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1/17/2007 9:43:24 PM UTC    Comments 

During the next twelve months Japan Airlines is to introduce First Class for the first time on domestic services. They will concentrate on key trunk routes such as Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Fukuoka. The cabin will have 14 seats that the airline says ‘will be more comfortable than your sofa at home’.

In addition and due to customer demand, during the same period JAL will also introduce a Premium Economy cabin on its International routes to Europe and America with capacity for around 40 passengers.

www.jal.com

1/17/2007 11:40:24 AM UTC    Comments 

China Southern Airlines, the largest carrier in The People's Republic of China (in terms of its fleet, air network and passenger traffic), sustained a strong increase in 2006 carrying more than 49million passengers and cemented its position as one of the world’s top ten largest airlines. 
 
They also introduced 64 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft and now offers a fleet of 298 planes including 100 Airbus aircraft.

www.cs-air.com/en

1/17/2007 11:17:31 AM UTC    Comments 

Destination Air Shuttle, a Thailand-based seaplane shuttle service recently unveiled its fleet of two Cessna Seaplanes, which will officially launch services from Phuket International Airport beginning February 1, 2007.

Offering 12 flights per day, leaving every 2 hours, Destination Air Shuttle will serve Phi Phi Island, Krabi and Koh Lanta and land directly in the waterfront of most major hotel resorts. Further landing locations are planned for the Similans, Koh Racha, and Khao Lak.

This significantly reduces the travel time to these resort destinations from the usual half day overland trip to less than 13 minutes to Koh Phi Phi, 20 minutes to Krabi, and 30 minutes to Koh Lanta giving better accessibility in the region.

www.destinationair.com

1/17/2007 11:01:43 AM UTC    Comments 

Japan Airlines will introduce new service improvements including a first-time ever first class service on domestic flights, and a new international service class, “JAL Premium Economy” in 2007. Additionally, JAL is planning to improve in-flight meal quality and to introduce new seats in all present international passenger classes, First, Executive and Economy class. The new service and product improvements come as a response to customer feedback.

1/17/2007 10:17:15 AM UTC    Comments 

The Dubai-based international airline, has today announced that it will abolish the practice of stand-alone fuel surcharges in the UK, when it incorporates them into its published air fares from 1st April, 2007.  Emirates will be the first carrier operating in the UK to make this move.

Vic Sheppard, Emirates’ Vice President UK & Ireland, says: "The cost of fuel is part of the operating cost of the airline, unlike airport taxes or security levies, and we feel that it makes more sense to our customers and to our travel trade partners, to make it a part of the fare.

www.emirates.com/uk

1/16/2007 9:33:41 PM UTC    Comments 

Luxury villa specialist Sanctuary Villas and Apartments has launched in the UK for the first time with the release of its 2007 brochure, which offers luxurious properties varying from two bedroom apartments in Florence to a 100-acre historic country estate sleeping 30 near Bordeaux.
 
Sanctuary Villas and Apartments adopt a concierge-style approach, which is supported by staff in regional offices in Florence and Sophia Antipolis, near Cannes.
 
The ‘Sanctuary Hosted’ service includes daily maid service, a fully stocked drinks fridge, an initial supply of toiletries and provisions, breakfast delivered to the villa on the first morning, pool towels and a ‘Sanctuary Host’ who welcomes clients upon arrival and is on call 24/7 to advise on the region and local activities as well as assisting with any emergencies or other arrangements. Additional optional activities range from private painting or cooks and cookery classes, wine tasting, yacht charters and horse riding. The inclusive Sanctuary service involves off-site local staff, who are readily available with expert advice and assistance.

Sanctuary Villas and Apartments attract a wide range of top end clientele, including guests with families and business people for corporate events/meetings.

