Vietjet adds Hanoi-Hong Kong flights

Source: Vietjet. Passengers in a plane holding signs about Vietjet's new route connecting Hanoi and Hong Kong.

Vietjet, the 1st airline globally to operate the new Airbus A321neo ACF 240-seater, its 102nd aircraft, has launched its 5th international route. 

Passengers can now fly between Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, and Hong Kong. Vietjet's other international routes are Shanghai – Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc – Busan, Hanoi – Jakarta, and Hanoi – Siem Reap.

The thrice-weekly Hanoi – Hong Kong service, operating every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, increases Vietjet’s Vietnam – Hong Kong flight network to four direct services. From February 2024 onwards, the Ho Chi Minh City – Hong Kong, Da Nang – Hong Kong and Phu Quoc – Hong Kong routes become daily services.

To mark the new routes, Vietjet offers passengers the Real Deal to Vietnam and beyond with affordable airfares from S$80/one-way (including tax and fees) every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at www.vietjetair.com or via the Vietjet Air mobile app. Passengers on Vietjet will also receive complimentary Sky Care travel insurance and the opportunity to accumulate points for reward redemption with the Vietjet SkyJoy loyalty programme.

Qatar Airways, British Airways shared network now includes 42 new countries

Qatar Airways and British Airways have completed the latest phase in the expansion of their partnership, offering global connectivity between more countries than any other airline joint business.

The airlines have added 42 new countries to their shared network, including the Maldives and Singapore. Customers will now benefit from even greater choices in prices and schedules with options for direct flights as well as connections via hubs in London and Doha.

The expansion will enable seamless connecting journeys on single tickets through Doha and London, bringing the total number of destinations served by the two airlines to 185 across more than 60 countries. The complementary networks access dozens of countries that no other alliance or joint business provides. The partnership also ensures access to more cities around the world than ever before.

Additionally, customers will have more freedom to engage with both airlines’ loyalty programmes, earning and spending Avios, their common currency. Customers are able to seamlessly link their Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club accounts to transfer Avios between the two, and combine balances to claim rewards offered by each programme. The collaboration further offers access to both airlines’ exclusive lounges, and cabins to suit all budgets and needs, including British Airways’ new Club Suite and Qatar Airways’ Qsuite.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker said: “The growing collaboration between Qatar Airways and British Airways shows our customers our common goal to offer an unparalleled network with unique benefits. Travellers can now experience the best in quality and service as they travel across our joint network. The joint business between our airlines cements both Qatar Airways and British Airways as industry leaders, aiming to provide the utmost flexibility and unrivalled connectivity to our customers.”

Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO, British Airways said: “This is a huge milestone in our longstanding relationship with Qatar Airways, an airline that shares our passion for customer service, choice and flexibility.

“From idyllic holiday hotspots such as the Maldives and Thailand, to business hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong, we are pleased to open up the world as the travel industry continues to make steps towards its recovery.”

*Cooperation on a small number of routes remains subject to pending regulatory clearances.

Flying is safe: British Airways

Source: British Airways. Doyle.

In his first public appearance since being named British Airways' new CEO, Sean Doyle said the airline believes the risk to public health of flying is low after the industry body IATA suggested that since the start of 2020 there have been as few as 44 cases of COVID-19  linked to flights. Over the same period some 1.2 billion passengers have travelled.

Doyle gave the assurance during his keynote address at Airlines 2050: Beyond the Crisis, saying: "The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority, and we are taking every safety measure to keep our customers safe. This is a multifaceted approach and includes minimising contact, sanitising our aircraft from nose to tail and asking customers and crew to wear face masks at all times, unless they have a medical exemption. 

"In the cabin, air is completely replaced every 2 to 3 minutes, passing through HEPA filters which remove microscopic bacteria and virus clusters with over a 99.9 per cent efficiency, equivalent to hospital operating theatre standards." 

He also confirmed that British Airways does not believe quarantine is the long-term solution, saying: "We believe the best way to reassure people is to introduce a reliable and affordable test before flying."

Details:

Watch the video of Doyle's keynote.

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Vistajet offer Once in a Blue Moon experience

- Mid-Autumn Festival offer — bespoke Hong Kong flight experience with VistaJet and a curated in-flight menu by Executive Chinese Chef Wing-Keung Wong of Michelin-starred Man Wah at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

- Save up to US$5,000 on a future VistaJet flight

- Enjoy the Staycation by M.O. luxury suite package, VistaJet flight amenity gifts, a private culinary experience with Chef Wong and mooncakes at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. 

Source: Vistajet/Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. The living room of the Macau Suite at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company, announces a collaboration with Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong to launch a Once in a Blue Moon experience, inviting guests to dine with loved ones at 40,000 feet under the brightest moon of the year for an unforgettable Mid-Autumn Festival.

Available from September 15 to October 15 2020, the special offer includes a bespoke Hong Kong private jet experience where a gourmet menu will be served on board, curated by Executive Chinese Chef Wing-Keung Wong of Michelin-starred restaurant Man Wah at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Guests who book during this period will also save up to US$5,000 on a future VistaJet flight, valid until the end of the year*.

