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Troubles continue for BA

The British Airways flight schedule out of Heathrow has been reinstated after last week's chaos, but in-flight catering is still not back to normal.

The carrier is warning passengers to eat before they arrive at Heathrow Airport because ongoing strike action taken by staff of in-flight caterers, Gate Gourmet, means many flights leaving and arriving at the airport carry little or no refreshments.

Business Traveller has been inundated with reports from readers who have been affected. Tony Mather, an executive from BOC, flew to Hong Kong in business class this week. He was given a £40 voucher to spend on food at Heathrow. Once onboard he was upgraded to First Class, but offered only water, tea and coffee for the 13-hour flight. He told businesstraveller.com: "The cabin crew were just at a loss as to what to do. They were helpful and charming but had no trolleys to push and meals or drinks to distribute."

James Pearce, managing director of Gold Key Media Limited was also caught up in the chaos. He was lucky enough to be booked on one of the first BA flights that left Heathrow on Friday evening after the strikes and got a snack pack and water to take on-board in the absence of in-flight catering. However, his family returning on Monday from Nice were given 10 Euro vouchers to buy food at Nice airport. All savoury food had run out due to high demand, so they spent their vouchers on sweets. Business Traveller's own reporter Felicity Cousins, flew from Berlin to Heathrow with BA on Sunday received a bag containing an apple, chocolate bar, pretzels, juice carton and bottle of water, but there were no further refreshments on board – and no tea or coffee.

A further problem was encountered by BA business class passengers this week, who were given food vouchers of up to £35 to spend at the airport before boarding the flight, but when they went to Pret A Manger to spend the vouchers, the food outlet had closed for 45 minutes because it was restocking following high demand from passengers.

Other airlines affected by last week's strike action included Qantas and Finnair, but both have confirmed that they are unaffected by the Gate Gourmet strikes and are currently offering full in-flight catering on flights in and out of Heathrow.

Report by Ginny McGrath


Trains adopt low cost airline pricing

Two of Britain's leading train companies, Virgin Trains and GNER, are poised to make the biggest changes to their excursion rail fares seen in years. Both are adopting budget airline style pricing which will see the present range of complex and restrictive tariffs simplified with tickets bookable much closer to departure. Out go those irksome restrictions such as compulsory advance booking and Saturday night stays to be replaced by simple one-way fares with the price you pay depending on when you travel and how far ahead you book.

Says a Virgin Trains spokesman: "It's correct. We are falling in line with airline practice. So rather than passengers having to book 14, seven or three days ahead it will now be possible to book up until 6pm on the day before travel. The idea is to offer passengers more flexibility and to fill seats which would otherwise be empty." Tickets, both for first and standard class, are bookable on a one-way basis. Passengers will be able to combine class and fare types.

Adds GNER: "If a passenger travelling from Leeds to London has to travel south at a busy time but return off-peak, he or she can travel for less by opting for a quieter train for the return."

Existing "walk-up" fares will continue but, as at present, these will be several times more expensive. The train firms say that passengers will still have to book well ahead to get the cheaper prices. But it now means that impulse travellers and those passengers travelling on business will find it much easier to get a good deal.

Prices are not yet available. GNER's new fares take effect from September 26. Virgin plans to follow soon after. For more information go to GNER and Virgintrains.

Report by Alex McWhirter


Improved sites for Easyjet and SIA

Easyjet has today launched a revamped version of its website that is clearer and easier to use, and a bit less orange.

The website is sales-orientated with clearly labelled large tabs along the top that encourage customers to book extras such as hotels, car hire, airport transfers and airport car parking, when they book an Easyjet flight. In addition, the website is easier to use, with a cleaner homepage with links to functions that allow users to change existing bookings, make group bookings, check timetables and pick up destination information.

The homepage is also used to highlight new and existing routes, showing daily frequencies and starting fares. The website also continues to show the full range of fares available on various services offered on the requested day or travel and a day either side, so customers can save money if their departure times are flexible.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has also unveiled a revamped website, which is one of the best offered by any Asian carrier. Out go the complex graphics and slow-functioning pages in favour of a cleaner, minimalist look with speedier responses.

One of the most important features is where SIA's flights (both point-to-point and connecting services) are simply priced and displayed for five days either side of your requested date. In this respect, SIA has fallen in line with the user-friendly displays offered by Europe's KLM[/b], Air France[/b]) and the afore-mentioned Easyjet website. It enables passengers to choose the best date and price combination for their needs. Also, one useful function (where you can return to the home page by clicking on the SIA logo) isn't highlighted.

Minus points? You can't discover the total price unless you continue to "Passenger Details." Go to SIA UK site.

Report by Ginny McGrath and Alex McWhirter


Free internet next battleground for hotels

Free broadband internet access is being offered by an increasing number of hotel chains in a bid to woo business travellers. The latest hotel group to offer free broadband is Radisson SAS, which is rolling out the initiative as part of its E@syConnect service across hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It will be available in most hotels by September 1.

Guests can use wired or wireless internet access free-of-charge in bedrooms, public area and meeting rooms. The group completed installation of wireless hotspots in most of its hotels at the start of 2005. Kurt Ritter, president and chief executive of Radisson SAS parent company, Rezidor SAS Hospitality, said: "Free broadband as a service is what guests want from hotels today."

The brand's nine UK properties in Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Stansted, Limavady, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow. For more information go to Free Broadband @ Radisson SAS.

Other hotel groups that offer free internet include Malmaison, which has wireless internet in the lobby and bar areas of its UK hotels and a broadband dataport connection in the rooms.

W hotels, the trendy boutique brand from Starwood also offers free wireless internet access in its public areas, and Staybridge Suites, the new long-stay hotel offering being launched by InterContinental Hotels in 2006, also plans to offer free broadband internet in its rooms.

Report by Ginny McGrath


AA to boost business class (WOO HOO )

American Airlines is making its business class seats more comfortable for passengers wanting to catch up on sleep.

The carrier is introducing lie-flat style seats to business class from next year. The seats will debut on AA's Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which operate on transatlantic flights from Dublin, Manchester and Glasgow and some flights from London Gatwick. Passengers flying in business with AA from London Heathrow and most Gatwick services will have to wait until 2007 to try the seats on the carrier's Boeing 777 fleet.

The lie-flat style seats are described as such because the seat does not recline to a completely flat bed, instead the head and torso of the passenger remains slightly raised. The seats are more comfortable and adjustable with more space for working, plus they are accompanied by improved in-flight entertainment.

Currently the only airlines operating truly lie flat seats in business class are British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, South African Airways, Jet Airways, and from November, Air New Zealand.

