Category: Travel news (Page 8 of 174)

SBB takes skiers from around the world to the Swiss Alps

January 4, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

In order to meet the demand for sustainable and comfortable travel to winter sports areas, SBB offers direct trains, some of which run seasonally. With Snow’n’Rail, travelers also benefit from attractive discounts.

As soon as the first snow falls, snow enthusiasts from all over the world head to the Swiss slopes. According to Presence Switzerland, around a third of the Swiss population skis regularly. Many tourists also want to explore the Swiss slopes. Switzerland takes sixth place in the ranking of the most popular ski destinations. Many winter sports fans are placing more and more value on sustainable and comfortable travel by public transport. The SBB is also feeling this increasing demand and is therefore offering additional direct trains to the winter sports areas during the winter months. Other direct trains run to popular tourist destinations throughout the year. In addition to direct trains, which have already proven themselves in previous years, new offers will be added in the 2024 winter season.

New direct train to Einsiedeln

From January 13th to March 3rd, 2024, there will be two fast and direct connections from Zurich HB (departures at 8:27 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.) to Einsiedeln (arrivals at 9:19 a.m. and 10:24 a.m.) on the weekends in the morning and back again in the afternoon (departures at 3:32 p.m. and 4:38 p.m.). This RegioExpress takes cross-country skiers and sun-seekers directly to the trail without having to change.

New direct train Zurich HB–Brig

From Christmas to Easter (and on Ascension Day, Pentecost and from June to October) a new, fast direct train runs on Saturdays from Zurich HB (from 7.38 a.m.) with stops in Lenzburg, Thun, Spiez, Frutigen and Visp to Brig (at 9.38 a.m.) . On Sundays the train runs in the opposite direction from Brig at 4:18 p.m., arriving in Zurich HB at 6:32 p.m. The train takes skiers to the ski areas of the Bernese Oberland with a change in Spiez or Frutigen and to the slopes of the Valais ski areas from Visp or Brig. The train runs without stopping in Bern.

Vos Alpes Express

The “VosAlpes Express” has been running between Freiburg and Le Châble on weekends and public holidays from December 16, 2023 to April 14, 2024 (except March 16 and 17, 2024) for three years. The train leaves Friborg at 7:22 a.m. and arrives in Le Châble at 9:15 a.m. From Aigle there is a connection to Champéry to the Les Portes du Soleil ski area and from Bex to the Villars-Bretaye ski area. For the return journey, travelers use the “Verbier Express” at 5:27 p.m. from Le Châble and change in Bex (on the same platform) to the waiting “VosAlpes Express,” which arrives in Freiburg at 7:37 p.m. Supersaver tickets for the train are available in advance. Travelers also benefit from a 30 percent discount on their ski pass in Verbier and a 20 percent discount on the ski pass in Les Portes du Soleil when traveling with the “VosAlpes Express”. Further information can be found on the SBB website “VosAlpes Express”

Verbier Express

The Verbier Express runs between Geneva Airport and Le Châble on weekends and public holidays between December 16, 2023 and April 14, 2024 (except March 16 and 17, 2024). The train leaves Geneva Airport at 7:18 a.m. and Geneva at 7:29 a.m. and reaches Le Châble at 9:39 a.m. Conversely, it departs Le Châble at 5:27 p.m. and arrives in Genève at 7:40 p.m. and Genève-Aéroport at 7:47 p.m. When purchased in advance, travelers benefit from super saver tickets and, when traveling with the “Verbier Express”, a 30 percent discount on the 1-day ski pass for the Verbier sector. Further information can be found on the SBB website “Verbier Express”

Additional direct trains from Geneva to Chur

Since the timetable change in December 2022, two trains have been running directly from Geneva via Bern and Zurich to Chur and vice versa on weekends. Due to high demand, two additional direct trains were introduced on this line with the 2024 timetable. There are now four attractive direct connections in each direction spread throughout the day on weekends. Chur is an ideal starting point for onward travel to the well-known ski areas of Arosa Lenzerheide, Flims-Laax or Davos Klosters, as well as to smaller areas.

Direct train from Zurich Airport to Interlaken

Since the 2023 timetable, leisure travelers and tourists have been taking the IC81 directly and without changing trains from Zurich Airport and eastern Switzerland via Bern to Interlaken East. Direct trains also run with the IC61 from Basel SBB via Bern to Interlaken Ost. From there, the Jungfrau Railway takes snow enthusiasts to the Jungfrau Ski Region, which combines the three areas of Grindelwald-Wengen, Grindelwald-First and Mürren-Schilthorn. The Zentralbahn also runs from Interlaken Ost to Meiringen for an onward journey to the Meiringen-Hasliberg ski area.