The exclusive in-flight menu highlights Chef Wong’s signature dishes, including his Wagyu beef Puffs with Black Pepper Sauce; Double-boiled Matsutake Mushroom with Fish Maw and Chicken broth; and Braised Fresh Crab Claw with Glass Vermicelli. The special menu is also available for lunch at The Krug Room, an exclusive private venue at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

In addition, the experience comes complete with a Staycation by M.O. suite package. It includes a stay in a luxury suite with a wide range of privileges, and an exclusive opportunity to have a private cooking class with Chef Wong. Guests will have access to recipes that date back to the Qing Dynasty from Wong, a third-generation chef.

“The experience is inspired by these extraordinary times that we are living in,” said Ian Moore, Chief Commercial Officer at VistaJet, who stressed that the airline is "here every step of the way" to ensure a seamless experience in the air and on the ground and that "safety, health and personalised moments are always our top priority.”

“We share the same service ethos by offering guests the finest experiences that define hospitality and travel, and we look forward to delivering moments of delight during this unprecedented period,” added Pierre Barthes, GM and Area VP, Operations of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

VistaJet is a global aviation company with a fleet of over 70 business jets. Customers have access to the entire fleet whilst paying only for the hours they fly, free of the responsibilities and asset risks linked to aircraft ownership. 

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is the epitome of contemporary luxury combined with Oriental heritage. The hotel’s rooms and suites offer magnificent views of Victoria Harbour and the city’s skyline. It hosts eight restaurants and bars, including two with Michelin Star status, a Shanghainese-inspired holistic spa, an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre. 

Details:

Book the Once in a Blue Moon experience

Chef Wong’s exclusive menu is available on flights departing Hong Kong between September 15 and October 15 2020. To experience the menu at The Krug Room within Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, please call +852 2522 0111 or email mohkg-restaurants@mohg.com.

A partial list of Once in a Blue Moon terms and conditions:

- The package must be reserved at least four days in advance.

- All travel is subject to applicable rules and regulations, including permits and permissions.

- The private cooking class with Chef Wong is subject to availability and costs HK$2,888 + 10% service charge per couple with a maximum of six people.

- Staycation by M.O. guests will receive a one-night stay in a City View Suite, take home VistaJet flight amenity gifts and mooncakes by Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. A higher suite category is an additional cost and subject to availability.

- Guests booking flights not included in the Once in a Blue Moon package can still save up to US$5,000 by booking their flight between September 15 and October 15, 2020.

- Chef Wong’s in-flight menu is available to the public and priced at HK$2,080 + 10% service charge per person at The Krug Room within Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Reservations require 72 hours in advance for a minimum of four guests and available Wednesday to Sunday for lunch only.

The Staycation by M.O. package includes the following:

- HK$1,288 dining or spa services credit per stay.

- Upgrade to the next room category upon check-in.

-  Daily breakfast for up to two adults.

- 24-hour flexible check-in and check-out.

- Welcome VIP amenity.

- Staycation experiences such as Tea Appreciation Class, Curated Hotel History Tour, Weekend Chocolate Master Class, Mixology Class and Flower Wreath Class.

- Complimentary Mercedes-Benz test drive for guests who book a two-night stay in a City View Room or higher room category.

- Enjoy 25% off on food at selected restaurants of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

- Additional benefits available when guests log into or join Fans of M.O.

*Offer available for on-demand flights. Flights and promotion are subject to terms and conditions.

Changi Airport Group to close Terminal 2 for 18 months

Source: CAG. Changi Airport.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced that in view of the steep decline in passenger traffic and the likelihood that air travel demand will not return to pre-COVID-19 levels in the near term, terminal operations at Changi Airport are to be consolidated. This will enable CAG and its airport partners to save on running costs such as utilities and cleaning as well as to optimise resources across the airport’s terminals.

From 1 May 2020, operations at Terminal 2 (T2) will be suspended for 18 months with airlines to be relocated to the remaining terminals*. This suspension of operations will allow for the current T2 expansion works to be accelerated with expected completion, currently scheduled for 2024, brought forward possibly by up to one year, CAG said. CAG is also in discussion with airport partners and concessionaires in T2 regarding options available to them.

Terminal 4 (T4) may also close, CAG said, if the remaining airlines at T4 choose to suspend or adjust their flight schedules, but with the objective of restarting quickly when airlines resume flights. At present, a small number of aircraft boarding gates are in use and shops close after the last flight for the day.

CAG has been in discussion with the concessionaires on assistance measures, and together with partners are identifying retraining and redeployment opportunities for airport staff to protect as many as jobs as possible.

Tan Lye Teck, CAG’s Executive VP, Airport Management said, “With airlines suspending flights in response to the sharply reduced travel demand, the consolidation efforts seek to help our airport partners during this difficult time. While the scale of our operations will be reduced in the near term, Changi Airport remains open to serve the airfreight and passenger flights that continue to operate. Even as our airport capacity is being optimised for the current situation, we will have the flexibility and we stand ready to ramp up operations quickly once the recovery takes place.”

