QA Travel

21/06/2024

We attended a Murder Mystery Dinner at Pittodrie House last weekend, which was full of suspense, laughter, and a few surprising twists.

Don't worry , we're not giving up our day jobs to become investigators! 🕵️‍♀️😃

21/06/2024

Neil from our Green Team recently attended the FOCUS Champions Conference, held at the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor.

This annual event provides an excellent opportunity to mingle with fellow travel trade colleagues and suppliers, discussing key industry topics such as the drive to net zero, new product launches and airline's multi billion pound investments in fleet, seat and lounge upgrades.

Qatar Airways sponsored the gala dinner event, which, as you can see from the picture below, was a stunning setting

28/05/2024

Would you benefit from a greater understanding of your airline company reward scheme memberships? Are you utilising your accrued points to their full potential and maximising your travel budgets redeeming points for free flights, upgrades, lounge access or additional baggage? If you’d like to learn more about the topics below, please join us for our refresher webinar on WEDNESDAY 29th MAY @ 10AM:

- New sign in procedures
- Maintaining your company information
- Viewing latest statements
- How to check for expiring points
- Evaluating the value of the points accrued and what they can ‘buy’.

If you wish to attend or would like a copy of the recording, please get in touch with our Account Management team.

23/05/2024

🌷TULIP WALK FUNDRAISER 🌷

Following our recent April Step-A-Thon, we managed to raise an amazing £1510 for Alzheimer Scotland. We collectively walked a total of 4,768,402 steps / 2384 miles!!

Once again, a huge thank you to all who donated and to our QA Team for their efforts! 😀

03/05/2024

New daily journeys between the Granite City and north-east of England to start this month.

The new daily flights between the Granite City and north-east England will begin on May 20th, operating daily weekdays and Sundays before increasing to twice daily from September 9th.

New daily journeys between the Granite City and north-east of England to start this month. The new daily flights between the Granite City and north-east England will begin on May 20, operating daily weekdays and Sundays before increasing to twice daily from September 9. Aero director at AGS...

02/05/2024

🌷TULIP WALK FUNDRAISER UPDATE 🌷

A huge well done to our QA Team on their efforts in our April Step-A-Thon. We collectively walked a total of 4,768,402 steps / 2384 miles – 1,400,402 steps / 700 miles extra after we returned from Amsterdam!! - where are we heading to next? 😆

Also, a massive thank you for the very generous donations, we've raised a fabulous £966 to date for Alzheimer's Scotland but hope we can break into 4 figures. The donation page will be remain live until mid May should anyone wish to donate.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/qa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fqa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

30/04/2024

Strike action has been announced by the ASLEF Union for the following train operators on the following days:

- Tuesday 7th May
- Wednesday 8th May
- Thursday 9th May

In addition, several train operators will have an overtime ban from Monday 6th May to Saturday 11th May which may alter the timetable of trains that will be running.

Please click on the link below for further information.

ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, has announced a range of industrial action at multiple train companies between Monday 6 and Saturday 11 May. Avanti West Coast are affected by strike action on Wednesday 8 May, while other operators are affected on 7, 8 and 9 May. An overtime ban is in place throug...

26/04/2024

Aberdeen International Airport has completed the installation of new generation 3D scanners at security checkpoints.

It means that departing passengers no longer need to remove electrical devices and liquids from their luggage at security, and can carry on bottles containing up to two litres in liquids.

However travellers are advised to check rules at other airports if they are connecting from / to Aberdeen, as many do not yet have the new generation scanners in place.

Aberdeen International Airport has completed the installation of new generation 3D scanners at security checkpoints. It means that departing passengers no longer need to remove electrical devices and liquids from their luggage at security, and can carry on bottles containing up to two litres in...

24/04/2024

Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, has today announced that it has completed an initial root and branch review of its operation under new CEO Luke Farajallah, and has confirmed it is taking decisive action to stabilise and bring resilience to its core flying network.

The airline is announcing several route adjustments, most of which will be introduced in early May 2024. It is expected that these network changes, once embedded will help reduce the amount of operational disruption that Loganair’s Customers and crews have been experiencing for over 18-months.

Effective 10th May, the following routes will be removed from the Loganair network:

• Aberdeen to Teesside

• Aberdeen to Newcastle

• Glasgow to Southampton

Several other routes will see minor adjustments to frequency, in varying stages, until the end of the summer schedule on 26th October.

Our team are currently identifying all affected passengers and will be in contact to discuss alternative options ahead of their travel.

