the Palau Pledge upon arrival, a commitment to protecting the island’s ecological and cultural heritage during their stay.
• Palau is a world-renowned premier diving destination, however, there is much more to do beyond diving.
• Palauan culture embraces matrilineal traditions. Women have traditional authority over land and oversee clan finances.
• Palau created the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009, protecting around 600,000 square kilometres of ocean.
• Palau is home to Jellyfish Lake, where millions of non-stinging jellyfish migrate across the lake daily.

Lufthansa’s new Allegris First Class has officially launched, with its inaugural flights having taken off on November 9 to Bangalore and November 15 to Mumbai, respectively. 

The new First Class suites set a fresh standard for comfort and privacy, offering nearly one-meter-wide seats that can be heated or cooled to suit individual preferences. Each suite boasts ceiling-high walls, a lockable door, a large table, wide seating, and a huge screen for entertainment. Wireless over-ear headphones complete the immersive experience. A personal wardrobe provides ample space for travellers to store their belongings and change comfortably. For added luxury, individual lamps allow passengers to customise the lighting to their preferred ambience. The exclusive Suite Plus offers couples the option to travel together in the same suite, combining maximum comfort with flexibility.

Following an initial technical introduction phase, Lufthansa will begin offering the new First Class product to its most loyal guests by invitation. As more aircraft are equipped with the new First Class, passengers will gradually be able to book and upgrade to this premium service.

In other exciting news, Lufthansa has been awarded the APEX Innovation Award for 2024 for its groundbreaking in-flight entertainment. In collaboration with Meta and MSM.Digital, the airline is testing mixed-reality technologies, giving Business Class passengers on Allegris-equipped flights access to VR headsets. These state-of-the-art headsets offer a range of exclusive content, including cinema-style movies, 360-degree travel podcasts, interactive games, and relaxation exercises, making Lufthansa the first airline globally to offer such an immersive in-flight entertainment experience.