JetSpeak February 2019

Aviation News
United Airlines has announced its plans to increase the number of Business Class and First Class seats across its global network. The airline will be adding over 1,600 United Polaris® business class and United First seats to nearly 250 international and domestic aircraft. The move is in keeping with its commitment to making more customers more comfortable.

The airline will introduce its reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in the coming weeks; the reconfigured aircraft will have 16 additional United Polaris Business Seats, bringing the total to 46 Business Seats with an all aisle-access. These will be in addition to the newly-introduced 22 United® Premium Plus seats (becoming the first 767-300ER to offer this seat type); 47 Economy Plus® seats and 52 Economy seats.

The first reconfigured aircraft will operate on the Newark / New York - London route with 50% more premium seats in the largest premium route in the world.

For its Airbus aircraft, United Airlines has planned on increasing its First Class Seats from 8 to 12 on its fleet of Airbus A319s. These will be in addition to the 36 Economy Plus Seats and 78 Economy Seats. For its fleet of Airbus A320s, United Airlines has planned an increase in the number of First Class Seats from 12 to 16; these will be in addition to the 39 Economy Plus and 95 Economy Seats.

A press release announcing the airline's plans stated, "The airline expects to introduce all the reconfigured aircraft to its fleet by the end of next year."

The airline has also announced its plans to introduce the two-cabin 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to its fleet, especially for its regional routes. The new aircraft will offer 10 United First seats; 20 Economy Plus seats and 20 Economy seats; in addition, it will have more legroom, storage and amenities than any other 50-seat aircraft in operation on regional routes.

The CRJ 550 aircraft will eventually replace existing single-cabin 50-seat aircraft and will bring a higher percentage of two-cabin departures to smaller cities across the carrier's network.

Commenting on its plans, Executive Vice-President & Chief Commercial Officer at United Airlines, Andrew Nocella said, "In an era where many airlines are adding seats to their aircraft to crowd more passengers onto the plane, we're re-configuring more than 100 of our aircraft and doing exactly the opposite – for the benefit of our customers."

Click here to view an infographic on United's newly reconfigured aircraft

To book United Airlines flights, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112200 or send an e-mail to enquiry@jetwaystravels.com

United Airlines has announced its plans to open 4 new domestic United Club Locations in the year 2019. The first of these has already opened its doors at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The other 3 locations, where the airline is scheduled to open its United Club include the La Guardia Airport at New York, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in the Raleigh-Durham area, and the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at New Orleans.

The recently opened United Club at Fort Lauderdale is a brand-new 5,000 sq. ft. space located near Gate C1 of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Designed with today's customers in mind, each United Club location is created to serve the distinct needs of customers travelling to and from that destination and feature complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, wellness rooms and specially curated local food and beverage offerings. United Club members enjoy access to more than 50 United Club locations and participating Star Alliance partner lounges around the world.

Have a query? Contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112200 or send an e-mail toenquiry@jetwaystravels.com .
United Airlines has announced the launch of an upgraded Mobile App for its customers around the world. The upgraded App offers travellers regular updates at each step of the journey - right from booking to landing, thereby, providing a more dynamic and enriching travel experience.

A press release issued by the airlines on its website stated, "Some of the new features on the upgraded App includes:

  • A navigation bar that gives customers quick access to some of the most popular tools such as flight status, and some new handy features like My Trips.
  • A My Trips tab in the navigation bar that allows customers to easily access information about their upcoming trip and stores boarding passes when customers are checked in for their flights.
  • An Inbox that stores important push notifications United sends customers about their flight, such as if a flight status changes, gate changes and alerts about when boarding for a flight has begun.
  • Dynamic boarding times will be updated throughout the App in the event that departure times change to give customers the latest information even when they are not at the gate. This builds on the airline's recent addition of boarding notifications, which were added when United rolled out its Better Boarding process."
One of the biggest updates to the App is its ability to bring the most useful information to the forefront of its notifications, as per the requirement on a person's travel journey. For example, notifications on the home screen begin up to 48 hrs before the flight and continues until the passenger arrives at his final destination. Customers on connecting flights will even find airport maps that guide them from one gate to the other. Bringing the most useful information to the forefront makes the entire journey less stressful and more intuitive.

