launch – The News Desk

ITC Hotels launch Storii Solan – Business Traveller

16Apr

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ITC Hotels launch Storii Solan – Business Traveller

Storii by ITC Hotels expands its footprint with the inauguration of Storii Solan, nestled in the tranquil village of Kaba amidst the Kasauli hills. Spanning five acres, this boutique property offers luxurious suites and spacious rooms with private balconies, providing panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Embracing modern comforts and sustainable building practices, Storii Solan exudes a distinctive charm, adorned with lush greenery and vibrant blossoms that reflect the diverse seasons of Solan. Anil Chadha, Chief Executive of ITC Hotels, expresses excitement about Storii Solan’s addition, highlighting its appeal as an all-season destination for those seeking a serene retreat or intimate celebrations. The retreat epitomises natural beauty and cultural heritage, promisi...

China Southern Airlines to launch new Budapest route – Business Traveller

13Apr

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China Southern Airlines to launch new Budapest route – Business Traveller

Starting 27 June, China Southern Airlines will launch a four-times weekly service from Guangzhou to Budapest, the Hungarian capital airport has confirmed. The route will be operated with China Southern’s two-class Boeing 787-8 aircraft. These seat just 18 passengers in a 2-2-2 configuration in business class and 248 across a 3-3-3 configuration in economy class. “It’s a great pleasure to welcome China Southern Airlines to Budapest Airport and to introduce Guangzhou, one of China’s major hubs, as a new and exciting destination,” says Balázs Bogáts, CCO, Budapest Airport. The new China Southern Guangzhou route marks the fifth nonstop service from Budapest airport to China, with China Eastern Airlines and its Shanghai Airlines offshoot flying to Budapest alongside Air China and HNA carr...

Philippine Airlines to launch Seattle route – Business Traveller

3Apr

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Philippine Airlines to launch Seattle route – Business Traveller

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will launch nonstop flights between its Manila base and Seattle from 2 October 2024. PAL will be the first carrier to link the Philippines and the U.S. Pacific Northwest region. More than 900,000 Americans visited the Philippines in 2023, making the U.S. the country’s second largest source of inbound tourists. The Philippine flag carrier will also serve the growing number of Filipinos visiting family and friends in Washington and Oregon, which are home to more than 240,000 Filipino Americans. The PAL Manila-Seattle service will initially operate three times weekly – on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The airline will deploy a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the Seattle route, with 42 in 2-3-2 lie-flat business class, and 328 in 3-4-3 economy class. PAL recently...

Singapore Airlines to launch London Gatwick service – Business Traveller

18Dec

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Singapore Airlines to launch London Gatwick service – Business Traveller

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will launch its inaugural nonstop flights between its Singapore hub and London’s Gatwick airport in June 2024, operating the five-times a week service with the long-haul variant of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Together with its current four-times daily services to London’s Heathrow airport, this will bring the total number of flights to the United Kingdom’s (UK) capital to 33 weekly services from today’s 28 weekly services. Star Alliance member SIA also operates five-times weekly services to Manchester airport. Subject to regulatory approval, flight SQ310 will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The inaugural flight will depart Singapore for Gatwick at 2355 on 21 June 2024 and arrive in London at 0625 on 22 June 2024. The return leg, ...

ITA Airways to launch London City-Rome Fiumicino route – Business Traveller

14Dec

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ITA Airways to launch London City-Rome Fiumicino route – Business Traveller

ITA Airways has announced plans to serve the London City-Rome Fiumicino route next year. As flagged on our forum the carrier will operate twice-daily weekday flights and daily weekend services from the end of March 2024, with the following schedules: Monday to Friday Departs Rome Fiumicino at 0925 and 1435, arriving into London City at 1100 and 1610 Departs London City at 0830 and 1640, arriving into Rome Fiumicino at 1200 and 2010 respectively Saturday Departs Rome Fiumicino at 0925, arriving into London City at 1100 Departs London City at 1135, arriving into Rome Fiumicino at 1505 Sunday Departs Rome Fiumicino at 1435, arriving into London City at 1610 Departs London City at 1640, arriving into Rome Fiumicino at 2010 ITA will be the first carrier to operate the route since BA Cit...

