The post Emirates signs understandings with Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Emirates signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Vietnam Airlines and VietJet during the Vietnam-UAE Business Forum.

These agreements aim to strengthen connectivity and offer more travel choices between Dubai and its Vietnamese gateways Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The MoUs were signed on the sidelines of the Vietnam – UAE Business Forum, held at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai on 28 October.

Emirates deputy president and chief commercial officer Adnan Kazim attended the signing ceremony along with government leaders, ministers, and business representatives from both countries. 

Airline senior-vice-president for commercial operations in the Far East Orhan Abbas delivered a keynote highlighting the airline’s commitment to deepening its presence in Vietnam, a market it has been serving since 2012, supporting trade and tourism links between the UAE and Vietnam, as well as offering customers convenient travel options.

A market offering major opportunities

Kazim commented: “Enhancing our cooperation with like-minded partners like Vietnam Airlines and VietJet is integral to our core commercial strategy to better connect customers across points beyond our own network. Vietnam is a market that presents tremendous opportunities to boost tourism and trade as a key hub in Southeast Asia, and Emirates supports the UAE government’s ongoing efforts to elevate its existing economic ties with Vietnam.”

He added that the decades-long cooperation with Vietnam Airlines has enabled Emirates to enhance connectivity between Vietnam and Dubai, and this new understanding is seen as an opportunity to explore further elevating this partnership while also establishing a new strategic cooperation with VietJet. 

Kazim concluded by saying: “We look forward to growing our footprint in Vietnam and exploring more opportunities to widen the scope of our partnerships in the future.”

What each understanding entails 

The Emirates MoU with Vietnam Airlines sets the framework to expand the current cooperation in place between both airlines. This includes enhancing connectivity on routes beyond the existing interline as well as the potential to add reciprocal loyalty benefits. The airlines will also enter exploratory discussions around potential collaborations across cargo and technical services to create seamless experiences for travellers. The long-standing relationship between Emirates and Vietnam Airlines, which began with a bilateral interline cooperation in 1994, has helped connect customers to 22 domestic and 15 regional points in Vietnam Airline’s network, as well as 12 points in Emirates’ global network.

With VietJet, on the other hand, both airlines will explore joint initiatives to help promote visitor traffic between the UAE and Vietnam, and strengthen the commercial cooperation between both carriers. The MoU will further aim to enhance connectivity to popular destinations in VietJet’s domestic and regional network via Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, among others, while offering VietJet customers increased access to Emirates’ global network via its Dubai hub on a single itinerary and one baggage policy.

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The post Virgin Atlantic takes off with second daily flight from London Heathrow to Mumbai appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Virgin Atlantic has officially launched its second daily direct service from London Heathrow (LHR) to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). This move doubles the airline’s capacity on the popular route, catering to the increasing demand for premium travel between these two major cities.

The addition of this service marks a significant milestone, as it becomes Virgin Atlantic’s fifth daily flight to India. In 2025, Virgin Atlantic plans to operate close to 1 million seats in India. India has emerged as Virgin Atlantic’s largest growth market outside of the United States, highlighting the importance of the region to the airline’s global strategy.

The new service is operated by Virgin Atlantic’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, designed to provide passengers with an unparalleled travel experience. The A350-1000 features three cabin classes—Upper Class, Premium, and Economy—offering a blend of luxury, comfort, and modern amenities.

Upper Class passengers enjoy fully flat beds, private suites with mood lighting, and the airline’s largest in-flight entertainment screens (18.5 inches). Premium cabin travelers benefit from custom leather seats, 13.3-inch entertainment screens, extra storage, and increased reclining options. Economy, passengers can relax with 11.6-inch seatback screens, USB ports, and plush woven fabrics designed for long-haul comfort.

The aircraft is also equipped with quieter engines, advanced air filtration systems, larger panoramic windows, and spacious overhead bins, making it ideal for long-haul flights like the London-Mumbai route.

In addition to enhancing the passenger experience, Virgin Atlantic’s A350-1000 supports India’s booming trade sectors. This expanded capacity will benefit key industries such as fashion, pharmaceuticals, and technology, ensuring seamless transport of goods between the UK and India.

Virgin Atlantic’s expansion in India reflects its commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences while supporting critical trade and business ties between the two countries.

Shivani Singh Deo, Country Manager Virgin Atlantic commented: “India presents a tremendous opportunity for us, thanks to its dynamic and rapidly growing economy. Mumbai is an essential market for Virgin Atlantic, and we’ve witnessed significant demand for premium travel experiences on this route. The impressive growth in our Upper Class and Premium cabins reflects the preferences of the discerning Indian traveller on one of the youngest fleets in the skies, with our signature service delivered by our dedicated team. Next year marks 25 years of our operations in India, and our second daily flight from London Heathrow to Mumbai showcases our dedication to delivering exceptional service and connectivity for our valued customers in India.”

