Emirates launches luxury private jet service
For those trips when first class just isn’t enough, Emirates this week launched Emirates Executive, a luxury private jet service in an Airbus 319. Their website provides a glimpse of what it’s like to travel like a superstar in the flight, which is equipped with 10 of the private suites already in Emirates first class cabins (with fully lie flat seat and a 32” HD LCD screen) and a shower spa (with marble accents, no less).
The second “zone” is a dining and executive lounge at the front of the aircraft seating up to 12 passengers, with two large sofas, four mechanically activated tables and two 42” HD LCD screens with Emirates ICE in-flight entertainment. So where can you fly? According to Emirates, most locations worldwide and beyond the existing network. Call to book on 04-7081121/1122
Etihad Airways goes further down under
If you’re a regular between Oz and the UAE, read on: The Abu Dhabi-based airline, celebrating six years of flying to Australia, this week outlined major changes to its Australian operations, including new aircraft, new routes, additional flights and new airport facilities.
Passengers can expect to travel on an Airbus A380 on fights from Sydney and Melbourne to Abu Dhabi; have more flights from Melbourne and Brisbane to Abu Dhabi; with non-stop flights between Perth and Abu Dhabi to be launched.
Fast-forward to 2014, and there will be premium lounges at Sydney and Melbourne airports. Etihad Airways at present has a 10 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, and is moving to increase that to 19.9 per cent. Last week, the airline also invested in Serbia’s national airline, and is awaiting regulatory approval for investment in India’s Jet Airways.
Two UAE hotels accredited for service standards
Congrats are due to Coral Beach Resort — Sharjah and the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel in Abu Dhabi, both of which won plaudits from guests this week. The Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel’s outstanding guest review scores won it an award from Booking.com.
Guests rated the hotel’s facilities and service standards in 2012 as 8.9 out of a possible 10. The 600-room hotel has an indoor garden featuring 142 species of plants, as well as two Olympic-standard shooting galleries, two squash courts, a bowling centre and other sporting facilities. Call 02-4415900.
Meanwhile, guests rated the Coral Beach Resort in Sharjah among the top 10 per cent of hotels and resorts worldwide, earning it a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor. The website features more than 100 million reviews and opinions and operates 30 sites in 21 languages. The hotel has 156 rooms, many of them seaview, and a free Kid’s Club. coral-beachresortsharjah.com
New kids' clubs at JA Resorts & Hotels
JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, JA Oasis Beach Tower and JA Ocean View Hotel, the three properties from the Dubai-based hotel group now have more for kids. JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort features horse riding, an animal farm as well as a crèche for babies and toddlers from 4 months to 4 years.
CoolZone (for 5-12-year-olds) at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort and JA Ocean View Hotel, has arts and crafts; an organic garden with a weekly gardening session educating them on reducing, reusing and recycling. ChillZone, at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort and JA Oasis Beach Tower, for teenagers between 13-18 years, includes movie-nights, water polo and other team activities. Visit jaresortshotels.com