According to a press release issued by the airline, the upgraded app also includes an updated design with more engaging content such as beautiful imagery of travel-worthy destinations, personalized notifications on birthdays and milestone achievements, and much more.

For more information about updates to the app, visit the United Hub.

Delta Airlines has announced its plans to enable advance meal selections for its First Class Passengers. The facility to pre-select meals will be available for all first class passengers travelling on the domestic flights in USA as well as select flights from the USA to Canada and Latin America, and vice versa. The decision follows the successful trial of the feature on pre-selected routes.

Pre-Selection* of meals can be done days-in-advance through the airline's pre-select meal program. Passengers with confirmed First Class seats will receive an e-mail requesting their first choice meal preference. To participate, all they need is a valid e-mail address to be updated on their SkyMiles account or in their passenger record.

The new program is the latest of innovative solutions offered by Delta to enhance customer experience. It enables the airline to better understand customer's culinary preferences and gives the customer the peace of mind, with its assurance of keeping the pre-selected meal ready and available for the flight.

In the past several years, the airline has made significant enhancements to the Main Cabin experience including free Main Cabin meals on select coast-to-coast routes, free mobile messaging, free in-flight entertainment, upgraded Main Cabin snacks, the addition of sparkling wine, access to Wi-Fi on nearly all flights and refreshed Flight Fuel food-for-purchase options.

Recent upgrades to the Delta One in-flight experience include new chef-designed Delta One menus curated by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo for flights from LAX, refreshed TUMI amenity kits with Kiehl's products, and an Alessi-designed collection of service-ware.

*Pre-select is not currently available on Delta Connection flights.

Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airlines have announced the launch of Self-Service Bag Drop kiosks at London Heathrow Airport. 18 new self-service kiosks will be located at Terminal 3 of the London Heathrow Airport, enabling passengers to save valuable time in their check-in process. The entire process takes less than two minutes, giving passengers more time to relax and explore the many offerings of Terminal 3 Heathrow. The launch follows a successful testing phase at the airport.

The kiosks will service passengers on flights operated by Delta & Virgin Atlantic Airlines and headed to USA. To take advantage of the new machines, customers need to check-in via one of Delta’s self-service channels and follow these simple steps:

  • Scan their mobile or printed boarding pass
  • Place their bag on the bag belt
  • Print their bag tag and attach it to the bag
  • Send the bag for loading
  • Bags are then accepted into the system and screened as they would be during the traditional bag drop process at the counter.
For further peace of mind, the self-service units support Delta’s pioneering RFID bag tracking technology by issuing RFID chipped bag tags. These sync to the Fly Delta App so customers can track their checked bags in real time.

Commenting on the launch of the kiosks, Delta’s S.V.P. of Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, Corneel Koster said, "The new machines are another way that Delta and Virgin Atlantic are working together to ease the journey through our London hub. With a quick and easy bag-drop experience, customers can choose how they enjoy that extra time before they fly.”

Vice President of Airports at Virgin Atlantic, Hayley Parker added, "We’re always looking at ways to improve the customer journey, and self-service bag drop is another example of how we’re making things easier for our customers. This new technology enables customers to breeze through the airport, while ensuring our team are still on hand to deliver personalised service and answer queries at all times."

For more details, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112200 or send an e-mail to enquiry@jetwaystravels.com

Jet Airways has announced the launch of a staggered penalty framework for its domestic flights. The new framework lays down guidelines for lower penalties for flight changes, cancellations and refunds that are made well in advance. The new policy is the first in the industry and will come into effect from February 7, 2019.

