Category: Luxury News (Page 3 of 15)

Study commission for Margarethen platform access and new Margarethen Bridge

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

On December 12, 2023, the SBB and the canton of Basel-Stadt announced a selection process for the further development of the “Margarethen Platform Access” and “New Margarethen Bridge” projects. The teams that win the contract should find a convincing solution for the two structures in coordination with SBB and the canton. The final juried results should be available in spring 2025.

The Swiss government, canton and SBB want to expand access to rail and urban transport to the west of Basel SBB station. On the one hand, the SBB is moving the train stops more to the west on behalf of the federal government, thereby also relieving pressure on the main passerelle. On the other hand, the canton of Basel-Stadt wants to create an interchange for public transport near the market hall. This allows passengers to quickly and conveniently transfer from the train to the tram – and vice versa. This should also relieve pressure on Centralbahnplatz in the medium term.

Two major projects are being planned and will combine these two goals: the Margarethen platform access and a new Margarethen Bridge. The Margarethen platform access accesses all platforms with a passenger bridge parallel to the Margarethen Bridge, some of which are extended for this purpose. The new Margarethen Bridge creates the necessary conditions for the expansion of tram traffic and a better separation of bicycle and road traffic.

Click the link below to read the full story!

Study commission for Margarethen platform access

Newest Nightjet train service now connects Berlin, Brussels and Paris

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Now passengers can enjoy relaxed overnight travel to major European cities while saving on hotel accommodation. Starting today, the night train alliance of DB, ÖBB, NMBS/SNCB and SNCF is offering night train service from Berlin to Brussels and Paris.

The Nightjet (NJ) runs three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The trains return from Paris and Brussels to Berlin on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The first NJ was seen off on its trip from Berlin this evening by the German, Belgian, French and Austrian transport ministers and the CEO’s of the four participating rail companies.

The new service is the latest milestone in a successful partnership between the European railways, which in 2020 had set themselves the goal of establishing environmentally friendly night train connections.

Also new since the December 10, 2023 timetable change is daily service with sleeping cars and seated coaches on the Munich–Vienna–Warsaw line. In December 2022, the partners added the Zurich–Prague night train line and extended the Munich–Venice/Rijeka/Zagreb/Vienna–Budapest night train by adding Stuttgart as a departure and destination station.

By steadily growing its selection of night trains, the alliance is making an important contribution to achieving the EU climate targets agreed in the Green Deal.

Tickets for the night train connections from Berlin to Brussels and Paris are available from EUR 34.90 per person and route for seated coach, from EUR 49.90 for couchette coach, and from EUR 79.90 for sleeping car. Nightjet and EuroNight tickets are available at all DB Travel Centres and agencies, and from bahn.de and the DB Navigator app. For more information on night train offers, visit bahn.de/nighttrain or nightjet.com.

British Airways returns to Stansted Airport, Agadir joins route network, and more!

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

British Airways to return to London Stansted Airport for Summer 2024

Travellers choosing to fly from London Stansted next summer have a new premium airline option, International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (London: ICAG) member British Airways returns to the north-east London airport. Launching on May 18, 2024, weekend flights from London Stansted to Florence, Ibiza and Nice will join BA Cityflyer’s operations for the summer season on its Embraer 190 aircraft. BA Cityflyer is a subsidiary of British Airways, which operates from London City Airport during the week to nearly 30 short-haul destinations. The new Stansted services will complement the existing weekday services from London City, plus recently added weekend services from Edinburgh to San Sebastian, Spain and Olbia, Sardinia.

This will be the first time that British Airways has offered scheduled flights from Stansted since before the global pandemic, and it will become the fourth London airport to be served by the flag carrier. Each flight will offer two cabins: Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy). Customers in Club Europe are offered a full meal service with drinks from the bar, priority board and additional baggage allowance. Flights will be available from £41 each way to Florence, £36 each way to Ibiza and £43 each way to Nice. Flights are now live.

Agadir joins British Airways’ short-haul network from London Gatwick

Agadir has become the latest destination to join British Airways’ route network from London Gatwick.

The four-times weekly flight will be operated by British Airways’ Gatwick short-haul subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, from 31 March 2024.

On sale now, Agadir joins Marrakech to become the second Moroccan destination on British Airways’ route map. This will be the first time in more than a decade that Agadir has been available to British Airways customers.

Tom Stoddart, CEO of BA Euroflyer, said: “Agadir is a coastal destination that enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year, so we know it will see strong demand from our leisure customers and particularly those seeking holiday packages. It offers beaches, golf courses and water sports alongside the opportunity to experience cultural landmarks, such as Agadir Kasbah.”

Customers will have the choice of two cabins on every flight: Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy). Euro Traveller customers enjoy a complimentary drink and snack, while Club Europe customers will have lounge access, a full meal service with drinks from the bar, priority boarding and additional baggage allowance is included in their ticket.