In First Class cabins, AA is extending the availability of its Flagship Suites to 20 more aircraft in its Boeing 777 fleet. This will take place over the next two. The seats can be swivelled into different positions and convert to a fully-flat bed. The intention is for passengers to experience the same product every time they fly on the 777 aircraft.

Report by Ginny McGrath and Alex McWhirter


Easyjet eyes Geneva

Easyjet is boosting flights from UK regional airports to Geneva. The low cost carrier is launching flights from Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield, Edinburgh and Glasgow from December. The services are being billed as "ski routes" but are likely to be popular with business travellers as well as leisure travellers headed for the slopes.

The Geneva flight from Doncaster Sheffield is Easyjet's debut at the airport. It will operate daily from December 15, with an evening departure at 7.40pm every day except Sunday when the flight leaves at 9.35am. The return flight will leave Geneva at 6.20pm (except Sunday, which leaves at 8.15am). The operators of Doncaster Sheffield airport hope the Geneva flight will be the first of a raft of Easyjet flights launching from the airport.

The Geneva flight from Edinburgh will also be offered daily from December 15, with flights leaving Scotland at 14.40pm daily and return flights from Geneva leaving at 12.55pm (add ten minutes to both times for Sunday departures). The Glasgow flight will be less useful for business travellers as it will operate only on a Saturday, from December 17.

Fares start at £55 return including taxes on all three routes. For more information go to Easyjet website.

Report by Ginny McGrath

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Class divide

SAS will offer one-way fares in all three classes from September 1, giving business travellers the chance to travel in one class and back in another.
Passengers can choose between three classes – Economy for the lowest fares, Economy Flex for those who need more flexibility, and Business Class for passengers who want extra in-flight comfort.

"Anyone who travels on business knows when a meeting is due to start, but often does not know when a meeting will end and needs the flexibility to be able to change travel arrangements," said Lars-Ove Filipson, general manager for SAS UK and Ireland.

"Our new pricing structure gives travellers the opportunity to combine low Economy fares one way with the flexibility of Economy Flex or Business Class, therefore giving choice and flexibility to the business traveller," he said. The new fare structure is available on all routes except for intercontinental services.

In addition, the airline has lifted restrictions on tickets such as minimum or maximum stay requirements and advance purchase conditions. Specifically targeting the UK traveller, it has also lowered fares so that adult one-way fares start from just £45, including taxes, from UK to Scandinavia destinations.

The airline flies from 10 UK airports to the Nordic countries, with connections to the Baltics, rest of Europe, US. and the Far East.


New business airline confident of September launch

All-premium class airline, Eos, is insisting it is still on schedule to launch flights at the end of September between London Stansted and New York JFK.
Eos has recently received its 'show cause order' from the US Transportation Department, tentatively approving the airline's certification, and is currently waiting for the FAA approval that will allow it to start flying.

A spokeswoman said this would be achieved in the next week or so and flights will launch at the end of September as planned. The privately-owned airline is promising each passenger 21 square feet in space by offering only 48 seats in a Boeing 757 aircraft which can seat up to 200.

David Spurlock, founder and CEO of Eos and former director of strategic development for British Airways, said: "We've designed every aspect of the Eos experience specifically with the business traveller in mind. We recognise that time in the air could be better spent relaxing and reviving for an upcoming business trip or to accomplish work along the way in privacy." Each ergonomically designed seat, with a privacy shell, is over 21 inches wide when upright and 24 inches wide when fully reclined to a six foot five-inch bed. All 24 window seats have a direct path to the aisle.

Founded in March 2003, Eos is named after the Greek goddess of the Dawn.
The company has raised $87 million in equity and approximately $100 million in lease financing.


Hyatt unveils a fourth brand

Hyatt Place has been revealed as the name for Global Hyatt Corp's new limited service brand being rolled out after the group's purchase of the AmeriSuites hotel chain in January. The group is investing more than $150 million on renovation and a marketing campaign for the brand, which will sit alongside its existing three brands – Park, Grand and Regency.

Hyatt is currently building a prototype Hyatt Place which will form the basis of the retrofit of the existing AmeriSuites hotels. Renovation and repositioning of AmeriSuites hotels is due to start at the end of 2005 and be completed in late 2006. No specific details have been revealed at this stage, but a spokeswoman said the Hyatt Place hotels would offer luxury limited service suites with kitchens. "Each one will have a restaurant, but there will not be room service," she said.

The 143 AmeriSuites, all in the US, currently have in-room microwaves and refrigerators, high-speed internet access, complimentary hot breakfast daily, fitness centres and pools, business centres and meeting rooms. Hyatt intends to expand the brand inside and outside of the US.


American menus get the Texan touch

American Airlines has enlisted the help of award-winning chefs to devise new menus for business and first class passengers on transatlantic flights.

From September 1, flights from the US to Europe will feature typical American cuisine inspired by Dallas-based chef Stephan Pyles. Pyles is known as the founding father of 'Southwestern' and 'New Texas' cuisine and is the only chef from Dallas to be inducted into The James Beard Foundation's Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America.

New business class main courses include cowboy steak with red chili onions and corn-bean ragout, lamb shank with an ale tomato sauce, chicken Madeira, or pumpkin ravioli with sage cream sauce. In developing the menu, the airline also took advice from its flight attendants who gave first-hand experience of international passengers' likes and dislikes.

Menus on flights from Europe to the US were updated earlier this summer and now feature dishes created from European ingredients and recipes put together by top European chefs.

Earlier this month, American announced that new business class seats, in-flight entertainment and larger overhead bins will be installed on its Boeing 767-300s aircraft from 2006, and on its Boeing 777s the following year.


New routes for British Airways

British Airways will start flying from London Gatwick to Reykjavik, Iceland, and to Tirana, Albania, from March 2006.

It will be the first time BA has served either city. Tirana flights will leave London three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with fares starting at £205 return.

Reykjavik flights go every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with fares from £149.

In the same month, the airline is launching twice-weekly flights from Gatwick to Varna on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast from £149, and to Izmir, Turkey's third largest city, three times a week, for the same price.

Alan Burnett, BA head of UK and Ireland sales and marketing, said: "We believe these new routes will attract holiday-makers who are looking for new, exciting destinations to visit, as well as business customers, friends and relatives travelling to and from the UK."

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Business jets for KLM

KLM is following in the footsteps of Lufthansa and Swiss with a transatlantic business class-only service.

