Tag: cruise (Page 1 of 2)

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.

U.S. and Switzerland sign agreement for PAC-3 MSE missiles

November 2, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Bern, Switzerland, Oct. 31, 2023 – United States and Switzerland officials formalized an agreement for Switzerland to purchase Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles and related support equipment. With this agreement, Switzerland becomes PAC-3’s 15th partner nation.

PAC-3 MSE will bolster Switzerland’s Patriot ground-based air defense system as a part of the Switzerland Air Force’s Air2030 program.

Lockheed Martin and armasuisse also finalized the Offset Agreement supporting the PAC-3 MSE program. This agreement is the catalyst for multiple new projects that will support Switzerland’s security-relevant technology and industry base (STIB).

The PAC-3 MSE expands the battlespace with a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, providing increased performance in altitude and range. PAC-3 MSE is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, advanced threats and aircraft. The PAC-3 MSE missile uses Hit-to-Kill technology, intercepting threats through kinetic energy via body-to-body contact.

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.

RTX, Rafael plan new missile production facility in Camden, Arkansas

October 26, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

East Camden, Arkansas, October 26, 2023, PRNewswire – Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, in partnership with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, will build a manufacturing facility in East Camden, Arkansas to produce the Tamir missile for the Iron Dome Weapon System and its U.S. variant, SkyHunter^®.

Through the established Raytheon-Rafael Area Protection Systems joint venture, the companies have committed to a $33 million capital investment to establish the new facility. Once operational, the facility will produce missiles for the U.S. Marine Corps and other allied partners.

Raytheon and Rafael have teamed for over a decade on Iron Dome, which has more than 5,000 operational intercepts and a success rate exceeding 90%. The U.S. version of the Iron Dome Weapon System’s Tamir, SkyHunter, is a medium-range air defense weapon designed to counter a range of threats, including cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft, rockets, artillery and mortars. SkyHunter missiles will be produced for the U.S. Marine Corps Medium Range Intercept Capability, or MRIC, program.

The joint venture plans to break ground on the new facility before the end of the year with the intent to begin missile production in 2025.

TUI River Cruises launches Nile River cruise with fourth ship the TUI Al Horeya

July 23, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

TUI (London: TUI) River Cruises has announced a brand-new River Nile cruise set to commence in Winter 2024 with exclusive TUI charter flights to Luxor from London Gatwick and Manchester Airports. The exciting expansion means that the river cruise line will add a fully refurbished five-star ship, to be named TUI Al Horeya, which means ‘freedom’, to operate seven-night, all-inclusive round-trip sailings from Luxor. TUI Al Horeya can accommodate 145 passengers and offers 74 cabins including singles, standard cabins and suites.

Two flights per week will operate from London Gatwick and Manchester to Luxor; a city which encompasses a mesmerizing blend of history, architecture, and culture. The new routes is exclusive to TUI, which will be the only tour operator to offer direct, non-stop flights from the UK to Luxor which will operate weekly on a Thursday from 7^th November 2024 until 24^th April 2025.

Dedicated licenced Egyptologists will be on hand throughout the trip to enhance the customer experience to be on hand to answer any questions. The modern and contemporary ship will boasts a top deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, restaurant, Al Fresco dining, lounge bar, wellness studio and a boutique shop.

Like the rest of the fleet, TUI Al Horeya will include a day and night entertainment programme, as well as offering customers a wide range of excursions which have been curated by industry experts, guaranteed to transport visitors back in time to the era of pharaohs and dynasties.

Windstar Cruises Names Karl Gulotta Corporate Executive Chef

December 16, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Windstar-New-Exec-Chef Download

New Special Edition Appearance Package Brings Throwback Style to Mustang Family

August 19, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 19, 2021 – Today in celebration of the Woodward Dream Cruise, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is taking a page out of its Mustang history book with the introduction of the new Mustang Ice White Edition Appearance Package for both Mustang coupe and Mustang Mach-E. This marks the first time in 28 years Ford is offering a white-on-white Mustang and the first time ever for the coupe.

“Mustang has always had the power to attract attention on the road, but the new Mustang Ice White Edition could – just like the original ’93 Triple White Fox body feature Mustang – become one of the hot collectibles of future generations,” said Jim Owens, Mustang brand marketing manager. “We are proud to continue a longstanding Mustang tradition of continuously offering fresh, new styling options for customers to empower them to make their Mustang an extension of who they are.”

The package is the first to be offered to both Mustang Mach-E and Mustang coupe customers.

Ice White Edition Mustang Mach-E

The 2021 Car and Driver EV of the Year, North American SUV of the Year and one of the hottest all-electric SUVs on the market will exclusively offer the new Mustang Ice White Edition Appearance Package on Mustang Mach-E Premium models.

Star White Metallic Tri-Coat paint includes unique Star White mirror caps and wheel lip moldings to ice-out the exterior. Front and center on the grille is an Oxford White pony badge, which also appears between the tri-bar taillamps. The package adds unique 19-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with Oxford White-painted pockets.