*Details of airlines’ relocation to other terminals will be published on the Changi Airport website closer to 1 May 2020.

VistaJet World unveils year-end trips

VistaJet World aims to top every Christmas wishlist with a variety of ultra-exclusive and luxurious destinations.

Unconventional and unique trips for the Asia Pacific region include:

The Great Maharajas | India

Source: VistaJet. Enjoy India on the Maharajas trip.

Be hosted by the maharajas from palace to palace, resting overnight in luxury Taj Hotels properties throughout.

- Join the maharajas in their palaces

- Stay at Taj Hotels

- Exclusive access to Mehrangarh Fort

- Visit the Taj Mahal

- Go on safari at Ranthambore National Park

- Unwind at wellness retreat Vana Spa, where VistaJet members will receive bespoke benefits

Price: from US$295,000 (for a couple sharing accommodation)

Volcano Expedition | Vanuatu, South Pacific

Camp on the side of an active volcano with a team of experts. Peer down over the edge of The Son of Benbow and capture footage of a bubbling lava lake.

- Abseil over the edge of an active volcano to photograph a bubbling lava lake

- An extreme expedition, camping on the edge of the volcano

- Immersive experiences with local villages and the Ni-Vanuatu people

- ving experiences and water sports in the surrounding areas

Price: from US$275,000 (for a couple sharing accommodation)

VistaJet, the global private aviation company, launched VistaJet World in October. VistaJet World curates one-of-a-kind, multistop travel adventures tailored around its members’ passions. Customers have access the entire fleet whilst paying only for the hours they fly, free of the responsibilities and asset risks linked to aircraft ownership. VistaJet’s Program membership offers customers a bespoke subscription of flight hours on its fleet of mid- and long-range jets. 

Marriott announces security breach could affect up to 500 million guests

On November 30, Marriott announced that it is investigating a data security incident involving the Starwood guest reservation database.

The company has determined that there was unauthorised access to the database as of November 19, 2018. The database contains guest information relating to reservations at Starwood properties* on or before September 10, 2018. Starwood brands include: W Hotels, St Regis, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Element Hotels, Aloft Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, as well as Four Points by Sheraton and Design Hotels. Starwood branded timeshare properties are also included.

On September 8, 2018, Marriott received an alert from an internal security tool regarding an attempt to access the Starwood guest reservation database in the US. Marriott engaged security experts to help determine what occurred, and learned that there had been unauthorised access to the Starwood network since 2014. 

"The company recently discovered that an unauthorised party had copied and encrypted information, and took steps towards removing it. On November 19, 2018, Marriott was able to decrypt the information and determined that the contents were from the Starwood guest reservation database," Marriott said in a statement.

The company estimates that the encrypted information affects a maximum of 500 million guests who made a reservation at a Starwood property. "For approximately 327 million of these guests, the information includes some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date, and communication preferences. 

"For some, the information also includes payment card numbers and payment card expiration dates, but the payment card numbers were encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard encryption (AES-128). There are two components needed to decrypt the payment card numbers, and at this point, Marriott has not been able to rule out the possibility that both were taken. For the remaining guests, the information was limited to name and sometimes other data such as mailing address, email address, or other information," the company said.

“We deeply regret this incident happened,” said Arne Sorenson, Marriott’s President and CEO. “We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves. We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward.

“Today, Marriott is reaffirming our commitment to our guests around the world. We are working hard to ensure our guests have answers to questions about their personal information, with a dedicated website and call centre. We will also continue to support the efforts of law enforcement and to work with leading security experts to improve. Finally, we are devoting the resources necessary to phase out Starwood systems and accelerate the ongoing security enhancements to our network.”

Marriott reported this incident to law enforcement and continues to support their investigation. The company has already begun notifying regulatory authorities. Marriott has also taken the following steps to help guests monitor and protect their information:

Dedicated website and call centre
A dedicated website and call centre has been set up to answer questions about the incident. A set of frequently-asked questions on the site may be supplemented over time.

The call centre is open seven days a week and is available in multiple languages. There are numbers on the website available for Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the UAE. Call volume may be high, Marriott said.

Email notification
Marriott has been sending emails since November 30, 2018, to affected guests whose email addresses are in the Starwood guest reservation database.

Free WebWatcher enrollment
Marriott is providing guests the opportunity to enroll in WebWatcher free of charge for one year, but only in the US, UK and Canada. WebWatcher monitors Internet sites where personal information is shared and generates an alert to the consumer if evidence of the consumer’s personal information is found. Due to regulatory and other reasons, WebWatcher or similar products are not available in all countries, Marriott explained.