Return flights from London Gatwick to Agadir start from £138. Visit www.ba.com/morocco

First ever long-haul Avios-Only flights go on sale for October half term 2024

British Airways has announced that Dubai will be the destination of its next Avios-Only flight, offering more than 200 half term return Reward Seats from just £100 + 60,000 Avios. The flight is available to book now. The BA105 from London Heathrow to Dubai will offer 214 Reward Seats across three cabins on 26 October 2024. The BA108 will return a week later on 2 November 2024 with 256 up for grabs across four cabins, perfectly in time for a half term getaway. This is the first time that the airline has offered a long-haul Avios-Only flight, and it brings the total number to more than 30, including Geneva, Nice, Ibiza and Corfu. Avios-Only flights were launched earlier this year, on which 100% of the seats are exclusively available to British Airways Executive Club Members as Rewards Seats.

Avios only seats are sold as normal Reward Seats, which means that customers with British Airways American Express Credit Cards will also have the option to use their Companion Vouchers. These entitle Members to a second seat for just the taxes and charges, or one seat for half the amount of Avios. Reward Seats are those that can be purchased using Avios at static rates. British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 Reward Seats on standard short and long-haul flights respectively, whereas Avios-Only flights mean that every seat is available to purchase using Avios. Members booking the Avios-Only flight can do so in any cabin as they normally would through ba.com.

New British Airways lounge set to open in Miami

British Airways is set to open a brand-new lounge for its customers travelling from Miami International Airport. Due to open in the first half of 2025, the lounge will feature a brand-new design concept, and will join more than 20 dedicated British Airways airport lounges around the globe. The lounge will be open to those travelling in the Club World (business class) of First cabin, plus Executive Club Members who hold at least Silver status, and those who hold at least Sapphire oneworld status.

Further details will be announced in 2024.

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.

Japan Airlines to debut new A350-1000 on Tokyo to New York City route

December 10, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

https::press.jal.co.jp:en:items:uploads:d6c13e9d961186d40b14371df45b3c5226628e08

JetBlue Flights Take Off for Belize Today

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

New York, N.Y., December 6. 2023, Business Wire – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced it has officially launched service between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, Belize, with the first flight arriving in Belize this afternoon. JetBlue’s new Belize City service will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, introducing the airline’s award-winning service and low fares to customers looking to fly directly from New York.

Belize is one of Central America’s most biodiverse countries. It is home to mystical Mayan caves, wondrous aquatic habitats, and lush national parks, touting tropical jungles, wildlife reserves, and cascading flora and fauna. Located along the Caribbean Sea, Belize offers over 185 miles of barrier reef – the largest in the northern hemisphere – family-friendly attractions, romantic escapes, and many other adventures.

With JetBlue’s entrance into Belize City, JetBlue becomes the only airline to offer nonstop service from New York’s JFK to Belize. Belize City will build on JetBlue’s success in the broader region, where it offers service to 26 countries within Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent years, the airline’s network strategy has focused on enhancing international markets, which has translated into current service to 40 international destinations. As a leader at New York’s JFK, JetBlue’s new route to Belize allows JetBlue to continue to grow in under-served geographies while bringing more choices and options to our customers.

Schedule between New York (JFK) and Belize City (BZE)
Operating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays

JetBlue will operate the Belize City route using its Airbus A320 aircraft, offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach^(a); fast, free and unlimited broadband Fly-Fi^(b); complimentary name-brand snacks and drinks; and seatback entertainment at every seat.

(a) – JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.

(b) – Fly-Fi® and live television are available on all JetBlue-operated flights. Coverage area may vary by aircraft. Details on inflight wi-fi and entertainment: https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us

Forward-Looking Statements

Bell announces delivery of third 429 to Swiss helicopter rescue company Air Zermatt

December 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Madrid, Spain – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced at European Rotors 2023, the delivery of its third Bell 429 to Swiss-based helicopter rescue company, Air Zermatt.

With its 75-person medical personnel and flight crew, Air Zermatt provides transport, tourist flights, and rescue operations in the Swiss Alps and surrounding communities. Each year, Air Zermatt carries out around 2,000 rescue missions, the majority of which are with the Bell 429.

In addition to the delivery of their Bell 429, Air Zermatt has opted to add their entire Bell 429 fleet under Bell’s Customer Advantage Plan (CAP) that protects direct maintenance costs and aircraft value over time and helps to keep aircraft in service longer.

Forward-Looking Statements

Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways announce frequent flyer partnership

November 27, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Air France-KLM Group SA (Paris: AIRF) and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced a new partnership between their respective loyalty programs following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two airline Groups in September 2023.

As part of this new partnership, members of Flying Blue, Air France and KLM’s loyalty program, and members of Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, will now be able to earn and redeem Miles on either loyalty programme when flying on Air France, KLM or Etihad. Reciprocal benefits for elite members will be announced soon.

Following the MoU signed earlier this year, Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways customers now have the opportunity to connect, and therefore to earn and redeem miles, to more than 60 new routes covering destinations worldwide.

The partnership will go live today, on the heels of Air France’s inaugural flight from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle to Abu Dhabi International Airport this past October 29th.