For the more independent-minded client requiring less support, the ‘Tailor Made’ service provides properties on a villa-only basis but with the convenience of a local Sanctuary Host on call in case of emergency. Additional services can be arranged on request.

www.sanctuary-villas.com

1/16/2007 4:41:30 PM UTC    Comments 

Nok Air, the truly Thai low fare airline, dedicated to expanding the flying experience for all travelers, today launches its inaugural flight to Krabi, its latest destination out of Bangkok. Nok Air flight DD7910 took off at 9.35 a.m. from Suvarnabhumi airport and arrived at 10.55 a.m. at Krabi International Airport, where Nok Air was deeply honored to have Mr. Siwa Sirisaowaluk, Governor of Krabi, attend the celebration.

Nok Air has up to 8 daily flights to Chiang Mai, 5 daily flights to Hat Yai, 4 daily flights to Udon Thani and Phuket, 3 daily flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat, and offering a daily flight to Trang.

www.nokair.com,

1/16/2007 11:02:09 AM UTC    Comments 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has announced its latest addition to The Luxury Collection®, the exclusive Mystique, is to open its doors in May this year.Located in Santorini, Greece, high on the cliffs of Oia, the hotel’s location offers sweeping views of the clear-blue waters of the Aegean Caldera, a breathtaking sea-filled crater created by a collapsing volcano in 1640 BC.

“We are very excited to be associated with a hotel as extraordinary as Mystique as part of The Luxury Collection’s ongoing strategy to provide the unique qualities of an independent hotel with the assurance and rewards of a global hotel brand,” said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe Africa & The Middle East. “Santorini is both an exciting and exotic destination, and this property has the potential to be one of the best hotels in Europe.”

www.luxurycollection.com

1/16/2007 10:06:59 AM UTC    Comments 

Stansted Airport is to increase the capacity of its security search area as part of a further £2-million pound investment to help speed up the security process for passengers at the terminal. The extension will allow for additional x-ray machines and arches to be installed, along with more entry points and security lanes, which will greatly increase the number of passengers that can pass through security every hour.

The area, which will be operational by the end of March, is being built to meet the challenges of the additional security measures introduced at all UK airports in August last year, and the demands of Stansted as a growing international airport.

www.stanstedairport.com

1/15/2007 2:31:23 PM UTC    Comments 

Silverjet have sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Transport Secretary calling for all other airlines to follow their example as a carbon neutral airline. The airline is opposed to Airline Passenger Duty Charge (APD) which it feels is just another tax and have called for an industry wide voluntary scheme with lesser regulation and verification.

The system Silverjet propose is simple and engaging for the customer – the customer needs to understand where their money is going; with our system they can invest their carbon points in projects they choose to support via the Carbon Neutral Company. If all airlines were to simply charge 90p an hour per passenger then it would offset the carbon.

Silverjet oppose Defra’s proposed carbon offsetting scheme, which will confuse the consumer and is hopelessly inefficient and believe that Certified Emission Reductions (“CERs”), are NOT the way to go – 50% of the money will go directly into bureaucracy.

Verified Emission Reductions (“VER”s), which Silverjet is adopting, ensure 100% of the offset investment end up in the offset projects, rather than wasted in paperwork, inspectors and form filling.

Have your say tell us what you think, would you be happy to pay the proposed 90p per hour charge?

1/15/2007 2:17:25 PM UTC    Comments 

British Airways is to reduce its fuel surcharge on its shorter longhaul routes from today as a result of a fall in the price of oil. As a result, the fuel surcharge on tickets sold in the UK for longhaul flights scheduled at under nine hours in duration will be reduced from £35 per sector to £30 per sector (£60 return trip).

The shorthaul fuel surcharge will remain unchanged at £8 per sector (£16 a return trip).British Airways will also reduce its fuel surcharges by equivalent levels in all markets.

1/12/2007 12:24:28 PM UTC    Comments 

Singapore’s low fare airline, announced today its new service between Singapore and Perth. The airline will commence the service on 23 March 2007 with four flights a week. Tiger Airways will increase the flights to a daily service during peak demand holiday periods. From November 2007, Tiger Airways plans to operate daily to Perth.

