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Manchester Airport: easyJet Passengers Can Now Use Aether With Checked Bags
easyJet has become Aether’s first low-cost airline partner and joins a growing number of participating airlines, including:
Aether is Manchester Airport’s private terminal. Entry includes up to three hours at the terminal, a dining experience curated by acclaimed Manchester chef Adam Reid, premium alcoholic and soft drinks, private security and a chauffeur-driven transfer to the departure gate.
Aether is available to use when travelling with any airline as long as you’re travelling with hand luggage only or you’ve used a twilight check-in service. However, if you’re travelling with checked luggage, the airline must be in partnership with Aether. Your checked luggage is dealt with at Aether, so there is no need to visit easyJet’s bag drop in Terminal 2.
While easyJet has no Business Class, it is sometimes the only direct option to your destination. Or perhaps you’d rather save on the flight and spend the extra on a premium airport experience instead. Aether now gives another way to make the journey feel considerably more premium, especially now that lots of people are losing their airline status.
The experience currently starts at £199 per person, and you must book at least 48 hours before travel.
Read our review of Aether here >>>
Marriott Bonvoy and Japan Airlines Launch Reciprocal Status Match
Marriott Bonvoy and Japan Airlines (JAL) have expanded their existing partnership to provide reciprocal status earning and benefits. The partnership already allows Marriott points to be converted into JAL miles.
When you link your Marriott Bonvoy and JAL Mileage Bank accounts, you’ll receive yearly JAL FLY ON status points based on your Marriott status, including:
- Marriott Member – 2,000
- Silver Elite – 5,000
- Gold Elite – 10,000
- Platinum Elite – 20,000
- Titanium Elite – 30,000 + Status Match to JAL Crystal Status or Higher Based on Accumulated FLY ON Points
- Ambassador Elite – 40,000 + Status Match to JAL Crystal Status or Higher Based on Accumulated FLY ON Points
Usually, a set number of status points must be earned through flying, but Crystal status through this Marriott programme receives the same benefits as those earned through flying. That means you can earn Oneworld Ruby status (equivalent to BA Bronze) with your Titanium Elite Marriott status. However, to progress to a higher JAL tier, such as Sapphire, you must meet JAL’s normal FLY ON qualification requirements.
The benefits work both ways too:
- JAL Member – Marriott Silver for 6 nights in 6 months
- JAL Crystal – Marriott Silver for 6 nights in 4 months
- Sapphire – Instant Marriott Silver Elite + Gold Elite for 10 nights in 6 months
- JGC Premier – Instant Gold Elite + 10,000 Marriott points by staying 16 nights in 6 months
- Diamond and Diamond Metal – Instant Gold Elite + Platinum Elite for 10 nights in 6 months. 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points by staying 16 nights in 6 months
Links like this are a great way to pick up extra points and status benefits. Accor offers a similar option through its partnerships with Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Flying Blue. Marriott also has partnerships with other airlines, including United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates, though the difference with this partnership is that even a Marriott member can earn JAL status points simply by linking accounts.
If you haven’t yet linked your Marriott account to an airline (or you think JAL is a better option), make sure you do. JAL is also a tempting Oneworld loyalty programme to opt for.
Aspire’s New Lounge Chair Design With Improved Privacy and Luggage Storage
Aspire (Swissport’s International airport hospitality brand) has teamed up with Central Saint Martins BA Product and Industrial Design students to design a new signature lounge chair with the aim of challenging conventional airport seating.
Aspire’s own research found that calm, comfort and quality are the three biggest priorities for passengers choosing an airport lounge, and the new chair had to work for all these.
The winning concept, designed by Aya Maria El Omeira, is a modular, curved multi-seat lounge system that’s both ergonomic and durable. You’ll have more privacy, clever luggage storage, adjustable lighting and integrated table and charging capabilities. The chair has Italian ‘intrecciato’ leather, solid walnut wood and plenty of cushioning.
David Collyer, Global Senior Vice President of Aspire Pre‑Flight Hospitality, said:
“At Aspire, we’re on a mission to redefine what comfort means. It’s so much more than a place to sit while waiting for your flight; it’s the feeling of being genuinely looked after. Aya’s design embodies this ethos perfectly.
“This project is part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the highest quality guest experience in our lounges and we’re thrilled to be working with Central Saint Martins, their incredibly talented students, and Aya in particular, to bring this vision to life.”
This will certainly be a fantastic addition for Aspire. In many lounges, the tables and seating are very close together, so having more privacy and somewhere sensible to store your luggage will really improve the lounge experience.
Many companies behind airport lounges are rethinking seating at the moment. Cathay has its individual Solus Chairs, Delta has the zero gravity chairs, while Virgin has just added improved seating with integrated charging to its Heathrow Clubhouse.
The chair is currently a concept, so we don’t yet know when or where the chair will be available. We’re hoping the design is currently being brought to life.