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Spokesperson commented: “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai is delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic as they introduce a second daily direct service, effectively doubling the capacity on the highly popular London–Mumbai route. This expansion not only meets the rising demand for seamless travel between these two iconic cities but also speaks volumes about CSMIA’s stature as a premier global aviation hub. We are committed to offering an exceptional travel experience, defined by unmatchable comfort and convenience to travellers across.  As one of India’s leading airports, CSMIA is proud to be at the forefront of delivering world-class service, efficiency, and infrastructure that bolsters global ties and travel.”

 

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The post Delta to host first-of-its-kind CES keynote experience at Sphere in Las Vegas appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Delta will kick off its 100-year anniversary at CES® 2025 with an immersive keynote experience at Sphere in Las Vegas, hosted by Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

The keynote on Jan. 7, 2025, will honor Delta’s legacy of innovation over the past century, while looking at the airline’s vision for using technology to enrich human experiences today, tomorrow and for the next 100 years.

“Technology is a powerful tool, but it’s people that make true innovation possible,” Bastian said. “We’re on the brink of a new era, and I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate how the Delta team will leverage cutting-edge advancements to propel our next century of flight.”

This will be Delta’s third appearance at CES and its second mainstage keynote following a historic debut in 2020 when Bastian delivered the conference’s first keynote remarks by an airline, as well as in 2023 when Delta announced fast, free onboard Wi-Fi across its fleet for SkyMiles Members.

“After celebrating CTA’s centennial year, we recognize what a pivotal time this can be for an organization and we are thrilled Delta is sharing part of this special moment with us at CES,” said Gary Shapiro, CEO, CTA. “We know Delta has the vision to continue disrupting how we travel by leaning into technology, and I can’t wait to see how they bring that to life at Sphere. The sky is the limit.”

On Jan. 7, Delta will share its vision for the future of travel, delivering the first CES keynote ever hosted at Sphere. Delta will engage CES attendees and beyond using the venue’s next-generation technologies including: its globally-recognized exterior – the “Exosphere” – the world’s largest LED screen; the interior display plane – the world’s highest-resolution LED screen; and the world’s most advanced audio system, Sphere Immersive Sound, powered by HOLOPLOT – to ignite the audiences’ senses and take storytelling to a new level.

“Sphere is a powerful platform for brands to connect with key audiences, leveraging next-generation technologies to boldly deliver a one-of-a-kind experience and amplify their message,” said Jennifer Koester, President and COO, Sphere. “The teams at Sphere, Delta, and CES share a passion for innovation and storytelling, and this keynote is going to be unlike anything this audience has ever experienced before.”

Delta will also offer expedited CES badging for SkyMiles Members at the Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) from Jan. 5-7. Additional details about Delta’s CES 2025 presence will be available soon.

Traveling to CES with Delta 

Additionally, Delta is expanding its network to Las Vegas to accommodate travelers attending CES. From Jan. 4-11, 2025, Delta will provide additional service from 18 U.S. cities and four international hubs, offering nearly 365 inbound and outbound flights and approximately 12,000 extra seats. This robust schedule represents a more than 20% increase over the regular January schedule.

The expansion includes new flights from Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, and San Jose, California. Delta will also introduce twice-daily service from Orange County and enhance service from Sacramento with an increase to two daily flights, which will become part of the airline’s regular schedule. Additionally, international customers can fly directly to Las Vegas from Amsterdam, Paris, London Heathrow, and Seoul – Incheon.

 

 

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The post Budapest Airport and Emirates celebrate a decade of partnership appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Budapest Airport, operated by VINCI Airports, celebrates the 10th anniversary of its successful partnership with Emirates, marking a decade of connecting Hungary to Dubai and beyond. Since the first Emirates flight took off from Budapest in 2014, the airline has played a pivotal role in expanding the airport’s global connectivity and providing passengers with world-class service.

In the last decade, Emirates has flown more than 1.5 million passengers between Budapest and Dubai, with over 7,000 roundtrip flights. These services have opened up a gateway for Hungarian travelers, not only to the vibrant city of Dubai but also to other popular long-haul destinations such as the Maldives, Bangkok, and Australia.

Alongside passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo has also played a significant role in strengthening Budapest’s position as a logistics hub. Over 77,584 tons of cargo have been transported between Dubai and Budapest, supporting trade, commerce, and industries that rely on seamless global supply chains.

“This 10-year milestone is a testament to the successful collaboration between Budapest Airport and Emirates. Their commitment to serving the Hungarian market has not only enhanced connectivity but also contributed to tourism, trade, and job creation,” said Máté Ritter, Head of Airline Development, Budapest Airport. “We look forward to continuing this journey together, welcoming more passengers, and supporting the growth of Hungary’s aviation industry.”