The Dutch carrier is launching six flights a week between Amsterdam and Houston from October 30. The flights will be operated by a Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 44 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration with plug-in points for laptop computers, and like Lufthansa and Swiss the flights are being operated by Geneva-based company PrivatAir.

The flights will replace the current three times weekly Boeing 767 flights operated by KLM between the two cities, but will supplement the daily Boeing 747-400 flights. The net effect is an overall reduction in general capacity but a 45% increase in business class capacity on the route. Passengers will travel in a PrivatAir liveried jet but can expect the same in-flight service offered in KLM's World Business Class cabins. The flight is being operated as a codeshare with Northwest.

KLM is targeting the service at large corporations, and hopes to appeal in particular to executives from the oil sector. Oil giant Shell recently moved its headquarters from London to Holland, thereby increasing business traffic out of Amsterdam. The new service will also appeal to passengers in transit from Europe, Middle East and North America.

It follows the launch of the Dedicate service by KLM's partner Air France, which ferries oil-related business traffic from Paris to less conventional business destinations such as Equatorial Guinea and Congo-Brazzaville (although Air France offers two classes and uses smaller planes). Flights will leave Amsterdam at 2.25pm and arrive at Houston at 6.45pm, and will return from Houston at 8.15pm, arriving in Amsterdam at 12.35pm the following day. The service will operate every day except Wednesday.

Report by Alex McWhirter and Ginny McGrath


New loyalty scheme for Eurostar

Eurostar claims its relaunched Frequent Traveller scheme is simpler than those of its airline rivals. The new scheme, launched this week, means passengers earn points according to how much they pay for their ticket, rather than the type of ticket they buy. For example, three tickets purchased for between £300 and £499 (equivalent of three return tickets in Business Premier class), would earn 900 points - enough for a return ticket in Standard class.

Eurostar loyalty scheme manager Joanna Ball said: "Our scheme is now far more flexible than before and, with points earned for every ticket purchased, also much simpler than those of competitor airlines." Points can now be earned on promotional fares and on indirect journeys to Eurostar Connections destinations such as Lyon and Amsterdam.
There are two levels to the Frequent Traveller scheme. The higher level, Carte Blanche, applies to customers who earn 1,500 points per year, the equivalent of five return Business Premier tickets. This level of points must be earned each year to retain Carte Blanche status.

Points can be redeemed for tickets booked up to four hours before departure for Carte Blanche members and up to seven days before departure for all other members. Members cannot redeem points for travel on Eurostar's ski service to Bourg St Maurice, Moutiers and Aime-la-Plagne.

To join the scheme customers need to register online and provide proof of purchase of a Eurostar return ticket worth £185 or two singles worth £92.50. To retain membership at least one trip must be made with Eurostar every year.

In addition to its new frequent traveller scheme, Eurostar has introduced a new three-class service. The first class carriages on each train are now divided into Business Premier and Leisure Select, with the number of carriages devoted to each class changing throughout the day according to demand. The remaining carriages are Standard class. For more information go to Eurostar web site.

Report by Ginny McGrath


Radisson goes for wow factor

Frankfurt's hotel offering is being shaken up by the arrival of a striking Radisson SAS property. The 428-room hotel, which opens in November, is located near the Frankfurt Messe exhibition centre and about 15 minutes from Frankfurt International Airport.

The jaw-dropping exterior has a shimmering glass block as the main body of the hotel, framed by a circular disc of blue-tinted glass. All rooms have high-speed plug-in and wireless internet access plus flat-screen televisions, laptop-sized safe and cable and pay movies. The rooms, styled by Italian designer Metteo Thun, come in four different themes: chic, fashion, fresh and at home, to suit the mood of the guest.

The hotel has a choice of two restaurants – Coast Brasserie and Oyster Bar for Pacific Coast cuisine and Gaia Restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes. There are also the Wunder Bar and Cigar Lounge and Jam coffee shop. In addition there's a fitness centre on the top floor with panoramic views over Frankfurt and an eight-metre swimming pool with counter-current unit to save guests the boredom of doing laps. The centre is equipped with steam room, solarium and sauna.

The meeting facilities can cater for 1,000 delegates and all rooms have natural daylight with floor-to-ceiling windows. A ballroom with terrace is available for large events.

The hotel is taking bookings from November 1 with rates from 185 Euros including VAT per night. For more information go to Radisson SAS Web site.

Report by Ginny McGrath


Virgin unveils new lounge

Already famous for its in-flight massages and pre-flight hair cuts, Virgin is going one step further for its premium passengers with a new luxurious lounge at Heathrow.

Upper Class passengers will be able to enjoy the new Clubhouse lounge from this month, when the first phase opens. When the second phase opens at the end of December, the lounge will be twice the size of the original Clubhouse.

Entered via an elaborate staircase, the lounge has been decorated to look like a private members' club with features such as a Swarovski crystal chandelier and solid walnut and leather seating. It features a spa with a steam room, sauna and spa pool, as well as a tanning booth and therapists offering manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and a wet shave for men. The spa is being operated by the Soho House spa brand Cowshed, and the hair salon by fashionable hairdressers, Bumble and Bumble.

There will be a 14-metre cocktail bar and restaurant serving full meals and light snacks in addition to buffet stations and bars. If there's still time to get on with work, passengers can access wireless internet access or get online through computer terminals provided in the work area. Alternatively PlayStation portable units are available to play games, download music and watch movies.

Report by Ginny McGrath


No-frills expansion for Newcastle (UK)

Jet2.com has announced its second destination from Newcastle International Airport.

From October 20 the carrier will fly to Cork, with three or four flights a week (schedule varies – see Jet2.com web site). The carrier's other service out of Newcastle commences next week to Murcia. Jet2 faces no competition on the Newcastle-Cork route but fares are competitive, with prices starting at £9 each way including taxes. Jet2 also offers flights out of Leeds Bradford to 16 destinations, from Manchester to 16 destinations and from Belfast to five destinations.

Report by Ginny McGrath


Dusseldorf gets new hotel

The InterContinental Dusseldorf will open on September 1 on the Koenigsallee, the city's main shopping and business street. The hotel is three miles from the airport and close to Dusseldorf's main train station, so it can be easily accessed by international travellers.

It has 254 guest rooms and 32 suites, an all-day dining restaurant, wine room, bar, and a Holmes Place Health and Fitness Club with an indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool. It also has extensive meetings and conference facilities, including the largest ballroom in Dusseldorf.

