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Transatlantic flights from Manchester postponed by Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus have recently announced that they will be postponing the release of their transatlantic flights from Manchester, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border closures.
The airline issued a brief statement regarding the decision:
“Due to international borders opening later than expected, Aer Lingus is postponing the start of new transatlantic services between Manchester, New York JFK and Orlando.”
However, the planned Manchester-Barbados route will be going ahead as planned (at this stage), starting on the 20th October 2021.
Originally the New York JFK and Orlando routes were set to kick off on the 29th July, and have now been pushed back to launch on October 20th of this year.
Aer Lingus were originally set to become the first commercial carrier to operate the A321LR between the UK and the US, with the flights to JFK and Boston operated on a single-aisle aircraft.
That title may now be passed to (soon-to-be) rival airline Jetblue, who are planning to launch transatlantic flights from New York JFK to Heathrow on the 12th August. Currently the plans are still in place, but a lot depends on COVID numbers and the agreement in place between the UK and US at that time.
Following Heathrow, Jetblue plan to also fly to Gatwick from late September.
The Aer Lingus service was met with enthusiasm from Mancunians, whose local international airport is always looking to add more international services to support the northern UK.
Aer Lingus also said that it will be contacting any customers who had booked an affected flight, offering them a choice of a full refund, a date change or route change, or a travel voucher to use at a later date (with a 10 per cent bonus to be used on the Aer Lingus network over the next five years).
Hilton Curio Collection and Conrad Hotels & Resorts set to debut on Sardinia’s Southern Coast with two new properties
Hilton have just announced plans to open two new properties on the gorgeous Mediterranean island of Sardinia.
After making an agreement with Westmont Hospitality Group (with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management), both properties will be located at the Chia Laguna in southern Sardinia, which is known worldwide for it’s gorgeous landscapes and natural area, beautiful beaches and unique lagoons which are home to hundreds of pink flamingos.
Baia di Chia Resort Sardinia, Curio Collection by Hilton will open this summer, with luxury resort Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia expected to welcome its first guests in 2022.
According to Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of Development, EMEA at Hilton, the new openings are just two of many opening this year, with hopes that easing of restrictions and desperation for travel will fill Hilton rooms across the globe.
“Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia and Baia di Chia Resort Sardinia, Curio Collection are welcome additions to Hilton’s growing luxury and resort portfolio, joining upcoming hotels in the Seychelles, Las Vegas and Morocco. We’re pleased to be working with our long-standing partners Westmont Hospitality Group once again.”
“As restrictions ease around the world, guests are dreaming of international trips, and with 40 new Hilton openings planned this year in Europe alone, we are looking forward to welcoming them.”
The Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia is set to open in 2022 and will be the brands debut hotel in Italy. The hotel joins almost 40 other Conrad Hotels & Resorts around the world.
The property will be a family-friendly resort, with a focus on the local culture and history. After an extensive renovation, all guest rooms and suites will be updated, as well as common areas, restaurants and bars to reflect not only the brand aesthetic but the surrounding area.
Featuring 107 guest rooms, each with a private garden or terrace, the hotel will also provide two restaurants on-site, a lounge and poolside bar. There will also be a large day-spa, spanning over 1000 metres squared, which will include six treatment rooms, a yoga studio, a gym and a ‘spa bar’.
Opening this summer, the Baia di Chia Resort Sardinia, Curio Collection by Hilton is an eco-friendly seafront resort surrounded by gorgeous beaches and plenty of wildlife. The elevated waterfront location provides guests with panoramic ocean views as well as views of the famous lagoon.
There will be 77 modern guest rooms, each with a private terrace and interiors inspired by the Sardinian
landscape. Three on-site restaurants give guests a great choice for dining, as well as two bars which offer indoor and outdoor seating.
There is also a kids club, large outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.
Both the new properties are a 45 minute drive from the nearest airport (Cagliari International Airport) and are also accessible via the Cagliari Ferry Port.
‘Be Relax’ Joins the Priority Pass Network
Priority Pass members are now able to enjoy a complimentary spa treatment at some select airports in the U.S – exactly what you need before or after a long flight.
The airports offering the service are San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Airport (DTW), with more US locations set to be added (and possibly be expanded overseas, though no date has been set).
With numerous locations across the US and overseas, Be Relax have a number of locations across the globe, and offer travellers a large range of wellness services including chair massages, loungers, and aromatherapy.
Rémy Courbon Boudard, COO at Be Relax said aligning with Priority Pass is a win-win.
“We are very pleased to partner with Priority Pass with whom we share the same goal: improve travellers’ experience at the airport. In this stressful worldwide context, passengers need more than ever a place to relax. We strongly believe that a wellness experience can be part of the journey, and it can start with a massage at Be Relax!”
Priority Pass members have access to all of the Be Relax facilities and treatments, and are able to choose one free treatment per visit, including a 30 minute Lounger Massage, or a foot or head massage with aromatherapy and o2.
Travellers will need to provide a boarding pass for access, and can also bring a guest.
There was a Be Relax at Heathrow’s T5 so it would be good to see this included at a future date.
