First Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Opened In Frankfurt

German airline Lufthansa is adding another highlight to its range of services for premium customers with the opening of the Welcome Lounge at Frankfurt Airport – the first lounge of its kind in Lufthansa’s worldwide network. Located directly behind the baggage reclaim hall in the arrivals area B and open daily from 0530 hrs to 1230 hrs, the lounge concept is geared to the needs of passengers arriving on long-haul Lufthansa flights and can be used exclusively by First and Business Class passengers as well as by status customers.

 

The lounge has a total floor area of 1,200 sq meters on 2 levels providing all the amenities guests need in order to freshen up after an intercontinental flight and prepare for the day ahead. At the reception, there is a large cloakroom where guests may leave their baggage during their stay. Located on the upper level is a spacious comfort area with lounging armchairs and a quiet zone for relaxing. There is also a bistro area where guests can enjoy various snacks or help themselves to the breakfast buffet with hot and cold dishes. Wireless internet access is available throughout the lounge, with workstations and free internet terminals provided in the dedicated work area.

 

The lower level houses a modern shower area, encompassing 28 high-end showers in an elegant design that invites guests to relax and refresh themselves after their flight. A concierge is on hand to manage the shower facilities and also coordinate customer requests, such as the ironing service for HON Circle members, First Class guests and Senators.

 

Following the opening of the Welcome Lounge, Lufthansa’ s premium customers will have a choice of 14 lounges at Frankfurt Airport. Globally, the airline currently operates 65 lounges with a total floor space of over 28,000 sq meters, along with more than 660 lounges operated by Lufthansa’s Star Alliance and cooperation partners to which Lufthansa passengers also have access.

Japan Airlines Adjusts Routes, Flight Frequencies

Responding to weak demand, especially on international routes, resulting from the global economic slowdown, Japan Airlines (JAL) announced route, flight frequency and equipment adjustments to its summer schedule for its international and domestic passenger operations. The airline will also increase the role of its 2 subsidiaries, JAL Express and J-AIR, with the former beginning international operations.

 

Adjustments will be made on flights to London Heathrow from Osaka and Tokyo, with the daily Osaka-London service suspended. Flight frequency between Tokyo Narita and London Heathrow will be doubled from 7 to 14 flights per week.

 

Flight frequency will be reduced on 3 international routes. The Tokyo-New York route will be decreased from 14 to 10 flights a week, while Tokyo-Bangkok will be reduced from 21 to 14 flights a week and Tokyo Narita-Seoul Incheon services from 26 to 25 flights a week.

 

JAL will increase the number of flights for international passengers wishing to connect via Tokyo Narita onto Osaka Kansai or Sapporo. International connection services to both cities will operate 7 times a week and 14 times a week respectively.

 

The airline will also reduce capacity on 7 routes through aircraft downsizing and adjust its inflight product on selected routes. JAL’s award-winning business class, the JAL Shell Flat Seat, will be introduced onto 4 more routes: Milan, Mexico, Rome and Vancouver. JAL’s latest seats in first and business class, the JAL Suite and JAL Shell Flat Neo Seat respectively, will be introduced on the Chicago and Los Angeles routes, as will the airline’s new premium economy service.

 

JAL Express, which up until now has only operated on Japan domestic routes, will also start operating international services, flying from Tokyo and Osaka to the Chinese cities of Hangzhou and Shanghai from 8 May 2009.

 

Japan Airlines will also adjust frequencies and capacity on its domestic routes from Tokyo and Osaka. From February 2009, J-AIR operations will be expanded following the introduction of the Embraer 170 regional jet.

First Holiday Inn Resort In Indonesia To Open In Bali

Located on 3 hectares of beautifully terraced tropical gardens and set to open in March, the contemporary, Balinese-inspired Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali features 195 guest rooms and suites along a perfect stretch of white, sandy beach.

 

Appealing to families and couples alike, Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali is situated in the secluded enclave of Tuban, a 10-minute drive from the airport and a short stroll to the vibrant shopping and entertainment area of Kuta. It is also only 3o minutes from Denpasar, Bali’s capital city, and 60 minutes from Ubud, Bali’s artistic centre.

 

Several categories of rooms are available to guests. These include the spectacular Ocean rooms, Garden rooms, Family suites and kid suites. All the rooms will have 32-inch flat screen satellite television and seamless internet access, as well as the usual amenities found in Holiday Inn properties worldwide. The resort will also have a selection of eateries including “The Beach”, where guests can relax and enjoy stunning sunsets on the open decks.

 

Entertainment and wellness options for guests include the purpose-built Tea Tree Spa, fitness center, a kid’s club with extensive outdoor play area and many other new products and services. The resort will also have its own hub which will include a travel desk, mini mart, internet cafe, concierge and ice cream & coffee kiosk.

