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BA returns to Nuremburg
British Airways has today announced that it will be introducing a new destination to its Heathrow short-haul network, Nuremberg, located in Bavaria, Germany. It’s not completely new to BA as they used to have a Gatwick service to Nuremburg.
Flights will initially operate four times a week from March 27. The schedule will then increase to six flights per week schedule starting from 1 May 2022 and four times a week over the winter months.
Nuremberg is Bavaria’s second-largest city after Munich, and is well known for its cultural landmarks that draws visitors year round, so customers can stroll along the vibrant streets or cruise down the beautiful Danube river in the sunshine, as well as explore the spectacular Christmas markets during the festive season.
The airline plans to initially operate 4 flights per week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays starting on the 27 March 2022, and then intends to increase the schedule to 6 per week starting from 1 May 2022 and 4 times a week in winter (30 October 2022 – 25 March 2023).
Flights will be operating from London Heathrow Terminal 3 if you fancy a oneworld lounge crawl since all the main lounges are now open as well as American Airlines arrivals lounge.
British Airways’ return flights to Nuremberg will start from £69 in Euro Traveller and £202 in Club Europe. Or customers can use Avios as part payment, £59 plus 1,000 Avios or £72 plus 24,500 Avios in Euro Traveller and Club Europe respectively.
Heathrow strike
Menzies Aviation ground handlers has scheduled a strike at Heathrow next week which could hit half term travellers. Obviously as we have seen before usually these disputes are often settled before the strike happens, so fingers crossed.
The strike is scheduled to take place from 11 February for 3 days according to the Mail on Sunday reports.
What will be the impact if the Menzies Strike goes ahead?
At Terminal 5 and for the BA flights that go from Terminal 3, there will be less on an impact as the company provides refuelling services for BA but nothing else. This should not be an issue for short and medium-length flights as they should be able to refuel at outstations. For long haul, particularly ultra-long flights this could be an issue since they would not be able to carry enough fuel unless one of the other Heathrow fuelling companies has the capacity to service them.
Menzies also provides check-in staff and baggage handling services for several major airlines including Qantas, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Air Canada, Icelandair, Finnair, Aer Lingus. This could mean that even if you manage to check-in online, you may not be allowed to check-in luggage or that there could be severe delays to baggage.
Thailand opens again
Thailand had previously announced that it would reopen in early February but until it actually happens (or even then they can always change their mind!) then I would always advise extreme caution.
The good news is that the Test&Go scheme is now live again as of yesterday and you can now apply for a Thailand Pass. The bad news is that they have made it worse than before and there was a lot to comply with before! There are several changes but the most important one is that you must have a mandatory PCR test on day 5 as well as Day 1 and quarantine again until you receive the results at an approved hotel. This means you have to pay for 2 tests and 2 nights accommodation at an approved hotel. These should be booked directly with the hotel as a package with transfers. You also need to bear in mind that if you test positive you could be taken to a special government quarantine hotel which is likely nowhere near the standard of hotel you would want.
Hilton Honors extends McClaren partnership
McLaren Racing and Hilton have announce a multi-year extension to their long-standing partnership, which has been in place since 2005.
The relationship enables Hilton to provide unique experiences for its Hilton Honors members, and offers the McLaren F1 team a home away from home in its hotels at race locations around the world.
McLaren Racing and Hilton will now continue developing their joint activation programme of content. Most recently this included the popular “Ride to School with Lando” feature, which became one of McLaren’s top five most viewed Instagram grid videos with more than two million views. The film featured a boy being chauffeured into school by McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris after his dad won the trip via his Hilton Honors membership. A total of 17 million points redeemed by Hilton members in 2021 on McLaren experiences
Hilton branding will continue to be carried across the McLaren F1 race cars from 2022 onwards.
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Hilton, a long-standing and supportive partner of the McLaren Formula 1 team. Hilton is a global brand which excels in providing the best experiences across travel and adventure for its customers. As part of the partnership, we will continue to produce collaborative campaigns that bring together our aligned approach to travel and experience for customers and fans around the world.”
3 comments
Do BA have fuel contracts at short haul outstations – meaning places like Berlin, Munich etc, obviously at more far afield places like Athens and Istanbul they will but on the basis they have got rid of almost any other support on short haul routes, is there fuel to be had?
There’s always fuel to be had in case of emergency so I’m sure it’s something they can organise. Happens when they divert somewhere unexpected.
VERY important to note that ( as per the Thailand Gazette [ the publication/ platform that announces changes in Thai Law/ Governence]) that due to, in their words not mine, “unacceptable levels of foreigners testing positive who abscond”. Your results, if positive, will now be delivered in person by an official who will be accompanied by ( usually) the police or authorized security agents to immediately escort you to a facility from your SHA/ SHA+ hotel.
Talking to friends there several have had friends of theirs woken in the night to be carted off. Not a massive sample size but I trust those who’ve brought it up and have since seen several videos that confirm this is something that’s happening.
Also insurance must now cover “accommodation and additional medical charges if required to quarantine after arrival”
Previously it had to say it covered your medict bills but there’s been issues with insurers not covering the ‘accomadation’ aspect so now your policy must explicitly state it does. Amounts haven’t changed but it is an important bit of beurocracy ( something the Thai’s seem to adore) worth checking with your provider when you take out your cover.
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