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AIRLINES
ADD LIVE TV ON BOARD
From January 23, 2006, passengers on JAL, LUFTHANSA AND SAS
aircraft equipped with the by Connexion by Boeing service, will
be able to use their own wireless LAN compatible laptops to
enjoy live global television during flight.
Via
high-speed Internet access, passengers may surf the Internet,
send and receive e-mails with attachments and gain access to
their company’s Intranet (Virtual Private Network) from
onboard. Use is possible without cables via Wireless LAN (WLAN).
Passengers
subscribing to Connexion by Boeing will be able to enjoy watching
live global news provided by BBC World, CNBC global business
news, and sports news provided by Eurosportnews. Regional news
from EuroNews will also be available on aircraft traveling across
all regions except the U.S. and Canada, where MSNBC will be
offered. BBC World and CNBC content will change depending on
where the aircraft is in the world, as the service will be able
to link directly to American, European and Asian focused feeds.
All content will be provided in English. Passengers must use
their own headphones when listening to live global television.
A
new simplified, flexible pricing for the Connexion by Boeing
service will come into effect on January 31, 2006 providing
passengers with four options: 1, 2 and 3-hour Internet access
at US$9.95, US$14.95 and US$17.95 respectively, and 24 hours
unlimited access at US$26.95. Payment is by credit card.
AIR CANADA
Effective June 16, 2006 Air Canada will introduce non-stop service
between Toronto and Shanghai. Air Canada will operate three
non-stop flights per week between Toronto and China's largest
city, complementing its Toronto-Beijing non-stop service launched
in June 2005, and its daily non-stop flights to both Shanghai
and Beijing from Vancouver. Air Canada also operates twice daily
flights to Hong Kong including non-stop service from Toronto.
BRITISH AIRWAYS
British Airways has kicked off the new year with special return
economy airfare discounts from their latest ‘World on
Sale’ offer to favourite destinations in Europe from Singapore
from just Sin$998. With over 88 cities available, from London
to Lisbon, Prague to Paris or Manchester to Madrid, British
Airways has sweetened the deal further by throwing in a free
stopover in London. Flights to popular US cities are also available
from just Sin$1098 return so if you want to shop in the Big
Apple, Boston or Baltimore there has never been a better time.
Fly over to Germany for just Sin$998 in June for the football
event of the year – World Cup 2006 and fly to London to
catch Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the end of June.
The
sale is now on and will only run until 2 February 2006. The
airfares are valid for travel between 22 January to 30 June
2006 for Europe and until 31 March 2006 for destinations in
the US.
GULF AIR LAUNCHES NEW YEAR SEAT SALE
Gulf Air has launched a special New Year promotion for passengers
travelling from Australia, India, Singapore, Ireland, Johannesburg,
the UAE, the Sultanate of Oman, Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Bargain prices are available for passengers wishing to travel
from these countries to several key destinations around the
world. The sale of tickets has already begun and is valid for
travel up to 31 March 2006 and the return travel should be completed
by May 2006.
GULF
AIR EXTENDS E-TICKETING TO MORE DESTINATIONS
Gulf Air has extended its recently-introduced e-ticketing facility
to cover more destinations. Now, passengers travelling between
Abu Dhabi/London,
Abu Dhabi/Bahrain/Singapore/Sydney Abu Dhabi/Muscat, Muscat/London,
Muscat/Bahrain/Singapore/Sydney and, Muscat/Abu Dhabi will be
issued with e-tickets on these routes.
JAPAN
AIRLINES
The JAL Group plans to extend and increase the fuel surcharge
placed on all international passenger tickets issued on or after
March 1st, 2006, pending regulatory approvals. JAL introduced
the fuel surcharge in February 2005 in response to rises in
the cost of fuel. Since then continued fuel cost increases have
led JAL to review the amount of fuel surcharge levied.
JET AIRWAYS BUYS AIR SAHARA
Jet Airways India and Sahara Airlines have executed a share
purchase agreement for acquisition by Jet Airways India of the
entire capital of Sahara Airlines subject to regulatory approvals.
The deal was jointly executed yesterday, 18 January 2006.