 

The Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali features a departure lounge which provide departing guests a space to relax prior to their flight. Showers, changing rooms, lockers, safe deposit boxes, a 32-inch plasma television, refreshments and reading materials will be available to guests for use.

 

The opening of the Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali adds a 6th property for Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Indonesia. IHG currently operate the Intercontinental Jakarta Midplaza, Intercontinental Bali Resort, Crowne Plaza Jakarta, Holiday Inn Bandung and Holiday Inn Batam.

Emirates To Launch A380 Flights To South Korea

Emirates has announced that it would begin operating its new Airbus A380 aircraft to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport in November 2009.

 

Timed to coincide with Visit Korea Year 2010, the new service represents the aviation world’s first A380 operation to Seoul, as well as Emirates’ first A380 service to Northeast Asia. It follows the successful deployment of the airline’s A380s to New York, London and soon-to-be-launched Sydney and Auckland.

 

Emirates A380’s revolutionary inflight product includes onboard shower spas in the first class cabin featuring signature products by the airline’s premium spa brand, Timeless Spa. A social area and onboard lounge for first and business class passengers in the upper deck of the aircraft mirrors the ambience of an executive club and includes a bar with a wide range of beverages and canapés.

 

With up to 517 seats in a 3-class configuration, passengers enjoy flat-bed massage-equipped private suites in first class, a new generation of intelligent seating and flat beds in business class, mood lighting and inflight entertainment featuring over 1,000 channels of on-demand entertainment.

 

Emirates currently operate daily flights to Seoul with Boeing 777 aircraft.

Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria Set To Debut In Berlin

Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) has announced that it is to open the first new-build Waldorf Astoria hotel in Europe. The Waldorf Astoria Berlin in Germany is anticipated to open towards the end of 2011 and will feature 242 luxury guest rooms and suites.

 

Situated in the western part of the German capital city, near Bahnof Zoo train station and adjacent to a metro station, the Waldorf Astoria Berlin will be close to many of Berlin’s attractions, including the popular Kurfürstendamm shopping district. The 31-storey hotel will feature over 1,100 sq metres of dedicated conference and meeting facilities, in addition to a lavish spa and wellness area, a stylish restaurant and bar and on-site parking. It is anticipated that the hotel’s central location combined with excellent transport links to rail, buses and airports, will be a key appeal for both business and leisure visitors.

 

The new Waldorf Astoria Berlin is the latest addition to the brand’s luxury expansion in Europe, following the recent arrival of the Rome Cavalieri and Trianon Palace Versailles to the Waldorf Astoria Collection. The hotel will be the 2nd Hilton family property in the city and will complement the 591-room Hilton Berlin hotel, which is situated just 4 kilometres away.

 

HHC currently operate 14 hotels in Germany – 13 Hiltons and 1 Hilton Garden Inn. The company is developing Waldorf Astoria hotels and residences in key cities around the world, each hotel with its own individual character, timeless architecture and special history.

Wyndham Hotel Group Expands In China With New Openings

Wyndham Hotel Group has expanded its portfolio in China with the opening of 7 hotels, 3 of which are all–new construction properties, under its Ramada, Howard Johnson and Super 8 brands.

 

 

Among the new hotels open is the 5–star Howard Johnson Resort Sanya Bay on Hainan Island, one of China’s premier resort destinations. The resort boasts 1,160 rooms and 38 villas offering seaviews, over 10 food and beverage outlets, spacious meeting facilities and an array of leisure and entertainment options for guests.

 

 

The 4–star, city–center Ramada Wuxi hotel is located in the heart of Wuxi city, with easy access to the railway station, airport and road system. The 250-room hotel offers the usual amenities of a Ramada property. Business travellers will enjoy personalized service and benefits in the hotel’s executive club lounge.

 

 

The Super 8 Hotel Shanghai Fen Ye Hongqiao is located near the Shanghai Zoo, Guangda Exhibition Centre and Qibao Old Town. As with all Super 8 properties, guests will enjoy free high-speed internet access, cable television and free stays for children 17 and under.

 

 

Wyndham Hotel Group currently has over 170 properties in China operating under the Ramada, Super 8 and Howard Johnson brand names.

Cathay Pacific To Increase Flights To Paris, Shanghai And Jakarta

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that it will increase the number of flights it offers to three destinations – Paris, Shanghai and Jakarta – in response to sustained customer demand. The service enhancements will be introduced in the airline’s summer schedule, which comes into effect on 29 March 2009.

 

 

An additional 4 flights a week will be added on the Hong Kong-Paris route, allowing the airline to provide a double-daily service to the French capital. Flight CX 263 will depart Hong Kong at 2250 hrs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving at 0620 hrs the next morning in Paris. The return CX 262 departs Paris at 1845 hrs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for an afternoon arrival into Hong Kong at 1255 hrs the next day.