Perth is Tiger Airways’ second destination in Australia. We are proud to be the only Asian Low Cost Carrier to link Perth with Asia,” Tiger Airways Chief Executive Tony Davis said. “Tiger Airways will offer more than 70,000 seats a year between the two cities, and replicate the success of its Darwin operations in stimulating more travel between the two destinations.

“With return fares starting from S$21.52 one way (excluding taxes and fees), travel between Singapore and Perth has never been as affordable. Seats are now on sale.

www.tigerairways.com 

1/12/2007 12:23:35 PM UTC    Comments 

Qantas has announced it would increase its non-stop services between Australia and San Francisco from three to five per week from 26 March 2007. Qantas resumed services three times a week between Sydney and San Francisco in March 2006, and the destination has quickly established itself as a popular option for people travelling between Australia and the United States.

www.qantas.co.uk

1/12/2007 12:22:40 PM UTC    Comments 

Thistle Hotels is providing the perfect excuse for a bit of self indulgence this January and February, some well earned “Time for me”, with discounted breaks across the UK:

Escape to the Coast: Head to Thistle Brighton for a place to rest your weary head after a day of walking along the shore and up the cobbled Brighton lanes. With rates from £79.00 per room per night, you’ll be able to treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment and wind down with dinner and sea views at The Promenade restaurant.

Get cosy in the Cotswolds: Located in the picturesque Cotswolds, Cheltenham is a well-known spa-town, with some of the country's most beautiful streets and elegant parks. Relax at Thistle Cheltenham and indulge in a spa treatment at the Otium Health and Leisure club. Room rates from £62.00 per night.

Discover Devon: Thistle Exeter is situated at the centre of this cathedral city and gives you the opportunity to explore the beautiful Devon countryside, coast and moors. Or, why not curl up in front of the fire with a good book and a scone with a fresh dollop of Devonshire clotted cream…delicious! Room rates from £69.00 per night.

Highlands Escape: Head to Thistle Inverness for a spot of pampering in the Highlands. With rates from £55.00 per room per night, you’ll be able to retreat to the spa at the Otium Health and Leisure club, head for a brisk walk or even partake in a spot of monster hunting at Loch Ness. Whichever you choose you can always head back to the hotel for a sauna, steam and sleep at the end of a long day.

www.thistlehotels.com/winter

1/11/2007 12:17:25 PM UTC    Comments 

US Airways is to provide a new daily service between New York's LaGuardia Airport and Myrtle Beach, S.C. US Airways Express carrier Chautauqua Airlines will operate the service with 50-seat Embraer 145 aircraft. The flights are now available for booking, and service will commence March 4.

www.usairways.com

1/11/2007 9:41:37 AM UTC    Comments 

Emirates Airline today announced the introduction of a new daily non-stop flight between Newcastle and Dubai, starting later this year. The Dubai-based international carrier's new service, which will commence on 1 September, 2007, will be the first ever scheduled long-haul flight to operate from Newcastle.

This means that customers in the North-East region will have direct access to one of the most popular tourist destinations and fastest emerging markets of the Middle East. It also opens up an onward route network that stretches across more than 80 destinations worldwide after just one short stop in Dubai.

www.emirates.com/uk

1/10/2007 12:46:07 PM UTC    Comments 

London City Airport welcomed Air One, Italy’s first privately owned airline, who touched down at 09:40 to launch their Rome, Fiumicino service.

There will be two flights daily Monday – Friday, departing London City Airport at 10:10 and 16:50, plus a Saturday service departing at 10:10 and a Sunday service departing at 16:50. Air One offers both a business and economy product. Fares will start at £65 one-way including taxes.

www.londoncityairport.com www.flyairone.it

1/10/2007 12:44:56 PM UTC    Comments 

Qatar Airways has entered 2007 in buoyant mood celebrating the 10th anniversary of its re-launch with nine new destinations planned during the year. Dar es Salaam, the commercial and financial centre of Tanzania, becomes the newest addition to Qatar Airways’ family of routes when direct non-stop services are launched to the city today.

