Hong Kong Express Airways has launched a new scheduled service to Okinawa, Japan. The flights will initially operate twice weekly increasing to four flights per week from April 28^th.

Further planned route launches set to take place over the coming weeks will see Hong Kong Express Airways ultimately offer direct flights between Hong Kong and Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Nagoya and Okayama.  The airline has also already established its first office in the country in Okinawa.

www.hongkongexpress.com

4/6/2008 12:02:14 PM UTC     

50 years ago – on the 31st of March 1958 – Austrian Airlines took off for its first flight with a Vickers Viscount 779 from Vienna to London. After this maiden flight further scheduled services to Frankfurt, Zurich, Stuttgart, Paris, Rome and Warsaw were launched in the first year of operations of which Warsaw was the first Eastern European destination in the company’s network. Soon followed by Moscow, Bucharest, Belgrade and Sofia in 1959, Vienna developed into a hub providing West-East air transport in the decades that followed.

The Austrian Airlines Group now carries its passengers to 130 destinations around the world. Where the company transported 25,567 passengers and 186 tons of cargo in 1958, it carried 10.8 million passengers and 150,335 tons of cargo in 2007.

As well as a lavish party at their headquarters to celebrate the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first Austrian Airlines scheduled flight, the company has launched services using one of its aircraft in a design dating back to the 1950s. The Austrian Airbus A320 now appears in the same design as the first aircraft ever flown by Austrian Airlines, the Vickers Viscount, from 1958.

Austrian Airlines Group CEO Alfred Ötsch said, “50 years of Austrian Airlines means 50 years of successful Austrian civil aviation. Since making our first flight to London on 31 March 1958, we have brought together many millions of people from every country in the world, and we are a natural ambassador and powerful advertisement for Austria itself. Austrian Airlines has worked hard to develop a truly outstanding reputation as a quality carrier in every continent of the world and in so doing has transported typically Austrian values such as hospitality and charm around the world. With its successful Focus East strategy, uncompromising insistence upon quality and hugely dedicated workforce, the red-white-red tailfin of Austrian is perfectly positioned to enjoy an independent future.”

www.austrianairlines.co.uk

4/6/2008 11:54:29 AM UTC     

Maçka Palas, one of the finest buildings in Istanbul, is soon to become home to Park Hyatt Istanbul-Maçka Palas, following the hotel’s scheduled opening this summer. Ideally located in the fashionable Nişantaşi residential and shopping district, the hotel uniquely combines the historic architecture of an Art Deco building with innovative interior design.

Each guestroom will be equipped with high-speed broadband Internet access, a digital telephone with voice mail messaging, a flat-screen television, a DVD player and JBL i-Pod stations. Ergonomic work areas cater to the needs of the global business traveller. Facilities will include an in-room safe to fit standard-size laptops, large closets and individual climate control. Tea & coffee services will be available in the rooms.

25 of the rooms even include an authentic Turkish bath, complete with heated stone seat.

www.hyatt.com

4/6/2008 11:49:02 AM UTC     

Turkish Airlines became the 20th member of Star Alliance in ceremonies in Istanbul yesterday, culminating a 16-month process that began in December 2006 when the airline signed a protocol agreement to join the grouping.

"With Turkish Airlines we have gained a new member carrier with a strong home market which is also one of the fastest growing economies in the world," Star CEO Jaan Albrecht said. THY brings 31 unique destinations to the alliance, mainly in Turkey, Central Asia and the Middle East, he said. Including THY, Star members operate 18,000 daily flights serving 965 airports in 162 countries.

www.staralliance.com

4/6/2008 11:42:17 AM UTC     

Whatley Manor, the beautifully restored private manor house hotel set amidst 12 acres of Wiltshire countryside, has produced an events guide featuring a wide range of inspiring short break ideas over the next few months – creating even more reasons for guests to indulge themselves with a stay at this luxurious rural hideaway.

Highlights for the season include the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trails from 1-4 May; midweek Spa Indulgence deals; special weekend packages for the Spring and May Bank Holidays; and several tempting champagne and wine-tasting events.

www.whatleymanor.com

4/6/2008 11:40:37 AM UTC     

If you want a romantic weekend away with a difference, The Howard in Edinburgh is offering you the opportunity to spend a day taking in Scotland’s breathtaking countryside in the car that revolutionised sports car design – The Jaguar E-type Roadster, that was once described by Enzo Ferrari as ‘the most beautiful car ever made’.