Strawb

So from their new earning structure:

Ticket price (either single or return) Number of points earned
Above £500 400
From £300 to £499 300
From £185 to £299 200
From £52 to £184 100
Less than £52 25

A Business Premier single from London-Paris is £215 and will earn you 200 points. A return is £430 and will only earn you 300 points, which is the same as before. So by purchasing 2 separate singles for the same price of a return you earn a free 100 points (doesn't work with Business Standard tickets) each time.

Not quite. It's 1000 points for a return in Standard, or 500 points one way.

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UK in line for BA.com booking fee

BA has quietly brought in a booking fee for passengers booking online using ba.com from certain European countries. Unlike other carriers, who highlight their online fees, the BA charge is only apparent once the "taxes, fees and surcharges" box is reached on the final booking page.

BA's new fee, roughly Euros 5 per person per ticket, was introduced on August 31. It applies to flights originating at 27 countries in mainland Europe, Scandinavia and Israel. But "the online fee will be introduced into the UK once we have worked out the technicalities," confirmed a BA spokesperson to Business Traveller.

By levying this fee, BA has fallen in line with rivals like Austrian Airlines, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss and TAP who are already charging for online bookings in various countries (the UK excepted). Adds BA, "What we are saying is that British Airways is committed to transparent pricing and that the fee reflects the cost of the booking systems."

The airline says it hasn't yet determined how much its UK online fee will be. But whatever it is you can sure that once BA acts, its rivals will follow suit in the UK. And once imposed, fees have a nasty habit of increasing – witness the London Congestion Charge.

Report by Alex McWhirter


Under 25% of business travellers go wireless

A survey published this week claims that actual use of wireless internet technology by business travellers is far below anticipated levels. The survey of more than 2,000 business travellers from the US and UK found that only 25% of US respondents and 17% of UK respondents use wireless internet access.

The reason for the slow take up of the technology, according to technology research and analyst firm Gartner, which carried out the research, is not because people are bamboozled by the technology required to enable wireless internet access. The survey claims that instead the desire to be "out of reach" of the office is the overwhelming factor behind the sluggish take up. The results were in stark contrast to a poll of Businesstraveller.com readers in October 2004, which found that 64% of respondents use wireless internet access.

The survey reports that 78% of US respondents and 75% of UK respondents said they welcome the chance to be out of contact for a while whilst on an aircraft. Commenting on the results research vice president Delia MacMillan said: "Some airlines such as Lufthansa and SAS in Europe and ANA, JAL and Singapore Airlines in Asia are offering wireless internet access to their passengers but, although the service is accessible, there are a number of technical and business issues that are obstructing growth regardless of the mode of transport."

Additionally an average 31% of the sample said they have no need to use wireless hot spots on the ground. Other factors slowing use of wireless internet access is concern over the cost of access and location of hot spots.

Report by Ginny McGrath


BA admits inflight service still limited

Though out of the headlines for the moment, the catering problems on British Airways flights out of Heathrow continue.

Executive Club members will have recently received an email note from BA Commercial Director Martin George, detailing the current offering. "In World Traveller and World Traveller Plus customers will have a choice of hot main courses for the main meal service with a deli-bag for the second meal. From 6 September, a full bar service will be available on all long-haul flights from London Heathrow (inbound 6-11 September depending on route) as well as duty free sales."

Reports from Business Traveller readers confirm the problems on both short-haul and long-haul.

On a recent flight from Heathrow to Nice, there was no catering on the flight and the drinks service was patchy ("Outbound, drinks served included tea, coffee, water some juices (no ice), inbound a service announced but none materialised"). BA is offering an enhanced food offering in the lounges to compensate, but if you do not have access to the lounges, beware. You may have to ask for a meal voucher (currently £5), particularly if you check in by internet or using self service terminals. The same reader found that it was only by approaching a BA member of staff that a voucher was offered at Nice airport (for Euro15).

Long-haul, the drinks service seems to be close to normal, but there are limited choices of main courses, and indeed Martin George in his note admits that, "due to the reduced catering service, we are currently unable to meet any special dietary requirements onboard our flights to/from London Heathrow".


All business to go lie-flat

Passengers flying the growing number of transatlantic all business class Boeing 737 flights operated by Lufthansa, Swiss and, soon, KLM can look forward to more comfortable and spacious seating.

The services are all operated by the airlines under contract by luxury Swiss charter carrier PrivatAir. Passengers had to make do with older seating which, although adequate by Nineties' standards, is now outclassed by the latest generation. Travellers turned a blind eye because, with less than 50 seats, these B737 flights provided a club-like travel atmosphere with faster ground handling.

But by developing a PrivatDream seat (pictured), the Swiss carrier can at last provide passengers with the benefits of lie-flat seating. Speaking to Business Traveller, marketing executive Markus Schofert says, "Our PrivatDream seat is lie-flat style. It offers 60 inches of legroom and 172 angle of recline. This compares with a seat pitch of 55 inches and a 135 angle of recline on the seating currently offered on the B737 we operate for Lufthansa between Munich and New York Newark."

Until recently it was believed it wasn't feasible to fit the latest generation of popular lie-flat business class seating owing to space and weight constraints, but now PrivatDream seating (which also offers a hand held entertainment system but no email or internet) has been fitted to the B737 operating on behalf of Swiss between Zurich and New York JFK. In addition, 44 PrivatDream seats will be installed on the B737 provided to KLM for its forthcoming Amsterdam-Houston service [commencing October 30]. Towards the end of this year the PrivatDream seat will appear on Lufthansa's Munich to New York Newark B737 service.

Report by Alex McWhirter


Fresh start for London Marriott

Marriott's multi-million pound renovation of London's iconic Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane continues apace. The US chain is spending GBP 100 million over the next two years on converting this five star property into a JW Marriott, its most prestigious brand.

Meanwhile the Grosvenor House remains open for business. Two hundred existing rooms (out of a room count of 446) are available for sale while the remainder of the hotel is extensively refurbished.

Chip Stuckmeyer, who is in charge of sales and marketing strategy at the Grosvenor House told Business Traveller: "All accommodation is being stripped right down to the concrete while we install the very latest guest standards including state-of-the-art air-conditioning and communications facilities."

The first of the new-look rooms will come on line in July 2006 with the remainder and including all public areas following by March 2007 when the JW Marriott rebranding will be completed.

The property will then feature some of the best accommodation in London's Mayfair district complete with a 22-metre swimming pool and the largest ballroom in Europe. Existing midweek room rates start at £239 (plus tax) with a useful £249 (plus tax) rate throwing in breakfast, internet access and earlier 10.30 check-in. For more information go to Marriott web site

Report by Alex McWhirter


Fairmont eyes Europe

The luxury hotel group Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced more details of its expansion plans.