Light Space Gray sets the cabin stage, appearing on the seats, center console and door-panel armrests. A Bright Silver hex-patterned instrument panel plus an Oxford White pony badge on the steering wheel add chill to the interior environment.

Orders for the 2022 Mustang Mach-E Ice White Edition open in the fall. The vehicle will be in showrooms early next year.

Ice White Edition Mustang Coupe

Reminiscent of the 1993 Triple White Fox body feature Mustang, the 2022 Mustang coupe Ice White Edition gives customers the option to add even more head-turning style to the world’s best-selling sports car¹. Ford made just 1,500 Triple White Fox body feature Mustangs – all convertibles.

Available on Mustang EcoBoost^® and GT Premium fastback models, the Mustang Ice White Edition comes lacquered exclusively in Oxford White and features unique iced-out taillamps, plus heritage-inspired 19×9-inch wheels in matching Oxford White with machine-surfaced pockets. Just like on the Ice White Edition Mustang Mach-E, the Ice White Mustang coupe comes with Oxford White pony badges and fender badging.

The black and white interior features Oxford White leather seat inserts front and rear, plus Oxford White leather door panels. An aluminum appliqué on the dash and white accent stitching on the center console, door panels, shifter boot, headrests and more add to the cool cabin environment.

Ice White Edition Appearance Package-equipped Mustang EcoBoost and Mustang GT Premium coupes arrive at dealers in early 2022.

Small Ship Cruise Line Windstar Resumes Operations in Tahiti for Vaccinated Guests

July 17, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Seattle, Washington, July 16, 2021 – U.S. headquartered small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has resumed cruising this week in French Polynesia/the Islands of Tahiti with vaccinated guests + crew aboard the line’s 148-passenger Wind Spirit sailing ship. Half of the line’s six yacht fleet is now back in the water cruising.

To celebrate Wind Spirit’s return, the line has added free drinks to its already enticing bundled pricing.

Windstar offers a convenient Air + Hotel package from Los Angeles International Airport that includes the round trip Air Tahiti Nui flight from Los Angeles, pre-cruise accommodations and a post-cruise day room, ground transfers in Tahiti, and a seven, 10, or 11 night boutique cruise in French Polynesia. Now on cruise vacations including air and hotel booked during the promotional period ending July 30, 2021, guests also receive the promise of a free beverage package (with unlimited select spirits, wine, beer, cocktails, and minibar items), guaranteeing an extra Mai Tai or three beneath a palm tree. If guests don’t imbibe, they can alternately choose shipboard credit to put towards other experiences, like a relaxing onboard spa treatment or shore excursions such as SCUBA diving, reef snorkeling, or even harvesting Tahitian black pearls.

Windstar typically sails year-round from Tahiti, where cruises take place on Wind Spirit, a 148- guest motorized sailing yacht specifically designed for the region and capturing the South Pacific trade winds in its billowing sails. However, Windstar’s reimagined, new all-suite Star Breeze yacht carrying 312 guests will begin sailings in the region on September 19 and will remain on a limited engagement in Tahiti until March of 2022, giving guests a unique chance to sail on the larger, more amenity-intensive yacht in gracious ocean view 277 square feet suites. Windstar offers guests a complimentary private event on their Tahiti cruises: a private beach party and locally sourced feast on one of Bora Bora’s tiny motus, followed by a kinetic fire-dancing performance. It is available on all sailings/both yachts.

Windstar is returning to operations in a phased manner, with its fleet of six yachts debuting on various dates through November, while requiring vaccines of all passengers amongst a host of health and safety precautions including testing, social distancing, masks, and high-tech air filtration. On June 19, Windstar’s Wind Star yacht resumed revenue operations in Greece, and on July 10, Windstar’s Star Breeze began sailing in the Caribbean, both with vaccinated guests and crew.

Windstar has plans to resume sailing on the following yachts in 2021 with vaccinated guests + crew:

Wind Surf – August 8, 2021 – Mediterranean

Star Legend – September 4, 2021 – Northern Europe

Star Pride – November 3, 2021 – Caribbean

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com

FILE PHOTO: AirAsia crew members pose for a photograph in front of an Airbus A320-200 plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, July 22, 2019. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng/File Photo

AirAsia Connects Kuching and Langkawi with 3 Weekly Flights

October 1, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

AirAsia will soon connect two of Malaysia’s most popular destinations with the airline commencing three weekly services between scenic Kuching and idyllic Langkawi from 13 November 2020.

All-in-fares for BIG members start as low as RM59* one way and are available for booking at airasia.com and via the AirAsia mobile app.

SNAP (flight+hotel) combos inclusive of return flight and 3 days/2 nights stay at Pelangi Beach Resort Langkawi or Nadias Hotel Cenang are available from RM269** per person, meanwhile, Tune Hotel – Waterfront Kuching or Regatta Suites Kuching are also available from RM219** per person.