You will be waited on by the Howard’s own professional team of butlers, who will pack you a gourmet picnic hamper and provide suggested tour routes - so all that’s left for you to do is get the roof down, sunglasses on and foot to the floor!

The Howard, a beautiful 5-star hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, is offering
The Classic Cars package from £435.00 per person. This includes two nights luxury accommodation including a full Scottish breakfast on each morning, a dedicated butler service, one full day hire of a Jaguar E-type Roadster, a freshly prepared gourmet hamper and touring map for your road trip, and a three course dinner served in the Atholl on one night. The package is valid until 31st October 2008.

www.thehoward.com

4/6/2008 11:37:02 AM UTC     

Ethiopian Airlines and Lufthansa German Airlines have commenced daily code share services between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Frankfurt, Germany.

“The new code share agreement marks a significant landmark as we are now in the position to offer our customers daily connections between Addis Ababa and Lufthansa’s hub in Frankfurt, with convenient onward flights,” said Mr. Tewolde Mariam, Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian.

The agreement strengthens Ethiopian's position in Germany and other European markets by creating additional possibilities to access traffic through the extensive network of Lufthansa.

Ethiopian currently operates three weekly services from Addis Ababa to Frankfurt, while Lufthansa currently flies the route four times weekly.

Members of Ethiopian’s ShebaMiles and Lufthansa’s Miles and More award programs can now earn and redeem miles on international and domestic scheduled flights of both airlines.

www.ethiopianairlines.com www.lufthansa.com

4/6/2008 11:25:38 AM UTC     

Expansion and development of the Departure Lounge at London City Airport is underway. From May 2008 passengers will enjoy more room, extra seating and new airport shops and bars.

At the same time the airport will launch four new stands for aircraft.

These improvements are part of our overall plan to develop the airport, including a planning application for an increase in flight movements to 120,000 per year from the current level of 80,000. As well as allowing the airport to offer more flights to more destinations, this will create more local jobs at the airport. Currently about 2,000 local jobs are supported by the airport's activity - this would increase by around 1,000 jobs if the application is approved.

From 31 March BA CityFlyer will offer flights to Nice from London City Airport, with fares starting from just £53.00 one way (including taxes, fees and charges). Flights to Nice will initially operate once daily, Monday to Friday and Sunday, and then seven days a week from 6 May 2008.

From 6 May BA CityFlyer will also offer direct flights to Warsaw, Barcelona and Amsterdam.

www.londoncityairport.com

4/6/2008 11:17:13 AM UTC     

Business and leisure travellers now have a new haven from the bustle of Japan’s capital with the opening of the Best Western Shinjuku Astina Hotel Tokyo.

“Best Western Shinjuku Astina Hotel Tokyo is a welcome addition to our Japanese portfolio,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western Vice President – International Operations Asia. “Each of the hotel’s 206 rooms features traditional European décor with a Japanese flair along with a work area, high-speed internet access, spacious beds and wall-mounted televisions.”

The hotel is ideally located in shopping and entertainment district and close to Shinjuku Gyoen.

www.bestwestern.com

4/6/2008 11:13:24 AM UTC     

A year ago Four Points by Sheraton appointed the world’s first-ever Chief Beer Officer (CBO), Scott Kerkmans.

After a year in office the resident CBO has realised that a dream job can come with a nightmare workload and is seeking a little help and is searching for a Best Brews Summer intern. The lucky lad or lass will assist the CBO with his Best Brews duties including beer tasting, trend research and brewery relations.

Candidates must be over the age of 21 and apply by email to the Four Points Chief Beer Officer, Scott Kerkmans at cbo@fourpoints.com along with a cover letter.

The deadline for applicants is April 26.

4/6/2008 7:13:03 AM UTC     

Manx2.com is adding a Saturday flight to the Isle of Man from East Midlands Airport.

The airline launched daily services, except Saturdays, on March 3, but said bookings have been so strong, it is now adding a Saturday flight.

This will leave the Isle of Man at 09.00, with the return flight departing the same day from East Midlands Airport at 1030.

www.manx2.com

4/6/2008 7:04:03 AM UTC     

Jurys Inns, the Dublin based hotel group will be launching their newest UK hotel in April in Liverpool – the 2008 European Capital of Culture on Friday 18^th April.

