Business travel news & insights
FEBRUARY 2026
Airline news
Join Qantas business rewards for free by 31 March – save $89.95
Qantas’s business travel loyalty program, Qantas Business Rewards, is offering free membership until 31 March 2026, offering a saving of $89.95. Join here.
Virgin Australia updates carry-on rules
Virgin Australia has introduced updated carry-on allowances to improve boarding efficiency, reduce delays, and keep overhead lockers moving smoothly, especially important for frequent business travellers. These changes mean fewer last-minute gate checks, smoother boarding, and less disruption to tight travel schedules.
What you need to know:
- Economy: 1 carry-on up to 8kg + personal item
- Economy X & Business: Up to 2 carry-ons (14kg combined) + personal item
- Standardised size limits now apply across cabins
QF’s A220 makes its first international scheduled flight
Qantas’ Airbus A220 has commenced international services on the Brisbane–Wellington route. The aircraft will fly up to three times a week between Brisbane and Wellington, bringing a new level of passenger comfort and efficiency to the route.
The A220 offers reduced noise footprint, up to 25 per cent less fuel burn, and has a longer range than the aircraft it is replacing, creating more route possibilities and travel options as the fleet grows.
Qantas boosts Sydney–Sapporo capacity
Qantas has increased capacity on its popular Sydney – Sapporo route for the 2026/27 season, increasing services from three per week to up to five per week in response to strong demand during the ski season.
The enhanced schedule represents over a 50 percent capacity increase for next ski season, adding more than 10,000 additional seats to cater for Australians chasing Hokkaido’s famous snow and a total of nearly 35,000 seats between the two cities.
VA domestic Economy X sale – extra legroom from $15*
Virgin Australia has launched a domestic sale on its premium extra-legroom Economy X seating, with upgrades from just $15* (per person per sector). The sale is available to add to Virgin Australia domestic flight bookings until 11.59pm AEST Tuesday 3 March 2026, making premium extra-legroom Economy travel more accessible for travellers.
Lufthansa fleet renewal, business class upgrade
Lufthansa is investing in the most extensive fleet renewal in its history and simultaneously modernising the cabin interiors of its largest aircraft. The Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A350-900 will receive new seats across all classes. The popular Airbus A380-800 will be equipped with new Business Class seats.
Australia & New Zealand airlines rank among the world’s safest
AirlineRatings.com has reviewed 320+ global carriers, with airlines from Australia and New Zealand once again earning top marks for safety. Qantas ranked 3rd, Air New Zealand 6th, and Virgin Australia 9th in the full-service category.
For corporate travellers, that’s great news, with safer skies, reliable operations and more confidence when travelling for work across the region and beyond.
Important UK Travel Update for Australian Business Travellers
From 25 February 2026, Australian–British or Australian–Irish dual citizens must enter the UK using their British or Irish passport. As a result, please ensure your UK or Irish passports are up to date with a minimum of 6 months validity before travelling to the UK. ETA or visa applications will not be accepted for dual citizens, and airlines may deny boarding without the correct documentation. The UK Government has confirmed these rules will be strictly enforced from 25 February.
If UK travel is on your calendar, Spencer Corporate Travel can help review documentation requirements and avoid last-minute disruptions.
Virgin Australia launches Back to Business campaign: bonus status credits, up to $1000 travel credit and more
VA has launched their Back to Business Campaign, available to Spencer Corporate Travel customers until 31 March 2026.
The offers:
- Earn up to 125 bonus Status Credits: For more information and to activate the offer, click here.
- Earn up to $1,000 Travel Credit: Available to new Virgin Australia Business Flyer customers who join and fly during the promo period.
QantasLink upsizes Adelaide – Brisbane with A220
Qantaslink will soon operate the larger Airbus A220 aircraft on its Adelaide to Brisbane route, with the rollout commencing in March. The upgrade will add 100,000 extra seats per year to the route and provide 20% more overhead locker space. A220s also have the advantage of minimised cabin noise, better fuel emissions, and free wi-fi.
Qantaslink upgrades WA fleet
Qantaslink has announced an upgrade to its WA fleet, including E190 aircrafts to replace all Fokker 100s. The WA fleet will also receive wi-fi and charging ports on their Airbus A320s and A319s.