The agreement has been executed for an all inclusive Enterprise
Value of around US$500 million for Sahara Airlines Ltd. The
transaction is for an all cash consideration.
Pending confirmation of regulatory approvals, both the airlines
will continue to operate independently. Sahara India has also
confirmed that workers shall not lose their jobs and cadres
and gross emoluments will be unaffected. Upon closure of the
transaction however and based on requirements and performance,
Jet Airways shall absorb select employees.
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa wants to accelerate its growth in China this year.
In the future, the airline expects 52 direct flights to Shanghai,
Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
QATAR
AIRWAYS
Qatar Airways has relaunched the website of its Privilege Club
frequent flyer programme to provide members with greater benefits
and easier management of their Privilege Club accounts. To view
personal account information at the www.qmiles.com website,
members will need to enter a security PIN number which can be
obtained by contacting the Privilege Club Member Service Centre
at membersvc@qmiles.com
TIGER AIRWAYS
Tiger Airways has appointed Swissport International as its dedicated
ground handler for its Singapore operations at the new Changi
Budget Terminal. “Tiger Airways will be the first tenant
at the first dedicated low cost terminal in Asia, the new Budget
Terminal at Changi Airport and will launch it first flights
from this terminal on March 26. We are pleased to appoint Swissport
as our ground handlers in Singapore as it has an impressive
track record in handling ground operations for successful low
cost carriers in Europe and North America,” said Tiger
Airways CEO, Tony Davis.
UNITED AIRLINES
Customers can now purchase tickets and earn miles to even more
destinations in Africa and Europe when booking travel on code-share
flights between United and future Star Alliance member, South
African Airways.United and South African Airways frequent fliers
began earning miles on each other’s flights in November
2005. In April when South African Airways joins the Star Alliance,
Mileage Plus members will earn elite benef its including Elite
Qualifying Miles, which are miles that count toward elite status,
and the ability to redeem their miles for award travel on South
African.
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Virgin Atlantic has launched one-to-one BlackBerry Clinics for
its Upper Class passengers in its new Clubhouse at Heathrow
airport. The clinics offer business travellers advice and information
on how to maximise the use of their BlackBerry handsets and
answer specific questions in relation to the popular business
tool. The one-to-one clinics are available every weekday for
a month from 9pm to 5pm. Marie Salem who has expert knowledge
on the BlackBerry platform and the different devices is hosting
the sessions. Customers can learn in a short session many convenient
tips and short cuts to maximise the potential of the device
and boost their own personal productivity.
HOTEL
QUICK UPDATES
THE ISLAND SHANGRI-LA, HONG KONG
The Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong has been named in
America's T+L 500 and Travel + Leisure's first annual list of
the 500 greatest hotels and resorts in the world. Centrally
located in the heart of Hong Kong, The Island Shangri-La towers
56 floors above the Victoria Harbor. It has direct access to
Pacific Place - the island's most prestigious shopping and entertainment
complex. The rooms and suites of this luxurious hotel are among
the largest in Hong Kong and each offer breathtaking views of
the city and famous harbor.
HILTON
HOTELS CORPORATION TO CREATE LUXURY BRAND LINE: THE WALDORF-ASTORIA
COLLECTION
Hilton Hotels Corporation is introducing a new luxury hotel
line that will extend the cachet of New York's legendary Waldorf-Astoria
hotel. Unveiled Tuesday as "The Waldorf-Astoria Collection"
the new, elite brand designation will build upon the legend
that company founder Conrad N. Hilton called "The Greatest
of Them All," the Waldorf-Astoria. The Waldorf-Astoria
Collection is launching with the Waldorf-Astoria itself and
three world-class luxury resorts that will be newly managed
by Hilton:
-
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on the island of Maui in
Hawaii
- Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona
- La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California
All
four hotels will maintain their established, well-known names,
while adding The Waldorf-Astoria Collection designation as a
mark of their exclusivity. Hotels within The Waldorf-Astoria
Collection will benefit from the support of technology programs,
the Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program, the Hilton Reservations
Worldwide system, eBusiness programs, worldwide sales and marketing
programs, and operations support.