The hotel has a great riverside location, being part of the Kings Waterfront development which incorporates the new 10,600 capacity Liverpool Echo Arena and 1,350 seater Convention Centre. It is adjacent to the ever-popular Albert Dock; home to cafes, bars, nightclubs, shops and the iconic Tate Gallery. 

Each of the 310 spacious bedrooms will feature high-speed internet access, multi-channel flat-screen TV, self-control air-conditioning and a direct dial telephone. The Jurys Inns fixed room rate pricing policy offers excellent value for money with rates starting at £59.

www.jurysinns.com

4/6/2008 7:00:08 AM UTC     

Jet-setting business executives wanting to rest their weary heads on something more than a travel pillow get that wish and more with Amara Singapore’s newly designed executive club floors.

The art deco-inspired interior of three of the hotel floors are both classy yet warmly inviting. From the wooden panelling to the fresh flowers and special pillows and sheets in each executive suite, Amara Singapore gives a new meaning to the term “business class”.

Amara Singapore, General Manager, Mr Lakshman Perera says, “The upgrading and fine tuning of the top three executive floors was to meet the ever changing demands of corporate travellers. The crisp and efficient butler service also goes hand-in-hand with the elegant rooms we’ve created.”

Amara Singapore is slowly but steadily gaining a niche reputation as a provider of contemporary business-class accommodation. With its sister property, Amara Sanctuary Resort making waves in the boutique luxury resorts sector and some projects further a field in foreign locales, the Amara Group is rapidly expanding its portfolio.

www.singapore.amarahotels.com

4/6/2008 6:50:03 AM UTC     

Sunvil Sailing is offering a week’s live-aboard flotilla holiday, with learn-to-sail tuition for novices, departing 11 and 18 May from Lefkas island in the Greek Ionian Sea at just £179 per person excluding flights and transfers. For those preferring to take Sunvil’s all-inclusive package the price rises to £539 with return flights from London Gatwick and transfers in Greece.

Beginners, or those with limited experience, will literally learn the ropes under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor while experienced sailors will crew their own yachts in the flotilla. The social side can be lively in the evenings when all the yachts moor up in port together for dinner ashore.

The live-aboard accommodation with or without tuition is based on two sharing a cabin and there is a contribution towards an onboard kitty for yacht damage waiver, fuel, a souvenir chart and other items including refreshments on board for those on a learn-to-sail yacht.

www.sunvil.co.uk

4/6/2008 6:44:49 AM UTC     

Aegean Airlines will commence a twice daily non-stop service from London Stansted Airport to Athens from 15 May 2008.

Prices for a one-way ticke start at £59.00, inclusive of all taxes. Departure times from London are 10:20 and 20:00 and from Athens at 07:30 and 17:10.

The Athens to Stansted route will be serviced by the brand new Airbus A321 with 195 seats in two classes and will offer a state of the art in-flight entertainment system.

Stavros Dalikas, Commercial Director states "London to Athens is one of the most important routes for Aegean Airlines and we are really pleased that we can now offer our clients this service. Greece has always been a very popular, year round holiday destination for the British and there has been a steady increase in the business sector in recent years. We can offer our customers a fantastic product in both, Economy and Business Class from start to landing, giving the traveller a great alternative to existing services."

Aegean Airlines flies to 12 international destinations (London, Larnaca, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Rome, Milan, Sofia, Bucharest, Cairo and Tirana) and 17 Greek destinations (Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Chania, Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Mytilene, Chios, Alexandroupolis, Mykonos, Santorini, Kavala, Limnos, Corfu, Ioannina and Kefalonia)

www.aegeanair.com

4/6/2008 6:41:39 AM UTC     

Rotana has announced the near completion of the Al Ain Rotana Hotel expansion project, which will be finished in April 2008. Al Ain is situated close to the Abu Dhabi/Oman border and is the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. The impressive expansion project adds 72 luxurious rooms, 12 suites and two new chalets to the existing five-star hotel. The new recreation facilities include two squash courts and a state of the art Bodylines health & fitness centre.

Since its opening in 1999, the Al Ain Rotana Hotel has been popular with business travellers and holidaymakers. The expansion is designed to accommodate that mix of guests, with state of the art in-room facilities, that meet visitors’ needs precisely. 

