July 6, 2016 - Singapore Airlines is letting economy class passengers bid to be upgraded to premium economy, using a new system called mySQupgrade – which works a bit like the bidding process on eBay.
mySQupgrade is not as simple as it sounds. For a start, not anyone can bid. Invitations “are made at Singapore Airlines’ sole discretion based on certain criteria and combination of factors, which are dynamic”, the airline says. That means, in essence, that you don’t know what the factors are and they are not going to tell you.
“To stand a chance of being invited, please ensure that your email address is correctly indicated when making a booking, so that we are able to contact you if you are deemed eligible,” SIA advises.
The airline stipulates a minimum and maximum for bids and passengers can pitch their bid anywhere between. For successful bidders, the bid is charged to the credit card they nominate.
A “strength meter” indicates the strength of the bid – just like some sites measure the strength of a password – but it does not mean the bid will necessarily be successful.
Flyers can’t bid for just any flight, either. “Not all flights in your booking are necessarily eligible for bidding. The eligible flights are decided at Singapore Airlines’ sole discretion, and will be listed in the email you have received. For example, if a flight is not operated by Singapore Airlines, or you do not have a confirmed reservation for the flight, those flights will not be eligible for bidding.”
The emails go out about a week before departure and bids must be received 50 hours before take-off. Passengers can make, change or cancel their bids anytime before that.
Australian Business Traveller says the airline has assured loyal KrisFlyer members that any points-based upgrade requests will receive priority over cash-based bids received via mySQupgrade.
mySQupgrade is confined to premium economy so far, but Singapore Airlines has hinted that the scheme may spread. Who knows, the airline may one day extend it to business class, first class and even the ultimate, suites class.
Singapore Airlines website has details of mySQupgrade.
Written by Peter Needham on eGlobal travel Media
Air New Zealand will become the only airline to operate scheduled Dreamliner services between Auckland and Hawaii with the inaugural Boeing 787-9 flight departing to Honolulu tonight.
The inaugural Dreamliner flight departs Auckland International Airport at 8.55pm this evening and is due to arrive in Honolulu at 7.30am the same day. This is the first time the airline has operated the Dreamliner on one of its five North American routes on a scheduled and exclusive basis.
Air New Zealand Chief Sales and Commercial Officer Cam Wallace says the deployment of the Dreamliner between Auckland and Honolulu enables us to offer a superior inflight experience for customers travelling on the route.
“The overnight flight and benefits of the higher humidity and lower cabin altitude on the revolutionary Dreamliner means customers can arrive feeling relaxed and more refreshed.
“As Hawaii continues to be a popular holiday destination for Kiwi travellers, we’re thrilled to be adding additional capacity and are confident more Australian customers will be looking to connect through Auckland on our evening Dreamliner service.”
Earlier this year, Air New Zealand also increased its service between Auckland and Honolulu to four times weekly. With the frequency increase and now the larger aircraft, the airline is delivering an almost 20 percent seat capacity increase.
The airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft will replace Boeing 767-300s on the route.
The Dreamliner offers the airline’s award-winning Economy Skycouch™, comfortable ink-coloured luxury leather seats with leg rests in Premium Economy, and lie-flat beds in Business Premier.
An Air New Zealand press release 10 May 2016
An outstanding cross-section of New Zealand companies have made it through as finalists in the 2016 Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards for Auckland and Waikato.
Auckland, 26 April 2016 - From household names to start-up businesses, judges have been impressed with the calibre of entries received this year, especially as this is the first time the awards have been opened up to Waikato enterprises.
Overall, there are 25 finalists in seven categories (see below).
“I’m delighted with the diverse range of finalists we have in this year’s awards. We have a mix of service industries and manufacturers. These awards are designed to give recognition to our exporting community, and acknowledge the hard yards they have put in to help transform our economy. This year’s awards will showcase a cross-section of some of our most ingenious and innovative businesses,” says Catherine Lye, ExportNZ Manager Auckland, Waikato & Bay of Plenty.
Exports account for 29% of New Zealand’s GDP (NZ$69.3 billion).
ExportNZ Auckland and Waikato are divisions of the Employers and Manufacturers Association. The 2016 awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner on Thursday, June 23 at The Langham Hotel, Auckland.
Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards 2016
2016 finalists for the Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards
Award category 1:Westpac Exporter of the Year (export revenue over $25 million)1. Gallagher Group Ltd are renowned for innovation and marketing of animal management, security, fuel systems and contract managing solutions. [Waikato]2. Hobbiton Movie Set Tours provides a fascinating two hour guided tour of the set used for filming The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies which has experienced spectacular growth in visitor number in the past five years. [Waikato]3. Leigh Fisheries are New Zealand's largest and leading fresh chilled seafood exporter providing a sustainable premium product directly to USA, Europe, Asia and Australia on a daily basis. Working with artisan fishermen nationwide employing the art of long line fishing with the principles of "just in time" process of hook to plate internationally and domestically. [Northland]4. Vista Group Ltd is the global leader in film industry software solutions. Building on the dominant market position of Vista Entertainment Solutions, Vista Group has expanded to include a number of complementary businesses offering solutions across the wider film industry. [Auckland]
Award category 2:QBE Insurance Exporter of the Year (export revenue $10 million - $25 million)1. Auckland Institute of Studies is an independent tertiary education institution offering quality education and strong support services to international students. [Auckland]2. BBC Technologies are developers and manufacturers of advanced fruit and vegetable processing equipment, specialising in small, delicate commodities such as berries. [Waikato]3. Bobux International is a baby footwear developer and manufacturer which designs from a foot health first perspective which recognises that while barefoot is best it is not always practical. [Auckland]4. James Dunlop Textiles is an international converter and wholesaler of premium furnishing fabrics. Established more than a hundred years ago, it has been recognised internationally as a leading premium brand from the Southern Hemisphere. [Auckland]5. Waikato Milking Systems is a New Zealand success story. Founded in the Waikato in 1967, the company is today one of the leading designers and manufacturers of dairy systems in the world. [Waikato]
Award category 3:BDO Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1million - $10million)1. API Consumer Brands is a leading New Zealand developer, manufacturer, supplier, marketer, and distributor of high quality pharmaceuticals, toiletry and cosmetic products. From the two state of the art manufacturing plants they bring to the market the high quality toiletries and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and a range of controlled drugs. [Auckland]2. Dulux Powder & Industrial Coatings NZ with a reputation for quality and service, manufacture in New Zealand, and market internationally, a comprehensive range of colourful, innovative, and technologically advanced powder coatings. [Auckland]3. Rayglass Boats was established in 1989 and is a leading manufacturer of high quality power boats, with the Rayglass Legend and the Rayglass Protector being its two key prototypes. [Auckland]
Award category 4:Endace Services Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1million - $10million)1. Eagle Aviation Consulting Ltd is an independent consulting firm specialising in commercial aviation advisory and solutions for investors, airlines and governments. [Auckland]2. ICL Education is a group of education providers offering a range of tertiary business, computing, teaching English as a second language and early childhood education programmes. [Auckland]3. Keedup Ltd provides a 24/7 service to the international celebrity image business - editing, captioning, keywording and distributing the latest shots from celebrity hot spots such as Hollywood and Cannes. [Auckland]
Award category 5:TNT Emerging Exporter of the Year1. Triumph & Disaster is a modern day apothecary and skincare foundry using bespoke aromas and natural blends to deliver a product that’s reminiscent of simpler times. [Auckland]2. Virsae provides cloud services to allow its clients to manage their technology and communication systems to peak performance levels, so channels remain open and customers can always get an answer. [Auckland]3. Zealong Tea Estate Ltd produces organically certified tea which is handpicked from New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate. [Waikato]
Award category 6:Baldwins Intellectual Property Best Use of Commercialisation of Innovation for Export1. Adept Medical sells a range of ear, nose, radiology, cardiology, neuroradiology and sterilisation service products directly to hospitals. [Auckland]2. BBC Technologies are developers and manufacturers of advanced fruit and vegetable processing equipment, specialising in small, delicate commodities such as berries. [Waikato]3. Methven Ltd create amazing water experiences every day with their range of beautifully designed showers, tapware and valves. [Auckland]4. Quantec Ltd is a biotechnology business focused on capturing value from dairy, through innovation business activities in animal and human health. [Waikato]
Award category 7:Quantium Solutions Best Use of Digital Strategy for Export1. Metal Heart Ltd make fashion jewellery from the finest minerals and gemstones, with an emphasis on quality and brand experience. [Auckland]2. Natural Ringa Company create holistic products that enhance individual beauty and provide rejuvenation of body, mind and spirit. [Auckland]3. Triumph & Disaster is a modern day apothecary and skincare foundry using bespoke aromas and natural blends to deliver a product that’s reminiscent of simpler times. [Auckland]
Supreme Winner (selected from the winners of award categories 2-5)Simmonds Stewart Exporters Champion (for exemplary services to export)8. Supreme Winner (selected from the winners of award categories 2-5)9. Simmonds Stewart Exporters Champion (for exemplary services to export)
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242