Today British Airways has launched a sale offering a pair of Club World (business class) seats from just £2019 return.
There are a range of destinations available for £2019 return for two, including top US destinations such as New York, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Washington and Dallas. Further afield the £2019 fare for two will take travellers to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Other destinations are available for marginally more including Beijing, Hong Kong and Bangkok for £2998, Mumbai, Chennai, Lagos and Abuja for £2999, Antigua for £2305, Barbados for £2332 return and Toronto for £2399.
BA Holidays deals are also available, including:
Dubai: Club World flights plus three nights at a 4* hotel from £1069 per person
New York: Club World flights plus three nights at a 4* hotel from £1199 per person
Las Vegas: Club World flights plus three nights at a 4* hotel from £1149 per person
Dominican Republic: Club World flights plus seven nights all-inclusive at a 4* hotel from just £1359 per person
And there are deals to be had in other cabins too with two First class seats to New York and Miami respectively available from £3019.
Members of the airline’s Executive Club will benefit by saving with Avios part payment, securing the same £2019 deal for two people travelling together in Club World by paying just £619 return and 261,000 Avios.
Travel is for selected dates between August 13 and September 30, 2019 and customers need to book by August 19.
To book please visit ba.com/luxury-offers.
Ends August 12, 2019
Notes to editors:
Full terms and conditions can be found at ba.com/luxury-offers.
The sale runs between 12pm today, August 12, 2019 and 11.59pm on August 19, 2019.
DETROIT (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co said on Monday it would invest $50 million upgrading a Chicago facility to partially assemble hybrid electric SUVs and vehicles for police use, creating 450 jobs.
The plant currently modifies vehicles for police use. That work will be transferred to a nearby facility.
After retooling, the new production line will later this year start partially assembling hybrid versions of the Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle and the luxury Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring SUV.
It will also partially assemble the Police Interceptor SUV.
On Friday, Ford said it would lay off about 200 workers in September at a Canadian manufacturing plant in Oakville, Ontario, with more layoffs possible in January, because of slowing sales of the sedans that the plant manufactures.
Overall, U.S. new vehicle sales are expected to fall this year, although pickup trucks and SUVs remain more popular than traditional passenger cars.
Last week, Ford also kicked off talks on a new four-year contract with the United Auto Workers union, with job security, healthcare costs and the use of temporary workers expected to be major sticking points.
(Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Peter Cooney)
LONDON (Reuters) – Jaguar Land Rover (TAMO.NS) is making a multi-million pound investment to build electric vehicles in Britain, in a major boost for the UK government and a sector hit by the slump in diesel sales and Brexit uncertainty.
Britain’s biggest car company, which built 30 percent of the UK’s 1.5 million cars last year, will make a range of electrified vehicles at its Castle Bromwich plant in central England, beginning with its luxury sedan, the XJ.
“The future of mobility is electric and, as a visionary British company, we are committed to making our next generation of zero-emission vehicles in the UK,” Chief Executive Ralf Speth said on Friday.
The announcement gives a boost to Britain’s automotive sector hit this year by Honda and Ford’s (F.N) plans to close factories.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has highlighted the dangers of a no-deal Brexit and the need to maintain frictionless trade with the European Union, echoing warnings from the industry that just-in-time production could be hit by customs delays and additional bureaucracy.
But it has signed a deal with workers at the Castle Bromwich factory to go from a five-day to a four-day working week with the same amount of hours which should allow the plant to operate more efficiently.
Three of JLR’s four European car plants are in Britain, giving it limited capacity elsewhere on the continent.
The other, in Slovakia, only opened last year and is still being ramped up with other models allocated there.
“We are making this investment because the ongoing Brexit uncertainty has left us with no choice, we had to act, for our employees and our business,” JLR said.
“We are committed to the UK as our home and will fight to stay here but we need the right deal.”
Both candidates to replace Prime Minister Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, have both said they are prepared to take Britain out of the EU on Oct. 31 without a deal, although it is not their preferred option.
Brexiteers have argued that the EU’s biggest economy Germany, which exports hundreds of thousands of cars to Britain ever year, would do its utmost to protect that trade
Friday’s announcement comes after a turbulent few months for Jaguar which announced around 4,500 job cuts earlier in January and posted a 3.66 billion pound ($4.5 billion) loss in 2018/19.
The carmaker is undergoing a turnaround designed to offer an electrified option to all of its new models from 2020 as it seeks to move away from its reliance on diesel vehicles which are being increasingly shunned by buyers.