23/04/2024

🌷TULIP WALK FUNDRAISER UPDATE🌷

22 days & approx. 3,393,000 steps later, we have 'arrived' back in Aberdeen!! 🤩🏆

As we are slightly ahead of schedule (GO TEAM!), we will be continuing to count our steps in honour of Alzheimer's Scotland, if anyone wishes to donate there is still time - all donations thus far are hugely appreciated😀

https://www.justgiving.com/page/qa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fqa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Some pictures of where our step challenge has taken us.

19/04/2024

The UAE experienced unprecedented weather conditions on Wednesday, resulting in severe flooding within Dubai's terminal building, runway and surrounding areas. QA identified all affected passengers and liaised directly to discuss alternative options.

Whilst operations resumed yesterday, to assist with ongoing disruption, the airport is temporarily limiting the number of inbound flights from 1200 today, 19th April for 48 hours. Departures are expected to continue to operate however passengers are advised to check with their operating carrier and only travel to the airport if their flight is operational.

The UAE experienced unprecedented weather conditions on Wednesday, resulting in severe flooding within Dubai's terminal building, runway and surrounding areas. QA identified all affected passengers and liaised directly to discuss alternative options. Whilst operations resumed yesterday, to assist...

16/04/2024

🌷TULIP WALK FUNDRAISER🌷

Last Friday, we arrived in Amsterdam and have been making our way back home to Aberdeen... 2,400,927 steps and 1200 miles later, we have made it past London! Fantastic effort team!👏🥳

484 miles to go..

Again, a massive thank you to everyone who has donated so far, it is hugely appreciated! If you haven't donated yet and would like to do so, please find the link below 💚
https://www.justgiving.com/page/qa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fqa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

12/04/2024

🌷TULIP WALK FUNDRAISER🌷

11 days, 842 miles and 1,684,000 steps later, we have made it to AMSTERDAM!! 🥳🤩

Massive well done to Team QA for your efforts.. now time to head back home🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Another huge thank you for all the donations so far, if you would like to donate, you can do so by clicking the link noted in the comments. Anything big or small is greatly appreciated! 💚

09/04/2024

🌷TULIP WALK FUNDRAISER🌷

As of Sunday, the team had done a staggering 1,100,000 steps / 550 miles, taking us to London! Great work team! 🤩💚

Thank you again to everyone who has donated. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. You can support us here... https://www.justgiving.com/page/qa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fqa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

05/04/2024

🌷TULIP WALK FUNDRAISER🌷

We have now made it south of Durham! 624,000+ steps / 312 miles done in 4 days, great efforts from the QA Team!! 👏🚶

Massive thanks for all the very generous donations so far, We'll keep you posted with our updated steps total next week!😄

https://www.justgiving.com/page/qa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fqa-travel-aberdeen2amsterdam&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=pfp-email

05/04/2024

World Health Day 2024 is approaching, on the 7th April and your wellbeing has never been more important.

While you are away from home, choose to spend a little time outdoors and especially around trees which has now been studied and proven to have great health benefits.
When people are near trees, they often exhibit changes in the blood that are associated with better immunity, lower blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Besides being great CO2 absorbers, keeping the air clean, trees have an amazing all-round healing power too!

Through our partnership with Trees4Travel, you can calculate and help rebalance your carbon footprint - together we can help to reduce our environmental impact and make travel a force for good.

To discuss our Co2 reporting options, T4T dashboard, enhanced analysis / comparison and offset options, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our Account Management team.

01/04/2024

QA Team Training and Puppy office visits!

It's been another busy week of training for the QA team, with an online training session from Hertz and in-house sessions with both United and KLM. A huge thank you to Michael from KLM for supplying lunch for their lunch and learn session. Pictured are Neil and Linzi (QA), Michael (KLM) and...

01/04/2024

We are embarking on our first health challenge of 2024!!

We are embarking on our first health challenge of 2024!! ‘Stepping out for Spring’, undertaking a daily steps challenge throughout April – aiming to walk to Amsterdam to see the tulips. To keep us motivated, we’ve opted to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland. We have set up A Just Giving page...

14/03/2024

The QA team will be popping on their clogs (aka trainers) and undertaking a daily steps challenge throughout April, aiming to walk between Aberdeen-Amsterdam to see the tulips in bloom.

Watch this space for our finalised plans and updates. 🌷🚶

06/03/2024

The trade union ver.di has called on Lufthansa ground staff to go on a warning strike from Thursday, 7 March 2024 4 a.m. (CET) through Saturday, 9 March 2024 7.10 a.m. (CET). As a result, Lufthansa is expecting extensive effects on the flight program.

Lufthansa regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers and will do its utmost to minimise the impact.

Our team will contact any affected passengers in due course.