 

 

Cathay Pacific will also add 2 more flights each day to Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, with early- and late-afternoon departures from Hong Kong, taking the airline’s total to 3 flights daily. Flights CX 360 and CX 364 depart Hong Kong at 1400 hrs and 1730 hrs respectively, landing in Shanghai at 1630 hrs and 2000 hrs. The return flights, CX 369 and CX 365, take off from Pudong International Airport at 1730 hrs and 0945 hrs to arrive in Hong Kong at 2010 hrs and 1225 hrs.

 

 

For Jakarta, the existing twice-daily service from Hong Kong will be supplemented by three more flights a week, departing Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and departing from the Indonesian capital late the same day. Flight CX 797 departs Hong Kong at 1900 hrs, arriving in Jakarta at 2255 hrs before returning as CX 798 at 2355 hrs and arriving back in Hong Kong at 0545 hrs the next morning.

 

Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, flying to 115 destinations in 36 countries. The airline operates a fleet of 120 modern Airbus and Boeing aircraft and is one of only 6 airlines in the world to receive a 5-star rating from aviation consultancy Skytrax.

 

Wataniya Airways Take Delivery Of First A320, Commences Flights From Kuwait

New Kuwaiti full-service luxury airline Wataniya Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320. The jet, registered 9K-EAA and bearing the distinctive Wataniya Airways livery, completed its maiden flight from Toulouse to Kuwait, arriviing at the Sheikh Saad Terminal on 22 January 2009.

 

The aircraft is configured with 26 first class and 96 premium economy seats, offering a seat pitch of 44 inches and 34 inches respectively. Passengers onboard will enjoy inflight entertainment and internet connectivity, allowing them to stay connected through their mobile phones, blackberry-type devices or laptops.

 

The airline also commenced its inaugural flight to Dubai on Saturday, 24 January 2009. Flight KW 1000 departed Kuwait City at 0815 hrs, landing at Dubai International Airport at 1055 hrs. The return flight, KW 1001, departed Dubai at 1155 hrs and arrived in Kuwait at 1245 hrs.

 

Wataniya Airways currently fly between Kuwait and Dubai twice daily, with a late morning and evening service between both cities. The airline has announced plans to operate services to Bahrain and Beirut in March, following the delivery of more aircraft.

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2010-2011 Winter Deployment

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) yesterday announced its 2010-2011 winter deployment, with ships based in Europe and North America. The 2,402-passenger Norwegian Jade will sail from Barcelona, Spain year-round, while Norwegian Jewel will join Norwegian Gem to sail from New York. From New Orleans, the newly refurbished Norwegian Spirit will operate cruises to the Caribbean and Norwegian Star will sail to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles.

 

Norwegian Jade will sail alternating 12- and 9-night cruises from its homeport of Barcelona, Spain. The 12-night Eastern Mediterranean sailings will call at Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; and Valletta, Malta. The 9-night Canary Islands & Morocco sailings include stops in Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Granada, Spain. Both itineraries can be easily combined to create a port-rich 21-night European tour.

 

The 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel homeports for the first time in New York, along with the 2,380-passenger Norwegian Gem. Both ships will sail a series of 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruises with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The vessels will also operate 7-day Bahamas & Florida cruises with stops in Orlando,  Florida; Great Stirrup Cay (NCL’s private island) and Nassau, Bahamas.

 

Norwegian Spirit, which underwent a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2008, returns to New Orleans sailing a series of 7-night Western Caribbean cruises. Ports of call include: Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize. Norwegian Star sails back to Los Angeles to operate 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

 

Miami-based NCL operates 11 purpose-built cruise ships and is best known for its “freestyle Cruising” concept. The cruise line currently has a 3rd generation ship, the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic under construction and due to enter service in 2010.

Singapore Airlines Receives First A330, Launches New Regional Business Class Product

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of the first of its 19 Airbus A330-300 aircraft at a ceremony held in Toulouse, France. The A330 fleet will be introduced progressively from 30 March 2009 to replace Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777-200 aircraft on medium-haul routes to Australia and Japan. Acquired on an operating lease, the aircraft will provide interim capacity for Singapore Airlines until the delivery of its Airbus A350XWB-900s and Boeing 787-9s.

 

The first aircraft, registered 9V-STA, will arrive in Singapore at the end of January, where it will initially operate Singapore-Kuala Lumpur and Singapore-Jakarta flights to finalise pilot conversion. Full entry into commercial service will take place on 30 March 2009, on the Singapore-Brisbane route, followed by Perth in April 2009, Adelaide and Nagoya in June 2009 and Osaka in March 2010.

 

Configured in a 2-class layout, the Business Class cabin features 30 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. The new shell-type seat is of a lie-flat design that reclines to 8 degrees and upholstered in premium leather. Economy Class will have 255 seats fitted in a 2-4-2 configuration. Currently available on the A380, A340-500 and B777-300ER, these seats are ergonomically designed to provide more personal space and legroom for passengers. All seats onboard will feature Krisworld, Singapore Airlines’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, and feature iPod and iPhone connectivity.