Jaguar also called on the government to bring giga-scale battery production to the country so that Britain is not left behind in the rush to produce low and zero-emissions vehicles and technology.
Britain’s business minister Greg Clark said the government was doing all it can to meet that goal.
“We are determined to realize that ambition,” he said.
($1 = 0.7952 pounds)
Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Michael Holden and Jane Merriman
FILE PHOTO – A car hangs on the wall of Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich manufacturing facility in Birmingham, Britain, November 17, 2016. REUTERS/Darren Staples
July 1 (Reuters) – Lucid Motors said on Monday it hired Tesla Inc’s former vice president of production at its Freemont factory, Peter Hochholdinger, as vice president of manufacturing.
The Newark, California-based electric carmaker in April also named Peter Rawlinson, former chief engineer of Tesla’s Model S, as its chief executive officer.
Lucid, which has more than $1 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, was founded in 2007 as Atieva by Sam Weng and Bernard Tse, a former vice president of Tesla.
The company positions itself as being less of a direct competitor to Tesla than with luxury car makers such as Audi or BMW, Rawlinson had said.
Hochholdinger, a former production executive at Volkswagen AG, left Tesla last week after three years with the company. At Tesla, he was tasked with improving production for Tesla’s luxury Model S sedan and Model X sport utility vehicle as well as helping build a cost-effective manufacturing program for the Model 3 sedan.
He was the latest high-profile executive to leave Tesla in the past two years, as the automaker struggles to ramp up production of Model 3, which is seen as crucial for its long-term profitability.
Rawlinson said Hochholdinger’s experience in manufacturing would help the company in launching Lucid Air and other future models.
Tesla is expected to report its second-quarter delivery and production numbers this week.
(Reporting by Vibhuti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by James Emmanuel)
Addition of Alila Hotels provides World of Hyatt loyalty members even more places to earn and redeem points and connect to exclusive experiences across distinct hotels and resorts
CHICAGO (June 25, 2019) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) today announced the introduction of Alila Hotels into the World of Hyatt loyalty program beginning June 25, 2019. This program expansion allows World of Hyatt members to enjoy more unique stay options, the ability to earn and redeem points and enjoy in-hotel benefits at 16 participating Alila properties located throughout Asia, Southwest Asia and the U.S. This program addition quickly follows Hyatt’s November 2018 acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality and its recent integration of the Thompson Hotels and Joie de Vivre brands, with the Destination Hotels brand set to follow later this year.
16 Alila hotels are joining World of Hyatt beginning June 25, 2019 through July 16, 2019, including:
Ventana Big Sur – an Alila Resort – Big Sur, California (June 25)
Alila Solo – Solo (Surakarta), Central Java, Indonesia (June 25)
Alila Seminyak – Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia (June 25)
Studios at Alila Seminyak – Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia (June 25)
Alila Ubud – Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia (June 25)
Alila Villas Uluwatu – Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia (June 25)
Alila Manggis – Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia (June 26)
Alila SCBD – Jakarta, Java, Indonesia (June 26)
Alila Diwa Goa – Salcette, Goa, India (July 15)
The Diwa Club by Alila – Salcette, Goa, India (July 15)
Alila Jabal Akhdar – Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman (July 15)
Alila Fort Bishangarh – Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (July 16)
Alila Anji – Anji, Zhejiang, China (July 16)
Alila Wuzhen – Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (July 16)
“Following the additions of the Thompson Hotels and Joie de Vivre brands into World of Hyatt, we are thrilled to introduce Alila as the next former Two Roads brand to join the loyalty program,” said Amy Weinberg, senior vice president, World of Hyatt. “Alila is an award-winning brand known for its combination of innovative design and eco-luxury in unique locations, set apart by an unprecedented level of private space, crafted artisanship, personalized hospitality, and bespoke journeys. We are looking forward to offering our World of Hyatt members the opportunity to discover even more unique destinations and exclusive experiences at these remarkable properties while enjoying the rewards they’ve come to expect from World of Hyatt.”
Following the completion of the Alila Hotels integration on July 16, 2019, more than 40 hotels across the Thompson Hotels, Joie de Vivre and Alila brands will have joined World of Hyatt in many new destinations including Zihuatanejo, Mexico, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, and more.