The group, which currently has 44 hotels around the world, announced at the weekend that it is actively seeking properties in Milan, Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin, and aims ultimately to have 10 hotels across Europe. The announcement was made by John Johnston, executive vice-president for Europe, Africa, Middle East of Fairmont Hotels at the group's Monte Carlo property. The hotel is a new acquisition for Fairmont and this week celebrated its 30th birthday following a rebrand in March this year. The group also took over ownership of London's iconic The Savoy in January 2005.

The focus on Europe will put Fairmont in direct competition with the Jumeriah group, which is actively expanding, and Shangri-la, which is expected in the near future to announce the site for its first US property.

Report by Tom Otley

Aisle Seat H

I won one of the runner up prizes in one of the BT comps btw ! (60-day trial membership of the Golfing Elite service). Not much, but pretty useful seeing as I am a golfer !

The comps can be entered via this link, no need to be a subscriber - http://www.businesstraveller.com/default.asp?page=30

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Well done, Aisle Seat H. You'll need all the help you can get for when you and I have a Golf Challenge over here

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Then there were four...

Faced with billions of dollars of debt, two of the biggest US carriers, Northwest and Delta, joined United and US Airways in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday.

Delta is the third largest US carrier and is based in Atlanta. Northwest is the fourth largest and is headquartered in Minneapolis. Both belong to the Skyteam alliance whose members include Air France, KLM and Korean.

For now Northwest and Delta claim it's business as usual.

Says Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein, "We are open for business and will continue regular operations today and throughout the reorganisation process. We are committed to our international markets and look forward to adding new routes and destinations around the world as we continue to implement our transformation plan and move Delta towards a more secure future."

American and Continental are the only two US major carriers trading normally (although Continental has previously twice traded in Chapter 11). Airlines can trade in Chapter 11 for a period of months or years while they reorganise themselves by cutting labour costs and renegotiating contracts with caterers, airports, oil firms and so on.

Some carriers eventually emerge from Chapter 11 (for example, America West and Continental) but most do not.

Pan Am, TWA, Eastern and Braniff are four majors who traded in Chapter 11 but were eventually forced to close.

For that reason passengers planning to use a Chapter 11 airline must check their travel insurance policy carefully. Not all firms will insure against financial failure of Chapter 11 carriers.

[Hey Aisle Seat H, a lot of good my Northwest status match was...]

Domestic fares down

Increased competition from Virgin Trains has prompted Belgian airline VLM to cut fares. The two UK domestic routes affected are out of London City.

Return flights to Manchester (served eight times daily between Monday and Friday) now start at £78 with Liverpool (served five times a day during the working week) leading-in at £58.

Although VLM's passenger numbers are doing well compared with last year (up by 38% in the case of the Manchester route), Virgin Trains is becoming a fierce rival. The train firm now operates all services with Pendolino tilting trains and from September 25 it will offer new, last minute cheap ticket deals which will be more accessible to business people (see "Trains adopt low-cost airline pricing", online news August 18).

VLM's new tariffs narrow the gap between air and rail pricing. It also means it is substantially cheaper to fly from London City than from Heathrow. Booked today (Thursday) a day return trip to Manchester for September 20 (allowing a stay of seven hours) costs £158 whereas the British Airways price from Heathrow would be £256. A one night stay based on peak time flights and travelling out on September 19 costs £218 from City compared with £295 from Heathrow.

According to VLM's commercial director Peter Kenworthy, "A good number of passengers departing Liverpool and Manchester are using London City as a springboard for harder to reach destinations in mainland Europe."

London City has the only direct flights to cities like Antwerp, Berne, Bremen, Lugano and Rotterdam. You can also fly to Paris Orly (with better access to the capital's south) rather than CDG.

"London City has a 30 minute transfer time," adds Kenworthy, "which doesn't present a problem because lots of passengers using this airport carry only hand luggage." Fly VLM

Report by Alex McWhirter


Improved site for Lufthansa

Lufthansa is busy updating its website. Yesterday, without any fanfare, the German airline launched a new booking engine which provides transfer passengers with clearer displays enabling them to locate a better fare more easily.

Not before time, critics might say. The former lufthansa.com was sluggish, long-winded and only provided transparent prices for simple point-to-point flights. This seemed strange when millions of Lufthansa passengers were booking trips not just to Frankfurt or Munich but to destinations worldwide via these two important hubs.

Says a Lufthansa spokesperson, "The new booking system (supported by airline system Amadeus along with IBM) offers two possibilities. Passengers can choose between a 'fare driven' or 'schedule driven' booking. Fare driven provides maximum price transparency for three days either side of your chosen date so you can select the best price and routing combination for your needs. Schedule driven lets you choose your exact dates and flights at a favourable price.

Existing features such as the facility to book "open jaw" and multiple sector trips are retained.

Lufthansa points out that the new site is in the early stages of its launch period. Other features will be added in the days ahead. For more information go to www.lufthansa.com

Report by Alex McWhirter


Prague routes dropped

Passengers intending to fly from London Gatwick to Prague have less choice now that two carriers have recently quit the route.

Fierce competition from Easyjet and British Airways is understood to have prompted budget Czech airline Smart Wings scrap its daily service earlier this summer. National Czech carrier CSA quietly dropped its twice daily flights at the beginning of this month.

Says a spokesman for CSA, "Management decided to make better use of the B737 [the plane being used between Gatwick and Prague] on other routes, especially those between Prague and Eastern Europe where flight frequencies have been increased."

It means that business travellers are now poorly served with limited day trip possibilities. Existing schedules mean that the first Gatwick-Prague flight (with Easyjet) doesn't depart until 11.40 while the first inbound service to Gatwick (also with Easyjet) doesn't leave the Czech capital until 15.05.

Easyjet's other service departs at 18.20, returning from Prague at 21.45. The existing BA service departs Gatwick at 1155 returning at 15.30.

But matters improve with the start of the winter timetable on October 30. Although BA retains roughly the same schedule. Easyjet will advance its present mid-morning service to give an 07.40 from Gatwick with an 11.15 return from Prague.

Ryanair has announced a new UK base. The carrier is expanding its services from Nottingham East Midlands Airport from 5 to 15 routes, with the addition of the following destinations: Berlin, Derry, Nimes, Carcassonne, Nantes, Dinard, Limoges, Lodz, Wroclaw and Bergerac.

Ryanair already flies from Nottingham East Midlands Airport to Dublin, Shannon, Murcia, Barcelona and Rome. The new routes are expected to launch from March 7.