As part of the new policy, the airline will levy lower penalties for changes made to a booking at least 7 days prior to the date of travel. Changes made closer to the travel date, with less than 7 days advance notice will attract a higher penalty. The dynamic penalties will reward guests who plan in advance with substantial savings.

Commenting on the development, Senior Vice-President – Worldwide Sales & Distribution at Jet Airways, Raj Sivakumar said, "The new industry first, guest-friendly penalty framework is another innovative initiative from the airline. The tiered policy is a carefully crafted endeavour that allows our guests the opportunity to amend their domestic travel ahead of time offering additional value, choice and convenience."

Appended is the chart for further details:

Cabin

Brand

RBD

Within 7 days of Flight departure

Beyond 7 days from Flight departure

Change Fee

Refund Fee

Change Fee

Refund Fee

Premiere

Flex

RBDC, J, Z

FREE

INR 3800

FREE

INR 3800

Classic

RBDI

INR 2300

INR 4800

INR 2300

INR 4800

Economy

Flex

RBDY, M, T, U, N, L

INR 2300

INR 2800

INR 1500

INR 2000

Classic

RBDQ, S, K

INR 2800

INR 3800

INR 2000

INR 3000

Saver

RBDH, V

INR 3800

INR 4300

INR 3000

INR 3500

Deal

RBDO, W

INR 4300

INR 4600

INR 3500

INR 3800

Lite

RBDB

INR 4300

INR 4600

INR 3500

INR 3800

*Terms and conditions apply

For more details or to book a Jet Airways flight ticket, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112200 or send an e-mail to enquiry@jetwaystravels.com

oneworld Alliance has announced a number of benefits and improvements to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. To mark the anniversary, the CEOs of all its member airlines met and unveiled a radical transformation plan to offer customers and deal with the substantial changes in the industry since the alliance was formed.

According to a press release issued by the alliance, The Transformation Plan includes:

  • A new oneworld digital platform that will, as it is progressively rolled out, bring to life in the digital era the alliance’s core promise of seamless connectivity for customers flying on multi-sector, multi-airline journeys, via the convenience of their preferred member airline’s mobile app or website – without having to download any additional app or enter more log-in credentials.
  • An increased level of alliance co-location projects at a number of key airports around the world – with plans to unveil the first oneworld branded, developed and managed lounge later this year.
  • A fresh approach to corporate sales, enabling oneworld to respond much faster to requests for alliance contracts, which currently generate US$ 1 billion a year for member airlines. Since trials of the new process began six months ago, revenues have risen 10 per cent. Dozens of the world’s biggest multinational corporations have signed corporate accounts with the alliance rather than a series of individual airline deals.
  • A revised process for prospecting potential new members. The first airline to join as a result will be Royal Air Maroc, next year – oneworld’s first full member recruit for six years and its first from Africa.
  • The alliance’s first new membership platform, oneworld connect – designed with smaller, regional airlines in mind – with Fiji Airways’ entry as the first partner to join in this capacity to be completed by the end of next month. Talks are progressing with other airlines interested in signing, from the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, enabling the alliance to spread its wings still further globally.
"These changes are reflected in a sweepingly different brand positioning for oneworld, encouraging passengers to “Travel Bright” – complete with a new oneworld.com website," continued the press release.

Since oneworld was launched its members have boarded a total of 7 billion customers. Collectively, these airlines now have a combined fleet of 3,500 aircraft that serve 1,100 airports across 180 territories with 14,000 daily departures. The combined footprint is almost 550 million passengers per year and total revenue generated annually includes USD 135 Billion.

For more details, See 20 years, 20 facts, oneworld.