Al Ain is known as The Garden City of the Gulf. The city’s history dates back to the 4th millennium BC and is now a green and fertile destination with tree lined boulevards, gardens and parks. Its attractions include historical museums, several restored forts, the Hili archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age, the Al Ain Oasis, a zoo, an amusement park and a heritage village. Sheikh Zayed's vision and commitment has seen Al Ain grow into a modern city and one of the greenest in Arabia today.

4/1/2008 3:22:19 AM UTC     

On April 2, 2008, JAL will unveil at Narita Airport Terminal 2 - the airline's main international hub - a new economy class check-in area. The improved area will enable JAL to provide its passengers with a more convenient, user-friendly, stress free check-in experience at the airport.

Passengers will be able to check themselves in using one of 36 of the latest easy-to-use Self Check-in Machines (SCM) installed in the area to speed up the whole departure process. After doing this, if they have luggage to check in they must then proceed to a nearby luggage check-in counter, otherwise they can head directly to immigration.  

In addition to the self check-in machines, economy class passengers without luggage can also check-in at a new express counter conveniently located in the departure lobby close to the south entrance for immigration control.

4/1/2008 3:21:29 AM UTC     

Some holidays to not effect the entire country but are regional. The list is based on information available at time of going to press, and subject to change.

Tuesday 1 April 2008
Cyprus, India, Iran, San Marino

Wednesday 2 April 2008
Argentina, Romania

Thursday 3 April 2008
Guinea, Romania

Friday 4 April 2008
Angola, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Romania, Taiwan

Sunday 6 April 2008
Burundi, Thailand

Monday 7 April 2008
Burundi, India, Mauritius, Mozambique, Philippines, Rwanda, Tanzania, Thailand

Tuesday 8 April 2008
Dominica, Maldives

Wednesday 9 April 2008 
Georgia, Iraq, Tunisia

Thursday 10 April 2008
Nepal

Sunday 13 April 2008
Cambodia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Monday 14 April 2008
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nepal, Thailand

Tuesday 15 April 2008
Cambodia, North Korea, Thailand, Vietnam

Wednesday 16 April 2008

Cambodia, Thailand

Thursday 17 April 2008
American Samoa, Gabon, Iraq, Syria

Friday 18 April 2008
Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland, India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe

Saturday 19 April 2008
Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Uruguay, Venezuela

Sunday 20 April 2008
Israel,

Monday 21 April 2008
Brazil, Canada, Falkland Islands, Puerto Rico

Wednesday 23 April 2008
Brazil, Spain, Turkey

Thursday 24 April 2008
Iceland, Nepal

Friday 25 April 2008
Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Macedonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Portugal, Serbia, Swaziland, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Saturday 26 April 2008
Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Tanzania, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Sunday 27 April 2008
Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Lebanon, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sierra Leone Slovenia, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Ukraine

Monday 28 April 2008
Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Ukraine

Tuesday 29 April 2008
Cyprus, Japan

Wednesday 30 April 2008
Aruba, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Sweden, Vietnam

4/1/2008 3:20:13 AM UTC     

The 10th Bordeaux Wine Festival will take place this year from the 26th to the 29th of June. The Bordeaux Town Hall and the Tourist Office invite lovers of wine, food, festivity and culture to share these celebrations in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The tourist office have come up with a few ideas including the ’BORDEAUX FÊTE LE VIN’ package deal which includes:

·       Two nights in a double room in a 2, 3 or 4-star hotel

·       A tasting pass (including 13 tastings and other services)

·       A meal at Bordo Mundo

·       A vineyard pass

·       A free access card (available on request) valid for 2 days for the urban public transport network

·       A guided tour of the city

·       A free access card for the main sites, monuments and museums.

·        

Prices per person range from €185.00 (£146.00) for a 2-star hotel, to €300 (£238.00) for a 4-star hotel.

www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com

3/30/2008 9:26:58 AM UTC     

Ireland's Aer Lingus is to offer increased services to the USA from Dublin and Shannon airports.

From the end of October, Aer Lingus will operate double daily flights from Dublin to New York, daily flights from Dublin to Boston, four flights a week from Dublin to both Washington and San Francisco and three flights a week from Dublin to Los Angeles and Orlando.

From Shannon the airline will operate daily direct flights to Boston and New York and daily flights to Chicago via Dublin.

