New Qantas uniforms

Qantas said today it would launch a new version of its cabin crew uniforms to coincide with the commencement of its A380 flights in October.

Qantas Group General Manager Customer Product and Services, Ms Lesley Grant, said the new colour had been created by the uniforms' designer, Peter Morrissey.

"Qantas launched its current Morrissey designed uniforms in 2003," she said.

"While the uniforms remain stylish and distinctive and are popular with both our crew members and customers, the time is right to introduce a new colour palette, in keeping with our increasing focus on contemporary design and to coincide with the arrival of the new generation A380."

Ms Grant said Qantas and Peter Morrissey had continued to work with the textile design Wirriyarra from the Balarinji Design Studio.

"Australian wool suits in black are combined with Wirriyarra scarves or ties in a new 'dusk' print - characterised by silver and blue tones - and a dusk print dress has been created for female flight attendants," she said.

"Qantas Customer Service Managers will also wear new ties and scarves, including 'platinum' box weave silver for men and platinum silver for women.

"Qantas cabin crew are the face of our airline and this updated uniform is fresh, contemporary and reflects our premium style."

In 1938, Qantas' first male cabin crew dressed in white waiters' jackets when serving dinner to passengers. In 1947, female crew joined Qantas and wore a military style uniform. Qantas' cabin crew uniform has been re-designed nine times since - in 1959, 1964, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1985, 1993, 2003 and 2008 - created by leading designers such as Emilio Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent and George Gross and Harry Who.

Qantas to introduce online check-in

Qantas said today it would introduce new online check-in options, including paperless check-in, from early 2009 to make the process faster and easier.

Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said the new check-in options included:
- online check-in for international customers, building on the successful domestic online check-in options already available;
- the option for customers to select their seat from the point of booking, for both domestic and international flights;
- the option for customers who have not made their booking online to select their seat via the 'Manage Your Booking' service on qantas.com; and
- the ability for customers who select their seat online before departure to be automatically checked-in and have a 2D barcode sent to their mobile phone, portable device or PC.

"Domestic customers electing to receive their boarding pass on their mobile phone or portable device can have a paperless experience, from booking, to check-in to boarding. Customers with baggage can proceed directly to the bag drop facilities before heading straight to their flight," he said.

"For our international customers, passengers who have already checked-in will proceed straight to a dedicated online bag drop counter."

Mr Borghetti said these technological enhancements formed part of a broader mobile strategy for Qantas, giving customers access to information and services via portable devices.

"As part of this strategy, Qantas is working to ensure all services are available for customers with the iPhone 3G," he said.

Regardless of which option they use, all passengers and their baggage will continue to pass through all required airport security screening.

Qantas cutlery - a piece of old news

Four years ago Qantas introduced a range of children's products and services designed to assist families and help make travelling easier and more enjoyable.

Mr McKinnon, Qantas Head of Marketing, said the focus on making flying fun had also extended to children's meals, with plans to incorporate bright colours and a fun factor using activity traymats and coloured cutlery.

So why this is interesting you may ask? All airlines do this! There is nothing strange about it. But then you have not spotted the shape of the cutlery yet… I thought so. A better picture you will find on Guardian Travel Blog

Good luck eating your peas with it kids!