Key statistics from oneworld’s first 20 years

At launch in 1999

Latest full year

Increase
%

Cumulative total

Number of oneworld member airlines

5

13 + 1+11

n/a

n/a

Number of airlines in global alliances

10

64

n/a

n/a

Member airlines’ passenger revenue pa

US$ 38.9 billion

US$ 107.8 billion

173

US$ 1,380 billion

Interline revenues within alliance pa

1 billion

5.5 billion

450

57 billion

Revenues from corporate sales managed by oneworld pa

0

1 billion

n/a

7.3 billion

Alliance fare product revenues pa

10 million

290 million

n/a

6.9 billion

Destinations served by oneworld

632

1,100

n/a

n/a

Territories/countries served by oneworld

138

180

n/a

n/a

Daily departures by oneworld members

6,170

14,000

n/a

n/a

Passengers boarded by oneworld members pa

177 million

536 million

203

6.7 billion

Total industry global passenger carrying pa

1.56 billion

4.0 billion

156

n/a

1 Plus one oneworld connect partner and one full member elect

Etihad Airways has announced the introduction of an Airbus A380 aircraft on its daily flight services from Abu Dhabi to Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Incheon Airport will join London Heathrow, Paris CDG, New York JFK and Sydney, as a destination served by an Airbus A380 with effect from July 1, 2019.

The Etihad Airways’ A380 offers guests a choice of 486-seats with 80 Economy Space Seats, 325 Economy Smart Seats, 70 Business Studios, 9 private First Apartments and a luxurious 3-room cabin Residence for two guests across its two decks.

Commenting on the launch, Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer at Etihad Aviation Group said, "Since launching our services to Seoul Incheon in December 2010, the route has proved tremendously successful and we have welcomed over 1.2 million guests on our flights to and from Korea since then. This reinforces the strong ties between our two countries, and the importance Etihad continues to place on the Korean market."

“The introduction of our award-winning Airbus A380 will provide our guests with the most revolutionary in-flight experience. The Etihad A380 embodies our ‘Choose Well’ brand promise perfectly, offering every type of traveller a flying experience tailored to meet their requirements, and to capture their imagination," Kamark continued.

Schedule of new A380 Abu Dhabi – Seoul Incheon Flights:

Flight No.

City of Departure

Time of Departure

City of Arrival

Time of Arrival

Frequency

Effective

EY876

Abu Dhabi

2205 hrs

Seoul

1135 hrs (+1)

Daily

01-07-19

EY873

Seoul

0100 hrs

Abu Dhabi

0545 hrs

Daily

03-07-19

+1 denotes arrival on next day; All Timings are in Local Time

To book flights to Seoul on Etihad Airways A380, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112200 or send an e-mail to enquiry@jetwaystravels.com


New Flight Launches
Delta Airlines has announced the launch of new flight services to Santa Barbara. The new flights will operate from the airline's hub at Salt Lake City International Airport and will fly to Santa Barbara, daily. There will be 3 daily, year-round flights. Services on the route will commence with effect from August 12, 2019. Bookings are now open. The latest addition to the airline's route network, Santa Barbara will be Delta's 330th destination and the 13th city in California to be served by the airline. Combined with the start of other new routes – including Detroit-San Jose in November 2018, Atlanta-Ontario in April, Detroit-Sacramento in June, and Atlanta-Burbank in July – Delta will grow the number of seats it offers from California by eight percent. The new Salt Lake City - Santa Barbara flight will be served by a Delta Connection carrier SkyWest and operated by a 76-seat Embraer E-175 aircraft with 12 seats in First Class, 20 seats in Delta Comfort+ and 44 seats in the Main Cabin. All flights will offer free entertainment through Delta Studio, as well as free messaging, access to Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks and beverages.

Schedule of New Delta Airlines Flights to Santa Barbara:

City of Departure

Time of Departure

City of Arrival

Time of Arrival

Frequency

Salt Lake City

1105 hrs

Santa Barbara

1216 hrs

Daily

Salt Lake City

1500 hrs

Santa Barbara

1611 hrs

Daily

Salt Lake City

2030 hrs

Santa Barbara

2139 hrs

Daily

Santa Barbara

0600 hrs

Salt Lake City

0857 hrs

Daily

Santa Barbara

1305 hrs

Salt Lake City

1600 hrs

Daily

Santa Barbara

1645 hrs

Salt Lake City

1940 hrs

Daily

All Time is Local Time

* First flight departing SBA is on Aug. 13, 2019

To book Delta Airlines flights, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112200 or send an e-mail to enquiry@jetwaystravels.com


Hotel Updates:
Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the opening of the brand new Taj Theog Resort & Spa in Shimla. It is the first Taj Property to be opened in Himachal Pradesh.