"Don't Google WebWatcher," said John Shier, Senior Security Advisor, Sophos, warning that hackers will already be capitalising on the incident. "If you Google 'WebWatcher' you won't find the monitoring service, you'll find lots of links to spyware of the same name. Don't sign up for that. Do follow the links to country-specific versions of the official breach site. You cannot sign up for monitoring from the main breach page, you have to go to the all-but-identical versions of the page for the US, UK or Canada."

"The potential fallout from the Marriott’s Starwood data breach should be alarming to anyone who has stayed at a Starwood property in the last four years. Not only are guests at risk for opportunistic phishing attacks, but targeted phishing emails are almost certain, as well as phone scams and potential financial fraud. 

"Unlike previous breaches, this attack also included passport numbers for some individuals who are now at increased risk for identity theft. At this point, however, it's unclear what level of exposure each individual victim has been subject to. Until then, all potential victims should assume the worst and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from all manner of scams," he added.

Victims should be on alert for spearphishing, Shier noted. "This creates the perfect scenario for cybercriminals to actually spearphish consumers because they have this type of detailed information," he said.

And while Marriott has said it will email Starwood Preferred Guests who may be impacted, he said that recipients should not click on links in emails or other communication that seem to have come from Marriott or Starwood hotels. "It’s possible that criminals will try to take advantage of this by sending malicious tweets or phishing emails that look like they’ve come from the company. Hover over URLs and links to see the address before you click. Look at the email address to see where it is from," he advised.

Credit cards should be monitored for suspicious activity as well. "As a safety precaution, change the password to your online credit card account. If you use the same password for similar financial management websites, immediately change the password on those websites. As a best security practice, always choose a different, strong password for each sensitive account," he said.

He also suggested changing passwords to Starwood Preferred Guest accounts.

Emirates launches sale

Source: Emirates. Plane in Emirates livery.

Emirates has launched special fares to over 70 destinations for those who can book their flights by 20 August 2018, for travel between 1 September 2018 and 31 March 2019.

Economy Class passengers can enjoy fares to Beirut, Lebanon starting at AED945, Mumbai, India starting at AED995, and Bangkok, Thailand from AED2,345. Business Class fares to the three destinations are AED5,245, AED2,795, and AED9,795 respectively.

Travellers can also book with Emirates Holidays and enjoy a five-star holiday experience for an additional spend starting at AED300 per person for Economy Class passengers and AED500 per person for Business Class passengers, exclusive of the airfare.

Passengers on Emirates flights can enjoy the airline’s in-flight entertainment system with up to 3,500 channels and up to 20MB complimentary on-board WiFi, as well as regionally inspired meals prepared by award-winning chefs.

Details:

Book via www.emirates.ae, travel agents or through the local Emirates sales office. Terms & conditions apply.

Emirates refreshes premium offerings in First and Business Class

Emirates has announced new luxury products in First and Business Class stemming from collaborations with BYREDO skincare, Bowers & Wilkins and Emirates’ longstanding partner Bulgari. 

Source: Emirates. The BYREDO for Emirates Wellness kit.

BYREDO for Emirates Wellness kit

The BYREDO travel wellness range of skincare is placed in Emirates First Class private suites. The allergen-free and Chamomile collections were exclusively created for Emirates. The collection by BYREDO was first introduced in Emirates’ new fully enclosed suites on the Boeing 777 last year and is now being rolled out across the fleet. 

The BYREDO for Emirates Wellness kit contains:

 
Cleansing face towelette
Facial toner 

Eye cream 
Chamomile roll-on sleep oil - this is applied on pulse points to ease into relaxation.
Chamomile pillow mist spray 

The kits are paired with a faux leather notebook and branded pen.

Bowers & Wilkins Active Noise Cancelling E1 headphones

The airline is also rolling out new Bowers & Wilkins Active Noise Cancelling E1 headphones in First Class. These headphones are created exclusively for Emirates using hybrid noise cancellation technology optimised for Emirates First Class cabins.

The headphones are lightweight and made of materials such as aluminium and sheepskin leather. Customers can use the headphones to view up to 3,500 channels of on-demand entertainment on a 32" TV screen. The entertainment selection on Emirates' ice platform across all classes includes up to 950 movies, 400 TV channels and 2,400 music and podcast channels. The headphones’ sound quality can also be tested on The Bowers & Wilkins Superior Sound playlist, a selection of tracks from ice selected for their acoustic excellence.

Bulgari amenity kits

The new kits for both First and Business Class feature Bulgari’s fragrance – Eau Parfumée Au Thé Vert (green tea) - and contain skincare essentials. 

The First Class kit bags, made from faux leather, come in eight designs with a new range of colours for men and women. Eight additional designs are available in Business Class – four for men and four for women. The amenity kits are available on long-haul overnight flights and designs are refreshed every nine months. The bags have been designed to be reused, and can easily store headphones, makeup or jewellery.

In addition to the Bulgari amenity kits, First Class customers will also be given Hydra Active moisturising sleep suits on long haul overnight flights.

Emirates’ premium onboard experience is complemented by on the ground with 42 dedicated Emirates Lounges located within major airports around the globe. First and Business Class passengers can also travel to and from the airport via Emirates’ complimentary chauffeur-driven service, available in over 70 cities.