Exclusive Alila FIND Experiences
Additionally, as part of the Alila brand integration, World of Hyatt members will be able to participate in uniquely crafted, authentic experiences at participating Alila hotels and resorts through the FIND experience platform, all of which will align with Hyatt’s three landmarks of wellbeing: Feel, Fuel and Function. Available for members to redeem using points, these specially curated experiences will be focused on enhancing mind and body, through offerings like the Balinese Beauty Ritual at Alila Seminyak, Seminyak, Indonesia; Journey to Gastronomy at Alila Villas Uluwatu, Uluwatu, Indonesia; Payangan “Private Bali” Trekking to explore rice terraces and riverside views at Alila Ubud, Gianyar, Indonesia; and Snorkeling the Blue Lagoon in Bali at Alila Manggis, Karangasem, Indonesia.
Exclusive World of Hyatt Member Offer
To celebrate, members can earn 2,000 Bonus Points for their first
qualifying stay exploring each of the new brands for a total of up to
8,000 Bonus Points, plus a free night when they experience all four
brands this year. Eligible stays at participating hotels begin once each
property participates in World of Hyatt and are valid through December
31, 2019. No registration is required. Full terms for these offers are
below. These offers are combinable with other program offers, and are
part of World of Hyatt’s continued commitment to increasing rewarding
offerings for its global members.
FLINT, Mich. (Reuters) – General Motors Co president Mark Reuss said on Wednesday that the automaker is investing about $150 million at its Flint Assembly plant in Michigan, to boost production of heavy duty trucks by another 40,000 vehicles a year.
Reuss announced the investment at the Flint truck assembly plant wearing a United Auto Workers pin.
The Detroit automaker announced in February it was adding 1,000 jobs in Flint to build a new generation of heavy-duty pickup trucks.
GM did not say that the latest investment would add more jobs at the plant, but Reuss said there could be opportunities to add workers as the launch of the automaker’s new trucks progresses.
FILE PHOTO: A Chevrolet 2020 heavy-duty pickup truck is seen at the General Motors Flint Assembly Plant in Flint
GM has been under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and lawmakers of both parties to add jobs in the United States after it said last November it would idle a small car assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, and had no new products for three other U.S. manufacturing plants.
The Flint investment will include upgrades to the plant’s conveyors and other new tooling, and will be completed in the first half of 2020. GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the plant since 2013.
Last month, GM said it would invest $24 million to increase truck production at its assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which makes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models.
FILE PHOTO: The frames of Chevrolet 2019 heavy-duty pickup trucks sit on the assembly line in the paint department at General Motors Flint Assembly Plant
Sales of heavy-duty pickups in the United States have grown to more than 600,000 vehicles a year, up more than 20 percent since 2013, according to industry data. Prices for luxury models can easily top $70,000.
GM’s Chevrolet and GMC brands have long trailed Ford Motor Co’s F-series heavy duty trucks in the lucrative segment. The new Chevrolet and GMC heavy duty trucks have been re-engineered to tow heavier trailers, and keep pace in what has become an arms race among the Detroit Three automakers to claim superior torque and towing capability.
(Reporting by Joe White in Detroit and Sanjana Shivdas in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Nick Zieminski)
FILE PHOTO: A General Motors Co. assembly worker does quality control checks on the paint of Chevrolet 2019 heavy-duty pickup trucks in Flint
(Reuters) – Tesla Inc has agreed to buy energy storage company Maxwell Technologies Inc for $218 million in an all-stock deal that could help the electric car maker produce batteries that hold more energy and last longer at a time when it needs to cut costs and faces growing competition.
Tesla is rapidly increasing production of its Model 3 sedan and needs to lower the price to reach a broader customer base than its pure luxury vehicles.
Maxwell executives told investors in January that it had developed and patented a “dry electrode” technology that could significantly increase the driving range and reduce the cost of electric vehicle batteries. In a presentation, Maxwell said it expected strategic alliances “within six months” centered around this technology.
The company also makes ultracapacitors, which discharge energy faster than batteries and are seen as complementing battery technology.
Ultracapacitors, combined with the energy of batteries, can enable rapid response times, function across a broader temperature range and lengthen battery life by up to two times, according to a blog post on Maxwell’s website.
Volvo-owner Geely Holding Group last May announced a deal with Maxwell and described the company’s ultracapacitor technology as helping to deliver “peak power” for hybrid cars.
“Tesla needs Maxwell’s solvent-free battery electrode manufacturing for a viable path to lower battery costs,” said Craig Irwin of Roth Capital Partners. “Real competitors are coming now, so Tesla needs to move fast.”
Maxwell’s customers also include General Motors and Lamborghini.
The offer values each Maxwell share at $4.75, representing a 55 percent premium to the stock’s closing price on Friday, the companies said. Maxwell shares rose to trade at $4.58.