A press release issued by the hotel chain described the Taj Theog Resort & Spa’s design and architecture as an echo of colonial charm. The hotel lies nestled amidst acres of cedar and Deodar forest, with pathways through apple orchards and terraced gardens. Mesmerizing views of the mighty Himalayas can be enjoyed from every part of the property.

There are 99 guest rooms and suites, each featuring wooden flooring, traditional rugs, tall French Windows that open out to balconies overlooking the stunning snow peaks and quaint villages. Unique dining experiences, a temperature controlled pool with a sun deck and specially curated local experiences enhance the stay. In addition, the Jiva Spa offers several therapies and spa experiences for the perfect indulgence.

In terms of location, the Taj Theog Resort & Spa is located at Theog Junctions, higher up than the hill station of Shimla City and a comfortable drive from Chandigarh.

Commenting on the launch, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at IHCL, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal said, "We are delighted to open our first hotel in Himachal Pradesh, often referred to as the Land of Gods. This will be the Company’s first mountain resort. With this new addition, we have expanded our resort portfolio which is the largest in India. The State has great tourism potential and we look forward to expanding our footprint to showcase the pristine beauty of this region."

To book the Taj Theog Resort & Spa, Shimla, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112236 or send an e-mail to reservations@jetwaystravels.com

Ginger Hotels has announced the signing of a new hotel in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. This will be the hotel chain's second hotel in Jammu & Kashmir and the first in the state to be included in its portfolio through a management contract. Ginger already has one hotel - Ginger Katra.

Ginger Srinagar is located at Barzulla, a comfortable drive from the airport and key tourist spots like Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple and Jama Masjid. It will feature 64 comfortable rooms including 9 suites, and an all-day diner. Operations are expected to commence within this year.

With the addition of this hotel, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) will have 4 hotels across its brands Vivanta and Ginger in Jammu & Kashmir.

To book the Taj Theog Resort & Spa, Shimla, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112236 or send an e-mail to reservations@jetwaystravels.com

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the opening of Vivanta Kathmandu. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Patan Darbar Square, the hotel Vivanta Kathmandu is the hotel chain's first property in Kathmandu and its second in the Kingdom of Nepal.

The first hotel is Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safaris Lodge in Chitwan National Park.

Vivanta Kathmandu is a 110-key hotel that serves as a perfect option for short and long stays with avant-garde restaurants and facilities such as swimming pool, spa, world-class concierge services and a fitness centre. Culinary experiences include Akari, serving pan Asian cuisine, a rooftop bar, Koko serving bistro-style food, and Mynt - the all-day diner serving local Newari dishes.

Commenting on the launch, Executive Vice President – Operations, North & West India at IHCL, Mr. Rohit Khosla said, "We are thrilled to embark on this exciting new venture in Kathmandu which will complete the tourist circuit by providing a stopover to UNESCO listed Chitwan National Park. Nepal offers medieval cities and sacred sites to Himalayan peaks and wildlife safaris, catering to a multitude of experiences. We look forward to working with our partners, CG Group on this project, reiterating our commitment to the region."

To book Vivanta Kathmandu, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112236 or send an e-mail to reservations@jetwaystravels.com

Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of multiple hotels across its many brands in Eastern USA. The hotel chain has opened a Curio Collection by Hilton in Key Largo, Florida; and a Hilton Hotel in the City of Nashville in Tennessee and in the City of Birmingham in Alabama each.

Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo, Florida - Curio Collection by Hilton:
The Baker's Cay Resort is the newest addition to the Curio Collection by Hilton brand of hotels and the first to be opened in the Florida Keys. It is located in one of the most lavish and secluded area of Key Largo, nestled amidst 14 acres of lush tropical trees, and with exclusive access to one of the most secluded beaches in the area.

It is barely 10 km from enjoyable experiences of the Keys such as the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and many scuba diving points. The Miami International Airport is 105 km from the hotel and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is over 140 km away.

The resort has 200 rooms and guests enjoy access to inclusive programs designed to involve family members and pets during their stay, including sea plane rides and kid's camps as well as facilities such as swimming pools enhanced by a waterfall grotto, a library with reading nooks and a hammock-lined path.

Hilton Nashville Green Hills, Nashville, Tennessee - Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Nashville Green Hills is the newest Hilton hotel in Tennessee. Located in Nashville, barely 8 km from the CBD and in a location central to Fortune 500 businesses, the Hilton Nashville Green Hills offers a perfect base for business executives travelling to Nashville. It is also the only full-service hotel in the neighbourhood.

The hotel also has over 6,500 square feet of indoor flexible meeting space, that includes 3,306 square-foot ballroom for maximum 330 people and a standalone 694-square-foot break-out room that offers flexible seating and state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities. An additional 3,500 square feet of semi-private event space is available at the rooftop. Other facilities include a full-service restaurant and a rooftop outdoor lounge.

There are 210 guest rooms including 3 luxurious corner suites at this hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms and an exclusive,Executive Lounge with functional work spaces, open seating, continental breakfast and hors d’oeuvres for Executive Level rooms further enhance the appeal of the Hilton Nashville Green Hills hotel for business travellers.

The nearest airport, the Nashville International Airport is located approximately 17 km away.

To mark the hotel's opening, Hilton Honors members who book at Hilton Nashville Green Hills between January 10, 2019 and May 31, 2019 will earn 1,000 Bonus Hilton Honors Points per night.

Hilton Birmingham at UAB, Birmingham, Alabama - Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Birmingham of UAB is the flagship hotel of the University of Alabama and enjoys an on-campus location, barely 10 km from the Birmingham International Airport and 245 km from the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.

A press release issued by the hotel states, "Formerly the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Birmingham, the property was purchased by the UAB Education Foundation in November of 2016. The hotel’s renovations began in March 2018, with a comprehensive design and refurbishment plan culminating in a top-to-bottom transformation of the hotel."

Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, the hotel has opened its doors as the Hilton Birmingham of UAB, with upgraded common areas, guest rooms, and much more. Common areas include complimentary work-stations, with Wi-Fi-enabled computers, printers and ergonomic seating ; guest rooms and suites include multiple USB charging ports and custom stone desks. The hotel also boasts 17,000 square feet of high-tech meeting and event space.

To mark the hotel’s opening, Hilton Honors members who book at Hilton Birmingham at UAB between Jan. 7 and June 14 will earn 1,000 Bonus Hilton Honors Points per night.

To book the Hilton Hotels in USA and for the best deals, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112226 or send an e-mail to reservations@jetwaystravels.com

Hilton Worldwide Hotels has announced the opening of two brand new hotels in China. Hilton Worldwide made the début of Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in the heart of Taizhou’s Central Business District (CBD) with the opening of the Hilton Taizhou. It is the first international hotel brand in the region. Hilton Worldwide also opened the Hilton Chengdu Chenghua in the Sichuan Province of China.

Hilton Taizhou, Taizhou, China - Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Worldwide announced the début of its Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand with the opening of Hilton Taizhou. It is the first hotel from an international hotel chain in Taizhou CBD and is home to the largest grand ballroom in the CBD.

A press release issued by the hotel announcing the launch stated, "As the birthplace of China’s private economy, Taizhou is now booming with private enterprises and industrial centres, attracting millions of business travellers each year. Catering to growing business needs, Hilton Taizhou is centrally located within the CBD of Jiao Jiang district, in close proximity to major commercial buildings, shopping centres, high-end residences and local cuisines. The hotel is also within 15 to 30 kilometres of key industrial zones, and approximately 15 kilometres from the Taizhou Railway Station as well as Taizhou Luqiao Airport."