The recent Open Skies agreement and the addition of two additional Airbus A330 long haul aircraft have enabled Aer Lingus to expand into new markets in North America and to further consolidate its position on North Atlantic routes.

www.aerlingus.com

3/30/2008 9:21:28 AM UTC     

Hotel Jen, a new hotel in Hong Kong has opened for business. Taking its name from the Chinese character, which symbolises the Confucian ideal of love and goodwill towards people, the 280 room independent hotel provides travellers with the essentials of a quality hotel room without the expensive extras. A clean and functional room, a comfortable bed and a great shower are at the heart of the Hotel Jen experience.

Hotel Jen is located in the western district, just down the hill from Hong Kong University. The Western District still preserves the flavour of old Hong Kong, yet is just 10 minutes from Hong Kong’s Central business district, the Airport Express and the city’s hottest nightlife centres of Soho and Lan Kwai Fong.

For the convenience of guests, Hotel Jen operates a regular shuttle bus throughout the day to Macau Ferry (Sheung Wan MTR), Central Star Ferry, Airport Express Hong Kong Station (ifc mall) and Admiralty MTR (Pacific Place).

www.hoteljen.com

3/30/2008 9:19:13 AM UTC     

Star Alliance has outlined the timetable for changes at London Heathrow.

Air Canada
Now in T3 and will remain in T3 until 2012

Air China
Now in T3 and will remain in T3 until 2012

Air New Zealand
Now in T3 but moving to T1 on June 10

ANA
Now in T3 and will remain in T3 until 2012

Asiana Airlines
Now in T1 and not moving

Austrian
Now in T2 but moving to T1 in November 2008

Blue1
Currently not serving Heathrow but will operate from T3 as of March 30 and remain in T3 until 2012

bmi
Now in T1 and not moving

Croatia Airlines
Now in T2 and moving to T1 in November 2008

LOT Polish Airlines
Now in T1 and not moving

Lufthansa
Now in T2 but moving to T1 November 2008

Scandinavian Airlines
Now in T3 and will remain in T3 until 2012

Singapore Airlines
Now in T3 and will remain in T3 until 2012

South African Airways
Now in T1 and not moving

SWISS
Now in T2 but moving to T1 in October 2008

TAP Portugal
Now in T2 but moving to T1 in November 2008

THAI
Now in T3 and will remain in T3 until 2012

Turkish Airlines
Now in T3 and will remain in T3 until 2012

United
Now in T3 but moving to T1 on June 10

US Airways
Currently not serving Heathrow but starting from T1 on March 30

www.staralliance.com

3/30/2008 9:16:19 AM UTC     

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts are to open their second property in Taiwan, the Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan, during third quarter of 2008.

www.shangri-la.com

3/30/2008 9:14:23 AM UTC     

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts has launched its brand new website that aims to complement the style of the international hotel chain. Its layout reflects the company’s corporate identity in a clear, modern and contemporary design.

“The new website with its appealing “look and feel” matches our deluxe hotels and our image perfectly,” explains Petra Goetting, Vice President Marketing & Sales at Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

Barbara Pezzi, Director Web Marketing & E-commerce declares: “Additional functions such as RSS feeds, hotel videos and podcasts will shortly be added to our easy-to-navigate website, and will ideally complement the spectrum of services on offer. After all, the importance of the internet as a booking channel is increasing at an immense rate year-for-year. In 2007 we saw an increase of 42 per cent relative to the previous year. With the new website, we are expecting this to rise even further in 2008.”

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with over 85 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.

www.swissotel.com

3/30/2008 9:11:14 AM UTC     

Alamo Rent A Car has significantly enhanced its online booking website to ensure customers have absolutely no doubt over what is and isn’t included in their rental rate. 

Customers can now see exactly what’s included in the rental rate - particularly useful for customers taking inclusive offers such as Alamo Gold - plus the cost of any additional items they have selected, prior to confirmation.  Most importantly, the cost for any items to be paid locally is now shown both in local currency and with an approximate GBP conversion.

Tom Middleditch, Marketing Manager for Alamo said: “The last thing we want our customers to worry about when they arrive at one of our locations is unexpected costs or currency conversions.  These enhancements to the site will therefore make it much easier for customers to identify any additional items they need and anticipate what charges will be made at the destination. This latest update is part of Alamo’s ongoing commitment to help customers enjoy high quality, cost-effective car rental around the world.”

www.alamo.co.uk

3/30/2008 9:09:32 AM UTC     

Communications watchdog Ofcom has granted UK airlines approval for in-flight mobile use within European airspace, subject to approval of onboard systems by the Civil Aviation Authority.