Currently, Japan’s Panasonic Corp is the exclusive battery cell supplier for Tesla cars.
Tesla chief Elon Musk had highlighted the importance of ultracapacitors back in 2013.
Tesla also sells power storage, often in conjunction with its solar power business, and ultracapacitors could be used in backup systems for homes and for utility power grids.
Maxwell expects the deal, which has already been approved by its board, to close in the second quarter of 2019, or shortly thereafter.
DLA Piper was Maxwell’s outside legal counsel, while Barclays Capital was the independent adviser. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati represented Tesla as outside legal counsel.
(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee, Peter Henderson and Akanksha Rana in Bengaluru and by Joe White and Paul Lienert in Detroit; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
Caesars Republic Scottsdale to Break Ground in Second Half 2019
LAS VEGAS, January 28, 2019 – Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), the world’s most diversified casino-entertainment company today announced plans to open Caesars Republic Scottsdale, its first non-gaming hotel in the United States, as part of its plan to expand its brands and loyalty network through its licensing strategy.
Caesars Republic Scottsdale will be located adjacent to the region’s premier luxury retail destination, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and will be a four-star hotel developed by HCW Development and operated by Aimbridge Hospitality. Caesars Entertainment will license its brand, advise on design elements and integrate the industry’s leading loyalty network Total Rewards.
“Caesars Republic Scottsdale represents the introduction of a new world class brand and further progress on our strategy to expand our non-gaming business into premier destinations,” said Caesars Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Frissora. “This project will be our first non-gaming asset in the United States and demonstrates the global strength of the Caesars brand. We look forward to partnering with HCW Development and Aimbridge Hospitality to create a world-class experience in one of the nation’s most desirable communities.”
This modern 11 story glass structure with 266 rooms will be developed at the intersection of North Goldwater and East Highland Avenue. This high-profile location will allow the Caesars Republic Scottsdale guests the ability to walk to the state’s most elegant mall.
The interior décor will feature rich textures and strong architecture, juxtaposing soft curves and bold accents in a chic and classy lobby, with designs curated throughout the guest rooms. The first-floor bar will be the spot for an after-work cocktail or glass of wine after a day of shopping. The signature restaurant will feature a sophisticated, high-energy environment that will synergize with surrounding trade areas, catering to both locals and hotel guests alike. There will be an abundance of outdoor seating on the patio with fantastic views of Camelback Mountain. In addition, there will be a coffee shop, ideal for a casual business breakfast or as a grab-and-go option for those on the run.
The guest room experience will set the standard for rooms and amenities in Scottsdale. In addition to the mixture of kings, double queens, one and two-bedroom suites, the hotel will also feature a bridal suite, and on the 11th floor, five luxury entertainment suites. On the second floor, there are five breakout rooms which will accommodate up to 40 people each or can be opened for events up to 200. The second-floor executive board room is capable of seating 16 at a permanent table.
Caesars Republic Scottsdale will house a 7,000-square foot column-free ballroom with 34-foot sliding glass doors which open out onto the adjacent lawn, suitable for outdoor events for up to 600 people. The ballroom is divisible into four sections and can accommodate banquets up to 500. The ballroom’s LED lighting system will allow event organizers to customize the look and feel of their event with the ability to change the ceiling color. Additionally, the ballroom will feature a cutting-edge sound, internet and audio-visual system.
The most stunning part of Caesars Republic Scottsdale will be the 7th floor, encompassing a rooftop pool and bar – the only rooftop pool in Scottsdale – featuring breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain. The pool will host activities such as yoga at 9 and champagne at 11. The rooftop bar will feature specialty drinks by HCW’s award-winning mixologist. There will be weekend brunches and lively afternoon energy year-round. This area will also serve as private event space for exclusive groups or company events. Adjacent to the pool will be the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness center.
“We are very excited to work alongside our new partners to introduce the Caesars Republic brand to the world,” said Richard Huffman, Chief Executive Officer and President of HCW Development. “Scottsdale is a vibrant community and we are confident that this high-end facility will provide a truly unique and dynamic experience to both locals and guests traveling from afar.”
Caesars Republic offers a new kind of lifestyle hotel experience; the first brand from Caesars Entertainment designed exclusively for non-gaming hotels. Caesars Republic is a brand with an edge: it inspires the imagination, pushes creative boundaries, and collaborates with trendsetters.