Qatar Airways will operate four flights a week between Doha International Airport and Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.

The Doha-based airline sees 2007 as a year of huge expansion with non-stop services planned to key destinations around the world – Bali, New York, Lagos, Ho Chi Minh City, Chennai, Ahmedabad and two, as yet to be announced, cities in northern and eastern Europe.

www.qatarairways.com

1/10/2007 12:44:04 PM UTC    Comments 

JetBlue Airways today announces its continued expansion in the Bay Area with new low-fare service between San Francisco International Airport and both New York/JFK and Boston beginning May 3, 2007. With the addition of JetBlue's five daily flights to SFO, the low-fare airline will offer the most nonstop flights between New York City and the Bay Area, where it already serves Oakland and San Jose, as well as the

most California destinations served nonstop from both Boston and New York City.

To celebrate JetBlue is offering one-way fares from San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose to Boston and New York City starting at $99.00 each way, with regular fares ranging between $159.00 and $399.00 each way.

www.jetblue.com

1/9/2007 4:52:39 PM UTC    Comments 

Lufthansa is extending the weekend even further so that even more UK passengers can take advantage of bargain fares available in the airline’s latest ‘Lufthansa Long Weekend’.

The five-day ‘sale’ from, 12th to 16th January, will offer travellers the chance to take advantage of special fares on many of Lufthansa’s 12,908 flights per week to a total of 183 destinations in 78 countries. Amongst the special return fares (inclusive of all taxes and surcharges) are Cairo, Muscat, Beijing and Osaka with return flights to Europe also available from £79.

The special fares for the latest ‘Lufthansa Long Weekend’ will be unveiled on www.lufthansa.com at one minute past midnight on the morning of Friday 12th January and will be available for booking until midnight on Tuesday 16th January.

1/9/2007 1:28:05 PM UTC    Comments 

The doubling of air passenger duty, due to come into operation on February 1st, may actually have the opposite of the desired effect. That’s according to Portman Travel, the UK’s leading independent travel management company.“The Treasury justified the hike on environmental grounds, but it has not identified environmental schemes which will benefit directly from the increase in duty,” said Bob Govan, Portman’s marketing and development director.

Govan fears that initiatives which help companies to offset their carbon emissions will suffer when the duty rise comes into effect next month. “Many businesses already pay a voluntary ‘tax’ on their business travel via carbon-offset schemes,” said Govan. “These programmes neutralise carbon emissions caused by business travel by investing directly in renewable energy projects, re-forestation and other carbon-neutralising initiatives.

“My fear is that large business travel users will be unwilling to continue funding voluntary schemes when the new duty comes into effect and companies considering joining these schemes will decide against it.” There is a widespread belief that the tax hike, which doubles duty on long-haul flights to £80, is simply designed to give the Treasury extra funds without any specific benefit to the environment.

“The duty rise is unlikely to reduce the volume of business travel,” said Govan, “but it may damage schemes which directly offset the environmental impact that business travel causes.”

www.portmanforest.com.

1/9/2007 12:48:47 PM UTC    Comments 

Continental Airlines and US Helicopter have launched an eight-minute shuttle service between Newark Liberty International Airport and Downtown Manhattan. The service provides a fast and easy option for business travellers who wish to travel to and from Manhattan in style.

Continental customers arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport and travelling on US Helicopter’s service to Manhattan will proceed to US Helicopter’s departure gate 71 at Terminal C.  Baggage will be automatically transferred via US Helicopter to Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Wall Street.

A one-way ticket aboard US Helicopter costs £811 and can be purchased by visiting www.flyush.com.  A link to US Helicopter’s Web site is also available at www.continental.com.

1/9/2007 12:47:08 PM UTC    Comments 

Tiger Airways, Singapore’s low fare airline, launched the first scheduled international flights from Singapore to Udon Thani, its latest destination. 