The trade union ver.di has called on Lufthansa ground staff to go on a warning strike from Thursday, 7 March 2024 4 a.m. (CET) through Saturday, 9 March 2024 7.10 a.m. (CET). As a result, Lufthansa is expecting extensive effects on the flight program. Lufthansa regrets the inconvenience caused to...

19/02/2024

The trade union ver.di has called on Lufthansa ground staff to go on a warning strike for 27 hours from Tuesday, 20 February 2024 4 a.m. (CET) through Wednesday, 21 February 2024 7.10 a.m. (CET).

Due to the warning strike, Lufthansa currently assumes that around 10 to 20 percent of the flight program will be possible on Tuesday, 20 February 2024. We assume that the Lufthansa Group airlines such as Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and SWISS, as well as Lufthansa CityLine, will be able to fly as regularly as possible.

Travellers are asked to check the status of their flight before setting out on their journey.

Our team are currently working to identify affected passengers and will be in touch.

QA Travel

The trade union ver.di has called on Lufthansa ground staff to go on a warning strike for 27 hours from Tuesday, 20 February 2024 4 a.m. (CET) through Wednesday, 21 February 2024 7.10 a.m. (CET). Due to the warning strike, Lufthansa currently assumes that around 10 to 20 percent of the flight...

15/02/2024

Following on from our recent post regarding staff training, we have since had in-house training from Expedia and Turkish Airline this week - Many thanks guys, our team found both sessions beneficial 🧑‍💻✈️

07/02/2024

Emirates have taken the final step in the restoration of their Australia capacity announcing the return to Adelaide. A daily service will relaunch between the South Australia capital and their Dubai hub on 28 October 2024.
The reinstated service will facilitate the growing travel demand to and from South Australia and allow passengers to travel conveniently between more than 130 destinations across Emirates’ global network, offering a wide range of choice, flexibility, and connectivity.

Operating daily with the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft with 38 Business Class seats alongside 264 seats in Economy Class, the Adelaide service will offer 302 seats per flight and over 4,200 weekly seats between Dubai and Adelaide. The Business Class cabin on the Adelaide service will feature a 2-2-2 configuration.

Flight Sector Depart Arrive
EK440 DXBADL 0200 2050
EK441 ADLDXB 2235 0515
All times are local

07/02/2024

LNER, Network Rail and other East Coast Main Line train operators are reminding customers to plan ahead and check before travelling as major upgrades to signalling – part of the landmark East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) – will see changes to services across multiple dates in February 2024.

LNER timetables for the affected days can be viewed via their website. https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/timetables/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=Stakeholder+fleet+comms_copy&utm_medium=email

06/02/2024

Many thanks to SAS for hosting an in-house training session 25th January and to our partners at Advantage for their online webinar highlighting the latest benefits to our Global hotel programme on the 30th. It's imperative our staff keep abreast of the latest fares and general industry updates, so training and refreshers are always embraced.

Keep your eyes peeled for our next training day!📖✈️

24/01/2024

Please join us in congratulating Anita Hutton, our latest member of the team to achieve their 10 year service award.

Also, congratulations to Nadine & Jen on their 15th year anniversary.

Their dedication and commitment to the QA family and you, our valued clients is very much appreciated. 🥳💚

23/01/2024

Storm Jocelyn is set to bring strong winds and heavy rain across Scotland, Wales and many parts of England today, and on Wednesday 24 January. The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for strong winds in the far north and west of Scotland. Yellow weather warnings for strong winds and...

19/01/2024

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the elevated positioning of their upcoming hotel in Adelaide which is slated to open its doors in 2024.

You can read more in the article below.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the elevated positioning of their upcoming hotel in Adelaide which is slated to open its doors in 2024. Originally announced as a 130-room Holiday Inn & Suites, the Mawson Lakes property in Adelaide has undergone a transformation during the development...

19/01/2024

Star Alliance member Thai Airways (THAI) is planning to recommence its daily service between its Bangkok hub and Perth from 31 March.

For more information, click on the article below.

Star Alliance member Thai Airways (THAI) is planning to recommence its daily service between its Bangkok hub and Perth from 31 March. Thai Airways will operate the route with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which has a total of 266 seats configured with 24 business class and 240 economy class...

19/01/2024

Strike action has been announced by the ASLEF Unionon the following days:

Tuesday 30th January
Wednesday 31st January
Friday 2nd February
Saturday 3rd February
Monday 5th February

Click on the link below for more information.

Strike action has been announced by the ASLEF Union for the following train operators on the following days: Tuesday 30 January - Gatwick Express, Great Northern, South Western Railway (including Island Line), Southeastern, Southern, ThameslinkWednesday 31 January - Northern, TransPennine...