Qantas bans ham after Emirates deal

Don't bother asking for a bacon omelette next time you are on a Qantas flight in and out of Dubai. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

DON'T expect a ham omelette on your next Qantas flight to Europe - Australia's national carrier has removed pork from its menu on the route since tying up with Middle Eastern airline Emirates.

Consumption of pork and pork products is strictly forbidden in Islam as it is considered unholy.

A note on the Qantas menus on flights in and out of Dubai states that meals do not contain pork products or alcohol, which is also forbidden in Islam.

It has also introduced a Mezze plate offering traditional Middle Eastern fare in its upper classes and has Arabic translations after in-flight announcements.

A Qantas spokesman said the move had had minimal impact on its menu and it was still offering the same meal choices.

''Qantas in-flight catering often reflects the cultural and regional influences of the international destinations we fly to,'' he said.

''On flights to and from Hong Kong and China our menus include regionally inspired dishes such as stir fries and to Singapore we have noodle options.''

Qantas also offers meals without pork and alcohol on flights to Jakarta in Indonesia, which also has a large Muslim population.

Several other airlines which fly from Australia to the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia don't serve pork either.

Virgin Australia does not serve pork on flights to and from Abu Dhabi and all meals that are prepared are halal accredited, with meat prepared in a way prescribed by Islamic law.

The Qantas ham ban comes as other airlines - in the wake of the Qantas-Emirates merger - jostle for market share by aggressively discounting fares from Australia to Europe.

British Airways enlisted Mick Jagger's daughter, model Georgia May Jagger, to promote its discounted fares from $1777 to the UK via Singapore.

Emirates competitor Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad has return fares to Manchester or London from $1727 including taxes.

Virgin was also promoting discounted fares to London out of Sydney ($1845) and Brisbane ($1869) this week.

Qantas passengers heading to any European city now fly via Dubai instead of Singapore, as they did under the airline's previous longstanding partnership with British Airways.

Qantas fares to London were yesterday listed around $1900 out of most capital cities - still around $100 more than it's new partner Emirates is advertising.

What's on the menu

Economy

Chicken Blanquette with Spinach Linguine and Carrots

Spinach and Ricotta Quiche with Tomato and Mushroom Ragout

Business

Chicken Schnitzel and Swiss Cheese Toasted Sandwich with Coleslaw

Big bowl of Soup au Pistou with Beef and Orzo Pasta

Pan Fried Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi with Ratatouille Vegetablesand Parmesan

Seared Sea Bass with Braised Fennel, Warm Zucchini Salad and Romesco Sauce

Braised Arabian Lamb with Spiced Almond Rice, Artichokes and Capsicum

Green Leaf Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

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Qantas alliance with Emirates approved

The ACCC has approved the alliance between airline companies Qantas and Emirates.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, right, and Emirates President Tim Clark announcie a global aviation partnership. AP Photo/Rob Griffith Source: AP

QANTAS has been given approval to form a crucial international alliance with Emirates airline, in a move the flag carrier says will help secure the future of its struggling international arm.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said today it was satisfied the public would benefit through easier access to more destinations and improved scheduling.

However, the ACCC raised concerns about four trans-Tasman routes where Qantas and Dubai-based Emirates together carry about 65 per cent of all passengers.

The watchdog imposed special conditions on those routes that require the airlines to maintain and potentially increase capacity in the future.

But overall the ACCC, which granted interim approval in January for alliance to allow the airlines to start selling tickets, said the benefits of the deal outweighed any loss of competition.

"The ACCC considers that the alliance is likely to result in public benefits through enhanced products and service offerings by the airlines, and improved operating efficiency,'' ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

Mr Sims said there was likely to be a detrimental impact on competition in regions where Qantas and Emirates both currently operate.

"However in most of these regions, the ACCC has identified competitive constraints which mean that these detriments are likely to be minimal," Mr Sims said.

Qantas and Emirates plan to be in an alliance for 10 years, but the ACCC was only willing to grant approval until 2018, when the deal will again be reviewed.

Qantas today welcomed the decision, which chief executive Alan Joyce has said is key to the long-term viability of its struggling international arm.

The international business has been the drag on the company, chalking up a loss a $91 million loss in the six months to December.

"Qantas is an Australian icon and the future of its international business is much brighter with this partnership,'' Mr Joyce said today.

"Customers are already responding very strongly to the joint network that Qantas and Emirates have built, and to the frequent flyer benefits that extend across it, with a significant increase in bookings."