British Airways to launch flights from Edinburgh to Olbia and San Sebastian – Business Traveller

9Dec

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British Airways to launch flights from Edinburgh to Olbia and San Sebastian – Business Traveller

British Airways has announced plans to serve two new destinations from Edinburgh airport next summer. The carrier will offer twice weekly flights to San Sebastian and a weekly service to Olbia in Sardinia, under its BA Cityflyer subsidiary. The San Sebastian route will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 25 May and 30 July, 2024, with the following schedules: Tuesday BA2919 departs Edinburgh at 1040, arriving into San Sebastian at 1405 BA2920 departs San Sebastian at 1450, arriving into Edinburgh at 1620 Saturday BA2919 departs Edinburgh at 1700, arriving into San Sebastian at 2025 BA2920 departs San Sebastian at 2110, arriving into Edinburgh at 2240 Meanwhile the Olbia route will operate on Saturdays between 25 May and 10 August, 2024, as follows: BA2332 departs Edinburgh at ...

Flying Blue and Etihad Guest launch reciprocal miles earning and redemption – Business Traveller

27Nov

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Flying Blue and Etihad Guest launch reciprocal miles earning and redemption – Business Traveller

Air France-KLM and Etihad have launched the next stage of their rapidly developing partnership, with the ability for frequent flyer members to earn and redeem across programmes. In September the two groups announced plans to significantly expand their codeshare agreement, with more than 40 new routes covering destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Australia. At the time a Memorandum of Understanding also proposed reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, alongside the possibility of terminal co-location, reciprocal lounge access and ground handling initiatives. The first part of the above has now launched, with members of the Flying Blue and Etihad Guest schemes now able to earn and redeem miles in either loyalty programme when flying on Air France, KLM or Etihad. The gr...

Virgin Atlantic postpones Sao Paulo launch until 2025 – Business Traveller

19Nov

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Virgin Atlantic postpones Sao Paulo launch until 2025 – Business Traveller

Virgin Atlantic has pushed back the launch of flights between Heathrow and Sao Paulo to summer 2025. Readers will remember that the carrier first unveiled plans to fly to Brazil’s largest city back in 2019, only for the route to be delayed and then cancelled as a result of Covid-19. Then in June last year Virgin announced plans to fly to both Sao Paulo and Bengaluru in 2024, with a launch date of 13 May subsequently being confirmed for the daily service. Virgin Atlantic confirms Sao Paulo launch for 13 May, 2024 This will now not happen however. In a statement provided to Business Traveller the airline would commence in summer 2025, without providing a specific launch date. Despite the postponement Virgin’s chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen was upbeat, stating: “We are thrilled to ...

Air India to launch Melbourne-Mumbai route – Business Traveller

2Nov

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Air India to launch Melbourne-Mumbai route – Business Traveller

Star Alliance carrier Air India will launch a new Mumbai-Melbourne route in December, Melbourne airport has confirmed. This will be the first nonstop route between Victoria and Mumbai. Air India confirmed it would operate three flights a week beginning on 15 December, with potential to increase as demand grows. The new Mumbai service will be operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft and will supplement Air India’s existing daily flights between Melbourne and Delhi. Last financial year Melbourne welcomed more Indian visitors than any other Australian city with 433,000 Indian residents flying in and out of Victoria’s international gateway in the 12 months to June. Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the announcement highlighted the benefits of open skies agreement...

Singapore’s Changi celebrates new app launch with business class lucky draw – Business Traveller

25Oct

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Singapore’s Changi celebrates new app launch with business class lucky draw – Business Traveller

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has unveiled a new mobile experience following a revamp of the official airport mobile application Changi App. Enhanced with a suite of new and upgraded features, Changi App, formerly called iChangi, now takes the promise of seamless and fuss-free travel to the next level with more useful and personalised services. New features include customised travel information when passengers save their flight itineraries, such as recommendations for relevant services and facilities, travel checklists, advisories, and push notifications regarding boarding gate and baggage status. Reservations at participating restaurants at Changi’s terminals and Jewel Changi Airport can now also be made via the app. Overseas payment is available as well via the in-app Changi Pay walle...