More winter sports trains and extensions

As in previous years, the SBB is also running additional winter sports trains to Chur and Brig this winter, which will run on weekends with particularly high demand. Furthermore, existing trains will be extended where possible and necessary in order to be able to offer more seats.

Snow’n’Rail and winter excursions: Travelers benefit from a discount of up to 30 percent

In the 2023/2024 season, over 25 ski areas are offering public transport travelers up to 30 percent discount on single or multi-day tickets. In addition, when purchasing a leisure offer from Snow’n’Rail, travelers benefit from up to 30 percent discount on the ticket for the arrival and return journey. In addition to ski offers, there are also various winter trip ideas with mountains and views to choose from.

With a Snow’n’Rail ski pass, Intersport Rent gives customers a 15 percent discount on the rental of ski or snowboard equipment. The discount can be obtained both in the shop upon presentation of the ski pass and online.

Luggage transport

For a relaxed journey without heavy luggage, SBB offers luggage transport with which travelers can have their suitcases and ski equipment transported directly from door to door or train station to train station. You can find more information about luggage transport on the SBB website “Baggage check-in”

Alaska Airlines takes delivery of first longer range Boeing 737-8

January 4, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Seattle, Washington, January 4, 2024 – Alaska Air Group Inc (NYSE: ALK) continues to grow as we welcome delivery of the first Boeing (NYSE: BA) 737-8 to our aircraft lineup – the next component of our strategic, long-term fleet plan that builds on our strengths and provides a road map for ongoing future success.

We proudly fly the youngest fleet of all U.S. airlines, and from 2024 through 2027, we are on track to add 15-25 new Boeing aircraft each year. We currently have firm orders for 80 more 737 MAX aircraft, and options and purchase rights for another 105. Our first 737-10 is scheduled for delivery in 2025.

In March 2022, Alaska adjusted our existing 737-9 aircraft order with Boeing to include the bigger 737-10 and longer-range 737-8. The additional 737 models will enhance profitability and guest satisfaction by offering us more ways to deploy the optimal aircraft size and capability in each market we fly.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

JetBlue started new low fare service to Tallahassee, Florida Today

January 4, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

New York, NY, Thursday, January 4, 2023, Business Wire – JetBlue Airways Corp (NASDAQ: JBLU) announced today that it has officially launched service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Tallahassee International Airport (TLH), with the first flight arriving in Tallahassee this morning. JetBlue’s new intrastate service will operate daily, introducing the airline’s award-winning service, low fares and a better travel option for customers on a route with limited competition.

In Florida, JetBlue currently offers service in its focus cities of Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, as well as in Miami, West Palm Beach, Key West, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Sarasota/Bradenton and Tampa. Within the state, JetBlue currently offers flights from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville. With Tallahassee service starting today, JetBlue will now serve over 40 destinations from Fort Lauderdale.

Convenient travel to Tallahassee is essential, given its critical role as the Florida state capital and as home to major universities; however, its distance from South Florida puts it just too far to easily drive. JetBlue’s daily service offers those travelling back and forth for business or education an affordable and comfortable option, while also creating opportunities for both leisure and business customers traveling from Tallahassee to connect in Fort Lauderdale to other JetBlue destinations.

Forward-Looking Statements

Emirates ramps up Seoul service to 10 flights a week

January 4, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Dubai, UAE, January 4, 2024 – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, reinforces its commitment to South Korea by ramping up its operations in Seoul with three additional weekly flights starting 19 February 2024.

The new flights will operate as EK324/ EK325 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Emirates’ flight EK324 will depart Dubai at 4:45 am, landing in Seoul Incheon International Airport at 6:05 pm. The return flight EK325 will depart Seoul at 10 pm, arriving in Dubai at 3:15 am the following day.

Emirates’ additional services will increase the capacity on flights between Dubai and Seoul by more than 1,000 additional seats per week, helping to alleviate the suppressed demand for international travel to one of the most popular East Asian destinations and supporting South Korea’s inbound and outbound tourism. The airline’s ramped-up operations will further serve the need for adding more flights between UAE and Korea, in line with the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.

Through the three weekly Boeing 777 flights, Emirates will provide 45 tonnes of additional cargo capacity between Dubai and Seoul, boosting the trade and economic ties between South Korea and the UAE as well as through Dubai and beyond to more global destinations in Emirates’ network, further contributing to Korea’s economy and facilitating convenient air connectivity for the Republic’s imports and exports.