A British Airways spokeswoman said the airline would not rush into a trial.

‘We are in the early stages of research and we will have to think very carefully about this,’ she said. ‘We will be led by customer feedback.’

She added that preliminary work with Executive Club members had shown they were in favour of allowing texting rather than spoken conversations onboard.

3/30/2008 9:06:19 AM UTC     

Etihad Airways has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the Ferrari F1 team, the current Formula One world championship holders.

Eithad’s Chief Executive Mr Hogan said: “Sports sponsorship is a major part of Etihad’s marketing strategy and the growing association we are building with Formula One is a key driver to enable us to reach a global audience.

“With a TV audience of 2.5 billion people in nearly 200 countries, the association with Ferrari will give Etihad enormous worldwide exposure and help bring Abu Dhabi to the world.

“Ferrari is already developing a close association with our Abu Dhabi home base, through an exciting new theme park being built in the city, so this deal represents a natural partnership for Etihad. We share similar ambitions, to be the best in our respective fields.”

The iconic Ferrari racing brand is set to open a USD 600 million, 2,500 acre theme park in 2009 that will include 24 attractions.

The Ferrari F1 team sponsorship deal follows a separate three-year deal signed by Etihad Airways in December 2007 to become the title sponsor of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, starting with the inaugural event in 2009.

The deal will see the F1 race in the UAE’s capital city named the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix until 2011.

Etihad’s involvement with the Ferrari F1 team is the latest high-profile sports sponsorship for the airline, and complements existing partnerships with Chelsea Football Club, Harlequins Rugby Football Club and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

www.etihadairways.com

3/30/2008 9:00:20 AM UTC     

Eos, who’s latest route between London Stansted and Newark’s Liberty International Airport will commence on 5 May 2008, are offering passengers who book a round-trip ticket on their web site between now and 11 April 2008 and enter promotion code EWR10, will receive a 10% discount off all published fares. This introductory fare offer is only valid for online bookings and travel must be completed by 7 September 2008 (terms and conditions apply).

www.eosclass.com

3/30/2008 8:58:00 AM UTC     

Puzzled pilot refuses to land at new airport

It has been reported that a KLM pilot took his passengers on a 1,200-mile detour after refusing to land at a new airport in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, claiming he had never heard of it. The KLM pilot diverted 233 passengers to New Delhi, was denied permission to land and finally arrived in Bombay two hours later.

Delta to charge $25 for 2nd checked bag

 

Delta Air Lines, the third-largest U.S. carrier, will follow United Airlines in charging $25 for a second checked bag. First Class and most frequent flyers will not be charged.

 

Terminal shift

 

Four more airlines have joined Singapore Airlines at Singapore Changi Airport's new Terminal.  China Eastern Airlines, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways and United Airlines will shift their operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.  Singapore Airlines has been operating at Terminal 3 since the terminal begins operations on 9 January 2008.

 

 

3/30/2008 8:56:33 AM UTC     

Central Vietnam hots up for the summer with amazing offers from the regions most luxurious beach resort, The Nam Hai.

The Summer Season Packages are available from 1st April to 30th September 2008 and offer incredible value at all grades of villa from one bedroom villa to five bedroom pool villas including free nights accommodation and complimentary spa treatments at the award winning spa. The Nam Hai, Hoi An is situated on 35-hectares of beautiful landscaped gardens on Ha My Beach, a picture perfect section of the world famous China Beach with unspoilt stretches of white sands.

The Nam Hai features 60 stylish one bedroom villas and 40 stunning pool villas each boasting views of the South China Sea and nearby Cham Islands.

For the exclusive period only, any bookings for the one bedroom villas include a choice of a complimentary 2-way private airport transfer or a 60 minute Vietnamese Massage at The Spa at The Nam Hai per guest per stay if booking for two nights or more.  Guests choosing to book for three nights or more also receive one nights accommodation free.

The Nam Hai is offering Pay 2 nights/Stay 3 nights or Pay 3 nights/ Stay 4 nights on all pool villas.  Guests booking three nights or more also receive a complimentary 60 minute Vietnamese Massage per guest at The Spa at The Nam Hai.

