The Top Five Travel News Stories of September
Recent times aren't exactly making us excited about travelling. Still, surely everyone in the travel industry is thinking about how to make it safer and smoother for all of us to go back to globetrotting. We've looked far and beyond to bring you positive news from around the world to illustrate how countries and companies are adapting to the New Travel.
Here's our monthly round-up:
1. Helsinki Airport uses sniffer dogs to detect COVID-19
Researchers at the University of Helsinki are conducting a new project at the city’s airport with “corona dogs” who are specially trained at detecting COVID-19. If they wish, international passengers who arrive at Helsinki Airport can get tested by dabbing their skin with a wipe for the corona dogs to sniff. If the virus is identified, the dogs will either yelp or lie down. The passenger would then be advised to take a free PCR test for verification. In a recent statement that was released, the researchers stated that the “corona dogs” have a 94 to 100 per cent success rate of detecting the virus. Read more about Helsinki Airport’s pilot scheme here.
2. A new bus trip will now take passengers from London to Delhi in 70 days.
Travel company Adventures Overland is organising the longest bus journey in the world, the first-ever hop-on/hop-off intercontinental bus service between London and Delhi. Calculated to last around 70 days, the journey will take passengers through 18 countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, China, Prague, Germany and more. The expedition is set to commence in May 2021 and will cover 20,000 kilometres. Read more about the intercontinental bus journey here.
3. Qantas flight to nowhere sells out in 10 minutes
Renowned Australian airline Qantas’ “flight to nowhere” sold out within 10 minutes, making it the fastest-selling flight in history. The seven-hour sightseeing flight, which is set to fly on October 10, will depart and land at the Sydney Domestic Airport. The aircraft will fly over beautiful Australian highlights such as the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour and more. It will also be flying as low as 4,000 feet so passengers can enjoy the best views of the landmarks. Read more about Qantas’ flight to nowhere here.
4. Passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi must now wear electronic wristbands
Etihad Airways recently announced that passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi would be required to wear electronic wristbands to enforce quarantine regulations. The wristbands, which will be provided at the airport, will monitor their compliance with the quarantine measures in addition to the negative COVID-19 test that passengers must supply the airline with before embarking the flight. Read more about Abu Dhabi’s electronic wristbands here.
5. British Airways to offer first-class seats with sliding doors
British Airways recently announced that it would be introducing a modified seat in first-class with private sliding doors on the new B777-300 aircraft. The airline has yet to release a picture of the new seat design, but it is presumed to mirror the seats on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with the bonus sliding door. Read more about British Airways’ new first-class seats here.