Report by Alex McWhirter and Ginny McGrath


Buenos Aires opening for Hyatt

Park Hyatt is converting a 1930s Argentinian palace into a striking hotel in the heart of the country's capital.

Called Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, the 165-room hotel is set to open early next year, and is expected to wow both the business and leisure markets.

The hotel is located in the Recoleta district, which is home to other upmarket hotels such as Four Seasons and Kempinski properties, as well as a popular shopping district.

The restored palace, a remnant of the district's aristocratic past, is surrounded by landscaped gardens designed by Carlos Thais, who also designed the botanical gardens of Buenos Aires. There are 23 rooms and suites in the main palace, while the remaining 142 are in a separate Posada-style building, linked by an underground walkway, and constructed to complement the architectural style of the palace.

The top suite, The Duhau Suite is on the top floor of the palace and has a private terrace overlooking the gardens.

The hotel's lavish interior, with its bespoke furniture, will also feature an extensive art collection by local and international artists. The hotel will have wireless internet access in public areas and high-speed wired access in all guest rooms.

The restaurant serves international cuisine and is supplemented by a wine bar and cheese room, while the main bar has a 300-year old Normandy oak bar, a wood-burning fireplace, and its own terrace, or there's a more genteel affair next door serving breakfast, afternoon tea and snacks.

Guests will also have access to a gym, indoor swimming pool and five treatment rooms, and there is underground parking for 150 cars. There is a business centre with four computers offering wired and wireless internet access, plus five meeting rooms, two boardrooms, and an event space large enough to hold 300 guests, or the gardens can be hired for receptions.

The Buenos Aires property is one of 28 Hyatt hotels and resorts currently under development, which includes ten hotels in China. For more information go to www.hyatt.com.

Report by Ginny McGrath


Style and substance from Orient Express

Orient Express Hotels & Resorts had its summer party this week.

Lots of news, not least concerning its fourth Italian property, the refurbished Hotel Caruso in Ravello on the Amalfi coast. The hotel is on the site of the old Hotel Caruso Belvedere, which dates back to 1893, and in previous incarnations everyone from Virginia Wolf and Graham Greene has visited, enjoying dramatic, plunging views over the Gulf of Salerno.

Orient Express has spent US$30 million restoring the hotel, which is located 50 minutes from Naples and has extensive meeting facilities, with indoor and outdoor banqueting space for up to 300 people. It might be state of the art, but that old world charm has been retained. Having opened its doors in June, the hotel is closing on November 6 for the winter. Now that's style. Visit www.orientexpress.com.

Also mentioned at the party: the ultimate treat for carnivores: the Orient Express-owned restaurant steakhouse La Cabana in Buenos Aires which opened in 1935 is now offering a complete run-down on the provenance of customers' steaks. Good to know the meat comes from British herds, but a bar code label on your steak allows you to take a peek online at the pastures that nourished your cow, discover its sex and date of birth – and indeed death – the vaccines it received and its weight at slaughter. With food scares becoming more common, this could be the future.

Aisle Seat H

Sheesh, almost wish I had never started that Thread. I was only trying to help !

Dreading it already mate !

virtualtroy

La Cabana: Really? A steak house in Buenos Aires, capital of the South American country with some of the best meat in the world and they fly in some manky side of British beef? What a shame, up til now I'd wanted to eat there when I go to BA next month.

QF WP

US flights cancelled

British Airways is among a number of international and US domestic carriers to cancel a raft of US-bound flights as Hurricane Rita approaches the south-east coast of the US.

The Category 5 storm, with winds in excess of 155mph, is the ninth hurricane to affect the region this year and is predicted to hit land on the Texan coastline between Galveston and Corpus Christi. Both the domestic airport, Houston Hobby and international airport, George Bush Intercontinental, are likely to be affected.

British Airways has cancelled Gatwick-Houston services and Heathrow-Chicago-Houston services due to depart on Friday. Passengers due to travel on Houston flights that are cancelled can rebook an alternative date, choose an alternative destination or get a full refund. Anyone with tickets for travel to Houston up to September 28 can rebook on another date within two weeks of the original date of travel.

Southwest Airlines is cancelling all flights in and out of Houston Hobby from midday Friday September 23 in the interests of its staff and customers, and hopes to resume services from mid-morning on Sunday September 25, depending on the state of the hurricane. Continental has not yet issued a statement concerning the operation of flights in and out of Houston, but is expected to follow suit.

Evacuations warnings have been issued in parts of Texas, including Galveston and low lying parts of Houston, resulting in heavy traffic on some highways heading north from the coast.

Houston's airports are asking passengers without confirmed reservations not to turn up with the expectation of catching a flight because both airports are reporting "unusually high amounts of traffic and flights are already reaching capacity or full". It is urging passengers to contact the relevant airline to find out if their flight is operating.


Report by Ginny McGrath


Up to £100 surcharge on Oz flights

Travellers heading Down Under are facing ever-higher oil surcharges, which could mean it makes financial sense to book direct rather than transfer flights.
Passengers booking a long-haul flight to Sydney may believe they are paying one surcharge for each leg of the trip - while this is true with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, it's no longer the case when choosing an Asian airline.

Main players in the UK-Australia market such as Cathay Pacific, MAS, SIA and Thai have quietly adopted a policy of charging per sector rather than per trip. When you fly British Airways or Virgin Atlantic directly between London and Sydney you pay two long distance fuel surcharges. But with Cathay Pacific, MAS, SIA or Thai (who operate to Australia with an en route plane change rather than direct) you would end up paying four such surcharges even when you transfer flights.

So whereas with BA the oil surcharge for a London-Sydney return would cost £60 with SIA via Singapore the same surcharge would be USD200 or £111. Foreign carriers don't publish surcharge details on the fares display. Instead these sums are disguised within the "taxes, fees and charges" box shown on final booking page when you reserve your flight online. These now vary widely depending on the airline.

Based on flying economy class the total cost of the "extras" on a return economy ticket booked online amounts to £131 with BA or Virgin. But with MAS the sum is £178, with Cathay Pacific £158 (set to rise further from October 1), with SIA £186 and with Thai £189.

Simon Evans, chief executive of the AUC (Air Transport Users Council) says, "There is nothing sinister in these different oil surcharges as it reflects the cost of doing business. But why not just increase the fares... that's something people would understand."

Report by Alex McWhirter


NY flight for Stansted

Yet another transatlantic all-business class airline has come forward. And this time it stands a better chance of getting off the ground.

US-based Maxjet has announced plans to fly from London Stansted to New York JFK from November 1. The service will operate daily (except Saturday) with a wide-bodied B767 configured with 102 roomy business class seats arranged six across (2-2-2) featuring 60 inches of legroom.