Flying Blue Miles can be redeemed to enjoy a vast range of benefits from flights, worldwide hotel stays, car rentals, or products from the Flying Blue Store. Etihad Guest Miles can be spent on flights, worldwide hotel stays and vacations, or products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

Air France currently operates daily flights between Paris – Charles de Gaulle and Abu Dhabi International Airport while Etihad currently operates daily flights to both Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Forward-Looking Statements

Fiji Airways wins APEX award for best entertainment & best seat comfort in South Pacific

November 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

November 10, 2023 – Fiji Airways is closing off the airline award season on a high with two prestigious accolades in the APEX Passenger Choice Awards for 2024.

The National Airline has been honoured with the coveted awards;

Best Entertainment in the South Pacific
Best Seat Comfort in the South Pacific

This is the first time that Fiji Airways’ inflight entertainment offerings have been recognised, while the airline has won Best Seat Comfort for the second year in a row.

The company has recently added award-winning blockbuster titles from Disney and HBO to its inflight entertainment content providing more than 840 hours of content, offering guests the most comprehensive and immersive experience in the South Pacific region.

In addition, Fiji Airways has also introduced wellness content such as meditation and breath work to help guests arrive at their destination relaxed and rejuvenated.

Moreover, the airline also offers complimentary full flight Wi-Fi browsing in Business Class, 15 minutes complimentary text Wi-Fi in Economy Class, and more attractive Wi-Fi purchase plans on their A350 and 737 MAX fleet. Which means that passengers flying between the United States and Australia/New Zealand via Nadi, will have the most comprehensive Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity experience offered by any airline flying the region.

The company attributes its recognition for Best Seat Comfort in the South Pacific for two years running to the fact that it has one of the youngest and most modern fleet in the world.

The four flagship Airbus A350’s, which service medium and long haul flights, feature Collins Aerospace Super Diamond full lie-flat seats, offering extra comfort with generous bedding and amenities for Business Class guests. A turn down service which includes a mattress, duvet, blanket and pillow is a favourite for guests on long haul flights.

The airline remains focused on inspiring and motivating travellers by offering unparalleled service, ensuring passenger satisfaction, and creating unforgettable moments.

Maersk doubles down on growth in Australia with Omnichannel Fulfilment

November 11, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

A.P. Moller-Maersk AS (OTC: AMKBY) is strengthening its omnichannel-fulfilment capabilities in Australia, with the opening of seven new facilities across the country. As the integrated container and logistics company celebrates its 30th anniversary in Australia, plans are in place to grow its already extensive operations and land-side capabilities.

The seven new facilities are being delivered over the 12 months to Q1 2024 as part of Maersk’s global integrator strategy with clear opportunities identified to expand the regional logistics landscape. This will bring the company’s total number of sites in Australia to eight in total, serviced by 550 full-time employees. Four sites opened earlier this year and three more are coming online between now and Q1 2024. Two of these facilities were integrated into the Maersk network as part of its acquisition of LF Logistics.

Maersk boasts five gateway ports and owned warehouse services in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with additional co-owned warehouse services in Perth and Adelaide. Maersk’s addition of seven facilities in Australia brings its footprint from 15,900 sqm in Q1 2023 to 142,500 sqm by end of Q1 2024, adding a total of 126,600 sqm in 12 months.

Six of the seven new sites will be omnichannel facilities, harnessing a variety of channels to interact with customers to fulfil orders. Omnichannel capabilities provide Maersk with better levels of availability and service, reduced working capital and better efficiency. It allows for an improved focus on sustainability by utilising renewable energy sources such as solar panels, smart power management systems and low energy consumption equipment.

The recent opening of Maersk’s Derrimut facility in Melbourne harnesses progressive AI technology to automate current warehousing processes. The facility caters to booming e-commerce fulfilment needs, as well as offering logistics solutions for different industries, including Footwear and Apparel, Beauty and Wellness, Healthcare, and Luxury Fashion products across Australia.

As part of Maersk’s expansion in Australia, exclusive new offerings to customers include the Flex Hub service, which enables customers to reduce warehousing costs and reduce time to market by placing products closer to their end customer markets.

The Captain Peter for reefer containers service allows customers to see the temperature inside reefer containers carrying their produce, allowing them to change it as needed, giving customers more control of how their frozen or refrigerated goods are managed while in transit with Maersk.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release 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.

United Airlines has more flights to Australia & New Zealand than any other U.S. airline

November 2, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Chicago, Illinois, November 2, 2023 – Kiwis or kangaroos? With United Airlines Holdings Inc (Nasdaq: UAL) new flights to Australia and New Zealand, you don’t have to choose.

New nonstop service between San Francisco and Christchurch starts December 8, making us the only carrier to directly connect the U.S. and the South Island of New Zealand. And that’s not all – our brand-new Los Angeles to Auckland flight started on October 28, plus service from Los Angeles to Brisbane starts shortly on November 29.

Book your Australia or New Zealand adventure today with the U.S. airline serving the most destinations in Australia and New Zealand (hint: that’s us).

Forward-Looking Statements

Archives