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Cathay Pacific’s The Deck is now open

Cathay Pacific has announced the reopening of its airport lounge, “The Deck”, at Hong Kong International Airport, providing passengers with more options to relax before their flight.

The Deck: pamper yourself before your flight, people-watch from atop, enjoy cocktails and sunset views from The Terrace, or savour your favourite dishes from the signature Noodle Bar

The airline is also planning to reopen its other lounges, including “The Pier”, “First”, “Business” and “The Wing” within the next six months as it increases its flight schedule.

Cathay Pacific is also gradually reopening its lounges globally, with several lounges in different airports set to reopen in February, March, April, and the second and third quarters of 2023.

The airline’s signature lounges, including those at San Francisco International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport, are expected to reopen in 2023.

Cathay Pacific has already opened several of its lounges, including “First and Business class lounges” at London Heathrow Airport and lounges at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Tokyo (Haneda) International Airport.

The Deck, Hong Kong

To mark the reopening of The Deck, the airline has added a selection of new dishes served in The Noodle Bar, an iconic favourite among guests at its signature lounges.

As well as new food options at The Noodle Bar Cathay Pacific has continued to offer international dishes at The Food Hall.

The Deck is located near Gate 6 in Terminal 1 and features a unique open-ceiling terrace with seating options to enjoy views of the airport’s apron, taxi-ways and northern runway.

Cathay Pacific Lounge at Narita (Tokyo)

The Cathay Pacific Lounge at Narita has been relocated to a larger space near Gate 71 and offers customers a more spacious environment with excellent views of the airport apron.

The lounge features new artwork created by local Japanese studios and offers a curated food and beverage menu including traditional Japanese dishes, such as sushi, grilled fish, miso soup and curry with rice, as well as light and healthy options.

Cathay Pacific Lounge, Bangkok and Manila

Cathay Pacific has also made enhancements to its Bangkok and Manila lounges ahead of their reopening. Both lounges have received a refresh to their interior décor, fixtures and furniture, providing guests with a rejuvenated ambience. This is in addition to the equipment checks and deep cleaning that all lounges undergo before reopening to ensure the wellbeing and comfort of customers.

BRITISH AIRWAYS UNVEILS ITS NEW "CLUB SUITE" AND A350 AIRCRAFT

British Airways unveils its new A350 aircraft and the new business class “Club Suite”

British Airways has unveiled its highly-anticipated new business class seat – Club Suite – and confirmed it will arrive on the first of its A350 aircraft in July.

britishairways_21686246981997The airline’s sophisticated and newly-branded Club Suite offers direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Boasting 40% more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, Wi-Fi, a 17″ or 18.5″ inflight entertainment screens, high definition gate-to-gate programming, and USB power; every aspect of British Airways’ Club Suite has been designed for today’s customer.

britishairways_21686326819237The A350 aircraft itself will also promote a feeling of well-being, space and calm due to its reduced noise levels, high ceilings and ambient lighting which is intended to compliment the time of day and outside light. Customers will leave their flight feeling rested thanks to higher levels of humidity and refreshed air as the cabin pressure is equivalent to an altitude of just 6,000 feet. There are also environmental benefits to flying on the state-of the-art A350 as 25% lower fuel burn significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

britishairways_21686811518381As well as a new 56-seat Club World cabin, the three-cabin A350 will feature the latest World Traveller Plus cabin (56 seats) with new furnishings including a plush new pillow and warm quilt, new amenity kits and an enhanced service and an improved dining experience. The World Traveller (economy) cabin offers 219 seats. Customers will also benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi, allowing travellers to browse the internet on their personal electronic devices.

britishairways_216861670122336The airline, which is marking its centenary this year, will roll out the new suites in a carefully managed programme designed to minimise disruption to customers.

britishairways_216861516615173During phase one, the first A350 aircraft will start some short-haul flying between London and Madrid to allow the airline’s teams to perfect their customer service delivery and familiarise cabin crew with the aircraft layout.

britishairways_216861889038722In phase two, from 1 October 2019, the aircraft will begin long-haul flying. During this period another three A350 aircraft will join the British Airways fleet and two Boeing 777 aircraft will also be retrofitted with the new cabin.

britishairways_216861743831200At the start of 2020 phase three will begin which will see British Airways rolling out its Club Suite on further long-haul aircraft across the network.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said:

The arrival of our first A350 featuring our new Club Suite is one of the most exciting developments in our £6.5 billion investment programme.

