This was published 6 years ago
The best new things in air travel, technology advancements and cruising for 2018
Qantas will fly the 787-9 Dreamliner on its non-stop Perth to London route.Credit: Qantas
In an increasingly uncertain world, one thing is certain: the emergence of the new. And we like to think that in travel, that's by and large a wonderful thing. Of course, there are always new concerns: security threats, political hot spots, ethical conundrums, environmental worries and the sometimes sad demise of the old.
But the travel world is filled with magicians and visionaries. And like P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman, they seek to inspire, entertain and delight.
The year ahead presents an extraordinary array of their new tricks and treats, from small wonders, such as a nest-like hotel in the middle of a lake in the Arctic, to giant ambitions, such as the world's biggest archaeological museum, newly built in Egypt.
There's the conservative – the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC; and the creative – a gigantic picture frame in Dubai. The whimsical – a stairway to nowhere in New York City; and the hard-working – the world's now largest airport in Istanbul.
Whatever your interests, across such categories as air travel, cruise ships and technology, there is something to get you planning your own new adventures in 2018.
AIRLINES
PERTH-LONDON DIRECT WITH QANTAS
2018 is the year when it becomes possible to fly from Australia to London non-stop. Of course, for anyone outside Western Australia, there's still a stop at Perth. But Qantas, with its 787-9 carrying 236 passengers, takes off from the WA capital on March 24. See qantas.com.au
BOEING NEW MID-MARKET AIRPLANE
Boeing's planned mid-size airplane known as the NMA (New Mid-market Airplane), will have a composite fuselage and wings. With two aisles, it would seat 220 to 260 passengers, with a range of up to 9250 kilometres. Pundits expect Boeing to start offering it to airlines this year, with commercial flying still a few years away. See boeing.com
TRANSATLANTIC PRICE WAR
An authoritative report on long-haul fares in the northern hemisphere has garnered industry attention, with its observation that "airlines across Europe are increasingly engaging in a transatlantic price war", with low-cost carriers fares particularly attractive. For Australians, that potentially opens up new multi-destination holiday opportunities.
CANADA'S NEW LOW-COST CARRIERS
A trio of airlines plan to launch ultra-cheap operations in Canada in 2018. Everything but the seat will cost you extra, but with internal Canadian flights sometimes costing more than international, it could be good news for both travellers and Canadians, 5 million of whom are annually estimated to drive to US airports for cheaper fares.
TOP END TO TIMOR
Despite AirAsia's recent announcement that it will scrap its Darwin to Bali service, the Northern Territory capital is set to become the gateway to the parts of Asia it is so well placed to be. NT politicians have been in recent talks with Indonesian and East Timorese authorities, pushing a commercial case for flight links between Darwin, Dili and Kupang. See northernterritory.com.au
TECHNOLOGY
SUPERSONIC HYPERLOOP TRANSPORT
Credit: AAP
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's dream of public hyperloop travel was set to materialise in 2018 but is now stalled. But in late 2017 Sir Richard Branson stepped up as non-executive chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, a move that could fast-track development of "the future of travel" because of the competition. A hyperloop involves a passenger capsule propelled at mega-high speeds down a vacuum tube by magnetic technology. See hyperloop-one.com
LONDON CROSSRAIL
London's new Elizabeth Line opens in December 2018 and will see travelling time from London Paddington to Tottenham Court Road reduced from 20 minutes to four, for instance. The line, with 41 stations across nearly 100 kilometres, will host 15 trains an hour. See www.crossrail.co.uk
WI-FI HOT SPOTS
This year it's expected there will be one Wi-Fi hot spot on the planet for every eight humans. For travellers, this means plenty – easier access to maps, directions and local information, changes in the way we stay in touch, and, if it's not dead already then this surely is the knell – goodbye to paying for hotel internet.
HILTON HOTELS' CONNECTED ROOMS
Hilton's new Connected Rooms will enable you to do things such as control lighting and climate from your mobile device, even the TV and other entertainment options. The technology is being tested at a handful of US properties, with a wider roll-out due this year. See hilton.com
SPG KEYLESS TECHNOLOGY
Starwood Preferred Guest's keyless tech has been popular as it has rolled out across the group's properties. In late 2017, Aloft Perth joined the high-tech numbers. As Aloft Adelaide opens this year, it also supports SPG Keyless. The system allows guests to use their mobile device for checking in, unlocking the lifts and then their door. See www.starwoodhotels.com
CRUISE
CELEBRITY EDGE
Celebrity's first new ship in more than five years promises unique new features such as infinite verandahs, that take staterooms right to the water's edge at the touch of a button, and the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that will move between decks two and 16. See celebritycruises.com.au
PRINCESS CRUISES' OCEAN MEDALLION
Princess' Ocean Medallion is likely to debut in 2018. It's a small wearable disk that has features such as luggage tracking and experience-related capabilities such as alerting passengers to activities that suit their profile and alerting crew members to things such as dietary restrictions. See princess.com
SCENIC ECLIPSE
Scenic is heralding its Scenic Eclipse, a new high-tech small ship, as a six-star first. Dubbed a "discovery yacht", it has a helicopter and a submarine. That's going to be next-level for the Arctic and Antarctica cruisers – only 200 a cruise (the ship takes another 28 on other destinations). But beyond the bells and whistles, Scenic Eclipse promises the vessel's technology will more than impress. She launches August 31. See scenic.com.au
AIDANOVA
Carnival's German cruise company, AIDA Cruises is to launch the world's first fully LNG-fuelled vessel this year, producing nearly zero emissions. She'll carry up to 5200 passengers in 2600 staterooms, and 1500 crew alongside 23 bars, 17 restaurants, three waterslides, a water park, climbing garden and more. See aida.de
SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS
When she launches in April, Symphony of the Seas will be the largest ship in the world, with 18 decks accommodating 6780 passengers – 370 more than Royal Caribbean sister ship Harmony of the Seas. There will a 10-storey slide, three water slides, rock climbing wall, and a crazy amount of further amusement. You'll need to cruise the Mediterranean and Caribbean to experience her. See royalcaribbean.com.au
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