Author: Mark B

Two weeks before Virgin Australia begins offering business class on the Trans-Tasman flights between Australia and New Zealand, Qantas has announced that it will be lifting the bar on its own service offering. From Valentines Day, 14 February, Qantas passengers sitting up front across the Tasman will receive champagne and amenity kits. The champagne on the service menu will include a selection of Jacquart Cuvee Brut Mosaique NV, Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut NV and NV Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve. Business customers will also be given amenity kits designed by Kate Spade and Jack Spade on services between Australia and Auckland departing after 6pm.…

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Singapore Airlines has unveiled details of its forthcoming Premium Economy product. This follows news two days ago that  the GDS had been updated by Singapore Airlines with schedules showing the Premium Economy product. As is often the case with product launches nowadays, Singapore Airlines has created a product website to describe the fetaures of the new product. The Cabin Singapore Airlines is installing a Premium Economy cabin into its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 long haul fleet.  In each case, the cabin will be arranged in a 2-4-2 layout. On the A380, Premium Economy will be behind First Suites on the lower deck.…

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Last year, Singapore Airlines announced that it would be introducing a new premium economy class to its Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fleet in the second half of 2015. Airline Route, a website that tracks airline schedule changes in the Global Distribution System (GDS), used by airlines to distribute ticketing information to travel agents is now reporting that Singapore Airlines have updated the GDS to reflect what is likely a draft schedule of Premium Economy flights. Premium Economy sits between Economy and Business class in terms of product and amenity, and was largely created as the gap between Economy and…

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Rydges has taken over popular Urban St Kilda in Melbourne, rebranding it a Rydges Hotel. Only 200 metres from Melbourne’s premier inner-city beach, the hotel suits those leisure or corporate travellers seeking a unique high-value experience combined with relaxed, modern comforts with quirky edge. Complete with conference facilities and chic restaurant and bar, this uniquely stylish hotel combines some unique hotel features with plenty of guest room perks. With 4 unique room types, signature beds and the genuine Rydges service, unique offerings and top-shelf amenities combined with surprisingly affordable prices makes for an enjoyable and gratifying stay. The expansion to…

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The sign on the building says Citigate, and the lobby is still being renovated, however, the first DoubleTree by Hilton has commenced operations in Melbourne. The 180 room property, located opposite Flinders Street Station takes has been operating under the Citigate brand, a leftover from the days the hotel was managed by Mirvac. More recently it has been managed by Accor, but was never rebadged to an Accor brand. The centrally located property provides an additional option for Hilton HHonors members, which are losing the Hilton on the Park to Accor of 1 January, 2015. The existing Hilton hotels -…

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Accor today announced that they will be part of a new mixed-use hotel, commercial and retail precinct to be developed in Mascot, near Sydney Airport. Expected to open in May 2016, the 5-star hotel to be badged Pullman Sydney Airport is part of a new AUD$100 million development project that will encompass extensive office and retail facilities. Accor is touting the 229-room Pullman Sydney Airport hotel as “the first internationally branded 5-star hotel to service Sydney Airport.” The design of the hotel will include 229 accommodation rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, conference facilities and gymnasium. The hotel will…

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