Each new suite has direct aisle access and comes with a personal door – design features which were incorporated as a direct result of the feedback we’ve had from our customers. We’ve worked hard to ensure every aspect of the Club World experience from the lounges we’ve refreshed, to the new gourmet menus from Do&Co on flights from Heathrow, and the luxurious bedding we’ve introduced from The White Company exudes the very British style and quality customers expect from us.

At British Airways we have one of Europe’s largest long-haul fleets and most far-reaching global networks, so it will take some time to make the cabin available to everybody. We hope that as more customers have the chance to experience it, they’ll enjoy travelling in it as much as we’ve enjoyed designing it.

Paul Baker, Global Travel Management’s Sales Director, said:

British Airways has invested significant time and money in producing the Clube Suite product.  It offers GTM’s clients with the things they tell us they want most: Wi-Fi, power sockets, flat-bed seats and more storsge. At GTM, we like to make sure we are offering the best-possible service to all business travellers.  And BA’s offering appears to be doing exactly the same.

As part of British Airways’ £6.5 billion investment for its customers, the airline is also delivering changes to its First, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins, delivering exceptional new restaurant-style catering from Do&Co, rolling out industry-leading Wi-Fi on board and opening new lounges across the world.

Contact your GTM Account Manager when you want to book on First, World Traveller Plus or World Traveller on British Airways routes. 

BA invests in FIRST class product

First Class investments from British Airways

British Airways is set to deliver significant changes to the onboard product and service in its First cabin as part of its £6.5bn investment for customers.

The new look and feel, set to take to the skies from 31 March, will include new bedding, amenities and menus that would not look out of place in a five-star British hotel.

The airline’s First customers will be offered super-soft, sophisticated new male and female loungewear designed exclusively by luxury British fashion brand, Temperley London. The loungewear will be coupled with bespoke British Airways amenity bags, featuring Temperley’s “Star” design. The bags will be filled with products from No 1 British Skincare brand, ELEMIS, including products from the highly sought after ULTRA SMART PRO-COLLAGEN range. The amenity kit contains the essentials to cleanse, revive and hydrate.

The airline’s chefs have also designed new delicious A La Carte menus that focus on fresh seasonal ingredients of British provenance. The new menus will be served on elegant bone china crockery, designed exclusively for the airline by high-end British tableware designer William Edwards. The new tableware will be accompanied by contemporary cutlery from Studio William.

The airline will also be introducing a new signature afternoon tea service, showcasing the great British tradition of high tea. The menu will include a selection of sandwiches, delicate pastries and scones, as well as a wide range of tea infusions.

As part of the changes, British Airways is also investing in new Dartington glassware. Travellers will now be able to enjoy the airline’s fine wines and champagnes from sophisticated stemware, while soft drinks and spirits will be served from elegant cut-glass tumblers.

Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said:

As part of our £6.5bn investment for customers, we’re changing parts of the travel experience in our First cabin. Our teams of designers, chefs and customer service experts have carefully thought through the details we know matter most to our customers.

In this, our centenary year, we’ve sought out some of the best British designers and manufacturers to work with to ensure travelling in First with British Airways is an unforgettable experience.

The airline’s First customers will benefit from an improved turndown service for the perfect night’s sleep, thanks to new luxurious 400 thread count bedding, accompanied by a foam fibre mattress topper. Customers will also receive a stylish new day blanket and bolster cushion.

And those wishing to relax and enjoy the 1,000 hours of programmes available on the in-flight entertainment channels, can do so through high performance headphones crafted by Meridian, the British Pioneers of High Resolution audio.

