Japan Airlines (JAL) seeks antitrust immunity with Iberia to cooperate on flights between Europe and Japan

TOKYO, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The first step has been taken to enable Iberia to join British Airways, Finnair and Japan Airlines (JAL) in their successful joint business on flights between Europe and Japan. JAL has submitted its application to the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) seeking antitrust immunity with… Read the full press release

British Airways and BT hosted first ever Give & Gain community sports day in Manchester

MANCHESTER, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Almost 200 Manchester primary schoolchildren took part in the first ever Give & Gain community sports day in the city this week supported by British Airways and BT. The Factory Youth Zone, in Harpurhey, was the venue for the skills building event on Give & Gain Day, on May… Read the full press release

British Airways Holidays launches online tailor-made package holiday service ‘Customise Your Trip’

LONDON, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — British Airways Holidays has launched an industry leading online tailor-made package holiday service. The new ‘Customise Your Trip’ service available online at BA.com allows customers to create a multi-destination holiday of their choice with total flexibility to combine flights in and out of different airports, book multiple hotels and… Read the full press release

British Airways launches the only direct flight between London and Santiago in Chile from January 3, 2017

LONDON, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — British Airways is launching the only direct flight between London and Santiago in Chile from January 3, 2017. Santiago will become the airline’s lengthiest long-haul route, taking 14 hours 40 minutes, nearly an hour more than the current longest flight of 13 hours 50 minutes service to Buenos Aires…. Read the full press release

British Airways to start direct flights to Doha and Muscat from Heathrow Terminal 5 from October 30

LONDON, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — British Airways customers will soon be able to experience uninterrupted, direct flights to Doha and Muscat from Heathrow Terminal 5. Previously, customers flying to the Middle Eastern cities had to stop off in Bahrain en route Doha and Abu Dhabi en route to Muscat, but from October 30, both… Read the full press release

Qatar Executive to exhibit at EBACE from 24 to 26 May in Geneva, Switzerland

Qatar Airways’ private jet division presents its growing service portfolio to the business aviation community in Europe DOHA, Qatar, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of award-winning Qatar Airways, will be exhibiting at Europe’s leading business aviation show EBACE (Stand #J059, Hall 5), taking place from 24 to 26… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines to start three-times daily service between San Diego and Sacramento and Burbank and San Jose from March 16, 2017

SEATTLE, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Alaska Airlines today announced it will add new, three-times daily service between San Diego and Sacramento and Burbank and San Jose, beginning March 16, 2017. The nonstop service will connect California fliers to London, Beijing and Tokyo on Alaska’s partners British Airways, Hainan Airlines and Japan Airlines. “These… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines applies for new international service between Los Angeles and Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos

DALLAS, 2016-May-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today extended its bookable flight schedule from early November through Jan. 4, 2017, offering new nonstop service options through Southwest.com for Customers flying Southwest® in every time zone of the continental U.S.  The new routes were published a day after Southwest Airlines Chairman, President… Read the full press release

Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh unveils contemporary new look and feel following a £12m investment programme

Edinburgh, 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The 238-room Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh has unveiled a contemporary new look and feel – the result of a £12m investment programme.  Work to completely upgrade the Royal Mile hotel began in early 2015 and since then all guest bedrooms, meeting rooms, and public areas, have been transformed…. Read the full press release

Stagecoach launches ‘Pledge to help’ initiative in partnership with Mental Health Action Group and Anxiety UK

• ‘Pledge to help’ developed in partnership with Mental Health Action Group and Anxiety UK • Enhanced training and awareness programmes to boost confidence in bus travel • New support line for employees as part of drive to break down barriers • Stagecoach initiative backed by Transport Minister Andrew Jones Perth, Scotland, 2016-May-20 — /Travel… Read the full press release

Bombardier Transportation awarded 60 million euro contract to supply 12 FLEXITY tram trains to the city of Karlsruhe, Germany

The Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH (AVG) has called off twelve BOMBARDIER FLEXITYdual-voltage tram trains BERLIN, 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a contract to supply 12 FLEXITY tram trains to the city of Karlsruhe, Germany. The contract is valued at approximately 60 million euro ($67 million US) and is a… Read the full press release

NEW ZEALAND: Hulbert House, A New luxury, boutique accommodation in a restored Victorian villa opens in Queenstown on June 1

Queenstown, New Zealand, 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — A new luxury, boutique accommodation in a restored Victorian villa will open in Queenstown on June 1, just in time for the busy winter season. Hulbert House has six uniquely designed suites with views overlooking either Lake Wakatipu or the Skyline Hill. Located one block from Queenstown’s… Read the full press release

Inaugural Americas Masters Games to take place in Vancouver, August 26 to September 4

Amateur and professional athletes worldwide invited to compete Vancouver, BC, 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — This summer, thousands of amateur athletes from around the world are expected to travel to Vancouver for the first-ever Americas Masters Games(AMG). The nine-day event is designed to complement the World Masters Games (the world’s largest multi-sport event), offering an… Read the full press release

Interstate Hotels & Resorts welcomes 2016 class of interns this June

ARLINGTON, Va., 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Interstate Hotels & Resorts – the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company – is dedicated to training the next generation of hospitality professionals. Welcoming the 2016 class of interns this June, the Company provides a hands-on understanding of the industry. An ideal and powerful platform for students to… Read the full press release

Minor Hotel Group adds Elewana Collection to Global Hotel Alliance’s growing network

Minor Hotel Group’s fifth member brand further enriches the alliance with unique lodges and camps in iconic locations across Kenya and Tanzania DUBAI, 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Minor Hotel Group (“Minor”), an international hotel owner and operator of over 140 hotels, strengthens its presence in Global Hotel Alliance (“GHA”) by adding Elewana Collection,… Read the full press release

Oakland International Airport reports 4% growth in April passenger traffic year over year

Oakland, CA, 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The Oakland International Airport (OAK) has released its April Passenger Traffic reporting, adding yet another month of consecutive growth. Total passenger traffic at the airport increased from 904,793 in April 2015, reaching 941,248 passengers in April 2016, representing 4% growth year over year.  This is based upon 3.4%… Read the full press release

The American Hotel & Lodging Association issues statement on the Department of Labor’s final overtime regulation

Washington, D.C., 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) today issued the following statement on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) final overtime. “Our industry is ripe with opportunity and has a tremendous track record of providing the training and resources our employees need to move up through the ranks… Read the full press release

The American Hotel & Lodging Association announces the winners of its most prestigious prize: The Stars of the Industry Awards

Top Hotels & Employees Announced; Awards Mark Employee Leadership, Community Service   Washington, D.C., 2016-May-20 — /Travel PR News/ — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) today announced the winners of its most prestigious prize: The Stars of the Industry Awards, honoring the nation’s top employees and properties honored for their outstanding accomplishments, service, and leadership… Read the full press release

itsu returns to Heathrow T5 with new store and exciting range of ‘ready to fly’ bespoke products

LONDON, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — This Summer, itsu will make a welcome return to Heathrow T5 with a beautifully designed new store and an exciting range of ‘ready to fly’ bespoke products. itsu’s first site at Heathrow T5 became a firm favourite with both passengers and ground staff alike who loved the Asian-inspired chain’s… Read the full press release

Holiday Inn Express® portfolio further expands with the signing of two new-build properties in Peru

Construction of two new Holiday Inn Express hotels increases presence in Latin America MIAMI, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading global hotel companies, today announces the latest additions to the growing Holiday Inn Express® portfolio with the signing of two new-build properties in Peru: one in Lima,… Read the full press release

IHG announces the opening of the newly-renovated, InterContinental New York Barclay

