It’s that time of year again, when airlines and airports roll out their latest initiatives for the travelling public.
Assuming you take them at their word, here’s what you can look forward to this April Fools’ Day.
Also read: April Fools’ Day 2015 aviation pranks from around the world
QUANTAS: It’s all about ‘U’
No longer a ‘Q without a U’, Qantas is renaming its airline ‘Quantas’, because after all, it’s all about ‘u’, the traveller.
The change also makes it easier to spell the airline’s name correctly, with ‘Quantas’ having long been used by millions of people worldwide – who won’t have to change a single letter to pass their spelling test.
Travellers will soon receive updated Quantas Frequent Flyer cards in the mail, along with a new set of U Bag Tags.
Virgin Australia opens airport lounges for pets
High-flying pets will now enjoy their own, dedicated Virgin Australia lounges at airports nationwide, with ‘paw door access’ for top-tier Platinum puppies to mirror the airline’s Sydney Premium Entry for their owners.
Inside they’ll be greeted by an indoor park, pampering and grooming services, and a Luke Mangan-designed menu with a choice of ‘a la cat’ or ‘dogestation’ dining.
Here’s what your animal friend can now enjoy before their flight with Virgin Australia:
Flight Centre debuts Cargo Class
Gone are the days that travelling on a budget means being cramped in economy, with Flight Centre unveiling its latest initiative: Cargo Class.
Housed entirely within an airline cargo container, passengers can enjoy a lie-flat bed all the way to London Heathrow from just $199 – and with the container just as portable as your laptop, you’re free to set up camp with the pets below deck on any airline that will have you.
With cargo containers being delivered straight to the baggage hall, you’ll also side-step the often long walk from the aircraft to immigration – instead disembarking via the baggage belt.
Mount Gambier Airport installs bicycle lane on runway
Pilots and cyclists can take things easy at South Australia’s Mount Gambier Airport, with a dedicated lane now separating aircraft and bicycles on the runway.
Keeping at least 1.5 metres of separation between an aircraft’s powerful engines and the cyclists had previously been a challenge, with riders forced to take the perimeter roads rather than the most direct option via the runway.
Airport Compliance Officer Paul McFarlane admitted that "while they don't really go anywhere, the views of trucks passing on the highway is simply breathtaking".
Also read: April Fools’ Day 2015 aviation pranks from around the world
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
QF
18 Jul 2014
Total posts 7
Australia also adopts two crew always in cockpit rule.
That has to be the greatest April Fools Joke for this year.
Australian poiliticians have acted on rumour and newspaper "reports" as well as questionably released supposed CVR data by the nation very much behind Airbus. And then the releases have to be translated into english from a most difficult of language as well.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
It must be a private joke the U.S. was having for a while now. I guess it's true what they say, some comedy from the U.S. can't be fast tracked to these shores fast enough.
12 Jun 2014
Total posts 71
After watching the virgin ad, I had to give a big hug to my best buddy Tobbs ( a golden retriever)
he is still a puppy. :)
02 Apr 2015
Total posts 2
The Hamilton Island sprint tri (Nov each year) does include a 20km bike leg utilising the airport runway as part of the course! https://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/triathlon-and-ocean-swim/triathlon
Velocity
19 Jun 2013
Total posts 66
Re the VA Lounge vid... Not so much of a stretch, I have to say.
As it is, the QF and VA lounges are zoo-like enough on weekday mornings & afternoons. These new guests would probably be more civilised around the food & drinks than a lot of the currently admitted crowd, and in most cases, they'd be a lot more friendly as well.
Happy Easter, y'all.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Well put there are some real class acts in there
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 258
While the VA ad is very cute... It's 2015 and we're all adults. Why are these ridiculous 'jokes' still being produced. Does big business think it's funny to do these?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 548
Agreed, it comes off making them look quite tacky
18 Jul 2013
Total posts 27
The world is so serious, I'm loving that some frivolity and light heartedness still exists for April Fools Day. May it last forever.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Australia's best April Fools' Day aviation pranks for 2015