TRANSPORTATION 01 MAY 2011
Posted April 30th, 2011
AIR NEWS
Air New Zealand has launched a new Economy Class with 'Skycouch', a refocused Premium Economy with 'Spaceseat' and an improved Business Premier cabin on the London to Auckland, via Los Angeles route.
AirTrain Airways now operates a nonstop daily jet service between Tampa, Florida, and Key West. This introduction by AirTran coincides with the extension into a daily service of the British Airways’ flight from London Gatwick to Tampa. AirTran also offers nonstop flights between Key West and Orlando and direct service between Key West and Atlanta, Georgia, a major hub for Delta Airways. Visit www.airtran.com; www.fla-keys.co.uk or click on any British Airways advertisement on this site.
Atlantic Airways - 2011 sees the arrival of the Atlantic Airways first Airbus A319 aircraft. Flights by the national carrier of the Faroe Islands will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays during June, July and August from London Stansted. Visit www.atlantic.fo
Cityjet announces three times weekly flights between London City Airport and Pau, south west France on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Cityjet services to Avignon and Toulon will commence in May. The airline has also introduced a direct flight from London City Airport to Florence. The flight operates six times a week (not Saturdays). Visit www.cityjet.com
EasyJet will introduce a new flight from London Gatwick to Verona on 3 June 2011. The flight will operate daily. It is also introducing a new flight from London Gatwick to Catania in Sicily as from 25 June 2011. The flight will operate three times a week. Visit www.easyjet.com
Pegasus Airlines – London Stansted – Izmir. Pegasus Airlines has launched a direct flight route between the city of Izmir on Turkey’s Aegean coast and London Stansted. The flights, which run four times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, will improve access to both Turkey’s Aegean coast and the country’s second largest city. Visit www.flypgs.com
Royal Brunei Airlines now flies to Melbourne, Australia from London Heathrow. This four-time weekly service will depart the UK, via Bandar Seri Begawan to Melbourne. With the addition of Melbourne, Royal Brunei Airlines now flies 14 times weekly to three cities in Australia; Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Visit www.bruneiair.com
Thomson Airways – It will now be easier to reach Aruba from the UK. Thomson Airways will be extending its flights due to increased demand, making Aruba more than just a summer charter destination. Flights from London Gatwick are being extended until the end of November 2011 (previously until October), while for 2012 flights will begin earlier than usual, in March, instead of May. Thomson Airways also flies directly to Aruba from Manchester.
Aruba is also available through British Airways’ website, as part of the airline’s increased partnership with American Airlines. Visit www.aruba.com
Widerøe – Norwegian airline, Widerøe, is more than doubling capacity and boosting frequency on its key service from Newcastle to Stavanger. The airline has now added a fourth weekly service to the Norwegian city while simultaneously upgrading the operation to 78-seater Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Visit www.wideroe.no/explorenorway
Munich - Best European Airport - Over a period of nine months, more than 11.38 million air travellers were asked to name the World’s Best Airport. Munich won the title of Best Airport Europe 2011 while at the same time ranking number 4 among the Airport of the Year category. Munich airport won the title of Europe´s Best Airport in 2010 and for four years in a row from 2005 to 2008.
Treviso Airport closed for summer 2011 - Treviso Airport will be closed for June, July and August 2011 for improvement work. Ryanair will switch its flights from Treviso to Marco Polo Airport, Venice.
Hilton Resorts’ Seaplane Lounge at Male International Airport - Three resorts in the Maldives have opened their shared lounge at the seaplane terminal near Male International Airport. The lounge will be shared between the Hilton, Conrad and Waldorf Astoria resorts. All guests arriving in the Maldives will transfer to the three resorts by seaplane. Guests are met on arrival at Male International Airport and then shuttled to the seaplane terminal, a 10-minute drive from the airport.
The spacious private lounge facilities include a spa, a children’s play room, a balcony with sun loungers, freshly prepared hot and cold dishes as well as live cooking by the resident chef. Visit www.MaldivesIruFushi.Hilton.com, www.conradmaldives.com or www.beachhousecollection.com.
A ‘Top Gun’ experience above the Nevada desert - Fly high above the skies in the Nevada desert pulling Gs just like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. This experience – available exclusively in the UK by Bon Voyage - is under the guidance of professional former F16 fighter pilots including highly experienced combat veterans and one-time ‘Thunderbirds’ team members, the US Air Force’s aerial acrobatic team.
The planes used are Extra 330LC aerobatic aircraft - equipped with special features to simulate aerial dogfights - and travel through the air at over 200 mph. During the 45-minute flying experience, visitors get a taste of what it’s like to be a combat fighter pilot and, after strapping on a state-of-the-art flying suit, are taught the art of aerial combat, complete with high-g manoeuvring, military manoeuvres, dogfights and the satisfaction of scoring a hit on an opponent. The flight back to base is in close fingertip formation.
The extraordinary experience can be incorporated into a short break package to Las Vegas and costs from £2365 per person. This twin share price includes return Heathrow flights, four nights’ room-only suite accommodation at the five-star Wynn Encore and ‘fighter pilot’ package (as above) with return limousine transfers to the Nevada desert combat area and video keepsake. Visit www.bon-voyage.co.uk/spotlights
FERRIES
Hovertravel is extending their service across the Solent by two hours, giving customers more time to enjoy the Isle of Wight. On Thursday, Friday and Saturdays the last service from Ryde to Portsmouth will leave at 21.45 and for Portsmouth to Ryde, the last service will leave Southsea at 22.00. On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays the last service from Ryde to Portsmouth will leave at 20.45 and from Portsmouth to Ryde, the last service will leave Southsea at 21.00. Hovertravel’s prime location on the seafront also means customers do not have to walk the half mile long Ryde pier. With a speed of 45 knots the crossing time is under 10 minutes. Visit www.hovertravel.com