The flight will depart Stansted at 10.00 arriving JFK at 13.00. On the return, passengers will leave JFK at 18.30 to arrive Stansted at 07.00. In-flight service will be to normal long-haul business class standards and passengers will have use of deluxe lounges at both ends of the route. Tickets will cost from £1,278 return (including taxes and charges), which is substantially less than the prices charged by the big airlines out of Gatwick and Heathrow.

A spokesperson for Maxjet said that the airline hopes to appeal to firms based in London's Canary Wharf and the City. It will also prove convenient for travellers based in East Anglia and the Midlands from where there are convenient road links to Stansted. Maxjet also hopes to attract passengers flying into Stansted with the budget airlines, especially those coming from cities with no transatlantic service.

But, despite the keen prices, the carrier admits it will be "a challenge" filling 102 business class seats from Stansted. That's because Heathrow and Gatwick are convenient for a great many people and because flight frequency from these two airports is so much greater, plus there's competition from newcomer Eos (see below).

You can book flights with Maxjet from September 26. The airline can be contacted on 0800 0234300 or visit Maxjet

* Maxjet faces direct competition from Business class-only carrier Eos, which plans to launch flights from New York to Stansted on November 1. Fares start at £3,500 return, but there is an introductory fare of £2,500.

Report by Alex McWhirter


Geneva route hots up

Scottish low-cost airline, Flyglobespan is launching flights on a key business route out of Stansted.

The airline will launch flights from the Essex airport to Geneva on December 22 following the acquisition of two Boeing 737-600s from SAS. Flyglobespan faces direct competition with three other airlines operating between London and Geneva: Swissair, British Airways and Easyjet.

It will also launch a London Stansted-Tenerife service from November 1. Existing Flyglobespan services include flights from London Stansted to Glasgow and Edinburgh, which launched on June 1, and carried 20,000 passengers in the first three months, according to the airline.

Managing director and chairman, Tom Dalrymple has also announced his intention to launch further routes from London. "We want to mirror what we have achieved in Scotland in the important London market and we are actively looking at extending our network of flights and services available from Stansted," he said.

Report by Ginny McGrath


Step closer to in-flight mobiles

Shrill ring tones and loud chatter could be coming to an aircraft cabin near you from next year following initiatives by two European airlines to enable mobile phone use in-flight.

If Bmi and TAP Portugal go ahead with plans announced this week, mobile phones and GPRS-enabled devices such as the Blackberry, could be used by passengers travelling with both carriers from the end of next year. Both are partnering with technology provider OnAir, which is working with Airbus and Siemens to develop the technology. The in-flight service, which is yet to receive regulatory approval, will begin initially as a test phase, available only on certain routes.

Bmi chief executive Nigel Turner stressed that this is not just to pilot the technology but also to evaluate the "social issues" surrounding mobile phone use in-flight. But he added: "Our research tells us that our premium passengers have two key concerns. These are getting quickly through the airport and the ability to carry on working during their journey."

The debate over the use of mobile phones on aircraft is raging in the US where authorities are considering removing a 14-year ban. While business travellers are broadly in support of use of mobile phones in-flight, the organisation representing flight attendants says its members are concerned that use of phones in-flight could spark "air rage" incidents and also pose a security threat.

Report by Ginny McGrath


Hong Kong presence for luxury hotel brand

Four Seasons has unveiled its latest hotel in Asia.

The luxury property, which opened this month, is located in Hong Kong. It is part of the International Financial Centre, a contemporary mixed-use development of shops, offices and apartments located at Central Waterfront, 23 minutes via the Airport Express train from Chek Lap Kok Airport.

The Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is next to Four Seasons Place, the luxury offering from the brand that caters for long-stay guests. The 399-room hotel has two restaurants: Caprice serves French cuisine and has been created by the team from the three-star Michelin restaurant in the Four Seasons George V in Paris; and Lung King Heen, which serves contemporary Cantonese food.

There is also a bar and lounge, plus a series of meeting rooms including two ballrooms that overlook Victoria Harbour and seven smaller rooms. The spa has 18 treatment rooms, a vitality pool, crystal steam room, ice fountain and Finnish sauna. There is also an Executive Club floor where guests have harbour views and can access business and concierge service 24 hours a day.

Rates start from HK$3,200 (£230) for a Deluxe Peak View Room including breakfast for two, excluding tax and service. The hotel is the second of three Four Seasons properties opening in Asia. The Shanghai hotel is already operating and the Beijing property is under construction. For reservations contact 00 800 6488 6488 or visit Four Seasons website.

Report by Ginny McGrath

Aisle Seat H

Latest offerings...

BA catering back on track (almost)

29 September 2005

BA's catering problems continue to improve. All long haul flights have now returned to normal, with the exception of some special meals, while the longer short haul flights (three hours and over) now also offer a normal food and drink service.

It is now over a month since the dispute started, and short haul European flights continue to use a mixture of deli bags and food vouchers out of London Heathrow, while inbound flights are offering either vouchers or pre-departure food, depending on the airport of departure.

Richard Goodfellow, spokesman for BA, said that the next aim was to get catering on domestic flights out of Heathrow back on track.

"We recognise that many business travellers want to get a hot meal in the morning and evenings, but may not have time to use the vouchers at one of the food outlets. As a result all domestic travellers with access to the lounge area can now pick up a hot meal, and drink of their choice to take onboard, when travelling before 10am or after 3.30pm."

Those passengers without lounge passes continue to receive food vouchers for flights out of Heathrow, while incoming flights from the five domestic airports serving BA (Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen) are now offering onboard meals before 10am and after 3.30pm.

"We are continually pushing Gate Gourmet to reinstate meals on all services, and the situation is improving on a near daily basis," said Mr Goodfellow. "In particular we are working hard to provide catering on flights used frequently by business travellers, and we hope that yesterday's agreement will improve the situation further."

Passengers requiring further information on catering on their flights, should visit www.ba.com, or call 0870 850 9 850.

Report by Mark Caswell

NY carriers go head-to-head

29 September 2005[U]

Just a week after Maxjet unveiled its plans for a business-class only London-New York flight, a rival has announced it has started taking reservations.

Eos will launch daily flights between London Stansted and New York on November 1, in direct competition with Maxjet, which plans to launch on the same day. The carrier announced this week that it has started taking reservations, following receipt of certification from the Federal Aviation Authority (Eos is US-based).