The partnership’s impact extends beyond the tarmac, with more than 296 Hungarian nationals currently employed across the Emirates Group. This includes 211 Hungarian cabin crew members and 8 pilots, showcasing the global opportunities Emirates offers to the local workforce.

As Budapest and Emirates look ahead to the next decade, both parties remain committed to delivering exceptional experiences for travelers while supporting the region’s growth and connectivity to the world.

Celebrating a decade of connecting Budapest to Dubai – and beyond. Emirates has flown more than 1.5 million passengers since opening the route in 2014, while Emirates SkyCargo has handled over 77,500 tonnes of freight, considerably strengthening Budapest’s position as a logistics hub.

 

 

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The post Saga Travel Group appoints Sabre as its travel tech provider appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Sabre Corporation announced a new, strategic multi-year agreement with Saga Travel Group, who provide award winning tours, hotel holidays and tailor-made adventures for the over 50s. The deal has converted Saga’s travel business to Sabre’s travel marketplace and technology solutions.

Sabre’s marketplace includes travel content from more than 400 airlines, 2 million lodging options,  and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car rental, and cruise providers, to sell customized travel  packages from suppliers around the world.

“We’re converting our business to Sabre because their strategic partner programme will cement  key partnerships with industry and technology providers”, said John Constable, CEO, Saga Travel  Group. “Sabre has demonstrated an understanding of our business objectives and has given us the  tools to support our goals”.

Saga Travel Group uses third-party provider Tigerbay’s tour operator platform as its primary point of-sale application to host and manage its travel content. Sabre’s strategic relationship with  Tigerbay provided a solution that met Saga’s requirements and realised one of Sabre’s most  important developments in recent years in the European market.

“Saga’s bold and ambitious travel business objectives required technology support and solutions  on three main fronts. A robust travel marketplace with traditional and NDC content, technology  products that would simplify and streamline the work of its teams, and a strategic relationship with  another of its technology suppliers so that the systems could work seamlessly”, said Nisha  Botevyle, Sabre’s Director for Strategic Development in EMEA. “At Sabre, we were able to respond  to all three of these demands successfully, and this now represents one of the most significant  travel technology movements of a major UK agency in recent years.”

 

 

 

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The post Serenity meets majesty at InterContinental Phuket Resort appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

InterContinental Phuket Resort stood out from the competition as it received the Beach Resort of the Year win at the prestigious TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Thailand.

Located upon the pristine shores of Kamala Beach, InterContinental Phuket Resort unfolds across two captivating landscapes where guests can find their sanctuary amidst an idyllic tapestry of tranquillity and grandeur.

The resort is a luxurious beachside getaway cocooned by jungle-covered hills at one end and offers breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea from the other.

What to expect at the best beach resort of the year

Guests can experience a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and contemporary elegance as its award-winning design narrates the ancient epic, Traibhumikatha, weaving a captivating tale across three distinct realms: the ethereal Underwater World, the vibrant Human World, and the celestial Heavens.

The resort also offers a culinary odyssey through seven world-class restaurants, each a testament to innovative global cuisine. These restaurants feature a symphony of flavours, guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds and leave you with lasting memories.

It also allows guests to indulge in a transformative wellness experience at its renowned Sati Spa. Drawing inspiration from ancient Asian wisdom, its authentic treatments, crafted in collaboration with leading Thai luxury spa brand Harnn promise deep relaxation and renewed vitality.

They may also unwind by the amenities provided at InterContinental Phuket Resort. This includes five pools, a 24-hour fitness centre, tennis courts, a curated nature walk, and art installations. Guests can immerse themselves to enjoy sea, sun, sand through the daily beach activities, or let the resort’s concierge team craft their perfect Phuket exploration, from hidden gems to thrilling adventures.

A champion of sustainability

Being a proud recipient of several accolades for its active participation in sustainability programmes, the resort is a champion of environmental responsibility.

Its unwavering commitment extends to eliminating single-use plastics, utilising food waste composters as part of its zero-waste philosophy, working closely with other organisations for ocean clean-up initiatives and preserving the pristine beauty of the beach.

These efforts make InterContinental Phuket Resort a stand-out in the travel sector as an institution that has made groundbreaking industry improvements with a renewed focus on safety and sustainability, enabling unique customer experiences.

The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Thailand is presented by Travel Daily Media. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more details, please contact Jane Patiag at +(65) 3158 1386 ext. 217 or awards@traveldailymedia.com.

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The post Kiku Omakase at Lancaster Bangkok is for experienced and first-time omakase diners alike appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Just exactly what is omakase? For me this has always been a tantalising mystery, in more ways than one but not quite in the usual fashion. Because while I might have wondered at the concept, culture and etiquette of dining omakase style, what I did know is that it would for sure be a delectable experience.

