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Summaries and links for all the posts which appeared on Traveling For Miles this week. Includes news that British Airways is rolling out Basic Economy fares worldwide, details of Emirates’ new 777-200LR Business Class cabin, a look at how I booked my trip to Bangkok and how much I paid, details of Virgin Atlantic’s new Basic Economy fares, details of the changes to the Club Carlson loyalty program, yet another a new Qatar Airways Qsuite route and a lot more.
Click on the headlines to read more
Monday
SWISS opening the doors to its new First Class lounge at Zurich’s Terminal A on Monday and, at the same time, the carrier launched a new chauffeur service for its First Class customers arriving into Zurich airport.
Emirates Reveals New 777-200LR Cabins – Business Class Just Got Better
The Emirates new 777-200LR Business Class cabin has now been unveiled so passengers on routes like Dubai – Ft Lauderdale know what to expect. With 2″ more seat width and up to 12″ more seat pitch passengers will have more personal space & now that the seats convert to true lie-flat beds getting sleep should be easier.
Introduction: Bangkok In Business Class – What I Booked, How Much I Paid & What I Earned
Whenever possible I like to write an introduction to the trips I take to give readers an idea of how much things cost, how I book and when I use points and when I choose to part with some cash. The point of this is to hopefully show just how doable these trips are and how, with a little bit of planning and a little bit of flexibility, these are trip that a lot of people can book. This is how planned and paid for my trip to Bangkok.
Club Carlson Is Now “Radisson Rewards”….And The Name Isn’t The Only Change
Radisson Rewards is the new name for what was once the Club Carlson loyalty program. Name changes aside there are a few other things changing that you’ll need to know about…not least the changes to Elite Status earnings.
Tuesday
British Airways Has Unveiled Its New Tightly-Packed 777 Cabins
Here’s a look at what British Airways says we can expect when its refitted (and cramped) 777 aircraft take to the skies out of London Gatwick airport later in 2018. With new high-density seating in Economy Class and 8-across seating in Premium Economy there isn’t much that’s premium about this experience.
Norwegian Is Adding Another 150,000 Seats To Its London – USA Routes
Hot on the heals of the news that Norwegian is doubling the number of flights it offers between Dublin and New York and adding another flight between Rome and Los Angeles, comes the news that London is getting more flights to the US too…a lot more.
Finnair Extends Services To Chicago & San Francisco
Finnair has announced that it is extending its seasonal summer services to Chicago and San Francisco into December 2018 (services were originally set to stop in October and September respectively). Frequencies on both routes will drop down to 2/week in the extension period but this is still good news for travelers.
United Changes Up Its North American Menus For Spring
United Airlines has announced that it has expanded its menu selections of its onboard “Snack Shop” and “Bistro” as well as creating a new menu for customers flying from Canada to the US. The airline also says that, starting this summer, it will be offering Wheatley as its exclusive brand of Vodka on all of its worldwide flights.
Wednesday
March 2018 Flying Blue Promo Awards Are Available To Book (Good Deal To Dubai)
The March 2018 Flying Blue Promo awards have now been published and “disappointing” is probably the best way to sum up what we’re being offered this time around….although if you’re looking to fly to Dubai you may be quite pleased.
British Airways Will Offer Basic Economy Fares (Hand Baggage Only) Worldwide
British Airways has announced that, alongside the Basic Economy fares it announced for transatlantic flights last week, it will also offer Basic Economy (hand baggage only) fares to the Middle East and Asia from April 2018 and will then continue to roll out Basic Economy fares worldwide in the following months.
Mandarin Oriental Now Has A Loyalty Program You Should Join
Mandarin Oriental has launched a loyalty program it is calling the “Fans of M.O” and, while the program doesn’t offer guests a chance to accumulate points towards future reservations, there are a few good benefits you’ll get on your stays just for signing up.
Radisson Hotels Group Launches “Radisson Collection”
The newly named Radisson Hotels Group is bringing together a group of its more prestigious hotels to form the Radisson Collection. Initially just 14 properties, the Radisson Collection will offer luxury accommodations and personal touches to make every guest’s stay memorable…but can Radisson live up to the promises?
Thursday
Qatar Airways Launches Another Route To The UK
Qatar Airways has used the ITB Berlin travel fair to announce a series of new airports to which the airline is hoping to launch service. Bearing in mind Qatar Airways’ history with route announcements, we can never be really sure how many of these airports will actually get service from Doha so it’s wise to remain sceptical…but one airport is a shoo-in.
Virgin Atlantic Is The Latest Airline To Offer Basic Economy (Hand Baggage Only) Fares
Virgin Atlantic is set to offer hand baggage only (Basic Economy) fares across the Atlantic in the coming weeks. With these fares Virgin is following in the footsteps of other legacy carriers such as AA, BA and Delta but, unlike BA, it’s also going to offer extra leg room seats in Economy Class.
British Airways Confirms It’s Making Its Heathrow 777s More Uncomfortable Too
British Airways has confirmed that it will be reconfiguring a number of its Heathrow Boeing 777 aircraft with high-density Economy Class cabins to match those currently being introduced at the airline’s Gatwick base. The 10-across seating in Economy Class will see seat width decrease below the already tight 17.5″ so don’t expect comfort onboard.
Frankfurt Will Be The Next Qsuite Route For Qatar Airways (And Two Other Destinations Rumored)
Qatar Airways has continued to used the ITB Travel Fair in Berlin to make announcements – this time about the next route to get its Business Class Qsuites. One of the airline’s two daily flights between Doha and Frankfurt will offer Qsuites Business Class from May 2018.
Starting this summer (2018) Lufthansa plans to offer long-haul Economy and Premium Economy passengers the choice of seven “a la carte dining meals” for an extra charge. Meals will cost between €19 and €33 and will be available on most Lufthansa long-haul flights departing from Frankfurt and Munich.
Friday
Hyatt Is Getting A New London Property
Hyatt has announced that two yet-to-open properties are set to join its Unbound Collection in 2018. One of the properties is Istanbul (more on that one a little later) while the other is set to open in the very heart of London.
Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge London Heathrow T3
A review of the Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge Heathrow with a look at where the lounge is, who can access it and what the lounge offers.
Sometimes Starwood Doesn’t Stick To Its Own Hotel Category Changes
Starwood told a Traveling For Miles reader that a hotel category change I published back in February was never announced by SPG. Sadly for Starwood/SPG I wasn’t the only blog to write about the category changes and they’ve been caught talking nonsense.
Delta Introduces New Delta One & Main Cabin Meals (Pre-Select Is Coming Too)
Delta has started rolling out some positive changes to its Main Cabin meals on international routes and, based on positive Delta One customer feedback, it is expanding its partnership with two LA-based chefs to include the airline’s LA – Sydney route.