Explore:

Fans of the First Class experience can purchase the Emirates sleep suits, First Class blanket or the Bowers & Wilkins PX headphones from the Emirates Official Stores.

Emirates and flydubai to have the same frequent flyer programme

Source: Emirates. Emirates Skywards replaces flydubai's OPEN frequent flyer programme.

Emirates Skywards has replaced flydubai’s frequent flyer programme, OPEN, officially becoming the loyalty programme of both Emirates and flydubai airlines. The alignment of the loyalty programme for both airlines builds on Emirates and flydubai’s close partnership which includes code-sharing on an extended global route network and several initiatives including commercial, network planning, and airport operations.

Emirates Skywards members can now earn Skywards miles and tier miles when travelling on both airlines. Members can also spend Skywards miles or a combination of cash and miles to book flydubai flights*, as well as to pay for optional extras such as pre-ordered meals and extra legroom seats. Former OPEN members can enrol on Emirates Skywards to continue earning miles on flydubai.

When travelling on flydubai, Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members will be able to get select benefits regardless of their class of travel, including extra baggage allowances and priority check-in at flydubai’s Business Class counters. New Emirates Skywards members will also receive a first flight bonus when they take their first Emirates or flydubai flight within six months of joining.

“We are pleased to announce the expansion of our loyalty programme to now include two airlines - Emirates airline and flydubai. The strategic move will bring even more benefits to our members giving them opportunities to earn and spend miles on an extended global route network, as well as select privileges on both airlines,” said Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Senior VP, Emirates Skywards.

“We’re bringing together the customers of both airlines under one programme, rewarding their loyalty as they take advantage of the Emirates and flydubai partnership,” said Nahed Al Kheily, VP, Ancillary Revenue.

Explore:

Emirates Skywards members can use the flydubai Miles Calculator tool to check how many miles they will earn for each fare type of their chosen flight.

The Emirates Skywards programme has been enhanced recently with UAE partnerships including with Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) to launch the Emirates Skywards DIB credit cards and with Emaar Malls to earn Skywards miles on purchases made at The Dubai Mall.

*All flights operated and marketed by flydubai (with FZ flight number)

Emirates offers attractive packages for Dubai stopovers

Source: Emirates. Dubai skyline, with the Burj Khalifa on the right.

Attractive packages to Dubai are available by flying with Emirates. Upon booking, passengers can take advantage of exclusive rates at leading hotels, as well as entertainment at the city’s shows and attractions*.

Customers can experience Dubai starting at US$49 a night, applicable to two guests per room, at Rove Dubai Marina in the city’s waterfront district. The package also includes two complimentary tickets to visit Dubai Parks and Resorts – the largest integrated theme park destination in the region, featuring MOTIONGATE Dubai, BOLLYWOOD PARKS Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Water Park.

Hotels under the promotion in central Dubai include Rove Downtown, Manzil Downtown and Address Downtown. Rove Downtown has a US$99 a night package for two guests with each receiving a complimentary Virtual Reality Park ticket to Dubai’s brand new virtual reality theme park located at Dubai Mall.

The Manzil Downtown US$149 a night package for two guests per room, includes two complimentary tickets to La Perle – the city’s theatrical showcase, which delivers an interactive experience around Dubai’s past, present and future.

Packages for the Address Downtown are priced at US$199 a night for two guests, inclusive of complimentary tickets to visit At The Top, Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building.

Details:

Booking an Emirates flight online, through a travel agent or local Emirates Sales Office, and choose the preferred offer. Packages must be booked online at least 24 hours prior to arrival and passengers are requested to present their Emirates ticket at the hotel check-in.

The offer is valid for any Emirates booking made till 29 September 2018 and for hotel stays between now and 30 September, 2018.

*Local terms and conditions apply

Explore Emirates planes in 3D

Source: Emirates. Emirates pioneers VR experience on its

website.

Emirates has introduced 3D seat models on emirates.com, becoming the first airline to introduce web virtual reality (VR) technology on its digital platform.

The 3D seat model is a visualisation engine that displays a 3D 360-degree view of the interior of the Emirates A380 and the Emirates Boeing 777, giving customers a chance to explore their seats, the  cabin and the Emirates onboard product across the Economy, Business and First Class cabins, as well as the onboard lounge and shower spa on the Emirates A380.

Alex Knigge, Emirates’ Senior VP, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand (Digital), said: “As we continually invest to provide our customers with an unmatched travel experience onboard and on the ground, we also work very hard to give our customers a world-class digital experience. We are pleased to be the world’s first airline to introduce this cutting-edge web VR technology, which offers our customers an immersive opportunity to learn more about the fantastic Emirates experience before they step on board. In our usability tests with customers, we found that they particularly appreciated the 3D seat and cabin models when selecting their seats.”

