Posts

Dave

Seven of the best

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Twenty five years ago, Frankie Dettori achieved the remarkable feat of riding seven out of seven winners at British Champions’ Day at Ascot Racecourse.

Dettori’s achievement – winning aboard Wall Street, Diffident, Mark of Esteem, Decorated Hero, Fatefully, Lochangel and Fujiyama Crest – became known as The Magnificent Seven.

And now, to help Ascot Racecourse and Frankie Dettori to celebrate the quarter century anniversary, we have asked our clients, partners, colleagues and friends to tell us their favourite airlines and airports, in order to produce our own Magnificent Seven.

Here’s what they came up with…

Magnificent Seven airlines

British Airways, easyJet, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS, Swiss

And some selected comments about these airlines

British Airways “I like to travel with British Airways personally especially for long flights as I find them more comfortable and they provide  decent food and drinks”.

easyJet “Of course low-cost is what it is, but I believe they are a cut above the rest in how you are treated, and how fair and clear they are about their policies and extra charges. With most of the other low-cost carriers, I always get the feeling that they are trying to somehow trick you into spending extra at every single step, be it online check in, or lack thereof, constantly changing cabin bag size limits, etc, but easyJet are much more upfront about everything, and you know where you stand”.

Lufthansa “Lufthansa offers everything I need for business trips and seems to get better and better every year”.

Qantas “Modern cabins, good schedules, but above all, their people are amazing throughout, from check in to baggage reclaim through, of course their cabin crew. I´ve flown both business and economy with them, and they treat you like a star all the way, every time, every class of service”.

Qatar Airways “Long haul I like Qatar Airlines – definitely the best business class I have experienced.  Only once been upgraded to first which was brilliant!”

SAS “Efficient. On time. The routes serve my purposes perfectly”.

Swiss “I have only ever had excellent services when flying on Swiss”.

Some of the other airlines mentioned in the favourite category include Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair and, pre-pandemic, Flybe.

Magnificent seven airports

London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Dublin, Manchester, Singapore Changi, Southampton

The poll was unscientific and based entirely on opinions. Do you agree with the lists? Do you have a different favourite airline or airport? If so, join the conversation on Twitter, with the hashtag #MagnificentSeven and tweet us on @globaltravelmgt

Plane above clouds from plane window
Paul

Gatwick Airport Terminal Moves.

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Three of London Gatwick Airport’s biggest carriers will move terminals later this month (January 2017), with the transition staggered over a 72-hour period of reduced operations.

EasyJet, which currently operates flights from both of Gatwick’s terminals, will move all its flights to the North Terminal from January 24. And from January 25 all British Airways flights will depart from the South Terminal and all Virgin Atlantic flights will depart from the North Terminal!

The changes are designed to improve the experience for passengers at Gatwick with new facilities including enhanced technology at check-in, security and immigration.

Please ensure that you check which terminal your flight is departing from if it is with one of the aforementioned airlines.

Paul

New British Airways Route.

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British Airways has today announced the start of a new London Gatwick to New York JFK service. This new daily service will commence next year on 1st May 2016, but seats go on sale today.

The flight will be operated by a Boeing 777 offering Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins. The flight times will be, from London Gatwick, an afternoon departure at 1640 landing in NY at 1930 and returning from JFK at 2200 arriving Gatwick the next morning at 1000.

Paul

Network update – new routes on sale.

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Following the recent purchase of Flybe’s slots at London Gatwick, easyJet has strengthened its route network with the addition of new routes to Paris CDG, Jersey & Newcastle.

The new services will start from the beginning of the summer schedule (30 March 2014) and flights are on sale now.

Paul

New BA Leisure Routes.

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British Airways is launching two new routes this year to Gran Canaria and Larnaca.

London Gatwick to Larnaca commences Sunday 30th June 2013 and will operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesday & Sundays. Please note this new service is in addition to BA’s existing Larnaca service from London Heathrow.

Gran Canaria commences on Saturday 26th October 2013 from London Heathrow Terminal 5. This new service will operate once a week every Saturday until 29th March 2014.

Paul

US Airways Moves Charlotte Service To Heathrow.

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With immediate effect US Airways has switched its London Gatwick Charlotte service to Heathrow Airport.

Charlotte NC is US Airways’ largest hub airport and the switch supplements its existing London Heathrow to Philadelphia service. The Charlotte service is operated using an Airbus A330 aircraft with two cabins on board. Envoy, US Airways’ international Business Class, features a seat which converts in to a fully flat bed.

Flight US731 departs Heathrow daily at 1005am arrival 1410, with the return service departing Charlotte at 1905 arrival Heathrow the following morning at 0805.

Paul

Self Service Bag Tagging Now At Heathrow T1.

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Self Service Bag Tagging has now been introduced at London Heathrow Terminal 1. This option means BA’s customers will be able to print and attach bag tags at a self-service kiosk,  then drop their bag at a bag drop desk.

As well as easing congestion, it is hoped this new service will add speed, efficiency and convenience for BA’s customers. British Airways also has self-service bag tagging at LHR Terminal 3, London City Airport and London Gatwick airports.

What more could you possibly want!

Paul

Hand Baggage Only Air Fares.

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British Airways is extending its new “hand baggage only” fares across the whole of its London Gatwick short-haul network.

Following the introduction of this new type of air fare on February 19th, BA are now rolling the concept out across the rest of its short-haul network at Gatwick from March 7th.

Customers choosing the “hand baggage only” fare can continue to take advantage of the airline’s generous hand luggage allowance and carry on a good-sized case (56cm x 45cm x 25cm), plus a handbag or laptop bag.

It is worth noting that BA’s hand luggage allowance is more generous than that of most of the so called Low-Cost Carriers, who only permit and strictly enforce just one piece of carry-on luggage. BA’s hand baggage only fares will also be eligible for free online check-in and seat selection 24 hours prior to departure. Likewise, BA still provides complimentary food and beverages on board.

Sales pitch over!

Paul

British Airways Summer 2013 Updates.

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Please find below some important updates from British Airways for their summer (yes, remember the sun?) 2013 schedule.

  • **31 March** – Flights between London Heathrow, Singapore & Sydney will move from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5
  • 29 March – new service from London Gatwick to Tenerife
  • 31 March – new service from London Heathrow to Palma and Gatwick to Lanzarote
  • 27 April – start of a new weekend service London Heathrow – Ibiza
  • 31 March – flights to/from Leeds-Bradford and Zagreb (from London Heathrow) move from Terminal1 to Terminal 5
  • Flights suspensions – Dar Es Salaam & Tblisi.

 

Paul

UK Weather Update.

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Due to the light overnight snowfall in some parts of England we have been checking the operations at the UK’s major airports this morning (please find an update below).

However, the Met Office has also warned of a second, heavier, band of snow which will fall across some parts of the country this afternoon. Furthermore, with temperatures set to fall below freezing tonight, tomorrow’s flight schedule maybe worse hit. Therefore, please ensure you check in online for your flight today, or tomorrow, and ensure that either we, or your airline, have your mobile/cell phone number and email address.

1. London Heathrow – moderate delays but with an increasing trend.

2. London Gatwick – low delays, not predicted to worsen.

3. Manchester – low delays, not predicted to worsen.

4. Edinburgh – low delays, not predicted to worsen.

NB. Information correct at 0845.