Hawaiian Airlines is merging with Alaska Airlines, and both carriers are making some major upgrades in the process.
Hawaiian Airlines
As the holidays approach, airlines are working to impress travelers with several new amenities to improve the journey. They include everything from onboard comforts to the chance to win miles in a sweepstakes or redeem them for unique experiences that money cannot buy. Here’s what to expect when traveling this fall on your next flights.
Alaska Airlines Adds Premium Amenities On Flights, In Lounges
A first class passenger uses the new Filson blanket.
Alaska Airlines
Refreshing its onboard products for first class has been a priority for the carrier, especially by using West Coast-based purveyors. It will be the first U.S. major airline to serve “hoppy water,” which is a health-conscious, non-alcoholic alternative to sparkling water. Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher from Petaluma, California is brewed with hops for a citrusy flavor. There are also new espresso martinis from Portland-based Stumptown Coffee Roasters and new blankets for first class, made by Seattle-based Filson. Salt & Stone soap and lotion will be added to lounge bathrooms and onboard lavatories.
Hawaiian Airlines Unveils Moana 2 Aircraft Designs
The airline is unveiling three Moana-themed aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines
The first of three aircraft for Hawaiian Airlines now wear a special “Moana 2” livery, in honor of the movie’s debut on Nov. 27. One long-haul Airbus A330, one new A321neo and one Boeing B717 flying inter-island routes will have the movie’s cartoon designs. Passengers taking the first flights aboard these three planes with the new livery will be surprised with special onboard gifts. There is also a contest that loyalty program members can enter. Called the “Navigate Your Own Adventure sweepstakes,” U.S. residents as well as those in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea can enter to win 500,000 HawaiianMiles. One winner from each market will win when the sweepstakes closes Nov. 30.
Delta Revamps SkyMiles Experiences Platform
Delta Air Lines Airbus A321 airplane at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.
getty
Like many other loyalty programs that allow members to use miles and points for other things than general travel, Delta has its own SkyMiles Experiences platform. It has overhauled it by adding more ways to bid auction style (or outright purchase) unique experiences with their miles. These include tickets to a performance by Tenashe for two with take-home souvenirs, dinner for two at the Bachelor Mansion with Season 7 winners of Bachelor in Paradise and the hosts of iHeartPodcasts Bachelor Happy Hour, and a style and cocktail session with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe (plus a $1,000 gift card). For people with lots of miles and looking to gift something unusual to loved ones, the platform has some interesting ideas.
Singapore Airlines Ups Its Wine Game…Again
Singapore will serve the Champagne in its first class cabins.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is now the world’s only airline offering the exclusive Cristal 2015 champagne. The airline inked an exclusive agreement with French champagne house Louis Roederer to serve the crisp bubbly in its Airbus A380 Suites and Boeing 777-300ER First Class cabins, starting in December. It will debut on flights from Singapore to Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo. If your premium travel plans do not include these routes, the airline will rotate the beverage to other destinations that use these planes on a three-month basis. The airline’s wine consultant Ms. Jeannie Cho Lee is the first Asian to be awarded the “Master of Wine” title.
Air Tahiti Nui And Windstar Cruises Launch Romance Packages
Recreate your own Golden Bachelorette fantasies with Air Tahiti Nui and Windstar Cruises.
Air Tahiti Nui
In honor of the Golden Bachelorette finale on Hulu, fans of the show can recreate some of this season’s memorable moments with special romance packages. They include a final rose and overwater bungalows deal that comes with roundtrip tickets from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui, a one-night stay at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort, three nights at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea in an overwater bungalow, resort activities and a six-night Windstar sailing. Other packages include roundtrip flights from Seattle, overnights in different Tahitian resorts and a Windstar cruise.
Delta Updates Onboard Menus For Premium Cabins
Delta is upgrading the meal offerings in its premium cabins.
Delta
In time for the holidays, Delta is refreshing its onboard menus. Among the new dishes on flights are a cocoa-braised short rib with polenta, from Union Square Events, butternut squash ravioli with beurre blanc, and for breakfast, Chef Mashama Bailey’s pecan honey bun with apple-cranberry compote. Delta has worked with master sommelier Andrea Robinson for years, and she has updated the wine menu with 20 varietals to include “rare white wines from Tuscany to bold California Cabernets,” most of which are reserved for Delta One transoceanic flights.
Delta will eliminate nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastic with this measure.
Delta
Coming soon to all Delta flights: new paper cups in economy and Comfort+ replacing the current plastic cups. This is part of the airline’s efforts to eliminate single-use plastic on flights by next year. Delta says it will save seven million pounds of plastic with this change.
Turkish Airlines Becomes Official International Airline Of New York Islanders
Turkish Airlines Airbus A350 on approach for Vancouver International Airport behind a cherry tree.
getty
Turkish Airlines is now the official international airline partner of the New York Islanders and UBS Arena. The multi-year deal will see the team and arena promote Turkish Airlines’ global network of destinations (it flies to more cities than any other airline). The arena is 30 minutes by Long Island Railroad from Grand Central or Penn Station.