Swiss and SAA join Star Alliance
It's official. Both Swiss and South African Airways (SAA) have become the 17th and 18th members of the Star Alliance.
This development adds more value to Star Alliance which now covers 842 destinations across 152 countries. It provides members of any Star frequent flyer programme with the ability to earn and redeem miles to hundreds of new destinations, and it means that in the case of Zurich-based Swiss, travellers can choose from another European hub or gateway. And with Johannesburg-based SAA, the first African airline to join Star, there are now better links for FFP members to fly both to and within Africa.
SAA president and CEO Khaya Ngqula admitted that the service standards hadn't always been as good as they should. But this was being changed as SAA upgrades itself to the level of the top carriers.
Says Khaya Nqqula, "To celebrate this occasion, SAA is releasing an extra 12,000 mileage redemption seats for FFP members on five key international routes [including London] between June and August. Redemptions open in May."
In the case of Swiss, membership of Star and its acquisition by Lufthansa will ensure the carrier's survival. Swiss has never made a profit since it emerged from what remained of the former Swissair which went bankrupt in 2001. Says Swiss chairman Rolf Jetzer, "Swiss hopes to return its first ever profit this year. Following the takeover by Lufthansa [which will take several years to complete] we will continue to have our own management, fleet, crews and retain our head office in Switzerland."
As a landlocked country, aviation is vital for Switzerland. Says federal councillor Joseph Deiss, "Worldwide flight connections are business-critical for firms operating out of Switzerland. It is not without reason that so many international firms have established their bases in Switzerland; not without reason that so many Swiss companies are so successful internationally."
Other news to emerge:
• Air China is expected to become Star's 19th member and an announcement will be made shortly. A further Chinese member, this time a carrier based in Shanghai, is also expected to join at some stage.
• Differing service standards. As Business Traveller has previously reported not all airlines offer the same high standards in business class, while check-in services can also differ. The widening membership will compound the problem. Issues that have arisen include that of menu pricing (by Air Canada) see Online news January 5, and the few frills and baggage check policies (by Bmi) see Online news May 26, 2005. Member carriers seem to have come to terms with these developments and have adopted a 'get what you pay for' attitude. But they realise that these changes must be better explained to the travelling public.
For more information visit
Star Alliance website
Report by Julian Gregory
Emirates set to fly Hamburg-New York JFK
Emirates will challenge European and US transatlantic carriers on their home turf this autumn. That is when the Dubai-based national airline is set to launch daily flights between Hamburg in Northern Germany and New York's JFK airport. The service, which originates in Dubai, is expected to get under way on October 29. It will be operated by a three class B777-300.
Although the schedules aren't yet displayed on Emirates' website, a spokesperson for Emirates says, "We can confirm that Emirates does have plans to start additional services to Hamburg which will link to JFK."
According to preliminary timings, flight EK205 will depart Dubai at 0855 to reach Hamburg at 1255, departing from there at 1440 to reach New York at 1700. In the reverse direction flight EK206 departs New York at 2315 to arrive Hamburg at 1235 the next day. Departure from Hamburg is at 1415 with an arrival in Dubai later the same day at 2325.
Emirates launched Dubai-Hamburg flights only last month (March) so this move next autumn (when the existing A330 is switched to a larger B777) means a service upgrade.
Hamburg is one of Germany's wealthiest cities and the airport's catchment area covers Northern Germany, Berlin and areas of Denmark. Yet it is poorly served by long distance flights. Lufthansa, for example, hasn't a single long haul flight from Hamburg. As a result, passengers seeking to reach the outside world invariably have to change planes at another hub.
One exception, besides Emirates, is US airline Continental which operates a five times a week service to New York Newark using a two-class B757.
Business class flights to New York next November are currently priced by online agent Travelocity as costing £3,323 return with Continental, £2,294 with Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), £2,277 with SAS (via Copenhagen), £1,784 with BA (via London) and £1,723 with Air France (via Paris).
Emirates is expected to price keenly in all classes and will operate a wide-bodied B777 which has more passenger appeal than Continental's narrow-bodied B757.
This autumn's Dubai-New York service via Hamburg means Emirates will be flying the route thrice daily. As now, the two daily non-stop services operated by Airbus A340-500s will continue. But one of these Airbus flights will be upgraded to a larger B777-300 aircraft from September 1.
Emirates' New York services are proving to be popular. Passengers are drawn both from the Middle East region and the Indian subcontinent. The latter is poorly served by direct flights so passengers originating in, say, India find it easier to take Emirates from one of various gateways and change in Dubai.
For more information go to
Emirates website
Report by Alex McWhirter
Top luxury Hilton for Jeddah
It's Jeddah's turn to acquire not one but two top luxury hotels. In recent times the Saudi port city has been left behind in the prestigious hotel stakes with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat all acquiring "palace" properties.
Jeddah will redress the balance next month with the opening of Qasr Al Sharq, a 46-all suite top luxury hotel. The property is managed by Hilton and it's located along Jeddah's North Corniche adjacent to the international chain's existing hotel. Soon after, Corniche (a Rosewood property) is slated to open.
The Qasr Al Sharq which has 60kgs of gold leaf adorning its decorative ceilings – will offer a highly personalised butler service and contain 1,200 crystal vases, porcelain china, intricate mosaics and the world's best fabrics. The level of detail is reflected in the bathrooms which have 20 different oriental-scented soaps. The interiors have been designed by London-based KCA International whose top-tier portfolio includes Dubai's luxury Burj Al Arab hotel.
Hilton is not known for properties of this order, so does it represent a change of tack for the hotel chain? "There is no change in our policy," says a spokesperson, "Qasr Al Sharq is a unique property. Both Hilton and the owner realised there was a clear demand for an upscale suite product."
