Air France has started a direct route from Paris to Manila and is offering three flights a week. Previously the airline only flew to Manila via Bangkok. Air France will also increase capacity to Seoul by adding one more flight, making it five flights per week. Also, the Paris-Ho Chi Minh City route will be served via Bangkok instead of Singapore, saving more than two hours in travelling time.
More Miles for the Money
Passengers travelling from Hong Kong to any one of Cathay Pacific's five North American destinations will receive more than double Asia Miles. For the promotion, passengers will receive enough Asia Miles to redeem an award ticket from Hong Kong to any destination in Asia Miles Zone A or B. Zone A destinations, include Bangkok, Cebu, Manila, Hanoi, Saigon and Taipei. Zone B destinations include Denpasar, Fukuoka, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Osaka, Penang, Seoul, Singapore, Surabaya and Tokyo.
Philippines Perks
Northwest Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines have formed a frequent flyer program agreement. The agreement will allow Northwest WorldPerks members to earn and redeem travel awards on Cebu Pacific's flights in the Philippines. WorldPerks members can earn a minimum of 250 miles or the actual miles flown on Cebu Pacific flights between Manila and 10 destinations in the Philippines.
Cathay Voted Best Online
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific has been awarded the prize for Best Airline Website 2001 in a worldwide survey of frequent flyers by OAG, a provider of independent business travel information. The voters for the survey came from a global audience of business travellers who subscribe to OAG print and electronic travel information products. Cathay Pacific's website was voted ahead of the other finalists British Airways, and three North American carriers - Continental Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
More Zing for ZingASIA
ZingASIA, a provider of niche travel packages in Asia, has launched a new-look website. Now surfers can locate Hot Travel Deals and the Top Travel Destinations upfront on the ZingASIA homepage, www.ZingASIA.com. They can also navigate to the various City Guides from the homepage. Covering 20 cities, Singapore-based ZingASIA's new website also allows you to book directly online.
Wet and Wild
Anantara Resort & Spa, Hua Hin (A Royal Garden Resort), has a special package to celebrate the Thai religious New Year festival, "Songkran", better known as the water-throwing festival. From April 13-16, guests can stay at the idyllic resort at the Gulf of Thailand for US$239 a night, plus taxes. The package includes two nights' accommodation in a double room with buffet breakfast, and a Thai dinner with Thai classical entertainment on April 14. For reservations, tel: (66-2) 476-0021/2; fax: (66-2) 460-1805, 476-1120 or visit the resort's website: www.royal-garden.com.
Bonus Air Miles
United Airlines is celebrating the launch of its Hong Kong to New York and Hong Kong to New Delhi flights with a bonus air miles offer. Mileage Plus members booking on any United flight to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto or Vancouver before May 31 will be credited with double miles. The Delhi offer ends on June 30 and applies to passengers flying to and from the Indian capital. United's non-stop flight to John F Kennedy airport in New York launches on April 2. The service to Delhi begins on April 1. United Mileage Plus Visa Gold Card holders can also enjoy the double miles offer for their expenses in the United States and Canada made through the credit card from April 1 to May 31.
New Emirates Service
Emirates Airlines has started daily, non-stop services between Dubai and Zurich, a schedule change that has also increased capacity to Istanbul. Previously, three of the six weekly flights to Zurich were routed via Istanbul. Now, the Turkish city enjoys four non-stop flights a week, with flights returning to Dubai shortly after midnight. The daily service to Zurich, departs Dubai at 8.25am and arrives in Zurich at 12.30pm. The return flight, EK034, takes off from Zurich at 2pm, touching down in Dubai at 11.15pm.
Sleep on It
The expansion of the Sleep Inn brand, with further openings at Peterborough and Stevenage in England is good news for the frequent traveller. With weekend rates of just £39.50 (US$58) and £49.50 for week nights, including continental breakfast, Sleep Inn is leading the way in luxury budget-style accommodation. The 82-room Sleep Inn Peterborough is located at junction 17 of the A1M (where it meets the A605), about three miles south-west of Peterborough. The 62-room Sleep Inn Baldock-Stevenage in Hertfordshire is located at junction 10 of the A1M (where it meets the A507) and it is about seven miles north of Stevenage.