Club benefits for guests staying in the pool villas include return airport limousine transfer, check in at either reception or in privacy of the villa, personal butler for the duration of the booking, daily breakfast, complimentary in room mini-bar, daily afternoon tea served in the villa, complimentary cocktails and snacks served daily in the villa, complimentary laundry service and limousine service to Hoi An and Da Nang City.

Ideally located 11km north of the historical city of Hoi An, The Nam Hai complements spectacular beachfront living with renowned cultural and historical attractions that reflect the true spirit of Indochina.  In keeping with GHM’s tradition of providing guests with a culturally inviting experience, The Nam Hai stands for all the charms of true Vietnamese hospitality.

The best time to visit Central Vietnam due to the local micro-climate is between March and September. 

www.ghmhotels.com

3/28/2008 5:40:30 AM UTC     

Reval Hotels, the largest hotel group in the Baltic region, opened the doors of it latest addition – the Reval Hotel Neris in Kaunas, Lithuania. With 208 rooms, a fully-equipped conference and event centre with capacity for 1000 guests, the 140-seat Diverso restaurant and chic Ginger Bar, the Reval Hotel Neris opens up the region to both holidaymakers and the MICE market as an exciting, fresh and natural alternative.

Guests at the Reval Hotel Neris will have a wide selection of room styles and lifestyle options to choose from during their stay. Of the 208 modern and comfortable guest rooms there are 37 single standard class rooms, 153 double Reval class rooms, 17 executive class rooms and one suite. A free internet station for hotel residents as well as wireless internet in all hotel areas is also available.
 
The hotel is situated in the very heart of Kaunas – near the main, linden tree-lined and pedestrianised Laisves Avenue. City highlights include the 14th-century Kaunas Castle, the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica (the largest Gothic building in Lithuania and the lively town hall and square – perfect for a chat and lively beer (or two) with friends. Easily reached from the Kaunas bus station, train station and airport, it’s a great base for explorations of the Lithuanian countryside.

“The second largest Lithuanian city of Kaunas offers a convenient geographic position and has huge potential in becoming a business and tourism centre,” adds Ruksenas. “We expect Reval Hotel Neris to promote this goal by being the first hotel in the city to have capacity in providing wide-scale conference services.”

Opening rates at the Reval Hotel Neris start from just 49€ per room, per night.

www.revalhotels.com.

3/28/2008 5:39:24 AM UTC     

Japan Airlines (JAL) will introduce its new domestic first class service to the Tokyo - Sapporo route from June 1, 2008. The new first class service, the first-ever introduced on Japan domestic flights, will be offered on two round trip flights per day between Tokyo (Haneda) and Sapporo (Chitose), the largest city in Hokkaido. The flight time between the two cities is approximately an hour and a half.

At Chitose airport, JAL will provide dedicated first class check-in counters, and passengers will be able to enjoy priority boarding, priority baggage claim and access to the Sakura Lounge.

JAL's domestic first class service was first introduced on the Haneda, Tokyo - Itami, Osaka route from December 1 2007 and from April 1 2008 the service will also be introduced on flights between Haneda, Tokyo and Fukuoka. By the beginning of May, JAL will have increased the number of flights the first class service is available to 10 flights per day on the Osaka route and 6 flights per day on the Fukuoka route.

Also during June, JAL will serve in first class on all of these routes as its recommended drink of the month a range of sake produced by 11 members of the Hokkaido Sake Brewers Association. The sake, specially branded under the name saikatouya, have been produced to mark the holding of the G8 Summit in Toyako, Hokkaido in July 2008. 

3/27/2008 4:53:26 AM UTC     

Anantara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel brand in Asia Pacific, today announced the formation of a joint venture with Kempinski Hotels & Resorts for strategic development opportunities in Europe and Asia.

With extensive knowledge and experience in the Asia market, Anantara Hotels & Resorts is well placed to seek out development opportunities on behalf of the Kempinski group and offer technical service skills which match the brand’s growth strategy. In turn, key locations being tapped for expansion by Anantara Hotels & Resorts include the Mediterranean basin, where Kempinski have a selection of existing properties and a strong depth of experience. 

