UK & US Headlines - December 20, 2024
New High-Speed Train Launches Between Berlin and Paris
A new daily high-speed train service between Berlin and Paris has started operations. SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn (DB), the national train operators of France and Germany respectively, launched the new direct daytime service between the two capital cities on 16 December. The new service, which was announced earlier this year, uses DB's InterCity Express (ICE) trains with a journey time of around eight hours.?
Mandarin Oriental Set to Add Hotels in Amsterdam and Paris
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced plans to add two existing properties to its portfolio — in the Dutch and French capitals. Subject to a consultation process, the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam and H?tel Lutetia in Paris will join the luxury group. Both hotels are currently part of The Set, a collection of luxury properties also including Hotel Café Royal in London and The Upper House in Hong Kong.?
British Airways Begins Its Festive Celebrations
British Airways' festive celebrations are well underway across its lounges, flights, London Heathrow T3 and T5, and London Gatwick's South Terminal.? The carrier's 2024 celebrations, titled 'British Original Christmas,' will continue until 27 December. In its lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick, the airline has launched pop-up stalls with products from British brands. The Club lounge offers chocolates from The Cocobean Company and Harry Specters. In the Concorde Room, there are hand-piped baked goods by Biscuiteers, as well as an exclusive limited-edition Talisker's whisky from 23 to 25 December.?
Accor to Open First Orient Express Hotel in Rome in Spring 2025
Accor will debut the first hotel within its Orient Express collection next year, with the opening of the Orient Express La Minerva in Rome.? Accor acquired a 50% stake in the share capital of Orient Express alongside SNCF in 2017, and at the time announced plans to revive the Orient Express Hotels brand.?
New Federal Rule Seeks to Improve Airline Travel for People With Disabilities
Airline travel in 2025 is set to become more dignified for passengers with disabilities under a new Department of Transportation rule.? On Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced enhanced protections for people with disabilities travelling on commercial airlines. The new regulations are aimed, in particular, at protecting passengers who use wheelchairs, after a series of violations of existing laws by airlines.?
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Waldorf Astoria New York to Reopen After Eight-Year Revamp
Hilton has?begun taking reservations for the revamped Waldorf Astoria New York?ahead of the reopening of the iconic hotel in spring 2025. The Midtown Manhattan property is located at 301 Park Ave — between 49th and 50th streets —?and dates back to 1931. The restoration project was led by architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with interior design by Pierre-Yves Rochon, and the majority of rooms at the reimagined hotel now exceed?53 square metres.?
Air Canada to Offer Free Wi-Fi
In May 2025, Air Canada will begin offering free Wi-Fi for North American flights. Long-haul international routes are to follow in 2026. The 'streaming-quality Wi-Fi,'?sponsored by Bell, will be available to Aeroplan loyalty members on Wi-Fi equipped aircraft for Air Canada mainline, Rouge and Express aircraft. It will also be available on Air Canada Express flights on Bombardier Q400 aircraft from Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport to Montreal and Ottawa.?
Korean Air Completes Asiana Airlines Acquisition
Korean Air has finalised the acquisition of a majority stake in Asiana Airlines — finally completing a deal which was first announced in November 2020. The transaction sees Korean Air investing 1.5 trillion Korean won ($1.05 billion USD), to acquire a 63.88% shareholding in Asiana, which now becomes a subsidiary of Korean Air.?
United Airlines Increases Dublin Capacity for Summer 2025
United Airlines?is to increase capacity on flights between Ireland and the U.S. by more than 40% as part of its summer 2025 schedule to Europe.? Beginning 29 March, the carrier said it would double frequencies between Dublin and Washington D.C.'s Dulles Airport from one to two daily services. In addition, the airline will introduce Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on?its Dublin-Chicago O'Hare route.?