AIRPORT
NEWS
E-PASSPORT
TESTING TO BEGIN AT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
WASHINGTON,
D.C. — A live test of e-Passports, that contain contactless
chips with biographic and biometric information and the readers
that are capable of reading these e-Passports, begins January
15, 2006 at Terminal G at San Francisco International Airport
(SFO). This test is a collaborative effort between the United
States, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore that will run through
April 15, 2006.
Participants
include citizens of Australia and New Zealand who have been
issued the new e-Passports, Singapore Airlines crew and officials
holding trial e-Passports and U.S. diplomatic and official e-Passport
holders.The test will assess the operational impact of using
new equipment and software to read and verify the information
embedded in the e Passports. Participants will present their
e-Passports when arriving in the United States at SFO, at Changi
Airport in Singapore or at Sydney Airport in Australia.
The e-Passport
contains the holder’s biographic information and a biometric
identifier, in this case a digital photograph, embedded in a
contactless chip set in the passport. The inspection process
for those participating does not change.
The
e-Passports being tested are enabled with a security feature
known as Basic Access Control (BAC), which helps prevent the
unauthorized reading, or “skimming,” of information
from e Passports.
TRAVEL
NEWS
AIRLINES
PUTTIN’ CAVIAR ON THE RITZ FOR FIRST-CLASS INTERNATIONAL
FLIERS
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Jane Engle
LOS ANGELES TIMES
A
food fight is raging at 35,000 feet.
Competing
for premium customers who pay US$5,000 and up for trans-Atlantic
and Asian round trips, airlines are employing celebrity chefs
and offering multicourse meals, long wine lists, caviar, creme
brulee and goat cheese to ease the ennui of long-haul flights.
In
one corner, we have Lufthansa, with winter dishes conceived
by Joachim Splichal, paterfamilias of the Patina Group in Los
Angeles. In the other corner stands American Airlines, with
Stephan Pyles, star of Southwestern cuisine, to give its premium
menus the biggest overhaul in seven years.
Even
top-rated Singapore Airlines refuses to rest on its laurels,
enlisting chef Yoshihiro Murata of Kyoto, Japan, to design a
nine-course feast for business class customers.
"For
international travelers as a whole, the experience is better,"
said James Boyd, a Singapore spokesman.
On
Lufthansa’s trans-Atlantic flights this month, first-class
fliers can graze on caviar; a "tuna tower" with ponzu
vinaigrette; shrimp salad with caramelized endive; pickled baby
beets with ruby grapefruit; and a salad of chicken, apples,
dates and manchego cheese.
Those
are just the appetizers.
For
entrees, you’ll find rack of lamb, seared salmon with
shellfish vinaigrette, roasted breast of turkey and a fricassee
of cheese tortellini and vegetables. Among dessert choices:
five types of cheese, and mocha terrine with caramelized hazelnuts.
On
Singapore, just choosing the bread can be a chore. Up to a dozen
types are offered to premium passengers, Boyd said, accompanied
by flavored olive oil.
Then
there are the libations. American’s wine list sprawls
over two pages. Lufthansa’s patrons can sip Glenfiddich
single malts and Johnnie Walker Blue Label scotch. Singapore
pours Dom Perignon champagne.
The
airlines’ largesse on foreign flights is an effort to
woo bread-and-butter customers who pay the bills, said Matthew
Bennett, editor of First Class Flyer, an Internet buying guide.
Facing
soaring fuel costs, plus tough domestic competition from low-cost
carriers such as Southwest and JetBlue, airlines are looking
to international routes for profits.
Although
airlines balk at providing statistics, sources suggest that
three-fourths of first-class international seats, versus about
half on domestic flights, are occupied by paying passengers
rather than those flying on upgrades.
Exceptional
dining, Bennett said, "peppers the overall experience and
helps justify the high cost" that first class fliers pay.
Dining
also provides entertainment on journeys that can last more than
18 hours. To that end, premium meal service can stretch well
over two hours.
On
Singapore, Boyd said, it typically opens with an on-ground welcome
drink, followed by another after takeoff, then a serving of
satay, a six-course meal with wine and, finally, handmade chocolates.
Each stage gives the crew a chance to make customers feel pampered,
he said.
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