Travellers can also book airport transfers, transport services or activities on airasia.com (through the ‘Activities’ tab). From Kuching, enjoy a day trip to Bako National Park, get up close with the orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre or learn about Sarawak multi-ethnic culture at the Sarawak Cultural Village. In Langkawi, indulge in a sunset dinner cruise on the Andaman Sea or challenge yourself with some adrenaline-pumping activities such as Zipline, ATV ride or jet ski ride.

For the latest AirAsia news, activities and promotions, follow AirAsia on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia), Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) and Instagram (instagram.com/AirAsia).

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Boeing Awarded $3.1 Billion in U.S. Navy Cruise Missile Contracts

May 14, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a combined $3.1 billion in contracts for Harpoon and Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER) weapon systems in support of Foreign Military Sales (FMS). About $2.6 billion of that was contracted today while the remainder had been previously awarded.

“We are pleased to continue our long legacy of partnering with the Navy to build weapons that defend America and its international partners,” said Cindy Gruensfelder, vice president, Boeing Weapons. “These awards will not only extend production of the Harpoon program through 2026, they will also restart the production line for SLAM ER and ensure deliveries through 2028.”

Boeing last delivered the SLAM ER weapon system in 2008. In October 2019, Boeing began construction on a new 35,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility to support increased production for the Harpoon and SLAM ER programs. Construction is expected to be complete in 2021.

Austrian Airlines Will Temporarily Suspend Flight Operations

March 19, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Last flight will land on 19 March in Vienna / all further flights are temporarily suspended until 28 March
Lufthansa Group: entire short and long-haul schedule significantly reduced again
As of 17 March: ten percent of the originally planned capacity will still be available on long-haul routes and 20 per cent on short-haul routes
Lufthansa Group airlines fly thousands of cruise passengers and holidaymakers home
Arrangements for further evacuation flights
Lufthansa Cargo flight operations carries out all planned flights despite corona crisis

The Lufthansa Group carrier Austrian Airlines will temporarily suspend scheduled flight operations as of Thursday, 19 March 2020. Austrian Airlines is thus reacting to the entry restrictions imposed by many countries in response to the massive spread of the coronavirus.

For the time being, the last flight with flight number OS 066 will land in Vienna from Chicago at 8:20 a.m. on 19 March. Until then, flight operations are to be reduced in a controlled and structured manner in order to bring all passengers and crews home if possible. Initially Austrian Airlines will cancel all flights until March 28th 2020, and passengers who have booked a flight with Austrian Airlines during this period will be rebooked on other airlines if possible.

In addition, Lufthansa Group airlines will further reduce their short- and long-haul schedule. The cancellations, which will be published as early as tomorrow, March 17th, will lead to a sharp decline in long-haul service especially in the Middle East, Africa and Central and South America. Overall, the Lufthansa Group’s seating capacity on long-haul routes will be reduced by up to 90 per cent. A total of 1,300 weekly connections were originally planned for summer 2020.

Within Europe the flight schedule will also be further reduced. Starting tomorrow, around 20 percent of the originally planned seating capacity will still be offered. Originally, some 11,700 weekly short-haul flights were planned for summer 2020 with Lufthansa Group airlines.

The additional cancellations will be published over the next few days and passengers will be informed accordingly.

Despite the large-scale cancellations, Lufthansa, Eurowings and Austrian Airlines have scheduled more than 20 special flights with over 6,000 guests on short notice to fly cruise passengers and holidaymakers back home. Wide-body aircraft namely, the Boeing 747 & 777 and Airbus A350 are being used to offer as much capacity as possible on these return flights. Since thousands of German, Austrian, Swiss and Belgian citizens are still waiting to return to their home countries, Lufthansa Group airlines have made arrangements for further evacuation flightsand are in close contact with the governments of their home countries concerning this. Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said: “Now it is no longer about economic issues, but about the responsibility that airlines bear as part of the critical infrastructure in their home countries.” Lufthansa will work with airports and air traffic controllers to develop a coordinated concept for maintaining the critical infrastructure.

The new timetable for all Lufthansa Group airlines will initially be valid until 12 April 2020. Lufthansa Group passengers planning a trip in the coming weeks are advised to check the current status of the respective flight on their airline’s website before departure. If rebooking possibilities exist, the passengers concerned will be proactively informed about alternatives, as long as they have provided their contact details online. In addition, currently changed rebooking conditions apply on a goodwill basis. Customers can find more information about this at lufthansa.com.

We are currently receiving an exceptionally high number of customer calls at our Service Centers and at our stations. We are continuously working on increasing capacity to meet this demand. Nevertheless, there are currently long waiting times. Passengers can use the extensive rebooking and self-service options on the airlines’ websites as an alternative to the Service Centers.

Unlike the passenger airlines, Lufthansa Cargo has so far been able to operate all its planned flights except for cancellations to mainland China. The Lufthansa Group subsidiary will continue to do everything in its power to maintain the flight operations of its own cargo fleet and thus support the global supply chains. Especially during the current crisis, logistics and thus also airfreight are of paramount importance.

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