The hotel has 21-storeys and 336 guest rooms and suites, as well as amenities such as a 24-hour fitness centre with Precor® equipment, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool. The 2,500 square meters of meeting space includes the 1030 sq. mt. pillar-less Grand ballroom.

Hilton Chengdu Chenghua, Chengdu - Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Chengdu Chenghua is the second flagship property in Chengdu and the eighth property for Hilton in the region. It enjoys a located in the downtown Chengdu, approximately 3.5 km from Chengdu Railway Station and 30.8 km from the Chengdu Airport. Taikoo Li, Chunxi Road, Kuanzhai Alley and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding are all within 10 kilometres or a 30-minute drive.

The 15-storey state-of-the-art full-service hotel offers 298 spacious and stylish guest rooms with 49-inch HDTV, dedicated workspaces and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness centre with the latest Life Fitness® equipment and free weights, a heated indoor pool and whirlpool, and free shuttle service to the city’s key attractions.

In addition, Hilton Chengdu Chenghua offers one of the largest meeting and event facilities in the Chenghua district with 1,650 square meters of total meeting space, six versatile function rooms, a rooftop outdoor garden and abundant pre-function space.

To book the Hilton Hotels in China and for the best deals, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112226 or send an e-mail toreservations@jetwaystravels.com

Marriott International has announced the opening of multiple hotels across its brands in the city of Dubai in UAE and in the city of Michigan in USA. In Dubai, the hotel chain has opened the W Dubai - The Palm under its W Hotels Worldwide brand. Meanwhile, in Michigan, Marriott has announced the opening of a brand new hotel under its Element brand - the Element Detroit.

W Dubai - The Palm, Dubai - W Hotels Worldwide
W Dubai - The Palm boasts a location on the Palm Jumeirah, the largest man-made island in the world and one of Dubai’s most iconic attractions. The newest W Escape, the W Dubai - The Palm offers a wonderfully different take on experiencing Dubai.

Each of its 350 guest rooms and suites offer uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf or the Palm Jumeirah and dreamy amenities that range from W Signature bed and WMixBar to tea and coffee stations, a free-standing bathtub and a rainfall shower as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.

Multiple pools, the brand's signature AWAY® Spa, unique culinary experiences, and the only rooftop bar in Dubai where guests can watch the sun sink into the Arabian Sea and turn around to watch the Dubai skyline light up each night - and much more await a guest here.

For events, W Dubai offers over 2,000 square meters of event space including a sprawling 1,215-square-meter Great Room with sensually designed rotating walls letting in (or blocking out) the dazzling Arabian sun.

W Dubai – The Palm is offering travellers a lavish grand opening package, HIT ESCAPE now through December 2019. Book a Wonderful room for 2 nights or more and get upgraded to a Spectacular Room with unbeatable views of the city skyline. Indulge in breakfast at LIV, relish afternoon tea at W Lounge and head to an adrenaline-fuelled dinner for two at Akira Back. Minimum length of stay 2 nights. AED 1750 (approx. $477 US) per night.

>Element Detroit, Michigan - Element Hotels
The opening of the Element Detroit at the Metropolitan marks the début of the Element hotels brand in the state of Michigan. It is housed in a 92-year old neo-Gothic Building, the Metropolitan Building, which originally opened in 1925 and was a destination for jewellers and shoppers alike.

The building has been beautifully restored after over 40 years of lying in disuse. Many of the original features have been preserved, including the exterior façade, an ornate vaulted ceiling in the interior lobby, interior decorative staircases, and original terrazzo flooring on the guest corridors. The original store-fronts of the jewellery stores have also been preserved on the second floor and re-purposed as meeting rooms.

