BA Move

Additional and better-trained staff were drafted in as the first phase of British Airways’ staggered long haul move from T4 to T5 began on 5 June. An extra 80 check-in staff and 150 baggage handlers switched from T4 to deal with the 30 extra arrivals and departures. The next batch of services will be moved in September and the last in October.

Heathrow Terminal 4 Lounge Update

As BA continues with the move into Terminal 5, a number of changes will be taking place at Terminal 4.  These include the closure of some of their lounges: Terraces at Gate 10, First at Gate 10 and the Concorde Room at Gate 10.  The BA Terraces Lounge at Gate 1 will remain open for eligible customers until BA no longer fly from Terminal 4.  This lounge now includes a pre-flight dining restaurant for First customers. Other facilities in the Gate 1 lounge include a Chef’s Theatre – bistro style service offering hot food throughout the day – business suites, news/TV zone, comfortable lounge seating areas and shower suites.

Swiss Long Haul Business Class Specials

Swiss Business Class specials from London, Manchester and Birmingham to Boston, Chicago, New York (JFK and Newark), Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal and Toronto from just £1,113 plus taxes.  Fares are valid until further notice.

Singapore Opens Lounge

Singapore Airlines has opened SilverKris Lounge for premium customers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok.  Designed for enhanced privacy, it features tall fabric-laminated glass panels, high ceilings to create more space and full length windows with views of a garden.  The lounge is equipped with a 50-inch plasma television and a small business area.  Newspapers and magazines are provided and customers can choose from various foods and beverages including Singapore delicacies, assorted dim sums and sandwiches, wine, beer, fresh fruit and soft drinks.

Crowne Plaza Launches Club Floors

Crowne Plaza in Birmingham has completed the first phase of a major £16 million refurbishment and opened the hotel’s Club Floors and exclusive lounge aimed at business travellers.  All 56 Club bedrooms and two junior suites have been fitted out with modern technology and furnishings including flat screen televisions, walk in showers and high speed internet access.  Guests also have access to the Club lounge, where they can work or relax, with complimentary beverages available all day, including a free bar service during the evening.  As part of the refurbishment, the hotel will benefit from a redesign of all 312 bedrooms, a new restaurant and a floor dedicated to conferences.  Renovations will be completed in September.

Bonus BA Miles

Register, book and fly from London City Airport between now and 31 July and receive bonus BA miles – 5,000 miles for a return Club Europe flight and 3,000 in Euro Traveller.  For two return flights, bonus miles increase to 12,000 in Club Europe and 7,000 in Euro Traveller.  Offer excludes Glasgow and Edinburgh routes.

SAS Business Class Upgrades

Upgrade to Business Class from as little as £294 return including taxes from Heathrow and London City to Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo with Scandinavian Airlines.  Passengers will benefit from Fast Track security, the deluxe Heathrow Business Lounge, more space on board and a glass of champagne.  Valid for bookings made until 25 August for travel period 1 July to 1 September.

Complimentary Chauffeur Car Service For Flights To Seattle

KLM and Northwest are delighted to offer a complimentary chauffeur service to Business Class customers travelling to Seattle, valid on the direct daily service from London Heathrow.  The service is only available to and from Heathrow – with a pick-up and drop-off range of 50 miles.

Cathay Pacific First Class Upgrade Offer

Purchase a Business Class return to Hong Kong for travel 1 July to 31 August and receive one-way upgrade on either the outbound or return journey.  Valid from London Heathrow and Manchester, and Newcastle Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen (via Heathrow).  Bookings must be made by 31 July.

Hertz has launched “Hertz 369” at more than 1,200 city and airport locations in Europe offering travellers the ability to rent a car for less than 24 hours.  Cars from Hertz 369 can be rented for three, six or nine hours.

New Routes Coming Soon To Gulf Air

Commencing 16 June, Shanghai will become Gulf Air’s 41 st destination.  The non-stop service will operate 4 flights a week from Bahrain to take advantage of two-way connectivity to many Gulf and Middle East markets.  Hyderabad in India will also join the Gulf Air network from 1 July, offering a daily non-stop service.

 Jim Pocock
Tel: 020 7420 7367
Fax: 020 7420 7301
Email: jpocock@commodore.co.uk