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Latest travel news. Air travel, hospitality and tourism news.

Frontier Flies Denver – Baton Rouge

by Travel News Editor

Frontier became the first and only budget airline to fly into Baton Rouge, Louisiana when it launched a twice-daily non-stop service from its Denver hub August 15th. The new route provides low-fare flights and connections to other cities served by Frontier, such as Las Vegas, Phoenix and Calgary.

Anthony J. Marino, Director of Aviation, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport said, “The maiden voyage from Baton Rouge to Denver and vice versa will ensure the residents of Baton Rouge and the surrounding area more options, lower fares, and superior service.” [Read more…]

Jet Airways Launches Mumbai – New York Route

by Travel News Editor

On August 5th, Jet Airways began daily service to New York (Newark) from Mumbai, via its Brussels hub. Jet is the first Indian airline in the private sector to fly this route. The lighting of a traditional lamp marked the event, which was attended by local dignitaries and airline senior management. To mark the event, the first passenger to check in for each class was presented with flowers.

The flight carries 312 passengers in a three-class configuration on a new Boeing 777-300 ER airplane. Each First Class passenger will occupy a private space with dual sliding doors that provides over 26 square feet of usable space, creating the first airline suite aloft. The suite contains a 23-inch flat-screen monitor, and an 83-inch flat-bed seat, the world’s longest. The beverage service will offer single malt whiskies, French wines, and champagnes that include vintage Dom Perignon and Krug. [Read more…]

Cebu Pacific Adds Cagayan de Oro Flight

by Travel News Editor

Cebu Pacific will start serving Cagayan de Oro with three direct flights per week starting September 27. The budget airline will also add a Thursday flight to its Hong Kong schedule September 13, bringing the total number of flights per week to six.

The carrier offered a reduced introductory one-way fare of P98 (US $2.15) on the Cebu-Cagayan de Oro flight, with purchase required before August 15th. The lowest regular fare offer will be P288 (US $45.67) one way, an 82% reduction from the normal fare for this route. All fares are exclusive of surcharges and taxes. The Airbus A319 will be used on the new route, which leaves Cebu Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 1:05, arriving in Cagayan de Oro at 1:50. The return leg leaves at 2:20 for arrival in Cebu at 3:05. [Read more…]

Singapore Airlines Schedules World’s First Airbus A380 Flight

by Travel News Editor

Singapore Airlines has scheduled the world’s first flight of the Airbus A380, flight SQ380 to Sydney, Australia on Thursday, October 25th, with a return flight on Friday, October 26th. Seats on the flight will be sold at auction on eBay, with all proceeds going to charity. Regular service between Sydney and Singapore will begin soon after.

Airbus will deliver the first A380 aircraft to Singapore Airlines on October 15th in Toulouse, France. The plane will then be flown to Changi Airport in Singapore, the world’s first home airport for the A380. The time between the plane’s arrival in Singapore and the charity flight will be used for flight and ground crew familiarization. [Read more…]

Holland America Offers Free Parking for San Diego Departures

by Travel News Editor

Holland America Line is offering free parking on fall and winter cruises between San Diego and Mexico, Hawaii, or Tahiti. Any booking for an ocean-view stateroom will include free parking at a facility near the San Diego cruise terminal, saving passengers as much as $290.

For example, the ms Ryndam will sail January 6 on a 30-day trip to Tahiti and the Marquesa Islands. After visiting all the ports that are part of Holland America’s Hawaii cruises, the ship will proceed to French Polynesia, stopping at Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti (Papeete), and Nuku Hiva. The cruise fee includes free parking valued at $290. [Read more…]

Jet Airways Adds Delhi -Toronto Service

by Travel News Editor

Jet Airways has added a new route, flying from Delhi to Toronto, via Brussels, five times weekly. The flight will also connect with the airline’s new Mumbai – New York (Newark) service. Flight synchronization will allow transfers between the two flights, providing Delhi – New York and Mumbai – Toronto services.

The Airbus 330-200 aircraft used on the Delhi to Toronto route will have 30 seats in Premier Class and 90 seats in Economy. Premiere will provide 73-inch-long flat beds that convert electronically from the seat configuration. The beds have both lumbar support and massage systems. Advanced ergonomics were employed in the design of the new 32-inch pitch seats in Economy Class. [Read more…]

Oriental Hotel in Singapore Gets New Name

by Travel News Editor

The Oriental Hotel in Singapore will be known as the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore starting the 25th of September. The new name will brand the hotel as on of the Mandarin Oriental Group‘ luxury properties.

This auspicious day in the Chinese calendar will mark the completion of enhancements begun in 2005. The hotel’s 527 rooms and suites have been redesigned, and upgrades have been made to meeting spaces, dining facilities, and all of the public areas. [Read more…]

Four Points by Sheraton to Open in Lhasa, Tibet

by Travel News Editor

This year Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will achieve its first presence in Tibet when Four Points by Sheraton opens in the country’s capital, Lhasa. As part of the brand’s continuing Asia Pacific expansion, two hotels in China will follow, one in Lianyungang in 2009 and one in Sanya Bay on China’s Hainan Island in 2010.

Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific said, “The strong demand for moderately priced lodging coupled with the increase in domestic travel in many Asian markets is helping to propel the brand’s growth.“ [Read more…]

Macau Studio City to Include First W Hotel in Macau

by Travel News Editor

The addition of the W Macau Studio City as the fourth hotel in the first phase Macau Studio City (MSC) integrated leisure resort property completes the four planned hotel partnerships for the Cotai district complex. When it opens in 2009 it will be the first W hotel in Macau. Other companies have joined Macau Studio City in strategic partnerships only six months after its groundbreaking ceremony are Taubman, Playboy Enterprises, and Mr. David Tang.

“Macao Studio City brings together the best hotel partners in the world and we are excited to partner with Starwood to bring the W to Macao,” said Peter Lam, co-chairman of Macao Studio City. [Read more…]

All Seasons to Add Three Hotels in Thailand in October

by Travel News Editor

Accor’s global mid-market brand All Seasons will add three hotels in Thailand during October with the rebranding of All Seasons Gold Orchid Bangkok, All Seasons Sathorn Bangkok and All Seasons Naiharn Phuket. Accor plans to expand to over 50 hotels before the end of 2009. Although the first hotel under the brand, the All Seasons Pattaya, was only launched in December of last year, the company now operates 30 hotels in Thailand and has fourteen under development.

Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Issenberg said, “Thailand’s tourism sector recorded more than 20% growth in visitor arrivals last year, and with Bangkok becoming a major hub for low-cost air carriers, there is a clear need for additional affordable international-standard accommodation,” said Mr. Issenberg. He added that, “All Seasons is positioned above Accor’s Ibis brand, but still offers very affordable rates for an international hotel brand.” [Read more…]