It certainly was. After years of passing by the numerous omakase restaurants in and around Bangkok’s Thong Lo neighbourhood on an almost daily basis and thinking to myself “I have to try this” but never quite mustering the confidence to do so, I at last… did so.

Kiku Omakase is the new omakase restaurant that recently opened at Lancaster Bangkok hotel. A ‘culinary haven masterfully curated by a Japanese chef’ where, as general manager Martin Hurley explained, both the experienced and first-time omakase diner is equally welcome.

“We previously had omakase available at The Lancaster bar, but knowing this was a dining experience that deserved its own space we opened Kiku Omakase in March of 2024. It’s the ideal spot for those who already know and love omakase dining, as well as those wanting to try it for the first time.”

So what is omakase? The phrase omakase literally means ‘I leave it up to you’ and is used when dining at Japanese restaurants where the customer leaves it up to the chef to select and serve seasonal specialties. The chef is expected to be innovative and surprising in selecting dishes, based on interactions with the diner and discreet observation of their reaction to each previous item served, in a meal that can be likened to an artistic performance.

Chef Naotaka Tokuhisa is the highly skilled omakase chef at the helm of Kiku Omakase. Having honed his skills in traditional Japanese cuisine in the renowned kitchens of Fukuoka, Kyoto and Tokyo and wowed diners at restaurants across Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, he brings to Lancaster Bangkok’s newest dining venue 27 years of culinary expertise.

Chef Naotaka’s deep passion for his culinary craft shines through at every step of the omakase experience at Kiku Omakase, where he blends time-honoured traditions with innovative techniques. His mastership of the delicate balance of flavours and presentation – hallmarks of Japanese cuisine, his presentation, impeccable timing and meticulous attention to detail, mean each dish he creates is a sublime fusion of taste, texture and visual artistry.

Chef Naotaka’s specialty is in sushi, hot dishes and the traditional ‘kaiseki’ multi-course meal. The emphasis in kaiseki is on seasonal ingredients, intricate and graceful preparation. My first omakase meal was, needless to say, a true delight.

It began with an appetizer of salmon carpaccio, which was followed by a course of three types of sashimi – thinly sliced food, usually seafood or various meat and eaten raw. In this case it was chotoro – medium fatty tuna with a lovely pink colour and a texture that melts in your mouth, shima-aji – striped jack that’s light and buttery with tender flesh and just a bit of fat, and ama ebi – sweet shrimp and the only species of shrimp best enjoyed raw, as cooking them robs them of their full sweetness.

Next was a grilled course of kinki shio yaki – its English name being channel rockfish, this is a rare fish found in Hokkaido, and considered a delicacy in Japan for its succulent and fatty white flesh. Then, a boiled course of awabi with kimo sauce – abalone with a firm yet tender bite and a sauce made from its liver that complements the natural sweetness of the abalone. And then, a madai – or sea-bream – clear soup.

Dessert was a delectable serving of strawberry daifuku with black sesame ice cream – a strawberry wrapped in red bean paste and sweet mochi, and the popular Japanese ice cream being rich and creamy with a nutty flavour.

Watching Chef Naotaka skillfully prepare each exquisite dish with focused attention and surgical precision, is a joy. Adding to this visual spectacle is the informed and engaging commentary he delivers on each dish – its ingredients and their origin, the specific flavours to enjoy with each mouthful and the dish’s place within the entire meal.

Any questions I had he fielded with a warm enthusiasm, providing answers that reflected his knowledge, understanding and passion for omakase dining. Such as what the pickled ginger – or gari – provided in a small dish was for? And could I use my fingers for some dishes, as opposed to chopsticks?

Turns out the gari is used to cleanse the palate between dishes, and not only is it ok to use your fingers for some dishes it’s actually recommended. Particularly for the sashimi, with Chef Naotaka explaining that once I had a firm grip on this to turn it upside down so the rice was on top, thus allowing the fish on the bottom to fully scintillate my taste buds.

As Martin said, it’s like going to the theatre – a theatre where there’s an interactive performance showing in which you the diner, the chef and the cuisine are the main performers.

There are three ‘Kaiseki Omakase’ courses on offer at Kiku Omakase. These are the Ayame Course comprising 14 courses – appetiser, sashimi (four kinds), grilled, steamed, soup, sushi (five pieces) and dessert; the Suzuran Course comprising 18 courses – appetiser, sashimi (five kinds), fried, simmered, grilled, steamed, sushi (six pieces), soup and dessert; and the Kiku Course comprising 21 courses – appetiser, sashimi (five kinds), fried, simmered, grilled, steamed, sushi (six pieces), soup and dessert.

Kiku Omakase is open Wednesday to Sunday, for lunch from 12pm til 2.30pm and for dinner from 5pm til 8.30pm. Visit Lancaster Bangkok’s website to find out more, or to make an omakase meal booking by phone, email or via Line.

 

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