Emirates launched services to Seoul in 2005 and currently operates a daily Airbus A380 service from Dubai. With the additional services, the airline will serve Seoul with 10 weekly flights operated by a mix of its signature Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, guaranteeing more flexibility and choice for its customers to and from Dubai, as well as beyond to its global network of over 130 destinations.

Agreement for Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Hotels brands at China National Convention Center

January 3, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Marriott International Signs Agreement to Bring the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Hotels Brands to China National Convention Center in Beijing

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), recently announced that it has signed an agreement with Beijing North Star Company Limited to open the third The Ritz-Carlton and the first Marriott Marquis Hotel in Beijing. Expected to open in 2026, The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, North will provide its legendary service and elegant design to travelers in and abroad, while Beijing Marriott Marquis Hotel will deliver a perfect blend of heartfelt service and modern style at China National Convention Center Phase II, a large complex with hotels, retails, offices, leisure facilities, and spacious venues for high-level conferences, exhibitions, and events.

China National Convention Center Phase II is a large complex with a total of approximately 780,000 square meters that includes hotels, retails, offices, leisure facilities, as well as extensive spaces for high-level conferences, exhibitions, and events. As a key component of China National Convention Center Phase II, the hotels are approximately 20 kilometers away from Beijing Capital International Airport. Leisure and cultural attractions such as the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), and China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum are within walking distance.

Designed by the internationally acclaimed interior design firm Yabu Pushlberg Inc., The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, North is expected to feature 282 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites. Guests will be able to enjoy refined dining experiences across its six distinct venues. Reactional facilities are expected to include an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, as well as The Ritz-Carlton Spa. Additionally, the hotel will offer well-equipped conference and event facilities totaling 968 square meters.

Beijing Marriott Marquis Hotel is anticipated to offer 671 guestrooms and suites, together with a range of culinary venues including an all-day dining restaurant, specialty restaurant and a relaxed lobby bar and lobby lounge (The Greatroom). Planned facilities also include a swimming pool and fitness center, as well as 3,207-square –meters of conference and event spaces including a Grand Ballroom, two Junior Ballrooms, three meeting rooms, and an executive club lounge – M Club. Guests can expect Marriott Hotels’ signature heartfelt service, with modern design, comfortable spaces and enriching experiences that blends leisure and business.

Forward-Looking Statements

Boom selects Honeywell Anthem Integrated Flight Deck for Overture

January 3, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Today Boom announced it has signed a supplier agreement with tier-one aerospace leader Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ: HON), joining a growing network of global suppliers for Overture. As part of the agreement between the two companies, Honeywell’s next-generation flight deck and its modular avionics platform will be incorporated into Overture.

As a pioneer in integrated modular avionics, Honeywell has successfully matured multiple generations of flight deck technology. Honeywell’s unmatched expertise in the development and certification of large and complex avionics systems provides a foundation for the development and certification of a new generation of integrated avionics onboard Overture.

The Honeywell Anthem flight deck will be tailored for Overture’s specific mission requirements, helping to enable exceptional situational awareness and enhanced safety. The advanced avionics interface provides continuity to Boom pilots from initial flight training in a simulator, through to physical test flights. Anthem empowers pilots with advanced and intuitive features and capabilities that dramatically improve aircraft operability, including:

Enabling display and control customization, allowing pilots to modify their flight path, review the changes, and initiate the new path with ease.
Prioritizing improved situational awareness, streamlining the pilot’s primary tasks of aviating, navigating, and communicating. The platform leverages proven technologies, like conformal Synthetic Vision, to further integrate the pilot with the flight deck avionics. From visualizing energy management to increasing terrain awareness, the high resolution displays combine flight symbology with perspective terrain to make flying easier and safer.
Next-generation touchscreen interfaces that grant ready access to features like the radio interface and graphical flight planning on the map.

Forward-Looking Statements

SAS to fly to over 40 countries in summer 2024

January 2, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Copenhagen, Denmark, January 2, 2024 – SAS customers can look forward to nine new European destinations this summer. From Copenhagen there will be direct flights to Ibiza, Salzburg, Genoa, Tromso and Dalaman in Turkey. SAS flights start from Bergen to London and from Oslo to Geneva, Milan and Tivat on the coast of Montenegro.