The 3D-generated graphics offer a look and feel that is close to reality, Emirates said. The immersive experience is now available for the three-class Emirates A380 but will soon include renderings of Emirates’ entire fleet including all configurations of the A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

The 3D 360 degree views of the cabins also feature a virtual reality element for a more immersive experience. Users can enjoy hands-free cabin navigation and seat selection by using any VR headset like Google Cardboard. The 3D seat models were created in partnership with Renacen.

Customers accessing emirates.com via their mobile devices or the Emirates app for iOS and Android will also be able to explore their seats before checking in online with the 3D seat map. The tool allows customers to navigate from one seat to another, and even allows would-be customers to book their preferred seats from within the 3D environment.

Emirates will continue to conduct frequent usability studies with customers and frequent flyers in different geographies to identify further opportunities to enhance its digital user experience.

Explore:

Try out the 3D experience

Browse new product videos that show the end-to-end travel experience across all cabins.

Etihad enhances chauffeur services in the UAE

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has implemented new features enhancing its chauffeur services in the UAE.

Effective immediately, customers will be able to book and manage Etihad’s chauffeur services directly through the airline’s upgraded mobile-optimised website without having to call Etihad’s contact centre or a travel agent.

Customers can now book and confirm their chauffeur service up to 12 hours prior to their flight’s departure. The new system, created in partnership with Vxceed Technologies, also allows guests to amend or cancel their chauffeur booking, thereby giving them greater control of their travel requirements.

The new features will enable customers to receive SMS and e-mail confirmation for their scheduled pick-up. Moreover, customers can also connect with their chauffeur prior to being collected.

Jamal Ahmad Al Awadhi, Etihad Airways Head of Guest Experience Commercial, said: “This new service enhancement provides a seamless transportation experience for our guests, and enables them to be in direct contact with their chauffeur at all times.

“It is important that our renowned Etihad experience exists across the entire customer journey, from home to the airport, from the gate to the aircraft, and then upon arrival at their destination.”

The optimised chauffeur service, operated with Mercedes-Benz E-Class luxury sedans, will facilitate timely pick-up and drop-off for customers, and enable them to provide their live feedback after each trip, helping to always ensure the highest level of service in line with customers’ needs.

Future system enhancements will enable Etihad Guest members to use their miles to book a private transfer for themselves within the UAE, irrespective of which cabin class they are travelling in.

Etihad Airways has a strategic partnership with Mercedes-Benz which allows the German-made luxury vehicles to be used for all the airline’s eligible premium customer transfers within the UAE. Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles chauffeur Etihad Airways’ First Class guests airside from gate to aircraft and vice versa, if the aircraft is at a remote stand at Abu Dhabi International Airport. A fleet of premier Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles chauffeurs all land-side transfers between the airport and the customer’s pick up and drop off points in the UAE.

Emirates launches the only year-round non-stop flight between Bali and Auckland

- New service is only year-round non-stop flight between Bali, Indonesia and Auckland, New Zealand

- Flight will meet increased demand between Emirates global network and Bali, and provide a new connectivity option for visitors to New Zealand

- First Emirates service to Bali featuring First Class

Emirates has launched a new daily service from Dubai, UAE to Auckland via Bali, reflecting increased interest in the Indonesian island destination and improving connectivity to New Zealand.

The new service offers global travellers a total of three daily services to New Zealand, complementing Emirates’ existing non-stop daily A380 service between Dubai and Auckland and its current daily A380 service between Dubai and Christchurch, New Zealand via Sydney, Australia. Travellers will now also enjoy a choice of three daily services between Dubai to Bali in the summer (northern hemisphere)*, as the new flight adds to Emirates’ two existing daily services which are currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a two-class configuration.

Source: Emirates. Flight EK450 was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute on its first arrival in Auckland.

Emirates’ new Dubai-Bali-Auckland flight provides the only year-round non-stop daily service between Auckland and Bali, giving passengers an opportunity to visit and/or stop over in one of the most popular islands in Indonesia. The airline is operating a 777-300ER on the route, offering eight seats in First, 42 seats in Business and 304 seats in Economy class, as well as 20 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity. The new service will also be the first Emirates Bali flight to offer passengers the airline’s First Class product.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “We are very pleased to see the interest this new route has created since it was announced in mid-February, reflected in strong bookings from Auckland to Bali and beyond, as well as southbound from our global network. Markets such as the UK, Europe and the Middle East have all responded keenly to the new option provided by us opening up this route. Bali and Auckland are both desirable destinations in the eyes of our customers.”

Oman Air begins new route from Muscat to Istanbul

Oman Air, the national carrier of the sultanate of Oman, has begun a new daily flight from Muscat to the Turkish city of Istanbul. The inaugural flight, WY163, departed Muscat International Airport at 8.10 pm on June 1 after a cake-cutting ceremony at Oman Air’s exclusive First and Business class check-in lounge. 

Source: Oman Air. A Boeing 737-800 in Oman Air livery.