William Heinecke, CEO of Anantara’s parent company, Minor International commented “This is truly an exciting time for Anantara Resorts, as the brand is very focused on developing in key markets which enable our guests to feed their passion for exploration and experience. Partnering with Kempinski, one of Europe’s most established and premium hotel brand, allows us to extend the synergies and development opportunities between our two hotel groups.”

The agreement sets the stage for Anantara and Kempinski to move quickly with local knowledge in ever increasingly competitive markets. Kempinski’s Chairman Michael Selby added, “Kempinski is pleased and excited about the joint venture with Anantara Resorts. Anantara has been growing at an impressive rate within the South East Asia region and has developed a reputation for quality in service as well as unique and attractive hotel properties. Kempinski is a major operator of Five Star Hotels throughout the world and we believe that the joint venture agreement will allow the pooling of the resources within both groups to provide a range of exceptional guest stay experiences.”

Over the next 10 years, Anantara Resorts expects to continue the extensive development to include at least 40 resorts in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and indeed Europe.

3/27/2008 4:52:36 AM UTC     

A new chapter in the history of Heathrow Airport begins today when at 04.50hrs, the first passengers arrived at Terminal 5, from Hong Kong on flight BA26.

Mark Bullock, Managing Director of BAA Heathrow said: “This is an incredibly exciting day for BAA and one which marks a turning point for Heathrow. We have waited over 20 years to welcome passengers to Terminal 5 and during that time Heathrow has got increasingly congested.  Terminal 5 signifies a new beginning for Heathrow and I am immensely proud that we open the doors of this magnificent building today, exactly when we said we would. 

Designed for 21st century travel, every aspect of the terminal, from the arrangement of check-in desks and high-tech baggage system, through to the 9,000 seats, has been designed for passengers’ comfort and ease. Over 30,000 square metres of glazing provides a light and airy environment with clear views across the airfield.  Located beneath the terminal is a modern and spacious rail station, providing direct transport links to London including the Heathrow Express service and London Underground’s Piccadilly Line .

The start of operations at Terminal 5 signals a new beginning for Heathrow; it will provide the airport with much needed additional capacity so that the transformation of existing terminal facilities can continue at pace. Over the next five years, BAA will invest around £4bn in a development programme that includes closing Terminal 2 and replacing it with a modern, energy efficient terminal.

Terminal 5 is one of the most successful construction projects ever undertaken in the UK. The hugely complex programme of work was carried out on a 260ha site, situated between with the world’s busiest runways. A former Thames Water sludge works, the site now includes Terminal 5A – the UK’s largest free-standing structure - and its satellite building Terminal 5B. A second satellite building, Terminal 5C will open in 2010. 

3/27/2008 4:51:31 AM UTC     

Starwood’s anticipated new lifestyle brand aloft hotels, are open for bookings for stays starting between August 14 and October 8, 2008, for five of its U.S. properties: Charleston Airport and Convention Centre, South Carolina (September 4), Lexington, Massachusetts (September 1), Ontario-Rancho Cucamonga, California (August 14), Philadelphia Airport, Pennsylvania (October 8) and Rogers-Bentonville, Arkansas (August 14).

Starwood claim that aloft is shaking up the lodging industry with its urban-influenced design, accessible technology, style and a social atmosphere. aloft offers rooms featuring loft-like, nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to create a bright, airy environment.

The centrepiece of the aloft room is the ultra-comfortable signature bed, and large stylish bathrooms with oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by bliss(R) spa.

Each aloft room is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment centre, featuring wireless internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops - all linked to a 42' flat panel HDTV ready television for optimal sound and viewing.

www.alofthotels.com  

3/24/2008 11:32:48 AM UTC     

Millennium and Copthorne Hotels are opening five new hotels in China during 2008, in Beijing, Chengdu, Qingdao, Xiamen and Wuxi.

The 352-room Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen is a corporate oasis near the commercial city centre with easy access to the airport. Together with state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities, the hotel ensures a unique business experience that is professional, comfortable, and unforgettable.

The Millennium Wuxi Hotel is situated at the heart of Yangtze River Delta Region on the southeast coast of China, close to the international metropolis of Shanghai. Wuxi is also known as “little Shanghai” due to its developed industry and flourishing economy. The Millennium Wuxi Hotel is predominately aimed at the Japanese market and is furnished with classical Japanese inspired interiors and provides its residents with quality facilities and services.

The Grand Millennium Beijing opens in April 2008 in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the heart of China’s capital city this premium fi