Guests have a choice of 110 studio and one-bedroom guest rooms, with amenities such as a filtered water system, mini-fridge, microwave and sink, within each room. The bathrooms have low-flow faucets and toilets, as well as environmentally conscious body lotion, shampoo, conditioner and soap, containing certified organic ingredients by Pharmacopia, an all-natural vegan and cruelty-free brand. One-bedroom guest rooms are outfitted with a refrigerator, sink, microwave, dishwasher and two burner cook-tops.

Facilities include a fitness centre, complimentary bikes, a rooftop bar and patio. The hotel also has 5,000 square feet of meeting space, including three event rooms for conferences and gatherings, and 7,000 square feet of ground floor and lower level retail space.

To book the Marriott International hotels at the best deals, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112226 or send an e-mail toreservations@jetwaystravels.com

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo has announced the opening of its first Electric Car-charging station, making it the first hotel in Egypt with the facility of charging electric cars. The car charging station is now fully operational.

A press release announcing the launch stated, "The brand new charging station works with a variety of vehicles, such as plug-in electric vehicles and hybrids. For a full-battery, vehicles get charged for eight straight hours, however a two-hour charging session is enough for 500-kilometre (310 mile) drive."

"Egypt has made headway in working towards a more eco-friendly economy. The country has one the world's biggest solar panel and wind-turbine farms, and the government has recently reported that it is looking into building its first locally-produced electric car," the press release continued.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of two brand-new hotels in Canada and USA. In Canada, the hotel giant has opened the Hyatt Place Calgary Airport hotel in Alberta. In USA, Hyatt Hotels Corporation has opened the Hyatt Place Florence/Downtown in Florence, South Carolina.

Hyatt Place Calgary Airport, Alberta, Canada
Hyatt Place Calgary Airport Hotel is the second Hyatt Place Hotel in Alberta and the ninth Hyatt hotel to open in Canada. It is ideally located in the heart of the Calgary Airport business sector, just a short 5 minute shuttle ride from the Calgary Airport.

Guests enjoy a choice of 127 spacious guest-rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi and a range of amenities. 3,000 square feet of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space and features such as 24/7 food unit and an Odds & Ends program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free, further enhance the appeal of the Hyatt Place Calgary Airport hotel.

Hyatt Place Florence/Downtown, South Carolina, USA
Hyatt Place Florence/Downtown in Florence, South Carolina is the first Hyatt hotel in historic Florence, South Carolina. It is located in the heart of the downtown area, less than 5 km from the Florence Regional Airport and within close proximity to a number of organizations.

Guests enjoy a choice of 103 spacious guest rooms and amenities such as free Wi-Fi, 24x7 food units, and the signature Odds & Ends program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free.

To book Hyatt hotels and for the best deals, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112226 or send an e-mail to reservations@jetwaystravels.com


Visas & Passport
VFS Global has announced the launch of a new walk-in service for applicants of Italy and Switzerland visas. According to an update from the organization, this will be an additional service applicable only for visa applicants who have missed their pre-booked interview date.

Guests who arrive late for their appointment can avail the walk-in services for an additional fee. Alternatively, they can rebook their appointment for a later date and time.

Fees for Walk-in Interview:

Visa Applied for

Walk-in Interview Fee

Switzerland

INR 2600/-

Italy

INR 2650/-

For any queries, contact Jetways Travels at 011-44112200 or send an e-mail to visa@jetwaystravels.com

VFS Global has announced an update to the Visa application process for Norway. According to the update, all applicants applying for a visa for Norway will henceforth be required to visit the VFS Centre personally to collect their passports.

Applicants can no longer send a Third-party to collect the passport of their behalf. They will have to either visit the centre personally or opt for the courier service at the time of visa application submission.

An update published on the VFSGlobal website, stated, "All Applicants applying for Visa in Norway is hereby notified that as per the instructions from Norway Embassy Third party collection of passports for Norway will be suspended from immediate effects, applicants will have to come in person to collect the passports or they can opt for the courier service at the time of submission of application at VFS office. The same is with effect from 04 February 2019."