The new route will be operated with a Boeing 737-800 and has a flight time of 5 hours and 25 minutes. Flight WY163 will arrive at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport at 12.25 am the next day. The return flight, WY164, will depart Istanbul each day at 1.25 am, arriving in Muscat at 7.25 am.

The new route between Oman and Turkey will strengthen the existing vibrant bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Oman Air is currently undergoing a fleet and network expansion programme which will see the airline operate up to 66 aircraft to 60 destinations by 2022.

Gulf Air announces summer 2018 schedule

Source: Gulf Air. Plane in Gulf Air livery.

Gulf Air, the kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, has rolled out its 2018 Summer Schedule, increasing capacity and flights to and from several popular destinations during the upcoming peak travel period between mid-June and mid-September 2018.

Gulf Air flights to the Jordanian capital Amman will increase to triple daily, while flights to the Lebanese capital Beirut will increase to double daily. The popular summer destination of Istanbul in Turkey will be served with 12 weekly flights during the peak summer period while flights to Baghdad in Iraq are now permanently increased to a five-weekly service. Additionally, the airline’s flights to Multan in Pakistan have already increased to five weekly. 

Regionally, the airline’s upcoming network expansion will see it launch five weekly flights to Abha and Tabuk in KSA from 15 June. In India, Gulf Air has expanded to include daily flights to Bangalore from 1 May and seven flights weekly to Calicut from 15 June. Alongside this, the airline will offer five weekly flights to Baku in Azerbaijan from 12 June.

Gulf Air CEO Krešimir Kučko commented, “Not only will our upcoming network additions better connect our valued passengers to the places and people that matter the most, our Summer 2018 Schedule will see us increase flights to several popular destinations during the peak summer travel period between mid-June and mid-September 2018. The frequency and capacity increases that Gulf Air will implement in the coming months are in response to the demand on these key routes. 

"Gulf Air’s summer schedule provides greater choice of flights and greater capacity to carry more passengers during the busy summer holiday period. This will also serve to strengthen the kingdom of Bahrain’s strategic business and tourism links and facilitate enhanced connectivity for passengers travelling across the Gulf Air network, to and from Bahrain.”

In 2018, Gulf Air’s network will serve 49 cities in 26 countries.

The Be a Changi Millionaire shopping promotion is back!

Source: Changi Airport Group. Changi Airport’s annual
shopping promotion Be a Changi Millionaire is back to
reward shoppers with attractive prizes.

The 9th Be a Changi Millionaire anchor shopping promotion has begun, accompanied by rainbows, four-leaf clovers, “eighty-eight” butterflies and other symbols of luck around the terminals.

With official car partner Jaguar and official mobile payment partner Alipay, Changi Airport’s annual Be a Changi Millionaire shopping promotion is Singapore’s largest prize in any retail promotion.

Running for six months from 4 May, every qualifying spend of S$50 will give shoppers a shot at winning either of the two grand prizes - S$1 million cash or the new Jaguar E-PACE luxury compact performance SUV. 

Changi Rewards Platinum card members, those who make a purchase on iShopChangi – Changi Airport’s online shopping portal – or use Alipay to make their payment will see their chances of winning  doubled. The qualifying spend also gives the shopper a chance to win instant prizes in the form of shopping vouchers from iShopChangi or Changi Airport’s retail outlets. The shopper simply "catches" a lucky charm on the event microsite to reveal the prize. Non-shoppers can also participate in a free-to-play game on the event microsite to snag a prize from iShopChangi.

“Each year, we introduce fresh elements to the Be a Changi Millionaire retail promotion and make dining and shopping here a positively surprising and extra rewarding experience for all passengers and visitors. Working together with our partners, retailers and brands, this flagship event will continue to reinforce Changi Airport as an exciting shopping destination,” said Lim Peck Hoon, Executive VP, Commercial, Changi Airport Group.

The campaign attracted over 1.5 million entries from participants globally last year. Since its launch, eight Changi Airport shoppers have realised their million-dollar dreams – including Singaporeans Ivan Rantung (2010) and Peh Hock Peng (2012), Australian Jessica Down (2011), Indonesians Irvung Tio (2013), Ade Iskandar (2016) and Oddie Rehatta (2017), Irish Linda Tobin (2015) and Japanese Seiichiro Oiyama (2014). In the 2017 edition, Zhang Xuchao from China became the first winner of a brand-new luxury sedan.

Details: 

Shoppers only need to spend a minimum of S$50 in a single receipt* between 4 May and 31 October 2018 to qualify for the lucky draw. One finalist will be picked each month to go into the Grand Draw, bringing the shopper one step closer to becoming a Changi Millionaire. A 7th finalist will be picked from qualifying shoppers on iShopChangi and an 8th finalist will be drawn from the Platinum members of the Changi Rewards loyalty programme.

Shoppers who make purchases of more than S$500 in accumulated spend in a single day will get a chance to win the new Jaguar E-PACE. Six monthly finalists will be selected to enter the draw for a chance to drive away the luxury SUV that combines good looks, practicality and high performance.

