ROAD WARRIOR: The business of travel
It is hard to believe that Etihad Airways is only now celebrating its ninth year in business. The state carrier of the United Arab Emirates already serves 86 cities in the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America, with 67 aircraft and 90 more on order.
Etihad is also expanding with equity stakes in Air Berlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus. Etihad operates 10 flights a week from Dublin to Abu Dhabi.
Will abolished fee for long-haul lure flyers back to NI?
Will £16.24 or £32.48 really make a difference to people from Northern Ireland using Dublin Airport for long-haul routes?
The Northern Ireland Assembly passed the final stage of the Air Passenger Duty Bill to abolish the charge on long-haul routes from Belfast International Airport. Routes affected by the change are the daily United service to Newark and seasonal routes to Canada, Egypt and Barbados.
Travellers flying business class should also always check the prices for Dublin and Belfast to Newark; sometimes the business class fare can be considerably cheaper in one city and economy cheaper in the other. A check on flights for next week showed a difference of more than €1,000, with BFS cheaper.
Follow fame in Washington
If election day in the US or hit drama Scandal is putting you in the mood to visit Washington, then consider these scandalous hotels.
Client 9, aka Eliot Spitzer, dallied in the Mayflower Hotel, rooms from $189. The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City was the location for the taping of Monica Lewinsky’s confession to Linda Tripp which started the ball rolling for an impeachment hearing of President Bill Clinton, rooms from $259.
Lounge around at Dubai airport
Refresh the parts that other beers don’t at the new Heineken Airport Lounge in Emirates T3 in Dubai. This is the second lounge to open, the first is in Newark Airport, and dozens more are planned across the globe.
Business travellers and sports fans can watch the latest scores with live screening, or read the papers and charge their electronics.
NY-Shannon route back in May
Delta has announced the return of the seasonal New York to Shannon service from May 11th, 2013 with DL123 taking off at 10.45 daily. The service will also be using the new Delta Terminal Four at JFK which is due to open in May. Fares are in the system now with prices from €492 economy and €2,132 business class.