Gulf Air introduces nine new TV channels
BAHRAIN'S NATIONAL carrier Gulf Air has announced the introduction of nine new international television channels on 'SkyHub', its world-first in-flight entertainment suite. Beginning on 1 July the channels - HBO, Warner, FOX, E!, CBS, Disney, National Geographic, MBC and Star Plus will provide passengers with 220 hours of continuous viewing, enough for 33 consecutive trips from Bahrain to London, the airline said in a press release. Gulf Air says it is the first ever airline to offer programme selection through channel rather than genre. "In the past 10 years in-flight entertainment has dramatically improved and is now a decisive factor for choosing an airline,, borne out by 20 per cent of passengers in a recent Gulf Air survey," said the carrier's chief executive Samer Majali. "In today's competitive environment staying ahead of the technology curve is crucial. Last year we launched 'SkyHub', an entertainment suite offering passengers, for the first time in the world, full broadband connectivity to access the Internet, mobile phone services and a global, live television service," he added. "This development will further enhance our on-board entertainment offering. Through the launch of these nine international network channels passengers, for the first time ever, can watch television the same way in the air as on the ground," he continued. In addition to pre-recorded programmes, the airline has already been offering live telecast of Formula One races from around the world on Sport 24, football matches from IMG Media's Barclays Premier League channel, and award-winning news channels such as BBC World News, BBC Arabic and Euronews.

Air Arabia offers new low-cost baggage policy
LOW-COST carrier Air Arabia has introduced a new online pre-booked baggage policy. The Company said that this will enable passengers to pay for only the baggage weight they need. The new policy will be effective for all tickets purchased on or after 1 July, and will allow passengers to pre-book checked baggage weight allowance with no limitation on the number of pieces. The company said that it will charge $2.72 for 20 kg, $5.44 for 30 kg and $27 for 40 kg, subject to availability. Air Arabia has also raised the cabin baggage allowance from 7 kg to 10 kg. The airline, meanwhile, launched a new direct flight from Sharjah to Salalah in Oman on 28 June. "Salalah is a popular tourist destination and we target through our new twice weekly service - on Thursdays and Saturdays - to develop tourism traffic between Salalah, the UAE and the wider region," said Air Arabia group chief executive Adel Ali.

Qatar Airways set to double flights to Japan
QATAR AIRWAYS will double the frequency of its flights to Japan later this year, with the launch of a new direct daily service to Tokyo. The Doha-based airline currently offers daily flights to Tokyo's Narita airport, via Osaka. But from 28 October this year, the carrier will commence a new non-stop Doha-Tokyo service, doubling its Japanese flights to 14 per week. Following the launch of the new direct service, Qatar Airways will drop the Tokyo connection from its Osaka service, meaning it will offer dedicated daily direct services to Japan's two largest cities. "It is a significant step by Qatar Airways as we show our confidence in the Japanese travel market," said Akbar al Baker, the airline's chief executive. "Japan has been a key market for us ever since we launched operations to Osaka in 2005. Two years ago, Qatar Airways began daily flights to Tokyo, but we have been working closely with the local authorities to ensure we secure suitable slots at Narita to make Tokyo a non-stop service, which now becomes a reality from 28 October at the start of the northern winter flying programme. "A dedicated Tokyo service means a great deal to the travel community in and around Japan's capital city, as we are now able to offer an enhanced one-stop product taking passengers to an... array of destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Americas. Similarly, we are now able to offer a one-stop service from our network to Tokyo via Doha," he added. The new services will depart Doha daily at 0330, arriving in Tokyo at 1900. The return flights will depart Narita at 2230, landing back in Doha at 0430 the following day. The route will be served using a two-class Boeing 777-200 aircraft featuring 42 seats in business class and 217 in economy. The new Tokyo route is the latest stage in a major expansion for Qatar Airways in 2012. Since the beginning of the year, the airline has launched flights to Baku, Tbilisi, Kigali, Zagreb, Erbil and Baghdad, while flights to Yangon (Myanmar) are scheduled to commence in October.

Etihad raises hens and bees to trump its rivals
IN THE battle for Middle East air travel supremacy, Etihad Airways has decided to take a slightly different approach to try to beat its rivals. The UAE's national airline said it had taken the unusual step of purchasing 200 hens and three beehives in a bid to bring organic food on board its fleet. The airline has been locked in a battle with two other Gulf airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airlines, with all three trying to go one better than their rivals. The airlines pride themselves on a luxury service for Business and First Class passengers, but Etihad Airways' latest move will take some beating, it reckons. In a partnership with an organic farm based in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways will use its newly-acquired brood to supply fresh, free-range eggs in its first class menu. "Etihad Airways is immensely proud of the range of its fresh in-flight produce," said Lee Shave, the carrier's vice president of guest experience. "The addition of eggs from our own free-range hens gives an indication of what we strive for so our customers receive the finest, healthiest, and home produced items on our menus." As well as the eggs, the honey produced by Etihad's newest employees will be used in dishes across the in-flight menu. "Etihad Airways has a rich tradition of introducing world class, in-flight dining innovations and we are thrilled to be the only airline in the world offering organic eggs and honey directly from our own locally raised hens and bees," added Shave.