Featuring Entirely Redesigned Interiors and Residential Style Services, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts Preserves Historic Hotel’s Original 1920’s Elegance, While Introducing Expansive Meeting Spaces and a new Gin Parlour ATLANTA, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announces the opening of the newly-renovated, InterContinental New York Barclay, which… Read the full press release

Oakwood Asia Pacific Ltd to open the first Oakwood-branded property in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Oakwood Asia Pacific Ltd, which manages an award-winning portfolio of the finest serviced apartments in the world for business and leisure travellers, confirmed a partnership with Plenitude Berhad today to open the first Oakwood-branded property in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the second half of 2016. Located in… Read the full press release

Starwood’s Aloft brand to debut in Veracruz and Queretaro, Mexico

Aloft Veracruz to Debut in 2017 followed by Aloft Queretaro in 2018, Reinforcing the Brand’s Strength in the Region MIAMI, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced from the Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) Conference that its innovative Aloft brand will soon debut inVeracruz, the main commercial seaport… Read the full press release

English Heritage: Food writer Elizabeth David honoured with blue plaque at her home in Chelsea

Elizabeth David becomes the first food writer to be honoured with a blue plaque at her home in Chelsea. LONDON, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Elizabeth David changed Britain’s tastes forever, and is largely credited with introducing Mediterranean food to the UK. Today she is being honoured with a blue plaque at her home in… Read the full press release

TIA: New Zealand’s biggest annual international tourism showcase TRENZ will return to Auckland in 2017

TRENZ, New Zealand’s biggest annual international tourism showcase, will return to Auckland in 2017, TIA announced.  Wellington, New Zealand, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — “After two highly successful years in Rotorua, we look forward to taking TRENZ back to New Zealand’s biggest city and international gateway,” TIA Chief Executive  says. The announcement was made on 13… Read the full press release

Aeroflot took delivery of two new A320s

MOSCOW, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Aeroflot has taken delivery of two new A320s equipped with aerodynamic wing-tips known as Sharklets. Both A320 aircraft are named in honour of outstanding Russian poets. VP-BEO bears the name of Afanasy Fet, and VP-BET has been named Andrey Voznesenskiy. All A320 aircraft family are delivered to Aeroflot directly from the… Read the full press release

Singapore Airlines establishes holding company to own and manage airlines Scoot and Tiger Airways

Holding company to drive deep integration between Scoot and Tiger Airways Lee Lik Hsin appointed CEO SINGAPORE, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Singapore Airlines (SIA) has established a holding company to own and manage its budget airlines Scoot and Tiger Airways, following the delisting of Tiger Airways (which operates as Tigerair) from SGX-ST. Lee Lik… Read the full press release

Singapore Airlines: KrisFlyer members will be able to redeem miles for travel in Premium Economy Class

SINGAPORE, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ —  Members of KrisFlyer, Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyer programme, will be able to redeem their miles for travel in Premium Economy Class with effect from 24 May 2016. KrisFlyer members will also be able to use their miles for upgrades from Economy Class to Premium Economy Class, or from… Read the full press release

Jet Airways boosts operations to Saudi Arabia with additional daily services to Dammam from Mumbai and Delhi

MUMBAI, 2016-May-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will launch additional daily services to Dammam from Mumbai and Delhi, further boosting its operations to the key Saudi Arabian port city. The airline will introduce the new services, one each from Delhi and Mumbai, starting July 1st, 2016*, adding to the single… Read the full press release

Austrian Airlines deploys fifth Embraer for its initial flight from Vienna to Stuttgart

• Austrian Airlines Embraer fleet: already more than 1,700 flights completed with about 2,100 flying hours • Almost new Embraer jets are replacing Fokker aircraft: greater traveling comfort for passengers Vienna, Austria, 2016-May-18 — /Travel PR News/ — This morning yet another Embraer jet in the Austrian Airlines fleet with the registration number OE-LWI took… Read the full press release