A total of 14 finalists will battle it out for the two big-ticket prizes in the final face-off of the popular shopping campaign in front of a live audience come early 2019.

*On iShopChangi.com or participating retailing and dining outlets in Changi Airport; except money changing facilities, top-up cash card machines, postal services, medical clinics, airline lounges, push-carts, temporary outposts and Crowne Plaza Hotel

Oman Air debuts premium lounge at new Muscat airport

Source: Oman Air. The new premium lounge at Muscat International Airport.

Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, has opened a new premium lounge at Muscat International Airport. 

Oman Air passengers travelling in First Class and Business Class are eligible to use lounge facilities, which are inspired by the unique terrain found in Oman. The lounge reflects the natural beauty of the desert and the rugged landscape of the mountains. Mashrabiya (مشربية), the traditional windows screened by ornate latticework that are a traditional element of Arabic architecture, has been used to provide privacy in communal areas and add to the fluidity of the space.

Spread over two storeys, the lounge offers guests food and beverage services including dining areas and bars, a luggage room, entertainment area, a smoking room, prayer rooms, business centre, kids’ room, nap area, shower facilities, baby-changing facilities and a wellness area.

Covering 429.35 sq m with an overall capacity of 100 people, the area designated for First Class guests offers premium services including a personal chef, limousine service from the lounge to the aircraft and relaxation rooms. The Business Class area is 2,313.92 sq m and can accommodate 516.

All First Class and Business Class international guests travelling with Oman Air to Muscat International airport are also invited to enjoy the arrival lounge, which has semi-public spaces with plenty of light. 

The arrival lounge, on the mezzanine floor at the arrival side of the airport, is 237 sq m and has 90 seats. The service enables passengers travelling on short flights to freshen up after their flight, have some food or catch up on some sleep.

Emirates introduces Home Check-in service

Source: Emirates. The Home Check-in service uses a new fleet of vans and underwent extensive tests since October last year.

Emirates has introduced Home Check-in, which allows customers to check in for their flights from anywhere in Dubai, UAE. The service is available for customers across all classes travelling on Emirates flights, and is part of the Emirates’ ongoing commitment to provide world class products and services for a more convenient travel experience.

The new service enables Emirates passengers to complete the security check and check-in from the comfort of their home, hotel or office and have their luggage transported to the airport prior to their flight. An Emirates check-in agent will arrive at the preferred location to weigh and tag the bags as well as check-in the customers and issue boarding passes. Customers can then make their own way to the airport and head directly to immigration, bypassing the check-in desks at the airport.

Emirates Home Check-in is operated with a new fleet of vans. The service is available for AED350 per trip for up to seven pieces of luggage. Each additional piece of luggage will cost AED35. Customers can book the service on emirates.com up to 12 hours before flight departure time. The service seals each bag and stores them in a separate hold in the van. 

The new Home Check-in offering complements other luggage handling services already available for Emirates flights in Dubai. For a seamless travel experience, customers can pay for a concierge service to handle their luggage at the airport, enjoy preferred rates for prepaid excess baggage, and bag wraps to protect their luggage.

For passengers arriving in Dubai, there is a luggage storage facility for those who wish to leave their bags and explore the city. Emirates also offers a Home Delivery service where luggage is retrieved, cleared at customs and delivered to customers.

Etihad adds healthier menu options

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has collaborated with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, to introduce Weqaya, a range of healthy food items, on board its flights and in its lounges in Abu Dhabi.

Weqaya (وقاية), meaning prevention in Arabic, is a programme established by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi with the aim of encouraging people to eat a healthy and balanced diet to promote good health and wellbeing.

Etihad Airways has begun to offer a number of Weqaya dishes on menus in First and Business Class long-haul and ultra-long haul outbound flights from Abu Dhabi, and First and Business Class lounges in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Executive Vice President Commercial, Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad consistently engages with its guests to better understand their needs, and then delivers products and services that exceeds their expectations. The addition of Weqaya menu items further enhances our food and beverage (F&B) offering, and is a testimony to our airline’s commitment to continue to provide premium products to our guests.”

Linda Celestino, VP, Guest Experience & Delivery, added: “As the first airline in the region to achieve Weqaya status, we are both honoured and excited to promote health and wellness not just in Abu Dhabi, but also onboard our flights.”

Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, Director of Public Health Division, said: "We are working at the Department of Health to increase the availability of healthy food options and promote a culture that embraces healthy eating among all groups in the society across the emirate. Cooperation with Etihad Airways is a demonstration that following a healthy lifestyle is our ultimate goal and our efforts towards 'a healthier Abu Dhabi' knows no boundaries or distances.”

Al Hajeri added: “Our cooperation with Etihad Airways is growing stronger by opening new prospects for broadening our collaboration horizons. Last year we worked together on the implementation of Weqaya Food Specifications, in Etihad Airways restaurants and cafes. With the announcement of healthy meal options being offered on Etihad Airways flights, we take a step closer together towards the wellness and health of our community.”

Explore:

Apply to become a Weqaya healthy food provider