Southern European favourites

SAS is adding flights to long-standing favorites in Spain and Italy from all three Scandinavian capitals. From Stockholm and Copenhagen there will be up to 20 weekly flights to Malaga and from Oslo up to 17 flights to Alicante. Milan will have four daily departures from Copenhagen, there will be daily flights to Florence from Copenhagen and up to 25 weekly flights to Nice.

Oslo will have 14 weekly departures to Split, and it will be possible to fly with SAS from Stockholm twice daily to Milan and Paris in the summer. Oslo and Copenhagen also have year-round services to another Scandinavian favorite, Gran Canaria.

Northern Europe

From Copenhagen there will be five daily departures to Düsseldorf, four daily flights to Brussels and Gdansk and three daily flights to Warsaw and Vilnius. SAS will fly from Stockholm to Tallinn up to six times a day and to Vilnius three times a day. In addition, Stockholm will increase to two daily flights to Berlin, up to six daily flights to Helsinki, and increased frequencies to both Turku and Vaasa.

Domestic and the Nordic countries

There will be up to seven daily flights from Copenhagen to Bergen in the summer, while Oslo will have two daily departures to Aalborg and four weekly flights to Billund, and increased frequencies to Northern Norway. SAS is also increasing the number of departures between Stockholm and Visby, Kiruna, Skellefteå and Östersund.

More information about the upcoming long-haul flights: SAS INCREASING FLIGHTS TO NORTH AMERICA AND ASIA IN THE SUMMER PROGRAM – SAS (sasgroup.net)

Etihad welcomes 2024 with more destinations in India

January 2, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has kicked off 2024 by introducing two new services. Daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Kozhikode (CCJ) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) in the Kerala region of India that commenced on New Year’s Day.

These non-stop services to each destination bring the total number of Indian gateways served by Etihad to 10, underscoring the airline’s commitment to providing easy access to its expanding global network for guests travelling to and from the Subcontinent.

The introduction of this service enhances accessibility to the picturesque countryside and beaches that Kerala is renowned for, creating increased inbound tourism to the region. Additionally, it streamlines travel for professionals visiting the burgeoning business hubs in the area.

In 2023, the airline reintroduced services to Kolkata, a vital Indian gateway connecting Eastern India to global destinations. Furthermore, the airline has increased the frequencies of flights to Mumbai and Delhi, two of its most popular routes, from two per day to an impressive four flights per day.

For 2024 Etihad has already announced new flights to Boston, USA starting on March 31, to Nairobi, Kenya on May 1, and its exciting summer schedule includes an inaugural non-stop service to Nice, France and direct flights to the Greek isles of Mykonos and Santorini.

Fiery plane crash at Tokyo Haneda Airport kills 5 Coast Guard crew members

January 2, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, January 2, 2023 – Airbus regrets to confirm that an A350-900 operated by Japan Airlines was involved in an accident during flight JAL516 from Sapporo New Chitose Airport to Haneda International Airport shortly after 17:47 (local time) on 02 January 2024. All 367 passengers and 12 crew members on-board evacuated the aircraft.

The A350 collided with a DHC-8 aircraft at landing in Haneda. The Japanese authorities have since confirmed that sadly five of the six people on board the DHC-8 did not survive. The exact circumstances of the event are still unknown. The aircraft involved in the accident, registered under the number JA13XJ, was MSN 538, delivered to Japan Airlines from the production line on 10 November 2021.

In line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 recommendations, Airbus will provide technical assistance to the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) of France and to the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) in charge of the investigation. For this purpose, Airbus is presently dispatching a team of specialists to assist the Authorities.

Korean Air CEO says 2024 will be a year of change and innovation

January 1, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

In a New Year’s message to the Korean Air team, Korean Air Lines Co Ltd (Seoul: 003490) Chairman and CEO, Walter Cho, shared that he expected 2024 to be a big milestone for the aviation industry with various changes and innovations shaping the year. Cho emphasized safety and service, and asked his colleagues for their full support to successfully complete the acquisition of Asiana Airlines in 2024.

In his message, Cho anticipated geopolitical risks, global supply chain disruptions, economic slowdowns and prolonged inflation to persist through 2024. He also expected intensified industry competition in regaining market share, and a slowdown of the lucrative cargo business.

Cho further underscored that Korean Air’s operations hinges on commitment to safety, and encouraged his colleagues to take an active role in cultivating a strong safety culture.

New direct train to Einsiedeln

New direct train Zurich HB–Brig

Vos Alpes Express

Verbier Express

Additional direct trains from Geneva to Chur

Direct train from Zurich Airport to Interlaken

More winter sports trains and extensions

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