EMIRATES INCREASES PHUKET SERVICE TO A DOUBLE DAILY
Emirates will now fly twice daily between Dubai and Phuket from December 1. The service will complement the existing six daily flights to Bangkok and the airline’s codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways, offering easy connection to different cities across Southeast Asia. Flight EK396 will operate four times a week on a Boeing 777-300ER, and will depart Dubai at 10.55pm and arrive at Phuket at 8am the following day. Flight EK397 will depart Phuket at 9.30am and arrive in Dubai at 1.20pm. Flight EK394 will operate three times per week and depart Dubai at 8.05pm and arrive at Phuket at 5.10am the following day. Flight EK395 will depart Phuket at 7.10am and arrive in Dubai at 11am. For more information log on to emirates.com
LUXURY CAMPING IN THE DUNES OF WAHIBA
The Chedi Muscat has teamed up with Hud Hud Travels for the Art of Design package that allows guests to camp in luxury under the stars in the dunes of Wahiba and discover the rich Bedouin culture of Oman.
On Day 1 of the two-night package (with a night stay in a Deluxe Club Room or Chedi Club Suite), guests can lounge by one of the three beautiful pools, dine at one of six restaurants and receive a 60-minute Ancient Balinese Massage at The Chedi Spa. On Day 2, they explore traditional Omani villages, historic forts and local farms in Wahiba — even try their hand at making a bag with Bedouin women using traditional weaving techniques. A candle-lit dinner will later be served a luxury camp under the desert sky before they spend the night in a bespoke Bedouin tent complete with crisp cotton bedding, Arabian throws and rugs and elegant furnishings. Prices start OMR1,660 (Dh1,5833) and the package is valid from October 1 until April 15, 2016. Any additional nights’ stay is based on the best available rates.
LUFTHANSA TO ADD Wi-Fi SERVICE ON SHORT AND MEDIUM HAUL FLIGHTS
From early summer 2016, Lufthansa will be the first network airline in Europe to offer broadband on board its short and medium-haul flights on continental flights and flights within Germany. The service will enable passengers to access internet on their mobile devices via a wireless network for e-mail services, to send and receive text messages and transfer of data based on their own mobile phone contract. Telephone calls on board, however, will still not be allowed.
Lufthansa operated the world’s first scheduled flight with internet access on January 15, 2003 but the service was suspended in 2006 because the necessary satellites were no longer in operation. Since December 2010, Lufthansa has again been the first airline to offer the service on its intercontinental flights and on all 106 long-haul aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet since this year.
ONE NIGHT FREE FOR EVERY PAID NIGHT AT DUSIT THANI
Thailand Rediscovery Ensemble is a package by Dusit Thani properties which includes a “stay 4 pay 2” offer. Guests receive one night free for every paid night booked at best available rates, starting with two nights in Bangkok followed by two nights at any participating Dusit resort in Pattaya, Hua Hin or Phuket. Offer is valid until November. Log on to dusit.com
LUXURY PACKAGE AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL INCLUDES DIAMOND PENDANT
Mandarin Oriental, Paris offers an 18 carat diamond pendant in white gold from world-famous jeweller, Bucherer as part of its new Diamond in the Sky package. The package includes stay in Panoramic or Royale suite designed by French interior designer Sybille de Margerie in a quintessential Parisian, haute couture style and offering spectacular views of the rooftops and monuments of Paris including the Opera, Madeleine and Montmartre; breakfast for two (either at Camelia or in the suite) private car transfer from airport or station; complimentary internet access. Later, guests will be taken to Bucherer, the world’s largest store dedicated to prestige watches, where they will receive VIP service and the diamond pendant (0.2 carat for the guests in a Panoramic suite and 0.4 carat in a Royale Suite). The package is available until January 31, 2016 and is priced from €4,600 (Dh18,800) on two sharing basis. For more information and reservations log on to mandarinoriental.com or write to mopar-reservations@mohg.com