Food and beverage outlets include two restaurants featuring Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine along with private dining facilities. There is also a business centre and a luxury spa.
Rates range between £766 (SAR5,000) and £7,656 (SAR50,000) plus 15% service fee. It's not clear whether or not special introductory rates will be offered during the opening period. When questioned about the prices, a spokesman replied, "These rates aren't really comparable to other hotel rates as they include 'on demand' housekeeping, as often as required, as well as breakfast, wireless internet access, a laptop in the room, late check-out and a personal butler."
Qasr Al Sharq's exact opening date in May has not yet been confirmed and Hilton's website is still not displaying any information. Bookings open on May 1.
Qasr Al Sharq
Po Box 7079
Jeddah 21462
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: 966 2 659 9999
Report by Alex McWhirter
Better UK regional access to Rome
Low-cost airlines are making it easier to get to Rome from the UK regions. Whereas Alitalia and British Airways largely confine themselves to serving the Italian capital from London airports, the likes of Jet2, Easyjet and Ryanair are offering passengers the opportunity to fly from their local airport.
Although BA used to operate a few direct services in previous years from, say, Birmingham, it meant that travellers from other regions still faced taking indirect services involving a plane change in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris.
The latest direct services were launched by Jet2 last Monday (April 10). The Leeds-based carrier is offering a four times a week service from its home town. Jet2 is also flying five times a week from Manchester.
Other regional links which have been started in recent times include Easyjet from Bristol, Nottingham, Newcastle anfd Belfast along with Ryanair out of Nottingham, Liverpool and Glasgow Prestwick.
Jet2's flights arrive at Rome's main Fiumicino airport (36 kms from downtown) whereas the other carriers here use the secondary Ciampino facility (15 km from the city centre).
For more information go to
jet2.com,
easyjet.com or
ryanair.com
Report by Alex McWhirter
More RTW opportunities
New air services and alliance members are increasing the usefulness of RTW (round-the-world) tickets. These are special tariffs allowing globetrotters to save money on the normal fare provided they obey some ticketing rules and restrict their travel to a select number of carriers.
Last month Virgin Atlantic launched direct services between London Heathrow and Dubai. This move is likely to make the Great Escapade RTW ticket (jointly marketed by Virgin, SIA and Air New Zealand) more popular as it allows travellers to break their journey in Dubai on the way to Asia and Australasia.
The Great Escapade ticket's appeal will be increased further next October when Air New Zealand begins flying from London to Hong Kong (see Online news, April 6). Currently travellers buying this ticket can only reach Hong Kong by taking SIA via Singapore which is a somewhat roundabout routing.
But passengers buying the Star Alliance ticket (in which 19 carriers now participate) who qualify for a multitude of new options. Recently SIA began flying from Moscow to Dubai which means that Star customers can now include the Russian capital when flying between Europe and the Gulf. Previously an awkward backtrack into Europe would have been needed. And later this year ANZ's arrival on the key London-Hong Kong route (see above) will provide Star members with direct flights on this key service.
New members have further boosted the ticket's appeal. Swiss offers an alternative gateway to Europe while SAA gives the ability to include South Africa plus other regional destinations on the circuit.
For more information go to
thegreatescapade.com,
staralliance.com
Report by Alex McWhirter
Flybe expands UK Southwest to Paris market
Flybe is claiming credit for a significant expansion in passenger numbers between the Southwest of England and Paris. A year ago the budget carrier inaugurated twice daily flights between Exeter and Paris CDG. In that time, says a Flybe spokesperson "we've grown the market between the Southwest [both Exeter and Bristol airports] and Paris CDG by 52%".
Besides tapping business from the Exeter area market, it appears Flybe has attracted passengers from BA Connect's rival service from nearby Bristol. According to industry sources the passenger market between Bristol and Paris is static. Indeed sources state that numbers actually declined slightly over the past year. Although BA Connect operates five flights a day at convenient timings it uses 49-seater Embraers. These planes are costly to operate and fares tend to be high because there are only a handful of cheap seats on every flight.
Flybe operates more economical 78-seater Dash8-400 turbo-props allowing the airline to charge lower fares and with greater low fare availability. Says the spokesperson, "They offer the speed of one of our larger BAe146 jets but not the capacity." Both Exeter and Bristol are around 285 miles from Paris. The Dash8's flight time is only five or 10 minutes longer than with the Embraer.
When Business Traveller compared the cost of flying from Bristol and Exeter to Paris CDG over the next fortnight there was a significant price difference between the two routes.
Last Tuesday (April 11) for travel to Paris on April 18 and returning April 21, BA Connect was quoting £537 online for peak and £322 for off-peak flights. By comparison, the online rates with Flybe from Exeter varied between £187 and £147 respectively. Flybe flies only at peak times.
For travel to Paris during the week following (out April 24, back April 28) BA Connect wanted £349 and £237 whereas Flybe's prices were between £135 and £86.
It would seem that some would-be users of Bristol are voting with their wallet. Depending on where they are based in relation to Bristol airport (which is located southwest of the city) Paris-bound travellers are opting for more economical flights with Flybe from Exeter, Bmibaby (who flies from Cardiff in Wales) or they are heading down the M4 to Heathrow for British Airways, Bmi or Air France.
A spokesperson for BA Connect said the carrier has started offering lower fares from Bristol for a limited period. Aimed at leisure travellers the deal sees BA Connect making 12,500 one-way seats available at its lowest price of £71 return. But the lowest fares are hard to find unless you book to travel many weeks ahead. The deal ends on April 21 although travel is allowed until October 31.
In other news, Flybe hopes to replicate the success of its Exeter service in East Anglia. It will start a daily Norwich-Paris service on May 25.
For more information go to
flybe.com,
ba.com/flytoparis
Report by Alex McWhirter