The Emirates’ Airbus A380 is offering a range of innovations to make journeys more comfortable and enjoyable for passengers traveling in all classes, according to Adil Alghaith, VP of Emirates in Saudi Arabia. First Class passengers can relax in one of 14 private suites, with seats that convert to fully flat beds. Emirates is also the first airline to introduce two fully-equipped bathrooms in its First Class cabins, including shower facilities. The aircraft also features two bar areas, one for First Class and the other for Business Class passengers. Business Class passengers can relax in seats that convert to fully flat beds up to 79 inches (two meters) long, while those traveling in Economy Class can stretch out in seats with a pitch of up to 33 inches, he told a press conference in Jeddah on Tuesday. Passengers in all classes can enjoy Emirates’ award-winning ICE (information, communication, entertainment) Digital Widescreen in-flight entertainment system, which features over 1,100 channels of on-demand entertainment. In fact, Emirates’ achievements in 25 years are many, since the first flight to Karachi took off on Oct. 25, 1985 from a relatively rudimentary Dubai airport. Under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, it is a story of collective wisdom, forensic planning and the boldness to create an airline that would help create an inspiring modern city, snatched from the desert. “We’ll continue to weave high quality training into the fabric of this potent brand and lead with indomitable energy and vision,” Adil Alghaith, VP, Emirates-Saudi Arabia, told a press conference in Jeddah.
Lamborghini has brought an exclusive line of clothes and accessories bearing the name of the Italian supercar manufacturer. With the launch of the Lamborghini Clothing Line (Artimarca) at the Rubaiyat in Etoile Center, Jeddah on Tuesday, the Artimarca is now available at Rubaiyat Stores Kingdomwide. The Artimarca includes collections for men, women and juniors for all four seasons. These collections include beautifully styled Italian leather accessories including hats, shoes, briefcases, as well as Lamborghini crested t-shirts, sweatshirts and accessories. The collection is tailored not only to Lamborghini buyers, but also to the luxury consumer who values quality, style and elegance. “Our Lamborghini range appeals to both the young and the not so young. With our teaming up with Rubaiyat, we have in essence opened the Lamborghini experience to everyone, so now not only can they admire the vehicle, they own a part of the experience too. “The Raging Bull is all about emotions, pure undiluted emotions - Are You Ready to Ride??? We Are!!” says Mark Van Rooyen, Al Ghassan Motors Lamborghini brand manager. The Lamborghini Club members had a run to the store on its opening day, where Rubaiyat and Al Ghassan Motors’ guests were invited to watch the event unfold. After Rubaiyat top executives welcomed the guests, Ghassan A.H. Al-Sulaiman along with Rubaiyat CEO cut the ribbon. Above the store, was a lounge where the members and guests sat and viewed the wide range of Lamborghini accessories.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has officially opened its new premium lounge at Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2). Etihad became the first airline to operate its scheduled arrival and departure services from T2 in late November 2010. The new lounge offers Etihad’s premium customers a range of top quality facilities including a high-tech Business Centre, offering Mac workstations with broadband access and printer facilities, along with free WiFi for those that prefer to work from their own laptops; shower rooms; a luggage room for bag storage; a comfortable main lounge area boasting a library of books, magazines and newspapers from around the world, furnished with Italian leather chairs and soft sofas; a wide variety of food for customers traveling out of Ireland, including an a la carte menu, international buffet, and a special children’s menu; and a dedicated “family room” for younger travelers, stocked with toys, books and a TV to keep them inspired and entertained. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ CEO, said: “Ireland is a very important market for us and one in which we have continually invested. Our commitment to Ireland was reinforced last year when we increased our services to 10 flights a week between Dublin and our home base in Abu Dhabi, and this commitment was further strengthened when we opened a Line Maintenance Facility at Dublin Airport last June. The opening of this lounge marks another stage in the development of that relationship.”
Qatar Airways is preparing for huge capacity increases to Germany next month with additional flights to Frankfurt and Munich, together with the introduction of services to Stuttgart - its fourth German gateway. With two new weekly flights to Frankfurt, four additional services to Munich and the introduction of thrice-weekly flights to Stuttgart, the airline’s German frequency rises from 24 to 33 flights a week. All the flights are non-stop to and from Doha, Qatar Airways’ operational hub. Germany’s capital city Berlin has daily service. The additional capacity will vastly improve connectivity for the Doha-based carrier’s passengers traveling to and from Germany via Doha. The introduction of flights to the German car manufacturing city of Stuttgart from March 6 signals the first wave of expansion taking place in the country over a three-week period. With the capacity increase on the Frankfurt route, up from 10 flights a week, effective March 27, selected services will be operated using the airline’s flagship Boeing 777 long-haul aircraft. “By adding these extra flights, we are responding to strong demand for additional capacity on the Munich and Frankfurt routes. The strengthened services will foster new business and tourism links with the largest economy in the European Union. Passengers from the Middle East, Asia Pacific, South Asia and Africa will have greater travel options to Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart and Berlin with the quick and seamless connections,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said.