New stamp of approval for Arabian Courtyard
Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of the ancient cultural district of Dubai, has been recognised as a highly rated hotel by world's largest travel site, the hotel announced. It has been awarded the 2012 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, based on traveller reviews, it said. The property has maintained an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, throughout the year, which made it qualified to receive the excellence award, according to a statement. An additional criterion includes the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months. "We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveller reviews on TripAdvisor," said the hotel's general manager, Habib Khan. Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business, said: "TripAdvisor is pleased to honour exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travellers on the site. The Certificate of Excellence award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. "From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travellers a great customer experience."

Cool summer offers at Dubai's Emirates Grand
DUBAI'S EMIRATES Grand Hotel has launched a summer promotion, offering discounts at its restaurants and health club. The 50-storey property is located in the heart of Dubai's business district. Panorama restaurant, on the 43rd floor and Turkish Sheesha Lounge are offering a 20 per cent discount on lunch and dinner. Guests dining in Lobby Lounge will pay Dhs69 ($18.7) instead of Dh135, a more than 50 per cent discount, the hotel said. Newly-opened Tal Al Amar Lebanese restaurant will, meanwhile, offer 20 per cent discount on lunch and dinner. The property also announced it is offering one-year membership of its gym for Dhs2,999 with a one-month membership freeze and free valet parking. Besides the gym, guests can also the Jacuzzi, swimming pool and sauna facilities. The gym is open from 6 am until midnight daily. Guests also have the option of paying Dhs299 per month for 10 months and getting two months free, the hotel announced in a press release.

New Business Class for Lufthansa
GERMAN CARRIER Lufthansa has launched a new Business Class product, which is now being progressively rolled out across the 100-strong long-haul fleet as part of a $3.75 billion, four-year long cabin retrofit programme. According to the airline, the new Business Class seat, developed in close consultation with passengers since 2007, converts to a 1.98 metre long horizontal bed, as well as offering additional storage space and an enhanced entertainment system, with 15-inch screens. "We integrated our customers very closely into the development of our new Business Class so we would be able to offer a product totally in line with their wishes and requirements," explains Jens Bischof, Lufthansa board member responsible for sales and revenue management. Seating in the new Business Class cabin is in a 'V' shape - two neighbouring seats are angled towards one another along a central axis, an arrangement which virtually doubles the distance between two neighbouring seats at shoulder level, giving greater privacy. The new Business Class seat is a major component of Lufthansa's largest investment to date in its inflight product, and the airline says it complements other features of the premium travel experience, including additional free baggage allowances and fast-track security lanes, a particularly welcome feature at the busy Frankfurt hub.

Emirates opens Lanka lounge
A PLEDGE of continued support to Sri Lanka's tourism industry through award-winning air services was one of the highlights of the recent high-profile formal opening of the Emirates Lounge at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayaka. Emirates president Tim Clark opened the facility, the first to be set up at BIA by an international airline. The $1.5 million investment by Emirates in the premium lounge is a further value addition to the airline's offering in Colombo, as well as to the facilities at BIA, he said. "These developments are of particular relevance to Emirates, which is one of the most active international carriers serving this country," Clark said. "We look forward to continuing to play a significant role in the growth of Sri Lanka, a country we have served with award-winning air services for 26 years." Designed, equipped and furnished to the exacting specifications developed for Emirates lounges at 28 other major international airports around the world, the 5,778-square-foot Emirates Lounge at the BIA can accommodate up to 118 passengers in comfort, the airline claimed in a statement.

New Najm loyalty programme launched
MAJID AL Futtaim Finance has launched its Najm Platinum Visa credit card and Premium Rewards loyalty programme, it announced. The launch provides real-time redemption of travel rewards anytime, from anywhere, on any route and without blackout dates, delivering what it claims is the region's ultimate reward programme to frequent business and leisure travellers in the Middle East. According to UN World Tourism Organisation research, a UAE resident spends about $22,000 a year on average on flights and accommodation, totalling $$6.6 billion annually on outbound travel. Furthermore, a study unveiled at Arabian Travel Market in 2012 revealed UAE nationals are the second most frequent travellers in the GCC (after Saudi nationals), with an estimated 53 per cent travelling to between two and five countries for leisure or pleasure within the next year. "The new Platinum Visa credit card and Premium Rewards is a truly unique travel and lifestyle programme that offers users the ultimate in choice and flexibility, claimed Rasool Hujair, chief executive of Majid Al Futtaim Finance.

© The Gulf 2012