Qantas launches Economy Plus seats
Qantas customers can now book the airline’s new economy plus seats, offering 40% more legroom, faster boarding and priority access to overhead bag space. Flights with the new seats have already commenced on Boeing 737, Airbus A321XLR and A220 aircraft across domestic AU routes as well as flights to New Zealand, Bali and the Pacific islands.
China Eastern launches direct flights to Adelaide
China Eastern Airlines will launch direct flights between Adelaide and Shanghai from 21 June 2026, operated by an Airbus A350-900 and offering 286 seats in economy and business classes. Flight MU782 will depart Adelaide three times each week until 02 August and resume again in early 2027. One-way economy fares start from $716, and one-way business class fares from $3,366. The service will enable same-day connections to most Chinese domestic destinations.
Emirates expands vegan focus
Emirates will expand its vegan menu options on all classes in 2027. Instead of replicating meat dishes, Emirates will use a mixture of naturally sourced ingredients such as legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and seasonal vegetables to create meals such as Asian noodle bowls and African stew.
SE Asia Airports on alert
Airports across SE Asia have implemented tighter measures following a Nipah virus outbreak in India’s West Bengal region as well as Bangladesh. The zoonotic (contractable between animals and humans) disease currently has no known cure as well as a fatality rate of 40 to 70%. Health-screening checkpoints have already been set up at major Asian airports including Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and Denpasar International Airport. The Australian Government has confirmed it will be monitoring the situation ‘very closely’.
China extends reduces visa fees for Australia to 31 Dec 2026
China has extended reduced visa fees for Australians through 31 December 2026, cutting costs by up to 40% on popular business and multi-entry visas. For short trips under 30 days, Australians can now travel visa-free, while longer or frequent business travel is significantly cheaper than before. For corporate travellers moving between Australia and China, this means lower upfront costs and more flexibility as capacity continues to recover in 2026.
HOTEL NEWS
Melbourne welcomes its first Radisson Individuals hotel
Canterbury International Hotel Melbourne has joined the Radisson Individuals family, marking the brand’s debut in the city. With 74 rooms, extensive meeting and event spaces, and amenities like a spa, pool, and courtyard, it’s built for business travelers and corporate stays.
Located in Springvale Road Business District, the hotel offers easy access to Melbourne CBD, Melbourne Airport, and nearby corporate hubs — perfect for meetings, conferences, or extended work trips.
Radisson signs Sixty-Five Hotel Brisbane
Radisson Hotel Group has signed Sixty-Five Hotel Brisbane, a design-led, 59-room CBD property set to open in 2026, marking the brand’s first presence in Queensland as Brisbane gears up for continued growth ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
The fully renovated hotel will offer a compact, upscale stay with flexible spaces designed to support both work and downtime, well-suited to corporate and government travellers visiting the Brisbane CBD.
New Avani in Wollongong
Minor Hotels has confirmed it will open a brand new build Avani Wollongong Hotel in 2027. Located at 22 Kenny St, the 107-room hotel will feature high-tech amenities, a ground-floor restaurant and several flexible event spaces.
MEETINGS & EVENTS NEWS
New Sydney CBD event spaces
Big news for business travellers and event planners: The Grace Hotel Sydney has unveiled newly refurbished meeting and event spaces, setting a fresh benchmark for CBD conferences and corporate gatherings. Completed in late 2025, the upgrade introduces 11 flexible, modern function spaces inside the hotel’s iconic Art Deco building on York Street. The refreshed venue now supports everything from executive meetings to large-scale conferences for up to 380 delegates, with natural light, modern layouts and integrated on-site AV support designed to keep events running smoothly.
Accor launches 3 new & upgraded meetings & events venues
Accor has unveiled the next phase of its meetings and events strategy across Australia and the Pacific, placing renewed emphasis on premium, flexible and experience-led venues designed for today’s business events market.
The group announced three new and enhanced destinations that reflect the changing needs of conference and incentive planners.
- In Melbourne, Eden at Shadow Play by Peppers has launched as a striking new rooftop venue perched on Level 46, offering panoramic city views and contemporary interiors for up to 120 guests.
- In Perth, The Adnate Perth – Art Series has introduced Alma Events by BAHA, a boutique venue combining art, culture and culinary experiences with flexible indoor and alfresco spaces for groups of up to 150.
- On the Sunshine Coast, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort has entered a major transformation phase, with upgrades to guest rooms and conference facilities strengthening the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre precinct as one of Australia’s leading coastal conference destinations, capable of hosting events for up to 1,400 delegates.