Udon Thani, which also serves as a gateway to Vientiane Laos, is Tiger Airways 6th destination in Thailand; the others being Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Krabi and Phuket. Tiger Airlines operates 122 flights a week between Thailand and Singapore, making it the largest international low fare airline to serve Thailand. Tiger Airways is the only airline to operate scheduled direct flights between Singapore and Udon Thani.

www.tigerairways.com

1/9/2007 10:18:28 AM UTC    Comments 

Cathay Pacific Airways today announced that it has worked with Air China to reduce the “Minimum Connecting Time” (MCT) between the two carriers at Hong Kong International Airport. The move will make more connections available to passengers travelling through Hong Kong as well as reducing waiting times. The MCT revision will also help to further enhance Hong Kong’s standing as an international aviation hub and gateway to and from the Chinese Mainland.

The change in MCT between Cathay Pacific and Air China now means that all connections between the two carriers have been reduced to 60 minutes. Previously, the MCT for Air China passengers connecting through Hong Kong ranged from 70 to 90 minutes.

As a result, passengers are now able to book an additional 134 connecting flights each week through the Hong Kong hub. At the same time, new origins and destinations have been opened up. So, for example, passengers can now book a journey between Guiyang in China and Colombo in Sri Lanka, while travellers from Chengdu are able to book a journey to Singapore flying through Hong Kong.

www.cathaypacific.com

1/9/2007 10:17:23 AM UTC    Comments 

Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, has confirmed that it will begin flights to Australia within the next few months from its base in Abu Dhabi. This follows the conclusion of an extended aviation bilateral agreement between the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive, James Hogan, said: “We appreciate the support of the Government of Abu Dhabi in securing the additional rights that will allow us to start flights to Australia in the next few months. I believe that our service will significantly drive and support the development of trade and tourism between the UAE and Australia. We are finalising the arrangements and hope to announce full details shortly.”

1/9/2007 10:14:43 AM UTC    Comments 

Following the news that Easyjet has cancelled all flights at Bristol Airport, Flybe one of Europe's largest low fares airlines, has announced it will step in and offer passengers disrupted by the cancellations, a special rescue discount offer of £20 off flights to and from its nearest bases to Bristol - Exeter, Southampton and Birmingham.

Flybe’s rescue package will provide stranded passengers with an alternative travel option at minimum cost.

To purchase these fares, passengers can call the Flybe Customer Call Centre on 0871 522 6100.  In order to qualify passengers taking advantage of this discount will need to provide proof of their original booking of their cancelled service from Bristol on departure.

1/8/2007 12:12:00 PM UTC    Comments 

von Essen is pleased to announce the appointment of Lee Clarke as head chef at The Ickworth Hotel near Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk.

Clarke joins the von Essen collection from Shell, where he spent two years as head chef, responsible for the private fine dining and hospitality facilities at Shell Tower in London. Lee's rich and varied culinary career has spanned 14 years and has included positions at a number of renowned London eateries, such as the Michelin-starred Mirabelle restaurant, The Ivy, and Harvey Nichols.

Ickworth Hotel is the former home of the Marquis of Bristol and is surrounded by 1,800 acres of National Trust parkland.

www.vonessenhotels.com

1/8/2007 12:06:43 PM UTC    Comments 

Greenbee, the new direct services company from the John Lewis Partnership, will become the destination shop for travellers in 2007.  Greenbee has signed up Cox & Kings, the world's longest established travel company, to provide an exclusive range of planned group tours and bespoke travel itineraries.  

The alliance will see Greenbee offer tailored packages, adventure, cultural and prestige tours in addition to the direct travel services it offers through Expedia.

With exotic destinations ranging from Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands to India, Kenya, Morocco and Mongolia, the itineraries will be dedicated to providing inspiration to those seeking luxury, independent or group travel options. Customers will be able to speak to specialist travel consultants who have travelled extensively in their specialist regions and have the expert knowledge to help customers book their dream holiday. The holidays are displayed online at

www.greenbee.com/travel

1/8/2007 12:05:38 PM UTC    Comments