The brand pays homage to the dynamic energy of Las Vegas – celebrating rebellious spirits and beckoning its guests to unleash their alter egos. Just as all republics are social in nature, Caesars Republic incorporates thoughtful details and brand rituals to facilitate connections among its guests.
No two hotels within the brand will be exactly alike – everything from the décor to the culinary offerings are inspired by local traditions and tastemakers. Caesars Republic taps into the unique pulse of each host city, amplifying its energy and culture.
“We are honored to partner with Caesars Entertainment and add a hotel with the iconic Caesars brand to our management portfolio,” said Aimbridge Hospitality President and Chief Operating Officer, Robert Burg. “We share Caesars’ commitment to operating excellence and look forward to managing Caesars Republic Scottsdale.”
Scottsdale is an ideal market for the introduction of the Caesars Republic brand. Scottsdale hosted an estimated 4.5 million overnight visitors and 4.4-million-day trip visitors in 2017. Caesars Republic Scottsdale will be located just north of Scottsdale Fashion Square. Owned and operated by Macerich (MAC), Scottsdale Fashion Square features an elevated luxury wing anchored by Neiman Marcus, plus a new flagship Apple, and more than 200 shopping and dining options including market exclusives Saint Laurent and a recently announced Nobu.
“Our market-dominant Scottsdale Fashion Square is the natural home for the innovative new Caesars Republic hotel concept,” said Ed Coppola, President, Macerich. “The addition of this exciting new hotel is part of the next phase of development for our exceptional mixed-use property, which also will introduce Class A office space and upscale residences to bring even more value to this one-of-a-kind destination.”
This announcement follows the late 2018 opening of Caesars Entertainment’s two beachfront luxury resorts and beach club on Meraas’ Bluewaters Island in Dubai. Additionally, Caesars announced plans last year to develop a non-gaming Caesars Palace resort along the coast of Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico.
About Caesars Entertainment Corporation
Caesars Entertainment is the world’s most diversified casino-entertainment provider and the most geographically diverse U.S. casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, in 1937, Caesars Entertainment has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions. Caesars Entertainment’s resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah’s® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars Entertainment’s portfolio also includes the Caesars Entertainment UK family of casinos. Caesars Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. Caesars Entertainment is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit, visit www.caesars.com/corporate.
Project team currently includes BRP Architect firm out of Springfield, MO; Studio 11 Interior Design from Dallas, Texas; Transaction handled by LeDonna Spongberg of CBRE’s Phoenix office.
(Reuters) – NetJets, the luxury plane unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc, has extended its contract with its pilots union by three years, avoiding the type of bitter labor dispute that it had with the union earlier this decade.
The tentative contract with the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, which represents 2,500 pilots, boosts pay, changes the compensation structure, and expires in 2026.
NetJets and the union said in a joint statement on Thursday that the accord followed six weeks of talks, which the Columbus, Ohio-based company began though the pilots’ 2015 contract wasn’t scheduled to expire until 2023.
More than 81 percent of the pilots voted last month in favor of the changes.
“The NJASAP Executive Board is exceedingly pleased with the outcome of this negotiation — an ambitious undertaking characterized by honesty, goodwill and a genuine commitment to continuing collaboration,” said union president, Pedro Leroux.
The contract was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. Berkshire did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NetJets’ labor peace contrasts with more than two years of contentious relations with the union that ended in 2015, after Adam Johnson was installed as chief executive.
The union, then also led by Leroux, had accused NetJets of trying to slash jobs, obtain givebacks on health care and work rules, and bait pilots through bogus Twitter posts to conduct work slowdowns that could result in their being fired.
In contrast, Johnson said on Thursday the contract extension was “built on a foundation of trust and transparency.”
Berkshire employed more than 377,000 people at the end of 2017, and most are not unionized.
Buffett, who flies on NetJets planes, told shareholders at Berkshire’s 2015 annual meeting: “We have no anti-union agenda whatsoever, and we think we have sensational pilots.”
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
In other NetJet news, Just in time for the winter ski season, we are excited to announce a partnership with Caldera House. Through this partnership, NetJets Owners can take advantage of exclusive benefits at Jackson Hole’s newest luxury hotel.
Aston Martin aims to bring luxury private transport to the sky with its Volante Vision Concept aircraft – a flying autonomous, hybrid-electric vehicle that can take off vertically.
This is the first time the British car brand, traditionally known for its luxury sports cars, has ventured into aircraft design.
Named after the Italian word for flying, the Volante was debuted on 16 July 2018 at the Farnborough Air Show, alongside other aircraft designs including Boeing’s hypersonic aircraft concept.