It’s Back! Complimentary Upgrade to First With BA.

Effective immediately, book an eligible Club World return fare and receive a complimentary upgrade to First with British Airways.

You can upgrade to First, one-way on either the outbound, or the inbound part of the journey; simply purchase an eligible published semi-flexible R, D, or C class, or a fully flexible J class, Club World fare by 7 October 2018.

This offer is available on as many flights as you like when outbound travel is by 23 October 2018.

Upgrades are subject to availability on selected flights.

What’s more, you can also upgrade to First on some American Airlines operated flights to the US, Canada and Mexico too (when booked with a British Airways codeshare flight number).

British Airways Club World to First Upgrade Offer.

This upgrade offer is currently only available to companies who are registered On Business members and eligible for Business Bespoke fares – please do check with us if you are unsure.

It is also worth noting that this upgrade offer has been launched in advance of the main promotion to the general public; so get in early whilst the seat availability is good!

The upgrade offer is available from today (Tuesday 29th April 2014) and bookings can be made in the discounted classes (R, D & C) until 2359 on 23rd May 2014. All travel must be completed by 7th September 2014.

Please note that bookings cannot be made via BA.com and some routes/aircraft do not have a First Class cabin and, so, are ineligible.

Happy travels.

British Airways Club World to First Upgrade Promotion Is Back!

Britsh Airways has once again launched its popular Club World to First upgrade offer.

Customers can book a reduced cost semi-flexible fare in booking classes R, D & C from today until 27 January 2014. Outbound travel can take place up to 21 March 2014 and inbound travel must be completed by 11 April 2014.

For those corporate clients with a British Airways On Business account, the aforementioned booking classes may also be used in conjunction with the upgrade offer.

Thereafter 27 January, only booking class J (this relates to BA’s fully flexible fares) may be used in conjunction with the upgrade offer. Book by 21 March – outbound travel must commence at the latest on this date too and all travel must be completed by 11 April 2014.

Please note that there are some exceptions to the above rules, so please call us for clarification.

BA A380 Flights Go On Sale.

British Airways has announced that customers can now book seats on their new Airbus A380 aircraft to Hong Kong, Johannesburg and Los Angeles.

Seats are available now for Hong Kong services commencing 22nd October 2013, and for Johannesburg from 12th February 2014 and, lastly, for the double-daily service to Los Angeles from 10th April 2014. Seats to LAX on one of the five flights each week, starting 24th September 2013, are also on sale now.

BA’s A380’s will all offer a total of 469 seats split over four cabins, namely, World Traveller, World Traveller Plus (WTP), Club World & First. There will be 14 seats in First on the main deck, with a total of 97 seats in Club World, split between both the main and upper decks. Whilst WTP will be situated on the upper deck with 55 seats. World Traveller cabins will be split over both decks.

 

Important Hold Baggage Update.

British Airways has increased the fees it charges its long-haul customers who exceed their free checked in hold baggage allowances.

The airline continues to offer a very generous free baggage allowance – one free bag of 23kg in World Traveller, two bags for those passengers paying the full World Traveller (Y) class fare, along with those in World Traveller Plus, and three bags for Club World & First travellers.

The new rates are as follows:

The price of the first extra bag rises from £40/$60/€50 to £65/$100/€75 in World Traveller (except Y class)

The price of a second extra bag in World Traveller and any additional bags for World Traveller Y class fare paying passengers, as well as all other cabins over and above the free allowance, increases from £90/$140/€115 to £140/$200/€150

Further details are available at BA.com.

BA’s Club World To First Upgrade Offer Is Back!

British Airways is once again offering its customers the opportunity to upgrade from Club World to First.

To get the best from this offer book your ticket before Tuesday 7th May and you will be able to purchase your Club World fare at a lower price than for the remainder of the offer period.

This upgrade promotion is valid for sale until 4th July 2013 and for travel until 31st August 2013 (outbound) and 8th September 2013 (inbound). This upgrade is also valid on American Airlines services to the USA & Mexico.