Under the partnership, Qantas will use Dubai, rather than Singapore, as the carrier's stopover point for its flights to London.

Qantas and Emirates will offer a combined total of 98 flights a week between Australia and Dubai, with Qantas continuing to operate daily services from Melbourne and Sydney through to London.

Emirates airline president Tim Clark said he was pleased to be able to move ahead with the Qantas alliance.

"This is a truly game-changing partnership that brings together two of the world’s best airlines and offers some of the highest quality travel experiences," he said.

The first Qantas flight to London via Dubai departs on Sunday, March 31.

Qantas shares opened for trading this morning at $1.72.

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Qantas quizzes flyers on Emirates

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, right, and Emirates President Tim Clark announcie a global aviation partnership. AP Photo/Rob Griffith Source: AP

QANTAS has sent out a survey to its frequent flyers asking them whether they think their partnership with Emirates is a good idea - just days before the deal is set to begin.

The airlines hope to be given the final nod by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission mid-week ahead of the launch on Sunday.

The survey asks customers if they think the partnership with Emirates is a good idea for Qantas and whether they are happy or unhappy that they will fly to London via Dubai instead of Singapore as part of the change.

"We're always looking at ways to further improve the services we offer and an important part of this is understanding what our members think," the survey said.

Qantas began taking bookings for customers on Emirates flights to Europe, the Middle East and Africa in late January after they were given interim approval to form a partnership.

While the deal is expected to be approved the regulator may impose strict conditions on code-sharing on flights between Australia and New Zealand over fears about competition.

The agreement will provide "one-stop" access to 33 European destinations, rather than having to fly via London, as well as destinations in the Middle East and North Africa.

The move sees Australia's national carrier end its longstanding partnership with British Airways on the "Kangaroo Route" via Singapore.

The new route has been nicknamed the "Falcon Route" after the United Arab Emirates national bird.

Rival airline Virgin Australia opposed the partnership until the two airlines could prove their tie-up would benefit Australian consumers.

Virgin has an alliance with another Middle Eastern airline, Etihad Airways.

Qantas will boost its baggage allowance for economy passengers to 30kg and remove rules about the number of bags on international flights to everywhere except America as part of the partnership.

Qantas Frequent Flyers and Emirates Skywards members will also earn points or miles on all flights on the joint network worldwide.

But Skywards members will only earn miles on Qantas domestic flights in Australia that are part of an international journey with either carrier.

Qantas will also provide complimentary hotel accommodation, transfers, meals and visa costs when their connection time in Dubai is longer than six hours and less than 24 hours.

View the original article here

Qantas quizzes flyers on Emirates

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, right, and Emirates President Tim Clark announcie a global aviation partnership. AP Photo/Rob Griffith Source: AP

QANTAS has sent out a survey to its frequent flyers asking them whether they think their partnership with Emirates is a good idea - just days before the deal is set to begin.

The airlines hope to be given the final nod by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission mid-week ahead of the launch on Sunday.

The survey asks customers if they think the partnership with Emirates is a good idea for Qantas and whether they are happy or unhappy that they will fly to London via Dubai instead of Singapore as part of the change.

"We're always looking at ways to further improve the services we offer and an important part of this is understanding what our members think," the survey said.

Qantas began taking bookings for customers on Emirates flights to Europe, the Middle East and Africa in late January after they were given interim approval to form a partnership.

While the deal is expected to be approved the regulator may impose strict conditions on code-sharing on flights between Australia and New Zealand over fears about competition.

The agreement will provide "one-stop" access to 33 European destinations, rather than having to fly via London, as well as destinations in the Middle East and North Africa.

The move sees Australia's national carrier end its longstanding partnership with British Airways on the "Kangaroo Route" via Singapore.

The new route has been nicknamed the "Falcon Route" after the United Arab Emirates national bird.

Rival airline Virgin Australia opposed the partnership until the two airlines could prove their tie-up would benefit Australian consumers.

Virgin has an alliance with another Middle Eastern airline, Etihad Airways.

Qantas will boost its baggage allowance for economy passengers to 30kg and remove rules about the number of bags on international flights to everywhere except America as part of the partnership.

Qantas Frequent Flyers and Emirates Skywards members will also earn points or miles on all flights on the joint network worldwide.

But Skywards members will only earn miles on Qantas domestic flights in Australia that are part of an international journey with either carrier.

Qantas will also provide complimentary hotel accommodation, transfers, meals and visa costs when their connection time in Dubai is longer than six hours and less than 24 hours.

View the original article here