The Eos flight will leave Stansted at 10.30am and arrive in New York at 1.29pm, which compares to Maxjet's timings half an hour earlier. The return service departs New York at 7.05pm and arrives in Stansted at 7.30am, again half an hour later than the Maxjet flight.

Where the two carriers differ is on price. Eos plans to charge from £2,500 for a return ticket, rising to £3,500 after the introductory offer expires. This compares to the £1,278 return ticket price being charged by Maxjet.

The explanation is in the product – Eos has 48 suites per aircraft, which offer 21-square feet of space per passenger and come with a second seat that can be used by a travelling companion for dining together. The seat then reclines into a 78-inch flat bed. Maxjet offers 102 roomy business class seats arranged six across (2-2-2) featuring 60 inches of legroom.

From January 3 2006, Eos hopes to add a second daily flight, leaving Stansted at 4.15pm and arriving in New York at 7.14pm, with the return service leaving New York at 9.15pm and arriving in Stansted at 9.40 am.

For more information visit www.eosairlines.com and www.maxjet.com.

- KLM will introduce its business-class only flight from Amsterdam to Houston on October 30. The flights will be operated by a Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 44 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration with plug-in points for laptop computers. Flights will operate six times a week and will supplement the existing daily flights between the two cities, which continue to operate on a two-class basis.

Report by Ginny McGrath

Ryanair boosts route options

29 September 2005

Ryanair is to launch two new routes from Cork, opening the option of visiting two Irish cities in one trip.

The carrier will launch flights from Cork to London Gatwick and Dublin on November 24.
The possible routings from the UK include Gatwick-Cork-Dublin-Gatwick, Stansted-Cork-Dublin-Stansted, or Liverpool-Cork-Dublin-Liverpool, as Ryanair already offers flights from Cork to Stansted and Liverpool. Customers could also vary their departure and arrival UK airport, for example, leaving from Gatwick and returning to Liverpool.
All this comes at no extra cost according to Ryanair spokesman, Peter Sherrard, who told Businesstraveller.com: "Our flights are booked on a one-way basis so there's no extra charge unlike other airlines, where you'd pay a business class fare just because the booking was one-way."

One drawback is that the multi-trip routing cannot be booked in one transaction online, as each leg has to be bought separately, so it's wise to check the price on all legs before starting to make your booking.

Some of the routes are part of Ryanair's four million seat sale, which lasts until October 6, so fares on Cork-Dublin are from five cents (E18 including tax) and on Cork-Gatwick are from one cent (E10 including tax).

Report by Ginny McGrath

Virgin Trains lounge upgrade

29 September 2005

Virgin first class passengers can now make use of the refurbished first class lounge at Euston Station, following its £175,000 make over. The lounge is split into three areas, for work, quiet time (where mobile phones will not be allowed), or relaxation.

New features include flat-screen TVs, soft chairs, internet points and wifi access, along with a photocopier and fax in the working area. There is also a new reception and luggage area, and the shower and toilet facilities have been upgraded. In addition, the quiet room can be booked for private meetings.

The Euston first class lounge, which attracted over 180,000 passengers last year, now also features a licensed bar, open 11am-11pm Monday to Friday, 11am - 2pm Saturdays and 2pm – 11pm Sundays. Passengers travelling first class with Virgin Trains may use any of their lounges nationwide on the day of travel, where they can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks.

Dennis Lovett, press officer for Virgin Trains, said: "We inherited our lounges from Intercity, and with the amount of use they get, they were in need of a revamp. This is the last of our lounges to be refurbished, following the recent refit of Manchester Piccadilly, meaning first class passengers can now enjoy enhanced facilities in all of the lounges."

Report by Mark Caswell

Shangri-La opens in Delhi

29 September 2005

Delhi's five-star hotels will have to raise their game following the arrival of a Shangri-La property in the city.

The Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi opened on September 8 close to Connaught Place, the commercial hub of New Delhi and location of most of the city's western brand hotels. It is a 40-minute drive from the airport.

The hotel has undergone a "soft opening", so only a handful of the 323 bedrooms are currently available, but the Café Uno restaurant, with open kitchen and outdoor terrace dining, bar, lounge, Uno 2 Go patisserie and health club with gym, indoor and outdoor whirlpool and outdoor pool, are all open.

All rooms have high-speed internet access and wireless internet access, plus there's a business centre, three meeting rooms and a ballroom that can be divided into four.
The grand opening will take place in early November, when the hotel's pan-Asian restaurant serving Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine, will open. The Horizon Floor, an executive level with 78 bedrooms, separate concierge and lounge, will also open in November.

Rooms start at $365 including tax for a single superior room occupancy and $20 more for a double room. For more information go to www.shangri-la.com.

The opening of this outpost from the luxury Asian brand is sure to stir Delhi's hotel scene, currently dominated by the Oberoi and Taj groups, although a doubling of the frequency of flights between the UK and India over the past year means demand for hotel rooms in the Indian capital is expected to rise.

Report by Ginny McGrath

World's largest cruise ship from Jumeirah

29 September 2005

The Jumeirah hotel group has followed up its announcement of its forthcoming New York property – Essex House – with more news this week.

Firstly the group has been selected to manage a group of five star hotels in the new Saraya Aqaba Real Estate Development in Jordan. The USD610million project on the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba will be completed in January 2009 adding over a mile of beachfront to the city of Aqaba.

Secondly, the group will manage the Middle East's largest theme park resort, the GBP1billion Aqua Dunya in Dubailand, opening early 2008. Aqua Dunya (WaterWorld) development will include a traditional souk and port district, a conference centre, 170 vacation apartments and 3,400 residential apartments. The main hotel will be the world largest cruise ship – The Desert Pearl – on the lagoon, a 330-stateroom luxury hotel.

In addition, the Jumeirah group is leaving Leading Hotels of the World and enhancing its website jumeirah.com, along with adding a private label GDS (Global Distribution Code) for trade bookings at its hotels.

Jumeirah properties include the Burj Al Arab, as well as Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa. The group also manages Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London.

Report by Tom Otley

Aisle Seat H

There is a nice virtual tour of the seat and cabin on the EOS website, Maxjet one a lot more basic site.

EOS seat looks very similar to the BA Club World/New Club World, but that may just be how the picture looks, can't recall exactly what the BA seat dimensions etc are for comparison between the two products.

Or is it infact more like the BA or QF F product ?!? Hard to tell just from a virtual picture I have now decided !

QF WP

Aisle Seat H, you can load yesterday's as well if you want, we've got computer problems at work at the moment and I can't access the articles.

Aisle Seat H

Its not just you QF WP mate, I can't get into them either. Will try again a little later.