Carry On: News for business travellers - New Ramada for Fiji

The Wyndham Hotel Group has a new franchise agreement with Smugglers Cove Beach Resort to open the first Ramada Suites at Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi Bay, Fiji. The property, which is a 15-minute drive from Nadi International Airport and Port Denarau Marina, will offer a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as a massage and spa facility, a fitness centre, a lap pool and a gourmet deli. Construction is due to be completed in early 2015.

Wynyard’s South Pacific manager, Barry Robinson, says the signing adds a new destination to the Ramada brand’s network of nearly 830 hotels worldwide, including 11 hotels in Australia, New Zealand, Guam and New Caledonia. Wynyard manages a worldwide network of 7440 hotels.

Cabin crew go to the races
 

Etihad Airways has supplied a large squad of “grid girls” for Sunday’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Doha. The cabin crew – in Formula 1 uniforms – have become a key feature of the Yas Marina Circuit race, which will be broadcast to millions of motor racing fans around the world. The race will also be seen live on Etihad aircraft as part of a new in-flight entertainment service that started on November 1. It features eight television channels that will broadcast live news and sport.

The channels available now are BBC World News, BBC Arabic, Euronews and Sport 24. CNBC, Japan’s NHK World Premium and CNN will be introduced during November; while Sky News Arabia will follow in the coming months. The highlight of the sports coverage are the final three races of the Formula 1 season with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, November 3, as well as the US Grand Prix on Sunday, November 17, and the Brazil Grand Prix on Sunday, November 24.

Hats go valet class to the races
Virgin Australia is celebrating the official launch of its new flagship Sydney lounge by offering racegoers a Melbourne Cup Carnival hat valet service. A range of pre-flight pampering options will also be offered including blow-dries, make-up kits by Model Co and a shoe-shining service, all designed to ensure guests arrive ready for the race. The new lounge stretches across two levels, caters for 500 guests and has design elements that include illuminated bars and curved glass privacy screens.

Meanwhile, Virgin Australia has officially opened its first lounge at Cairns Airport in northern Australia. The 710sq m lounge offers dedicated areas to relax, refuel and work, including business facilities, entertainment options and a Luke Mangan designed buffet. It is located on the upper level of the domestic terminal.

Qantas previews new lounges in Hong, Kong, Los Angeles
Qantas has unveiled details of its new lounges in Hong Kong and Los Angeles ahead of their official openings in 2014. The Hong Kong lounge opens in March 2014 and will offer

• Yum cha trolleys serving dumplings throughout the lounge
• Dining at the Spice Temple BBQ Bar
• A tray around and buffet-style food
• Views overlooking the Qantas gates from a bar where serving cocktails, wines, spirits and espresso coffee
• A family zone

The new Los Angeles business lounge managed by Qantas will be jointly owned by Qantas, Cathay Pacific and British Airways. When completed, it will be more than twice the size of the current lounge, offering nearly 600 seats.
It will also offer:

• Menus inspired by a mix of local West Coast US and Asian flavours
• A dining area with view into the kitchen offering fresh regional food
• A wine bar with signature cocktails, bar snacks and a barista service.
• A circular internal fireplace for relaxing and socialising
• And seating surrounding a central glass atrium.

This lounge will be open in phases with the first stage opening in April 2014 and the remainder aligning to the broader Tom Bradley International redevelopment. A new Qantas first class lounge will open in the second half of 2014.

London hop via Jakarta coming
Jakarta could soon emerge as a new stop in Asia on the Auckland-London route. Garuda Indonesia has announced it will start a Jakarta to London Gatwick service on May 29 next year. Initially, flights will operate three times a week – every Monday, Thursday and Saturday – rising to five services a week from September 30. The service will use three class Boeing 777-300ERs. In April last year, Garuda Indonesia signed an agreement with Auckland Airport that opened the way to a resumption of air links to New Zealand after a six-year hiatus.

Route news: China Eastern, Cathay Pacific
China Eastern has again is postponed the planned restoration of the Shanghai Pu Dong-Cairns service. It now plans to resume this route from January 7 next year with three weekly flights, although only two are open for reservation. The airline will operate this route with Boeing 767 aircraft. Cathay Pacific Airways has adding the holiday destinations of Koh Samui and Krabi in Thailand to its network after a codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways.
Cathay’s CX code will be placed on Bangkok Airways’ daily services between Hong Kong and Koh Samui and Bangkok and Krabi/Chiang Mai from November 4.